Rahul's POV

"I am.... insane"
would have been a better sentence than what Desh actually uttered.
It was more believable. It was more plausible.

" I am....... GAY"

I felt like someone had whacked my chest hard and I would have fallen due to the impact of the shock if it weren't for the wall I had held onto for support.

An odd feeling coursed through my veins and I felt a weird warmth in my stomach.

Wait wait you must be wondering how I was outside Riya's room? Let me rewind a little bit for you.

I had a really bad dream. No, not a dream. A really bad nightmare. And I wasn't able to get back to sleep. I needed some water to satisfy my parched throat and to calm down my rapidly beating heart. I realized that Desh wasn't in the room Riya's parents made us share , and this caused me to panic more. So I tiptoed out of the room and crept down the stairs as quietly as possible so as to not wake up the entire household.

I saw a dim light through one of the rooms' doorways and I was about to knock when I heard soft voices. Considering that it was quiet all around because it was early morning, even their whispers were audible.

I could clearly make out that the voices belonged to Desh and Riya. And this made me stop in my tracks. I knew it was not right to eavesdrop, but my mind wasn't able to control my body. Lately, I felt something really odd when Desh and Riya talked. A burning feeling in the pit of my stomach. Like I wanted noone else to be near him or around him. And I was really scared of what it all meant.

I heard a bit of the converation where Desh was teasing Riya. Then Riya asked him if he ever had feelings for her. I was sure he would respond in the affirmative. But the fact that he didn't surprised me. At the same time, it delighted me. I had no idea why. When I was just about to leave, having realized there was nothing interesting going on, a single sentence made me stop right there and I gasped.

" I am......gay"

He was gay!!!! My best friend Desh who I had known for more than a year was gay. And why was my heart suddenly feeling jumpy?

Then I heard Riya. She seemed as equally shocked as me.

" What did you say Desh? It's not funny. Stop fooling around with me."

" I an not fooling around with you Riiii, I have known it for quite some time. I just didn't know how you would take it, so I didn't tell you."

" But... What about everything that happened in first year?"

" What happened?"

" I bloody had a crush on you. Did it mean nothing to you then? Omg I feel so so stupid right now. I need some time to think through this. How could you not have told me this earlier?"

"Ri, look at me...don't turn away. Riii" I could hear him pleading.

" Riiii....you don't have feelings for me still, do you?"

" I don't know."

" Riya..please tell me you don't. I have seen the way you talk about Arya. It brightens up your face and you get a shine in your eyes. I know you're in love with him even if you don't. Your cheeks pretty much betray you all the time. It is adorably cute. Riiii I really hope this won't change the friendship we have built for over a year. I really hope you will accept me for who I am."

Then finally Riya spoke.

" I know, you're my best friend Desh. That fact is not going to change even if you tell me you're a vampire. I don't know where that came from but you get my point," she said chuckling lightly.

" I am sorry if I sounded rude, but it really shocked me and I didn't know how to respond initially. But I guess I can accept it. I have no qualms. Wow I somehow never expected it." Then her tone turned teasing.

" Any boy caught your eye?"

This caused me to lean further into the doorframe. I wonder why my body was so eager to hear Desh's response.

" In fact yes. And you know him very well."

" What?" Riya said. " Really, omg I think I know who you are talking about. I know, I know."

" Shh Rii... Stop getting so excited...just a few minutes back you weren't willing to accept the truth, now you're jumping in excitement for me? I seriously don't get girls. "

"And I am glad I don't have to," he added as an afterthought, which caused Riya to giggle.

I was suddenly reminded of the time Desh had hugged me. How much ever I tried to deny that I hadn't felt anything, I couldn't lie to myself. I knew deep down that it had affected me. I had felt a buzz when his arms had gone around my waist and I had felt mesmerized by those dark brown pools. I surely had. I was so immersed in my thoughts that I almost missed the last part of their conversation.

" It's Rahul isn't it?" Riya asked softly.

My heart started beating so rapidly that I feared even Desh could hear it inside the room. A myriad of emotions ran through me. Nervousness, anxiety, anticipation. I wanted to know what Desh would say.

" Yes," he said even more softly. " Is it that obvious Riya?"

Desh liked me? He LIKED me? I didn't know what to make of this situation. Just I was about to leave, ready to head back to the room, having forgotten about the water I initially came to take, Riya's bedroom door opened.

And I came face to face with the one pair of eyes I didn't want to see. The same person I was trying to run away from. The one I was desperately trying to avoid. Desh.

When he looked into my eyes, I knew that he knew that I had heard. He knew. And I couldn't say anything to him.

I tried to break eye contact and pretend that everything was normal. I tried walking away from him, but he stopped me.

" Rahul, wait."

Just that simple sound that he uttered, my name, made me feel exhilarated. And my legs stopped without asking me.

My throat worked of its own accord.

" Yes, Desh?" And I blushed even though I was desperately telling my cheeks not to. Stupid things had a mind of their own.

" I know you heard," he continued when he realized I wasn't going anywhere. " And I am not going to deny anything I told her. Cause I know who I am and I know what I feel. I am also not going to force you into anything where you feel uncomfortable. But yes, I do like you."

He paused to take a breath. And I realized I couldn't avert my eyes even if I wanted to. There was this magnetic pull that made me remain where I was.

" So think about it Rahul, think about what you feel. Things don't have to be awkward between us if you don't want them to. Even if you say no, it's not that I am going to stop talking to you. You are still my friend and that comes first," he said smiling.

And I couldn't help but internally swoon. That was sooo sweet. Desh was an amazing person at heart and I was so glad I had a friend like him.

" Alright Desh," I said, feeling a bit more confident.

But just at that moment, my cheeks started turning pinker imagining the time he had crushed me to himself. Why did that memory have to resurface now of all times when I was trying to maintain my dignity? And sanity?

Desh noticed it and started to tease me.

" Someone's blushing," he said cheekily. " I would give you 100 for your thoughts."

" Oh shut up," I said, punching his shoulder lightly before running up the stairs and plonking onto my bed. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. But a lot of thoughts decided to disturb me. I didn't want to be awake when Desh came back. It felt awkward now, knowing that he was sleeping just a bed away. And considering that we were guys, we always slept shirtless. And that fact made me feel way more nervous now.

Luckily sleep came to me fast, like I had wanted. And I was dreaming before I knew it.
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Hello!

So I know most of you guys guessed what he was going to say. But for those who didn't know, was it a shocker?

Anyways what do you feel about Rahul and his emotions?

Please leave your thoughts.

Anyways read, vote, comment and as always, enjoy!!!!

Adios amigos,
:) harshini :)