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Mumbattan was a beautiful place to live during the spring. Although there are not many trees or greenery to look at, the scent of flowers travels through the wind peacefully, and the chill of winter is beginning to feel like a distant memory. It’s Gayatri’s favorite season for that reason.
She watches as the wind ruffles Pavitr’s hair and takes in how beautiful her boyfriend is. They were having a picnic in their favorite place, an open greenhouse on top of her apartment building that looks over a part of the city. The plants around them are in full bloom, and Gayatri revels in the pretty flowers and herbs. No one really came up here besides the two of them and the old man who tended to the plants.
The greenhouse also allowed them to watch the people as they passed by on the streets below. Gayatri and Pavitr gave everyone all backstories that were probably nowhere near true. One of their favorite activities.
A petal gets stuck in Pavitr’s hair, and Gayatri reaches to pluck it out. He looks at her, his face bright and happy. She could never get over his smile.
She watches with love in her eyes as Pavitr points to a couple walking happily. “Those two definitely just got married. But secretly, the wife is cheating on him with her therapist.”
Gayatri gasps and playfully slaps his shoulder. “How scandalous! Why can’t they just be happily married and already thinking about having kids?”
Pavitr leans into her space in the way she likes and dramatically whispers into her ear, “You’re right! But have you ever considered the baby isn’t his?”
She pushes him away and giggles. “I do not know how your brain works.” Pavitr shrugs and leans over to rest his head on her shoulder. They watch as pedestrians walk by, enjoying a silent moment together. The air smells strongly of the blooming blossoms around them, and it somehow feels like the honking of cars have quieted, just for them.
Gayatri watches as a man plays a guitar on the street, too far away from them to hear the tune he’s playing. She points to him. “That man is going to get his big break in four months when his long-lost cousin calls him about a record label opportunity.”
Pavitr looks to where she’s pointing and sits up. “Oh, he’s playing the guitar! You know, Hobie can play the guitar. I’ve been trying to get him to teach me, but he thinks I’d be better on the bass. What do you think? I don’t think I give off that vibe, but Hobie-”
He continues on about Hobie, the mysterious friend he brings up often. Gayatri has never met the boy, but with how much Pavitr talks about him, she’s pretty sure she knows everything about him. Pavitr talks about him a lot, more than any of his other mysterious friends. About how talented and strong he is, how cool he is, how his voice is smooth, and how his hair is so beautiful. Stuff along those lines.
Needless to say, Gayatri has a hunch. A confident hunch. She’s had an idea about what was going on for a while, but has been too scared to ask about it. She waits for Pavitr to stop talking and decides today is the day to rip off the hypothetical band-aid.
She watches as Pavitr giggles, ending one of his many stories about how nice Hobie is, and Gayatri simply comes out and asks, “So, you have a crush on him, right?”
Pavitr physically twitches, and his eyes go wide. He looks at her as if she’s sprouted another head for a second. He laughs unconvincingly, crossing his arms over each other to form an X with his forearms. He looks nervous. “Wh-what?! Of course not! I love you! And I love you a lot!”
Gayatri raises an eyebrow and smiles. “Yeah, I know, I love you too. But… you also love him, too, right?”
He continues to stare at her wide-eyed. “No, that would be unfair and I-” He looks down as if unsure before lowering his arms slowly and putting his head in his hands.
“I… Yeah, I do. Genuinely. I’m sorry, Gayatri. I don’t know how it happened.”
Gayatri closes her eyes tightly and takes a deep breath. It’s suffocatingly quiet as she tries to collect herself. She ignores how the wind feels colder than it did before. “It’s okay. I… had a feeling it was like that and-” She feels her eyes start to tear up and tries to force them back down. “I- I know we’ve been together for a while, but… If you love him more than me, then-”
Pavitr grabs her hands, and she opens her eyes, startled. He’s looking at her lovingly. “No! I don’t love him more than you. I could never stop loving you. Please, don’t ever think I don’t cherish and love you.” He closes his eyes and kisses her knuckles. Gayatri takes a shuddering breath.
She nods quickly and takes a deep breath. She gently pulls her hands out of his grip to quickly wipe her gathering tears. She feels as if the pieces of her heart are collecting themselves. “Okay… okay.” She says and takes Pavitr’s hands again. “So explain it to me. You… love us both equally?”
