THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

24. Time Together with Friends

The week was full of surprise attacks. Rishika, Harshada, and the girls from the team were worried about Rutuja as she was being reckless. Rishikesh and Rutuja were like best friends now but, she couldn't tell him about the things that were going on. Rishikesh was worried about her health and the things she was afraid to tell him. He had noticed she never tried to make eye contact with him.

It was Saturday night Rutuja had finished her office and was working in the lab. She finished her work early and was forced to take a nap. She took a nap while others finished with their work. When they all finished their work Rutuja was awake by that time. She got working on finishing her remaining work. It was almost 8 pm Rishika said, Aniket let's eat out today as I am very tired. Rutuja said, instead of going out why don't you come home.

Rishika said Rutuja are you sure you look tired too. She said, "I love cooking for you so I won't feel tired cooking". So, get there at 9:30 I will call Harshada too seeing as it's the weekend and you all have a late shift so we could have fun tonight. Rishika got excited and said sure we will meet up in an hour bye. They got to their houses after they were done with work.

Rutuja got home excited. Rishikesh saw her in a cheerful mood and asked her "What are you so excited about?" She said, "I am excited as Rishika, Harshada, Ashish, and Aniket are coming here for dinner and will be staying tonight. He asked, "When did you plan that?" She said, "I planned that when I was finished with my work in the lab".

She got changed and started on dinner preparations. First, she made a cake as it took time to bake then did the other things. When she was done with dinner and setting the dining table she heard the doorbell. Rishikesh went and opened the door letting them in. Ashish and Aniket sat down in the living room while Rishika and Harshada went to the kitchen.

They saw that Rutuja had finished cooking and setting the table to eat. Rishika saw the chocolate cake on the kitchen counter and said, "Wow you made this too?" She said, "Yes I did". Harshada said, "Let's eat now I am starving". Rishika called the boys to the dining hall and they started with their dinner. When they finished she bought chocolate cake and they all ate it with a look of pure bliss on their faces.

All of them got changed into their nightdress. Rishikesh, Ashish, and Aniket were deciding on what movie to watch when the girls got to the living room and took a seat. Harshada casually asked Rutuja, "What are you doing at lab tomorrow?" Rutuja said, "I have a final testing on the experiment and two ongoing ones". Rutuja asked Rishika "Are you making our health report tomorrow?" Rishika said, "Yes I will do that tomorrow'.

Rishikesh was surprised by that and asked, "Rutuja have you told everything to Rishika and Aniket?" Rutuja said, "I am sorry Rishikesh I didn't get time to tell you with everything going around". Rishika and Aniket are part of my research team now. Rishikesh asked her, "What do you mean by that?" Rutuja said, "They are doctors assigned to my group, when I got back to work, that same day they were asked to be our group's part".

Rutuja thought about asking all of them for lunch at the lab as she would be free early tomorrow. Hey, guys "How about a lunch at lab tomorrow?" Rishika and Harshada said it's a really good idea. We will be there straight after work and Ashish can bring Rishikesh as they would be home together. Rishikesh and Ashish said, "That would be fine with us". Rutuja called her team and informed them about lunch.

They put on the movie as they finished talking with each other. Rutuja, Rishika, and Harshada were sat on one couch while the other was taken by Rishikesh, Ashish, and Aniket. They were watching movies like they were glued to the screen. Rishika and Harshada were watching a movie but, could see how alert Rutuja was.

When they finished watching the movie it was midnight. So, they decided to go and sleep as most of them were working in the morning. Harshada said, "I and Rishika are going to sleep with Rutuja in her room and you could sleep in Rishikesh's room. Rishikesh said, "Good idea Rishika let's go and sleep now".

They went to their respective rooms to sleep. Rishika and Harshada got ready for bed while Rutuja was pacing the room. As attacks were growing day by day. She would always be stressed because of that. Rishika said Rutuja we can guard for an hour or two so you can rest. She said, "Thanks Rishika but I cannot accept that, I will be fine". Rishika and Harshada went to sleep and she carry on with her work.