Fer helpless and pitiful, couldn't help but stay calm till Saturday to find out what Di was up to.
Saturday,
All day long Fer was anxious, couldn't get herself together. She watched Di and Kine giggling together as normal colleagues.
Fer (thinks to herself) : Maybe I was overthinking, not everyone sees them as I see. How can I doubt my own best friend's skills?
Bimu sees Fer daydreaming
Bimu (teasingly scolds) : Fervor, child wanna go home, don't you have shame being an incharge, slacking off!
Everyone in the corridor is drawn to that scolding. Marduk and Aether come running to them.
Marduk (teasingly) : Our own Ms. Fervor is getting scolded. How exciting..! (Laughs)
Aether (joins the laughter) : Indeed it is. It should be something big for Fer to get scolded.
Marduk and Aether give each other a high five and laugh
Bimu (serious) : Do you two also want a good scolding, can't you see how sad Fer is?
Marduk : I told you not to worry Fer, that boy Kine will himself come apologising for making you sad.
Aether : Does Kine has anything else to do other than tease you to hell? Obviously not. Chill.
Kine holds Di's arm and walks away from there
Marduk (surprised) : Is it that serious? I thought you guys were just pretending to be upset. Whatever it is, sort it out at the earliest, we can't see you like this at all.
Aether : Truly said, that guy needs some scolding as well.
Bimu (serious) : Now the three of you need a scolding or what? Get back to work now!
All of them get back to work. Soon the school ended without Di and Fer having a word with each other.
In the evening, XXX mall, Fer comes in with her husband and her son as Di told her.
Di (kinda shouts) : Over here Fer! (waves)
Fer surprised to see Di with a woman and where's Kine, Di saw through her thoughts.
Di (assures) : He'll be here soon, don't worry. By the way meet Riva (gestures towards Riv) my best friend and legally my wife (becomes a bit awkward)
Fer (taken aback) : You have a wife?!
Di (softly facing the floor) : Doesn't Kine have a wife too.... (normal voice facing Fer) However she's just my best friend and we have never been anything more than this and you know how much I love Kine (realises says softly) I shouldn't have said this in front of your son right.... I'm really sorry
Fer (understands) : It's alright. So...
Di (squats to Fer's son) : Hey lil' champ what's your name?
Victor (confidently) : I'm called Victor but my friends call me Vi, if we're close in the future you can call me that too. But before that it's Victor, alright.
Di (impressed) : Okay Mr. Victor, (pulls Riva a bit closer to them) This is my best friend Riva but I call her Riv and since I'm a good person I'll let you too call her Riv. By the way, you like soft play right? Go ahead with Riv we'll join you in a while, alright?
Victor nods and smiles brightly, holds Riv's hand and goes away with her.
Di's phone rings,
Di (answers the call) : Oh kay, coming right up. (To Fer) Here he is, I'll bring him here, stay here.
A while later, Di walking casually alongside Kine comes to the seating near the soft play area.
Kine (flirting) : Ohhh Kay, so should I pretend we're kids and go into the soft play or maybe you're gonna tell me we can bring our kids here in future?(Smirks)
Di (coldly) : Will you just shut up and grow up? Be serious at times. For example, listen sincerely to the person behind you and (holds his face) don't you dare turn away before that person finishes speaking.
Kine (holds Di's hands) : Will you let me see the person at least? (Turns back, sees Fer, his smile fades, expressionless face there was) Fer.... Ms. Fervor, you here? (Notices her husband, greets) Hello sir, your wife is a great person in the management of our school....
Fer (almost in tears) : Kine, don't treat me like this. I know I'm at fault for not explaining but could you please hear me out? I wouldn't take much time of yours, I promise.
Di (holds Kine's arm) : Don't just hear her out but listen, alright? Or else forget me as well after this. Sort everything out today and at this instance. (Gestures politely to Fer's husband to follow him and leave Kine and Fer alone for a moment).
Di and Fer's husband stand near the soft play area leaning on the barrier and watch Riv and Victor play happily.
Di : It's great to have a smart kid like, isn't it Mr....?
Elden : Elden it is. Yeah you're right. Moreover Fer is one to get all that credit for raising him so great.
Di : Fer..... I mean Ms. Fervor (Elden interrupts)
Elden (chuckles) : It's fine you can call her Fer.
Di (smiles and continues) : She's been one of the greatest supporters I've got, by the way you might be disgusted by us, me and Kine...
Elden : Not exactly. At first I was but with time I've also accepted the dynamics and yeah everyday for like an hour, I hear a wonderful, full of chemistry, gay romance plot from Fer about you two. So yeah I'm habituated. You know, when she heard that rival of Kine had the cute photos of you two, the first thing she asked me was how to hack someone's phone. (Di and Elden chuckle) Jokes apart, she cares for you guys, so don't you dare let her down.
Di (obediently) : Roger that sir! (salutes and smiles)
Meanwhile,
Fer (tears in her eyes) : I really didn't mean to do all of this but I was scared you know.
Kine (indifferently) : It's for Di's sake I'm standing here, if you can't speak about the real matter, I would love to leave. So finish it as soon as possible.
Fer (wipes her tears, shrugs and coldly) : This is the way you wanna hear it, then listen carefully, you were stalked and almost been exposed for being with Di alright.....
Fer in a cold tone tells everything to Kine. About Henry's behaviour and suspicion, Kine's photos, Mr. Jacinto's hatred for homos and her fear of care for Kine.
Fer (still cold) : That's my side of the story that you missed. Just leave now cause I'm finished speaking.
Kine (still expressionless) Your cold tongue needs a hot coffee, wanna have one?
Fer looks up at Kine. Both of them smile at each other. Fer hits Kine on his arm.
Fer : You ignored me to hell you know. I was so worried.
Kine : Sorry na. You know how I am. Forgive me please. (makes a cute face)
Fer and Kine join everyone else. The whole evening was about clearing misunderstandings and fun. Riv and Fer too shared what they thought of each other before today. Discussing their favourite couple's MOCs they had dinner together. Finally, it was the time for everyone to leave
Elden (to Fer) : I'll take Vi to the car, come fast alright.
Fer : So, how should I repay you Di for today
Di : It's fine, you need not do anything. Just take good care of me.
Fer: Isn't Kine enough for you? Ok so how about you do something for me? (Di looks at her confused) (Fer looks around, the street is almost empty) Show me an MOC, please....
Riv : I also want one....
Kine : Is it a piece of cake, both of you want it (Di shyly staring at the ground while Kine does the talking) It's no good place for this now. Right Di? Di...?
Di without a second thought pulls Kine from his collar and kisses him gently. Kine was surprised yet happy. Riv and Fer just couldn't hold this much happiness. Di holds Riv's hand and leaves, blushing, Riv waves at them happily.
Fer (surprised but teasing is more important) : Enjoyed? Thank me later properly alright. (smiles and leaves)
Kine stood there still, couldn't process his brain for a while, got himself together, touched his lips, blushed, celebrated his happiness for a moment and then left as well.
Kine's home,
Kine enters gleefully, inside his room, sees Roxine near the dressing table, notices something strange but ignores cause he knew what it was, but dared not to question, washes up and goes to sleep.
Next morning,
Vikki : Bro, got some time?
Kine : Say, I always have time for you.
Vikki : Bro, how long do you think this will go on? Why don't you confess all of it Ma and Pa? They're understanding, they'll understand besides they love you so much.
Kine (in a dilemma) : What do you want me to do, go and tell Ma and Pa that the son you're thinking of highly, is a black sheep of the family, a Homo, has a boyfriend and a wife whom he was never meant to be with?
Vikki : Will you just think clearly, always blaming yourself and taking responsibility of other's things?
Kine : I.... I want to, but I can't.
Vikki (places his hand on Kine's shoulder) : Bro I know I'm not old enough to tell you such big talks but, "You're just deepening the ditch you deliberately pushed yourself into, knowing it had nothing to do with you ". I tell you what, "Instead of using those climbing tools to dig a deeper ditch, climb out". The choice is yours.
Kine (holds his head, frustrated by this dilemma, being cutely upset) : I was so happy from yesterday, You ruined it all. Don't talk to me now. *Katti (turns away his head like a child fighting with his sibling)
Vikki (facing affection irritation) : Bro get over it, your talks about your boy already feels like a deja vu to me. Do something new in which I would also be interested.
Kine (proudly) : What if I tell you this time it was him who made a move?
Vikki : Still not interested. Go away (pushes Kine to go away) do your work, dare you slack Mr. HOD... (serious) On a serious note atleast you should tell Pa if not Ma, he'll surely get you.
The rest of the day Kine searched for a good moment to talk with his father but couldn't find one. Later after dinner,
Kine (secretly): Pa, can we talk?
Pa (whispers back) : Is it some man to man talk? Wait a while then, let me finish my food.
Ma (almost shouting) : What are you two murmuring?! What's so secretive? Tell me as well!
Pa (a bit scared) : Nothing of importance dear, enjoy the food na....
Ma : Don't you two even dare think of anything such!
After dinner,
Pa and Kine walk up to the terrace far from Ma's vision
Pa : We need to hurry before your mom suspects anything, ask away, fast!
Kine : Pa, it's....
Pa : The clock's tickling....
Kine : Let me tell you from the very beginning then, Roxine, I never said yes when she proposed to me back then. We were never an actual couple and the child she was pregnant with wasn't mine as well, she.....
Pa : (expressionless) How long have you known this?
Kine (softly) : After a week we got married...
Pa (furiously) : Idiot, and you're telling me this now.... (calm down, in a worried tone) How long were you planning to endure all of this alone, we're there for you. It's been almost four years since both of you got married. Shall I talk to your Ma for a divorce thing, like Roxine cheated on you so....
Ma (out of the blue) : Rox did what??!
________________________________________
Katti : "Katti" is a primarily NorthHindi, childhood term signaling a broken friendship or temporary anger, often expressed by showing the little finger.