Ritvik got scared when he recalled that Rizwan was that guy who caused troubles to Aniket. It was Rizwan that day, who was host of the party the day when Aniket had returned passed out and remained unconscious for almost two full days. He remembered that how indecent looks Rizwan had on his body parts when he had opened the door wearing only vest and underwear assuming it to be Aniket but instead found Rizwan holding unconscious Aniket in his arms. He remembered those hungry eyes and forced encroachment physically attempted by Rizwan when he asked for his help to lay Aniket on the bed. Every memory of that time flashed in his mind instantly. He could not trust Rizwan somce he met him for the first time. He had a strong reason to believe that Aniket was physically abused by Rizwan and his friends during that party. He had seen love-bite marks on Aniket’s neck and his nipple and also he was unable to understand how a person who never drinks alcohol or consumes any other kind of drugs lost his complete consciousness to an extent that he did not remember anything even when someone bit him so hard or anyone sexually or physically abusing him. Remembering all those things, gave a chill to his spine. He was feeling very scared and started missing Aniket whom he could completely trust. But he did not want to let anyone know about his nervousness and fears. He was trying to act normal and calm.

“Where is Aniket? I don’t see him here.”, asked Ritvik.

“He has gone out with Keshav to buy some more wine and something to eat. He may take some time.”, replied Aditya and then asked him, “What would you like to have, Vodka, Ginn or …???”

Ritvik could not pay attention to what Aditya asked him. He looked at the clock, it was ticking at 10:35 PM. There was still a chance to get food and wine so, he assumed that all his fears are baseless and because of anxiety and wild imagination. These guys may actually be good guys, otherwise why would Aniket ask him to come here if it was unsafe for him? He trusted Aniket more than himself. He was a shield for him all the time since they were living together. He observed Aniket’s love and care for him many times and there was no reason to doubt him.

“Come on, Feel at home.”, said Aditya noticing the uneasiness on Ritvik’s face and in his actions. “What would you like to have… Ginn, Whisky, or Vodka?”, asked Aditya to his new guest.

“Well… Thanks ! but no Thanks. I’m fine.”, replied Ritivk with a smile.

“Naah ! How is that possible? You can’t be so rude to your hosts. You need to accompany us. … or … are you like your friend …Aniket… no Alcohol?”, asked Aditya with a big smile on his face, as if it was some incompetency if someone does not take Alcohol.

Actually, I am feeling a little bad that I got notice at the 11th hour from Aniket and am not yet clear about the occasion. I could not get time to buy a gift for you guys and came empty handed.

“It’s a small get-together for just a few of us. We are close friends and like a small family. No need for any kind of formalities.”, clarified Aditya.

“You are our gift”, added Rizwan.

Hearing this Ritvik looked back at Rizwan suspiciously to understand his intentions. But it went futile as he could not see in his eyes. Rizwan uttered it without looking at Ritvik and was now taking a sip from his glass. Ritvik assumed it as a compliment from the host, and a sign of his host being modest, without any ill intentions.

“Please have a drink and some snacks with us. It may take some time to arrange the dinner. I can get you a coke or Fanta or Orange juice, whatever you like”, Arnav broke the silence by offering the glass of wine to Ritvik.

Ritvik wanted to avoid consuming anything from their home. He had fears of getting into similar troubles as it happened with Aniket last time. But it was out of courtesy to deny the host everything he offered.

He got up and waked up to the Aditya who was standing close to the bar area, and said, “Well… if you guys so insist, I will prepare a mock-tail for myself if you don’t mind. Please let me know where are the coke and the juices”.

Hearing this, Aditya and Rizwaan looked at each other for a moment and then Aditya pointed him to the refrigerator in kitchen and said, “You can find it all in Refrigerator. Here is the glass.” He moved an empty glass towards Ritvik.

Ritvik picked up the glass, and asked with a smile, “Would anyone else like to taste the Mocktail with my signature recipe?”

“We are all good. Thanks!”, said both Aditya  taking a sip from their glasses. “We are all grown up kids”, added Rizwan raising the glass of wine in his hand. It was hard to understand why Alcohol was assumed to be drink of adult kids. Probably because innocence and harmless things are always associated with kids.

Ritvik was waiting for Aniket to come back but when he did not turn up till 11:15 PM, he started loosing his patience. He kept looking at his watch frequently while continuing common chit-chat with all the three. He was surrounded by Aditya and Arnav on one side and Rizwan on the other side.

Slowly Rizwan moved close to Ritvik, quite close, and placed his arm across his shoulder amid his conversation on some ongoing topic. He pretended it to be just a normal friendly gesture. Ritvik got alarmed, but he ignored.

Slowly, Rizwan moved his hand placed on rear shoulder of Ritvik, a bit down, close to his chest area and opened his fingers wide so that fingers started touching Ritvik’s nipples easily. He was actively using that hand as if he was using it for expressing his thoughts invariably. He kept opening his fingers, closing it, and moving around excessively and un-necessarily just to pretend that it was all his friendly conversation style, but actually he was enjoying the touch of Ritivk’s body and was trying to explore his nipples.

Ritvik’s suspicion grew stronger. He got alert and tried to pull off his hand, but Rizwan placed it back every time. After one or two attempts of taking it off, Rizwan played an emotional card which he guessed correctly, would be hard for Ritvik to ignore. He asked, “What happened? Do you have any problem with my hand? I feel better talking to my friends like this, it gives more lively experience. After all, we are all men here, no need to be shy like a girl. Even the girls are bold enough now a days.” and all the three of them started laughing hysterically.

It was a tough call for Ritvik. He had been shy about his body since very early age. He never uncovered his body in front of anyone, not even his parents or his close friends. No one, except Aniket had seen him bare-chested till date, or touched his body.  He heard his farther also saying similar things many times to not to be shy like girls. It was a direct attack on his manhood and ego. He was supposed to act and behave manly.  Men don’t mind touching or fondling with each other’s bodies. Men don’t bother about being nude or showing off their tits. And this was not about even touching the body. He was wearing clothes. As a result of this psychological and emotional pressure, he surrendered reluctantly.

“No, nothing like that. Nothing to be shy.  I am fine”, confirmed Ritvik. “I was just uneasy because of tickling sensation”, he used it as an excuse to hide his intentions to get rid of Rizwan in previous attempts.

 (To be continued…)