Part 3 – The Lovers

After 3 weeks,

Samiksha had made a place for herself in the KV group of companies through her unique combination of poise, wit, and charm and her nature of being herself. She never knew how to impress people, but her unique qualities made her unforgettable for whomever she came across. Karan was not an exception.

It was Monday morning. Aarun was eager to know what was happening in his bestie’s life.
“So, I guess Samiksha has done it. She has proved her worth as she told us.”
“Yes, of course, Aarun”.

“And.”
“And?”

“Be clear now. Have you spoken out your feelings to her?”
Karan gave him a surprised glance as if he didn’t understand.
“Now come on. Tell her what you feel for her.”

A smiling Karan,

almost blushing with his witty smile, left Aarun in the cabin with his unanswered questions.
“See ya.”

“Sir, I feel The Platinum Heights would be very beneficial in the long term, seeing their market dealings and knack. They think from a long-term point of view.”
“Yes, you spoke my heart. I felt the same way when I saw their market achievements. What say, Aarun?”
” Hmm. I guess my vote is in for this one.”
“So, let’s fix the earliest appointment with them.”
“I will inform Varsha about this,” said Aarun.

An appointment with the Platinum Heights CEO was only possible in Italy as he would be there the next week for a family wedding. But Varsha informed Karan that he was ready for a meeting with the KV group.
Karan wanted this contract as it would be one of his company’s best deals.
“Sir, should I fix this appointment for the 3rd of this week? That is the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes, go ahead.”

“Sami, we would have to fly to Italy the day after as this was the earliest day possible.”
Said Karan to Samiksha in her cabin…
“Um, Sir, I have never been out of India before. I will have to talk to Mom.”.

“Don’t worry.

I will talk to her, as your presence is needed there.”

Mrs. Samuel had just finished her prayers.
And the doorbell rang.
“Mom, meet Mr. Karan Valenti, my boss.”
“A warm welcome, sir. Please come. Have a seat.”
Karan felt a warm and cosy feeling in their small home.

“Miksha talks a lot about you, sir.”
Samiksha stole a quick, embarrassing glance from Karan and rushed into her kitchen.
After a short conversation, Karan asked her mom about the business trip to Italy.

“Sure, why not? She will get exposure to this field. Though she might appear a bubbly, naive girl, she has much potential, sir. She inherited it from her father. We had a small business, but Miksha’s suggestions and inputs would sometimes leave us astonished. We would be taken aback by her thoughts and ideas.”

Karan was impressed

even more.
“I am happy but also surprised that you agreed instantly.”
“Son, a person’s presence near you speaks volumes about his true character. I can sense the care and responsibility you have towards my Miksha. For sure, you have it for all your employees. I give my consent. She can accompany you to Italy.”

They were unaware that the trip to Italy would change their lives forever.

The smile on his face was of a man who deeply cared for Samiksha. She too returned the smile after her mom’s consent.
“Will get the tickets booked then. I shall text you the time of our flight.”
She nodded joyfully.
“See you then. Thank you for the tea, Aunty. Good night.”

“Comfortable?” asked Karan to make her at ease on the flight.
“Yes, sir. Actually a bit nervous too”
“Don’t worry. Relax. Let’s chat.”
She jumped out with joy.
“I thought we would have to sit quietly throughout.”
“So tell me. How was your childhood?

https://images.pexels.com/photos/3863778/pexels-photo-3863778.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=view-from-window-seat-3863778.jpg&fm=jpg

“Yes, of course. Being the only child, I was pampered by both my mom and dad. But they also taught me to be content in life.”
“What else did they teach?”
“Hmm. To choose love over everything. It makes everything right. No matter what the conditions are.”
“You have the virtue of wisdom. I shall borrow it from you, Sami.”

They smiled at each other.

The flight took off. Samiksha was quite comfortable now, enjoying the view from her window seat.

“So how’s the feeling? You comfortable?”
“Yes.”
“You visiting Italy for the first time. Excited?”
“Very excited. And you, sir?”
“I have been there several times, dear.”
“Oh ya”, said Samiksha.

“Hmm. But with you definitely, it’s my first visit.”
“So, sir, what’s so special there?”
“Now that’s a good question. Sami, it’s the city of passion.”
“And love?”
“Here you go wrong, dear. Passion.”
Samiksha was spellbound for a few minutes.
“You also must have experienced it?”

And Karan burst into laughter.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course, yes. What makes you think I am not?”
“Nothing. I am feeling sleepy, so good night.”
“Hey. I can smell something burning.”
“Oh, ya. Maybe in the kitchen. Please go ahead and check.”
Samiksha suddenly noticed how she bared her emotions with her actions and words.
“Can I sleep?”
Finally, she wanted to end this convo.
“Yes, Sami dear.”

After landing,

a car picked them up, and they proceeded toward their hotel.
It was posh, matching the lifestyle of Karan Valenti.
“Wow. It’s a beautiful place, sir”.
Karan smiled at her, and both walked toward their respective rooms. He had booked two suites for them.

