Chapter 6

"Hey boys!" Siva walked into the studio with a grin on his face and a pep in his step.

Jay observed him as Nathan, Max, and Tom greeted him back.

"You seem to be in a good mood," said Max.

"I am! Nareesha and I have been having a blast for the past week. She's even gonna take some time off from work soon so we can go vacation somewhere nice and sunny."

"That's nice," Nathan replied with a smile.

"Have you and Kelsey decided where your going yet?"

"Nope. Turns out she'll be busy for the next couple of weeks with one of her dance schools. A dance instructor is stuck in the hospital, so she'll be substituting for her."

"At least you guys can still spend time together."

"I just wish we could get away from work for once and spend our time relaxing."

"Are you guys ready to get back to work?" Jay asked, sat in the corner on a lazy-boy. He was focused on sheet music.

The boys looked at him with confused expressions. "We have all day to finish the song," said Max.

"We mine as well get it over with now."

"What are you guys working on?" asked Siva.

"Heartbreak Story," Jay replied, looking Siva dead in the eye. "Would you care to hear our progress with it so far?"

Siva studied Jay for a moment, taken back by the way he was acting. He'd spent such a great couple of weeks with Nareesha that his occurrences with Jay had escaped his mind. Now, he was left uncertain with what to do. But, seeing Jay the way he did sparked something within him.

Jay was obviously upset, leaving a dull and downed look on his face that only made Siva want to take him into his arms and caress him, kiss him until he was smiling again. It was weird for him. One minute Jay is all he thinks about, and the next Nareesha is all it takes to get his mind off of him. It was a repeating cycle that he couldn't stop. He hadn't a clue as to how to get out of his current predicament.

He was love sick, and it was getting overwhelming.

"Is something going on between the two of you?" Nathan pointed out. "Jay was fine just a minute ago until you showed up. Now he's giving you the death stare."

"What could be wrong between the both of us?" asked Siva, trying to get the boys to laugh off the idea. "We're Jiva for Pete's sake. Maybe it's just that time of the month for Jay."

The boys laughed. Jay wanted to give a smart response, but thought it would be better to let it go and keep his cool. Although he loathed Siva for the time being, he wouldn't dare have him exposed. He had to big of a heart for that. For now, he just hoped Siva got the hint at heartbreak.

"Can we just get back to this?" he asked more calmly referring to the song.

The boys agreed and sat around as they tried to complete the song.

•••

Jay stood outside waiting for his taxi to arrive. The boys had all left, but Siva stayed behind. He walked out the studio, happy to see Jay still in his midst. He stood beside him.

"Hi again," he said awkwardly.

Jay looked to his side to see who it was talking. He cursed himself for not recognizing Siva's voice and authentic accent. He turned back around and set his attention on the carsflashing by.

Siva tensed up as Jay's angry aura surrounded the two. He took in a deep breath while shutting his eyes, trying to find the right words to say and a way to force them out. Unable to come up with anything, he reopened his eyes and thought to offer Jay a ride, in which he did.

"I'm fine," Jay replied with a rasp of hatred in his voice.

"I'd be more than happy to give you one."

"I said I'm fine," Jay repeated firmly.

Siva gave up and figured he mine as well fix things up now before they'd completely fall apart.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't notice you while talking about Nareesha."

Jay rolled his eyes, wondering what other things Siva was about to bother him about.

"I'm sorry about everything, really. I don't want you to think I was using you. I was just in a moment of weakness, two moments to be correct. You managed to crack my shell and make me weak in the knees for you."

"If you love Nareesha so much, then that shouldn't have ever happened."

"I know, but it did. I feel bad that it happened, but at the same time I don't regret it. I guess it's because you gave me the opportunity to see what it was like... being with a man."

"It's really no different from being with a woman."

"I guess-"

"All relationships are the same. It doesn't matter about the genders of the couples. It's the love that equalizes them all."

"Right. I agree."

"Then what are you getting at Seev?"

"Nothing, I'm just apologizing. I really want us to be friends again. I miss talking and hanging out with you."

"What were you thinking?"

"What?"

