Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Three

5 missed calls from Dev.

That's what Riyaan wakes up to at about 5 in the morning, finding himself in the same sand that he lied on yesterday. He is surprised to learn that never once he woke up in the night. At once, he is sitting straight, creating shade with his right hand and looking around for his belongings and surroundings. A laugh escapes from his lips, did he really sleep all night on the beach close to the water?

He calls Dev back.

'Finally.. Where did you crash last night?'

'..um, you will never believe..'

'What?'

'I slept on the beach, close to the waters, and I didn't even wake up..'

'Oh...my god!' A shrill voice came through the phone. That must be Dev's girlfriend. 'Hello,' it then says directly on the phone.

'Hello?'

'Riyaan, I am so sorry. I told Dev that you must have a really bad situation and I was angry with Dev. He didn't even ask you. He just assumed you had a place to go if not here.' She pauses. 'I am so sorry..'

'That's fine, really.'

'It's not fine. I feel so bad, please, you can come here now. Here, talk with him. I have to go, but please come. We'll figure something out.'

'Well, I could use a shower.'

'Sure, head over here.'

***

Saturdays are currently fun days for him, especially because he gets to play video games. He's not as passionate and hardcore as Kris, but that's the only thing he does for fun in life at present. But today, he is more than interested because he is trying to spend less time at Dev's.

'So, remember how I said I'd find you someone?' Kris says as he bangs his fingers on his keyword.

'Yes. Found someone?'

'Yeah. Shrey.'

'Dude, are you serious!' Riyaan deviates his focus from the screen to look at Kris, who is laughing uncontrollably. Flamboyant and rich, Shrey is a habitual flirt, who has reputedly slept with half the class when Riyaan and Kris studied together. He has tried with Riyaan a few times as well, lazy attempts to get him to bed Riyaan remembered.

'I am totally joking. Look at the screen, look at the screen, don't let us die,' Kris points to the screen. Riyaan does.

'But I was about to ask you to join Tinder,' Kris says again.

'That's it? That's the idea?'

'Why, what's wrong with Tinder?'

'Nothing, but we were supposed to look at someone with maturity and you know what we talked about. Tinder is more like ... instant.'

'Right. Right, my bad.'

'Dude, I'm not desperate. I will wait. Anyway, is that where you met Preet?'

'Maybe....'

'It's a yes or no question!'

'Maybe'

'Yes, that's a yes?'

'Yes, but I got lucky. And I know that it's not really the same for everyone.'

'How long have you been dating?'

'3 years now.'

'3 years! Dude, that's awesome. I didn't know it was that long.'

'Thanks. Also, just between you and me, I think he's gonna propose in the next few months, he's busy with some project now.'