“Feel comfortable, Sami. You can make a call to Aunty. And rest for some time. Let me complete other formalities.”
Samiksha admired the concern he showed for her mother.
Later in the afternoon, they had a sumptuous Indian lunch. At Samiksha’s special request, Karan made sure only Indian food was served to them.

There was a knock on her door.
“Sami just got connected to Mr. Varun, the company’s CEO. He said he would meet us in two hours.”
“Alright, sir. But, till then?”
“Come on, let’s explore Italy.”
And they left for a short adventure.
Karan showed her a few places there. She enjoyed the sightseeing to the fullest.

It was time

for the business talk. Mr Varun was impressed by Karan and Samiksha’s future plans for the construction business. He also shared his point of view, and after an hour, the deal between The Platinum Heights and The KV group was done.

“I am thrilled this happened, sir. You were very keen on getting this deal, right?”
Karan’s happiness was visible on his face.
“Yes. Let’s celebrate. Our flight is tomorrow at noon. So let’s make utmost use of this time in our hands.”
Samiksha was thrilled about this unplanned outing. The fondness they had for each other was no longer hidden.
“Come.” Karan opened the car door for her, and she felt like she was on top of the world.

They went on a drive and then halted at a very vast ground. This was an open space where people came to escape from the speedy life. The highlight of this place was privacy. One could lie on a blanket and gaze at the magnificent, lovely sky. Or you could park your car, rest on its hood, and please your eyes with the beautiful sky.
“It’s just like a dream, sir. It’s so beautiful. No crowds, no pressure. Just peace. I can spend my entire life here.”
“With?” Karan asked with a smirk.

Samiksha’s blushing cheeks

were visible even in the dim lighting of that memorable evening.
“Um. Dunno right now.” They looked into each other’s eyes. Samiksha could not deny her feelings for him. She looked at those eyes gazing at her and tried to read what they were trying to convey.

The eye contact was disrupted by the hustle of a car that passed by theirs.
“Come out. You haven’t seen the real heaven yet.”
He removed a blanket from the car and spread it down.

He sat down and stretched himself carefreely on the blanket. Samiksha was spellbound for a few seconds. She did not know what to do.
“Come, lie down here,” he said, pointing at the place next to him. Seeing her hesitance, he tried to lighten the moment.
“I won’t grab you or kiss you. If I do so, you can sue your boss.”
Samiksha burst into laughter, and she lay down beside him on the soft blue blanket.
Then she sat up.

She was lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the sky. Thousands of stars twinkled up there. Dark blue, grey-shaded clouds rested in the sky like Karan and Samiksha. The feel of the cool breeze on her skin, beside her, was the man she desired.
“This is heaven”, said Samiksha with pure bliss.

The stars glowed

The visual was more beautiful than usual in the sky with mixed shades of grey, blue, and black.

“Samiksha.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know my name?”
Smiling, she looked at him and nodded her head.
“And it is?”
Hesitantly, she said after a while,
“Karan.”
And there was a smirky smile on his lips.
“You can call me by my name. I guess we have that comfort level between us now.”
“Yes Karan”, Samiksha said after a pause.
And they continued gazing up at the starry sky.

“Samiksha”
“Hmm.”
“When we first met, when you dashed against my car, did you expect us to meet again?”
“Um, no. Why?”
“Just like that. But I had wished that day to meet you again, someday.”
Samiksha turned her head sideways and looked at him.
“Karan, I.”
He never moved her eyes from hers.
“All ears.”

Her loud heartbeats

were heard all around them on that silent, magical night.
Karan felt nervous as he was so close to her on that soft, cosy blanket.
He turned sideways and rested on his right elbow and his head on his palm.
His glance was deep, studying her smooth features in the dim, glowing light of the stars.
“I have fallen for you, Samiksha.”
These six words and Samiksha’s world halted. Time paused. Her heart raced faster than ever. She looked at him and was lost in his glance.

“I fell for you the moment I saw you against the hood of my car. I wanted to get out of my car and swipe the hairs flying on your face, like this.”
And he swiped the flying hairs from her face with a light feather touch of his long, strong fingers.
She shivered at his first touch.

“I wanted to hold your face like this.”
And he cupped the side of her face with his hand.

“Only the universe knows

how I resisted the urge to kiss you.” And Samiksha closed her eyes. He stopped and whispered,
“Sami, look at me.”
And she slowly opened her eyes.

“Do you also feel the same as I do?”
She remembered her mom’s words: Miksha, the actual man who deserves you will be the one who thinks; he doesn’t.
Samiksha knew Karan tested her to see if she felt the same way about him before getting closer to her. She smiled and was glad she fell for the right man.

Fluttering her eyelashes, she turned her head to the opposite side.
He kept his hand slowly on hers.

She freed her hand

and got up from the blanket.
As she tried to go away, he caught her hand and turned her towards him after getting up.
“Tell me, what am I for you?”
She slowly looked up with his answer in her coy eyes.
“Tell me, Sami. What am I for you?”
“Everything.”

She slowly rested her head on his shoulder. She could feel his heartbeats, and she entwined her hands around his.

Closing her eyes, she got lost in those moments. She was nostalgic, living a dream.
He was any girl’s dream man. And here, just now, he had confessed her feelings to her.
She wanted time to freeze.

Forever.