Ray heard a knocking at the door to his and Neela's apartment. It was tentative, as if the person knocking wasn't sure that anybody would hear it. Probably just one of those door-to-door salesmen, he thought, shrugging. Not worth getting up from his comfortable position on the couch. Then he heard a voice.
"Ray?" It was barely audible, but definitely distinguishable by its accent – his roommate. He got to his feet and opened the door. It swung open to a stunned-looking Neela.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, hello to you too. And what do you mean, "What are you doing here?" you called out my name, remember?" He smirked at the indignant expression that crossed her face.
"That's not the point. I thought you would be at the hospital by now."
"Well, yeah, I should be." Ray leaned against the doorframe, smirk yet in place; Neela was still standing out in the hallway. Noticing this she bodily pushed Ray into the apartment, earning her a surprised look.
"What? I'm not going to have this conversation with you while standing out in the hallway where everyone can hear it."
Ah, that was Neela. Ever the prim and proper type.
"So I thought you were done a few hours ago. But you're only home now?"
"Uh-uh Ray. First tell me why you're still here and why I'm not about to have a nice, quiet apartment to myself."
"Yeah that. I had to make a small schedule adjustment. I need Friday free. And come on, now you get the pleasure of my company both at work and play."
Neela chose to ignore the jibe. "Hot date, Ray? Or perhaps your Mum is visiting from Miami?" It was her turn to smirk.
"Haha. Funny. But no, the band's got a gig and I need extra set-up time. We're doing something…special."
"Right."
"Hey, you should come along. Maybe then we can prove to you that we're not as half-assed as you think we are. So where have you been?"
"Thanks. I'll think about it. And what are you now, my Dad? I was just out with a friend."
"Anyone I know?" There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"No."
"So is it serious?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Ray, I said, "friend." It wasn't a date." Neela said in an exasperated voice.
"Sure. Okay." He grinned, unconvinced. "And why were you knocking at the door to, um, our apartment?"
"Oh. Right." Neela looked a little embarrassed and went no further.
Ray arched his eyebrows and made a hand gesture for her to continue.
"I forgot my keys, okay. There happy?"
"Hey, I forget things all the time. Nothing wrong with that."
Neela gave him a look. He wasn't quite sure how to read it.
"Ugh. Whatever. I'm going to bed." Neela trudged toward her room.
"Is that an invitation?"
Ray heard a little scream coming from the direction of her room.
"Well, a guy can dream can't he?" He muttered to himself, laughing.