Chapter Nine

As the faint morning sun rays seeping through the window illuminate the room faintly, Riyaan yawns himself awake. He is up even before he did while at his own place. He takes a glance at Ivan on his left, who is lying on the bed on his stomach, sleeping soundly. Ivan's body reminds him of a to-do list on his wishlist - to hit the gym at some point.

Right after their arrangement, he kept on thinking about the day - how it will happen and if it will be awkward. But Ivan cooked him food, watched a movie with him, and they played board games - which made everything alright. He did feel flattered and special - but he was also a little jealous because this meant Ivan was more experienced, way too much to his liking.

A glance is not enough for Riyaan, especially when yesterday he couldn't have enough of touching naked skin. He might have acted, and at certain times reacted desperately, when Ivan was so calm, experienced and steady. Ivan was also the one who wasn't trying to kiss multiple times forgetting that they had an arrangement while Ivan skillfully avoided such contact. He both admired his skill and was embarrassed about himself. But Riyaan finds himself smiling about it now, having never lost control to such pleasure.

Riyaan quickly shifts his eyes towards the ceiling as Ivan stirs next to him.

'Hi,' Ivan says in a sleep-laden voice.

'Hi,' Riyaan smiles, despite what he intended.

'Are you always this happy when you wake up?' Ivan asks, touching the tip of his nose softly with lazy fingers.

'No,' Riyaan says, beaming. Ivan is very affectionate.

'Well, then I'm glad yesterday was a good time for you.'

'That's cocky, I might be smiling about something else.'

'Ouch!' Ivan places a hand over his heart. 'So, no second time then?'

'You would want a second time?'

'If. If .. you want.' Ivan's eyes still teasing while he says it, with no hint of doubt.

'I want.'

'Really?'

'I know what I want.'

'But, what were you smiling about if I may know?'

'You may not,' he answers.

'Secrets?'

'Maybe'

'Fine. Keep them. I have a lot of pending work today, and Preet will be calling me soon, so I better get ready. I will drop you at work?'

'Sure, thanks.'

*     *     *

'Guys, the best part of startup? You guys can learn so much, right? It's hard to be grateful sometimes, but try, maybe?'

'It's also hard to shut up apparently..,' Plasi says from his right, in a hushed and mocking voice.

Riyaan's boss, Nikita, often likes to give some advice to her juniors. One time she shared with a nodding and understanding Riyaan that people like him and her make all the effort while others enjoy the salaries and that with 6+ years of experience, she has never thought people wouldn't see the value she brings to the company, even when she is happy to overwork. Her concern lay both with her seniors and her juniors.

But Nikita can do all she wants today, she cannot taint his mood.

'I want you guys to complete the tasks assigned today by today itself, let's not shift it to next week,' she says again when no one replies or acknowledges her last comment.

'Is she serious? I haven't even begun with this one, I'm still working on yesterday's,' Plasi throws his hand out in the air, not trying to be subtle at all.

'Just don't do it,' Riyaan manages to say. Because he is planning to do the same, and knowing that he is even behind Plasi - that he even started with his pending tasks even when it's 10:30 AM - he is losing focus.

'Listen, can I ask something?' He brings his chair closer to Plasi.

'Shoot,' Plasi says from the other side of the cubicle partition.

'I kinda have problems with renting my room, do you know any cheap places around here? Remember the cousin guy you were referring to?'

'How cheap?'

'Like, real cheap.'

'Do you mind sharing? Because if you do, I know a friend,' Plasi says.

'Yeah, I can work with sharing.'

'I'll see what I can do.'

'I have one more question.'

'I am listening,'

'So, say, if you sleep with someone. Casual. Then they want to do it again, what does it mean?'

'It means they want sex again.'

'No. I got that. But what does it mean, you know, if they want to do it with the particular person again?'

'It means what it sounds like, they want to sleep with that particular person again. Why? Is someone forcing you for a second time?'

'Ohmy, no. No. I just... forget it.'

'Who are you sleeping with?'

'I wasn't asking about myself.' And then, 'Okay, yes. It was about me.'

'It's that guy that dropped you that day, right?'

