The oxygen in the entire room disappeared. Again. So who was he talking about then?

Noticing my stunned expression or more like if-you-do-not-elaborate-i-will-have-flies-in-my-mouth expression, he added, "Its an obstacle for you. You are the one who will have feelings for someone who does not reciprocate them."

Oh......

"Right."

"Just like Mark's condition. But at least Raven is not leading you on like you are doing with Mark."

"I am not leading on Mark! And I like him."

"No, you are just with him because you are desperate to feel loved." He said haughtily.

"Desperate to feel loved? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"A man in love." He smirked.

For a split second I thought he was talking about me. Then I realised....Lara. Actually I didn't think I wished he was talking about me.

"Not everyone's love life is as perfect as yours!"

He didn't say anything for a minute.

"Life is never perfect Nea and love is far from perfect. But thats what makes the journey more adventurous and fun. If it was easy to find someone who truly loves you, we would all take it for granted. And to be honest, if there was no struggle then life would have been just plain boring."

He paused and then continued, "And most people think that its all bliss and bed of roses when you find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. Truth is, its not and its never going to be. There will always be fights. There will be days when you won't be able to stay together in the same room. You might even leave or take a break. Its going to happen Nea. Because the best things in life don't come easy. But if you have a good head on your shoulders, you will find the person worth suffering for and hopefully that person will see the same in you."

Well.....he left me speechless. Now I do realise how childish I truly sound.

"Raven and you might have had something in the past. Maybe its still there or maybe its not. I know why you brought me here tonight Nea."

"Because he told me to."

"No. I saw how upset you were just now. You wanted to see if it will effect him or not, seeing you with another man."

"Maybe." I said looking down at the floor.

"Nea, its not my place to say anything. But I know one thing. If he really wanted you, he could have had you. But he chose not to. He did not think you were worth suffering for and that ultimately makes him not worthy of you as well. Its nothing wrong Nea. I just don't want you to spend your life with questions, thinking that one day he will come and answer them. Thats not going to happen. He had five years and he never tried. Are you going to spend your life waiting? Is he worth it?"

"And to clear this. No my love life is not perfect. My wife and I have been separated for almost an year. We did not file for divorce yet though, for the sake of our son. We are trying to make things work but it isn't happening. We don't live together and we might not be in love with each other but we are great friends and that for me is love too, Nea. Hard for you to understand but someday you will." He smiled.

Well that was a lot of preaching. And........wow.

I don't know what came over me but I just turned around and left. I went outside to get some air.

He is so right.

He knows me too well. Well actually he knows human psychology so...

He is separated.

He is also a father.

Ten minutes later or so, I was joined by Doctor Amit.

"Hey. I thought you left." He said.

"Of course not."

"I am sorry if I offended you."

"You did not." I smiled at him and he smiled back.

My attention was diverted towards the garden at the entrance. It was illuminated with colourful lights and it looked too pretty. In the middle was a giant fountain. It was circular in shape with giant sea lions watering the middle pool with their mouths.

"I want to get in there." I said all of a sudden.

"In the fountain? Sure." He said cooly.

"I am serious." I said narrowing my eyes at him.

"I am Harry." He snapped.

Lamest joke ever.

"You are too old for Harry Potter, doc." I said while walking towards the fountain. "Well, if we get caught then its going to be a huge embarrassment."

"We? Speak for yourself. I am staying right here." He said.

"What will you do? Watch me?" I said raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, yes." He said grinning.

"Pervert."

"How exactly? Are you taking your clothes off?" He said with mock excitement.

"Come on! Don't be a coward!"

But he did not move. So, I went in the fountain myself.

"Oh my god, this water is so freaking ..co..oo..lddd." I won't lie, I was enjoying myself. Being childish and stupid can be worth it.

Unless Raven comes out here to see or some paparazzi. Well, that would be a great way to insult myself.

"Well if you get sick then we always have a doctor boyfriend inside."

"Ex boyfriend." I said and splashed some water on him.

"What are you...Aahh..Nea stop it or I will make you regret it." He said while I continued my water assault.

"Oh and what will you do?"

"This." He took out his phone and took a picture.

"Oh my god...No!" I said hiding my face.

Click. Click. Flash. Flash

"Oh like you will do anything with these." I said.

"I think Mark would love to see these pictures."

"You won't show them to him." I said while getting out.

"Try me." He said winking.

I groaned while he helped me out.

"So was this fun?" He asked skeptically.

"It was." I said with a huge smile.

"Right. Well, you are all wet and you must be hungry, I know I am."

"Me too."

"I live ten minutes away, do you want to come over?"

Whoa. That was unexpected.

"There is going to be food. And dry clothes if you want. Or we can hit a restaurant but... " He said while giving me a once over look. "Its a body hugging dress and you are all wet." He said with a huge smile

"You look very happy about that."

"I am not going to bite, Nea. Not unless you ask me to anyway." He was enjoying this wasn't he?

"You know, I think I will give my driver a call." I said while reaching for my purse that I had kept on a bench so that it doesn't get wet.

"I am only kidding. Come on now." He said while gesturing towards his car.

