Love at the time of dentistry

Chapter-13

Trying her best to hide her mortification from others, Manya tried her best to rush away from near the dance floor. Before she could go somewhere safe, she felt a tap on her back and turned to see Anaya standing there, "Hey! What's got you into such a hurry, hiding from someone?" "I wish, right this moment I am totally ready to let the earth eat me whole", Manya said hugging her friend. "Why, what happened, what could be so bad", Anaya asked. Manya recounted the events of the earlier few moments and before she could finish Anaya broke into fits of laughter, "Oh my God! Our boss saw you dancing on your song", Anaya said laughing while stopping to breath. "Why do people keeping saying that is my song, I never had a song", Manya said, her emotions swinging between weariness and frustration. "Oh, yes you did, whenever that 'Munni badnaam hui' song was played in any of our college fests, you would jump right in and dance like it's the end of the world, we used to call it your song", Anaya told her after she had finally stopped laughing. "Well whatever be the history of that song it was really embarrassing for me that Ronit saw me dancing on that song, he is my boss, for crying out loud!! "Oh, so you are on a first name basis with him, hmmmm...that's interesting to know", Ananya said with a knowing expression on her face. "I have had one of the most humiliating experiences of my life and that is the only thing you can concentrate on", Manya said with disbelief. "Oh come on, don't you think you are putting too much into this thing, so what if he saw you dancing, you weren't doing it naked or something, it's your sister's engagement for heaven's sake! You are expected to dance like a lunatic, so just relax and enjoy yourself", Ananya said in a stern voice which brooked no further argument. "I don't dance like a lunatic, do I?" Manya asked in a small voice. "Oh no honey, you dance just fine, come on let's go and see how your sister's doing". And they set off towards where Shanaya and aarav were standing, greeting and receiving good wishes from the other guests. Manya then spend the rest of the time with her sister and her would-be brother-in-law, gossiping with her Roma and Ananya and sometimes Phalguni, when they could extract her from looking into every detail of the event. Thankfully, Manya didn't have to face Ronit in the time being, he must be holed in somewhere with her father, it was the last place she saw him go. By the time the party ended Manya was running on the last vestiges of her energy. Thank God for small mercies it was a Saturday the next day and she didn't have to go to the hospital. She could lie in and have a peaceful day to herself. Saying goodbyes to her family Manya set towards the basement parking lot, where car was parked outside. She was so looking forward to a long shower right now. She put her keys in the ignition and started the car but it made a spurting noise and stopped. She tried again and the same thing. Great! Exactly what she needed right now. Now she would have to ask her father or one of her sisters to give her a lift. As she stepped out the car, she couldn't help but give her car a look of hatred. Before she could go towards her house, someone called her name. She turned to see Ronit coming towards her, she was surprised to see he hadn't left yet, what was he doing still here so late. "What happened, car troubles?" he asked coming close to her. "Yeah my car is having trouble getting started; I was going inside to ask for a lift." "If you don't mind can I take a look at your car?" "Sure why not, I could use the help." Ronit went to the front of the car and opened the bonnet. He leaned forward, looking at the different parts, twiddling with some, poking some others, Manya stood beside him trying to understand what he was doing but getting no clue whatsoever. After what seemed like ages, he came up from his experimenting and let out a deep sigh and looked at her helplessly. When he didn't say anything, Manya let out an exasperated, "Well, what's wrong with it?" "I am afraid I don't know, actually I don't know anything about how a car works or its parts." "What the hell were you doing then all this time", Manya said in extreme frustration. "I was just trying, I have always seen everyone do these kinds of things when a car stops, so I thought I would do the same and maybe I'll come to know what's wrong with your car, but I was wrong, I am clueless, Ronit said with a straight face. Manya could only shake her head at this and in spite of herself, she started laughing. Ronit looked like a little boy right now who had no idea what he was getting a scolding. "I can assume from your laughter that you are not angry with me," Ronit said smiling at her tentatively. "No, I am not angry at you; it's hard to be when you look that way at me." "Which is how, may I ask", Ronit asked leaning closer to her. "Like a small lost child", Manya said smiling back at him. "Oh I was hoping for a sexy look, guess I'll have to do with the lost child look." "Well it's quite late now; I should go inside and ask for a lift home." "Oh your father had retired for the night; I was with him just before that and I don't think your mother is going to allow any of your other sisters out so late." "I'll guess I'll have to stay here, but I don't have anything to change and then I'll have to get up early tomorrow to go back home and I don't want to