'Yeah.'

'Wait, what? Really? I was super joking about it. But really?'

'Shh! Yeah.'

'I don't believe you. I sit here as a straight guy, it's hard to find a girl to date. And the one that I liked, or still like, is married now. What is this..? I mean I'd still date anyone if someone would be interested but you gay guy just suddenly happens to find like the most eligible bachelor in the city to drop you to work and he happens to be gay?'

'Sorry. Not sorry.'

'God dammit.'

*      *      *

Ivan: The food arrived. Mind if I plate your food?

Riyaan: No, don't mind. Thank you.

Today, Riyaan orders what Kris orders because he doesn't want Ivan to romance with his food again.

He has time to spend playing games with Kris today, and today probably is the last day for a while because his exams are coming up. Between looking for places, and catering to the demands of his boss at work, he finds little time to focus on his studies. And he has been spending a good amount of time at Kris', which should stop for a time.

But there's also another reason he is anticipating to stop spending time with Kris. He feels a little aware, and guilty. The first day Kris told him Ivan was out of reach, and now he has come so far from that that he has slept with Ivan, and Kris doesn't know it yet. Not that he should know what happens in his private life - but the fact that Kris is the reason Ivan and he met...

He doesn't want to announce it, but he doesn't want to lie either. He has a feeling that Kris already knows that they talk a little more than usual acquaintances, but he doesn't want to have to school Kris' expression when he finally learns.

'You tired of playing these games?' Kris asks for the third time this month.

'No, I can play whatever,' Riyaan says, focusing on the monitor.

'But what kinds are your favourite?'

'Mostly single-player. I like Assassin's Creed. Black Flag is the one for me.' Because that's the only one he played more often or had the chance to.

'Oh, yeah. I like that one too. Which mission is your number one?'

'The whole game, but like, when he takes off his shirt to go harpooning.'

Riyaan's love for fictional characters is great, but he has a soft spot for Edward Kenway that way.

'Damn dude, I agree.'

'That Edward Kenway is a hottie shirt off?' He smiles, maybe Kris and he has more in common.

'That he is hot in general. Wait, I had this game in my library, can't seem to find it,' Kris says, scrolling through his Steam library.

'Edward Kenway? Who is that?'

They both look back from their seats at the sudden voice. Ivan holds two plates of food, amusement playing on his face.

'Oh, hey.' Kris takes a glance at Riyaan.

'So Kenway is a hot pirate and Riyaan's got the hots for him,' Kris says with an impish smile playing on his lips. Riyaan shakes his head, taking the food plate from Ivan and muttering a thank-you. Had he not been caught talking about hot fictional characters by Ivan, he would have looked at him while thanking him.

'Clearly.' Ivan says, standing in the same position. 'But who is this Edward Kenway? A real pirate?'

Is he dumb?

'No, it's a fictional character.' Riyaan says.

'From a movie?' Ivan continues his interest.

'A game, it's called Assassin's Creed.'

'I'll go get some chilli sauce,' Kris says, standing up from his chair and taking his plate with him. Riyaan can bet all his money that one time Kris said he doesn't like chilli sauce, or much chilli in general.

'Oh, so what's the point of having hots for a fictional character.' Ivan replaces Kris on the seat wheeling it a little closer to Riyaan's.

'There's none. Also, Kris is exaggerating, I just meant that he is hot.'

'I am kind of offended. A little.'

'Uh, why?'

'Now I'm thinking maybe that's who you were thinking of yesterday while with me, and maybe that's what you were so happy and smiling about this morning.'

Riyaan casts a nervous look at the entrance, hoping not to find Kris.

'You shouldn't be offended. Your looks is the least quality you should be insecure about.'

When Kris comes in, Ivan leaves the room.

After two more hours of gaming, Kris reluctantly lets him say bye. If Ivan hadn't been working from Preet's home, he would never have encouraged Kris for this long.

'Bye, Ivan, don't speed too much, Riyaan is not comfortable with speed,' Kris shouts as he comes out of the house, walking towards the car.

'Don't worry, his pirate will come to save him from harm,' Ivan shouts back, clearly finding it amusing to tease him.

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