~..Forever You And Me-FF..~ Part 17-pg 20 - Page 8

[At the restaurant]

Few hours later Susan and her team were all sitting at a big table laughing away happily while eating dinner. They were eating dessert and talking about the movie. Vishnu and Karthik kept making jokes causing everyone to laugh.

Susan : "Wow what a day it's been, I had fun for sure."

Karthik : "Thanks Susan for treating us."

Susan : "No problem, it's my pleasure to have a great team like this. I hope everyone continues to work this hard and we deliver our best always for Netech."

Ashok : "Of course Susan we are the best."

Susan smiled looking at her team.

Raji got up from her chair: "Excuse me I'm going to use the washroom."

Lakshmi also got up: "Hey Raji wait I'm coming too."

The girls went to the washroom and were washing their hands.

Lakshmi : "Enna Raji, do you like Karthik?"

Raji was surprised by this question.

Raji : "What do you mean?"

Lakshmi : "No no I'm just asking if you kind of like him or not. You seem really happy around him and you both would make a great couple. He seems like a nice guy."

Raji was avoiding Lakshmi's eye : "Oh come on Lakshmi stop it."

Lakshmi laughed : I see the way you both look at each other. I don't know but I'm just saying that there is something special about you two together."

Raji dried her hands in the blow dryer and looked at Lakshmi and smiled thinking about what she had just said.

They left the washroom and as Raji was heading back to the table she caught Karthik. He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back at him as she was walking.

Lakshmi whispered : "See, this is what I was talking to you about between you two...it's called chemistry!"

Raji blushed and sat beside Karthik at the table now.

The waiter came with the bill and left it on the table. Before Susan could take it, Ashok took it and said : "Susan let this be my treat for tonight."

Susan : "Ashok come on...no...it's my treat like I said before."

Vishnu : "Let us pay Susan, you bought the movie tickets for us."

Susan : "Guys come on, I'm treating today." She took the bill from Ashok and took out her debit card.

Everyone got up and waited outside while she paid at the counter. After paying, she came outside.

Susan : "Ok everyone thanks again and I hope you had fun today."

Kaushik : "Thank you Susan."

Susan : "My pleasure."

Everyone said goodbyes to each other and left the restaurant slowly.

Karthik and Raji walked to Karthik's car. He opened the door for Raji and she got inside saying thanks. He then went over to the other side and got in. They put their seat belts on and Karthik drove away from the restaurant parking lot.

Inside the car Karthik and Raji were pretty quiet. Karthik decided to say something.

"So did you like the movie?"

Raji : "Yes, it was really funny."

It was starting to get dark outside now and the air was getting breezier because of the rain throughout the day. Raji took out her cardigan from her bag and put it on. Karthik noticed this.

"Is it getting cold? I'll close the windows." He closed the windows and looked at her.

Raji : "Thanks Karthik."

Karthik : "Do you like to listen to music?"

Raji : "Of course. I love music."

Karthik turned on the car radio and a beautiful duet song"MANDRAM VANTHA THENDRALUKU.." was playing in the background. Raji listened to it and smiled.

"I love this song."

Karthik put the volume a little higher and noticed Raji moving her lips to the words. He smiled and continued driving. The radio continued playing various beautiful songs and Karthik and Raji were enjoying them.

Karthik was looking ahead at the road and driving. The radio was playing lightly in the background now. He turned to look at Raji and noticed that she was asleep. Her eyes were close. Karthik turned off the radio and continued driving as Raji slept peacefully in his car.

Ten minutes later he came to Raji's house. He turned off the engine and saw that Raji was still sleeping. Not wanting to disturb her sleep he looked at her. She was looking very childish and pretty sleeping with her head resting on the side. Her hair was covering part of her face and she was breathing ever so silently.

Karthik called out her name.

"Raji"

There was no reply.

"Raji..."

Raji was still asleep ignoring her name.

He gently touched her left shoulder and shook her cafefully.

"Raji"

Raji woke up from her sleep. She opened her eyes and moved her hair away and sat up in the seat.

"Huh..enna Karthik..."

Karthik : "Raji we're at your house."

Raji looked up through the window.

"Oh we're here already. Sorry I feel asleep, I'm feeling very tired..."

Karthik : "It's okay Raji, go inside and sleep."

Raji took off her seatbelt and got out of the car. Karthik got out too and walked her up to the front door.

"Look like nobody is home."

Raji : "Yeah, appa said he was going out tonight, guess he's not back home yet..."

Karthik wanted to make sure she'll be safe : "You'll be fine right alone?"

Raji : "Yeah I'll be fine don't worry. I'm going straight to bed anyways."

Raji took her house key from her bag and held it in her hands and smiled at Karthik.

"Thanks again Karthik for the ride."

Karthik : "You're welcome Raji."

Both looked at each other's eyes for a few seconds.

Karthik : "So..I'll see you Monday?"

Raji blushed : "Yeah...see you Monday..."

Karthik walked back to his car and Raji waved at him as he drove off. She opened the door and went inside closing it behind her.

Karthik drove away enjoying the drive back while he thought about Raji. He knew she was special.