get up early", Manya said in a desperate tone. "If you are so anxious to go your own home, I could give you a lift", Ronit offered. Manya looked at him happily; yes he could drop her home, can't he. Then she could have the shower she craved and a long lie-in the next day. Oh, she couldn't wait for it. But wait, alone in a car with Ronit, can she do it, that too so late. No, its better she stayed the night in her parents' house. Seeing her lost in her thoughts Ronit said, "It's not such a mind-boggling offer you know, your house is just on my away, it would be no trouble for me and for the record, I don't bite." That brought her out of her thoughts. Yeah she could go with him, what's the big deal about it. He was just offering his help. What could he possibly do to her in his car, it's not like he was a murderer or something. She really had to stop making big deal out of everything. "Ok, I'll go with you, thanks you're a life saver." "My pleasure, this way please" Ronit said, bowing a little. She followed him to the other side of the parking lot, presumably where his car was parked. Wait, there was no car parked there. There was only a large motorbike parked there and Ronit was going towards it. To her chagrin, he took the helmet hooked on the handle and handed it to her, "This is for you, don't worry it won't spoil your hair." Manya was struck speechless, was she really expected to ride on a motorbike with him. She hadn't been on a motorcycle since when she was with Sid. She can't possibly sit on one with Ronit, no sir! "What is this", she said in a shocked voice. "It's a Harley", Ronit said in a matter-of -fact voice, strapping on his own helmet. Oh, it was a Harley, that made everything fine, she thought sarcastically. "I am not getting on a bike" "Why, what's wrong with it" "You can't possibly expect me to sit on a bike with you" "You have some issues regarding motorcycles?" "No, it's not that....." she said through gritted teeth. It was no use. She can't explain to him that she can't sit so close to him. How can she possibly explain it. A wave of tiredness washed over her. Letting out of a defeated breath, she strapped on her helmet and climbed behind him, Ronit allowed himself a smile, "Don't smirk", Manya said warningly. Though the bike was large, she would have to sit close to him if she didn't want to fall off it. Ok, no making big deal out of things. She settled as comfortably as possible behind him and put her arms around his waist. Man! She could feel his abs through his shirt. This may not be as bad as she thought. "Ready?" "Yeah, let's go." Manya allowed herself a smile, maybe this ride was not that bad an idea as she thought. The Harley started with a roar and then they were off. The weather had gotten quite cool and the wind through her face. God, she missed motorcycle rides. "How come, I have never seen you with a bike before at the hospital", Manya shouted above the sound of the Harley. "It's because I always arrive before everyone else and leave after everyone has gone, very few people know I have a bike", Ronit shouted back. "Is this your non-subtle to brag that you work harder than the rest of us" "No, I was trying to impress you" "Huh! Try harder", Manya said rolling her eyes. She was enjoying herself. It's been so long since she felt so free. She felt like a teenager again. Before she knew it, they were entering the gates to her apartment building. Ronit turned the bike off and the silence was deafening. She climbed off from behind him and took the helmet, her hair were a mess. She handed the helmet back to Ronit, "Thanks for the lift, I really enjoyed the ride", Manya said smiling at him. "My pleasure madam and you had nothing to be afraid from me, I was at my best behavior", Ronit said smiling back. Manya laughed, "Yes you were at your best, thanks again." Before she could turn to go, Ronit said, "Don't I get a goodnight kiss." Manya looked at him with raised eyebrows, "What kiss?" "Well I dropped you home. I gave you a lift, least I deserve is a goodnight kiss", Ronit said with a mischievous smile on his face. "Why are you always trying to kiss me when we are alone?" Manya couldn't help but ask. "Maybe it's something in my blood" "Well you better get it checked, maybe it could be something fatal", Manya turned to go but Ronit caught hold of her arm and pulled her towards him. She was startled at this but stopped from saying anything after she saw the expression on his face. He was looking so intently at her, like he could see right inside her soul. No words came out her mouth. He was pulling her closer to her, when her face was inches away from her; he whispered in her ear, "I always get what I want" and kissed her on her cheek. His lips lingered for a long time there. He let go of her hand and put on his helmet back. She hadn't realized that she was trembling slightly. Why did he have such an effect on her? Will she never be able to get herself rid of it? He started his bike with a roar and backed out of the building. She felt rooted to the same spot, her legs felt like lead blocks. Before leaving the gates, he turned back and waved at her. It wasn't till he was out of sight that Manya realized that her hand was up in the air waving back. She shook herself out of it. Get a grip! She scolded herself. With still trembling legs, she climbed the stairs to her flat and let herself in. she really needed that shower now, maybe a cold one. Damn you! Ronit Raheja.