The 151 Days

Day 6

16 November

You finally said it… "Should I leave?"

Just five days... In just five days, you started hating me so much that now you want to get rid of me?

But why only you? Everyone wants to get rid of me. I don't understand… why am I even alive? Why don't I just die…?

He slowly lifted his head and looked toward Diamond. The pup was curled up in a corner, having gone to sleep sad after being scolded by Shrey. He hadn't even eaten…

Even Prakhar had never spoken to him like that before, and today…

Anyway...

Prakhar quietly picked up his bag, packed the essentials, and gently lifted Diamond in his arms. He cast one last look at the shadow of himself standing at the door, and without a word, he left. Before leaving, he placed the bag on the sofa, went into the kitchen, and prepared breakfast for Shrey—just like he always did.

And then… he left.

Shrey woke up and the first thing he noticed was the clock.

7 a.m.

Yawning, he muttered, "Weird..." But as soon as the events of the previous night came rushing back, his heart began to race.He rushed toward Prakhar's room.

The door was open.

The room… was empty.

No Prakhar. No Diamond.

An unsettling silence lingered in the air.

He stood at the door for a few moments, then slowly walked in.The bed was neatly made. The pillow was in place.The clock on the side table still ticked away.

But he... wasn't there.

Had he really… left?

Seriously?

Not even once… did he want to talk to me? Try to understand me?

He slowly stepped back, eyes still fixed on the door.

His throat felt dry.

His hands trembled.

And then, slowly, tears welled up in his eyes.

"I'm such a terrible person…" he whispered, before dissolving into sobs.

With trembling fingers, Shrey picked up his phone and dialed Pranay's number.

"Bro… can you come over?"

His voice was so low, even he could barely hear himself.

"What happened, Shrey?" Pranay asked, clearly concerned.

"Just… please come…"

Within minutes, the doorbell rang.

Shrey didn't move.

Then came loud knocks on the door.

"Oye! Open up!"

Shrey wiped his tear-streaked face and slowly opened the door.

Pranay rushed in and stopped in his tracks when he saw him.

"What happened? Did that Prakhar say something to you?" His voice grew louder. "Where is that guy? I swear I'll break his legs!" Pranay looked around the house, as if searching for someone.

Shrey quietly sat down on the sofa.

His eyes were still wet.

Then he murmured softly, "He left…"

"What?" Pranay bent down to look into his eyes.

Shrey's voice was faint and broken. "Prakhar… left…"

For a moment, Pranay said nothing.

Then suddenly asked, "He left? Where did he go? And why?"

Shrey lowered his head and slowly recounted everything that had happened the night before.

Pranay listened attentively, then raised an eyebrow and said, "So, you scolded his pup over something so small, and he went all drama queen on you and left? That's it? Really, Princess?"

Shrey immediately snapped, "I'm not a princess!"

Pranay laughed and sat down on the sofa, shrugging. "Could've fooled me, though."

Shrey glared at him, but there was still a glimmer of pain in his eyes. He wanted someone to say that Prakhar would come back, that he hadn't really left him. But all Pranay did was joke.

"What do I do now?" he asked quietly.

"How would I know?" Pranay shrugged. "You're the one who messed it up. Who talks to someone like that? Poor guy must've felt awful!"

Shrey took a deep breath and hesitantly asked, "Can't we look for him?"

Pranay rolled his eyes and replied sarcastically, "Why not! Let's take his photo and go to the police station and tell them our sob story!"

"Pranay!" Shrey said a little louder now.

Pranay chuckled, but then turned slightly serious and said, "Look, it was your fault. And honestly, trying to find someone just by name is impossible."

Shrey stayed silent. He had no idea what to do.

"Talk to your brother at least—maybe he can help," Pranay suggested.

"But… he'll scold me…" Shrey sniffled.

Pranay rolled his eyes and said, "Well yeah, if you keep doing stupid things, you will get scolded. What did you expect, a standing ovation?"

Eventually, Shrey dialed Ajit's number, albeit nervously.

A heavy voice answered, "Hello, Shrey… how are you?"

"Bhai…" Shrey burst into tears just hearing his voice.

Ajit immediately grew alert. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

Shrey told him everything. Ajit let out a deep sigh and said, "He was going to leave in three months anyway. If just five days made you feel this way, imagine how you'll survive once he's gone for good."

"But I just want to apologize…" Shrey said softly.

Ajit thought for a moment, then replied, "He couldn't have gone far. He took Diamond with him, so he'd need a place that allows pets. Check the pet-friendly hotels nearby—he might be in one of them."

"Bhai, could you—" Pranay began to ask, but Ajit cut him off sharply, "Don't even think about it. You two messed this up. You two fix it."

"Fine, Bhai. I'll find him… no matter what," Shrey said with quiet determination.

Pranay went into the kitchen to make coffee, and a little later returned with a plate of breakfast.

"How did you make sandwiches so fast?" Shrey asked, surprised.

"They were already made," Pranay replied casually and was just about to eat when Shrey snatched the plate.

"Oye, Shrey!" Pranay scolded.

"These are mine… Prakhar made them for me," Shrey said, puffing his cheeks. A few strands of hair had fallen over his face, making him look adorably vulnerable.

"Oh great… now that you've found true love, what use am I?" Pranay remarked sarcastically.

But Shrey ignored him completely and walked into his room without a word.

Pranay let out a long sigh and shook his head, heading back to the kitchen to make something for himself.

To be continued…