Pavitr pauses to think, looking over the cityscape. A bird caws somewhere in the distance. “Yes, but no? I love you both equally but in different ways.” He makes eye contact with her, his gaze open and thinking. “Loving you makes me feel like… uhm… oh like I’m walking on the beach! It’s night, but the air is warm, and I’m relaxed. When I look up at the sky, I feel as if it’s looking back at me, and my chest feels light as a feather. There’s water at my feet, and I’m watching the crabs go by. I’m happy.”
Gayatri feels her face warm at the description and tries to stifle the surprised look that graces her face. “Oh… wow. Thank you.” She says stupidly.
He laughs and brushes her hair behind her ear. “You’re welcome.”
She clears her throat and asks, “And how does Hobie make you feel?”
Pavitr breaks eye contact and looks back at the man playing guitar on the street. A group of civilians has gathered to listen to him play. Pavitr starts. “Loving Hobie is like… climbing a really tall tree in the summer. Every time I reach a new branch and get higher, the more excited I get to see the view from so high. There’s the adrenaline that I could fall at any time, but I know I’m not going to. The wind is calm, and as I climb, I’m feeding squirrels and birds that I pass. I’m happy.”
He places his hands on his cheeks, flustered. “You both make me really happy. It’s embarrassing. And I don’t know what to do.”
Gayatri is just as flustered and doesn’t know what to say, so she jokes, “You should write poetry sometime.”
Pavitr laughs genuinely and leans his head on her shoulder again. “This probably sounds crazy, huh?”
“No. Not at all.” She leans her head on his and sighs. “You are a hopeless romantic after all. It’s part of the reason why I love you.”
Pavitr whines. “Ughh Gayatriiiii, I don’t know what to do, and you’re teasing me.”
She chuckles and sighs. “Yeah, I know. Sorry.”
They continue to watch the growing crowd down below. It seems as if a violin player and a trumpet player have joined the guitarist. It’s gotten louder, just enough for them to hear the melodies down below.
Gayatri steadies herself and puffs out her chest, an idea coming to her. “Okay. I wanna meet him.”
She feels Pavitr still. “Uhm. What.”
“I want to meet him.” Gayatri reiterates. “Maybe there’s a way we can figure this out.”
Pavitr jumps up, nearly headbutting Gayatri in the nose. “Woah, steady there-”
“What?! No! He doesn’t even like me like that, we should just forget about it!” He says, hands coming up to grip his headband.
Gayatri rolls her eyes. “Based on what you just told me about this guy, I don’t think we can just forget about it. Come on, you’re the one who asked me out in the first place. Where’s all that loverboy confidence you had before?”
Pavitr covers his face with his hands. “Gayatri, I could only ask you out after listening to Eye of the Tiger for two hours, you know this-”
She stifles a laugh at the memory of Pavitr confessing in Jr. High and continues. “Okay, you’re right, ahem, this meeting could just be a get-to-know-each-other thing. I’ve never met him before, I’d like to get to know the guy my boyfriend has a crush on.”
He shakes his head. “Augh, I can’t. Thinking of the both of you being together and being perfect, I’ll die, I’ll surely die.”
Gayatri’s heart warms, but she rolls her eyes again. “Dummy. You’re so cute. But okay, I can talk to him by himself. Then I can see what he thinks of you.”
Pavitr raises his head and looks at her. He bites his lip nervously as if thinking. “Are you sure? You’re not uncomfortable or anything?”
Gayatri holds his face in her hands. “Pavitr, I love you so much. Nothing can stop that. And if this guy makes you happy, I want to see you happy.”
He looks up at her, eyes wide and sparkly. He leans in and kisses her, softly. When he leans back, he says, “I love you too. Okay. I’ll see if he’ll want to visit. He looks a little… different, though. And be prepared for an accent.”
Gayatri raises a confused eyebrow but leaves her questions for the meeting. The meeting with her boyfriend’s potential suitor. The boyfriend she’s not supposed to have may be getting a boyfriend himself.
Oh, if her father could see her now, he’d probably have a heart attack.
––––––––––––––––
A week later, Pavitr texts her that the mysterious Hobie could hang out later that afternoon. She hurries home from school, getting ready for the hangout. They were meeting at a cafe, a small business that, according to Pavitr, Hobie would love.
Gayatri ties her shoes, kisses her father on the cheek goodbye, and makes her way to the cafe. On the way there, she texts Pavitr back.
‘On the way now. How did you convince him to talk to me without giving anything away?’
