Chapter 11

Third person point of view

Dev's days were going forward in agony. No matter how hard he tried not to, he ended up thinking about every single action of his and analyzing it to his wits end. But he could reach no conclusion. At least he didn't have another dream like that. He was still guilty but it went down a little as he kept forgetting about it little by little. 

It was second Saturday and they had a holiday. Currently Dev and Aravind were hanging clothes on the terrace while both the mothers were chatting happily. Dev grunted and turned to the mothers who were towards the other side of the terrace. " Do you have to wash the sheets also now itself ?! " 

" I was intending to do it this week only. It is just that the timing was like this ". His mother shrugged. Dev mumbled that she was just speaking nonsense and continued to hang them. Aravind chuckled and continued to do it. Both the mothers also chuckled. Dev's mother saw Aravind and smiled. 

" You don't need to help him you know ? " Aravind heard Dev's mother say and turned to her. He glanced at Dev who was still grumbling while doing the work with a deep frown on his face. " It is fine aunty. He helps me with a lot of things so I want to help him too ". He smiled and continued his work. 

The both of them finished and fell on the bed in Dev's room. They were tired. Dev turned to the side to see Aravind sleeping with his eyes close. Aravind licked his lips and gulped to moisten his throat a little. Dev's eyes followed all of Aravind's actions like he was hypnotized. He also gulped hard. His felt parched all of a sudden. 

Aravind slowly opened his eyes. Dev looked away in a hurry and his heart skipped a beat. He almost got caught staring. He put a hand on his chest and it seems to be beating abnormally. He was taking deep breaths to control it. He flapped his t-shirt feeling stuffy. He blinked to calm down and sat up.

Aravind saw Dev but did not find anything weird. Dev picked up the bottle beside his bed and took a few big gulps. " Give me too ". Dev gave it without looking at Aravind. He shook his head to get rid of his thoughts. Aravind put the bottle aside and turned to Dev. Dev's phone which was beside him, lit up showing a notification. Dev picked up his phone. 

It was Bhargav. " Who is it ? " Aravind asked sitting up. " Guess ". Dev said with a chuckle. Aravind knew right away. " What does he want ? " " He wants to meet up tomorrow for a discussion ". Aravind rolled his eyes. " He sure has a lot of interest in the project ". Dev chuckled. " Shall we go ? I mean, he will be of help ".

Dev moved closer to Aravind and wiggled his eyebrows. " And he might actually help us more ". Both of them laughed. Aravind thought about it and nodded. " Not wrong. But I really don't want to look at his face ". Dev laughed harder. " But you have no choice. You have to; for almost an year ". Aravind groaned and fell back on the bed again. 

Dev continued to text Bhargav. " So, what did he say ? " Aravind asked. " Tomorrow, 3:30 PM at a café. He sent the location ". Dev informed and put his phone away. Aravind nodded. " How about a game ? " Dev asked picking up his controller and giving another to Aravind. Aravind took it. They played for a while and then Aravind went back to his house.

The next day, Aravind went by himself to the cafe as Dev had something to do and said he would go there directly. Aravind stared at the cafe and let out a breath. He entered and saw Bhargav was already there. He rolled his eyes in his heart and went to the table. He sat opposite him. Bhargav looked up with a smile and greeted him. " Hello ". 

" Hey ". Aravind smiled back too. Bhargav glanced around. " Where is your friend ? " " I don't know ". " I thought you would come together ". " Let me check ". Aravind smiled internally. He was given the opportunity without even trying. He had some ideas and was very happy to put them into action. Aravind picked up his phone. 

Dev kept leaving him messages about where he was from time to time. It was him who didn't check. But now he called and increased the volume secretly before putting it to his ear. Dev picked up after two rings. " Hello ". Aravind greeted first as soon as it was picked up without letting Dev speak. Dev knew he was up to something. 

If Aravind calling first was a shout of help, then him greeting with a hello is SOS in bright red. Dev knew it all too well. Aravind never means never greeted with a hello when answering his call, let alone when he was the one calling first. He knew Aravind should already be at the cafe. So Dev let his senses work better and decided to play along. " Yeah ". 

" Where are you ? " Aravind asked, believing in Dev. Dev parked his bike to the side and indeed didn't let Aravind down. " My dear Aravind, a thing called smart phone and an app called Whats App exist for a reason. And you need to learn to check messages that people send you. Why do you even use the phone if you are not going to look at or reply to messages ? "

Dev continued to complain nonchalantly. Aravind cheered internally but maintained a poker face. " Whatever. So where are you now ? " Dev sighed. " Just a few minutes away. I will be there soon. Don't worry cute boy ". " Alright. Bye ". Aravind hung up with a small smile in triumph. He put his phone aside and looked up at Bhargav. 

" He will be here soon ". He informed and Bhargav gave a nod. Aravind pursed his lips to not let his lips curve upwards. He took out the material he had. Bhargav let out a breath and sat forward. In less than 5 minutes, Dev reached there. He parked the bike and walked in. He spotted them pretty easily and went to the table.

He put his helmet on the chair near Bhargav and sat down beside Aravind. Aravind looked up at him. " You are sweating so much ". Dev sighed. " It is so hot today. You didn't order anything ? " Aravind shook his head. " Let me get it for you ". Dev got up once again. " But you just arrived ". " It is fine. I will be back. Bro you want anything ? " 

Bhargav shook his head. A feeling he couldn't pin point bubbled up in Bhargav's heart. He tried to suppress it and maintain a normal smile. " It is fine. Let me see ". Dev patted Aravind's shoulder and walked away. Aravind watched with a smile as Dev went to get their drinks. Bhargav twirled the pen in hands.

Dev came back with a few desserts and drinks for all of them. He handed one to Bhargav as well. They had a few bites. Bhargav took a sip of the drink and saw Dev hand a tissue to Aravind. He cleared his throat. " Shall we start ? " Aravind nodded and they made space on the table. Dev also took out his laptop and they got down to business. 

Time flew as they worked and they were done sooner than expected. Bhargav cracked his knuckles. He liked their project. " I get what you are trying to do and I will also help you as much as I can. I think it will come out fine ". " Thank you ". Dev smiled. " So we can end it here for today ? " " Yeah ". They quickly packed up their things. 

" Are you guys busy ? " Bhargav asked as they were ready to leave. They both looked at each other. " We have somewhere to go ". Aravind answered and Dev nodded and Bhargav nodded back. " Alright ". They both stood up. " We will be leaving then. Thanks bro ". Dev said and Aravind also spoke up. " Thank you ". " No mention ". They both walked out swiftly.

-MG