Segment#6 Loving2Missing2
TW: violence, slang, suicide
"Put it on speaker. " Chahat whispered as she pressed the hand she held with care. More than the air entering his lungs, her touch gave him the courage.
“What is this that I am hearing from your dean?.... You got into a fight with another man? Are you man enough to do that? …. You are a VERMIN!” Sudhakar's crescendo reached an angry octave on the last word.
Aryan’s eyes shimmered with tears of hurt and disappointment…. A castaway feeling that crept like a snake and subjugated his entire being! Chahat sensed his depression and wrapped her arm around him like a warm shelter giving him strength to respond.
“Please come tomorrow at noon to college.”
“First answer me, why you got into a fight?” Sudhakar kept roaring in his usual style.
“I was protecting my girl!”
Sudhakar was taken aback by the steely quiet in Aryan’s voice. First time in his life, he was at a loss of words.
Sahil stood at the classroom door, his eyes red with anger, his fists curled in retaliation.
“Your girl, huh? SHE is your girl?” The fist connected with Aryan’s cheek with the force of a hidden storm.
Blood in his mouth, Aryan stared aghast at Sahil. Something had happened to his heart. He could see it in the red of Sahil’s eyes. His bench partner through the schoolyear whom Aryan loved secretly; but was always left wondering.
Sahil had felt lava being poured on his skin when he had read the vicious writing on the wall…
Aryan Koochikoo Sahil. Lemme bareback, baby!
He had always wondered why flexed muscles of Vicky Koushal made his blood rush. He had known he liked sitting next to Aryan, not in pure honest-to-God friendship. In all these years, he had not been able to put a finger on these sudden flashes. And then, he wondered why he wanted to touch Chahat, feel her velvety skin under his body. He longed to take her double-battery out and kiss her eyes.
He had not been able to fathom the pleasure he felt at the instantaneous fantasy that the bareback stuff had evoked in his mind. He had gulped it down when Chahat had challenged Vikram hoping she didn’t notice his pleasure. After Professor Bansal had left, he had used his long-practised control and managed the scene. But, seeing his name flash in neon had felt like becoming naked in public.
“Then, why is my name tagged with you?” Sahil was ready to hit the next blow but Chahat fell between the two men attempting to hold back Sahil. He stopped just short of hitting her face and curbed his anger realising she was almost hugging him.
“It’s not his fault, Sahil!” She urged passionately trying to stop the man towering above her. Oh! He was so manly! His muscles, toned by the sports practice, were now flexed showing their strength. Suddenly, she felt weak in her legs.
Out of their own volition, Sahil’s arms went around Chahat holding her frame in his caring embrace.“Are you okay?” He was genuinely concerned.
Chahat nodded silently as she wondered whether this was the right moment to tell him that she loved him. But she couldn’t risk shocking him and losing that great feel of his hug.
Aryan watched stricken…… his heart plummeting…..the one name he had posted on Grindr with true love…….Sahil!.......Hugging his best friend with so much love, so much tenderness?....... What was he supposed to feel now? Happy for both his great friends or sad for himself?
Saahil felt pressure building behind his sternum looking at Aryan. Could he ever tell him that he had felt angry when Aryan called Chahat his girl….. Because he had secretly wanted Aryan for himself….. And that’s why he had been crosschecking whether Aryan loved Chahat.
In her office, Professor Bansal was staring at the picture in her table drawer. Sheila, her first love! The love she had lost long ago when Sheila committed suicide upon family’s finding out about their relation. In an attempt to forget her loss, Meera Bansal had thrown herself into her studies and thereafter her academic career. Over the years, she knew she felt different when she patted the backs of female students or they came and hugged her to say a thank you or a goodbye. However, since Chahat had joined; the memories of Sheila had come rushing back because Chahat was an exact replica. Every time, Chahat sat on the front bench, she had wondered whether Chahat was Sheila reborn. But Chahat was always seen with Aryan, the two tugging around like best buddies and also known to be roomies.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Vikram had given her a golden chance. He had connected Aryan with Sahil to her surprise. The way Chahat stood up trying to defend him had actually given Aryan away. Wisely, Bansal had called Vikram, Aryan and Chahatto Dean’s office excluding Sahil. She wasn’t sure whether Sahil would be willing to share his room with Aryan; but about Aryan she was very sure. A shrewd move would free Chahat and of course, she would give her lofty offer to accommodate Chahat in her room for Chahat’s own protection.
The meeting with Dean was due in five minutes. As a respected professor, she held all the cards now!
Cheers!
Neha
Edited by Loving2Missing2 - 2 years ago