Tortuous Love

Chapter 16

The day passed by in a blur. Rohit was his old self, barking at everyone, including me. At times he would look at me a little too long, deep in thought. Otherwise, his boss mode was on. I was exhausted and to be honest, wanted to go sleep in my comfortable bed with Rohit beside me. But I was scared to talk about yesterday night. I wasn't sure what was going on in his head.

As lunch time approached, we decided to order in as Rohit and Jackson wanted to go over a couple of old client profiles. It was a small reprieve for me and I decided to get done with my pending work.

Another worry that gnawed at me, was that I had nothing to wear tonight. I did not want to wear the dress Abhimanyu had sent and I did not have energy to walk into a store and to buy something.

"Penny for your thoughts", Rohit's deep voice startled me.

"Ah.... Nothing. Just wanting to get done with work. I miss Tanya. Can't wait to head back." I quickly added.

"Come on... I am not that bad a company", he said leaning against my desk.

"No, you aren't, on the contrary, I like your company", I said trying hard not to blush like a teenager.

"You have no idea, how tempted I have been to kiss you. My patience is waning."

"Are you sure? I thought you were going to bite my head off, the moment I said something wrong."

"Well, you are the one worried, people would find out", Rohit said, nonchalantly.

Rolling my eyes at him, I got up. "Your next meeting begins in five", I said grabbing my iPad.

"Lead the way, Nanya", he said.

I started walking ahead of him and I knew he was definitely checking my ass out. Men!

"Let's grab coffee before we head back and you need to decide what movie we are going to watch today", he whispered before entering the conference room.

The rest of the day was, surprisingly, uneventful as he seemed to have calmed down. Almost at the end of the last meeting, I got a message from Rohit.

'I've ordered the coffee. Let's grab it on our way back. We need to get ready. What time does the dinner begin?'

'It begins at 8. And Mr Anand please look up and answer the client', I replied.

Rohit was a bit startled to see that everyone was looking at him and awaiting his reply. Quickly concluding the meeting, Rohit walked out of the conference room. We walked with the clients outside and bid them goodbye.

I felt ambivalent. I didn't want to go back and get ready. Facing a past, which I had long left behind, was alarming. Riding down the elevator, I felt this dread in my stomach. I knew, I was over-reacting, so taking a deep breath I decided to just get over with this day.

Rohit was scrolling through his phone, and humming to a tune. "You seem excited to go to the gala."

"Nah... I am pretty bored to socialise with the oldies, but then, I am looking at the brighter side. I get to spend the evening with you." Rohit said giving me his best goofy grin. I couldn't help but laugh at him.

"I am looking forward as well, Rohit," I said smiling at him.

The car arrived and Rohit opened the door for me, and before I could sit on the seat, there lay this huge box with a beautiful black ribbon tied into a bow.

"Come on, get in! You can look at it as we drive back." Rohit said.

Grabbing the box I excitedly undid the bow. In the box was a beautiful maroon silk gown! Surprised I looked at him, "Thank you! It's so beautiful Rohit."