Is forever for R.E.A.L?

Chapter 8- The lost puppy

Chapter 8
 
The lost puppy
“So whom do you like more? Peter Kavinsky or John Ambrose McClaren?” Esha asked Ashish.
Since learning about Ashish being gay, Esha had been too excited. She spent hours talking to him about his celebrity crushes and whom he liked more in different drama series. It was obvious that she seemed happy to have someone for these talks. Rehan and I didn’t have much interest in Tiger Shroff’s abs or some other male actors biceps. Even though Ashish wouldn’t feel for her like I did, still felt frequent pangs of jealousy.
 I wished I was gay if I got to talk to her so much. Wait! No. Then I won’t feel anything for her. Not gay. I mean if she showed same interest in talking to me. She did talked to me but I didn’t have a one to one conversation with her except that one time.
“Should we leave now?” Rehan asked. We had decided to spend our vacation cycling around the town. Rehan borrowed Esha’s old cycle and I had my own which my dad purchased for me even when I didn’t even ask for it. He knew I wanted one but never asked for it to avoid another expense.
“Yes. Let’s go!” Esha exclaimed and we left. We were cycling at the same pace so that we could talk too. Also Ashish played songs on his mobile and it made it more fun. We had decided to bring some money for this cycling trip for times when we rested at someplace for refreshments. Rehan had saved from his monthly income, he started to receive. His uncle’s cafe was doing very good and his uncle understood that Rehan had some other needs than only food and education. He agreed to pay him 750 rupees additional to taking care of his food and education provided Rehan doesn’t engage in intoxicants.
I, on the other hand brought my father’s bhindi in a steel tiffin. Though it didn’t seemed cool, it saved the money to be spent on the food. That money could be used for food or other entities. Maybe I could save money for gifts for Esha.
“Hey! What’s in that?” Esha asked.
“Ummm this is just home made food. I didn’t had money for the food so I brought this.” I said, quite ashamed for the fact that I was poor.
“Let’s exchange!” Ashish said and took the roti’s from me. I was quite happy that the scene was not awkward. After sharing his thoughts with someone, which he had confined to his diary before was very refreshing for Ashish. He thought everyone would judge him for liking a boy but our indifference to his worries made him feel better.
After a hearty meal, we resumed our journey. On the way, we came across a small jungle in a less visited spot in the town. It was a hilly place so we locked our bicycle at a supposed safe place and went upwards. We roamed there aimlessly in search of something unexpected.
The unexpected did happen. While we were moving around the place, we had a small bark. It was more of a whine actually.
“Did you hear that?” I asked them. They replied in positive and followed towards the source of sound.
It was a small pup. He was all alone in the jungle yet he barked in a confident manner. In a few hours we got attached to that pup. We figured it was still in danger if the pup remained there, among different predators.
‘So what should we do with this? I know it sounds rude but we have to leave them. I don’t think so any of our parents will accept a dog. If anyone is sure of handling the responsibility, then take him.” Esha sighed. I knew she wanted to take the pup but because of her personal issues. My father couldn’t afford the extra expenses. Also they didn’t ask Rehan about it assuming he had same thoughts as everyone.
“What should we do  now.” Esha asked disappointed.
“Lets give it to Rehan, I am sure he will glad  getting the dog.”
Rehan casted a dark look on his face towards me as to pretend being he was angry for nearly giving out but his smile proved that he was not at all angry. I was thinking of asking him to tell them the truth about his parents but I was afraid Rehan would open Esha’s topic.
“Why are we calling her as a dog. Shouldn’t we give her a name.” Rehan chucked.
Hundreds of names were exchanged but none suited on her. But when Rehan suggested Lucy, she barked in happiness as I was feeding her the leftovers from my food. Lucy. He was the  new member of our group but nevertheless important.