As the tall figure crossed the front porch and his face shone in the lights on the drive way, Amanda and David were shocked more than surprised to see a tensed Freddie rushing towards them.

"Hey David! Listen, it's not what you thought it was. I mean may be it could be but it wasn't. Umm you can't walk out on me like this, from my party. Atleast you should have confronted the situation. Ughh.. please don't get me wrong. I mean.." Freddie spoke in a rush, stress was clearly visible on his face.

Before he could finish, Amanda looked at David and said, "I'll be with August-Ya and Kay. I'll see you guys in a while" she left both of them gauging the discomfort and giving them time to talk.

Freddie suddenly got conscious as he realized he was nervous-speaking all this while without making much sense, that too infront of Amanda. He cleared his throat and moved to the side giving way to Amanda, who briskly walked back in. Now it was just Freddie and an emotional yet confused David standing face to face. None of them spoke anything for a while. Overwhelmed with lack of clarity in the situation, David broke the silence,

"Hey listen! Your personal life should not be my concern. But I can't help it. I'm attracted to you.. Fuck attraction! I really liked you. And seeing you with ...." he took a pause to breathe and continued, "I don't know why, I felt betrayed. I know this may sound mad. Infact it probably is madness. But it is what it is. I'm an open book. Everyone knows or atleast have a hint that you have been my crush since the moment you crossed by on my 1st day in BUST. I'm sorry dude.. I was wrong in thinking about us. I didn't mean to get noticed walking out of that party. I'll be alright. You can obviously be with whoever you wanna be. I messed this up for myself. I should have known you weren't like me. So sorry dude!" saying this, David broke down and covered his face with his palm.

Freddie said nothing but hugged him for the first time and let him sob. The only thing he was sure of, was trying to be there for David. In a few moments, David realized he was in Freddie's embrace, who wasn't uttering a word but comforting him. He broke the hug and looked at Freddie with questioning eyes, "I just can't figure you out man! I can't. Why are you such a mysterious one?" He asked Freddie.

"Huh.. how can you figure out a person who hasn't been able to figure out or come to terms with himself?" Freddie finally spoke.

David felt an unfamiliar emotion in Freddie's eyes, "what? I don't get it."

"Exactly.. me neither" and Freddie continued, "Look! I have sensed your inclination towards me long ago. But I guess I'm a coward. I threw this party because else I'd never have the courage to come up to you. I'm not gutsy like you; nor is my family friendly. I have seen your mum being mischievous with you pointing at guys and teasing you when she sometimes comes to drop you. I wish I had that with my mom. I never had such comfort in my home. I come from a super strict and conservative family. They have things planned for me and I'm supposed to follow them. My dad wants me to be like him and I think I too wouldn't want to disappoint him. I can't afford to." Freddie was almost shaking trying to control his emotions, talking about his helplessness.

That was when David held his hand and squeezed it, making him feel he had someone he can talk to. He pulled Freddie to the bench on the front yard and gestured him to sit. Turning towards Freddie and looking straight into his eyes, he said

"Hey Fred! You know what? You don't have to be like anyone to prove you're a good son. Nor do you need to control your emotions to prove you're a man. That's what my mom told me the first time I realized who I was and sat with my mom to tell her. She is the best adviser and the most understanding friend I have been blessed with. I think you should listen to her advice too. Break down when you feel like, stay strong when you can. There is no rule book to be a genuine person..is there any?"

Freddie was looking at David amused with what he spoke, "Thanks bud! I didn't have a real friend because I never felt the comfort to be myself with anybody. I'm this cool and tough guy with an attitude. I still feel I wanna keep it that way. Can you be my first real friend and keep all this to yourself? I need more time to be sure of what and how I wanna take this life. Can you help me through?" He asked David with pleading eyes.

"Yayy.. sure darling! You won't be alone, atleast not until you push me away" David laughed to make the mood lighter. He could now sense Freddie's dilemma considering his high profile and conservative family background. All he wanted was to be there for his crush turned friend and to never let him feel out of place again. "Hey Fred! How about adding 3 more jokers to your friend circle? What say? They're the coolest in our class. Ofcourse.. why else would I hang out with them?" David rolled his eyes, acting sophisticated and proud and then both of them burst out laughing.

As soon as Freddie nodded in affirmation, David dialed his phone, "Come out you monkeys! I saw you waiting behind the huge planter on the doorway." And in the next moment, Amanda came out pulling Agastya with one hand and Kshitij with the other.

David presented Freddie as if he was demonstrating a new car, "So this is OUR new gang member, recruited by the coolest member you know" he said dusting his shoulders as if he had achieved something huge.

Amanda squeezed David in a hug and shook hands with Freddie, "hey bud! Welcome to the club!" And Agastya followed. Kshitij jumped in excitement, "congrats David! I'm thrilled for you two" only to receive a shushing signal from David, "Shhh...Hold on Kay! We are FRIENDS. We all are. Right?" And secretly winked at Freddie, who smiled feeling happy.

They ended up having great fun in the party as they went in and enjoyed in their own bubble, least bothered about the rest who felt only like a random crowd at that point. The Christmas weekend turned out to be an emotional roller-coaster, halting at a happy end.

Back to the university, classes were more fun for Agastya and his bigger and diverse group. The week passed and it was the 31st December morning in Boston and it was New Year's Eve in India. Agastya texted Janhavi "Hey wassup? Long time... What are you doing on New Year's Eve?"

