Unfazed

40. Lost and Found (Deeksha)

How we managed to get Alana to stop crying, the Heavens alone know. But when she eventually did, we joined the men, who seemed to have figured out the logistics of how we were to disperse. On hearing that I would be in the car driven by Dev, I want to say my heart jumped with joy, but it didn't.

While Alana and Sneha clambered into the back of the car piling up all the picnic baskets and other accessories we had brought along, I had been busy messaging Ma about my whereabouts and our plan – so I was stuck with the shotgun. I wouldn't have had a problem, if Dev didn't seem so grave when I finally got in.

"Deven – we're dropping this off at my place and then heading over to the café right?" Sneha asked as the two cars began their respective journeys and Diya kept waving at us from the other car.

"Yeah. But Snake, have you decided where we're going?" he asked.

"Umm.. Actually, no. I told Vish that I'll leave him a message once we decide the place," she said, while Alana just kept quiet.

While an awkward silence seemed inevitable, I decided to ask, "Snake?" looking at Dev, hoping to lighten the mood a little. "Hmm," was all he said, while I saw his hands visibly strengthen their grip on the steering wheel. "Right", I said, sure that I wouldn't get an answer from him. So much for women having mood swings!

"He calls me that, Dee", said Sneha, realizing that he wasn't going to answer. "It's a nickname he gave me not long ago – and now, Vishwas calls me Snake sometimes too," she explained.

I turned back to smile at her in understanding while she returned it excitedly. "Can I play some music?" I asked no one in particular and I heard at least two voices agree.

While the rest of the ride was uneventful and not much was said, I couldn't help but admire the driving skills of Dev. As someone who took a more than average fancy for cars and driving, the agility to be deft while manoeuvring through the streets of our town definitely earned its own respect from me. Of course, with the oscillations that Dev's moods had shown today – first saving me, to the friendly banter to giving me a cold shoulder out of the blue – I would give in writing that my appreciation for his driving abilities would only extend to my knowledge and my knowledge alone.

Half an hour later, as we pulled into the parking space outside Sneha's house, little was said between Sneha, Dev and myself as we took the baskets out of the car and into the flat. Alana stayed behind in the car, lest the security guard should cause a scene for parking there for too long.

As the lift opened and Sneha stepped out, she realized she needed some help with opening the lock at which, Dev immediately asked me if he could add his pile of things to mine while he helped her out. When I agreed, I didn't realize I hadn't bargained for the weight that came along with this deal and soon enough, I was wedged across the opening in the elevator, the pile of things in my hand, higher than my head.

Noticing that it wasn't the most comfortable position, Dev turned to me and said, "Hang in there. I'll come back for you – I promise" in a nonchalant way. However, what got my head spinning, was the memory that flashed in my mind, from years ago, when the person who saved me from an otherwise fatal injury had said the exact same words to me – on a night I had chosen to forget for almost a decade. The night that had ruined my drama career and put me in therapy for months after that. The night, I had, for the first time, taken notice of my brother's best friend.

"Fatso", I whispered for no one else to hear but myself – and the last thing I saw before the ground got closer to me and my vision blurred – was the look of hope and fear that passed through his eyes. And without a doubt, they were the same eyes that were filled with tears under similar circumstances, nine years ago.

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I have no words. Also - there will be no more author's notes at the end of the chapter after this chapter. :D 

If there's anything y'all need to know, it will be compiled into an Author's Note chapter. 

While I try and overcome my emotional rollercoaster as I try to formulate coherent sentences any further, please read, enjoy, vote, comment and share! 

Stay Gold!

xoxo 

Smri :)

(Image above: Young Dev, AKA Fatso)