Chapter 3

Third person point of view

Their week went by and Monday rolled up pretty quickly. Their college started again. The both of them went to college on Dev's bike. They found their classroom and saw their friends were already there. They all greeted each other and spoke about how their holidays were spent. " I spent most of the time in the village ". 

Arjun said and the others nodded. It had always been that way. " I actually went on a trip with my family to Darjeeling ". Abhay said. " So the photos were from there ? " Aravind asked and Abhay nodded. " You went to some marriage last week right ? Were there any nice girls ? " Sushanth asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Aravind. 

Dev felt his ears perk up all of a sudden. Karthik hit Sushanth on the head. " Are you seriously asking him that ? He is better off being a monk ". The other laughed at the comment. Aravind just rolled his eyes. The gang of six chatted till their lecturer walked in. Their classes weren't as strict and there were not so many to begin with. 

Being in their last year, their main focus was on their project and clearing backlogs if they had any. Their day was pretty fun as they all met after quite a few days. The next morning, Dev drove his bike out and parked it on the side. He closed the gate and then went to get on his bike. He noticed Aravind's house gate open and Aravind walked out like a zombie. 

Dev stood there and watched as Aravind approached him. " What happened ? " He asked warily and Aravind gave him a glare. Dev raised his fists ready to defend himself. Aravind was really willing to punch him. He wanted to smack Dev but Dev quickly dodged it. He maintained a safe distance. " So furious right in the morning. What happened ? " 

Aravind huffed. " Would it kill you to not work out ? Because of you I got thrown out of the house now ". Aravind said with a clenched jaw. Dev knew the reason for his fury. No wonder he had a murderous aura around him. Aravind valued sleep a lot more than Dev. If someone disturbs him, it means they are looking for death. 

Dev put his fists down and moved closer after understanding the situation. Aravind's fist itched. " My mother nagged at me nonstop that I had no choice but to come out and it is all because of you, you bastard ". Dev cleared his throat and looked into the air. He was used to Aravind's curses. He looked at Aravind who was still glaring at him. 

" Don't be mad. You came out anyway right ? Let's go now before we are late ". Dev said and quickly got on the bike. Aravind cursed again under his breath and got on the bike. Dev chuckled and drove them to the gym. They both did their own things and drove back. They got ready and then walked out again to go to college. 

" Remove your bag ". Aravind said grumpily. Dev quickly wore it on the front. Aravind got on the bike and put his hands around Dev's waist and held tightly. " I am going to nap. Be careful on the road ". Dev could feel Aravind's front which stuck to his back. He gulped hard. Aravind did do this before too but now Dev felt too conscious. 

" You will drive fine right ? " Aravind asked and Dev nodded, looking nonchalant. " Let's go then ". Aravind gave a yawn. " Don't lose grip okay ? " Dev said. " Okay, okay ". Aravind said and Dev started the engine and drove off. He was careful when he turned the bike or had to stop. He drove extra cautiously and arrived at the college 15 minutes later than their usual time. 

He stopped the bike in the parking spot and Aravind's hands were still just as tight around his waist. Dev gulped looking around. " Aravind, wake up. We're here ". Aravind woke up at once. He pulled his hands away and carefully got off the bike. He stumbled a little and Dev immediately reacted by holding his waist and helping him steady. 

Aravind stood properly. He just rubbed his eyes to get rid of the sleep, totally unfazed. Dev quickly removed his hand. He adjusted his flustered expression to a straight face. " Your eyes will hurt ". Dev said and Aravind stopped rubbing them. " Let's go to the washroom and then to the class ". Dev nodded. 

They went to the washroom, finished their business and Aravind also washed his face. They walked out of there and went to the class. They noticed their friends were busy chatting about something. Abhay was the first one to actually notice them. The both of them sat down on the last bench. 

" Finally. What took you so long ? " Sushanth asked, turning back to look at them. Dev rested his face on his fist. " He slept on the way ". The others nodded in understanding. They knew Aravind pulled that stunt before if he didn't get enough sleep. It was not something new. 

Their lecturer walked in and all of them quickly turned to the front. Their week went in a comparatively leisure manner. It was already Sunday evening. Aravind and Dev finished having dinner and went to Dev's room to play some games. Aravind finally made up his mind and confessed his deepest secret.

Back to present

Dev just felt like his brain had been fried because of an electric shock. He wondered if he heard it right. Looking at Aravind's expression, he knew it was serious. Even though his face was blank, the wheels in his brain were running at full speed and his heart started racing. Aravind was patiently waiting for Dev's reaction. 

Dev just nodded slowly. " Okay ". Aravind did expect a pretty mild reaction but this was too tasteless. He just stared back at Dev. " That's it ? " Dev scratched his head. " What else do you want me to do ? " He asked back. Aravind also looked confused. Dev chuckled. " I am not homophobic or anything so, it is what it is I guess ". 

Aravind laughed. " I did know I could trust you with this but your reaction is a little too bland ". Dev laughed. " I really don't know what to do. Tell me what you want me to react like and I will ". Aravind shook his head with a smile. " No need. I will get going. It is getting late ". Dev nodded and the both of them got out of bed. 

-MG