The 151 Days

The bakery's door creaked open as Prakhar stepped inside. The aroma in the air told him exactly who was there...

He took a deep breath. Diamond followed him in. The usually playful and talkative bakery owner was silent today, quietly seated at a table. The store was empty—no customers.

Just then—

Hearing the tapping of shoes, Prakhar instinctively closed his eyes. The person played a song on his phone. Prakhar glanced at him and whispered,"Kunwar..."Kunwar smiled.

He wore a white shirt with golden embroidery, paired with magenta pants.Wavy black hair, earrings, rings with gold insignia on his fingers, and a regal aura on his face.

Prakhar stood frozen on the spot—expressionless, but his fingers trembled slightly.

There was a sparkle in Kunwar's eyes—a strange kind of carefree confidence. He began circling Prakhar.

"Sighing all night, dying every moment in memories..."

Prakhar stood still, like a statue.

Kunwar caught the rhythm. With each beat of the song, his steps changed in style. Sometimes he bent down, sometimes spread his arms chaotically, like he was lost in a trance. This was his old way of teasing Prakhar.

"My heart doesn't listen, it's a little drunk, a little dizzy, like it's in a slumber of unconsciousness, nothing makes sense…"

Kunwar slowed down, leaning toward Prakhar's face, trying to gaze into his eyes. His smile had a mischievous twist.

"Once mine, now a stranger, this crazy heart doesn't understand…"

At these lyrics, Kunwar came even closer. He peeked near Prakhar's shoulder, winked playfully, then jerked back with flair.

"Sometimes silent, sometimes it sings praises of you without being asked…"

He walked backward now, eyes locked with Prakhar's.

"Are you real or just a tale? All I know is—this mad heart belongs to you..."

Kunwar's movements grew sharper. The music seemed to flow through his veins. Suddenly, he stopped, stepped forward in rhythm, and whispered in Prakhar's ear—"This mad heart, it won't listen..."

As the song ended, Prakhar bowed slightly, placed a hand over his chest, and spoke in a deep voice—"Welcome, Kunwar..."

Kunwar smiled, pulled out a nearby chair, and sat comfortably right in front of Prakhar. With the tip of his shoe, he gently lifted Prakhar's chin and stared into his eyes—"You were mine... you are mine... and you'll always be mine. Call it obsession, madness, or love."

"You know that already… but let me remind you… just in case you forget. In case my words slip from your mind... got it?" Kunwar said, eyes still locked.

"Yes, Kunwar…" Prakhar whispered, bowing his head.

"Good boy," Kunwar patted his shoulder and stood up."I talked to Raja Sahab. Your punishment has been reduced. Just one month… after that, your sentence ends, and you'll return to the palace."Something seemed to pierce Prakhar's heart.

Then Kunwar turned his expression cold as he looked at the bakery owner."And you, chef..." he said in a stern voice,"As long as my Prakhar is here, he's your responsibility. Make sure no one hurts my love... except me."

The bakery owner bowed his head but was trembling with inner rage.

Kunwar grabbed Prakhar's hand and walked out."Let's go—time for a little stroll."

Prakhar followed him silently. Diamond trailed behind.

"Ugh, this dog…" Kunwar said, annoyed,"Always comes between our romance."

"Diamond… his name's Diamond," Prakhar replied, turning away.

"Fine, I guess I can tolerate him—for you," Kunwar muttered as he tried to pick Diamond up, but the dog barked immediately.Prakhar quickly scooped him into his arms."He doesn't like strangers getting too close."

"Oh? Then tell him I'm his daddy, okay?" Kunwar teased."You wouldn't make a very good daddy anyway."

Prakhar turned away, gently stroking Diamond as he walked ahead.

The next morning, everything seemed normal again.After his workout and a shower, Prakhar made breakfast and got busy with gardening. His headphones were on, and he was lost in his own world.

Shrey kept peeking out from his room. Pranay, watching his childish behavior from inside, kept laughing.

"Stop flashing your teeth or I'll smash your face," Shrey snapped.

"Okay, okay... where is he?" Pranay asked.

"There, on the balcony. With his royal darling..." Shrey said with a jealous pout.

"Why are you jealous of Diamond?" Pranay asked.

"Because he's like my rival… always glued to Prakhar," Shrey replied with a dramatic face.

"He's just a little puppy—" Pranay's words stuck in his throat when Shrey gave him a death glare.

When Prakhar came inside, Shrey jumped onto the sofa and deliberately turned the TV volume to full.

Prakhar glanced at him and was about to walk into his room when Shrey suddenly dropped a coffee mug onto the floor and sat like nothing had happened—coffee spilled all over.

Prakhar ignored him and was about to leave when Shrey suddenly fell to the floor groaning in pain."Ahh! My leg! I think I twisted it!"

Prakhar immediately rushed to him."What happened? Where does it hurt?" he asked in panic.

Holding his leg, Shrey said with a pained expression,"I think I slipped because of the coffee... ugh, it hurts so bad."

Prakhar stared at him for a moment and said,"You fell on your left side… how come your right leg's hurt?"

"Oh—sorry!" Shrey quickly switched legs, but Prakhar's deep stare made him sheepishly smile with all his teeth showing.

Without a word, Prakhar walked into his room.Diamond also started following with his usual sway.

"Hey, you—diamond-silver!" Shrey called out.

Diamond actually stopped and turned around.

"Come here…" Shrey beckoned him.

Diamond stared at him, then turned and walked away.

"Wow, not just the owner—even the dog ignored you!" Pranay teased.Shrey pouted in defeat.