Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Riya's POV

" What? Why were you crying? Why didn't you tell me?" Dr Vidyut came and held my hand.

" Why should she tell you?? " Dr Parth pulled my hand out of his and came to stand between both of us.

" Please, stop it. Dr Vidyut, please leave. I am fine, Dr Parth helped me. Please don't worry. " I said.

" Is anyone bothering you?? Please tell me, Riya... We are friends, you can tell me. " Dr Vidyut said.

" Thanks, but everything is solved. " Dr Parth said.

" I am not talking to you, Dr Parth. Stay out of this! " Vidyut said.

" The break is over, Dr Vidyut. Go and do your work. " Dr Parth glared at him.

" As if you were doing your work. Two minutes are left for the break to be over. I need to talk to my friend, Riya. If you don't mind, can you please leave us alone? "

" Don't forget, you are standing in my department. You need to leave us alone. " Dr Parth said.

" Dr Vidyut, I am fine. I had a problem, but now everything is sorted out. He is my friend, mentor and neighbour. So please don't worry about me. Thanks for your concern. Please leave!! " I said.

" Ok, fine!! I just wanted to ask you if you would like to come to have dinner with me. We didn't have it yesterday. I want to apologise for what I did? Please don't say no... " He said.

I was wondering what to say because I would not go out with him ever again. But it seemed rude to refuse immediately.

" She is not going anywhere with you. Now get lost! " Dr Parth said.

" Who are you to answer on her behalf? I am asking her not you." Vidyut glared at him.

" At least I am someone to her, who are you? Her friend's cousin? Leave!! " Dr Parth smirked.

" Will both of you, please stop behaving like that?? I am still here, I can speak, Dr Parth. Please let me do that. Dr Vidyut, I am not interested in going anywhere with anyone. Please leave me alone. " I almost shouted at him.

"But Riya... " Vidyut said.

"Enough!! Either you leave, or I am complaining that not only you are neglecting your work, but you also are not letting us get on with ours. " Dr Parth shouted.

" I am leaving. " He said and left.

" Why was he behaving as if he was your boyfriend? Who is he to you? You are not going anywhere with him. " Dr Parth said.

" Well, sir... I think that is not any of your business. Please don't take decisions on my behalf. Shall we start working, the break is over? " I said as I was annoyed with his behaviour.

Why was he doing all that?

" Riya! " He tried to talk to me.

" Can we work, please? " I said professionally.

" Of course! " He said but I could see that he was thoroughly annoyed.

Disha was back now and we started working. He got annoyed with me and was smiling at her unnecessarily.

He asked Disha if she would like to have the coffee. She nodded and he ordered two coffee from the cafeteria.

" Sir, three coffee, Riya is also here. " She reminded him.

" Oh, yes... She has been so quiet, that I almost forgot that she was here. " He said looking at me.

Of course, why would you remember me, after all, Disha is there in front of you?

" Sir, please don't bother... I am not feeling well, can I please go home??" I said to him.

He looked at me and came towards me. His expression was soft and concerned now but I was sick of his behaviour. He had more mood swings than a pregnant woman.

" What happened?? " He caught my hand to check my pulse.

" Please! I want to go home. I am taking a half-day off. " I said going away.

" Riya... " He was saying but I left.

*******

It was 7:30 and I drew the curtains in the sitting room and settled down on my couch and started a movie on my LED.

I was watching the movie but my mind was somewhere else, I kept thinking about how doctor Parth was behaving but could not understand why what's he doing that?

After about ten minutes, I was still trying to concentrate on the movie and trying to understand what was it all about?

All my thoughts were drifting towards him even though I was trying my level best to concentrate on the movie. I tried to listen to the words the actress was saying to keep my thoughts from straying towards my grumpy neighbour.

I heard him opening the door and then shutting it. I don't know, why was my heartbeat increased. He was back...

I could hear him moving in his home and finally, he went to take a shower.

After about ten minutes, I heard him going out pulling the door. Then there was complete silence.

Somehow I was expecting him to come and talk to me, but it seemed that he had forgotten my existence.

But then why was he behaving like a jealous boyfriend?

A moment later I was wondering why he would remember my existence anyway after all he was not interested in me... Then all of a sudden I heard him walking towards my door.

I rocketed to my feet as if I was electrified, I was surprised when he rang the doorbell and it felt as if I was rooted to the spot.

Somehow I ran towards the door as if he might go again if I didn't open the door soon. I opened the door.

He was looking tall dark and handsome and immaculately suited as if he has just popped out of a fashion magazine. I was literally ogling him.

Oh, yes! He was going to Siddharth's brother's wedding function.

We both were looking at each other and suddenly, I was aware of my shiny face and night attire while he was looking like a model.

But why was I bothered, I wanted everyone to look at me like that?

Everyone but him...

" Riya, why are you not ready till now? " He asked me.

" Ready for what? " I said.

" We had to go to Sid's place. How can you forget that? " He reminded me but I was not in a mood to go anywhere.

" Dr Parth, I don't feel like going anywhere as I was not feeling well. Please, you carry on. " I said.

" No!! He will send me back to get you there. " He shook his head and said.

" I am tired and sleepy. " I used another excuse.

" No!! You are simply beautiful. Did I ever say that to you before? Actually, you are sensational." It seemed as this confession was involuntary, coming out of his mouth without him actually meaning to say that.

Oh, God!! No!! Don't say such things!!

My legs suddenly felt boneless and unable to support my weight. I wanted to tell him not to say such lovely things to me as I was already falling for him and his comments were making me feel weak in the legs.

" Did you fall on your head? I am not. I am fat and ugly." I said looking away.

" You must be crazy if you think so. We will argue about it later, just go and get ready. " He said.

" I am not going... " I shook my head.

" C'mon, don't be so stubborn. You have already rested since you came back early. " He turned me to push towards my room.

" No, I didn't... " But I turned again and said.

" You didn't?? "

" The moment I got out of the department, I remembered something important that had to be done. So I went out to get it done with. I just came back about an hour back. "

" Oh, I hope that your something important was not, having coffee with him? " He said, his expression changed.

" Well, it had got nothing to do with you. I don't understand, why are you so bothered? " I said and he was annoyed at what I said.