Chapter 10

Third person point of view

It was Sunday and the both of them were playing games in Dev's room. The door opened suddenly and a head peeked in. " Mom, you should stop trying to scare us ". Dev said without taking his eyes off the screen. His mom sneered and walked in. " I come in with the expectation that I will find you doing something interesting but all you do is play games ". 

They paused the game and turned to her. " Please ". Dev pleaded, done with his mother's antics. She just laughed. She sat down on the bed beside Aravind. " Are you playing for fun or is there any bet ? " Aravind shook his head. " Just fun ". She scrunched her nose. " That's even more boring ". Dev just gave a look of 'do you even know what you are talking about'. 

Aravind laughed, glancing between them both. " Bet with me ? " Dev's mom asked and Aravind's eyes went wide. Dev raised an eyebrow. " Sure. What is it ? " " Laundry for a month ". " Fine. But what if I win ? " She thought for a second. " You need not do the laundry ". Dev scoffed. " You've got to be kidding me ". She laughed. 

" Then it is up to you. I will fulfil whatever wish you have ". Dev nodded. " But can we have a practice round ? I don't know to play that well ". She said and Dev agreed. So they just continued the game which was paused. She understood how it works. Dev's father walked in because of the noise and noticed them gathered. 

" What is going on ? " Aravind explained the situation to him. He nodded and sat down to watch along with Aravind. " Are you sure ? " Dev nodded as an answer to his father's question. " Best of 3 ? " She asked and Dev nodded. They started playing and the first round wasn't as intense. Dev won the game. " Who are you both supporting ? " 

" No one ". Dev's father answered and Aravind also nodded. They started the second round. And the other three just stared at the screen in disbelief. The only one smiling was Dev's mother. She won the game. " Let's start ? " And the third round began. Dev gave his all in the round but still lost. He couldn't believe he lost just like that. 

He wasn't bad at it or anything. He turned to his mother in disbelief. " Why didn't you tell me you were so good at it ? " Dev asked and she just shrugged. " I never said I was bad at it either ". Dev just scoffed at his fate. " So laundry for a month. Don't forget ". Dev just nodded lifelessly. " I do know you do coding but this is too much ". Dev complained. 

" Did I not ask you if you really want to do it ? " Dev's father said and Dev opened his mouth not able to say anything. His mother turned to them with a proud face. " I thought my hand speed would've gone down but looks like it didn't ". She chuckled and walked out. Aravind looked at Dev's expression and patted his shoulder. 

They went to the college the next day and the lecturer informed them that they will be going to different classrooms to discuss about the projects. So in the next class they all went to the rooms they were allotted. Aravind and Dev went and sat on the last bench. " I will be back in a minute ". Dev said and walked out. 

Aravind put Dev's bag on the side and waited. Students were coming one after the other. Aravind scrolled through his feed waiting for Dev. " Excuse me ". He looked up at the voice and saw a guy standing there. " Is this seat available ? " He asked pointing to the place where Dev's bag was there. Aravind shook his head. 

The guy nodded and left. Aravind watched as he went and sat in the front. Dev walked in and saw Aravind frowning while looking at his phone. " What happened ? " Dev asked and sat down. Aravind shook his head. The lecturer walked in and introduced herself. " Hello students. My name is Suma and I will be your guide for your final project. Please come up ". 

She gestured to a few students. They walked up and stood along with her. " They are all PhD students and they will also be helping you through your projects ". She said and Aravind looked at the guy who just asked him if he could sit beside him and his frown deepened. He wished he would not be the one to help them. 

The lecturer then told who all would be helping the groups. Sometimes you just jinx yourself unknowingly. Aravind sighed when that very guy was the one helping them. " Hello. My name is Bhargav ". He introduced himself. All of them under him gathered and had some brief discussions in groups. And then sat in their places again.

" This is it for today. We can keep in touch through the group chat and we will be meeting once or twice a week from now on. Thank you ". The lecturer walked out and the others also followed, going back to their own classes. They both also walked out to go to their classes. " Hey ". They turned to the voice and saw Bhargav. 

" Can I get your number ? " He asked looking at Aravind. Dev raised an eyebrow. Aravind noticed he wasn't much taller than himself. Dev was still taller than him and also he could see that Bhargav worked out. Aravind stared for a few seconds and then nodded. " Sure ". Bhargav smiled and gave his phone. 

Aravind quickly typed it and gave it back. Dev who was beside him, frowned. Bhargav smiled and saved it. " Let's be in touch ". He said and walked away. Aravind rolled his eyes and they walked away from there. " Why did you give him my number ? " Dev asked as they walked back to their class. 

" I know him. I mean not as in that know but I know his face. Remember there is a page I follow. According to that page he is actually bisexual and he is kind of open about it. But he is a player. I remember them saying that he keeps going out with girls and guys all the time ". Aravind said and Dev was amused. 

" You don't like him ? " Dev asked and Aravind shook his head. " Not that I am expert but he is a red flag for sure ". Dev nodded. " What is your profile picture ? " Aravind asked and Dev took out his phone. It was a cartoon character. Aravind let out a sigh. " Don't reply to his texts unless it is about the project. Don't read or just leave him on read. Up to you ". 

Dev nodded. " Sure". " Sorry and thanks too. I know it will be a bother to you but please help me deal with him ". Aravind said and Dev chuckled. " It is nothing. I am happy to be of help ". Aravind smiled. Their day went by like any other. They went home and Dev sat down on the chair. He was clearing up his bag.

His phone showed a notification. He tapped on the screen and it lit up. It was Bhargav who texted saying some nice words about them working together on the project. Dev just gave thumbs up and put it away. He didn't expect this kind of thing to happen. As soon as he found out that guy was trying to hit on Aravind, he felt a pang in his chest. 

But he found out that Aravind has no interest in Bhargav and even hates him, so he relaxed again. He let out a sigh. He didn't know what to do with all those emotions and feelings. He could only hide them and didn't know what to do or how to approach Aravind. He was walking in circles every time he thought of these things. He shook his head and let it be.

-MG