_______________________________________

Next afternoon, I decided to just relax at home. It was a Sunday and the week had been eventful. All I wanted to do was sit down with a cup of coffee and read a book.

I should have known ..its MY life we are talking about.

Mom and Nicki hurdled in front of the T.V. together...

"She did not tell you anything either?" Nicki asked mom while grabbing a handful of chips.

"No. All she said was that she had dinner with Amit."

"At his place." Nicki added.

"With his son. And his father." I added on.

"So nothing happened?" Nicki asked looking disappointed.

"Its good nothing happened. I look too young to be a grandmother." My mom said.

"Mommmmmmmmmmm!" I said in embarrassment. "I am with Mark, remember?"

"Come on, being a hot and happening Grandma is every grandmother's dream." Nicki said to my mom.

"Hot!" My mom said, blushing.

"Stop it you two!!" I shrieked. But they just ignored me.

"By the way did she tell you that she met Raven there?"

"Raven? Is he in India these days?" My mom asked suddenly all attention towards Nicki.

"He is working here." Nicki said smirking.

"I do not want a Raven baby, Nea? Do you understand? I am more with Mark baby or Amit baby. Of course, after marriage. Before that if you turn up in front of this house with a huge belly, I will...."

"OH. MY. GOD." I shouted. These two were impossible."Why are we talking about babies? I had dinner with Amit and his family. It was a perfectly pleasant and DECENT dinner where I met his son and father, who are really cool. Amit was really nice to me and thats all. He is my doctor. Mark is my boyfriend. Raven is my ex boyfriend and right now we are JUST FRIENDS!"

"Right now? What do you mean by right now?" My mom asked looking bewildered. She never approved of Raven even when we were dating. She never told me a particular reason except that she does not think he is right for me.

"Mom, I am 25. I can date whoever I want."

My mom turned her attention back to the television, clearly angry.

"But its not Raven. I assure you, I have no feelings for him. None at all." I said trying to cheer her up.

"You woke up with a huge smile today. You have been singing to yourself. Terribly, if I might add. And you have a glow on your face. Nea, you have feelings. For someone. And I know its not Mark." My mom affirmed.

Oh, I know.

The entire car ride, we were silent. We did not talk about anything, it felt really awkward. I know him enough to know, he is really nice. And married, even though separated. He also has son. But what if this is not just dinner? What if he expects MORE from me?

This fear did not let me open my usually big mouth for any conversation. And to make things worse, he would give me these looks, I did not understand. Only that they were making me nervous even if he looked extremely handsome with each crooked smile he passed along.

"You look so scared." He said while softly chuckling to himself.

"Scared? Of course not. I am just worried where you might be taking me. What if you are planning to kidnap me?" I tried to joke.

"Right. If I kidnap you and ask for ransom, your mother would probably pay me to keep you."

"And you would certainly pay her." I said haughtily.

"You are right, I would. Anything just to keep you." He said and took me by surprise. I looked over at him, with wide eyes. "I mean, hey I am getting to keep an attractive woman all to myself? Who would let that go?"

Oh, of course.

"Men!" I snorted. He laughed lightly.

"Why? I just said, I would keep you. I did not say if I would do anything with you."

"You would not be able to, I would just murder you in your sleep."

"Too forward Nea. Did you just self invite yourself to my bed?" He asked winking.

"Like I don't know what you were planning to keep me for. What else were you planning to do with me?"

He started laughing to himself. And I felt like chocking him.

"I was planning to assign you as my cook." He said again with his perfect crooked smile.

I ignored him, and turned around to face the car window. Traffic. Ugh. He gently poked on my shoulder.

"Disappointed?" He asked with a wink.

"Why would I be disappointed?" I turned around, facing him.

"Right. Well, I would not buy you for physical needs. You are not that attractive."

"Of course. Your wife is more beautiful." I remarked.

"She is." He said smiling.

Silence.

"Nea, you are beautiful and I am sure many people think so. But you will not understand how I see you. You have pretty eyes but what makes them alluring is the spark they generate when they see a stupid fountain. i like your hands but I like them more when they are close to touching mine.your lips are kissable but I love the words they speak, even though half the time its pure stupidity. I like how you look when you are shy. I think your nose is cute but its cuter when they flare up when you lie. I like how you try and hide that you are not attracted to me. I like the way you walk. I like the way you dance. I like the way you think. So yes, to my eyes, Lara is more attractive but to my mind and heart, you are."

I was speechless. I did not know what to say. So I just smiled.

Two minutes later, he asked. "So how is your boyfriend?" He asked so casually as if he never said those...those...beautiful things!

"HUH?"

"What?" He asked looking clueless.

"You are kidding me right? You can't say all those hollywoodish things and then pretend like you did not just admit to have feelings for me!"

"Why?"

"What the hell do you mean by why?"

He relaxed and smiled to himself. "Why does it matter?"

"Because I have feelings for you too!"

AUTHOR NOTE:-

Woohoo! Finally an update. I am so sorry it got so late! Did you like the chapter? ;)

LET ME KNOW! ;D

So whats next for Nea? Are we going to have little Amit? I am just kidding. Just kidding.

Lets find out in the next chapter. See you. :D

PRAKRITI