Chapter Four

Neela walked into Ike's a little while to find that Ray wasn't there yet. That didn't surprise her since she was still early. After walking around the few people that were in, she quickly grabbed a seat at a table in the corner opposite the door and sat down. Looking around, she was suddenly overcome with a wave of self-consciousness and didn't want to take her coat off. She knew she had to though; otherwise she'd look ever stranger. She placed her purse on the table in front of her and took her coat off. Just as she placed it down next to her, she looked up to see Ray walking over.

"Hey, Neela." Ray said casually sliding into a chair. "How was work?"

"Boring. I spent the first hour in the lounge, doing nothing with Abby and then, we just kind of wandered about. We only had two patients all day. Morris let me and a few other nurses leave early." She replied, not making any eye contact.

"Really? How come I didn't see you at home?" Ray looked confused.

"Oh, I went over to Abby's right after that. We had some… stuff to do." Neela told him.

"Is that Abby's shirt?" He asked, realizing for the first time what she was wearing.

"Um, yeah. Why?"

"No reason, I was just wondering. It doesn't look like something you'd normally wear."

"Yeah I know, Abby has a limited selection." She tried to cover up. "Do you not like it?"

"No, no. I do, you look beautiful." Ray told her.

Neela could feel her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Beautiful. He said I was beautiful."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you do." He gave her a strange look. "Neela, what's going on?"

Neela sighed and looked around. Where is that waitress?

"Neela?" Ray asked again.

"Um…" She couldn't figure out how to tell him, but she knew she couldn't do it here. Not with all these people around. She felt like everyone was staring at her. "I need to tell you something, but not here. You wanna go for a walk?"

"Sure." Ray stood up and pulled his jacket on. He helped Neela into hers and the two of them left the building.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before they reached a small park.

"Wanna sit down?" He suggested.

Neela swallowed hard and nodded. "Sure."

The bench was smaller than it looked and Neela found herself sitting incredibly close to Ray.

"So, what's up?" He asked.

"Okay, um, I don't really know how to say this so I'm gunna try my best and just come out with it." She started.

"Neela -." Ray interrupted.

"No, wait, if I don't say it now, I don't think I'll have the courage to try again." Neela put her hand up. "Ray…" She took a deep breath. "I have feelings for you; more than just roommate feelings. I didn't want to tell you before because I was scared that you wouldn't feel the same way and it would freak you out, but after spending an hour, spilling my guts to Abby this morning, I had to tell you. I didn't think it was fair to keep this secret, even if it ruins everything."

Ray didn't say anything.

"I'm sorry, Ray. I shouldn't have told you. I'm just gunna go." She started to stand up but Ray grabbed her hand.

"Neela, wait." He leaned in and gently placed his lips on her. After a few seconds, Ray broke the kiss but didn't move away. "Neel, I should be the one that's sorry. I feel the same way. I have since the first day I met you. I was scared that you didn't feel the same."

"You do?" Neela asked, still on cloud nine from that kiss.

"I do." Ray leaned in and kissed her again, longer this time.

Neela could feel herself melting inside. "So this is what it feels like." She didn't want it to end, but unfortunately, Ray broke it off after a minute.

"Neela?"

"Yeah?"

"Why don't we go home so we can talk about this some more?" He suggested, standing up.

She bit her lip and nodded. "Okay." She stood up but didn't follow him.

"Neel?" Ray turned around and looked confused. "You okay?"

Neela just stared at Ray for a minute before nodding. "Yeah." She replied with a smile. She caught up with him and slid her hand into his, interlocking their fingers. Neela couldn't stop smiling the whole walk home.