Gulping water seated, Akasa noted: "Yash ghosted us two days straight."
Akasa hadn't expected the silence to feel this loud.
Kumar scratched his neck: "He skipped mess and college too."
A knock echoed: "Knock-knock, you here, Akasa?" Akasa's eyes widened: "I think it's Yash."
Kumar, door-bound: "Impossible—ego won't let him."
"You see I am right it was Adi only."
Shoulders dropping low, Akasa said: "Yes, you are right."
Eyes bright, Adi shared: "She's okay—Manu confirmed from her section."
Akasa, eyes down: "Yeah… that's good." He exhales tightly.
Adi noticed the gloom and piped up: "What's wrong, Akasa—why so down? Cheer up!"
"Because of Yash." Kumar said
Adi chimed in: "Yeah, haven't seen him in ages."
Akasa rubbed his eyes: "God knows what he's up to now."
Some things couldn't be undone by apologies.
Walking campus paths, Adi marvelled: "Look at that pink sky—so gorgeous."
Forehead in hand, Akasa: "The sky's pining for somebody up there."
Eyes narrowing under creased brows, Adi pressed: "Who?"
Hand at the suprasternal notch, Akasa said: "The oceans, no doubt—sky's closest pal."
"Why, really—what's behind it?" Adi asked.
Akasa chimed in: "Easy reason—the sky and oceans never connect."
Minutes ticked by in thick, wordless silence—no one spoke.
Adi placed his hands on Akasa's shoulders. "Let's step out beyond campus—fresh road air."
"Fine, whatever you like."
Akasa fidgeted, thinking: What's he up to—why's he pushing so hard to help me?
Surrounded by greenery everywhere, they moved to the outer road after ten minutes.
It's nice out here, been ages—
Placing arms on Adi's shoulder, Akasa thought.
Adi pointed ahead with a smile. "See that dandelion—isn't it beautiful?"
"Yup, it is" Akasa replied.
Smiling into Akasa's eyes, Adi shared: "Most the time, we just pretend and hope it works."
Akasa dilated his pupils and smiled.
Akasa sighed deeply, glancing at the sky. "We should head back to the hostel now—it's way too late."