Chereads / Bittersweet Glitters of India / Chapter 7 - Chapter 6: Pasts and Presents Chapter 6: Pasts and Presents

Chapter 7 - Chapter 6: Pasts and Presents Chapter 6: Pasts and Presents

"Why do you think you are here?" Mr. Chauhan asked.

Ahmed who was sitting in front of him; looking miserable replied, "(sniffs and looks down) I guess because of something I said."

"Now is that true?"

Ahmed looked up with tear-filled eyes and decided to be honest. He shook his head lightly; as if he was weak from all the crying. "I trusted so—someone whom I shouldn't and it paid out." Ahmed barely spoke. As if he whispered it.

"Hmm. And when did that happen exactly?"

It didn't take him much time to answer that.

"On his birthday." Ahmed hesitated to even think of him.

"Whose?"

Ahmed blinked and that's when the first tear escaped. "Riyaz's…."

10 Months Ago

"I watched that movie you told me," Ahmed said to Riyaz in a low voice in the middle of their class.

"Which one? I suggested like 10 movies!"

"Rockstar."

"Oh! You liked it?"

"Liked it? I loved it! I mean the songs are at top level! And what a job Ranbir has done! I cried during Tum Ko (last song of the movie)."

"Yeah, that song is a tearjerker indeed."

"Which one next, mister?"

"50 First Dates."

Riyaz chuckled and said while writing down notes,

"When you said 50, I thought you would be suggesting 50 Shades of Grey."

"No! I will never suggest that movie." Ahmed said with a bit of disgust and annoyance.

"Why not? Have you seen it?" Riyaz asked amused.

"No!! And I will never suggest you that movie because there is nothing in the movie except lust and sex. No story, nothing! And I won't be wanting you to spend your 2 hours watching a woman liking getting spanked and tortured."

After a minute or so Ahmed saying that Riyaz giggled and said, "If you haven't seen the movie, how else you would know about the spanking part?"

Riyaz looked at Ahmed who was looking into his soul. Riyaz seemed shocked and a little stupid on first, lying and second, being caught by him. This has been the 5th time Ahmed caught him off-guard since they have become friends. And Riyaz had no problem with it.

"Oh, just confess! 50 Shades is the ultimate guilty pleasure!" Riyaz said amused.

"I won't be calling it as a pleasure. I just saw the movie once and never saw the character's faces again." Riyaz said without looking at Ahmed.

"Oh, so you're saying after watching the movie, you never watched the scenes on YouTube?" Ahmed asked with a devious grin.

That was the 6th time. Riyaz could just give a cute grin to that.

Ahmed liked catching Riyaz off guard like that and seeing that cute grin. It was the only thing that kept Ahmed waking every day. He liked to see his cute grin. It was one of the reasons why Ahmed was falling for Riyaz.

Oh and if it isn't already been brought up, Ahmed is gay.

"I don't think this will work out."

Luvraj said to Aman in a serious tone.

Aman looked at Luvraj with a confused look and within a second his face transformed into acceptance.

"(giggled nervously) Can't say I wasn't expecting this."

"Yeah. I am sorry. Something just wasn't right with us." Luvraj tried to explain.

"And there was that guilt too, right? Of us being the reason for our group breaking." Aman continued.

"No that's all me. You were never the reason. It was always me. I knew what would happen if we will get together but I still in my selfishness, said yes to you. And don't ever think for a second that you lacked in something. You were the best boyfriend anyone could ever have. I just…. I was so lost in everything that I…. I am sorry, Aman."

"Hey Raj, never okay? Never apologize to me. And even though we weren't perfect, but it was everything I imagined with you. And believe me, you did everything I could have asked from you."

"No, that's not true. If I did everything as expected, then I wouldn't have cheated... I wouldn't have done that."

Aman nodded silently with a little dismay from that word. Aman couldn't help himself and he then got away from Luvraj. And Luvraj understood everything. He cheated on Aman after all.

