Third person point of view
The next day, they were studying in Aravind's room. Aravind requested it saying he might really end up not studying anything if they stayed in Dev's room. Dev laughed but agreed to it. So the next few days, they studied during the day and didn't dare do it again even at night as they were worried about getting caught.
Their exams were also done soon after and they finally had freedom. They did have to work on the project but they also had free time. Dev and Aravind worked on it with Bhargav's help. He provided them with the workshop that he used. They were very thankful for it. And he even helped them when he had time.
Dev and Aravind worked for almost ten days and decided it was enough. Their progress was definitely a lot for then. They finally had time for a date and went out for the whole day. Aravind did not go out after that. He would only stay in his house the rest of the time. He was a homebody to the core after all.
Dev picked up his phone and called Aravind. " Want to go on a trip ? " Aravind frowned. " Where ? " " There is this maternal uncle in our village and he asked if I want to come. If you are fine with it, let's go together ". " How many days ? " " I thought a week of stay, but it is not fixed. We can go and come any time ".
Aravind thought about it and opened his mouth but Dev spoke first. " I will convince aunty and uncle ". Aravind sneered. " If you ask, they will pack me in a bag and give you to take away ". Dev laughed. " So ? " " Fine. Let's go ". " Okay. I will talk to them in the evening. We are having dinner together by the way in my house today ".
Aravind didn't know that. " Oh. Alright then ". " See you cute boy ". Aravind chuckled. " See you ". Dev hung up. Aravind put the phone away and went back to watching the movie. They did go over for dinner and when Dev asked about the trip, Aravind's parents indeed agreed easily. So they would leave the next day.
Aravind spent the next day morning packing his luggage. Dev also helped him a little. They took a bus in the evening and reached the village the next morning. They got down the bus with their luggage and saw a man standing leaning against a jeep. He smiled when he saw them. Dev walked forward and Aravind followed him.
Dev smiled and gave him a hug. " Mavayya, how are you doing ? " He pulled away. " I am good. How about you ? " " I am also good. This is Aravind. I told you about him ". His uncle smiled and nodded. He extended his hand and Aravind took it. " I am Krishna ". Aravind also greeted him back. " Let's get going ".
They put their luggage with themselves and sat in the back. They looked around as they drove. It was definitely less polluted than the city. There were also a lot of crops growing and green fields were spread on the two sides of the road. Aravind took some pictures. He also took one of Dev. They reached the house and their luggage was taken inside.
They washed their hands and legs. " Choose the room you would like to stay ". Dev nodded. They went to the first floor. Dev walked into a bedroom. It was big with a big bed which will be able to fit them both and a big balcony. " Let's stay here ". Dev said and the servant put their luggage in the room. The both of them wanted to freshen up quickly.
So they picked up their things and went to the backyard where the bathrooms were. They both went to each and finished everything. They walked out and felt clean. They finally went to find Krishna. He was sitting in the living room talking to someone. He glanced at them and quickly finished his conversation with the man and got up.
" Let's go have breakfast ". The both of them followed him and went to sit at the table. Their breakfast was served. They had it while Dev and Krishna chatted about various things. Aravind finished first and got up. " Are you full already ? " Krishna asked and Aravind nodded. " Don't need to be so formal. You can also address me like Dev ".
Aravind smiled and nodded. He went to wash his hands. " Which room did you choose ? " Krishna asked and Dev told him. " Him ? " " We are staying together ". Dev answered nonchalantly. Krishan paused for a second but nodded. They were done with breakfast. " I have some things to look after. If there is something, call me. Or you can just ask Veeraiah ".
Dev nodded. " You want to stay at home ? " Krishna asked. Dev and Aravind looked at each other and nodded. " We couldn't sleep well on the bus. There was some uncle snoring like crazy. He was louder than the bus ". Krishna chuckled. " Fine. Rest for today. I will take you out tomorrow ". Dev and Aravind nodded. They went to the room and fell on the bed.
" How old is your uncle ? He looks young ". Aravind asked. " He is young. He is 33 if I am not wrong ". Aravind nodded. " Family ? " Dev shook his head. " He is mom's cousin and his parents died around 5 years ago. So it is only him now. He worked for a while in the city, but later his parents' health worsened so he came back here. He stayed here from then on ".
Aravind nodded. " He might've felt lonely ". Aravind said, looking a little sad. Dev nodded. " I did ask him that. We told him to stay with us. But he rejected saying he was fine with staying here. He said that he would feel at ease being here than in a bustling city ". Aravind nodded. " I guess living with the memories is better sometimes than changing the environment ".
Dev smiled. " You want to sleep ? " Aravind nodded. Out of habit, he moved closer to Dev. Dev also put his hand around Aravind without saying anything. And both of them fell asleep. Krishna came back for lunch. He went up to the room and the door was ajar. He pushed it lightly and saw them both cuddled up on the bed.
He was surprised but quickly closed the door and walked down. He sat down in the living room and called Dev. Dev woke up when his phone rang. He saw it was Krishna and picked it up. " Hello ". " Come down for lunch ". " Okay ". Dev hung up and woke Aravind up. The both of them washed their faces and went to have lunch.
They had it together and got up at the same time. Aravind washed his hands and then looked around the backyard. There were different kinds of trees around the house. It was rare to see so many of them. So he was interested. Dev noticed his enthusiasm and smiled. He finished washing his hands and turned to Krishna who was standing beside him.
Krishna gave him a glance and gestured towards Aravind with his chin. " Lock the door next time ". Krishna said in a low voice. Dev's eyes went wide. He opened his mouth but did not know what to say. " I know you want to talk. But I have to go to the nearby city. Let's talk at night ". Dev nodded.
Krishna smiled and patted his shoulder. He walked away from there. Aravind was talking to a servant who was telling him about all the things that were growing around the house. As it was cloudy, Aravind didn't mind standing there and talking in the afternoon. Dev also stood there and watched him for a few minutes.
-MG