Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Twenty-Two

'Hey! We meet again,' Neel greets as he sees Riyaan at Kris' place.

'Hey,' Riyaan tries to match his energy but it's not easy, especially not today.

'So, how it goes?'

'Great. What happened to your friend?'

'Aahan? He's here too, he cannot live without me,' Neel explains.

'Sure.'

'So, how do you like the decoration?'

Preet's house has been decorated with only old-fashioned white, rice lights, lighting up the exterior beautifully. The whole neighbourhood has agreed on not burning crackers, making the environment calm except for the sounds of people talking and laughing. Yet again he finds himself at a party, with unknown people.

'Yeah. Very bright.'

'Nancy and Cyan will come too?' He asks Kris, on the first chance he gets as Kris separates from some group of guys.

'I sent an invitation, but I'm not sure. You okay, already bored?'

'I am fine.'

Kris makes him sit with some other guys then because he has concluded that Riyaan is bored. And once again, he feels hyper-aware, being around people who are talking about important things — business, and stock market and whatnot! Nice job, Kris!

Around eight months ago, he met Ivan right at this place. But then he feels sad, and for some reason(which he hopes Kris shouldn't know because i-told-you-so), he calculates the moments, goes through every tiny decision he took after that day, if he could have prevented all of the ways that Ivan makes his heart warm, but right now, broken, betrayed, and burnt with jealousy. Riyaan still hasn't called him back, but he keeps checking his phone — waiting.

A particular word from the conversation of the guys catches his attention. They are talking about Ivan, what are they talking about him?

One of them is glorifying how Ivan helped him in growing his business sales, while one is asking if he can introduce the other to Ivan for the same. Someone is saying Ivan doesn't get much time nowadays, followed by how he used to be fun when he was dating his ex. Someone then says nowadays he only finds pleasure in his business ventures and work, but Riyaan knows that's not true. Ivan likes to read slow-burn romances and cooking.

But no one, none of them talks about Ivan's fuck-buddy. Nothing about a guy living in his home for months, who fell in love with someone out of his league. There's not even a rumour? Maybe he's not that relevant, or at all.

He hates it.

The whole environment. The conversation. Their boring and stupid get-ups. The lights. The house that lies there 24x7, and the trees that surround the house from both sides which have been there for months. He hates it all.

An excuse. Yes, that's what he needs to go back to Ivan's place. No, he cannot be sick, he cannot act sick, although he does feel sick in his stomach. Maybe he can act sleepy.

But before that, he must complete a mission: Find Kris.

Kris is not inside the house, which he isn't surprised to find. Outside on the right side of the house, he finds someone but it's not Kris either. But the man greets him and wishes him a happy Diwali as he lights a cigarette. He's in a hurry but he wishes him back. The man probably finds this as a hint to keep speaking to him because now he's asking, 'Are you a friend of Kris?'

'Yeah.'

'Are you having a good time?'

'Yes, thank you.' Riyaan waits a few moments before he says, 'I am actually looking for Kris, did you see him?'