10 Months Ago

Luvraj waited for Aman wearing a gray shirt which showed his broad chest shape and black tight jeans and wearing black sneakers at Phoenix Marketcity (A mall) gate. Within a few minutes, Aman showed up wearing a tight white t-shirt which profoundly revealed his broad chest and abs, and wearing a black cardigan on top of it with blue jeans and black ankle shoes. Aman was looking so good that Luvraj felt it urging out of his underwear.

Aman joined Luvraj and said,

"Control yourself."

"How could I control myself? You are perfect."

"I am perfect because you are here standing with me."

Luvraj smiled widely and kissed Aman in front of the crowd. Everyone eyed them and they knew they will be but they just didn't care. They were after all being melted away from the warmth in that kiss. When Aman distanced away, Luvraj took Aman in again for a kiss and that's when they both realized that this is enough for a lifetime.

"I know I hate it. But I cannot help it." Rokesh complained.

"Hate what?" Jayden asked.

"I didn't want this, Jay. Not with him."

"Are you dumb? You will fuck him and be all okay when things are going well for you but you will start whining once things go out of your accordance? That's just plain childish."

"We still are children Jayden! Life is supposed to go easy on us now."

"You are wrong here, Rokesh. We were no longer a child since the day we first watched porn. Wanna know what we are? We are teenagers. Life is supposed to go hard during this time."

"Why though?" Rokesh whined.

"Because this is the time where we start thinking. Like lots of thinking. And not just thinking. We start feeling for what's real. Like now. You are feeling what is real."

"Are real feelings always so devastating and excruciatingly painful?"

Jayden thinks of Jacob and how things are a little rough between them, "Always."

06 Months Ago

It's been two months since they have started fucking each other. And each time Rokesh has been fucking Romit meaning Romit still hasn't fucked Rokesh once. Not that Romit was complaining. He loved every second of Rokesh's dick inside his hole. What left Romit completely speechless and intrigued as to how Rokesh would gain so much strength and stamina. They would fuck each other at least twice a day and Rokesh would show the same strength and energy always.

What Romit didn't know was Rokesh had to do so much to live up to the 'same strength and energy. He had to eat so much like fruits (banana mostly) pulses and what not to maintain his status. He didn't want to be any less anytime with Romit. Not because that would be shameful or embarrassing but because Romit may find Rokesh boring and may stop 'spending' time with him. He didn't want that. And whenever he would fuck Romit, the satisfaction and pleasure displayed on Romit's face were so precious to Rokesh. He wanted to always make him feel like that.

It's been two months and they both still haven't kissed each other. Fuck they had but not kissed. They have done everything but not kissing. And Romit wasn't okay with that. And Rokesh was still avoiding those lips for a reason he didn't know. Rokesh had almost no problem with this but Romit felt like such a whore.

Rokesh called Romit at their 'spot' and so Romit went; determined to kiss Rokesh. They met each other, saw each other, and started unclothing themselves; the usual. Once they were full-on naked, Romit touched Rokesh chest and played with the nipple with his thumb. He sucked the nipple which leads Rokesh into a trance; closing his eyes and letting himself feel the wonder that Romit was making through his mouth. Romit kept on licking and sucking the hard nipple until the scent around Rokesh's neck got him so crazy to leave his nipple and kissing on his neck; passionately. With one hand Romit was caressing Rokesh's hair and with the other, he was giving a slow handjob.

After having enough fun with his neck, his lips moved to his cheek. Rokesh was still left in the trance. And once he knew he had done enough, he touched his lips with his. When Rokesh didn't give any response to it; meaning Rokesh didn't leave it, Romit pushed his lips further and soon they were smooching. But before Romit could feel anything about it, Rokesh pushed Romit; thus, stopping the kiss.

Rokesh sensed hurt and betrayal in Romit's eyes. Pain, anger, and sorrow but most of all regret. He wanted to cry but he kept those tears inside. Instead of saying anything, Romit started wearing his clothes. Rokesh wanted to say something but he knew if he would say anything, he would only make everything worse. Everything in the world fell silent for them.

