THE RICH DOCTOR VS THE WITCH DOCTOR

CHAPTER 17

"Thank you! for helping out", Shruthi said while they were having tea

"Happy to help and I love it,"Rishi felt relaxed

"there are some patients, will get you their files, will be happy to get your opinion"

"Would love that", he said

"Do let us know your fees, we will pay you,"Shruthi asked

"I thought doctors worked for free"

"Yeah but we also have visiting consultants, who we pay",shruthi informed him

"What if I work part time here?" he asked

Shruthi didn't want him working here but at the same time the patients needed such an experienced doctor.

"Sure," she said avoiding his eyes

"Hope you haven't changed your mind about our dinner", he asked

Shruthi smiled, "see you by 7pm", and she left

By 7pm when his mobile rang, he thought she was calling to cancel

"Waiting by your car, where are you?" she asked

"On my way darling", he said

She simply choose to ignore the last word

She was wearing a green and white saree. she freshened up and had applied mild makeup

He hurried to get the car out

"No worries, there are doctors to replace me", She laughed

Rishi drove the long route. He enjoyed her company, her smell, the way she tied her hair, and how she smiled at any kids whom they passed by. 'She would make a great mother some day', he thought and had to bring back his focus on the road

"Hey Rishi! I was actually expecting that you would have been at my send off party at the cube"

"You were? why?", he asked

"I wanted you to, thats why I asked Ri to invite you"

Rishi cursed himself

"I must have had some work", he lied

"I wanted to say sorry to you"

"Why?"

"When you kissed me...", she said after a lot of hesitation

"You didn't kiss back, it's ok we have a lot of time together tonight", he laughed

"Not funny", she said

"fine continue", though it looked like he didn't care, his mind was imagining scenarios to kiss her again.

"when you kissed me, I realized that in a way or the other I have given you signals, that I'm interested in you or that I'm vulnerable or... or... or... I don't know what else Rishi, it saddened me. I should not have blamed it on you. Then Divya happened and I was actually not my own self. Im sorry, So sorry," she said touching his hand resting on the gear.

Rishi's imagination just shattered. "It's okay, I must have misread the signs. Its hard to navigate between the American system and Indian system of relationship", he shrugged.

Shruthi was totally surprised & happy that he had taken it easily.

"Tell me shruthi its out of curiosity, I once asked Dr.Mercina what was the problem between you both, she said you both had the same taste in men. Is that man by any chance.... ",he tailed off

Shruthi was laughing "no no...it's not Dr.Prashanth, if that's what you ment"

"Ohh... pheww.. thanks be to God", he was genuinely happy