The 151 Days

Shrey stormed off toward the room, hissing like a defeated snake.A little while later, when he came out, he was wearing a black and white T-shirt — which looked incredibly good on him. He seemed to have forgotten to fix his hair, but the tousled look made him appear even more innocent and cute.

"My breakfast…" he commanded in a royal tone.

Pranay looked at him in surprise, then shrugged casually and served his breakfast.

"Aloo parathas? Are you all conspiring to make me fat? You keep feeding me butter-laden parathas every day!" he said loudly on purpose so that Prakhar, sitting inside, could hear him clearly.

Pranay laughed. "Weren't these your favorites? You were eating them with so much love yesterday. What's wrong today? Why are you lashing out like an injured cat?"

"If you want to avoid getting scratched by this injured cat, better stay away," Shrey replied while chewing on a dry piece of bread.

"At least put some butter…" Pranay placed the butter plate in front of him, but pulled it back quickly when Shrey glared at him.

After a while, Prakhar came out. He set dog food in front of Diamond and sat on a chair to eat his parathas.

Shrey kept watching Prakhar, but Prakhar acted like Shrey didn't even exist.

Just as Prakhar picked up the last bite of his paratha, Shrey lunged forward, snatched it from his hand, and ate it. Prakhar stared at him in disbelief.

"When someone's upset, you're supposed to make it up to them—not ignore them," Shrey said angrily.

Prakhar replied coldly, "I didn't do anything wrong for you to be upset… And even if you are, it doesn't matter to me."

"I don't matter to you, right? But you'll regret losing me deeply..." Shrey's voice trembled. Prakhar looked at him in surprise. That didn't sound like something he would say. Meanwhile, Shrey looked at his phone and said,

"People often lose their most precious things… just because they assume they'll always have them… Otherwise, others' worth is not… waste… not… unnecessary…"

"It's always there," Prakhar finished the line, frowning.

Shrey grinned. "At least complete the line with your own words..." said Pranay from behind.

"You shut up, snakelet... You live in my house and bite me? That TV serial naagin is better than you…"

"Then go live with her! What are you doing here?" Pranay snapped.

"Why, you—!" Shrey hissed back.

"Enough!" Prakhar's voice rang out.

"This is a breakfast table, not a battlefield. Eat quietly and go to college. Fight all you want there."

Both fell silent and grudgingly resumed eating.

After a while, Pranay said, "By the way, Prakhar, I think we should divide the household work. I mean, now that I'll be living here too, it makes sense to share the responsibilities."

Prakhar nodded in agreement. "You cook well, so you'll handle both meals. I'll take care of the kitchen and dishes. Shrey will clean the hall. And we all handle our own rooms."

"I won't do anything."

"You're not royalty, you know..." Prakhar taunted.

"I said I won't, and I won't."

"Fine, I'll do your part too. Happy?" Pranay folded his hands in mock surrender.

"By the way, what about Diamond? We should share his responsibility too."

"He's only mine. And his responsibility is also mine," Prakhar said firmly.

"How's that fair? He lives with all of us. One day each," Shrey wasn't one to back down.

Prakhar glared at him — the same Shrey who did nothing but create messes and steal snacks from the kitchen was now talking about responsibility?

"I said, Diamond is only mine."

"Silver and Gold are mine too!" Shrey declared, grabbed Diamond, picked up his bag, and darted outside.

Prakhar chased after him, but Shrey had already slipped away with surprising agility.

Diamond was barking non-stop in his arms. This weird human had picked him up without warning, hadn't fed him, and was now running around with him. Did no one care about his emotions? This was canine abuse!

Shrey looked at him barking and said,"I didn't kidnap you… Just claiming my right a little. Why are you so upset? I'll even give you a treat..."

Diamond barked again.

"I'll give you two! Your favorite lollipop!"

Diamond fell silent.

"Bribable little dog…" Shrey muttered and flagged down a cab. He climbed in with Diamond in his arms.

As soon as they reached college, Shrey paid the cab and hurried inside with Diamond. Suddenly, a shiny car screeched to a halt just inches from him, making him freeze. One step in any direction and he could've been hit.

"Are you okay, cutie pie?" a soft voice asked as the car door opened and Kunwar stepped out.

"You...?" Shrey was stunned.

"Yup, me," Kunwar smiled. "Were you expecting someone else?"

