Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Seventeen

The leg sprain didn't hang around for too long, thankfully for Riyaan, and thanks to Ivan. And he waits for dinner lying on the bed, massaging his leg lazily, and eating some expensive protein bars, which he would never have considered buying himself.

His cheeks occasionally warm up, funnily, just by thinking if Ivan actually meant it. Maybe he didn't mean it, that's fine. But was he flirting? When was the last time Ivan flirted with him, he thinks back. Was it before or after he got him to bed?

Again though, did Ivan mean it?

Did he or didn't he?

Did he or didn't he?

Did he or didn't he?

'Did you or didn't you?' he asks to noone, thoughtfully.

'What?'

'I am eating your protein bars, I feel expensive.'

'I see.' Ivan lies on the bed next to him. The beds aren't exactly convenient in size, but they can manage.

'Ivan?'

'Ah-ah, no. Now you will never find out. Rare chance, gone.'

'How did you even ..?'

'I know.'

Riyaan is about to argue, but an excited Neel knocks on their door for dinner and invites him to sit by the fire after dinner.

'Let's get acquainted, Riyaan,' he says with an infectious smile.

When Neel leaves, Riyaan sees Ivan has taken out a book to read.

'Are you serious?'

How can he almost kiss Riyaan, or address them kissing and then come back, not wanting to discuss it back? What's so important about the book ... is he reading Final Destination 3? What on earth!

'What?'

'Why are you reading a book? Final Destination, are you serious? Were you trying to see if it would happen with us when you lifted me?' Riyaan throws a pillow in anger, which Ivan skillfully ducks.

'There's at least an hour for dinner. And this is ...just a cheesy horror. No need to worry.' He says in a matter-of-factly way.

'Neel invited us now.'

'He invited you, also I am not interested anyway,' Ivan says, getting his eyes back to the book.

'Fine, I'll go.' Wasn't it supposed to be a trip to say sorry to him? He should be getting Ivan's attention. His full, undivided attention. But on second thought, he leaves to find Kris.

Even after dinner at the fire pit, Ivan doesn't come. He did eat dinner with them though. Neel takes out a bag of smoke, and his brother throws it on the fire before he can light it.

'We are trekking. You'd have taken better care if you actually listened to the guide.'

Neel shrugs and takes another packet out again. This time though, it's his friend who throws it in the fire.

'Sorry to the rest, I don't have any more packet for you all to throw.'

'So, Riyaan, let me guess, at least one of your parents is from this side of the country?' Aahan asks.

'Ah, no.'

'Are you sure? I concluded that from your looks.'

No one has ever deduced such a conclusion from his looks. Neither has he, and there was no need to ever. He believes that. He never thought about his looks and could tell someone so much which even he didn't know. Some things though — it's better to not know at all.