She passes some school friends and waves as Pavitr texts back.
‘ I told him my awesome girlfriend wanted to get to know the guy I’m always talking about :)’
She smiles and rolls her eyes, crossing the street to the cafe.
‘Technically not a lie >:)’
The cafe itself is a small hole-in-the-wall establishment, muted colors mixing with colorful flowers hanging from hooks in front of it. She looks through the wall window and can see the two standing in line, backs facing her. Pavitr was right, the guy does look a little weird, but she can’t place why. Maybe it’s because his clothes are darker than what she usually sees people wear? They seem to shift in the light every time she looks at him.
She doesn’t focus on that, though, instead, she notices how Hobie has his arm around Pavitr’s shoulders, seemingly laying his entire weight on him. Pav seems not to mind, continuing to talk about whatever he’s talking about. Pavitr elbows Hobie in the ribs playfully, and Hobie pulls his headband over his eyes.
Gayatri smiles. She loves when Pavitr is happy. She’d do anything to keep him that way.
Well, not anything. She loves him, but man, could he be annoying sometimes. If he stole her eyeliner one more time, they might actually have to wrestle to the death.
Now that she’s watching, though, she notices that Hobie also looks happy. Through the window, she sees his mouth is stuck in a casual smile, his lanky body completely relaxed. His smile is genuine, and he’s nodding along to the conversation. Gayatri smiles. People-watching sure does come in handy.
She finally walks through the door, making the bell ring at her arrival. The interior is deep, dark wood with maroon accents. It’s air-conditioned, and Gayatri feels her hair blow as she enters. The two boys turn to look at the sound, and their eyes land on her. Upon seeing her, Hobie leans away from Pavitr and puts his hands in his pockets. Pavitr comes over to greet her.
“Gayatri! How was your day, love?” He kisses her, and she kisses back with a smile.
“Pretty good so far. About to get better.” She glances over at Hobie, who is holding their place in line and-
“Wow, you are tall!” She says before she can stop herself. Before, he was leaning on Pavitr so she couldn’t tell, but seeing him standing upright, she couldn’t help but marvel at his height.
He laughs, a deep, smooth sound, and shrugs. “Yeah, I am taller than most.”
Gayatri is taken aback by the accent but continues anyway. “Thank you for coming to meet me. I’ve been wanting to get to know you for a while. Pavitr talks about you a lot.”
Hobie takes a hand out of his pocket and raises a fist to her. “The feeling is mutual. I feel like I already know you with how much Pavitr talks about you.”
She returns the fist bump and smiles. She playfully punches his arm, hoping she isn’t crossing some line. “Same! Speaking of that, bass? Really? Do you think he’d make a good one?”
Hobie turns his hand in a so-so gesture. “Maybe. I really just said that because my band needs one. It was either that or a singer, and I don’t know what his singing voice sounds like.” Hobie rolls his eyes with a smile. “He refuses to show me.”
Gayatri gasps and turns to her boyfriend. “You haven’t sung for him yet? Why-”
She stops short and looks at Pavitr. He has his hands over his mouth, his eyes switching between her and Hobie. His eyes are bright, and there’s a quiet squealing noise that he’s emitting.
“Uhm, you okay-”
“What? Oh! Yeah, totally cool!” He looks embarrassed, but his joy is overshadowing it. He waves them off. “Nothing odd going on, mhm. Yep!”
Gayatri rolls her eyes and smiles as Hobie snickers. “You’re a weird one, guy. What do you two want? I’ll order for us.”
Pavitr gives him a thumbs up. “I’m not staying!”
Hobie raises an eyebrow and looks towards Pavitr. “...what.”
“Yep! This is just for you two.” Pavite sticks out his tongue and shrugs.
“Mate, but you said-”
“I said my girlfriend wants to get to know the guy I’m always talking about.” He smirks. “So yeah. Have fun, bye!” He gives Hobie a quick hug and kisses Gayatri on the cheek before running out of the cafe.
…leaving Gayatri and Hobie alone in the cafe, actively keeping up the line.
“So… I’ll have a mocha with salted caramel syrup mixed in,” Gayatri says to the server and turns to Hobie’s dumbfounded expression. “What do you want?”
Hobie turns to her slowly. “...black tea.”
She orders his drink, and they make their way to a booth near the window to wait for their drinks. They sit across from each other at their little table and take in their surroundings. People pass by outside, their conversations silenced by the thick glass. The smell of coffee is comforting and makes her feel relaxed. Almost as if this cafe is in a world of its own.
