Third person point of view
The next morning, both of them went to college together as always. " Is there no one you like in our college ? " Dev asked as they walked to their class. Aravind shook his head. " Really ? There are quite a few good looking guys though ". Dev said as a matter of fact but Aravind gave him a look. " I think you are forgetting something here. They are all straight ".
Dev shut up and just looked straight ahead. Aravind gave a chuckle. " No offense but I don't want to go behind a straight guy who might never actually end up liking me. And I am in no hurry for love. So stop playing matchmaker ". Aravind concluded and they walked into the class. Dev felt a little conflicted.
He scratched his neck and walked along with Aravind. He even zoned out in one of the classes. Aravind tapped on the bench. " It's lunch time ". Dev nodded. They put their things away and went to the cafeteria. They generally take lunch from home but once in a while, they would all have it together in the cafeteria.
They went there and looked around for seats. " There is a table there ". Arjun pointed out. " Go keep seats for us, we will bring the food ". Abhay said and the others nodded. So three of them went to the table, while other three of them went to get the food. Abhay, Dev and Aravind went to get the food.
They looked at the menu board. " Which one do you want ? " Dev asked and the both of them in front of him were thinking hard. Abhay was leaning a little towards Aravind. Dev quickly put his hands around the both of them and stood in between them. " Choose quickly ". He urged them and they nodded.
" How about that ? " Aravind showed the fried rice. Abhay shook his head. " I tried it two days ago and no. I don't recommend it ". " Then how about we get Gobi fried rice, Manchuria... " Aravind said and looked around the menu again. " And one soft noodles ? " The other two nodded.
" Three Gobi fried rice, two Manchuria and one soft noodles ". Abhay ordered. They paid and took two plates each and went to the table. " I thought I would starve today ". Sushanth said when they sat down. Aravind smacked his head. " He should make and give them right ? " Sushanth rubbed his head and nodded. " Right ".
They all quickly dug in and shared the food and had it. Once they were done with it, they walked around a little to digest it and then went back to their class. They were done with the day and parted ways at the gate. " Let's go to the bookstore once ". Aravind said getting on the bike. " Sure ". Dev started the bike.
They drove from there and went to the bookstore. Aravind went around to see if there were anything interesting or new. " Why come here when you are not even going to buy ? " Dev asked as he watched Aravind take out a book to look through it. " I never said I came here to buy. I just see if there is something nice then search for it on the net and read it there ".
He put the book back in the rack and walked around. " That's illegal ". " I am not getting sued, so- " Aravind gave a shrug and went around a little more. Dev just shook his head. They walked out of there after a few minutes. " And for your information, I did take books for rent before. Now I just don't want to waste that money too ".
Aravind said, putting his helmet on. Dev just looked done with him now. " What ? " Aravind asked and Dev just shook his head. " Nothing. Get on ". Aravind put on the helmet. " I might as well charge you for being your personal driver ". Dev clicked his helmet in place and Aravind chuckled. " Should I pay for it from now on ? " Dev thought about it.
" More than pay, I might as well have you do something for me ". Aravind cocked an eyebrow. " Sure ". Dev chuckled. Aravind took out his phone from his pocket. He noticed his mom texted him asking him where he was. He replied saying he will be there home soon. " Let's go quickly. I forgot about grocery shopping ".
Aravind urged Dev quickly getting on the bike. Dev drove from there and reached their houses. Aravind got down and took off the helmet giving it to Dev. Dev stopped him. " Wait a second. I need notes from today's class ". Aravind sighed. He quickly took it out and gave it to Dev. " You should seriously stop zoning out. Is something bothering you ? "
Aravind asked and Dev nodded. Aravind frowned. " What is it ? Want to tell me ? " He asked looking a little concerned. " She should learn to make her classes more interesting. I might even sleep in the next one if she continues this way ". Dev said with a straight face. Aravind let out a sigh. He really got worried for a second.
He gave a punch on Dev's arm making him groan. " That hurts ". " Bastard ". He cursed and just left. Dev chuckled. " Cute boy, don't get mad ". Dev yelled but Aravind gave him the middle finger without even turning back. Dev laughed and walked into the house. Aravind went home and knocked. His mother opened the door.
" You are late ". Aravind just gave a smile. " Let's go now. Just five minutes ". He quickly changed into shorts and t-shirt and walked out. The both of them locked the door and walked to the super market which was not too far from their house. Aravind just pushed the cart while she picked whatever she wants.
" How is college going ? " She asked and glanced at him. " Fine ". " Both of you are doing good ? " " Yep ". " Not getting involved in fights right ? " Aravind scoffed. " Are we kids ? " " That is why I asked about it ". Aravind chuckled. " Nothing like that ". She nodded and they were soon done with the shopping. Aravind carried most of the things.
They talked about trivial things as they walked back home. Aravind put the bags in the kitchen and went to his room. He picked up his phone from charging and sat down on the bed. He noticed Dev left a message. He opened and saw it was a photo of his notes with a highlighted part. Aravind replied telling what it was. Dev read it almost immediately.
Dev : Done ?
Aravind : Yep.
They just chatted a little more as Dev asked about a few things in the notes. They were done and Dev put his phone away. He looked up and saw his face on the black desktop screen. He was smiling without realizing he was. He just stared at his face for a few seconds. He was reminded of Preethi's words again.
He looked down at his phone. " Am I really ? " He asked himself and sat back in the chair, looking into air. He picked up his phone and quickly searched for 'how do I know if I am in love with my best friend'. He read the things that appeared. His eyes went wide in shock but he somehow felt like it wasn't really that convincing.
He pursed his lips and changed the question to 'am I in love with the best friend of same gender'. He read through the articles one after the other. He frowned and put the phone on the table. He suddenly thought of Aravind dating someone and somehow the image didn't settle well with him. His frown deepened and he rubbed between his brows.
And this time he couldn't just push away the thought that he might actually be not so straight. Dev put his hands in his pockets and paced around the room for a while. It felt as if his brain was malfunctioning from all the thinking. He couldn't fall asleep easily at night. He tried his best but it took him a while to actually fall asleep.
-MG