a/n: excuse moi that i am interrupting your reading with my silly author's note BUT i'd like to clarify that Arav's turmoil about the night and the whole confrontation with the parents arc is 15 days AFTER the meetup and discussion between Suresh Sir, the trio and Maya. I've updated it in the chapter "Rats in my basement are singing the rat song"

What took so long, you ask? You're going to find out here. 

Suresh's POV: 

On my way home, I remembered I had to call Maya. A bittersweet smile forms on my face as I look at her number.

The ring goes through a few times, and I almost think she's not going to answer when I hear her voice.

"Hey," Her voice is hoarse, like she had been crying for a while.

I started worrying; she wasn't one to display emotions, but I could tell something must've deeply troubled her.

"Maya?"

In the distance, I hear her clearing her nose and walking towards the direction of the phone.

"I'm not okay." The confession is simple, yet it breaks a part of my heart.

Despite myself, I find myself falling back on the words that I always tend to say when I am around her. "I know."

She takes a deep breath before speaking. "I know."

I can't see her, but I can feel the smile forming on her face.

The silence stretches comfortably between us like the relief of a bird that finally reaches its home.

"I talked to my parents." She says at last, her breathing more steady than before.

When I don't respond, she continues, "My dad was livid on hearing about it and constantly asked me to reassure him it wasn't the other way around. He tried to understand how such a situation came about, advised me on staying away from intoxicants, but most importantly, listened to me and assured me that he'd be there for me through thick and thin. My mom, on the other hand..."

Her breath quickens again before she lets out a long sigh. "She's not happy with this, and yes, it's not a happy moment, but her words cut through me, and there's a chance she might abandon me."

I internally start planning about how to help her if that happens, give her a place to stay until she can be on her feet but, that would send out the wrong message to others.

Just hours ago, I was talking about how societal image was a made-up thing, and the irony wasn't lost on me, either. Here I was, battling with my own biases.

"Suresh?"

I jolt out of my thoughts, and the words leave me before I can stop them. "Yes, love?"

A lighthearted chuckle greets me, a much-needed moment of levity amongst the serious situations.

"Were you lost in your thoughts?" I pick up the caution in her words.

She knows I have called her beloved when we were discussing and felt the intense need to. But I didn't know how she felt about it or her thoughts on me. I didn't know exactly how I felt for her either.

"I suppose," I smiled. "I was thinking of how to help you if you were in that situation."

"Thank you," she said. "I think as long as I have my job, I wouldn't have to worry."

"But," I began, "what's going to happen ahead of us isn't going to guarantee they'd accept it either."

The tension in the air rises from the implications of those words. It was simply inevitable, and none of us were going to be unscathed.

"I know..." She lets out another sigh. "But I have you by my side regardless of the consequences, right?"

I gulped hard. As much as I was fond of her and wanted to help her, my mind went to the pain on the faces of the boys' when they discovered I knew her and the hope they held on to, believing I would be there for them. It felt unjust to them for me to support her, yet I didn't want to ever leave her stranded.

I wanted to help her as well, and heaven forbid if she is convicted...

'No.'  I tell myself. 'She is telling the truth, and even if she is guilty, I hope to be able to help her... if I ever forgive myself for it first.'

"Yes," I tell her at last, my voice uneven, "I'll be there for you even when the rain starts to pour."

"Thank you,"

"Of course, now take care."

I end the call. My skin tingles with the sensation of water dropping on it, and when I look up, I realize it's starting to rain.

Turning on the next right, I reach my door and get inside, happy to be sheltered from the rain.

The sight of empty halls yet again brought back memories of childhood, the walls holding the tales that I longed to tell my parents but told it, instead. I let out a sigh.

My parents now lived in Gandhinagar where they first started their life before moving to Jamnagar. It was the capital of the state with advanced technologies taking over every corner of the place, and yet, there were places like their hometown that weren't touched by time.

When I eventually finished dinner and sat in front of my table, the sight of rushed pens and scattered pages were yet another reminder of the restless nights and the eventual progress.