Hobie looks outside at the people passing by. He doesn’t look uncomfortable to say, but he sure does look awkward. Well, as awkward as someone who looks so cool can look.
“I like your spikes,” Gayatri says, trying to start a conversation. “I used to have some bracelets like those, but my dad didn’t like them, so I had to get rid of them.”
He averts his gaze from the outside and turns to her. “You shouldn’t have to listen to someone else on how to dress.”
She exhales. “Right? I love him, but he’s really strict about that type of thing. Maybe I’ll get some spiked earrings or something.”
Hobie hums and gestures to her face. “I feel like your ears need a break. How about getting a different one?”
Gayatri grazes her ears with her fingers, feeling the many different earrings she has on. “You think I should get somewhere else pierced?”
He shrugs. “Why not? Piercings are cool as hell.” He taps his own nose piercing. “My nose piercing hurt the least, so you could start there.”
She laughs and shakes her head, waving him off. “Don’t worry, pain is not an issue. I’ve had a high pain tolerance since I was little.” She hums and watches the barista steam her drink. It looks delicious. “I feel like I’d want something more hidden, though, at least for the first one. But I don’t know what I’d like.”
Hobie puts his hand on his chin in contemplation. “Well, you should always get something you’re gonna like…”
They both hum and think as their drinks arrive. Gayatri thanks the waiter, and Hobie nods his head in consideration. She watches as he drinks his drink tentatively. He takes a sip and then sighs in relief. “Wow, your black tea is strong here. I like it.”
Gayatri takes a sip of her drink- sweet and slightly salty, just like she likes it- before tilting her head to the side in confusion. “Oh, are you not from around here? Where do you live?”
Hobie averts his eyes, and one of them twitches. “Oh, you know, I live… around. You know, in the general area. But not close. Like medium, average distance away.” He nods his head and sips his tea as if his sentence made complete sense.
It didn’t, though, and Gayatri is about to question what the hell it even meant, but Hobie claps his hand and leans on his forearms. “I got it! A tongue piercing. That matches your criteria, yeah? It’s hidden, and since pain isn’t an issue, it shouldn’t be too bad.” He shrugs. “I hear the swelling is a bitch, though.”
“A tongue piercing?!” Gayatri says, surprised. She puts down her drink and places a hand on her cheek. She moves her tongue across her teeth and the inside of her mouth, imagining what it would feel like. “I don’t know, I feel like that’d be hard to get used to with eating and, y’know, other stuff.”
Hobie chuckles and crosses his arms as Gayatri takes a sip of her coffee. He fixes her with a teasing look. “C’mon, I’m sure Pav would love it.”
Gayatri almost chokes on her drink, thinking of the implications. Hobie laughs at her while she fans her face and tries to get her heart to stop thudding so loud. “Warn a girl, would you?! I can’t start thinking like that out of nowhere!”
“Nah, that’s what makes it funny.” She takes a deep breath and tries to keep her mind from wandering what kissing Pavitr with a tongue piercing would feel like.
She waits until Hobie takes a sip of his tea before casually and smugly saying, “Speaking of Pavitr, do you have a crush on him?”
Hobie actually chokes on his tea, drawing attention from the neighboring tables and customers.
“Is he okay?”
“Does he need help?”
“I know the Heimlich maneuver and I’ve always wanted to try it-”
Gayatri rises from her seat and waves off their concern as Hobie struggles to catch his breath. He lays his head on the table, choking and sputtering. “It’s okay!” Gayatri says. “Wrong pipe! Sorry for the disturbance, he’s okay.”
She pats his back as the group of people dissipates, and Hobie raises his head. He pounds his chest, his coughing fit subsiding. “Well- Well played, I suppose.” He says, finally catching his breath.
"I couldn't resist." She says with a smile. She returns to her seat, and her smile becomes something more serious as she reiterates, "I'm being serious, though. You… you like him too?"
Hobie doesn't say anything for a while and stares at the passersby outside again. The bell of the door rings as another patron enters the cafe, and she watches as Hobie twitches at the sound. Gayatri takes a sip of her coffee, but her eyes don't leave Hobie's face.
She doesn’t know Hobie, not personally. But the silence doesn’t seem like him. “It’s okay,” She says quietly. “I just want to know.”
"...how did you know?" Hobie asks, squinting at nothing.
