Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Ten

'Are these your music?' Riyaan asks, going through Ivan's collection in the living room. Poets of the Fall, Iron Maiden, U2, and a thick stack of vinyl collection.

Ivan invited him to have dinner at his place, probably because he had asked Ivan out for dinner, which he didn't seem to want for some reason. Maybe the line he has drawn — only sex, no more than that — discourages him from going out for dinner. But since he is in his house again, maybe he will get lucky again.

'Yes. That's one rock band that I really enjoy. Will you play it please?'

'How?'

Ivan helps him play a vinyl record on the player and the room is filled with some never-heard-before music to Riyaan. He leisurely sits on the sofa, watching Riyaan picking up things from his collection room. The room is fully lit by daylight even though the curtains are closed. It reeks of the same sophisticated and classy look that Ivan puts on every day — with his get-up and the way he speaks. Silent, soft, respectful and in short, beautiful.

But that is not the only reason why he likes Ivan so much. Another reason he has added to the list of why Ivan is so likeable is that: he is letting him explore his space(apart from his body).

'Your favourite?'

Ivan nods. 'I listen to it most evenings when I'm not at work.'

For a moment, Riyaan lets his gaze dwell on Ivan's chest skin, a small part that is naked from the two open top buttons.

'How was your exam yesterday, it was the last right?'

'Yeah, for a few months.. It was okay. Is that you?' Riyaan finds a photo frame over the mantelpiece.

'Yes. With Jai, my ex, in Costa de Sol, a very beautiful place.'

The man is hugging Ivan from behind across his neck, while Ivan is holding his arms. Riyaan wonders seeing the face of his ex, if he cares when he learns Ivan is sleeping with some other guy. Just why, why does someone not want Ivan?

'Where is it?'

'Spain.'

'Why is he an ex again?'

'We are waiting, I guess? We have different views.'

Riyaan gets it — he is the advertisement in the movie hall before the movie starts.

'Where in the world have you been to?' Ivan asks him.

'I have been to this city.' He grins.

'No. I mean have you travelled?'

'No.'

'Don't you like travelling?'

'I .. have no idea.'

'Come again?'

'Again?' Riyaan smiles and goes back to exploring the music albums.

Ivan laughs. 'You know what I mean, dirty mind.'

Riyaan shifts his focus to the shelves beside the large TV. The whole room seems to be for collections. 'I haven't travelled so I wouldn't know if I like it. I grew up in an orphanage.. as an orphan.'

'Oh! I didn't know that.' Ivan sits up from the couch.

He looks at Ivan and finds him looking at him intently, with frowned brows.

'Is that a problem?'

'No, no. I just..I am reacting to it. I had no idea.'

'What about you, who is in your family?'