In the evening, when Shrey came out of college and saw Prakhar, he jumped with joy.He was about to run to him when Prakhar stepped forward and said, "Careful…" but before he could finish, Shrey had already hugged him tightly.Prakhar stumbled a bit but quickly regained balance.
Today, Shrey didn't care about anyone watching.He did what his heart wanted — and that was enough to show that his world now revolved entirely around Prakhar. Everything else had become meaningless to him.
Running his hand through Shrey's hair, Prakhar asked, "How was your day?"
"It was good... let's go home now," Shrey said, tugging his hand and walking toward the car.
"Where's Pranay?" Prakhar asked, glancing toward the college building.
"He went out with his friends…" Shrey replied casually.
Prakhar seated Shrey in the car and immediately called Pranay.
"Hello?" Pranay's voice came from the other end.
"Where are you, Pranay?"
"I'm with friends… why, didn't you find Shrey?"
"No, he's with me. I was just worried about you."
"Don't worry… I got my black belt in martial arts today!"
"Hmm… take care."
As Prakhar got into the driver's seat, he noticed both Deep and Shrey munching on the cookies kept on the dashboard, practically turning his car into a garbage bin.
"What is this?" Prakhar scolded them.
"What? You brought them for us, didn't you…" Shrey replied with his mouth stuffed.
"Yes, but look at the mess you've made in the car… It's my favorite car!"
"I'm your favorite too, na…" Shrey said with a cute face.
Prakhar laughed and shook his head before starting the car.
Prakhar took Shrey to a hilly area.As soon as the car stopped, Shrey peeked out the window and froze — tall hills all around, deep fog covering them, and light raindrops drifting through the mist… it all looked like a dream.
Shrey stood mesmerized… when suddenly, Prakhar hugged him from behind.
"Prakhar…" Shrey whispered.
"Izan… call me that…" Prakhar said, resting his head on Shrey's shoulder.
A shiver ran through Shrey's body. Calling him by that name felt like stepping into a whole new world.
"I'm going away for a few days…" Prakhar said softly.
Shrey turned toward him in shock, his eyes filled with fear and surprise.
"Are you coming back…?"
"Just for a few days… I'll finish my work and return forever," Prakhar said with a voice so certain, no one could doubt him.
"But…" Shrey's voice trembled.
"You don't trust me?" Prakhar lifted his face in his hands.The moment he looked into Shrey's teary eyes, something inside him shattered.
"I believe you more than I believe myself… I'm just scared of losing you again…" Shrey's voice quivered.
"I'm leaving to end that fear…" Prakhar said, gently running his hand along his back.
"What do you mean…?" Shrey looked at him.
"Nothing, just know this — I have to go. It might take a week… maybe a month… but I will come back."
Shrey couldn't hold back anymore — he immediately hugged him again, as if his very existence was tied to Prakhar's presence.
Prakhar kissed his forehead and whispered,"This will be the last time you're away from me… after this, even if you try, you won't be able to leave."
The two stood there in silence for a while.
Night slowly crept into the corners of the house.After dinner, the three of them ate together and then retired to their rooms.
Prakhar sat in his room, a diary open under the dim light of a desk lamp.Diamond sat right next to him.
"Sleep, Diamond… I'll take a while," Prakhar said lovingly.
But Diamond didn't budge.Prakhar chuckled softly, picked him up into his lap, and gently stroked his head. The touch of his fingers was like a lullaby — in no time, Diamond curled up in his lap and dozed off.
Prakhar took a deep breath, glanced at Diamond, and turned back to his diary.
The pen moved slowly across the paper — sometimes a soft smile flickered on his face, and sometimes tears welled up in his eyes.As if each word touched a memory, an unfulfilled promise, a lost feeling, or a battle he was fighting within.
The only sounds in the room were the flipping of pages — and Diamond's slow breathing.
The next morning, Prakhar dropped Shrey and Pranay off at college and then left with Adwait.He had to leave tonight — but before that, there were important things he had to do at all costs.
Meanwhile, Kunwar was sitting in his room.Someone stood near him, giving him fresh intel about Prakhar.Kunwar cut him off and gestured for him to leave. Once alone, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the headrest.
His lips moved slowly —"Prakhar Joshi... after all that's happened, how can you still be so calm…? What's going on in that mind of yours...?"
In the evening, outside the college, Shrey stood looking downcast.Prakhar had told him that morning he would be leaving tomorrow.
When Prakhar arrived, he immediately ran his hand through Shrey's hair.
"What happened…?" he asked gently.
"Nothing..." Shrey replied softly, voice tinged with sadness.
"Let's go shopping," Prakhar suggested.
"No... let's just go home," Shrey answered quietly.
Prakhar looked at him for a moment, said nothing, and started the car.When the car stopped outside a mall, Shrey looked at him in surprise.
Prakhar opened his door and extended his hand.Shrey took it with a faint smile.
As soon as they entered the mall, Shrey started picking out his favorite things excitedly. The joy on his face brought peace to Prakhar's heart.
On the other side of the mall, a man in a black hoodie was watching them from a distance.
"Boss… they're inside the mall," he said quietly into his earpiece.
There was silence on the other side.
"Do we harm the boy?"
"Not yet… we haven't received the order. Just keep watch."
After shopping, they had dinner outside and packed some for Pranay before returning home.
Around midnight, Prakhar quietly took his bag outside the room.Just then, Diamond began barking.
"Shhh... quiet..." Prakhar tried calming him, but Diamond barked even louder.
"Diamond!" Prakhar scolded — Diamond flinched and fell silent.
"You're leaving already?" — came Pranay's voice from behind.
Prakhar's eyes widened. He turned and looked inside.
"Shrey's asleep," Pranay said, reading his concern.
Prakhar handed him his diary.
"What's this?" Pranay asked.
"Give it to Shrey… and this is my card," he said, handing over his ID.
Then he walked straight to Shrey's room.
Shrey was fast asleep.Prakhar sat by his side and gazed at him for a long time.Then he gently kissed his forehead.
A few tears slipped silently from his eyes and landed on Shrey's cheeks.
…And then he got up and rushed out of the room.If he stayed a second longer — he probably wouldn't have left at all.
"Why didn't you tell him?" — Pranay came down carrying his bag.
"He wouldn't have let me go…" — Prakhar stared into the darkness.
Pranay nodded slowly.
When Prakhar picked up Diamond, Pranay said —"Leave him here… we'll take care of him…"
"Hmm…" Prakhar handed him over.
"Take care…" — was all Prakhar could say.Wiping his eyes, he got into the car.
Pranay stood there, watching the car disappear into the night —And then slowly turned back, wondering what storm the morning would bring, walking back toward the flat with tired steps.