Gayatri shrugs. "I didn't for certain. That's why I asked. You seem like the type to always say the truth, so I thought I'd just ask."
Hobie exhales a small laugh, a smile appearing. " The only time I lie is when I’m messing with people, really.” He closes his eyes, his grin never leaving his face. “Pavitr said you were good at reading people."
Gayatri giggles. "I am." They share a moment of silence. The bell rings as another patron enters or leaves, and the sound of cream frothing calms her nerves. She takes a deep breath.
Eventually, Hobie's smile slowly falls from his face, and he turns to look Gayatri in the eye. "... it doesn't mean anything."
"It does mean something. Feelings always mean something."
"I mean-" Hobie scratches his head, trying to find the right words. "Listen, I’m someone who does whatever I want. I don’t let anybody tell me what to do or how to act. When I realized how I felt, I literally almost confessed on the spot. But when I hear the way he talks about you…”
He rolls his shoulder. “Pavitr loves you. Genuinely. I've never seen that type of love before in my entire life. You should hear the love in his voice." He props an elbow on the table and rests his head on it. Gayatri notes that even while being heartfelt, he looks cool as hell.
"You're the love of his life. So no matter how I feel, it doesn't matter. Because I would never come between something like that. I would never disrupt something as real as that." He looks at her, his gaze open. She holds eye contact, hoping she looks as understanding as she is.
"It's not often I see something I could consider true love. If that's what you wanna call it. So I won't act on anything. I just… I just want to be around him, is all. He's… heh he's awesome."
He finishes his statement and drinks two big gulps of his tea. He winces at the temperature.
Hobie goes back to looking out the window. Gayatri realizes suddenly that he's people-watching.
People-watching.
Her and Pav's favorite hobby.
And she is completely confident that her idea will work.
She takes a second to find her words. Suggesting this, her idea, it’s not something she necessarily knows how to do. She takes a deep breath. "You seem like someone who enjoys taking risks."
He looks at her quizzically and scoffs. "You seem like someone who likes asking ominous questions."
Gayatri shrugs casually. "Correct. Looks like both of us are right."
"Mm. Why do you ask?"
She looks back out the window as a bird lands on an outside table. "Well, for the past week, I've been doing some research, and I think there's a way for us all to be happy." The bird pecks at the table and looks around as if it was expecting to gain sustenance from a wooden table. How silly.
Hobie adjusts his bracelet. "Again, very ominous. But I'm up for anything, so shoot."
Gayatri crosses her arms and looks back at him with a smile. "Let's just both date him."
He stares at her. Blinks. Blinks again. "...what."
She reiterates, her grin staying present on her face. "Let's just both date him."
Hobie leans in. "No, no, I heard you. What are you talking about, though?” She’s ready to explain the research she’s done on polyamorous relationships, but Hobie continues. “And I already know what you mean by us both dating him. But you barely even know me, and that's putting a lot of trust in someone you barely know."
Gayatri finishes off her drink and tries to not be disappointed; she had practiced explaining for nothing. She clasps her hands. "You're right. I barely know you. But from this one interaction, I know I want to get to know you. Genuinely. And can tell you care about Pavitr seemingly as much as I do. We'd have to, y'know, work out the details, but I'd be okay with that."
Hobie waves his hands around. "Nah, nah, we don't even know if Pavitr likes me back. There's no reason for me to get in-"
He stops short as Gayatri gives him a look. A very, very silent, exasperated look.
"...are you serious?"
"Why do you think we're here right now? You didn't think it was weird that Pavitr just left out of nowhere?"
Hobie puts his head in his hands. "No, I thought it was super weird! But- there's no way. He… likes both of us? Why didn't he stay for the conversation?"
Gayatri punches him in the shoulder playfully. "Because he's Pavitr and, in his own words, couldn't see us both sitting here being perfect or he'd die."
Hobie laughs into his hands. He sounds kind of crazy. "That's so him."
Gayatri's expression becomes sweet. "It is. I love Pavitr. I love his strangely perfect hair, I love the little yo-yo tricks he does, and I love it when he teases people about the littlest thing. I love how he’s so touchy, it keeps me grounded.” She touches her shoulder where Pavitr had lain his head on their last date. “I love it when he's happy, when he's excited and moves like he can't stop. I love him when he's being really annoying for no reason other than to get on my nerves, and I love him on his worst days."