▶ Flashback

The air was thick with dust as I stepped out of the fifth station, clutching my file tightly. Another refusal.

"Sorry, but that's just not a case we can take up." The officer had muttered without even looking up, his tone flat, indifferent.

I stood outside for a moment, staring at the road, the noise of passing rickshaws blending with the pounding in my head. I wiped the sweat from my brow and moved on.

A person tapped me on the shoulders when I was resting on the bench, pulling me out of the reverie. Seeing that it was a police officer, I realized I was sitting right outside another station.

My patience was running on thin ice but I made sure to remain composed and follow his lead into the office.

"Sir, you look like you could use some help. Is there anything I could do help you?" The officer said, his badge displaying the name Anand Parekh.

"Y-yes," I manage to say, "I was looking to file a case but no one's been cooperating so far."

"What sort of case is it?"

As I explain him the details and the urgency of the matter, he interrupts me from time to time, asks questions for clarification and makes notes.

He contemplates for a while and then suggests an idea that had never crossed my mind.

"This is serious," Anand said finally, his voice quiet but deliberate. "I'll take it, but listen to me carefully. Write to the head of the department. Cases like this... they can slip through the cracks if there's no push from above."

I thanked him and when I finally returned home near midnight, I decided to follow through on his advice.

I sat at the dining table, the letter in front of me. My hand cramped as I wrote, scratching out every word like I was chiseling it into stone. I reread it twice before sealing it, my pulse quickening as I pictured what might follow.

Two days later, the response came.

A thin envelope, plain and official-looking, landed on my doorstep. I tore it open and scanned the words, my chest tightening with every line. 

Denied.

Just like that. A single word stamped out the sliver of hope I'd been holding on to.

But I wasn't done yet. I couldn't be.

I decided to aim higher. I wrote to the district magistrate. The process was slower, more formal, but I poured everything into that letter—my frustration, the facts, the urgency of the case. More days passed, and the waiting gnawed at me.

Just when I thought I was going to get the same response, a spark flickered in the dark. 

I remember staring at the letter in my hands, afraid to open it, my fingers trembling slightly. When I did, the words felt like a lifeline: The case had been approved. Officially signed and ready to move forward.

For the first time in weeks, I felt something close to hope.

Flashback ◀

That approval changed a lot of things and now, here we were. The case signing was tomorrow and I couldn't wait to get things into motion.

Alea iacta est.

Arav's POV:

The sound of bells pull me out of the deep slumber. I look at the time on the clock and realize it's just 4 AM.

Today is an important day and in a few hours, the most life changing paper was going to be signed.

I almost want to stay in bed, escape reality but the chanting from the temple room doesn't quite allow me to.

I wash my face and after making sure that I look presentable, I head downstairs to where the temple room in our house is.

There, my mom is holding the bell in one hand and the dish in another, oblivious of my presence. I don't see my dad anywhere so I assume he must be asleep. I hope he goes through with the plan today... it's been a while.

Standing in front of Krishna's idol, I can't quite get myself to quell my thoughts but I try anyway. If there's a God out there, somewhere, he'll recognize my efforts, right?

I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping with all my heart that things go well. It was a taxing process on everyone involved, yet, it was a necessary move.

After the prayer, my mom put vibhuti on my forehead, which was sacred ash made of burnt dried wood, burnt cow dung and/or cremated bodies used in Agamic rituals. It was usually applied as a single horizontal stroke on the forehead, to seek blessings and protect from evil.

"I wish the best for you, beta," My mom told me, "I'll make sure your dad comes by too. It's difficult for him to accept this. I hope you can forgive him for that."

It's like a weight was put on my throat but I nod regardless. "Thanks mom, that means a lot."

I pull her in a warm embrace and she reciprocates the same. In that moment, I forget the world and it's obligations. In this moment, right here, I was home.

"Let's address the elephant in the room," Karan says, turning to me. He's got that look that could stare into the depths of your soul without even trying. I gulp as I realize the implications.

But he doesn't address the matter directly. "You have some things to explain, I believe." The blow is soft and I can see the concern filling his eyes. 

