Page 247 - The World's Best Boyfriend

knew that. The loneliness would eat at him. He couldn’t go back to an empty
house. His mother had offered to host him with her family for the two-month
break but it wasn’t even an option. Her family—the words pierced through his
heart every time he even thought of it. He would have to remind himself not to

hate his mother now. Suddenly, his chaotic life of hatred had an unsettling
stillness to it. Death left behind a stench.

‘You don’t have to stay in the hostel. You can come back with me,’ Sanchit
had offered even though Dhruv hadn’t shared his fear of being alone in the
hostel with him. ‘My mom makes the best bharta.’
‘Get some when you’re back,’ Dhruv had said. ‘Thanks for the offer though.’

‘But where are you going to go?’
‘I still don’t have an answer for that.’

The news of Dhruv’s father’s death had spread. His classmates didn’t know
how to respond to it so they changed ways to avoid bumping into him. What do
you really say? I’m sorry? How would that change anything?

Ritika had tried talking to Dhruv a few times but Sanchit had asked her to stay
away from him. Dhruv had enough on his plate already. Aranya, too, after a few
failed attempts to bump into him consciously kept herself away from him. Dhruv

didn’t want pity; he wasn’t even sure what he wanted anyway. Moreover, she
would be busy with the exams, Dhruv figured. But he really did fucking want
her. Maybe.

The fourth-year students, except Sanchit, were the first ones to leave; the third
floor was empty. The day crept close when the first-year students would leave,
too. He would be alone once again.

That day Dhruv was in his room revising induction motors when he heard
what he thought was a girl shriek from the other room. On further inspection it
turned out to be Amit, third-year mechanical, departmental rank three. It was

him crying for he had lost his passport and he had until the evening to find it.
Dhruv’s nonchalance met with a caustic response. The boy shouted. ‘What the
hell do you mean it doesn’t matter? How will I go for the internship? How will I

apply? They WANT THE PASSPORT NOW!’ He had started crying again and
Dhruv thought it was best to leave.
Back in his room, Sanchit was waiting and before he could ask, Dhruv

explained his absence. ‘The guy in the next room was crying. He has misplaced
his passport, so he can’t apply for some internship.’