Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Twenty-seven

Riyaan woke up with a warm, or rather hot body, and felt equally cold inside. From the comforters around him, he can tell he ended up sleeping in Ivan's bed last night. The temperature in the room is quite low, and the rain is making the sky quite dark.

He slightly turns to the other side, desperately muttering silent wishes to find Ivan. But the bed is empty on his side, and Riyaan has never been so disappointed.

After breakfast, and then he cried some more — considering he was too tired and sleepy last night to complete the session. 

Then he does what he is supposed to do — what is expected of him — by him. Run to his temporary room to pack the rest of his things — one by one. He doesn't care which goes where. 

When he takes his phone next time in his hands, he finds a text from Ivan.

Ivan: Sorry. I might be home late today. I had to leave before you woke up.

Somehow, Riyaan knows that's not the whole truth. Especially about leaving home early — he is running. Ivan has been to work on Sundays before but never so busy on Sundays. But that's fine. 

*             *           *

He's not going to chase anymore. 

Torn between his assignments and thinking of the night before, Riyaan finds himself to be extremely tired.

Baby, sweetheart — those were the endearments Ivan used. Yet he couldn't even say bye to him in the morning, no kisses, no calls. 

And then there's what Kris said. Ivan basically wants to get rid of him. 

But he also promised that he will fix everything, was that just to stop him sobbing? That's hardly Ivan. He wouldn't lie about that.

10 past 10, Ivan isn't home. He grows impatient with every minute — not to mention the debate revisited him with a new concern now — is Ivan alright? How late is late?

At 11, he hears the garage door, and the way his heart reacts, he finds it rather embarrassing.

‘Are you okay?’ Riyaan cannot not ask. 

‘Yes.’ Voice lazy, rough and deep.

Is he drunk?

Ivan doesn't wait for anything else, and walks straight to his room. Pulling his clothes out with lazy hands. If he is drunk, Kris and Preet must have been with him too. So he texts Kris.

Riyaan: Is Ivan okay? He seemed drunk and it's late.

About 30 seconds later, the group  receives a message from Jai.

Jai? When did Jai join the group chat?

Jai: Did you reach safely at least? Unblock me, please. I'm sorry.

On personal chat.

Kris: He should be, I don't think he was drinking. I mean we were drinking and Ivan and Jai had a little sad and messy reunion. That's it.

Riyaan: Messy?

Messy, what does it mean?

On group chat.

Kris: Did he really block you for such a silly reason? What a baby!

Then there are messages from Jai, Preet, Kris, Ivan and some other guys on the chat. He doesn't even want to know what he has written because everything is making his ears go from warm to hot and his face burning.