Chapter 15 The Truth Behind the Act
Kiyan knelt on the dusty path a sculpture of surrender. The white flower (Safed Ketaki a sacred white flower) in his hands trembled not from fear but from the intensity of the emotion it channeled. Aarav stood frozen his gaze tracing the vulnerable line of Kiyan's bowed neck the slight tremor in his shoulders. A storm of confusion pity and a strange aching tightness in his own chest held him captive.
Slowly almost against his will Aarav took a step forward. His hands began to rise not to take the flower but to reach for Kiyan's arms to lift him up to erase this heart wrenching tableau. A faint bewildered smile touched his lips.
A sharp delighted shriek shattered the moment.
Yessss. We did it.
Aarav's head snapped up. Karishma and Nayan were bounding towards them clapping their faces split with triumphant glittering grins.
Bravo Kiyan. Bravo Karishma laughed the sound too loud too bright for the charged air. She and Nayan descended upon them like a cheerful tornado. Guys relax. It was just a rehearsal for our play. We wanted to surprise Aarav.
The gathered students their suspense broken erupted into chuckles and dispersed the drama instantly downgraded to campus gossip.
Aarav could only stare at Karishma his mind struggling to process the shift.
Amazing Kiyan Nayan said slinging an arm around Kiyan's shoulders and hauling him to his feet with a rough friendly jostle. Nailed it exactly like we planned. He turned his beam on Aarav. So. How was it. Our little drama. We told Kiyan you seemed down that he needed to cheer you up in a big way. And look you are smiling. We got you. And man Kiyan you really committed. Bet you were totally shocked huh Aarav.
Aarav's eyes slid to Kiyan. He was standing now but his gaze was fixed on the ground. The flower hung limply in his hand.
But Kiyan Karishma said leaning in with a stage whisper we did not tell you to actually cry in front of this fool. Why were there tears. That was not in the script.
Let it go Nayan waved a hand. Method acting maybe. For realism. But seriously Aarav good prank right.
Aarav said nothing. He just kept looking at Kiyan who seemed to be trying to fuse with the earth.
Nayan clapped a hand on Aarav's stiff shoulder. Come on say something. Do not just stand there like a statue.
Aarav's voice when it came was flat. So it was an act.
Kiyan's head dipped lower.
Yes an act Nayan boomed. What did you think he was actually proposing. Karishma giggled swatting Nayan's arm. Nayan you are the worst.
Alright let me explain Nayan stepped forward his tone shifting to conspiratorial. He tried to put his other hand on Kiyan's shoulder again but Kiyan shifted subtly letting it fall away as if burned. Nayan oblivious focused on Aarav. Look this morning you were in such a funk. We thought let us pull something to make him laugh. So we cooked this up with Kiyan.
Karishma took over her voice dripping with theatrical enthusiasm. We told Kiyan to do a little scene in front of you kneel offer a flower make it look all intense and romantic. We knew you would be stunned and then when we revealed the truth you would crack up. That is all it was.
Come on now your highness Karishma said looping her arm through Aarav's and tugging. The things we do to cheer you up. She began pulling him away from the scene.
As he was led away Aarav threw one last glance over his shoulder. Kiyan was looking back. Their eyes met for a fractured second before Nayan grabbed Kiyan's elbow. Great performance man Nayan said steering him after Karishma.
Flashback 10 00 AM Behind the Canteen
Listen Kiyan Karishma said her usual cheer replaced by a serious urgency. Aarav has been off. Distant. Especially from you. We need to do something.
Nayan nodded his face uncharacteristically solemn. Yeah. He is our friend. We gotta snap him out of it.
Kiyan stood silently his eyes on a crack in the pavement.
Any ideas Nayan Karishma asked.
Look Aarav loves a good surprise. What if we stage a little drama. Kiyan does something over the top romantic in front of him Aarav gets totally shocked and then we jump out and yell Gotcha. He will have to laugh.
Karishma tapped her chin considering. Hmm not bad. But Kiyan She turned to him. Would you do it. Just a little act. Kneel offer a flower anything. Just enough to throw him off and make him smile.
Kiyan was silent for a long time. The morning sun caught the gold in his downcast eyes. Finally he gave a slow almost imperceptible nod. Okay.
Nayan lit up. Yes. Perfect. So the plan College gate this afternoon. When Aarav arrives you do your thing. We will be hiding and jump in at the perfect moment.
