Chapter 5: Rivals and Realizations

4

The next day, I felt out of sorts—all dull and heavy, like a monsoon cloud stuck in the Delhi sky.

After class, Arjun and I left together, books slung over our shoulders. He glanced at me, concern written on his face. “Kabir, why are your hands so cold?”

I didn’t reply. Without thinking, he tucked my hand into his own pocket, trying to warm it up, just like when we were kids in the winter.

Usually, this little gesture would make my heart race. But today, I slipped my hand out, feeling suddenly exposed. “Arjun, yaar, we’re both guys. Isn’t this a bit much?”

He looked genuinely confused. “Kya baat hai? What’s inappropriate? You’re my best friend.”

He pinched my cheek with a fond smile. “Honestly, when we were kids, your dad was always busy. If you think about it, I practically raised you.”

I slapped his hand away, half-laughing, half-annoyed. “Oye, don’t exaggerate. You were a kid yourself.”

He just grinned, that lopsided smile that makes girls sigh and aunties shake their heads in approval. I looked away, pretending to be very interested in the crack on the pavement.

Just as we reached the hostel gates, a voice called out. “Arjun, going to the canteen? Wait up, let’s go together!”

It was Rohan, tall and always perfectly groomed. He used to be in Arjun’s class back in school, and everyone knew he was one of those over-friendly types. I remembered seeing him hanging around Arjun during tuition breaks, always finding excuses to touch his shoulder or lean in close.

He reached for Arjun’s hand, but Arjun smoothly shifted away, dodging him without making it awkward. Rohan just grinned, then wedged himself between us as we walked.

He gave me a sideways glance. “So, Kabir, you and Arjun are really close, huh?” His tone made my skin crawl, but I just shrugged, “We’re okay.”

My stomach twisted, the way it did before a surprise test. Arjun shot me a small smile, then slid his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. “We’re more than okay. Kabir is my best friend.” The way he said it—firm, definite—made Rohan’s jaw tighten.

Rohan looked at Arjun’s hand on me, then back at me, eyes narrowing. “Uh, hey, Kabir, mind giving us a minute? I’ve got something private to say to Arjun.”

“It’s not really convenient with you here.”

I pressed my lips together, stealing a glance at Arjun. “It’s fine, I’ll head back and wait for you upstairs.”

But just as I turned to go, Arjun tightened his grip on my hand, refusing to let go. I tried pulling away, but his hold only grew firmer—like he was anchoring me to the ground.

Arjun looked up at Rohan, his expression icy. “Whatever you want to say, say it now. Kabir’s my best friend. There’s nothing he can’t hear.”

Rohan’s face fell, and he glared at me, frustration written all over his face. Finally, he took a deep breath and blurted:

“Arjun… I’ve liked you for a long time. Will you give me a chance?”

The sun caught the sweat on Rohan’s forehead, and for a moment, everything went silent—the rickshaw wallah yelling in the distance, the clang of the hostel gate, even the crow perched on the electric wire above seemed to pause. I stood frozen, Arjun’s hand gripping mine tightly, as if the answer could change the entire world we lived in. Arjun didn’t let go. Not of my hand, not of the silence that followed.