A month whizzed by, with Vira getting into his role as a teacher full on. He had the Principal's approval to form focus groups whom he tutored during weekdays in the evening for the university entrance along with Roma and Laika.
Weekends were spent cheering Saka and preparing meals for Uncle Karn, which he enjoyed doing.
Karn was more of an uncle figure to him, and he enjoyed the positivity radiated by the Karn family.
Saka got busy with the play rehearsals as well. He refused to let Vira see his performance in practice.
"I want you to see it in full effect, practive sessions are more of dialogue throwing, I want you to get bored of my performance."
Though Vira had emphasized that nothing would bore him, he still couldn't get Saka to let him watch the performance rehearsals.
The entire town was gearing up for the event.
Lot of shamianas were set up at the base of the temples and the locals put their food and clothes stalls.
Coloured ribbons hung across the street. Huge geometric patterns in multi coloured paints decorated the roads.
Vira took in the entire transformation with a lot of awe.
A week before the play, Maw Lava cornered Vira.
"Vira, if you have any friends you want to invite, please feel free to invite them. This festival is the pride of our island. This is also a chance for the kids to get exposure. We can plan some pep talk and career planning session from your friends as well, give them that boost to focus on their studies, if you know what I mean?"
Vira felt like hitting himself, why didn't he think of this idea?
It was true that he didn't have friends at school and college, but he did have a person who he got along, a senior who worked for the government as the physicist. Akat. Akat and he had partnered in quite a few simulation projects.
He could also invite Vish, his chess coach, mentor and guide to encourage those who had flair and passion for sports.
He messaged them both, and was delighted to get a positive response from them.
One day before the play...
"I want a favour from you."
Vira saw Akat's message. He called up immediately. "Sen! Are you okay?"
There was a prompt response. "Yep."
Vira felt relieved. "Thank god, your message had me a bit worried."
Akat did not speak much, he was a very quiet person, maybe a year older than Vira.
A doctorate in astrophysics, he worked in the remote island of Ekatweep.
"You know about my boyfriend right?"
Vira knew he was in a relationship with a mafia head, but Akat did not speak much of it. He stayed silent.
"I am tired. I want to quit. I need your help."
"Whatever you want."
"Let's meet on Saturday."
Vira couldn't say no.
******
It was a bit after sunset when Akat arrived.
He had a trolley suitcase in his hand.
"Sen!" Vira was glad to see him. Akat was tall and handsome. His quiet personality, gave him a mysterious aura, that attracted women in general. This jet black hair, cut short, was a complete contrast to his white skin. It was a mystery how an islander could be that fair.
Akat gave a feeble smile, as he gently hugged him before walking in.
"I am surprised you could find this place without trouble."
Akat shrugged. "I am from here."
Vira widened his eyes, surprised."no way! You don't have the Mann accent!"
"I've been in Marina from when I was eight. That was when my parents died, and I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle."
Vira was silent. "After my aunt died, I decided to reduce burden on my uncle and went independent."
Akat said things as a matter of fact.
"I ended up working in a bar, no one cared I was under age. Some days were a little rough, others not quite. It was during this time I met Prapit."
His face lit up as he remembered the moment.
Vira did not interrupt him.
Akat went on. "Prap was, to me, not a gangster. He was a father figure. He became my friend, he protected me from his world, and I am what I am, only because of him."
A drop of tear roll down his cheek.
Akat did not burst out, he was in control of his voice, but his eyes gave him away.
"I fell in love with him. I chased him, I have waited for the last twelve years, hoping he'll glance my way. But I have failed. He has made his message very clear.
I will never be able to call him mine."
Akat paused. Tears were streaming down his cheeks uncontrollably by then.
Vira hugged him, not knowing how else to react.
He didn't know anything about Akat's life outside of their lab discussions. Once he had spotted a picture of Prapit and had asked about him. Akat had responded, "The guy I want to spwnd the rest of my life with."
"Oh! Is he a scientist as well?" Vira had asked.
Akat had smiled, and with a twinkle in his eye, he had responded, "He is a gangleader, a mafia head."
Vira had been too shocked and hadn't pressed for any more information.
Prapit must be a great person, he thought it was weird that a physicist was close to a gangster, but the love that Akat seemed to have for Prapit was genuine.
"Twelve years of waiting! I wonder if I will be able to do that?" He thought to himself. Then he thought about Saka's declaration. "Will he really wait for me?"
Akat had calmed down. He cleared his voice. "So Vira, right now, you are the only friend I have. Till I sort out my thoughts, can I stay with you? I don't really want to stay at Prapit's house."
"Ofcourse! Stay here for as long as you like! You could be a great role model to the kids!"
Akat smiled feebly. "Thanks Vira!"