The best arrangement: Between us...

Chapter 10 - Wait, WHAT.........??

" Oh come on Sid, snap out of it!! "  Abhishek growled in exasperation. Siddharth was sitting on his bed with a gloomy look, all wrapped up in his blanket. He was still 'mourning' the loss of his love. It has already been a week, and Siddharth still refused to leave the room, or meet any one other than Abhishek. He didn't want anyone to see him in such a weak state. Abhishek was an exception,.... he had already bared his heart countless times to Abhishek. Unfortunately, Abhishek had to bear the brunt of his break up again. He had to repeat his lessons to Siddharth, as Siddharth did not want to attend lectures. At times Siddharth would not eat, and he had to coax him to. Sometimes he would start ranting about the depth of his love, or he would get cravings for chocolate. Abhishek put up with all his tantrums and 'babysat' him for a week, because he knew how heartbroken he was. But now, he was literally fed up.

Siddharth jolted and reeled back, hearing him shout. He knew that he himself had gone quite overboard these days, and wondered how Abhishek could put up his nonsense daily. He scratched the nape of his neck and gave an apologetic pout " Eh, Abhi, cool down...."

" It is you who needs to do that. Your family is worried about you, your friends are worried about you, and you..... you are sulking over a girl who walked over your feelings and hurting yourself" Abhishek had decided to give him a piece of his mind.

" You are right, but,...... I can't get over her betrayal. Why didn't she love me??"

" Sid, you are thinking about her, who never loved you. Can't you see that there are many people around you who love you? Raghav uncle loves you, Sam loves you, I love you....." Abhishek stopped himself, realizing that he had spoken too much. He began to mentally prepare himself to face an outburst from Siddharth.

" Ok Abhi, I know they love me, you love me......... wait, WHAT??" Siddharth was flustered and at a loss for words. Abhishek decided to face the reality. He said " You heard me right. I love you Sid....... I fell in love with you long ago. I...... I didn't have the courage to tell you. Maybe it was because I feared your rejection. But now, I don't fear anything. I know my love for you is not wrong. So, Siddharth, I am truly, madly and deeply in love with you. You can accept it, or reject it. Because, now all that matters to me is your happiness...." Abhishek sat next to him on the bed. He felt relieved, like a burden had lifted off his chest. He was in love, one - sided probably, but that was fine.

Siddharth started to slowly piece things together, and found that many of Abhishek's inexplicable actions of the past now made sense. Unknown to him, Siddharth had noticed it all. How, Abhishek was staring at him with a bright smile during Neha- Arjith's confession, lost in his own thoughts. How he flashed a warm smile at him and looked daggers at Jake and Riya, when she betrayed him. So, it was love all along. To his surprise, he found that he did not feel angry or shocked. His mind was perfectly at ease. Only his heartbeat had gone a little wild. Well, Abhishek has gone mad, what is happening to me? Why do I feel butterflies in my stomach? he thought to himself. Quickly, he regained his composure and asked him, trying to digest the fact " So, you love me....... Is that.... Is that why you were reluctant to get into the pool that day?"

" Yes" Abhishek replied nonchalantly, gazing into his beautiful almond eyes. Siddharth felt himself losing the battle to look away from that enamored, piercing  gaze. He continued to ask   " You........ You felt shy looking at my body?"

" Nope, you looked hot and irresistible" 

Siddharth's cheeks turned red. Still, he felt no anger, only second hand embarrassment. He abruptly jumped up, and punched Abhishek's shoulder " Abhi........ I never knew you had a dirty mouth" He grinned at Siddharth's embarassed face and walked out, deciding to give him some space.