Is forever for R.E.A.L?

Chapter 7- Gay for you

“It’s Ashish's birthday tomorrow. Let’s  give him a surprise.” Rehan suggested.
Three days had passed since the truth and dare incident. Even though Rehan wanted to ask Esha and Ashish about their strange behaviour, I asked him to respect their privacy. This irritated him but he didn’t argue further.
“What should we gift him?” Esha asked.
“I thought girls were good with gifts and stuff.” I said.
“Not every girl. I am a beautiful exception.” She said with a tint of sarcasm.
“It’s true about exception but beautiful is too much.” Rehan joked and we both laughed.
“You both are so mean. You know right whole school is behind me.” She said while playing with her hair dramatically.
“Poor school.” Rehan remarked and we all laughed again.
Even though I was laughing, I couldn’t help but look at her with admiring eyes. We three had met to plan something special for Ashish’s birthday which was tomorrow. She was looking so beautiful in her kurti that it was being hard for me to tear my eyes away from her. Her brown long hair which was kept open made me want to touch it. As she laughed, her cheeks went red because of her fair complexion. Her smile mesmerized me completely. I wished I was the reason she was smiling.
“Larry, you again visiting dream world?” Esha said and tapped my head.
“No, it’s just that you are looking beautiful.” I said and regretted it.
“Ohhh! Larry, since when did you started giving compliments.” Rehan asked
“He is a gentleman, not a jerk like you.” Said Esha.
“Thanks.” I blushed. I don’t know why but I liked the sound of it. Gentleman. Sounds very elegant.
After a few hours of gift shopping, we left for our homes.
“Do you like her?” Rehan asked.
“Who?” I replied innocently but afraid of the further conversation.
“Don’t act innocent. You already know who am I talking about.”
“Who? What are you saying? I don’t understand.” I say knowing this answer won’t satisfy him.
“Esha.”
“....”
“What?”
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
“That’s what. Say something.”
“Something.”
“Don’t even try that on me or I will hang you by your boxers.”
“Hahahaha.”
“I will talk to you later about this. I have to go home.” He said and left.
Next day we met outside Ashish’s home. The cake was ready. Gifts were ready. We all were looking good. Esha wore a tshirt and shorts. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and she was looking gorgeous and so pretty and... okay sorry, I didn’t realise how much I was describing her. Rehan rang the bell and we entered his house. Unfortunately Ashish was out for some house work but his parents told he would return soon. His mother took the cake from us and went into kitchen only to later bring it out in a plate. She asked us our names and native places. As she heard Rehan’s name and knew he was a muslim, I witnessed a scowl on her face which she hid in a moment for it was her son’s birthday and she didn’t want to ruin it. Noticing it is taking time for Ashish to be back, she asks the three of us to sit in his room for a while.
As I entered his room, my eyes fell on the desk by the window. Ashish’s diary was kept there and the words ‘gay', ‘Ravi’, ‘shame’ was scribbled on the last page. Reading that, I was shocked and that expression could be read by Rehan and Esha so that they too peeked at that and understood everything. This was the reason he looked so distracted everytime. Did he think we will laugh at him?
My thoughts were interrupted as the door opened and Ashish entered. He realized we knew his secret and the tension was evident on his face.
“I guess you probably know everything. It’s okay if you don’t want to talk to me or if you want to stay away from me, just please don’t tell anyone about this. I beg you.” Ashish said with a pained expression.
“What do you mean? Did you think we won’t want to be friends with you just because you are gay? Are you mad? We can’t be real without you!” I exclaimed.
“Are you okay with it?” Ashish asked with a smile on his face.
“Of course. We are gay for you.” Esha said as Rehan picked Ashish up. That was one hell of a birthday celebration.