What Was It - 2?

Riya glanced at the communicator icon yet again. It was almost lunch time.  She had been expecting it to blink from a long time now. The stranger from the morning hadn’t pinged.  She had been thinking about the morning’s incident a lot. May be it was just a casual encounter. The stranger really could not have a reason. May be he realized what he did was very impulsive and thought better of it. Suddenly the absurdity of the whole situation dawned upon her and she began to laugh.  At that very instant the communicator buzzed. ♣ It was indeed the stranger. Only now she knew his name. Raghav R. He had invited her to come to the executive canteen which was a good one kilometer away from her building. As Riya walked through the basement to avoid the harsh sun she felt very uneasy. The turn of events was indeed overpowering. Had she known before that buying a book from a poor child would earn her the attention of a man capable of booking the executive canteen, would she have even bought it? Probably yes. She smiled inwardly. Raghav was too handsome for her own good. ♣ Raghav waved as Riya entered. He had reserved the two seater table at the back and was now sitting there lazily. She looked around as she walked towards the table. The executive canteen was beautifully decorated. It overlooked the well pruned and designer garden that had the lake and the fountain. This garden had won many accolades around the world. All the tables except theirs were occupied by white skinned or black skinned foreigners. Clients. She thought. Next birth she wanted to be a client of her company she thought wistfully. What a royal treatment they got. “Hi.” Raghav said. “Hi.” Riya replied. She was nervous. She wondered why it felt like a date! It was just an official luncheon where he would explain why he was so bothered about her buying a book from a poor child. “Sit down” Raghav smiled. And Riya realized going very red with embarrassment that she had completely forgotten to sit. “So? I was to give you my reasons right?” Raghav said. Going straight to the point. Forcing Riya back into reality. Riya nodded. “Yeah. I mean that was the whole point of having this lunch. Right?” she said. Raghav laughed. “Yeah. I guess so.” He narrowed his eyes looking disoriented for a second, and then he was back, “So you like helping poor a lot?” he asked. “Well. Yeah. I think it is everyone’s duty to help people who are less fortunate than he is.” Riya said. “And what is the mode of help that you extend? Buying books from ragged children in the traffic signal?” he asked again. Or did he mock? Riya felt her cheeks burn. “I also donate to an NGO. But it is not your concern really. You were to tell me why you got interested in me suddenly. Not asking questions again.” She breathed. “Up for something more?” he asked. His eyes ablaze with a challenge and Riya caught hypnotized in them. But the spell was broken as he tore his eyes off. “What are you doing this Saturday? Not going to Adlabs again, are you?” he asked. Riya’s heart skipped an involuntary beat. He had noticed her that day. She looked at him and his eyes were beseechingly upon her. “No.” she replied. “Do you know how to ride bicycle?” was his next question. Though taken aback, she managed to answer that she knew how to ride bicycle. “Do you have one?” he asked. “Yes. But it’s in my home in Sikkim.” She replied and immediately felt stupid. But Raghav managed to keep a straight face. He said, “No problem. I have one extra. Mind going for a ride on Saturday?” Riya opened her mouth and shut it again. She might have looked confused because Raghav spoke again, “Well I thought it would be better if I took you along instead of just explaining my reasons.” “On bi-cycles?” “Yes. Trust me. A bi-cycle would be best. Come. Will you?” his eyes were hypnotizing once again. “Ok. I mean. Yes. I will come.” Riya said wondering what a manipulative person he was and how easily she was falling for it. “See you on Saturday then, Riya.” He spoke almost relishing the sound of her name.Follow me.