"Do din mein mujhe hi bhul gaya apne best friend ko tu,"

[Forgot your own best friend in just two days huh]

Mayank jolted at the sudden intrusion and sighed when he realised it was just Ishan.

"Kab aaya wapis?" Mayank muttered sitting up straight.

[When did you come?]

"Just half an hour ago. I was really tired though and wanted to go hit my bed but since you are busy and won't even care for me so I had to come here myself."

"Aisa kuch nahi hai yarr,"

[It's nothing like that bro]

"Abee jaa sale sab dikh raha hai kesa hai." Ishan scoffed while sitting on Mayank's bed.

[Oh fuck off asshole. I can see how you are.]

Mayank sat beside him hugging his best friend who acted like he was still angry.

"Sorry na Ish, I really forgot you had to come today otherwise I would have been there to welcome you."

"And why did you forget about it?"

"It just slipped my mind, there is not any specific reason for it."

"Jaa be jhuthe, tere chehre par saaf saaf likha hai ki kuch toh hua hai."

[Oh please liar. It's clear on your face that something has happened.]

"Nothing bro, I am all fine. What are you saying?"

"Tujhe lagta hai mujhse kuch chupa payega? Even Aditi and others know how you have been acting weirdly. At first I gave you time thinking you would be fine but clearly that's not happening. So tell me what is going on?"

[You really think you can hide something from me?]

"Nothing yarr, I am seriously all okay. Bas veham ho raha hai tujhe."

[It's nothing. I am okk. You are just overthinking]

"Acha sabko hi veham ho raha hai na. Ek kaan ke neeche dunga saara jhooth khatam hojayega. Sach sach bata,"

[Oh so everyone is overthinking? I will give you slap and you will stop lying. Tell me the truth]

"I swear Ishan jesa soch raha hai vesa kuch bhi nahi hai."

[I swear Ishan there is nothing like you are thinking]

"Toh phir kaisa hai?"

[So how is it?]

"Kuch bhi nahi hai, I am doing good. I am happy just a bit tired because raat ko dhang se neend nahi aayi. Baaki ekdum tip top hu."

[There is nothing. I am doing good. I am happy tired because I couldn't sleep last night properly. Other than that I am completely fine]

"Mujhse ab baatein chupaye ga? Trust nahi hai kya mujh pr Mayu?"

[Now you will hide things from me? You don't trust me anymore Mayu?]

"Ishan tujhpr nahi toh phir kispr hoga trust."

[Ishan if not you then whom will I trust?]

"Toh bata kyu nahi raha mujhe kuch. Please bata de yarr teri help karunga, tujhe aise nahi dekh sakta main."

[So why ain't you tell me. Please tell me bro I will help you. I can't see you like this]

"Kuch help karne jaisa hai hi nahi."

[There is nothing to help]

"Mayu don't fucking lie to me okay. Tell me who is it? Is it Abhishek?"

Mayank stilled a bit at the mention of his name and quickly averted his eyes.

"Kya kiya uss Abhishek ne? Bata." Ishan said sensing the uneasiness on Mayank's demeanour.

[What did that Abhishek do? Tell me]

"He didn't do anything,"

"Saaf pata chal raha hai uski wajah se hi pareshan hai. Tujhe nahi batana toh mat bata I will go myself and take care of that bastard." Ishan huffed standing up but Mayank quickly enclosed Ishan in his arms stopping him.

[It's clearly visible that you are worried because of him. If you don't want to tell me, don't. I will myself go and take care of that bastard]

"Don't do anything Ishan, I said na usse related nahi hai."

[Don't do anything Ishan, I said right it's not related to him]

"Kitna jhoot bolega mujhse yarr. I know iske piche uss Abhishek ka hi haath hai. Uska saara attitude nikal dunga main tu tension mat le. Phir karke dikhaye tujhe tang vo haramzada." Ishan scoffed trying to come out of Mayank's hold who just tightened his grip.

[How much will you lie dude? I know that Abhishek is after all this. You don't worry I will remove all his attitude. Then let's see how that rascal troubles you]

"Nahi usne kuch nahi kara. Trust me Ishan uski kuch galti nahi hai so kyu faltu mein usse saza dene jaaye."

[No he hasn't done anything. Trust me Ishan he has no fault so why to punish him for no reason]

"Toh phir kiski galti hai? Kisne tujhe pareshan kar rakha hai. Bata na yarr please, thoda toh trust karle mujhpar."

[Then whose mistake is it? Who has troubled you? Tell me please. Atleast trust me a bit]

"Ishan yarr,"

"Yaar bhi bol raha hai par trust bhi nii kar raha. Mujhe laga tha tu sachi mein bhai manta hai mujhe."

[You are calling me friend also and not even trusting me. I thought you actually considered me as your brother]

"Ishan tu sachi mein bhai hai mera."

[Ishan you are really my brother]

"Dikh toh nahi raha. Agar bhai maanta toh aise secrets nahi rakhta."

[Doesn't look like it. If you actually considered me your brother, you won't be keeping secrets]

Mayank looked down feeling guilty. But he can't just tell everything to Ishan. He was not ready yet. What if Ishan starts hating him? He can't bear to lose his friends.

"Tu nahi batayega?" Ishan asked looking at him but when Mayank didn't answer Ishan wriggled out of his grasp and stormed out of his room.

[So you won't tell?]

"Sorry Ishan," Mayank muttered to himself, feeling ashamed. Ishan was angry at him and wasn't hating on him. So it was still better.

-

"Omg the whole college is congratulating me, they know about my existence." Shubman murmured.

"Well ya you won that trophy for the college" replied Abhishek coolly. They were in mess to have dinner. Abhishek was in no mood to come but Shubman had forced him.