"When you slept with me that one night at the hotel. Did you think over the consequences and outcomes?"

"No. All I could think about was having you for myself."

"For that one night," Jay finished.

"Not even. I just wanted you for as long as I could have you, because I love you as more than a friend I've come to discover. But, it's wrong of me. I can't be in a relationship while messing with your emotions. I care too much for you and Nareesha to do that."

"Your words are obviously sincere." Jay's taxi pulled up. Before getting into it he said, "But I don't know if it can get us back to the way we were." And with that, he got in the taxi and took off.

Siva hung his head, scared that their friendship couldn't be salvaged and that his romantic feelings for Jay would never fade away.

With his fingers combed through his dark, thick hair, he got in his car and headed back home.

•••

Ready to hit the sack, Jay got a call from Daron as he flopped down on his bed. He'd been looking forward to Daron's call the entire day. He'd obviously grown fond of him over the past two weeks. They spoke almost everyday.

"Hey! How are you?" Jay asked into his phone.

"Hey! I'm good and yourself?"

"Alive."

Daron chuckled. "Why just alive?"

"I saw Siva today. He tried to settle our differences, but I'm finding it rather challenging to let that happen."

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is the problem? I didn't think it was that serious before, but for it to lead you guys on to this path you're on, it must be."

"You are right, but it wouldn't be cool of me to tell anyone about it. I'm sorry."

"Oh no. It's fine. I completely respect that."

"Thank you. I really appreciate how much of a good mate you've been to me."

"Oh it's nothing. You're the one who's been a great friend. Ever since I moved to London, Taylor and Lucy have been my only real friends, but now I also have you and I'm grateful for that."

"As am I grateful for you. It's nice to have someone new to talk to, someone to take my mind off of all my worries."

"Well, I'm glad that I do.

Oh! I almost forgot. I've got this wedding to go to; it's my cousin's. She's the bride. I really hate being around my extremely judgmental relatives, so it would be nice to have someone to tag along with me. The siblings can't attend, because they'll be busy. Would you care to join me?"

"When is it?"

"This Friday."

"What if your relatives get the wrong idea? They might think we're dating."

"I'll introduce you to most of them and clear up any false thoughts of theirs. I'll really just being showing you off since you are an international Pop sensation who so happens to luckily be my friend. That'll give'em something to talk about for sure."

Jay chuckled. "It's about time that you started taking advantage of my celeb status."

"Right? I should have a long time ago," Daron laughed.

"I'd be glad to attend the wedding with you."

"Yessss! Thank you!"

•••

"Hey sweetie." Nareesha greeted Kelsey with a hug.

"I love the new house!" Nareesha said as she scanned it.

"Thank you! We just finished bringing in the last of our things yesterday."

They sat down in the living area.

"So, what's up?" asked Kelsey.

"Nothing much. I've just been working a lot while trying to make as much time for Seev as possible.

When he came back from the tour, he was kind of distant and weird. He then apologized for acting that way, so things went back to normal.

I've just got to make sure I make time for him so nothing bad will happen. It's hard enough when he's touring most of the time."

"Ugh. I totally agree with you. Ever since K2K has started expanding, I've been working even more. I don't think I'll be able to join the boys on their tours at this rate."

"Same," Nareesha breathed. "Has your job been messing with your relationship?"

"Tom's alone does."

"True."

"But it's nothing we can't live with. So, we're doing alright."

"That's good. Just gotta make the most out of what you've got to work with."

"Yup."

"I'm just a bit concerned with Seev."

"Why?"

"I know something happened to him that made him weird and distant, I just can't figure it out. He even admitted to not being totally open with me, but didn't bother to mention what was troubling him."

"I've only got one thought racing through my mind, but it isn't possible."

"I'm afraid to ask what it is."

"Has he spent long nights out?"

"Once."

"Oi."

"Oh god! Just tell me what you think."

"You guys are perfectly fine at the moment, am I right?"

"Yeah."

"Then regard me mentioning that I've got a horrid thought. Just keep your eyes peeled. Remain alert at all times."

"You almost gave me a heart attack!"

Kelsey giggled. "Sorry, love."