The next day at school was just the usual but with unexpected twisties. Kine, who was always on the verge of losing his temper in front of Torque, was giggling as if they were *chaddi-buddies. Even when Di greeted him, Kine wished him in a very dry tone. Di obviously didn't like it.
GENERAL POV, Staff Room
Di with his hands holding his head sat on his table, frustrated, sad, upset and somewhat jealous. Di felt a hand on his shoulder caressing with warmth.
Bemin (warmly) : You, okay son…..? You know what Di, I too am feeling like punching Kine across the face but for that I need to meet him outside the premises…..
Aether : (somewhat upset) That guy sure knows how to get on everyone's nerves.
The group of those seven teachers : Bemin, Sushimi, Fer, Aether, Marduk, Luan with Di had grown closer, more like a family than mere friendly colleagues. There they were chattering and badmouthing Kine and Torque's closeness. Di felt somewhat relieved, calm and warm in spite of the commotion the chatter caused. Di tried to be grateful but the indistinct chatter ate it up, Fer noticed and seeked everyone's attention on Di.
Di (respectfully) : Thank you so much everyone, yeah it's been hard but…..
Fer (interrupts) : It's not hard, it's difficult ....(everyone stares at Fer for interrupting such emotional talk with her teasing) What! That's a thought of Sushimi Mam not mine….
Everyone held their heads in disbelief. There was that family like chit-chats again. The day went on without further chaos, all of them decided to ignore Kine until he apologised, truly childish.
After school,
Fer : So… you'll go home directly then…? (makes a face of disgust looking at Kine)
Di (somewhat softly) : Probably no…. I've got something to take care of…
All of them leave.
At Horizon Limited, 6pm, RIV AND MEK's POV
Mek, preparing to leave, looked out for Riv in her cabin. Riv was backing up today's progress on her phone. Mek leaned on the open door and knocked. Riv looked towards him.
Mek : Done? I don't understand why you have to backup each day just do it once or twice a week…..
Riv (serious, looking on the screen) : Obviously to avoid plagiarism accusations in future. You never know. Prevention is better than cure.
Mek : Alright my lady.... but let me drop you home at the very least.
Riv (still looking at the screen) : I've got something to take care of before heading home.
Mek : Let me drop you there then….
Riv : Not required, just go home and chill.
Mek left with an unsettled heart.
4pm, Kine's condo, KINE's POV
Kine thought of giving some peace to himself after the messy day at school. Remembering all the bad stuff he did to Di, he enters the passcode of the door and enters inside. He is shocked to see Di waiting for him on the sofa reading a book calmly.
KINE AND DI's POV
Di comes up to Kine and hugs him tightly. Kine too wraps his arms around Di.
Di (cutely) : Missed you a lot today….
Kine (still unsettled) : Me too…
Di (raises his head to look at Kine, somewhat upset) : Really…., you seemed to enjoy your company as of today more than us.
Kine (guilty) : Appleeeeee….. let me explain, I've a lot to …..
Di (restless) : Just spout all of it quickly then..
Kine (holds Di's face with both of his hands) : Apple…. you know how much I love you. That bastard threatened me that he'll expose our relationship to everyone and….
Di (serious) : And you got scared…. Kine let me tell you what happened today when you were giggling with that guy, all the teachers gathered to comfort me. Moreover, it was crystal clear from their words that they know everything about us and yeah Fer never uttered a word to them and they were supportive of us. You fear them knowing about us or your…. (sighs) job..? (swallows his sadness) I understand if you're worried about me losing this job, I already have that mining job waiting for my assistance. So….. (holds Kine's hand and warmly) don't worry about me.
Kine (cutely) : My apple has grown so mature….
Di : (hits kine on his chest a bit hard yet softly) …..Hey you kiddo! I'm three years older than you…remember.
Kine : (holds Di's waist and pulls him closer) Who do you think will believe that with that cutesy height of yours…huh?!
Di (taunting) : Yeah and what's the use of that head so high if you can't remember you got technology to tell me all of this which could have helped me save some of my worries….. Dumbo.
Kine : (smiles in foolishness) You know….. (flicks Di's forehead) it's all because of you… your worries filled my head no not just my head but my whole body and I wasn't thinking straight for even a moment.
Their teasing and talks continued as they held each other in their arms, swinging their bodies in movements like that of ball dance. After an hour of ball dancing without any music, Kine and Di finally decide to sit.
Kine (cutely) : Don't you think we should sit rather than dance in the hall. Sit on the couch, I'll bring something to eat….
Di nods and plops on the sofa. Kine brought pineapple sliced in the shape of french fries. He too plops beside Di and puts his arm round Di's shoulder.
Di : Fries?! But I didn't hear the stove or microwave work? (picks a piece and bites less than half of it) pineapple!?
Kine : Yeah, I don't want you to get any cutely chubbier rather I am ready to experience one more of that back ache.
Di hits Kine in embarrassment. Kine pseudocries and when Di leans to caress, Kine steals a cheek kiss. Di hits him more on the same spot thrice. Kine, being mischievous, curls his arm that was on Di's shoulder, picks a piece in his mouth and gestures to Di to eat.
MEK, DI AND KINE's POV (6:30 PM)
Mek enters the condo and sees Kine and Di amidst their moment.
Mek : (screams in surprise) Whaaaaooo….. (overreaction, teasing mode on) My eyes! I am blinded by the sheer audacity!
Di pushes Kine a bit away while Kine makes a " Are You For Real Dude?!" face and curls his arms stronger and gives a victorious look to Mek.
Mek : (had enough) I think I paid half the expenses to buy this place to get my share of privacy and calmness and Mr. Kinematics I think you are not being a proper flatmate.
Di : (to Mek) How long have you two been living together?
Mek who obviously took after Kine was an opportunist too.
Mek (slyly) : Since college days. You know what, it was him who suggested this and a lot has happened between us since then…..
Kine (hastily) : What happened?! It was nothi…..
Mek (continues) : We ate together, slept on the same bed, and moreover he was so clingy (Mek hugs himself imitating a cuddle) that he even cuddled me so strongly, I was even sometimes out of breath….
Mek's voice modulation and lustful tone was the cherry on the cake to add more garnish to the series of misunderstandings he was creating.
Mek : Moreover, I know how big he's down there, seen him naked a lotta times.
Di glares at Kine in anger, picks up his bag and gets up.
Kine (explaining, helpless) : Apple…. It's not what you think….. Listen to me apple...
Di left furiously without listening. Kine turns towards Mek and glares
Kine (furious) : Did you forget, I've Riv's contact?! If it gets bad for me I'll make it worse for you…..
Chills run down Mek's spine while Kine runs after Di
__________________________________________________
*chaddi-buddies : best of the best friends since childhood