Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Twenty-six

For three days, Riyaan limits his communication with Ivan. If it's a question about what he wants to eat, it's whatever Ivan wants. He always has his phone on his hand doom scrolling, so his short responses fits into the situation. When Ivan asks if he needs help setting up the new laptop, he has already set it up. When Ivan asks him if he wants to go out for ice cream, his heart makes a funny attempt at flutter, but he ends up reminding Ivan that there's unopened ice cream packs in the refrigerator.

Ivan will be fine, because before this, he was the one who was ignoring him.

‘Leave him,’ Kris says, yawning. ‘People only realise when they don't have you anymore.’

On the fourth day, he ends up calling Kris. If he doesn't talk to anyone at this moment, he will start doing things. Like, starting a fight with Ivan — which would be ugly because he would be fighting alone. Or worse, crying and accepting that it has truly come to end.

‘I am looking for a way forward, not to break it off.’ He wants to believe that.

‘But he doesn't want you, Riyaan.’ The voice in Kris’ voice low-key offends him. What does Kris know about anything? He hasn't been here, he hasn't seen Ivan being affectionate to him. Riyaan is sure Ivan was beginning to like him, otherwise, why would he kiss him after all this while?

‘But you said he is the one to get attached. And, I know, he …doesn't dislike me. We kissed. He kissed me.’

‘Are you sure? Riyaan…you're going to make me say it, so, I'm sorry for the fact that I'm about to break your heart now.’

‘Why, what do you mean? And yes, I'm sure it's him who kissed me first.’

‘I don't know where and when this is from, but a few days ago, Preet and I were talking, and he told me that Ivan doesn't know how to say bye to you.’

He props himself up with his arms on the bed. This is something he wasn't expecting to hear. ‘Doesn’t know how? Because he wants to get rid of me or because he doesn't want to get rid of me?’

‘I think it's the first.’

‘Okay.’

‘Okay? Is it still okay for you?’

‘No’ I think I've heard enough.’

*               *               *

‘

Just get in,’ He yells as he forces his clothes to the duffel. Good thing that he hasn’t added much to his style and hasn't bought much clothes.

When his phone chimes a notification, he expects to hear good news from Plasi about his new rented place, but he doesn’t.

‘Are you sure, there’s nowhere else we can look?’

‘No, but take my advice. Share a place with my cousin, he’s a friendly dude, and no funny business going on, trust me. He just doesn’t have a meaningful job.’

‘But if I share it with him, how long after he can find me one for myself?’

‘Come out for a night out today, you will meet him and you can ask him.’

It’s Saturday, Ivan is still working, or maybe just a way to avoid him. And Riyaan is about to make things easier for him. ‘Fine, what time?’

‘Late. I have another party to attend.’

‘Fine.’

*             *               *

He wasn’t expecting to meet so many people, but here he is, sitting with loud music in a dimly lit restaurant-cum-bar.