Vira couldn't sleep a wink. He tossed and turned, tried meditating, did everything possible under the sun to get himself to sleep, and in the end gave up. He checked the clock. It was already five in the morning. He sighed and turned off his alarm before it rang.
He got dressed and contemplated making breakfast.
Was yesterday a dream or reality? Was Saka really dropping by his place in the morning? Should he make breakfast for one or two?
It had been a while since he had cooked for others. He used to make food for his junior during college days; a skinny stray cat is what she reminded him of. He smiled to himself as he thought of her. Wait, she was also from Mann. Maybe she'd know Saka or Laika? He messaged her.
"Rin? Up?"
He got an instant reply. "Yep. Having breakfast. What's up?"
"I've moved to Mann."
He received her call immediately.
"Sen! When did you move? How are you liking it?"
He put her on speaker as he started to make breakfast.
"It's lovely. I got a house at the base of the Apām temple. I haven't had the chance to visit it yet. I am planning on going this weekend."
"Ooh! I am so excited. I wish I was there to show you around. Shall I come over this weekend? I have nothing to do. I'll take you around and introduce you to people!"
"Sure! Why not? I was planning on coming over to shop for some books. I can drop you back on Sunday, get some books, and come back. Sounds good?"
"Yes! Ooh.. I can't wait for the weekend! Say, have you started work?"
"Yep, yesterday was my first day."
"You saw the Principal? Maw Lava. He is legendary!" She laughed.
Vira smiled. "Indeed, he is quite the character. I haven't gotten to know him yet, but I can tell he is well-loved!"
"You can say! He used to be our language teacher, and the grief we've given him! Let's go and see him!"
"Why not? Shall I tell him you are coming?"
"Just tell him to be available for a date with the three out of four Musketeers."
"Aren't there only three Musketeers?"
"Well, nothing goes by the book, does it?" She responded cheekily.
Vira laughed.
Just then his bell rang.
"Give me a minute."
He went to open the door. "Ah, Saka. You are early. Did you have your breakfast?"
"Morning, Sen! Not yet. I was too excited to see you, so I skipped it." He gave a sheepish smile.
Vira blushed; he couldn't get used to this level of straightforwardness.
"Come in, I'm making it for us."
Vira went back to the kitchen, Saka following suit. "Sorry, Rin," he spoke, the phone still on speaker, "my student has just come."
"Since when did you invite students to your house?" Rin sounded surprised, but she continued teasing him. "Who is the special guy?"
Vira decided to play dumb. If he switched over to hands-on mode now, it would be more embarrassing since he would bring notice to the fact that he was embarrassed. If Rin continued teasing him in front of Saka, he would end up in an even more awkward situation."I told you I'm staying at the base of the shrine, so my student, Saka, kindly offered to keep me company since he stays on the hill." He replied, his tone mild. But Rin noticed his "for heaven's sake, shut up" message in his tone and giggled.
"Saka? You mean Laika's brother?"
Saka perked up. He had been quiet, not intentionally eavesdropping, but he did overhear the conversation. It made him jealous that Vira was on a call with a woman so early in the morning—someone close enough for her to tease. Vira had denied having a girlfriend, so who was she? He wondered. He realized he needed to ask Vira many questions about himself, his family, his friends, his life—he wanted to know all of it.
When she mentioned Saka and his brother, he perked up.
He stared at Vira. "Ah," said Vira, "Rin, you're still on speaker, and Saka is here. Do you want to say hi?"
Rin? "Musketeer Rin?" Saka asked.
"Saka, my love! How are you?"
Saka blushed. "Sen, stop calling me that. People may mistake us!"
"The whole Isle of Mann knows you're my love. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
Vira was smiling at the conversation while plating their food. Apparently, they were close to each other and quite fond of each other, which was evident.
"That was when I was five. It doesn't apply now," Saka mumbled.
Rin laughed. "I'm just so glad you got Sen Vira for your teacher! At least now he'll realize I'm not half as troublesome as certain others."
"Sen! I'm not that bad." He looked at Vira and said, half sulking, "She's just bragging that she's smarter than me. She's modesty reincarnated."
Vira and Rin both laughed.
"Saka, I'm coming over this weekend to hang out with Sen Vira," she continued. "Could we hang out at your place? I was thinking of catching up with the other Musketeers as well, and Maw Lava, if that's fine with Uncle Karn."
"I'll tell Dad. We can have a sleepover. The temple is big enough. Sen, are you okay with that?"
Vira looked stumped. He was included in the plan too? "Erm, I..."
"You're part of our family too," Saka said firmly.
Rin added, "Sen Vira! You can't say no!"
Vira sighed. "Well, if Saka and you are okay with me hanging out with you guys, I'll be happy to."
Saka's eyes sparkled as he said, "Of course! It's been a while since we had a sleepover. Rin! Will Jiv join us?"
"I'll check with him. He was thinking of coming for the play with his girlfriend, so he may not come this weekend."
"Ah, okay. So this time it's just the three Musketeers."
"Well... three Musketeers and the pup."
Vira laughed as Saka looked indignant.
"Okay, Rin, we've to go now. Call me before you start on Saturday. I'll pick you up from the dock."
"Hmm, sure. Saka, do you have discourse this Saturday?"
"Nine to ten. Are you planning to come for that?"
"Of course! You know how much we love it when you speak. I'll come by the first boat."
Saka laughed. "Okay, see you, Sen Rin!"
Vira cut the call and looked at Saka."A lot of questions, but before that, eat and tell me if you like it."
Saka didn't need to be told twice. He was eating his crush's cooking. He was already nine. lready. But Vira was amazing. The food tasted heavenly. "Sen, I've fallen for you all over again."
Vira's heart skipped a beat. How did this guy casually say that?
"I'm glad you liked it." Vira smiled off the comment. He didn't know how to react.
"So, how do you know Rin?" Saka asked.
"She was my junior in college. What was the play about? Who are the four Musketeers?"
"Sen, I'll tell you all about it during our dinner. But now, we need to rush to school."
Vira noticed how smoothly Saka invited himself. He laughed. It wasn't just Saka who was falling for him. Vira felt he might be dragged around by Saka in no time if this continued.