"You go and eat. I am not feeling like having anything" Abhishek said in a dull voice. "Not feeling like eating or not feeling like seeing Mayank?" Shubman asked.

"It's nothing like that. I just gotta study for tomorrow's test. I am not topper like you na. Mr. Know-it-all" Abhishek said to which Shubman rolled his eyes and threw a pillow at Abhishek.

"Shut up you moron" Shubman shouted. Abhishek finally looked with a proud look. "Nice. Finally you are learning something from me. I can say you are my roommate proudly now. Earlier I was ashamed to call you one. A nerd who just has learnt his books whole life. But you still there is a lots to learn. Don't worry you will learn it all in my company before you graduate from this college" Abhishek said teasing him. Shubman made an irritated face but he was relieved to see Abhishek was fine. It really hurted him to see him in that condition.

"Whatever. You are coming for dinner" Shubman declared not leaving any room for further argument. "No I gotta study I told you" Abhishek said. "I know how much you study" Shubman said sarcastically.

"Chinta matt kar. Itna time waste nhi hoga khaane mein. Fir padte rehna fir aake" Shubman said.

[Don't worry. Your much time won't be wasted in eating. Come back and keep studying]

And inspite of Abhishek's pleadings, here they were. And now it was Shubman who was regretting coming here and Abhishek was enjoying his condition.

"Come let's go. Then I have to study also. You are toh exempted from test after all you were winning us the competition" Abhishek said teasing with a smirk.

"Hey Shubman. I heard how you solved the question when even Ishan could not. I always knew you were so smart" a girl came and started ranting who maybe didn't even know this boy existed but now she was all over him making the poor guy nervous.

"Th..than..thanks" Shubman said nervously and looked at Abhishek with a look to help him but Abhishek just turned away his face. Shubman felt like killing him. The girl left after sometime after trying to interact with him.

"You are a jerk you know that right?" Shubman said irritatedly. "I know" Abhishek said grinning widely. "Well you dragged me here. So now bare it" Abhishek said. "Let's go back" Shubman said turning around but Abhishek held him. "Nopes I am hungry now. Come with me"

They took their plates and sat in a corner trying to avoid as much attention as possible although Abhishek was asking him to sit somewhere in center. Shubman started gulping his dinner quickly while Abhishek was eating slowly enjoying his food and Shubman's behavior.

"Jaldi kha na be. Ab nhi padna tereko" Shubman said.

[Eat quickly. Now you don't have to study]

"Arre padai wadai to hoti rahegi. Tumhari aesi haalat baar baar dekhne ko kaha milegi"

[Study will be done. I won't get to enjoy your condition again and again]

"Abhi Mayank ke aane ka dar nhi hai kya?" asked Shubman raising his eyebrow.

[Now you are afraid that Mayank will come?]

Abhishek froze listening to him and a satisfied look came on Shubman's face.

"Well. No problem. I don't mind. Let's enjoy the food calmly if you want that" Shubman said. But Abhishek quickly ate a bit and got up and ran to throw away the dishes leaving Shubman chuckle at him. They both were done and left the mess.

They were teasing and pulling each other's leg when they saw Ishan coming. He was combing his hair with his fingers when he saw them. Suddenly seeing Abhishek reminded him of Mayank. He wanted to just pounce on him and beat the shit out of him but he knew Mayank will be really angry at him after that.

Shubman and Abhishek noticed him glaring at Abhishek. They thought he would say something but he just shook his head and left looking down. "Did you see that? What's wrong with this guy? Why on earth was he glaring at me like this?" Abhishek asked confused.

"Abhishek do you think Mayank might have told him about you guys?" Shubman asked Abhishek in a serious tone. Abhishek looked in Ishan's direction who had gone out of sight. "I hope so Shubi" Abhishek said looking back at Shubman.

"I love him. I genuinely do. And I don't like fighting or being away from him. But I don't know. This secret. Hiding everything. I feel like I am some dirty secret of his. I just want to accept it. I don't want him to be ashamed or scared that he is in relationship with me. At least I deserve that much I suppose" Abhishek just in a vulnerable tone.

Shubman took a step forward abd held his both shoulders. Abhishek was looking down. "It's Abhi. You don't have to explain me anything. I understand. And don't worry Mayank will also understand and everything will be fine soon" Shubman said assuring him.

Abhishek nodded and wiped a tear that had rolled down his cheek. "Chal padai karte hai chalke. I don't want you to fail and be ashamed to call you my roommate" Shubman said with a teasing smile making Abhishek chuckle.

[Let's go and study]

They went back to their room and started studying teasing each other and laughing together till late night and finally drifted off to sleep with their books and notes here and there.

Next day after giving test, Abhishek and Shubman went to the cafeteria. They placed their orders and went to sit. After a few minutes, Ishan and his group also came there. Mayank's eyes felt on Abhishek and saw him laughing and talking with Shubman. Only he knew how much he longed to cut this distance between them. He was dying for it. He blinked back his tears to stop them from falling. But Ishan clealy noticed and decided its too much now.

"Guys umm you people go ahead mom has texted me she wants to meet" Ishan said. "It's okk. We will all wait. You go ahead" Aditi said. "No you guys eat. I am not really hungry anyways. Aur free lecture bhi over ho jayega kisi ko bhi khaane nhi milega" Ishan said.

[The free lecture will be over and no one will be able to eat then]

"Okk then. Let's go guys" Aditi said. "Ahh Mayank tu bhi aaja mere saath" Ishan said holding Mayank's hand who just came back to his senses.

[Mayank you also come with me]

"Where....." Mayank tried asking but Ishan dragged him ignoring it. "I am taking him along guys. You all enjoy" Ishan shouted while going out. "I don't get it what's wrong with these two. Anyways. Let's go. I hope you guys don't have to go anywhere now" Aditi said and they went to place their orders.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter