86.
The next day~
Everyone was up early that morning.
Shaurya stepped out first, dressed in a crisp white shirt and khaki trousers—effortless, composed.
Aarav followed in shorts and a T-shirt, relaxed and carefree.
Yug was dressed similarly, his build athletic and well-defined.
His pale complexion caught the sunlight, making him almost glow.
He hadn't worn any cologne today—he didn't need it.
His hair sat naturally in place, unbothered.
Ravi emerged last, as expected, in black jeans and a dark shirt.
"Why the hell are you shining so much?" Ravi asked, eyeing Yug.
Yug flinched at his voice. He touched his cheek absentmindedly.
"Oh—it's sunscreen. Want some?"
"No. I'm fine," Ravi replied flatly.
"I think I need a skin treatment," Aarav said, squinting at his reflection. "My skin is already breaking apart."
"I sometimes forget you both are guys," Ravi muttered. "I've never used sunscreen in my life, and I'm perfectly fine."
"No, dude," Yug said bluntly. "Your skin is terrible. And skincare is basic hygiene, alright? Though I know you don't understand that word—you don't even shower properly."
Ravi raised an eyebrow.
"Kyu, aapne mere bathroom ke andar jhaank ke dekha?"
"Jhaankne ki koi zarurat nahi hoti," Yug shot back. "Shakal dekh lo apni."
For once, Ravi didn't argue. He simply scoffed and moved to stand beside Shaurya.
Aarav checked the backpack one last time.
"Lighter. Torches, in case it gets dark. Knife. Chewing gum. First-aid kit... yeah, we're good to go."
They were heading out for a hike. The mountain wasn't very high—but for Yug, who had never been hiking before, it still felt daunting.
They weren't the only ones there that day. Several other groups had gathered too, each heading off in different directions, maps in hand, disappearing into the trails.
The day had only just begun.
"Maps are for cowards," Aarav announced confidently.
Ravi, surprisingly, seemed to be enjoying the chaos the most.
Shaurya and Ravi led the way, cutting through the trail with ease.
"You think we're actually going to get out of this place?" Yug asked, glancing around.
"Of course we will," Aarav replied casually.
Aarav spotted a cluster of wild mushrooms along the path. Before he could stop him, Yug bent down and plucked a few.
"Are these edible?" Yug asked.
Aarav shrugged.
Yug hesitated for barely a second before slipping them into his bag anyway.
He continued clicking photos, walking backward to get the perfect angle. He didn't notice the broken branch behind him—jagged and sharp.
Suddenly, Shaurya yanked him back.
Yug stumbled, his arm burning from the force.
"Are you blind?" Ravi shouted from behind.
Yug stared at the branch. Its sharp edge was right at neck level—one step more and it would've sliced straight through him.
"Thanks, man," Yug muttered, swallowing hard.
This was exactly why he hated things like this. You never knew what could happen—wild animals, snakes... right, snakes. He shook the thought away and hurried after Aarav.
"Are you having fun?" Aarav asked brightly. "Damn, you look exhausted. Here—drink this."
He handed Yug an energy drink. Yug took a few sips as they kept walking.
After a while, Shaurya reached out and laced his fingers with Aarav's.
"I love you," Aarav whispered.
Shaurya smiled.
"You okay though?" Aarav asked softly. "We can take a break if you're tired."
"I'm fine," Shaurya replied. "Honestly surprised my legs are still working."
"You're a strong man," Aarav said fondly.
Yug slowed his pace, giving them space.
Ravi noticed immediately.
"What's with that face?" he asked. "Jealous?"
"Shut up," Yug muttered. "I need to pee. Drank too much water."
Ravi sighed.
"You can't just pee anywhere," he said. "Come with me."
He guided Yug off the trail, a little away from the others. Yug finally relieved himself, exhaling in relief.
When he turned around—
Ravi was gone.
"Where the hell did he go now?" Yug muttered, glancing around.
Something brushed against his leg.
He looked down.
A snake.
"What the—!" Yug yelped, fumbling to zip his pants and bolting forward. His foot caught on something unseen, and he went down hard.
Laughter echoed in front of him.
Ravi stood there, grinning.
"Relax," Ravi said. "You're such a pussy. It's dead."
"You did that?!" Yug snapped.
"Obviously." Ravi smirked.
