Saka stood up and dusted himself before giving his hand to Vira. Vira took it without thinking, mentally he was still dazed.
He knew he had given his word to think about the confession seriously, but he just couldn't bring himself to think Saka was serious.
Saka was a kid. Vira was just a new shiny toy to him. The initial enthusiasm will die out after sometime. He was convinced of that. Now maybe Saka was sure he was in love. The initial high will settle down and then all that will remain will be regret. And Vira did not want to be the cause for it.
Explaining this to Saka would be of no avail, at this juncture, so he did not comment.
But he was afraid of one thing, being swallowed as a whole by Saka. He was afraid for believing the lie Saka believed in, love.
He, who had been unwanted all his life, was starting to believe, perhaps, that he would matter. He was afraid of this feeling. He was afraid he would do something irrational, that he would regret for eternity.
He cleared his throat, "Saka..," he started. Saka turned back. "Tobi would have come, we should get back."
Vira just couldn't say anything.
He followed Saka back. They walked in silence, both lost in their thoughts.
Tobi had come with his parents. Rin's father was there as well. Uncle Karn introduced Vira to everyone, who immediately pulled him into their conversations.
Saka and Tobi slipped off. They had nothing to do when the adults were talking about politics and policies.
Laika shot them a dark look, which they ignored.
Tobi and Saka walked to the meditation hall. This was their secret place to hash out their troubles and worries.
"Tell me what's troubling you," Tobi said to Saka, as they sat on the mat.
Saka was quiet for a while, then he said, "I don't know how to convince Vira that I really like him."
"Umm." Tobi nodded.
"What do I do? I know he isn't taking me seriously. I have only 270 days to get him to fall for me."
"You are creepy."
Saka looked shocked. "Tobi, I thought you were on my side."
Tobi replied, without hesitation. "I am. Don't be bound by time. That isn't love. "
Saka responded, "I have confidently declared to sen Vira, that I'd get him to fall for me by graduation day!"
Tobi was thoughtful. "Change your strategy. Right now you come across as creepy."
"How come?"
"Imagine this. You are in the temple. A person comes to offer his prayers. He sees you and confesses. What do you do?"
"I decline, politely."
"Good, but he comes everyday after that, and confesses every day."
"I will give him a chance to prove his sincerity."
"Isn't confessing everyday proof of sincerity?"
"Ofcourse not! How is.." his voice trailed. He understood what Tobi was trying to say.
His words were empty words, especially, to a person like Vira, who couldn't trust in relationships.
"I should get Vira addicted to me.." he was thinking out loud.
Tobi smiled. "Addicted? How do you do it?"
"I need to get him to rely on me, show him he can lean on me."
Tobi nodded. "Help him out. Become his confidante. You get to be his first in a lot of things." Tobi gave a wicked smile.
Saka went bright red when he understood the meaning behind Tobi's words.
He smacked Tobi, but Tobi just laughed.
"Get him to miss you, get him to be jealous, stir emotions he hasn't experienced before... this is what I meant... what did you think, you pervert?"
Sake went a shade redder. He knew very well exactly what Tobi meant. He decided to ignore the comment.
" How do I get to know Vira better?"
"Ask him directly. Being direct is your strong point."
"When it comes to him, I feel shy to ask."
"If you don't get him to talk about himself, if he doesn't realise you like him for his pluses and minuses, he will never know how serious you are."
He hated to admit, but Tobi made sense.
Vira, he loved unconditionally. But, without putting any efforts there will be no way he can prove his sincerity .And without that, he can't get Vira to take him seriously.
"Where do I start?"
"At the sleepover today, make sure he doesn't sleep."
"Tobi!"
"Get him to talk you idiot! What is that brain of your thinking? For once you shut up and listen to him."
Saka was very sure this time, Tobi did it on purpose.
****
Vira felt delighted to be part of the conversation, but his eyes were constantly on the door. Saka and Tobi weren't back yet.
It was dark already, and there was no fence between the forest and the shrine.
Uncle Karn had told them that sometimes panthers and wolves lurked around.
He checked his watch. It was almost nine.
Uncle Karn noticed his restlessness.
"Well everyone, let's have dinner shall we? Vira, would you be kind enough to look for Tobi and Saka?"
Vira nodded. He got up without a word. But where should he look for them?
"They will be wandering around the main shrine. Saka must be locking up the doors right now."
Wow! It was like Uncle Karn could read the mind.
"Well everyone, let's have dinner shall we? Vira, would you be kind enough to look for Tobi and Saka?"
Vira nodded. He got up without a word. But where should he look for them?
"They will be wandering around the main shrine. Saka must be locking up the doors right now."
Wow! It was like Uncle Karn could read the mind.
He walked to the main shrine. Saka was indeed locking the whole place up. He was talking nineteen to a dozen. Tobi only hmmed. They made an amusing pair. Vira couldn't believe two people who were such complete opposites, could even be friends.
"Do you want help?" Vira called out, drawing attention to his presence.
"No Sen, all done here," Saka replied.
"Great, dinner is waiting for us."
Tobi stared at Vira. "Maw."
Vira gave him a pleasant smile. "Yes Tobi?"
"We need to talk." He sounded like an Asian drama potential brother in law.
"Er.. sure."
"Not with Saka around."
Vira looked surprised. But he nodded.