Chapter 35
Disclaimer : CTTRO for the song 'Double Take' by Dhruv. I also really love this song. 🤩 Please enjoy listening to it while reading the chapter.
Third person point of view
Dev started singing another one and Aravind knew there were only three more songs left before he would be done. He quickly walked away from there and came back running after getting what he wanted. He noticed Dev was singing the second verse of the last but one song. He took some deep breaths and calmed down.
He then drank some water and cleared his throat a few times. Dev finished the song and moved away from the mic. The crowd applauded. He picked up the water and drank some. His eyes were scanning the crowd. He noticed their gang and waved. He looked around again but didn't find Aravind. He frowned wondering if Akshay sent him on some errand.
Aravind chuckled on the side seeing the frown on Dev's face. He knew Dev was looking for him. Dev let it be and gulped the water. He put the bottle away and went to the mic. " This is going to be our last song ". The crowd protested. " I would love to sing more too, but you guys and us; both have to go home ". They all laughed.
Dev continued talking. " We actually picked a few songs from the poll that was conducted and this is also one of them. I am pretty happy to sing this and one of the songs with lots of votes actually. I hope you guys will enjoy it ". He smiled and the music started playing. Aravind's eyes went wide. It was Dhruv's ' Double take '. The crowd went rowdy once again.
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
I could say I never dare
To think about you in that way
But, I would be lying
And I pretend I'm happy for you
When you find some dude to take home
But I won't deny that
In the midst of the crowds
In the shapes of the clouds
I don't see nobody but you
In my rose tinted dreams
Wrinkled silk on my sheets
I don't see nobody but you
Aravind watched as Dev sang the song and also noticed Dev searching the crowd once again. Aravind smiled. Dev started singing the chorus.
Boy, you got me hooked onto something
Who could say that they saw us coming ?
Tell me, do you feel the love ?
Spend a summer of a lifetime with me
Let me take you to the place of your dreams
Tell me, do you feel the love ?
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Aravind went to look for Rashi who was also there on the side. " Can I have the mic ? " Rashi looked confused but still gave it. The chorus was done and music started playing. Aravind went to the stage and got on the stage. Dev noticed the crowd's attention was somewhere else and turned in the direction.
He was flabbergasted when he saw Aravind. Aravind turned the mic on and started singing the second verse right on time. The crowd cheered loudly as soon as they heard Aravind singing. Dev was yet to come out of the shock. Aravind slowly walked to the center standing three feet away from Dev. He turned to the crowd still singing.
And I could say I never unzipped
Those blue Levi's inside my head
But that's far from the truth
Don't know what's come over me
It seems like yesterday when I said
" We'll be friends forever "
Constellations of stars
Murals on city walls
I don't see nobody but you
You're my vice, you're my muse
You're a nineteenth floor view
I don't see nobody but you
Aravind turned to Dev and sang the chorus. He tilted his head a little and then turned to the crowd again.
Boy you got me hooked onto something
Who would say that they saw us coming ?
Tell me, do you feel the love ?
Spend the summer of a lifetime with me
Let me take you to the place of your dreams
Tell me, do you feel the love ?
Aravind turned to Dev again, gesturing for him to sing as well. The both of them sang the chorus and turned to the crowd again. Their voices blended perfectly with tactic understanding even without any practice. Rashi was stupefied. She could not scream because she had to continue hosting and can't lose her voice at the moment.
Boy you got me hooked onto something
Who would say that they saw us coming ?
Tell me, do you feel the love ?
Spend the summer of a lifetime with me
Let me take you to the place of your dreams
Tell me, do you feel the love ?
Dev sang the adlibs while looking at Aravind. Aravind smiled.
Do you feel the love ? ( Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh )
Do you feel the love ?
Do you feel the love ?
Do you feel the love ?
Dev moved away from the mic letting Aravind finish it. Aravind understood and picked the mic for the last adlibs.
Feel the love
Feel the love...
The crowd cheered the loudest. Aravind wondered if they would lose their voices. Dev went back closer again. " Thank you guys. Hope you all enjoyed the performances ". Dev said some more perfunctory dialogues and was done. Rashi walked on to the stage and took the mic from Aravind.
She praised them all about how it was so good. She was actually beyond excited. It was so unexpected and she couldn't hold back her gossipy eyes which kept glancing at Aravind. Aravind tactically looked away and helped carry the instruments. They all took the instruments and went to put them in the practice room.
Aravind and Dev kept glancing at each other. They put the instruments in the room and the others rushed out quickly as it was time for DJ and they could all dance happily. Dev and Aravind were the only ones left in the room. Dev rubbed his palms on his jeans. He nervously turned around to look at Aravind.
Aravind was also trying his best to stay calm. They finally stood facing each other. Dev looked up to meet Aravind's eyes. His mind was buzzing more than when he was on stage. " Just now... Is it what I am thinking it is ? " He asked and Aravind chuckled at his roundabout way of asking. He was also nervous but seeing Dev like this made him relax.
" What is it ? I don't seem to understand ". Aravind asked and Dev moved closer, standing right in front of him. Aravind gulped. " I love you ". Dev said and Aravind smiled. " Me too ". Dev's eyes went wide. He just stared, astonished and at a loss of words. Aravind giggled at his speechless expression. " For real ? " Dev asked and Aravind nodded.
Dev grinned and hugged Aravind tightly. Aravind also hugged him back and smiled. He couldn't explain his feelings in words. They pulled away and Dev looked down at Aravind's lips. Aravind knew what he was thinking. Dev moved forward slowly. He was about to touch Aravind's lips when he felt something cold on his lips. He moved back, startled.
He noticed it was a chocolate. " What is this ? " He asked and Aravind waved it in front of him. " We are in college. And this is for you ". It was Aravind's favorite Dairy Milk. Dev raised an eyebrow. " Why are you giving it to me ? " Aravind blinked. " You don't like it ? " He asked and Dev shook his head. Now that Aravind thought about it, Dev never actually said that he liked it nor had it.
Aravind frowned. " Then why do you always have them at your house ? " " It is because you like them. I keep stocking them from time to time ". Aravind's eyes went wide. His jaw dropped. He once again realized Dev took care of a lot of things for him which even seemed so normal that he never actually questioned them.
Dev still looked like he was waiting for Aravind to finish processing the information. Aravind felt at a loss. He let out a huff not knowing what to do. He rubbed his neck. " I will buy you your favorite lemonade later then ". Dev chuckled and agreed. " Alright ". Aravind smiled.
-MG