Day 212 November
The cold has intensified here… especially in the early mornings—it's extreme. But I like this cold. The fog that comes with it, even if just for a little while, takes me away from that piercing, scorching sunlight. And perhaps… I actually want to escape that sunlight… I seek the shade of a cold sky, though I know it's not possible in this lifetime...
He closed his eyes after writing this.
I had already decided early in the morning that I would stay as far away from you as possible. I don't want any emotions to enter my life that would pull me away from my duties. But you… what do I even say about you now? The more I try to stay away from you, your innocence, your little quirks, keep pulling me back toward you. There's a constant conflict between my heart and my mind…
To be honest, I was surprised again today by your behavior. That strict demeanor of yours seemed to have disappeared. Your actions today reminded me of the Shrey I first met—slightly crazy, slightly stubborn… and maybe, my heart only ever wanted to meet that Shrey.
FlashbackMorning
A soft melody echoed in the peaceful house:
🎵 Honthon se chhoo lo tum, mera geet amar kar doBan jao meet mere, meri preet amar kar do 🎵(Touch my lips with yours, make my song eternal... Become my beloved, make my love immortal...)
Shrey, dressed in a white jersey, was sitting on the sofa tying his shoelaces. Prakhar was in the kitchen, cooking something. Diamond, lying in a corner, looked drowsy.
As soon as Shrey picked up his bag to leave, Prakhar called out from behind, "Breakfast is ready…"
"I don't want anything made by you. I'll get something from the canteen," Shrey replied with a pout. But right then, his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl.
Prakhar smiled slightly with his head down and said in a firm voice, "If you go to play without eating, I'll find you on a hospital bed."
Shrey realized he was genuinely hungry. He had managed with Maggi the previous night, but now his stomach wasn't willing to compromise. And he didn't know how to cook either.
Even Diamond got up and walked toward the dining table. Shrey followed him.
As he sat down at the table, Shrey glared at Diamond and said, "Oye, you dog! Brush your teeth first…"
"His name is Diamond," Prakhar said from behind, placing potato parathas on the table.
"Yeah, yeah… Diamond, Gold, Silver, whatever… At least teach him basic manners—like brushing before eating," Shrey muttered, still glaring at the dog. Diamond stared right back.
Prakhar shook his head. What could he even say to this boy trying to teach brushing habits to a dog?
Seeing the parathas, Shrey dug in and asked, "Don't you have curd?"
Prakhar saw the sparkle in his eyes and the innocence in his tone. A faint smile crossed his face, but he quickly suppressed it and walked back into the kitchen.
A moment later, he placed a bowl of curd in front of Shrey and dog food in front of Diamond, who began eating with his head bowed.
With a mouth full of food, Shrey mumbled, "You actually cook really well… If I had known earlier, I would've made you my maid."
Prakhar glared at him.
Realizing his mistake, Shrey stammered, "I mean… I wouldn't have asked you to leave yesterday."
Finishing his food quickly, he picked up his plate to take it to the kitchen, but Prakhar stopped him. "Leave it, I'll do it. Go now, or you'll be late."
"No, I—" Shrey began to say, but Prakhar looked at him with sharp eyes. Feeling the weight of that gaze, Shrey quickly placed the plate down and ran out.
Behind him, Prakhar shook his head. "Crazy… didn't even wash his hands."
🎵 Jag ne cheena mujhse, mujhe jo bhi laga pyaara...Tum haar ke dil apna, meri jeet amar kar do... 🎵(The world took away everything I ever loved… Lose your heart to me, make my victory eternal...)—the lyrics still echoed through the air.
Outside
As soon as Shrey stepped outside, someone grabbed his hand. He staggered but was caught before he could fall.
"You—!" Shrey was about to punch the person.
"Calm down, oh mighty warrior, calm down!" the person said, dodging his hit. He was wearing the same jersey.
"Oh, Pranay! Who grabs people like that? I could've fallen!"
"I would've let you fall," Pranay grinned.
Shrey mimicked him mockingly, "I would've let you fall…"
Bouncing the basketball, he started walking ahead. Pranay followed him, started his bike, and asked, "How's the house? Any problem living alone?"
"If people let me live alone…" Shrey replied as he hopped on the bike.
"Wait, who else is living with you?" Pranay asked, surprised.
"Long story. I'll tell you in detail later. First let's get to the ground."
Pranay revved the bike and off they went.
Basketball Ground
As they reached the ground, the cold breeze lightly scattered Shrey's hair. The early sun filtered through the wire fencing and mist, casting soft rays across the court. Some players were already practicing, but as soon as Shrey and Pranay entered, many eyes turned toward them.
Shrey took the ball out of his bag and bounced it toward Pranay.
"Still playing the same boring game today? Or are you in the mood to try something new?" Shrey asked, spinning the ball.
"You play boring. I'm always in an exciting mood," Pranay replied with a smirk.
Shrey rolled his eyes and tossed the ball to him. The game had begun.
Game Begins
As soon as Pranay caught the ball, he picked up speed. But Shrey was already alert. He tried to snatch the ball, but Pranay faked him out with a brilliant dribble.
"That slow? Looks like those parathas drained all your energy," Pranay teased.
"Don't talk too much. Watch this," Shrey replied, quickly moving in and blocking the ball.
The ground's energy had intensified. An unspoken rivalry was playing out between them.
Shrey leapt into the air with the ball and shot from the three-point line. The ball spun in the air and swished through the net.
"Swish! Perfect shot!" someone shouted.
Pranay shook his head. "You're on fire today!"
Shrey laughed. "Bro, the game's just getting started!"
Now Pranay stepped up his attack. With a stunning crossover move and a spin shot, he scored. The game was tied.
Their duel lasted for over thirty minutes. With every point, their energy rose, and the other players on the court were glued to the match.
End of Game
With the score tied at 19-19, just one shot remained. Pranay drove in hard, but Shrey anticipated him. As Pranay jumped to shoot, Shrey leapt and blocked the ball mid-air.
The ball bounced back to Shrey. Without wasting a second, he made a long shot—straight into the net.
"And that's the winning shot!" Applause echoed across the ground.
Shrey looked at Pranay. "Still think I'm slow?"
Pranay laughed and offered his hand. "Today was your day. But next time, I won't lose."
Shrey smiled and shook his hand. "Looking forward to next time!"
The cold breeze was still blowing, but the thrill of the game had warmed them up. The match was over, but their rivalry was far from done...
Back at Home
As soon as Shrey reached home from college, the delicious smell of food welcomed him, and a smile spread across his face.
He quickly changed and sat at the dining table.
Prakhar served him a plate and sat down in front of him.
"Where's that dog of yours… I mean, Diamond or whatever?" Shrey looked around.
"He went out to get some stuff," Prakhar replied calmly as he ate.
"He talks to humans now?" Shrey asked in shock. Equally baffled, Prakhar looked at him as if to say—Does any dog talk like a human? What is this guy even saying?
Realizing his mistake, Shrey stammered, "No, I mean… he went alone?"
"He's used to it," Prakhar said, and Shrey fell silent. That was enough embarrassment for one day.
After finishing the meal, they got up when Shrey said, "I'll do the dishes…"
Prakhar turned to look at him, and Shrey said, "No, I mean… you cooked, so it's the least I can do."
"You have to do it… and clean the kitchen too," Prakhar said as he put the dishes in the sink and walked to his room.
Shrey stood there, stunned. "What just happened?"
To be continued...The 151 Days