When Romit was finished clothing himself, Romesh whispered his name but Romit went away in a hush manner saying a 'Later.'

Harsh was walking. Just walking. He didn't know why would he cross paths with the place where Deep lives. Maybe because it's been a week since he has seen Deep. Sure, given what has happened to Deep and his family, disappearance is expected and normal but even though it all made sense, for Harsh, it didn't. He wanted to see Deep. He wanted to see his eyes and hear his voice. He longed to breathe in the same air as him. But the thing he was most anxious about, was to kiss those lips again.

Thinking of all the things that made Deep so special, Harsh stumbled upon someone. Deep. Looking miserable.

06 Months Ago

Harsh noticed someone knocking and he turned to see who it was. It was Deep.

"Hey."

Harsh chuckled and said, "You don't have to knock on my door. Well if it is open but when it is closed, you better knock because of what may happen inside here like..."

Deep held a hand in front of him in the air; indicating to stop,

"I got it, Harsh." They both chuckled.

"Well, I was here to just tell you that I am off."

Harsh gave an 'O' and nodded and just when Deep was about to leave, Harsh called upon him. Deep entered the room again.

Harsh nervously chortled and started to speak,

"It wasn't improper at the dinner table for you tonight, was it?"

Deep shook his head instantly and replied,

"No, not at all. Every couple fights. My parents fight too, so what?"

"But they don't fight in front of others, do they?"

Deep tried to say no but he saw the innocence in Harsh's eyes. He didn't say anything.

"It's okay if you don't say anything. It's better than you lying to me on my face. Thank you for not lying to me. (Deep nodded) Man, I hoped for them to finish what they started at the dinner table only. Now they'll start again in their room. Their voices would be audible till here. All the cursing and all the regretful words. It's a time like this I wish I was born into someone else's family."

Harsh barely spoke the last sentence but Deep caught that while also examining his face. It had utter sadness and discouragement. Deep was in silence; unable to say anything.

Harsh began to prepare himself for what was coming. Shweta was going to repeat all the unjust Harshad and his family had done just for being someone out of their religion before marriage. And Harshad would just say one thing to all that: Then you shouldn't have married me. And then Shweta would cry. Every fight of them ended in Shweta crying; Harsh's mom crying. Shweta never thought in her life that the biggest mistake she will ever make was giving Harshad her handkerchief. But this is a story of the latter part.

Now, Harsh got an idea. It was a long shot but not long enough to not try. And so he said with a huge intake of air.

"So, Deep um----- I was like… thinking that maybe you could um--- stay over…. here…."

Deep was taken aback by Harsh thought. He was asking him to stay over. Like not going home. This was unprofessional. His duty was to report at 8 in the morning sharp and to leave Mehra's residence at 9 of the night after dinner. But staying over wasn't ever a condition.

"Harsh…. um--- no. I cannot and I mustn't. This is not something I am here for, okay?"

Harsh sadly nodded and Deep was about to leave but just like Harsh said, Harshad and Shweta began to fight and their voices were audible.

'Do you know what you just called me out there?'

'Yeah, I called you a bitch because you were acting like one!'

Deep glanced over Harsh whose face was down in despair and sadness. Deep didn't feel like leaving Harsh like that. Sure, he has been through that before but everyone has a limit. Who knows what Harsh might do? It was Deep's duty to serve Mehra's family and make sure they are comfortable in their life. And now, Harsh didn't seem to be in comfort, so it was Deep's duty to do whatever he can do to bring comfort in his life. And above all, Deep didn't want to leave.

Deep stepped in which made a creaky sound. This made Harsh look at Deep and watch him close the door.

"I don't approve this little act of yours."

Jacob's dad stated clearly to Jayden who was sitting in front of him on a bench while Jacob's dad stood. Jayden was quiet and his face was down with utter disappointment and despondence.

