Encounter - A RaYa Journey

Chapter - 10

The atmosphere inside the vehicle seemed tense, no one spoke a word. Deepak was driving while Neha sat in the front seat leaving Priya and Ram at the backseats.

"So, should I leave you both at the convenient store for the ice cream?" Deepak asked with a smirk in his face. He seemed to be like the only person who was happy with the turn of event.

"Please drop Ram off somewhere quiet" Neha interfered rolling her eyes.

"It will be very weird for all four of us to eat ice cream together" Priya voiced out quietly, almost like she was speaking with herself and not addressing her companions "Deepak uncle, why don't you stop the car somewhere quiet. Neha, I hope you'll be able to get home from here?" she addressed Neha while keeping her hand over Ram's. Ram didn't know how to react so he kept his face neutral and stared out of the window. 

Deepak beamed while Neha was dumbstruck.

"Yes, both Neha and I will get down on the side" saying this he drove a little over for 5-10 minutes. Throughout this time Neha was mumbling something to herself, while Ram and Priya were trying to contain their laughter. Deepak stopped the vehicle and asked Ram to take over the wheel. When both Deepak and an annoyed Neha got out of the vehicle, Priya went to sit at the front seat beside Ram.

While they were on the road, Priya took out her hanker chief from her purse and softly dapped over the beads of sweat forming over Ram's face. It startled Ram and he moved a little towards his side of the door. "If you are uncomfortable going to the store, I can drop you home" she teased him.

"No" he abruptly replied "No, I mean. It's very late to have ice cream now. Let's go to an amazing tea shop"

"Is it going to be like the one in Pune?"

"No, this is better, I guarantee. And when your heart is racing like today's, there is a tea shop perfect for it" he side-eyed her, earning a smile from her. 

They stopped a little far from the city, the house looked very old and there was no one around. Priya did feel a little weird but Ram assured her that he knew the owner well so she didn't have to feel sacred. He took her inside the house. It was very warm and homely. A couch was in the middle and a bookshelf with thousands of books stack at the corner, a small wooden dining table with wooden seats instead of chairs adorned at another corner.

"Ram? Is that you?" Vandana aunty called out. Ram smirked at her and ran to hug her. "Look at you. I almost forgot your face" she held him tightly.

"It has been long, isn't it?" Ram held her arms. "It's so good to see you.  Oh, this is my friend Priya" he said introducing them "I brought her here to make her taste your special tea"

They sat in the dining area, while the tea brew inside the kitchen.

"I saw your Cuba pictures online. You had fun, didn't you?" Vandana asked Ram.

"Yes. And I met Priya in Cuba"

"Is that so? That's wonderful" she stated amused "It must feel a little strange here" she stated looking at Priya.

"This looks like a personal space. Please excuse my intrusion" Priya was a little embarrassed since the moment she stepped inside the house. She was not used to meeting new people and making unannounced appearances.

"Don't be embarrassed, please feel comfortable. I'll go check on the tea okay" She left for the kitchen, leaving Ram and Priya.

"I told you about the photographer friend my dad had right, the one who gifted the camera when I was born" Priya nodded "She is the wife of that friend. She used to be a teacher but after her husband's death, she spends her time travelling. It has been long since we have met." Their conversation was interrupted when Vandana asked Ram to help her in the kitchen.