Third person point of view
Their holidays were over and classes started again. Their new semester began. Aravind didn't say anything when he noticed Smrithi's absence for their lunch meet up. He was actually happy because Dev was someone who was mentally strong and the incident didn't leave a shadow in his heart. If it were someone else, it would have developed in a different direction.
Their life was back to being busy with assignments, tests and classes. Their first anniversary came by. But it was in the middle of the week, so they had a nice homemade dinner. And on the weekend, they decided to go out. Aravind looked for a hotel near the beach and booked it for the two days.
They left on Saturday morning and reached there in around 2 hours. They went to the hotel and looked out the window. The direction they were in looked out to the beach. Aravind smiled. They changed and went out. They spent the day going around the places nearby. They went back to the hotel after dinner.
Dev picked Aravind up and kissed him as soon as the door was closed. Aravind also let him do as he pleased. " The hotel has soundproof walls ". Aravind said and Dev smirked. " Are you suggesting something ? " Dev asked, putting his hands under Aravind's shirt. " Maybe, maybe not ". Both of them chuckled. They rolled around in bed for a long time.
The next day, Aravind woke up and groaned. His body ached from all the exercise. He looked at Dev who was still asleep. He ran a hand through his hair and moved forward kissing him. Dev slowly opened his eyes and saw Aravind pulling away.
He put his hand behind Aravind's head and kissed him properly. Aravind smiled when they pulled away. He observed Dev's face with attention. Dev noticed his gaze. " What is it ? " Dev asked and Aravind hesitated.
" If not for you and us ending up like this, I don't know how my life would be. And even though it feels like I just chose an easy way sometimes. And maybe you wouldn't have to go through things if not for this and me. You probably would've lived differently. I know I made a selfish choice. So sorry and thank you. In exchange for you doing so much for me, I would like to give my life to you. Will you take it ? " Aravind asked.
Dev moved closer. " You are not selfish and I am the one who made these choices with no compulsion. So don't think that way. And as for your life, I thought it was already mine. It wasn't ? " Aravind chuckled. " Yeah. It was always yours and will be ". Dev smiled. " Let's sleep a little more. We can have lunch and then leave ". Aravind nodded and closed his eyes again.
They went back home during the break after their semester. Their parents were very happy to see them. They also met up with their gang and had a party to celebrate them getting together. They enjoyed their time at home and went back a few days before the start of the new academic year and semester.
Even before they knew it, they were done with their graduation. Aravind wanted to do a Ph.D. while Dev got a job in his favorite motorbike company. They were still busy settling down their lives, so their parents went to visit them instead and also celebrated their graduation. They all sat in the rented house.
" When will you get married ? " Dev's father asked. The both of them knew they would bring up this topic. They also previously discussed it and told them their decision. Dev spoke up " We want to take some time to settle down. Once I am more stable in my job, we will plan it ". They all looked at each other and nodded. They stayed for a few days and left.
Aravind kept his job at the café while he worked on his Ph.D. Dev said that it would be fine and he could earn enough for the both of them but Aravind insisted on it. Dev didn't want Aravind to compromise and let him do as he pleased.
-MG