"Jacob is very critical and sensitive right now and you've seen now multiple times the effect he has whenever he is in the presence of you. I won't be ignoring and sparing you if you try to disbalance him or our family's peace without any reason."

Jayden sniffled and said in a dejected voice while still his head down, "I understand, Sir."

Jacob's dad nodded in agreement.

"So why don't you say why you tried to meet Jacob a second time after seeing his response the first time?"

He sat down beside Jayden and asked him the question.

Jayden slightly shivered when Jacob's dad asked him this after sitting beside him.

"Mr. D'souza, I don't think I would be able to tell you this because Jacob strictly told me that he would tell you all this himself….."

His dad interrupted him and said,

"I know everything about you two, Jayden. Jacob told me."

Jayden raised his eyebrows and asked in a doubtful yet slow voice, "Seriously?"

Jacob's dad used a softer tone to calm Jayden and make him comfortable with him.

"Yes, he did."

The soft tone of Jacob's dad worked and now Jayden was relaxed, "When?"

"Week before the Christmas party."

Jayden frowned and asked in wonder,

"That means a week before the…."

Before Jayden could finish the sentence, he shuddered and inhaled a sharp breath.

Jacob's dad nodded again in agreement,

"A week before the incident."

2 Weeks Ago

"Hey, Ahmed."

Ahmed seemed agitated and waiting impatiently for someone when Jacob and Jayden greeted him.

Ahmed saw them and his eyes brightened up,

"Oh, hey guys! How are you?"

"We should be asking you the same thing. You have been MIA since the start of the year."

"I have been MIA since Riyaz's birthday."

Ahmed said with a seriousness in his voice, yet his smile was intact.

This got both; Jayden and Jacob feeling awkward and mellow. To clear the air, Ahmed chuckled and said,

"So I think both the two of you are in a relationship, right?"

The two of them were bewildered. And so their eyes were big.

"I meant with someone else. Not with each other."

Ahmed wasn't aware that Jayden and Jacob had gotten in a relationship. Because Ahmed had been absent after two months of the present year and Jacob and Jayden made it official after the first semester.

"Um---- so how do you know we both are in a relationship," Jayden asked.

"When people are in a relationship, they just have this glow on their face. Like the glow screams the person has every happiness in the world and that he doesn't need anything in his world. That glow is palpable on your faces right now even in this lack of light. (Jacob and Jayden smiled widely) So who's it?"

Jacob and Jayden looked at each other, smiled, and knew just what to do. Jacob held Jayden's waist and Jayden put his arm around Jacob's neck and they both scooted close to each other.

Ahmed had the loudest scream and his eyes were like baseballs. His eyebrows almost reached to his hair.

"OH, MY, GUYS!!!!!! Seriously!!!! (They both nodded) Oh, I am so happy for you! When did it happen?"

"After the first semester," Jacob replied.

"Oh fuck I missed it! I missed everything! But don't think I won't be expecting a treat. You guys have to give me a treat especially you, Jacob! I rooted for you didn't I?"

Jayden let down his hand from Jacob's neck and he had the biggest frown on his face but was still smiling,

"Rooted for Jacob?" Jacob asked with true addle.

"Yeah. Ever since he told me about you guys fucking, I instantly rooted for you two." Ahmed replied being unaware of the fact that Jacob hadn't told Jayden that before they made it official, Jacob spilled the beans about them to Ahmed even though Jayden commanded not to. Ahmed even failed to see Jacob's face who was eying not to tell. When Ahmed saw the expression change in Jayden, he realized he shouldn't have shared that information.

Jayden looked at Jacob who had the sorriest look on his face while Jayden had the most disappointed look.

"Seriously Jacob?!"

Jayden left the both of them and stormed away. Shit's got real. Ever since Jayden gave Jacob the nickname of Jacie, Jayden hadn't called him by his name. Until now. Jacob realized he is going to have his first big fight with Jayden. He prayed this day wouldn't come.