Laika burst out laughing. Before Vira could process what was going on Laika tightly hugged Vira.
"We would be privileged to have you as part of our family. But that certainly was not the response anyone would expect." He giggled.
Vira looked a bit bewildered. "Er.. so I can take it that you've given me permission to date him?"
Laika patted his back. "Ofcourse. You are a bit archaic, asking permission before dating. So when did you confess to Saka?"
Vira murmered, "I haven't...yet."
Laika was completely confused. "Wait... you haven't confessed?"
Vira shyly shook his head. "I plan to confess only on the day of his graduation."
Laika did not know from where this specimen was created. "So you are asking me for permission like six months in advance?"
Vira shrugged his shoulder. "I don't want there to be any negation once we start dating."
Laika thought wryly to himself, "This is hopeless. I seriously pity Saka. If I don't give these guys a push, they'll end up marrying when they are sixty."
"What are you thinking about?" Vira asked, breaking the silence.
Laika shook his head and smiled. "Just thinking about your noble thoughts. Anyways, the plan to your house, are you serious about it?"
"Of course!"
"Can we make it a weekend trip, for next month?" Laika asked. He would have some time with Roma. And he could also ask Maw Lava a few tips to impress Saka's future grandmother-in-law. Saka's love life would be bleak, without his interference. Especially with a useless gentlemanly figure like Vira.
"Why not? I was thinking of getting Saka to look around Vayu, in case he might want to pursue higher education."
"That's actually a great idea!" Laika was touched by how much Vira thought about his brother. Actually when he thought about it, Vira had done quite a lot for his brother, without opening his mouth.
He wished things would work well for them.
He grabbed a cup of coffee for both of them on the way down. Vira felt a load off his shoulder.
"Laika, about uncle Karn.."
"It's best you let him know after Saka does." Laika replied. His father was sure to accept, but a bit of a blabbermouth. Saka would know the same day his father got to know.
Mina glared at both of them as they chatted and walked back in.
She didn't know what Laika did except for eat and chat. And Vira was always rude. To have to deal with such idiots because of her father, she felt irritated.
Maw Lava opened his door and peeped into the staffroom. "Ah Maw Laika! Can you come here for a second?"
"Sure maw! What is it?"
"We are planning for a Family day! Kids and the teachers can take their family around the school and island. Can you coordinate with the other staff members and freeze on the dates? We can make other arrangements accordingly."
"Sounds great! Will get back to you by this evening. Also Maw, there is something else that I want to talk to you about.." with that, Laika walked in, closing the door firmly behind him.
Vira turned as soon as the door closed. He was in a great mood. Even Mina's face couldn't spoil his mood. He prepared himself for the next class.
****
"I'm going with Uncle Karn for dinner." Akat said as Vira walked in, "so, don't cook for me."
Vira nodded. "When will you be back?"
Akat shrugged, "I am thinking of going to my old house. It's been a while, and no one had maintained it for the last twenty odd years. I want to check on it's condition. I'm thinking of living here for good."
Vira was shocked. "Are you completely giving up on him? What if he comes for you? What if he wants to marry you?"
Akat smiled. "It's unlikely to happen. But if it does, I will still have my own place, if I get kicked out during a fight."
Vira said, "Shall I come with you? I can help you clean it up?"
Akat replied, "Cleaning, we'll do this weekend. I just want to spend sometime by myself, reminiscing about the past. Uncle Karn is taking me, don't worry, I am not going alone."
Vira sighed. "You know you have people who cherish you right? Lean on them, stop acting strong all the time."
"That's rich coming from you Vira!" Akat burst out laughed. He acknowledged his concern with a gentle touch on the elbow.
"But I know that. Don't worry. If something worries me, you will be the first to know."
After Vira left, he started to cook. Then he thought, "if Uncle Karn leaves with Akat, Laika will spend time with Roma, then Saka will be alone. Will he go hungry? It's better I make some food for him as well."
He was just using food as an excuse to go and see Saka.
Vira cycled up the hill through the side road, and parked his bicycle near the well.
"Saka?" He called out as he rang the bell, but there was no response.
He checked the shrines, and Saka's secret spot, but Saka was nowhere to be found.
Was he asleep maybe?
He tried opening the main house door. It was unlocked.
The lights were out, so he turned on the main switch. The bottom rooms were empty. He felt a bit guilty about stolling so freely into another person's house without permission.
He entered Saka's bedroom, but Saka wasn't there.
The only other room Saka could be in would be the study. Laika had told him Saka spent most of his time there.
He walked in. The room was dark, except for a small table lamp. Saka was coiled on the floor, his books spread. He was asleep.
He looked so cute that Vira did not have the heart to wake him up.
He took a paper and wrote, "Sorry I broke in.. thought you may be hungry. If it gets cold, make sure to warm it up- Vira", and left the box of food there.
He grabbed a blanket from Saka's room and covered him up.
He sat next to him for a few minutes, just drinking in the peaceful expression on the very handsome face.
"Six months is a long time." He muttered to himself. His hands itched to stroke Saka's face, but he fought against that temptation. To attack a sleeping person, was unchivalrous.
He turned off the light and walked out, closing the door behind him. He could not apologise to him, but he could atleast see Saka's face. He felt happy.