Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It's been two times Kris has called him over the week, but Riyaan doesn't want to talk to him. If he actually speaks up about the reason, it might sound pathetic. But it's true; Kris was supposed to be a good friend, if not the best.

Kris: Call me back when you can.

He won't.

Then there's his work, which gets busier for no reason. Always rushing deadlines, although he knows their company is doing nothing that important. There's this fear in him, wondering what if this is what he will be doing for the rest of his life. He doesn't want to be stuck in a low-paying corporate job.

And then there's his romantic life crisis — which was romantic for a while. Ivan has called, almost everyday, one day about how he left a few of his belongings at his house, and whether he needs them. Belongings turned out to be a plastic Sprite bottle and the other is almost empty sticky notes that are worth some Rs 50. Another day, he was seeking permission to clean the room he stayed in, which was the weirdest call of all, because he lived in that room for a total of seven days maximum.

He hardly remembers Ivan calling him, or anyone ever before. He has his fair share of time with his phone and scrolling but Ivan is not much the texting and calling type. Truth is, Riyaan

He wonders what's going to be today as he sees Ivan's calls right after he comes out of the shower.

'What? I'm getting late to work,' Riyaan says, ruffling his wet hair. He wants to avoid Ivan but at the same time, he is glad that Ivan calls. Riyaan has it confirmed in his head, Ivan misses him.

But not like Riyaan does. From the first ever text to the last text message shared with Ivan ever, he has memorised it all by now. The feeling he gets every time his phone flashes or beeps, crushing his hope the next minute when it's not Ivan — it's getting familiar. But so does the feeling that he gets when he gets his hopes up and it's actually Ivan.

'I'm getting ready to go to work too, want me to drop you?'

'No. Thanks, I'll be fine.'

'You're on my way...'

'No.'

Riyaan doesn't disconnect the call, he never does.

'You know, your friend is smarter than you.'

'What friend?' So has finally someone told Ivan to leave him, and that someone is someone he knows? Riyaan voice definitely sounds suspicious to himself.

'Shady friend, Nitin. You aren't as smart as you're supposed to be. You could save so much on commuting and rent, if not for your attitude. Your friend would have found ways to save.'

'Maybe you should invite him to live in your house,' Riyaan says, trying not to sound so bitter, broken and jealous. He doesn't care. He is not going to get jealous over this.

'Someone seems jealous,' Ivan hums. It's making Riyaan furious; he is dying here almost but Ivan is unbothered by everything that happened.

'I am not jealous.' He scoffs. What does Ivan care about anyway?

'Prove it then. Send me his number, I'll invite him for lunch. Ask for his sexual orientation and stuff.'

If Ivan wants to play, he is going to play. But a tiny part of him still hates how he burns with jealousy even though this is a scenario that's far from happening. 'His sexual orientation is any person with money. Also careful, he doesn't like competition. He will probably break your ex's bones if he doesn't remain ex.'

'Oooh, passionate. I like a passionate and jealous man who fights for me.'

Yet Riyaan doesn't get a chance.