Third person point of view
Aravind finished till the latest episode and took off his earphones. He put the laptop aside and looked towards the window. It was still raining outside. He opened twitter and scrolled for a while. He pulled his knees up. He noticed Dev also posted something. It was a photo of the rain drops sliding on the window glass.
He also put a quote along with it. Aravind read it out in a low voice. " The rain falls for you the same way I do; unapologetically over and over ". He tilted his head and stared at it for a while before liking it. He ducked his head deeper feeling a sense of embarrassment and it was as if his heart was tickled by a feather, soft but itchy.
The secret confession was more cheesy than the times when it was spoken to him directly. And it was a secret only he was aware of. He hid his face in his arm resting on his knees. Only his eyes were out. He then scrolled up and saw the comments were all teasing Dev about the cringy pick up line. He chuckled reading them. He opened his chat with Dev.
Aravind : You are so dead for sounding lovesick 😂
Dev : I know, but I couldn't help it 🥹
Dev : I didn't just sound lovesick, I AM lovesick right now 😭
Aravind chuckled at the emphasis after reading it.
Aravind : Why so ?
He knew way too well. But he also wanted to join in and tease him.
Dev : You don't know ?
Aravind : How would I know ?
Dev : As the one who fell first, I guess I am the only one suffering. (lonely gif)
Aravind laughed at his words and the GIF.
Aravind : Don't worry. If you end up suffering too much, I will take you to the hospital.
Dev : I don't think they have any treatment for this.
Aravind : Then what do we do ?
Dev : A kiss can cure anything.
Aravind blushed hard.
Aravind : You seriously got no shame.
Dev : That doesn't answer it.
Aravind : No. Fucking. Way.
Dev : Guess I am going to continue suffering then. (fainting gif)
Aravind snickered. " Yeah. Suffer a little more ".
Aravind : 🙄
Aravind went back to twitter. He was still on Dev's profile page. He noticed Dev retweeted a post. It was a poll for choosing songs which the band will perform. Aravind wasn't that interested in it. So he just liked it and left it at that. He went to their college's unofficial page which was run by students.
Ironic enough, that page had more followers than the official one. He noticed there were some posts regarding the fest. " Aru~ " " Coming~ " He knew it was time for dinner. He put his phone back in charging and went to have dinner. He finished and went back to his room. He plugged his phone off charging and the power got cut off.
He looked around not knowing what to do. He turned the flash light on and walked out. He saw the other three were already sitting in the living room. So he also went and joined them. " I wonder if it is an outage or something happened ". Atharva said. " If that is the case, then we don't know how long it will take ". His father responded.
They all looked around not knowing what to do and sighed. " Let's wait for a while and see ". Aravind said and they just sat in silence. After a few minutes, his mother's phone rang. She picked it up. They could hear the voice on the other side. Aravind recognized it was Dev's mother.
" Hello, vadina. I heard the transformer has a problem and that it will take time to get solved. Why not come to our house for the night ? " She asked. Aravind's mom looked at them. " Let me ask them ". She said into the phone and glanced at all of them. Atharva and Aravind didn't have any objection. His father also nodded.
" They all said okay. We will be there in a few minutes ". " Alright ". She hung up. His mother looked at them. " Take whatever you want. We can come back in the morning ". Aravind went to his room and picked up his earphones. He already had his phone with him. He walked out and the other three also came out.
They took two umbrellas. His parents shared one, while the two brothers shared one. Dev's house had an inverter and so they had no problem with the power outage. They locked their house and quickly went to the other. They put the umbrellas aside and Dev's mother handed them towels.
" Sorry for the intrusion ". Aravind's mother said. " Aye~ Don't be like that. It is nothing ". Dev's mother smiled. They all settled down in the living room. Dev's mother and Aravind's mother sat side by side on the sofa with Aravind's father on the other side of his mother. Atharva and Dev's father were sitting on a chair each.
Dev and Aravind sat down on bean bags. " Did they say by when it will be done ? " Aravind's father asked. " They only said it will take time. But I am guessing if the rain stops in a while, it will be back by morning ". Dev's father replied. And so they continued discussing about it. Dev glanced at Aravind and took out his phone.
Dev : It has been a while since you stayed at night in my house. 👀
Aravind felt his phone vibrate and took it out. He read the message and glared at Dev. He quickly changed his expression as their families were also present.
Aravind : Don't think too far. I will sleep with my brother in another room.
Dev looked up at Aravind and Aravind gave a smirk in return. Dev looked down and started typing again.
Dev : Don't worry. I will not do anything to you.
Aravind : Like I would actually let you.
Dev covered his mouth trying not to smile and put on a resting face. He put his phone away not saying anything. They all chatted for a while and decided to sleep. " I prepared the bedroom in the first floor. It is fine right ? " Dev's mother asked and Aravind's mother nodded. " It is more than enough ". Dev's mother then turned to Aravind.
" What about you dear ? I am assuming you will sleep in Dev's room ". She glanced at Dev who nodded as a confirmation for Aravind. Aravind internally screamed. She then turned to Atharva. " I don't really want to use a separate room. I am fine with a sofa, bedding, mattress or even just a mat; anything will do. As long as I have a pillow and a blanket ".
The elders chuckled. " Then, there is actually a sofa cum bed in the room your parents will sleep in. I will give you your pillow and blanket. Is that fine ? " Dev's mother asked and Atharva nodded. " Let's go then ". She said and walked up. Dev's father bid them good night and went to their bedroom which was on the ground floor itself.
The other's followed Dev's mother to the first floor. " You can go and sleep. I will take care of other things ". Dev's mother said to the both of them. Dev nodded and pulled at Aravind's shirt from the back. Aravind reluctantly turned and walked with him. They went to his bedroom and closed the door.
Aravind yawned and went and fell on the bed. He put his phone away and covered himself with the blanket like he always did before. Dev did not know whether to feel happy or sad. " Are you really not scared that I will do something ? " Dev asked sleeping beside him. Aravind looked sleepy.
He opened his eyes in slits. " I know you will not do anything. But if you do try something, I can just scream. But now I am just sleepy. So shush ". He closed his eyes and fell asleep just like that. Dev smiled helplessly. He turned the lights off and went to bed. He covered himself too and fell asleep.
-MG