She hesitantly but firmly grabs Hobie's hands. "But most importantly, I love him when he's loved. When he feels just as beautiful as he is. If you can make him feel that way, the same way I do, I think we should love him as much as we can, yeah?"
Hobie looks between their hands and her face as if contemplating. Gayatri waits with bated breath.
Hobie squeezes her hands back. "You're a cool girl, y’know that?"
Gayatri shrugs. "Yeah, I do know that."
They share a moment of silence, the choice they made happily and quietly settling on their shoulders. A big choice, Gayatri notices, but one that she’s happy with. A long time ago, she swore to never live her life with regrets.
She thinks she’s doing a great job at that. She mentally pats herself on the back.
A waiter hesitantly comes over and asks if they need anything else. Hobie’s coughing fit from before probably worried him. Before Hobie can say anything, Gayatri says, "No, but we'll be back in about an hour. Thank you!"
She stands up and pulls Hobie with her.
"Uhm, okay, where are we going?"
Gayatri scoffs. "Well, last time I checked, you hadn't confessed your feelings yet."
They walk out of the cafe, the bustling of the city hitting their ears. Hobie practically drags his feet as they walk through the door and into the busy street. "What right now? Can't we give it like a day? And how are you so strong? What the hell?!"
She looks at him over her shoulder, "Strength-building yoga and yes, right now." She fixes him with an annoyed look. "You gave me the vibe that you don't back away from a challenge. Was I wrong?"
He blinks at her, and suddenly Gayatri is the one being dragged through the city instead. "You're right," Hobie says. "Challenges are just victories I have claimed yet… also, where are we going?"
"We're going to our favorite spot… which hopefully will become your favorite spot as well."
They walk a short walk to Pavitr and Gayatri's special place. The greenhouse for their picnics, the greenhouse that overlooks some of the city, and has a great view of the sunset.
Pavitr is there, yo-yo-ing and sitting on a blanket. The setting sun bounces off his radiant skin and makes him look more beautiful than ever. The wind slightly blows through his hair in a way that only Pavitr’s hair can.
Gayatri catches her breath at the sight and realizes that Hobie is doing the same.
"He's just so beautiful, isn't he?" Hobie says.
"Yeah, he is," Gayatri says, happy to have someone who agrees with her boyfriend's beauty as much as she does.
Huh, she realizes. Pavitr is technically going to be their boyfriend now. They’ll share a boyfriend.
She smiles. She could get used to the way sounds.
"Do you want me to leave so you two can have a moment?" She asks. Hobie looks down at her and takes a deep breath.
“How about you stay here? I want us to have a moment, but I don’t want you to leave, y’know.”
She nods and smiles. “Yeah, I know.” She pushes him gently. “Now go get him and don’t be awkward about it.”
Hobie scrunches his nose and puts his hands in his pockets. “I’m never awkward.”
Gayatri crosses her arms. “So far, no, but you seem like the type of person to be when it comes to stuff like this.”
Hobie huffs and smiles before turning and walking into the greenhouse. Gayatri stays hidden behind the corner and hears as Hobie coughs, getting Pavitr’s attention. Gayatri hears the surprise in Pavitr’s voice as he says, “Hobie… hi.”
There’s shuffling as Hobie sits down. “Hi yourself.”
There’s silence, and Gayatri finds herself wringing her hands. Why is she nervous? She’s not even doing anything!
But, internally, she really, really wants this. She really likes Hobie and Pavitr loves Hobie. Why are they making this so drawn out?! She wants to go on a date already!
Finally, Pavitr breaks the silence. “So… Gayatri is awesome, huh?”
Hobie chuckles. “That she is… we talked about some interesting stuff.”
Gayatri can basically hear Pavitr cross his arms and tilt his head to the side. His voice is nervous, but knowing. “Oh, really? And what would that be?”
Hobie hums. “Hmm, well, piercings for one. That was pretty interesting.”
“Mhm…” Pavitr hums in return.
“She likes my spikes. I learned a little bit about her dad…” Hobie says.
“Mhm…” Pavitr says as if urging him to get to the point.
“...and I guess you came up in the conversation once or twice.” Hobie says teasingly.
“Oh really?” Pavitr says as if he doesn’t know anything. “And why was I being talked about?”
There's silence again. Why always silence?!
Gayatri calms herself. Patience, she reminds herself. Not everything has to happen so fast.
Hobie clears his throat. “We were talking about… how great you are.”
That catches Pavitr by surprise. “You were?”
