The 151 Days

Shrey had gone to get coffee. He had left Diamond with Kunwar.Both of them were sitting in the open area.

Kunwar gently stroked Diamond's head.Diamond hesitantly curled up near him.

"Why are you scared, my baby..." Kunwar said while running his fingers through his soft fur,"I'm your dadda, I won't hurt you..."

Diamond slowly started to slip out of his lap.

Just then, Kunwar grabbed the belt around his neck and leaned him toward the balcony railing.

Diamond whimpered in fear, "Koon... koon..."

A faint smile spread across Kunwar's face."That's not nice, baby... Dadda was talking, and you're ignoring me like that?""Even your papa doesn't act like this... If I'm disrespected, I'm bound to get angry..."

Diamond was trembling; the shiver in his little legs was clearly visible.Kunwar slowly pulled him back into his lap and began stroking his head with one hand.

Diamond was still trembling, but he didn't even have the strength to make a sound.His eyes were wide with fear.

Just then, Shrey returned carrying two cups of coffee.He placed one cup in front of Kunwar and asked,"Diamond... what happened to him?"

Kunwar looked at him for a moment and then replied with a calm smile —"Nothing... he was feeling cold, so I kept him in my lap."

"Oh… thanks..." Shrey said and sat down across from him.

They chatted lightly about college. As usual, Kunwar's tone was laced with occasional flirting, but Shrey brushed it off every time.

Suddenly, the class bell rang.Shrey stood up and said,"Diamond, let's go... time for class..."

But Diamond didn't move.

"Maybe he wants to stay with me," Kunwar said with a smile,"You go ahead. Take him after class."

"No," Shrey said firmly,"He doesn't warm up to people easily... and since I brought him here, it's my responsibility to take him back home safely."

He bent down and picked up Diamond.Diamond immediately clung to him.

"Aww, what's wrong, Hira-Chandi?"Shrey whispered into his ear,"Look, I promised you not just two, but three lollipops... don't be so sad. Otherwise, your owner will chew me alive…"

Kunwar simply watched from afar.

After class, Shrey came out, exhausted.Diamond sat quietly in his arms, the same dog who usually spent the whole day biting and chasing him around — why was he this quiet today? The question still nagged at his mind.

On the way home, he bought some lollipops and biscuits for Diamond."Maybe he'll like something," he thought.

As soon as they reached home, Diamond leapt out of his arms and ran straight toward Prakhar's room.Shrey, surprised, followed behind.

Prakhar was engrossed in reading a book.Diamond reached him and without a moment's delay, clung to him.Prakhar smiled and picked him up — but the very next moment, a look of surprise crossed his face.

He touched Diamond's soft fur and sniffed him.

"This… this scent…" Prakhar murmured.

Shrey immediately folded his hands and explained,"Look, I didn't do anything. I just kept him with me all day. He suddenly went quiet. Don't think I hit or hurt him..."

Prakhar looked into his eyes."Did you leave him with someone else?"

"No... okay, I admit we don't always get along… but I'm not so low as to sell him. He was with me the whole time..."

Prakhar said nothing.He gently patted Diamond's back, soothing him.Diamond, as if forgetting all his pain, peacefully fell asleep in his arms.

Shrey stood silently...

"Why are you still standing? Go freshen up. Your basketball class will start soon..."Prakhar said without looking up.

"Yeah..." Shrey replied softly and turned to leave, but suddenly stopped.

He turned back — Diamond was still nestled in Prakhar's lap.

"I'm sorry..." Shrey's voice was broken."I really didn't… I didn't know that…"

Without looking up from his book, Prakhar said —"He's scared of strange places and people... next time, don't leave him alone..."

Few words, but their impact was deep.

Shrey quietly nodded and walked toward his room.

Evening had set in.A light chill filled the flat, and the garden lights flickered on one by one. Shrey and Pranay returned from basketball practice, worn out.They tossed their bags in a corner and collapsed onto the sofa.

"Even my spine gave up today..." Shrey groaned.

Just then, Diamond came hopping towards them and tried to climb up onto the sofa near Shrey.

"What is it? Want to come up?" Shrey smiled and picked him up.

Diamond rested his head on Shrey's chest and stared at him without blinking.Shrey raised his eyebrows — "Now what do you want?"

At that moment, Prakhar returned from the kitchen with a glass of water. He glanced at Diamond and asked in a calm tone —"Did you promise him something...?"

Shrey sat up abruptly. Diamond slipped slightly but he caught him just in time.Eyes wide, he said —"Oh man! He remembers that from this morning? Hira-Chandi, your memory is amazing!"

He laughed and kissed Diamond gently.

But Diamond started squirming, trying to escape his arms.

Shrey placed him softly on the sofa and suddenly ran to his room.A moment later, he returned with two shiny, colorful lollipops.

He unwrapped one and placed it in Diamond's mouth.

Then he opened the second one for himself and just as he was about to put it in his mouth — smack!Diamond lightly swatted his hand with his paw. His brown eyes glared as if saying —"This is betrayal!"

"What!" Shrey exclaimed."I promised I'd buy two lollipops, not give you both…"

Diamond was about to pounce on him in anger when Prakhar quickly scooped him up.

From a distance, Shrey waved the second lollipop and stuck out his tongue teasingly.Diamond became even more annoyed. His tiny paws flailed in the air, but wrapped in Prakhar's arms, he could only growl in frustration.

After dinner, Prakhar was lounging on the sofa watching TV, and Shrey was running around with Diamond in his lap, playing gently. Laughter and light conversation filled the room, while Pranay was in the kitchen doing dishes.

Suddenly, a message popped up on Prakhar's phone.The moment he saw the screen, his expression turned serious.

He stood up silently, picked up Diamond, and walked quietly to his room.Shrey just stood there, watching him go.