"I—" I pause, unable to say the words. "I've been down."

"I can see that," Jay says as he moves forward in his chair.

School is over for the day and we were sitting in the cafeteria. There was half an hour before the school closed and the owner didn't mind us being around as long as we didn't spill food or make a mess.

"It was... I don't know, I wanted to punish myself," I turn my gaze away, scratching the back of my head, unable to face them.

To my surprise, they don't say anything, they wait for me to continue.

"It's over been two weeks now but I didn't realize how deep the scar must've gotten until I saw that it didn't heal as easily and quickly as... say suppose, a scratch."

Karan takes in a deep breath before responding. "Arav..."

"I know, I know!" I defend myself, "I wasn't thinking straight. "I was... I wasn't planning on ending my life if that's what you believe. I wanted to hurt myself, just close enough that I knew not to make the same mistakes again..."

Jay puts his arm around my shoulders, a sign of silent solidarity in my pain. "I'm sorry you ever believed you had to punish yourself for it, Arav... You didn't deserve to go through what you went through, but I suppose, they say, right? If you don't go through the tough times, you can't quite appreciate the better times."

I gulp, processing his words. He was right and I should be able to accept it, however, my inner critic was unrelenting.

'Stop trying to draw sympathy for yourself, you're not worth it!'

My vision blurs and my mind is somewhere. That night flashes vividly in front of me, almost as if I was living it again. What would've happened if I didn't make it through?

Mom found out recently after learning about the incident. Maybe I didn't hide it well enough or I was tired of hiding it. The recent choice of long sleeves wasn't unnoticed by both my parents as well as friends, however, it was only now they addressed it.

"Arav!" Karan was shaking me out of my thoughts and I blinked a few times and looked at him, his brown eyes shining from the reflection of the setting sun.

"Huh?" I answer him, still feeling the receding waves of memories.

Jay was sitting on the edge of his seat too, ready to jump into action in case of something. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah..." I manage, "I suppose."

"I am sorry to ask you when you weren't ready to answer it..." Karan said thoughtfully, "It's just... we had been worried for a while, thought you would say it yourselves but when you didn't... I just thought it was best to ask you directly."

"No, no, it's fine! I wasn't quite sure how to tell it, actually.... But I am okay, I am here, I will be fine."

"You better know that," Jay said, a small smile forming on side of his cheeks, "I wouldn't mind throwing you out of the window."

"Jay, that's my dialogue!" The author protests, throwing her hands up, "Now, you better apologize or you're getting thrown next!"

"Don't worry, Jay," Karan snickers, "I will catch you just in time!"

"And who's going to catch both of you then?" the author argues, unrelenting.

"Why are we throwing each other out of the window in the first place?" I ask and the three look at me like I did the deed myself.

"Wow, tough crowd." I say when they don't respond.

"Anyways!!" Jay argues, pulling us back in to the conversation. "Did you hurt yourself badly?"

He asks and just like that, the levity of the moment is taken out, replacing it with a suffocating silence, like a balloon that's been deflated and now on the ground.

"I think I am okay..." I manage to say. "I didn't lose that much blood, despite the scars. So, I think I'll manage to be alright." 

They nod before putting their arms around me, assuring me that it was going to be okay.

Third Person POV:

When Jay reached home and explained the ordeal without saying too much, his parents were livid.

"Jay, I appreciate you wanting to help your friend in a difficult time, even though you're quite not ready to say what it's about, but..." His mom began, concern etched on her face.

She was worried about the future and how testifying for a case could potentially become a black spot on his life.

"Ma, I know you're worried." He explained calmly. "I will tell you everything with time, I promise. I just need you to support me and help me help my friend."

She was hesitant but seeing the determination in his eyes, he allowed him to go.

His dad dropped him to the police station on his bike. On the way, he explained his concern but eventually, seeing Jay's staunch resolve and bravery, he eventually relented.

"Be careful, son." His dad told him. "I am right here. Go ahead and do what you must."

Jay gave his dad a side hug before going inside.

Karan was already sitting inside, waiting for the others to come.

