Encounter - A RaYa Journey

Chapter - 9

Priya informed Ram that the reporters have been outside her house since that article so she advised him to stop their car outside his society and she would drive home from there.

"It could add more fuel to the news," she told him.

"Hold on a minute," he said as he stared at the dashboard or the clock?

"What happened Ram? Are you not feeling well?" she asked getting confused. Ram continued staring at the dashboard.

"There," he said staring at the clock that had struck 12. He turned to look at Priya with a wide smile "Happy Birthday"

He handed her a small gift "This is your gift. I wanted to get you something for your birthday. There was a picture of a model wearing this lipstick but I thought it'd suit you more."

Priya smiled at him but she hesitated to take the gift "Thank you for wishing me, I appreciate the kind gesture but I can't accept it"

"It's too ordinary, isn't it?" he said feeling disappointed.

"That's not it," Priya said, she stared him directly in his eyes "Ram, to be honest. I don't want to be involved with you anymore. I am not used to something like this and my life is not as simple as yours."

Ram felt sad and disappointed but he just smiled saying "I must've gotten too excited. I am sorry" Priya did not know what to say.

Ram broke the silence by opening his side of the door.

He got out of the car and left without another word. Priya saw him leave through the mirror. She contemplated, her thoughts running wild and finally, she honked. She honked and honked until she saw Ram looking at her. 

Ram turned to look at the vehicle, he saw Priya holding out her hand from the window and so Ram happily ran, ran to give her the lipstick.

"I don't want to seem inconsiderate." She said trying to hide her smile

Ram nodded "Happy Birthday again"

*****

Priya sat on her bed, staring at the lipstick "I can't believe I am letting this happen. Neha is going to kill me"

Just then her doorbell rang. It was Neha on the door, with a cake. "Happy Birthday" she screamed.

As Priya arranged the table for the meal, Neha saw the lipstick by the table "This looks brand new" she eyed her.

"It was a gift" Priya replied

"From whom?" she interrogated. She saw the blush on Priya's face and sat on the chair with a huff "Something smells fishy. It's Ram isn't it?"

"If you nag I'll cut the party short" Priya warned her.

"When exactly do you meet him? In your dreams?" she asked.

"I was in a car accident today. Take care of the bill when Ram calls tomorrow "

"Accident? And you are so casual about it. What is wrong with you Priya?" Neha panicked, holding her head.

"He was coincidentally at the scene and he gave his card to the other driver"

"And then he gave you this lipstick?" she asked raising her brows.

"It was a birthday gift Neha. Stop it" Priya was getting annoyed.

"How does he know about your birthday, is he a stalker? "

"Neha Stop!" she warned but with a smile on her face.

"By the way, Deepak uncle was the one who took him to Pune" Neha informed.