"Huh...? No… but… definitely not you either." Shrey looked away, regaining his composure.

Kunwar raised an eyebrow with a sly grin. "So, that poetry you wanted this morning—who was it for?"

"None of your business…" Shrey replied without looking at him.

"Ohh, don't be so rude, cutie…" Kunwar stepped forward and pinched his cheek.

"Hey! Don't do that. I don't like it!" Shrey snapped, pulling away.

"But I love your soft little cheeks… I feel like gobbling them up!" Kunwar teased.

"Eww! You're gross!" Shrey wrinkled his nose and hugged Diamond tighter.

Kunwar laughed at his antics. "You're even cuter when you're mad."

"I'm leaving…" Shrey stomped away.

"Wait!" Kunwar followed, smiling. "By the way, is that adorable puppy yours?"

"Yes, he's mine…" Shrey replied without looking at him, then glanced down at Diamond curled up tightly in his arms.

Diamond's tiny eyes looked scared, and he clung to Shrey.

Shrey gently petted his head and whispered,"Don't worry… I'm here. Be a good puppy, and I won't sell you…"

Diamond glared at him, then looked toward Kunwar, who was still standing there, smiling at him. Diamond immediately turned his face away.

Kunwar chuckled. "What's his name?"

"Why do you care?" Shrey snapped. "Mind your own business."

Kunwar laughed. "Uff… that attitude! I think I've started studying your mood swings more than my classes."

"You have no right to study my life. Nor should you be interested in it," Shrey said and hugged Diamond tighter, walking off in long strides.

But Kunwar wasn't one to give up easily. He swiftly moved in front of Shrey again.

Shrey was irritated. "What now...? Move aside!"

"Oh, come on… Spend a little time with me. I'm not that bad-looking," Kunwar joked, then suddenly turned serious, locking eyes with Shrey's hazel-green ones.

Shrey's face went blank… his eyes met Kunwar's unintentionally.

There was something hypnotic about Kunwar's gaze… a pull… a hold that could trap anyone's heartbeat.

For a moment, Shrey froze. Diamond let out a soft woof, jolting Shrey like he had just woken from a trance.

Diamond was now staring at him too.

Then Kunwar leaned closer and whispered,"How do I look to you?"

Shrey's breath caught. He glanced at Kunwar's eyes for a second and quickly looked away.

"Stay away... and stop looking at me like that," he said, clearly shaken.

Kunwar smiled."Like how? Do fireflies sparkle in my eyes... or do stormy waves rise like the ocean?"

His voice was low, but it struck deep.

"Stop talking nonsense," Shrey said irritably, clutching Diamond tightly and turning away as if trying to break free from that magnetic pull.

Kunwar remained standing, smiling.

By the time Shrey reached the classroom, his heartbeat had settled a bit, but he was still shaken inside. He left Diamond with a friend and rushed into the class.

"Shrey!"The professor's stern voice boomed. "You're late and now expect to sit quietly? Are the others here clowns to come on time? Do you think you're special?"

"Sir… there was traffic and—"

Before he could finish, the professor raised his hand to stop him."Get out. You've already missed the class. Come on time next time."

"Sorry, sir..." Shrey mumbled.

The class was silent… a few stifled chuckles echoed.

Shrey clenched his jaw in anger and, slinging his bag over his shoulder, turned to leave.

He ended up at the canteen, sitting alone at a corner table. Since class was ongoing, the place was deserted. He pulled Diamond close and started scrolling through his phone.

Just then, a familiar voice snapped him out of his daze —"Hey cutie pie… not attending class?"

Shrey looked up, startled, and saw Kunwar again.

"You…? Again?" he scowled. "Don't you have classes? Go to yours!"

Kunwar laughed lightly and pulled out a chair to sit beside him.

"I would… but I just got appointed today. So today's just for observing the college."

Shock and confusion were evident on Shrey's face."Appointed...? Wait… you're… sorry, are you a professor?"

"Yes, cutie pie…" Kunwar said with a mischievous smile. "Why do you look so surprised?"

Shrey stared at him for a moment, then snapped,"How can you be a professor? I mean, your age… and all this..."

"What does age have to do with it?" Kunwar said cheerfully, settling in across from him. "Talent and personality are enough. And I've got both in plenty."

Shrey could only stare at him.