Riya's POV
" Have your food, then we will talk about it. " He said.
" Why didn't you order food for yourself? " I asked.
" I am not hungry... "
" But you didn't even have lunch," I said.
" Doesn't matter! Don't pretend as if you care. You would have told me otherwise. How does it matter, if I was worried to death that a lunatic was stalking you and you were missing? " He said keeping his tone lower but I knew he was very angry.
" Dr Parth!! Please have food. We will talk about it later." I requested as I was concerned about him.
" No!! How could you do that? Just a stupid mistake from my side and you broke the special bond we shared? I apologised to you... " He was shaking his head as if he was cursing himself.
" I am not angry because of that. " I said immediately.
" You are... You have changed. After that incident. " He retorted.
" Please, have food! " I said shifting the plate towards him.
" Fine!! Don't tell me... " He got up from the table and started pacing the cafe, looking into his phone.
God!! Such a stubborn man.
I felt bad for him. He must have been worried as he was overprotective by nature.
He was worried for me and here I was torturing him more with my questions.
I wanted him to eat food. I could not eat while he was suffering.
" Dr Parth, the pasta is getting cold. " I said to bring the sulking Dr Parth to come back to the table and have food.
" I don't want it... " He said.
I took a fork full of pasta in my mouth and moaned.
" Umm... It's yummy, because of the double amount of cheese." I said looking at him.
He closed his eyes for a few seconds and took a few deep breaths and then looked at me.
" Enjoy!! I don't want it. " He said and looked into his phone as if he was doing the most important thing in the world.
" Hey, Riya?? What are you doing here? Having night duty? " Dr Vidyut said, coming towards me.
I looked at Dr Parth, he looked up from his phone and clenched his jaw.
" Why didn't you tell me? We could have shared a meal. Anyways it is not late... What are you having? "
He asked sitting in front of me.
" Wow! This looks great!! Is it as tasty as it looks? Can I taste it, before ordering ?" He asked picking up the extra fork, I had kept on the plate for Dr Parth to have some pasta.
" No! Order for yourself and then try. " Dr Parth came back to the table and sat down next to me pulling the plate towards him.
" I am not asking you, Dr Parth! I am asking my friend. " Vidyut said.
" Well, I ordered it for both of us and we were enjoying it before you shamelessly invited yourself to taste it. I know, you won't mind, but I would definitely mind as I don't like to share anything with people I don't like. " He said and picked up my fork and ate some.
" It is as yummy as it always is... I love to share it with you, Riya. C'mon have it, before it gets cold. What are you waiting for? " He asked looking at me.
" It was my fork, Dr Parth. " I said.
" Oh, was it! Does it matter?? You know how I love to share food with you. I will get you another one. And Dr Vidyut, do you mind leaving us alone to enjoy our food? " He glared at Vidyut.
" Riya, why do you tolerate this man's attitude? He might be your senior, but he can't behave like this with you. " Vidyut said with a clenched fist.
" Dr Vidyut, thanks a lot for your care and concern. I am glad you are so concerned about me. But I assure you, Dr Parth is absolutely polite and respectful with me. His behaviour as a colleague and senior is impeccable. He is my friend and neighbour too, so please don't worry about my well being. " I said bluntly.
" Now, please leave!! Don't spoil the quality time we were having. It's our break time, we need to get back to our work. " Dr Parth said and Dr Vidyut left.
" What was that, Dr Parth? " I asked him.
" I don't know... I don't like him being so clingy. " He said.
" Why do you pretend in front of him that we are very close to each other? " I asked him looking at him.
" Maybe because I want you... And I don't like him around you. " He said and smiled at me. I was shocked at what he said.
" No, you don't!! " I said shaking my head.
" I don't?? How can you say that? I want you because I like you."
" Don't lie! "
" Why would I lie about it?? Are you crazy?? Shit! Why am I even asking? ... Of course, you are. " He said.
" That's what you think about me, this is your true feelings for me, so don't lie that you want me. " I said immediately.
" What is your problem?? " He asked me with an irritated face.
" You!! " I said and went away to our department but remained near the nurse as I didn't want to be alone with him.
Parth's POV
What was wrong with her?? I shook my head.
Why was she saying that I didn't like or want her? If only she knew how much I wanted her...
Crazy girl!! We finished our duty hours that day but I made it a point to make her aware of the fact that I liked her a lot and wanted her to be my girlfriend.
I told her to come with me, in my car. She refused to do that and said that she had her own car, though I insisted, the stubborn girl refused to come with me.
I was going crazy, as I wanted to tell her that I was developing some feelings for her. But she was hell-bent to prove that I didn't want her. But why??
How can she be sure of what I want? Why does she think that I was lying?
I wanted to be close to her all the time while she was running away, avoiding me like anything.
Let's see how would you stay away from me.
*******
It has been 24 hours since we stayed in the hospital for night duty. She was still staying away from me. I was dying to be close to her, spend some quality time with her, like we were doing earlier and have her in my arms.
I got her a new phone and number and went to her home to give it to her, but she refused to take it.
" Riya, please take it... I want you to keep it. Don't give this number to anyone, except your parents and of course, I have this number." I said.
" I don't need any gifts from you. " She said.
" Take it, you need to have a phone so that you can contact your parents or me in case you need help, I will ensure that you are fine. " I argued.
" I can buy a phone on my own." She said shaking her head. Why was she so stubborn??
" I know, but I already bought it for you. I am sorry if you think that I have no right to give you anything, but I think differently. Still, if you want me to return it, here is the bill, go give it back. " I said trying to hide how hurt I felt.
" I will take it if you let me pay you for it. " She said and I was even more hurt and angry all of a sudden.
" I will let you pay for it if you charge for all the delicious home-cooked meals you cooked for me as well. How can I accept food prepared by you for free? Please give me a bill for next time. " I said with bitterness.