Janhavi didn't respond for a good 10min and Agastya's face fell thinking she probably won't respond as the messages were seen within a minute. Just then his phone screen lit up with a message tone. It was a picture from Janhavi, from somewhere that looked like a party. Lots of colorful lights were flashing on her beautiful face. She was surrounded by a few friends, he knew Poorvi from many of her insta stories. She was holding Janhavi by her waist and probably singing along. But what caught his attention was that guy, a familiar face he has seen often too but never enquired about. It was Arjun with his arm around Janhavi's shoulder and head tilted to touch her.

Her next message read "Hey sorry for the late reply. I'm out with friends for the New Year's Eve. Too much of distracting lights here. I shall ping you back." Agastya read the msg and reacted with a thumbs up.

Agastya knew he probably won't hear from Janhavi for a while since she was out so next he called his mumma. Naina picked up the video call and informed she was out with daddy

"Hi gusty baby! Kitna glow aa gaya hai tere face pe? Aww.. Beta! I and daddy are in our production house's New year's bash. Ruk! Daddy se baat karati hu" she walked closer to Aarav and tilted the screen, Aarav waved at Agastya, "Hey champ! How are you doing? Plans for the eve? Dadi dadu and Aarna are at home. We'll join them in an hour or so. You take care beta. Love you." Aarav informed Agastya about their plans for the eve and they soon disconnected the call, wishing each other for new year.

Back at the Sehgal's, Aarna was in-charge and Dadu had to help her decorate the living space and dadi was instructed to prepare her special gajar ka halwa. As soon as the phone rang, Aarna ran to pick her bhaiya's video call

"Hi bhaiyaaaaaa! I'm in a hurry. Bahot kaam hai. Mai aur dadu decorations kar rahe hain. Mumma daddy party me hain na to we have a little time. I will surprise them. Dadi ko gajar ka halwa banane ki duty di hai maine.. hehehe" she giggled informing about her plans for the day.

Agastya was happy seeing their faces but missed being around them. He smiled at Aarna's hurried description on the plan and chatted with dadu dadi for a short while until Aarna instructed,

"Bhaiya! Ab hum kaam karte hain jaldi jaldi. I miss you. You would have done it fast fast had you been here with us...I miss you soo much" Agastya smiled,

"Are... but I really like the decor you've done so far. Kitna pretty hai! my Aarna is a big girl now. Chalo, finish it like a pro...and send the pics and videos...I would be waiting...Happy New year my little girl. Bye dadu dadi.. Happy New year to you both too. Incharge ke orders follow karo aap.. hahaha" they ended the call with a laughter and Agastya was happy missing his home.

A few hours had passed, Agastya was getting ready to head out for the famous BUST New Year's Eve. Just then, his message tone beeped. It was from Janhavi

"Hi gusty! Sorry got late from the party and then slept a little. Is it time for you to head out for the eve?" She asked. All Agastya could focus was on her calling him 'gusty' after so long. He didn't know how and why she wasn't formal like she had been since a while. He was just happy to read it.

He responded, "It's okay! Mujhe laga hi tha I might not hear back from you for sometime. Parties me time pata nhi chalta. And yes! I was getting ready for the BUST New Year's Eve. Would you like to see a glimpse when I'm there?" And there was a quick reply from her

"Sure. I would love to." Agastya got back to getting ready, but now with a constant smile he didn't realize, was plastered on his face.

The whole gang had decided to meet at the venue. Agastya and Kshitij reached first, followed by Amanda and David, who were now accompanied by Freddie.

Kshitij commented "woah! Amanda come this way. I can't see you with 2 guys other than me and Agastya. I have made peace with Agastya but otherwise I still do get jealous...haha"

He laughed off pulling Amanda to his side as soon as the 3 walked up to them. Freddie was still a reserved guy but was finding comfort with this new gang. The friendly circle accepted him with open arms. They clicked a few pictures, danced and were having fun.

Agastya sent a selfie to Janhavi. It was a pic clicked by Kshitij with him standing next and Amanda swinging on Agastya and David's shoulders, looking at Agastya with a smile and Freddie at the other corner smiling with his drink cheering at the camera. It was seen by Janhavi in no time. She couldn't help but notice Amanda's expressions and the look in her twinkling eyes.

She responded, "Looks like you and your gang are having great fun. The ambience at the background looks incredible. Have fun! Happy new year to y'all". Agastya replied, "Yes, it is fun here. But I also miss the fun back in Mumbai. Happy New year to you too."

Janhavi left this msg on seen and Agastya didn't know why. He thought she must be tired and sleepy. Hence didn't bother her.

The next few months were full of fun and laughter, while the 4 guys and Amanda stayed close knit, Kshitij had a few flings but no serious relationship. David and Freddie's comfort kept growing and by the end of their second semester, they came out as a couple in the group. It was still a group's secret as Freddie wasn't sure of what would happen if his dad found out he was with a guy. David wanted to give him ample time and the group stayed supportive of their decision.

Days flew by fast converting into months and months turned into the years passing by comfortably and friends had become family in the foreign land for Agastya. The 4-year course didn't feel as long because of the people he was with. Kshitij had now found his love in Riddhi who was their junior at the course, hailed from the UK and moved to the US with her parents 3 years ago.

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