Karishma placed a reassuring hand on Kiyan's shoulder. Just remember it is only an act. You just have to make him believe it is real for a second. But it is not. Got it.
Kiyan nodded again but the pain that flickered deep in his eyes was of a magnitude Karishma and Nayan could not begin to comprehend.
Deal Nayan said. See you at the gate.
As Karishma and Nayan walked away chattering excitedly Kiyan remained. He tilted his head back staring at the vast indifferent sky. A single tear unbidden and uncontrollable escaped the corner of his eye tracing a hot path down his cheek.
Just an act he whispered to himself the words crumbling in his throat. But if it is a chance to show him how much I
He did not finish the thought. His lips trembled.
Back to Present The Practice Room
The four of them filed into the college's mirrored practice room. The air was still thick with the unspoken.
Okay Karishma announced clapping her hands with forced brightness. Dance practice. Now. Kiyan on one side Nayan on the other. Aarav you are in the middle. I will be the center.
She started the music a contemporary track with a pulsing beat. She began to move a slow extension of her leg a dip then a spinning turn. She spun first towards Nayan. He mirrored her their movements a practiced orbit. Nayan caught her leg his other hand steadying her shoulder and guided her into a swift graceful rotation.
Karishma landed and Nayan took her hand spinning her out. Their eyes met a flicker of friendly coordination. Then with a final push Nayan sent her spinning towards Aarav.
Aarav caught her hand then his other arm went around her waist. They moved together closing the distance. Karishma arched back her arms splaying out dramatically. Aarav his body moving on autopilot swept her into a turn her body leaning out over empty space anchored only by his grip. Slowly he lowered her their hands clasping as the move ended. For a beat they held the pose breathless.
Kiyan watched from the side. He turned his face away focusing on his own reflection in the mirrored wall a silent spectator to a connection that felt too easy.
Then Aarav sent Karishma spinning towards Kiyan.
Kiyan's movement was different. It was not practiced it was pure fluid instinct. He caught her momentum and amplified it spinning her faster a controlled whirlwind. Then in a move that made both Aarav and Nayan gasp he lifted her clean off her feet his hands strong and sure under her back and knees. For a breathtaking moment Karishma was airborne her arms flung wide a look of shock and delight on her face. He brought her down as smoothly as he had lifted her one arm cradling her back the other at her waist. Their eyes met hers wide with exhilaration his a pool of enigmatic gold.
Whoa. That was insane Nayan whooped.
Kiyan set Karishma down gently. She stumbled a half step laughing breathlessly. Bro I did not know you could do that. That was amazing.
Aarav stared at Kiyan. Kiyan looked back but Aarav quickly averted his eyes a flush creeping up his neck.
That is enough for today Karishma said still panting slightly. Let us call it.
Yeah Aarav mumbled. I have got some stuff to do.
Bro walk with me Nayan said slinging his bag over his shoulder. You are heading to the hostel right. My place is on the way.
Nayan I am not at the hostel anymore Aarav said. I moved back home.
Even better Nayan's grin returned. Then do me a favor take Kiyan with you. He said his place is in that direction too. He mentioned it this morning.
Aarav stiffened. That Nayan.
Go on Kiyan Nayan said steering Kiyan towards Aarav. You go with Aarav. I will ride with Karishma on her scooter. Our houses are the same way.
Kiyan gave a silent nod.
He fell into step behind Aarav. At the bike Aarav swung his leg over not looking back. He felt rather than saw Kiyan climb on behind him. The weight settled familiar and unsettling. Aarav started the engine the vibration thrumming through them both.
In the rearview mirror their eyes met. Aarav watched Kiyan's reflection the set of his jaw the way he held himself slightly apart. Kiyan's gaze was fixed on the back of Aarav's helmet as if trying to see through it.
Aarav pulled out into the traffic the city blurring around them. The silence in the bubble of their shared space was a living thing dense with everything that had been performed and everything that had been real.
Then at a sudden red light Aarav braked harder than necessary.
Kiyan's arms shot around his waist catching himself his hold instinctively tight.
In the small mirror Aarav saw Kiyan's eyes widen briefly before darting away. Aarav's own lips hidden by his helmet curved into a faint unconscious smile. Kiyan seeing it in the reflection quickly looked down his grip loosening just a fraction but he did not let go.
The light turned green. The bike surged forward carrying them into the evening the unspoken truth of the afternoon hanging between them heavier than any rehearsed line.
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