3 Hearts, 1 Home

9. Long(ing) Distance

The first week after Dev left for Ahmedabad felt like a blur. Karan and Arjun had thrown themselves into their work, trying to fill the void that Dev's absence left behind. But no matter how busy their days were, there was always a dull ache, a sense that something—someone—was missing. The apartment felt quieter without Dev's soft presence, without the comforting routine of tea in the mornings or his gentle voice filling the spaces between their conversations.

At night, the empty side of the bed was a constant reminder that their trio wasn't complete.

---

Despite the physical distance, Dev made sure to call them every night. Their video calls were a lifeline, a way to stay connected even when they couldn't be together. The first few calls were filled with excitement, as Dev shared stories about the new restaurant, his team, and the challenges he was facing. But as the days turned into weeks, the calls began to take on a different tone—one of quiet longing.

One evening, a month into the separation, Karan and Arjun sat on the couch, the glow of their phone illuminating their faces as they waited for Dev's call. When the screen flickered to life, Dev's face appeared, his smile warm but tired.

"Hey," Dev said softly, his voice filled with affection.

"Hey, babe," Karan replied, his usual playful tone subdued. "How's everything going?"

Dev sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Busy. But I miss you both. A lot."

Arjun, sitting beside Karan, nodded in agreement. "We miss you too. Today especially because someone here tried to make tea and the kitchen is still reeking on burnt tea leaves."

Karan leaned into the screen and pulled the phone in front of him, his eyes filled with longing. "I told him, we do not need tea, we need Dev's tea."

Dev smiled faintly, though the sadness in his eyes was unmistakable. "Call me next time you prepare the tea, I will teach you step-by-step."

Karan reached out, as if he could somehow touch Dev through the screen. "You have dark circles under your eyes."

Arjun's voice was soft, but firm. "Stop overexerting yourself."

Dev chuckled lightly bringing smiles to both the other faces. "Ok, stop nagging now."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics—updates on their lives, stories about the restaurant, playful banter—but beneath it all was the undercurrent of longing, the unspoken truth that they missed each other more than words could express.

When the call ended, Karan let out a deep sigh, his hand still resting on the now-dark screen of the phone. "It's not enough," he murmured. "Seeing him through a screen... it's not the same."

Arjun placed a comforting hand on Karan's shoulder. "I know. But we'll see him soon. And when we do, we'll make every second count."

---

In the weeks following Dev's departure, Karan and Arjun had made an unspoken agreement. Though they still shared the same bed, still held each other close at night, they had both agreed to remain celibate in Dev's absence. It wasn't something they had formally discussed—it had simply felt like the right thing to do.

They loved Dev too much to enjoy that kind of intimacy without him. Their physical connection had always been about the three of them, and it didn't feel right to break that balance, even temporarily.

One night, after a particularly difficult day, Karan turned to Arjun in bed, his body aching for the kind of closeness they had once shared so easily. "Do you ever..." Karan began, his voice hesitant. "Do you ever just want to break the pact? Just for one night?"

Arjun looked at him, his expression understanding. "Of course I do," he admitted. "But it wouldn't feel right. Dev's part of us, and it doesn't feel fair to leave him out."

Karan nodded, his heart heavy but resolute. "Yeah. I feel the same way. It just... it's hard, you know?"

"I know," Arjun said softly, his hand reachingout to take Karan's. "But when we see him again, it'll be worth the wait."