Hobie hums. “More or less. It was mostly Gayatri saying things, and me agreeing with her. Like, she said how strangely perfect your hair is.”
“That’s true, it is perfect.”
She can hear the eye-roll in Hobie’s voice. “Alright, mate. She said that you’re an extremely touchy person, which is true.”
Pavitr scoffs, “You’re one to talk.”
“True, true…” Hobie says. He takes a deep breath. “She also said… how she loves you a lot.”
There’s a pause in the conversation, and Gayatri can’t stop herself from peeking her head around the corner. Pavitr is sitting there, eyes wide.
“...and, you agreed with her on that?” Pavitr asks, leaning in slightly.
Hobie raises his hand in a so-so gesture. “Yeah, more or less.”
“More or less?”
“Yeah, she said she loved your yo-yo tricks, but I find them quite silly if you ask me.”
Pavitr laughs, genuinely, and pushes Hobie on the shoulder. Hobie pushes back, and when Pavitr goes to push him again, Hobie catches his hand mid-air. He holds it there and grazes his thumb over Pavitr’s palm. Pavitr takes a deep breath.
“Pavitr, I really, really like you. More than I’ve liked anyone I’ve ever met. And, if you and Gayatri will have me, I would love to date you.”
Hobie ends his short but heartfelt declaration by kissing Pavitr’s knuckles and lowering his head, waiting for an answer.
Pavitr stares in shock before nodding his head enthusiastically, a smile gracing his beautiful face. “Yes. Yes, I’d like that very much.”
Hobie raises his head, smile widening. “Really?”
Pavitr launches himself at him, arms encasing him in a strong hug. “Of course, you idiot!”
Hobie laughs and giggles, hugging Pavitr back. Gayatri can’t contain herself anymore, so she runs over and hugs Pavitr from the back. The momentum of her running topples them all over, falling on their backs on the blanket.
They lay there, giggling at one another. Gayatri and Hobie each hold one of Pavitr’s hands, and they laugh themselves until they’re out of breath.
Once the laughs have subsided, they lie there, looking at the sky, taking in their newfound happiness.
Pavitr sighs happily and turns to Gayatri. “How are you gonna explain this to your dad?”
Gayatri laughs loudly. “Oh, I’m not. You can, though, if you want.”
Hobie turns towards both of them. “Hey, I just got a boyfriend, maybe don’t send him to his death immediately?”
“Oh, c’mon, it’d be a little funny,” Gayatri says, raising her eyebrow. “Take a second and imagine it.”
Hobie looks up as if thinking and laughs. “Actually, you’re right. Maybe you should tell her dad, Pav.”
“I cannot believe my partners want me dead immediately. This has got to be illegal!” He dramatically sighs. “Tell my Maya Auntie that I will never be able to drink tea with her ever again since apparently, I’m going to heaven.”
Hobie looks at him scrupulously. “Aw, you think you’re going to heaven?”
Pavitr gasps loudly in false offense, but Gayatri interrupts before he can rebut. “Oh, tea! That reminds me, we should go back to the cafe!”
“Why?” Pavitr asks his hand that was previously holding Hobie’s, now pushing Hobie’s face away from him.
“I think we all deserve a proper date now that we’re dating, right? And I really, really want to go on a date.”
“Oh, I’m with her,” Hobie says, already sitting up. “That tea was so good, and I want more of it. And I need to know what Gayatri’s music taste is.”
“Mostly alternative and R&B.”
“Oh, this relationship is going to be perfect.”
They all get up and stretch, the idea of good drinks and food in their mind. Gayatri smiles. The smell of flowers is strong in the air, and the sun is warm, but the air is cool on her shoulders. She’s holding hands with her boyfriend while he’s also holding hands with his boyfriend. They walk to the cafe, conversation coming easily to all of them, and she can’t help the stupid grin that overtakes her.
She makes eye contact with Hobie, who is smiling like an idiot. A million words are passed between them from their eyes, and they nod in understanding. They both press a kiss on Pavitr’s cheek, Hobie having to lean down a bit to do so. Pavitr makes a surprised noise in the back of his throat and stops in his tracks. He places his hands on his cheeks as if trying to keep the kisses there. He looks flustered. “Oh my god, I’m going to die. I’m going to die from how cute you two are, oh my god, I can’t take this."
Hobie and Gayatri keep walking and conversing as Pavitr dramatically whines behind them.
Yeah, she thinks. She could get used to this.