Chapter 19

The day spent with Mariya was a rollercoaster ride. Soon, it was nighttime.
Austin felt more exhausted than after his morning shoot. She is scary, he thought to himself.

“I really wish I could spend some alone time with you, Christin,” Mariya pouted, glancing at the time. She hugged Christin, who was sitting beside her.

Austin felt uneasy. He sensed he was being hinted to leave. His mind and body completely drained, he said,
“How about you stay here, Mariya? I’ll spend the night in room 118.”

Christin felt bothered. “No, it’s alright,” he said. He didn’t want to make Austin uncomfortable.

“It’s just one night,” Austin reassured him.

He picked up his phone, took the key from Mariya, and left.

Mariya was extremely pleased with Austin’s gesture.
“He seems like a nice guy.”

“He sure is,” Christin agreed with a smile.

“So… he’s a good friend of yours?” Mariya asked suddenly.

“Yes,” Christin answered instantly.

“Just like Andrei?” Mariya questioned.

“Just like Andr—” Christin stopped mid-sentence, realising the difference between the two. He looked away.

“What happened?” Mariya asked, pretending to sound casual.

“I… I can’t imagine doing all that stuff with Andrei,” Christin replied softly.

Mariya’s expression softened. She realised her brother had a crush on him as well.

“So, is he just a friend?” she asked gently, turning Christin’s face toward her.

Christin’s heart tightened.

“Christin, my pumpkin,” Mariya said softly. “I won’t know if you don’t tell me. Be honest.”

“It can’t be anything more than friends,” he said, trying to hide the pain in his voice.

 “My pumpkin… do you not trust me?” Her voice trembled.

“He—he is straight,” Christin said. “He’s had four relationships so far. All with women.”

His own words pierced his heart. Tears slid down his face.

Mariya pulled him into her arms, kissed his forehead, and held him tightly.

“You know what,” she said, tears forming in her own eyes, “neither of us is blessed in love...”

Christin pulled back, confused.

“Andrei…” Mariya continued. “His family may not accept me. They want an Indian woman for him—someone who understands their traditions and culture better. They’re setting him up for an arranged marriage.”

Suddenly, Christin felt his sorrow shrink. He stared at her in disbelief.

He knew Andrei loved her. He had even mentioned marriage to his family.

He felt resentment toward Andrei, although Andrei had always helped him. He couldn’t forgive him for bringing tears to his sister’s eyes.

They both spent the night comforting each other.

The next morning—

There was loud knocking on the door of room 118. Austin, not being an early bird, was not happy about the sudden visit. Extremely annoyed, he opened the door.

A big bouquet of flowers was shoved toward him. On the other side of the bouquet stood a familiar figure—it was him.

“Big brother Andrei, you are rather passionate. I love these flowers,” Austin smirked.

Andrei was stunned. He tried to peek into the room, searching for someone.

“She spent the night with Christin,” Austin explained casually.

“You are a total nutcase!” Andrei yelled and stormed off.

He stopped in front of room 113, took a deep breath, and rang the doorbell.

Austin followed, curious.

Andrei stood there, nervous.

Soon, the door opened. Christin stood there with Mariya right beside him. Upon seeing the flowers, Christin quickly stepped back and gently pushed Mariya forward.

Nervous and shy, Andrei handed the bouquet to Mariya.

“Thank you,” she replied sheepishly, her face flushed.

Andrei slowly went down on one knee.

Mariya stood frozen, her eyes wide.

“Will you marry me, Mariya Dimitriev?”, he pulled out the ring.

Mariya’s eyes filled with tears.

“Yes!” she said.

Andrei stood up and pulled her into his arms.

“Let’s be together forever, my love,” he whispered.

“What about your parents?” Mariya asked anxiously.

“Your man is good at negotiating,” he replied proudly. “They want to meet you formally when they come back in three weeks.”

He held her tightly.

Christin let out a slow breath. Some of the grief from last night finally eased. Seeing Mariya smile, he thought—at least she is blessed.

“Keep my sister happy, Andrei,” Christin warned him.

“I swear, I will,” Andrei replied.

The four of them went back inside. Andrei ordered some fancy food to celebrate. Mariya was the happiest person that day. Soon after their lavish breakfast, the couple decided to leave.

They had to bring the news to Aunt Polina and the others.

As Mariya was leaving, she hugged Christin and whispered,
“Hold your feelings firmly and accept them. Even if it isn’t fruitful, it would still be a beautiful experience. May you be blessed as well.”

“Congratulations, Christin,” Austin said, fully awakened by Andrei’s sudden proposal. “They make a perfect couple,” he added with a smile.

Christin looked at Austin.

A couple.

His heart felt bitter. He went back inside the room.

A couple, Austin thought, watching Christin’s back.

He is a man.

Do I feel this, or is it just because of the movie? —Austin lost himself in thought.
What about him? Does he feel anything?

Austin approached Christin from behind, wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him into an embrace.

Christin flinched. His heart pounded—but soon he relaxed.
It’s only because of the movie, he reminded himself.

Seeing no reaction, Austin turned him around. He studied his face, leaned in slightly, gauging a response.

“I didn’t provoke him today,” he said.

Christin looked into his eyes once more.
It must be fun for him.

No reaction—only an empty stare.

Austin felt uneasy.

“What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously.

Christin pulled away.
“I’m tired. Mariya cried a lot last night. She thought Andrei might break up with her.”

Austin pulled him into his arms again.
“Is that all?” he asked quietly.

“That’s all,” Christin replied firmly.

“Would you like to practice your lines one more time with me?” Austin suggested, still restless.

Something within Christin changed that day. He was no longer led by his emotions, but controlling them.

Austin noticed the improvement. He was impressed—but unsettled by Christin’s distance.

Had he crossed a line?
Or was it simply exhaustion from the night before?

“I’ve been scheduled for stunt classes starting the day after tomorrow,” Christin informed him. “I think it will be at the same time as your shoot.”

“Do you want to go together?” Austin asked eagerly.

“Nope, I—I’ll try to go by myself,” Christin said, his words stuttering.

“Will you be okay, alone?” Austin asked, worried. “I can change my schedule—”

“I can’t keep relying on you all the time”, Christin cut him short.

“Is that why you called Mariya yesterday?”

“She insisted on helping. I just told her I was struggling,”

Seeing Christin keeping his distance created a fear in Austin’s heart.

Christin quietly went to his desk, studying for his exams. Austin, devastated, got ready for work and left.

Christin sighed deeply. Treasure my feelings—how, Mariya? They hurt so much.