31 31.Dangerous Deceptions

"Move away!"Mark yelled as he pushed Akio down.He had realised what was going on.

However,Akio was not ready to give up yet.He got up and started kissing Mark on his ears,moving down to his neck.Mark could feel his ears heating up.Mark was unable to handle it anymore.He grabbed Akio's black hair and gave it a sharp pull,bringing him close to his face.He did not know how to respond to the situation.He pushed Akio aside and ran away from him.

Akio was hit by a sudden realization.He was assaulting Mark,which he never intended to do in the first place.He quickly ran behind Mark,who stood near a lamppost and was breathing heavily due to exhaustion.He rushed towards him and fell on his knees.

"I am sorry,Mark."He said,as he looked up to Mark with tears in his eyes.

Mark did not respond.He simply turned his head away,to make sure he made no eye contact with Akio.

"I can't explain,but I had my own compulsions to do something like that."Akio explained.

"Does this mean you can assault anyone?"Mark scolded,in a blunt tone of voice.

"You are not 'anyone'.You mean more to me than you think."Akio now sobbed,with tears in his eyes.

"What kind of nonsense are you mumbling?Now get up."Mark muttered.

Akio got up and kept on staring at Mark.Mark felt uncomfortable at Akio's action.However,for once he decided to listen to his heart and pounded his head on Akio's chest,embracing him tightly.Surprisingly enough,Akio embraced him back.

"What the hell am I doing?"Mark thought to himself.

They both returned back to their house with a large gap of awkwardness separating them.It was very usual for them to sleep next to each other but today,it seemed like a Herculean task.They both decided that they would sleep on the floor,leaving the bed empty.Mark made sure to keep a pillow next to him,to make sure that there was no empty space left.Akio,on the other hand,spent his night in restlessness.

They both left to school on the morning in a usual way.However,When Mark was locking the door,Akio was checking the door's lock and unintentionally,THEIR HANDS TOUCHED.

"I..am sorry."Mark said as he took out his hand.

"I am sorry too."Akio replied bluntly.

School was even more awkward as they both were paired up for an activity.Hence,more awkward encounters awaited them.By the time they reached their home,they both were blushing red.

Mark had prepared food and placed it on the table for Akio.He went to the bedroom to call Akio.

"Food is ready.Eat it before it becomes cold."He mumbled in a monotonous voice.

"Strange.Mark never talks to me like this."Akio thought to himself.

Akio brushed his thoughts away and headed to the table.It was chicken curry,his favorite Indian dish.He looked at Mark,who brought a plate and plopped onto the chair.He dunk his spoon in the curry and started eating right away,without looking up.

"What is wrong with you today?"Akio questioned.

Mark choked upon that sudden question.He began gasping for air.Akio got up and brought a glass of water,while he kept on staring at Mark.

Akio was now getting furious at Mark's abnormal behavior.He got up from the chair and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?"Mark asked,from the kitchen.

"All this unusual behavior is getting on my nerves.If you want me to go,just say it.You don't have to behave so uncomfortable around me I am going."Akio said,unlocking the latch of the door.

Suddenly,he felt someone tug his sleeve.He looked back.It was Mark.However,there were tears in his eyes.His face gave off an expression of hopelessness.

"I LOVE YOU,Akio."He muttered in a low voice.

How would Akio respond?