Chapter 1
Morning, as always, was bright and happy for most people, but not for Aryan. Mornings were the worst. Waking up from a dream wasn't a happy experience either. Once again, he hadn't died in his sleep. It couldn't get any better than this.
The first day of college, as expected, was filled with people who were happy. As expected, Aryan thought. Everybody is happy to be alive, except me.Suddenly, something hit him on the head. For a moment, he thought it was the end and that he was finally going to die.
"Hey, man! Are you okay?" someone asked.There were too many people around.
Aryan felt embarrassed as so many eyes turned towards him after he had fallen from such a light hit to the head.So embarrassing, Aryan thought.Someone helped him up. He was still feeling a little dizzy, but he managed to steady himself, even though a part of him wanted to fall again
."Thank you," he said, trying to look at the person who had helped him.
The eyes.
Those were the same eyes. The very ones he had longed for, wished for, just once, to look at him and notice him. But they never had.Those beautiful, expressive eyes that once shone in the presence of people had somehow become indifferent and dull. The eyes that could express everything with just a glance had now become difficult to read.
"Sorry, are you okay? Should I take you to the nurse's office?" someone asked.That was when Aryan realised he had been staring into those eyes for too long.
"It's okay. I'm fine. I'm not hurt," Aryan said, trying to free himself from the grip that had somehow become painful.
"I'll take him," Parth said to his friend before dragging Aryan towards the nurse's office.Aryan stumbled over his feet, trying to keep up with Parth.
Did he recognise me? Aryan wondered.But that wasn't possible. Aryan had changed so much after the accident that even his close relatives had struggled to recognise him. How could Parth possibly recognise him?
"Excuse me!" Parth called out to the nurse, but there was no one in the office.He suddenly pulled Aryan inside and made him sit on the bed.Aryan was still dazed from the hit, the pulling, and the memories that threatened to surface.
Parth started looking for disinfectant and cotton.
"I'm fine," Aryan tried to reason with him, but Parth made him sit down again and continued cleaning the wound on his hand.
It was only a minor bruise, but it had turned so red that it looked as though it would bleed at the slightest touch.
"Sorry," Parth said.That was when Aryan realised that the hand Parth had held while dragging him had become red from the pressure of his fingers.
"It's okay. It doesn't hurt," Aryan said, trying to avoid Parth's hands and eyes.
Parth stood up to check the back of his head, where the ball had hit him, but Aryan dodged his hand again.
"Don't move. Let me check," Parth said, gently holding Aryan's face in his hands.He checked for an injury with gentle movements, trying not to hurt him.Aryan could feel Parth's fingertips brushing against his head. His heart was beating so fast that he wondered if Parth could hear it.
"Why are your ears turning red?" Parth asked, touching his ears.
"...Huh?" Aryan touched his ears.
"Your ears. They're turning red," Parth repeated.
"Who's there?" a voice called out.
"Parth!" Daksh called. "What are you doing here? Are you hurt? Who's this with you?”
Thank God someone came, Aryan thought. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain the redness that was continuously spreading down his neck and across his face.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm not hurt," Parth said, looking at Aryan's face, which was so red that it seemed as though it would bleed at the slightest touch.
"Oh my God! Are you okay? Do you have a fever? Why are you so red?" Daksh asked, trying to touch Aryan's forehead to check his temperature.But before his hand could reach Aryan, Parth stopped him. He was now standing in front of Aryan, blocking Daksh's view.
"Don't touch him," Parth said.
"Oh, okay," Daksh mumbled something under his breath.
"I have a class. I should go," Aryan said, walking out of the room.
Parth wanted to follow him but was stopped by Daksh."Let him go. He has a class," Daksh said."So, he's the one, huh?""The one whose paintings have filled your room," Daksh added. It sounded more like a statement than a question.
"Stay away," Parth replied.
"Oh! My baby brother is jealous," Daksh teased.
"Parth, are you in there?" a voice called from outside the room.It was none other than his childhood best friend, Sushant. They had been together since they were in diapers.
"Why are you wearing a high-neck shirt in this summer heat?" Parth asked Sushant, looking at Daksh knowingly.
"Got bitten by a wild dog," Sushant replied, glaring at Daksh.
"Then you should get a rabies vaccine," Parth said with a smile."Dr. Daksh has a patient. I should go," Parth said.
"Don't go. I haven't even asked why you're here."
"Got his sweetheart hurt? Did you come to treat him or flirt with him?" Daksh mimicked Parth.
"Since when did you start caring so much?""When did you get here?" Parth asked.
"Long enough to see my baby brother's flirting skills," Daksh replied with a smile.
"Stepbrother," Parth corrected.
"Ouch! You're hurting my feelings, baby brother," Daksh said dramatically.
"Shut up. Don't tease him. So, did he recognise you?" Sushant asked.
"It doesn't matter because he seems to have a crush on him," Daksh teased again.
"I'm going , look after your patient, Dr. Daksh. Or should I say, your boyfriend?" Parth said before running out.
"Who's his boyfriend?" Sushant asked, starting to walk out, but someone caught his hand.
"Don't. Where are you going? Let me check the wound," Daksh said.
"Are you looking for a beating or something?" Sushant asked, removing his hand.
"Is your back okay?" Daksh teased again.
"You haven't had enough of a beating, huh?" Sushant replied, throwing a shoe at him.
Daksh caught the shoe."Give it back, or don't even think about tonight," Sushant threatened.