"Hey," Jay called him as he waved to get his attention.

"How'd your parents react?" Kan asked him.

"My parents weren't ready to send me here, at all!" He laughed. "It was like trying to tell them I was convicted!"

"Same!" Karan said as he shook his head. "I know my dad promised that he'd help without questions but he simply couldn't help but ask them. I didn't elaborate much but promised to explain it later. He dropped me here and was planning to stay but when I mentioned your dad might be there, he decided to finish his office tasks."

"Abandoned you right under the bridge, huh?" Jay quipped.

"Jay!" Karan laughed with him, their collective laughter filling the halls. "That's not what I meant and you're probably going to send us both to one if you keep cracking such jokes."

"Hey, at least we'll be together!" He protested. "Anywhere with you is fun."

Karan's eyes widened with surprise. "You're saying as if you're making plans to run away with me."

Jay was relentless. He smirked. "What if I am?"

"What about Arav?" Karan added, attempting to deflect the blush forming on his cheeks.

"Eh," Jay said nonchalantly, "We'll put him in the trunk of our car."

"Wait, car?!" Karan said in a fit of laughter. "Where are you even going to get one?"

"From you," He stifled his laughter as another officer told him to keep his voice low.

Karan protested. "I don't even have a car!"

"I know," Jay said, "I can put you on eBay and get one."

"Jay!" Karan said as he playfully tried to strangle his friend.

"Joking, joking!" Jay said in midst of his laughter, "I am not going to do it, you know that!"

Karan just playfully shoved him to the side which only led Jay to laugh more.

Suresh Sir was stuck in the traffic for a while, and when he reached the station, he only found Jay and Karan sitting there.

The two greeted him and he reciprocated the same.

"Arav's not here yet?" He asked them to which they shook their heads.

"I hope his parents aren't giving him further hard time." Suresh Sir pondered as he looked at the distance.

"Sir, who else is going to come here, today?" Karan asked him.

"I am not sure if Mr. Gupta is joining, he said he had some commitments in the evening, but it's going to be Arav, his parents and the three of us."

"Wait, Mr. Gupta as in our principal?" Jay asked and when Suresh Sir nodded, he sank back in his seat.

Suresh Sir reassured him. "I know it feels like trouble but he's been a good friend of mine for long. Trust me, it's going to be okay."

Jay's shoulders loosened, relieved that his teacher had things under control.

Arav entered with his parents after a few minutes, the tension in the air thickening.

"Let's get this done, okay?" Suresh Sir said as he led us to a room labelled 106.

Officer Anand Parekh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was waiting for them.

Despite the lingering fears and concerns, the paper signing went more peacefully than anticipated.

Arav's parents didn't exchange many words but there were no fights or arguments regarding the same. They left quickly after, asking him to return home safely.

"Alea iacta est." Suresh Sir said as he turned to them.

The four of them were now standing outside of office, relieved that the most important task was behind them.

Karan knit his eyebrows together. "What does that mean, sir?"

"The die is cast." Suresh Sir explained with a smile. "It's from Julius Caesar."

"Ah," Jay said, "You're a literary connosieur too?"

"Of course," He said, "Who said a PE teacher couldn't be a literary enthusiast as well?"

"Or a guardian figure for that matter," Karan says wistfully before realizing what he said. "S-sorry, sir! The words just—"

But before he could finish his sentence, Suresh Sir put an arm around his back. "Yes, that as well."

Suresh Sir dropped Karan and Arav to their respective homes and Jay went back home with his dad.

The stars in the sky shined brightly. Perhaps, every star that had been dulled, always found a way to become brighter again too.

❛Love is the trickiest spell of all.❜
— Celeste N. G.

A/N: It's almost... relieving to find mixed reactions towards Suresh Sir because on one hand he's staunch on bringing justice but on the other, he still holds space for Maya, who might or might not be the person behind the crime. I do not condone or support such a heinous action, nor does he but he's supposed to be a morally complex character and so are most of the characters here. I hope I'm able to do him justice and I hope you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for all the love on this story, we are at 2k reads and 1.4k comments now!