Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Thirty-One

Orchid bouquets are quite expensive, but Riyaan wants to spend money today. White and blue orchids — he didn't expect at first but his choice of colours turns out to be pretty together. He also buys a bottle of wine, with the help of his flatmate, who seems to know a lot about wine. And some sweets, the kind that Ivan likes.

He cannot spend more than that, but he wanted to, for everything that Ivan has done for him. He even insisted on picking him up for his own birthday party.

‘'Hi,’ Ivan says, as soon as he gets in the car.

‘Hi,’ Riyaan says, briefly looking at Ivan. He is wearing a black turtleneck which Riyaan likes to believe fits him perfectly and compliments his skin tone. His beard is not done properly and neither is his hair, not like he does when he goes to work, but every part of him is as beautiful as the last time Riyaan saw him. Was it a few weeks ago? Or a month ago?

His nose is filled with the familiar fragrance, the one Ivan always wears. Riyaan has a sudden surge of emotions filled in his heart. He has missed Ivan all this time. He is missing him right now. Today is going to be hard.

‘This is for you.’ He places the bouquet over Ivan's chest lightly. ‘Happy birthday.’

‘Oh, that's so nice of you. Thank you.’ Ivan is looking at the wrapped up wine bottle, ‘That’s for me as well?’

‘Yes.’

‘Thank you. So? How's it going?’

‘Good. You?’

‘Yeah. Good’

Uh, this is awkward. Why isn't he driving already?

‘Exams okay?’

‘Yes.’ But then… ‘I’ll hold these for you.’ He takes the bouquet and the wine package. Finally, Ivan does drive them away.

*               *               *

Riyaan finds Jai waiting outside the house right after the car enters through the gate.  The same house Riyaan used to feel at home a few months ago.

When they are out of the car, he greets Riyaan. As if waiting for his  husband to bring his friend home. Riyaan wonders his role and purpose in this setting, and when Jai hugs Ivan  he wonders what his purpose is in the whole wide world and his life in general.

‘Ryan, nice to meet you. Heard a lot about you!’

Typical dialogue, typical mistake. Riyaan would spend years and never find a reason to like this man, and he wonders what Ivan finds something special in him, maybe he is not so special himself after all, and therefore, this can help Riyaan fall out of love with him.

‘Nice to meet you too. Amazing things about you too.’

‘It's Riyaan, by the way. He hates it when people go "Ryan",’ Ivan says that with an awkward laugh, as they enter the house.

‘Oh, my apologies.’

‘Don't worry, it doesn't matter.’

‘Did the florist guide you on how to make these flowers last?’ Ivan holds the bouquet in his hand like a prized possession, and it makes Riyaan go weak in the knees. This…this is what made him so attracted to Ivan. Because so many times it felt like Ivan was into him.

‘Yes. There's a guide on the small box there.’

He sees Preet's car pulling over from the window. And as Kris and Preet walk out together, he wonders if he should have brought someone with him. He sure will look out of place.