Yug shot him a furious look—then hissed in pain.
Ravi's expression changed instantly.
"Shit," he muttered, crouching beside him.
Yug clamped a hand over his mouth. Blood made his stomach churn—especially his own.
Ravi examined his leg. The fall had torn his skin open; shards of glass were scattered around where he'd landed.
"Don't touch me," Yug snapped. "You're insane."
He tried to stand on his own. Ravi watched closely—the bleeding was worse than Yug wanted to admit.
"I'm sorry," Ravi said quietly.
Yug scoffed. "Must be your first time saying that."
He kept his eyes averted from the wound. One look and he'd throw up.
"Let's go," Yug said, forcing himself forward.
Ravi grabbed his arm.
"You can't walk like that."
"I can. It's just a scratch."
Ravi didn't argue.
Instead, he hoisted Yug onto his shoulder like a sack.
"Ravi—what the hell? Stop this! Put me down. Now!" Yug yelled, mortified.
Ravi ignored him completely. With his height and strength, Yug felt ridiculously weightless—like a child being carried off.
A moment later, Ravi set him down gently on a flat stone.
Yug glared at him, too drained to protest further.
Ravi pulled off his armory face mask, took out a water bottle, and carefully cleaned the wound.
Then he pressed around it.
"I don't think there's any glass inside," Ravi said. "Still—we'll get you checked once we're back in town."
Yug said nothing.
Ravi tore a strip of cloth and wrapped it tightly around Yug's leg before looking up at him.
"Why are you so scared of blood?"
"If you're done," Yug said flatly, "let me go."
"I asked you something," Ravi replied, quieter—but firm.
"I don't want to answer you," Yug snapped. "And don't act like this, alright? I know you're stronger than me, but that doesn't give you the right to force yourself into everything."
Ravi stayed silent.
"What you're doing makes me uncomfortable," Yug continued, his voice tight. "Maybe this is normal for you. Maybe you treat others like this and they're fine with it—who knows, maybe they even like it. But I don't."
He swallowed, anger and frustration mixing together.
"We're not the same. So don't cross your limits."
He hadn't meant to sound that harsh. But he meant every word.
Ravi exhaled slowly. "You're pretty hot-headed," he said, flatly. Then he straightened. "Anyway. Let's go."
Without waiting, Ravi turned and started walking.
Yug pushed himself up carefully and followed. Neither of them spoke. Ravi focused on the signs Shaurya had carved into the trees, marking the trail. The silence between them was thick and uncomfortable.
Soon, they reached Aarav and Shaurya.
Aarav's eyes immediately dropped to Yug's left leg.
"What happened?" he asked.
"I pushed him," Ravi said casually.
"What? Why?" Aarav frowned.
Ravi shrugged, already moving toward Shaurya. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and said nothing more.
Aarav turned back to Yug. "Hey—what's wrong?"
Yug hesitated. He wanted to tell Aarav everything. But this trip wasn't supposed to turn into that.
"Nothing," Yug said lightly. "I just got hurt a bit. He was messing around. Don't worry."
He rested a hand on Aarav's shoulder, reassuring.
"By the way," Yug added, "Eve sent me something—the pic of your th—"
Aarav instantly clapped a hand over Yug's mouth.
"Aahista bolo, bhai," Aarav hissed.
Yug chuckled. "Why?"
"It's a surprise," Aarav said, blushing. "Shaurya doesn't know."
"Oh?" Yug smirked. "So are you planning to do all that on this trip? Guess I should vacate the beach house."
Aarav laughed. "I mean... maybe. But not that much. The walls are soundproof anyway."
Yug blinked. "Wait—really?"
Aarav nodded.
"So," Yug said thoughtfully, taking a sip of water, "if I bring a girl over, would you guys mind?"
"What?" Aarav stared at him.
"Relax. I'm not having sex," Yug said quickly. "Just... hooking up. Talking. Hanging out."
"And why exactly are you planning to find a girl?" Aarav asked slowly.
"We're going to a club tomorrow, right?" Yug shrugged. "Maybe I'll meet someone."
"Umm... okay," Aarav said, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
I can't let this happen, he thought.
Ravi would feel terrible if he found out.
Aarav glanced at Ravi's back.
And why the hell isn't he talking to him already?
I need to tell Shaurya.