Page 84 of The Love Position

Swami Vishnu’s arm tightened slightly around Isaac’s, but he ignored it, pulling away and rushing forward to help.

Sophia gave him a grateful smile. ‘Thank you.’

Isaac closed the door behind her and she came forward on the crutches.

‘Good morning, Swami Vishnu.’

He gave her a nod. ‘How did you enjoy sleeping in Hanuman’s bed?’

Sophia’s eyes widened with shock, and she stumbled on the step down from the wooden deck.

Isaac caught her before she fell.

‘You okay?’ he murmured.

Swami Vishnu chuckled. ‘Hanuman gave up his accommodation for you.’

Why are you telling her this?

Sophia stared at Isaac, an expression of horror on her face. ‘I’ve taken your room?’

‘It’s fine.’

‘But where are you staying now?’

‘He’s in a tent that got left behind at the end of last season,’ Swami Vishnu said. ‘Don’t be concerned. He’s slept in a cave before. A tent is luxury.’

Sophia’s features were pinched. ‘You’ve already done so much to help me. You can’t do this as well!’

Isaac’s heart squeezed at her distress and he clenched his jaw. Why was Guruji stirring the pot? Sophia didn’t need to know he’d given up his room for her.

Forcing a smile, he kept his voice calm. ‘This is my choice, and Guruji agrees with my decision. I’m perfectly happy in the tent and that’s where I’m staying.’

Swami Vishnu continued along the path.

‘We’re going to be late for Satsang,’ he called over his shoulder.

Isaac stayed by Sophia’s side as she hopped, her face set with determination, as if trying to be as fast as possible.

‘Go on with him,’ she whispered. ‘Please?’

He glanced ahead to Swami Vishnu, now walking at a more spritely pace than normal.

‘But I want to stay with you.’

Sophia shook her head. ‘This situation is awkward enough already. I don’t want the entire ashram seeing you abandon your guru for me. I promise I’ll be okay, and if I fall, everyone will see. Please, Isaac. Just go.’

He gave her a brief nod, jogged up the path to rejoin his guru, then continued by his side in silence.

You should have stayed with her.

And gone against what she explicitly asked? Made her more unhappy?

Entering the temple, his eyes flicked to the back. Jessica was next to the two chairs he’d laid out with Sophia’s name on them, glaring at anyone who tried to take one.

Isaac settled Swami Vishnu in his seat, then sat beside him, his gaze following Sophia as she manoeuvred around people who seemed oblivious to her, or disinclined to get out of the way.

Anger burned brightly inside him. He wanted to yell at them to open their eyes and have a care for someone who wasn’t themselves. Was yoga really this self-centred?

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