He slowly opened the door and saw Prakhar lying on his side, just like before, and Diamond was quietly sitting near his feet.
Shrey walked over softly and said gently —"Prakhar... the food is ready... come eat a little."
Prakhar was in deep sleep. Shrey nudged him slightly, but he didn't wake up.
"How can you not wake up like this..." Shrey pushed his hair back and climbed onto the bed. Getting on top of Prakhar, he began to shake his shoulders.
Suddenly, Prakhar woke up startled. In a hurry to get up, he fell off the bed — taking Shrey down with him.
Shrey landed on the floor with Prakhar on top of him. Two buttons of Prakhar's shirt had come undone, revealing his broad chest and a lion tattoo that was clearly visible.
Shrey's eyes widened. His throat went dry. His gaze, unwillingly, rose towards his chest and his hands… itched to touch him.
Prakhar quickly got off him and distanced himself, saying —"What are you doing here?"
"Ouch... my back..." Shrey groaned.
"I asked you something... what are you doing here?"
"Oh please... like there's a treasure hidden in your room and I came to steal it! Idiot! I came to call you for dinner, and you just broke my back… and now you're questioning me!"
When Prakhar reached his hand out to help, Shrey jerked it away and said through gritted teeth —"I don't need your help!"
"As your wish..." Prakhar said and went into the washroom.
Shrey looked at him in surprise, then got up himself and muttered —"And listen, I'm not here to tolerate your attitude... come out and eat quietly, or else..."
Just then Prakhar came out of the washroom and looked directly into his eyes —"Or else?"
"Or else... I'll... I'll run away with your dog!" Shrey said and pounced toward Diamond.
"Take him," Prakhar said coldly.
Diamond's eyes widened. He squirmed in Shrey's arms and started barking.
"No, no, you little rascal… I'm not taking you anywhere… no need to get so excited!" Shrey scolded him.
"He has a name," Prakhar said with a frosty tone.
"I know that!" Shrey said, flipping his hair with full attitude and walking off.
Prakhar shook his head and walked toward the closet. Diamond barked at his feet in protest.
"I was joking... I'm not letting you go anywhere..." Prakhar said, patting his head.
Diamond, mumbling little "koo koo" sounds, went under the bed — clearly not amused by the joke.
Outside, Shrey came and plopped on the sofa, pouting.
Seeing his sulky face, Pranay asked —"What happened...? Why the long face?"
"What do you care... whether I pout or snort… mind your own business..."Shrey snapped like a lost kitten in the jungle.
"I was just asking..." Pranay said, surprised.
"Then don't. Did I ask you to do me a favor?"
Just then Prakhar came out. Seeing him, Shrey started muttering under his breath, giving Pranay enough of a hint that something had happened inside.
"Hey Prakhar, I'm Pranay... Shrey's brother..." Pranay stood up and greeted.
Prakhar gave a slight nod and calmly said —"Sorry if Shrey disturbed you..."
His voice was slightly hoarse, probably from just waking up.
"Oh no, it's fine... By the way, how are you feeling now?" Pranay asked casually.
"I'm fine," Prakhar replied flatly.
For a moment, an awkward silence fell over the room.
Shrey rolled his eyes and said —"Let's go, the food's getting cold…"
And he turned toward the dining table, mumbling under his breath —"He talks so nicely to him... like I have thorns sticking out of me..."
Pranay and Prakhar could clearly hear him grumbling.Pranay smiled quietly, while Prakhar sat down at the table with a blank expression.
Pranay served food to both of them. Prakhar looked toward Diamond, who had followed him out.
Just then Shrey said —"Your precious baby hasn't eaten anything either. I tried feeding him, but he turned his face away..."
Prakhar started to get up, but Shrey went into the kitchen, brought out a bowl of dog food, and placed it in front of Diamond.
Diamond again turned his face away, which irritated Shrey —"Hey you stubborn mutt... I'm giving you food and you're showing me attitude? I'll—"
"He only eats milk and bread at night..."Prakhar interrupted, and Shrey fell silent. Then he went back into the kitchen.
A few moments later, he returned with a bowl of bread soaked in milk and placed it in front of Diamond.Diamond looked at Prakhar — and only after he nodded, did Diamond start eating.
"A dog with a strict diet, huh..."Pranay said, watching the whole scene in amazement.
Diamond was slowly finishing his milk-bread, and for a few moments, only the sounds of spoons and plates clinking filled the room.
"By the way, Prakhar, what do you do...? I mean, a job, business... or are you a student?"Pranay asked while eating.
Shrey's eyes were also fixed on Prakhar now. He was especially curious. He had never seen Prakhar studying, nor did his phone ever ring. He either stayed in his room all day, or sat in the little balcony garden, or went out walking with Diamond.
So neither of them really knew what Prakhar actually did.
"I don't like talking while eating,"Prakhar replied emotionlessly.
Pranay looked at Shrey. Shrey subtly shook his head to say, "leave it."
After dinner, as Prakhar was about to take his plate to the kitchen, Shrey called out from behind —"Leave it, I'll do it... you go rest..."
Prakhar ignored him and walked straight into the kitchen.
Shrey, who had been bottling his anger, finally burst. He stormed into the kitchen, snatched the plate from Prakhar's hands and snapped —"Can't you hear me?"
Prakhar stared at him blankly...Then suddenly, he reached out and gently wiped some food off Shrey's lips.
Shrey's eyes widened. His heartbeat shot up like a rocket.
Taking the plate back, Prakhar said —"You cooked the food, so the dishes are my responsibility."
"But I can do it..."Shrey said, coming back to his senses.
Prakhar looked at him again and, without saying anything, turned on the tap.
Then Shrey said softly from behind —"Please..."
Prakhar turned to look at him —He was staring with a sweet, innocent face.
Prakhar turned off the tap, washed his hands, and as he walked out, said —"Also clean the kitchen."