Unspoken Desires | English bl | Completed

Chapter 3: Hidden Feelings

The days at the university passed with an unusual rhythm for Aiden. The mornings were filled with classed and endless notes, the afternoons were spent exploring the campus with Ayaan and the evenings... well, the evenings were marked by lingering thoughts of Aarav.

But amidst all of this, Aiden found solace in Ayaan's company. The two of them had developed a natural camaraderie, filled with shared jokes, quiet moments and the kind of laughter that made Aiden momentarily forget about Aarav's unnerving presence.

One afternoon, Aiden and Ayaan were sitting under a massive banyan tree in the courtyard, their bags discarded to the side. Ayaan had insisted on a break after their back-to-back lectures.

"So, what do you think about this place now?" Ayaan asked, leaning back against the tree trunk with a relaxed smile.

Aiden grinned. "It's better than I expected. Probably because I have someone to show me around."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Aiden," Ayaan teased, nudging him playfully.

"I mean it," Aiden said, chuckling. "You've been great. I don't know how I would've managed without you."

"Ah, it's nothing. I told you on the first day---I've got your back," Ayaan replied warmly.

Their laughter echoed through the courtyard, drawing the attention of a certain someone standing nearby. Aarav watched from the edge of the corridor, his sharp gaze locked on the pair under the tree. His jaw tightened as he observed their closeness, an unfamiliar pang stirring in his chest.

Later that night, at the Wijewardhane household, the tension between the brothers was palpable. Dinner had been uneventful, with their parents discussing work while Aarav and Ayaan exchanged little more than the occasional glance. But as soon as their parents retired to their room, Aarav broke the silence.

"Ayaan," Aarav began, his tone unusually serious.

Ayaan looked up from his phone. "What's up?"

Aarav hesitated for a moment, his usual confidence wavering. He leaned against the kitchen counter, running a hand through his hair. "I need to talk to you about something."

Ayaan raised an eyebrow. "This sounds serious. What's going on?"

"It's about... Aiden," Aarav admitted, his voice dropping slightly.

Ayaan's expression hardened. "What about Aiden? If you're planning to mess with his again, Aarav, I swear---"

"it's not that," Aarav interrupted, his tone sharper than he intended. He sighed, trying to gather his thoughts. "It's... complicated."

Ayaan crossed his arms, clearly skeptical. "Complicated how?"

Aarav looked away, staring at the tiled floor as if it held the answers. "I like him, okay? More than I should."

The admission hung heavy in the air and Ayaan blinked, taken aback. "Wait... you like Aiden? As in---?"

"Yes," Aarav cut him off, his frustration evident. "As in, I'm attracted to him. And I don't know what to do about it."

Ayaan was silent for a moment, processing his brother's words. "We;;, for starters, maybe stop treating him like your personal punching bag. You're been ragging him nonstop."

"It's not that simple," Aarav said, running a hand over his face. "I don't now how to act around him. I can't be... vulnerable. It's  easier to tease him, to keep him at a distance."

Ayaan shook his head. "That's a terrible excuse, Aarav. You're just confusing him---and yourself."

"I know," Aarav admitted quietly. "But it's not just that. I'm supposed to be the older brother, the one who has it all together. How an I supposed to deal with this... this mess?"

Ayaan's expression softened. For all his arrogance and bravado, Aarav looked genuinely lost. "Look, Aarav," Ayaan said, his tone gentler now. "You don't have to figure it all out at once. But if you really care about Aiden, you need to stop playing games. Be honest with yourself---and with him."

Aarav let out a bitter laugh. "Honestly isn't exactly my strong suit, Ayaan. And besides, I'm not even sure how he feels about me. For all I know, he might hate me."

"Maybe he doesn't," Ayaan said thoughtfully. "But you'll never know unless you stop with the games and start being real."

Aarav looked at his younger brother, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. "I don't know if I can do that."

"Then figure it out," Ayaan said firmly. "Because if you keep going the way you are, you're just going to push him further away."

That night, Aarav lay awake in his room, his mind racing. He thought about Aiden's innocent smile, the way his eyes lit up when he laughed, the way his cheeks flushed when Aarav teased him.

Aarav knew he couldn't keep pretending. But being honest meant facing feelings he wasn't sure he was ready to confront. For now, he decided, he would stick to what he knew best---playing the game. Only this time, the stakes were higher.

The next day at university, Aarav spotted Aiden in the library, seated at a corner table with a pile of books. A smirk played on Aarav's lips as he approached.

"Studying hard, freshman?" Aarav drawled, sliding into the seat across from Aiden.

Aiden looked u, startled. "What do you want, Aarav?"

Aarav leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Aiden's. "Just checking in. Wouldn't want you to think I've forgotten about you."

Aiden's cheeks flushed, but he refused to back down. "I don't need you checking in on me."

"Oh, but I think you do," Aarav said, his voice low and teasing. "You might even start to miss me if I don't."

Aiden rolled his eyes, trying to focus on his book, but Aarav's presence was impossible to ignore. And as much as he hated to admit it, a small part of him didn't mind.

Aarav watched him closely, his smirk softening into something more genuine. For all his bravado, he couldn't deny the way his heart raced every time he was near Aiden.

The game was on---but this time, Aarav wasn't sure who would win.