Part 7- The Lovers

Karan was driving the car, and Samiksha and Mrs. Valenti were busy talking their hearts out.
“Samiksha, you won’t believe Karan keeps me in Bangalore so that he can focus on his work.”
“Hmm. I know, Aunty. Why don’t you shift here in Mumbai with us? I mean with Karan.”
Mrs. Valenti had a hearty laugh. “I understand what you are trying to say. But let’s see. Actually, my sister stays alone there, so we two get company when I am there.”

“Samiksha, this is a beautiful ring. Probably someone very close has gifted this treasure?” Karan’s mom asked her. She was a bit fumbled. When she looked at Karan, he gave her an assuring, cool look in the mirror.

“Mom, you know your son’s choice of diamonds, right?” And Mrs. Valenti got her answer, which she was almost sure of.

“Ladies, please continue your talks later. Also, we have reached our destination,” Karan informed them.
They came to one reserved table already booked by Karan.
Amid talks and laughs, they finished their dinner.
On the way home, Karan asked Samiksha, “Why don’t you stay with us tonight? Mom, please tell her. She is alone at home. Aunty is staying with a friend.”
“Yes, yes of course Sami. And don’t worry about your mom’s consent. I will certainly talk to her”.

Samiksha agreed

as both were not willing to leave her alone.
“Okay, I will stay.”
Karan almost jumped with joy from his driver’s seat.
“See this man. Samiksha, I have never seen this playful side of Karan. I am glad you are in his life. I am thankful to Mervin for informing me about your relationship so I could meet you both.”
Karan got the answer which he had been searching for the whole evening. And he wasn’t surprised. Mervin was his cousin, certainly not on the list of Karan’s well-wishers.

“Oh, I see. So Mervin did this.”
“Why? I mean, you look upset, Karan.”
“Mom, Mervin’s intentions are hidden. He never shows his true face. And he hasn’t forgotten that I refused to take him as a partner in my business.

But I am wondering why you didn’t question him. How come he called you out of nowhere just to inform you about my personal matter? Weren’t you surprised?”
Samiksha did not know why Karan was so upset about this matter, so she gave Karan hidden glances to find out.
When he noticed her restlessness, he gestured that all was fine with his expressions.

They collected nightwear from her home. After coming home, Mrs. Valenti was tired from the long flight and also from this dinner outing. They had a small chat before going to the bedroom.
Karan had all eyes on Samiksha, who wore a sleeveless T-shirt and knee-length loose pants in her night dress. She could feel his hot gaze even in the presence of his mom, and she was embarrassed. Then they all went to sleep. Samiksha slept in one bedroom along with his mom and Karan.

At around 2 am,

Samiksha was thirsty, and she went to the kitchen to fetch water. Karan encircled his arms around her as she drank water and was about to close the door, startling Samiksha. He turned her around and closed the fridge door.
“You didn’t sleep yet?”
“Hmm. I told you there is a void on my bed and I cannot sleep with that.” He answered with his favourite smirk.
“Come here.”

“Karan, Mom is here. Please”.
“I know, dearie. Just came to ensure you are relaxed. Mom has this habit of barging in all of a sudden.”
“You shouldn’t say that about Aunty.”
“You mean your future mother-in-law, madam?”
Samiksha blushed and ran away to her room.

Next morning

Karan’s mom made breakfast for all, and Saru was already there to lend a helping hand.
“Saru, Karan tells me how you take care of his healthy diet habits, but give him a feast of his favourite vanilla cake also.”
Mrs.Valenti was a broad-minded, jovial woman who was independent and of a warm nature.
Karan got his hunger pangs and was ready on the table for breakfast. Samiksha sat next to him, but he caught her left hand tightly in his.
“Aunty, please allow me also to help,” Samiksha said, trying to free her hand.
“No way. You can do it some other time. What say Saru?”
“Exactly, Mam.”
She replied with a smile.
They had breakfast with lots of chatting.

While leaving for work, Samiksha embraced Mrs. Valenti and said, “Mom will be pleased to meet you, Aunty. Will you meet her tonight?”
“I would have loved to, but Sami, I have to rush back for some urgent work at home. Next time, I promise the first thing will be meeting your mom.” She said this and planted a kiss on Samiksha’s forehead. Karan hugged his mom tightly, his face glowing, and they both left for the office.

Karan was heading

to the office with Samiksha seated next to him.
“Karan, now please tell me who this Mervin is. Yesterday, the way you reacted. I was a bit worried.”

“Nothing to worry about as such. He is my uncle’s son. From childhood, he has had this envious thing towards me. I excelled in all that he could not. It developed a sort of hatred and malice in his heart for me. He wanted to join me as a partner when I started my business. But knowing his character, I have always kept him at an arm’s distance. I guess he called Mom just to see how she reacted. But to his dismay, she got along very well with you.”
“But now what? Is he harmful?”
Karan stopped the car at the roadside and made her look at him by putting his fingers up her chin.
“Do you trust me?”
“More than myself.”
“Come then. Let us move towards the office. Don’t worry. He only speaks. Never acts.”

And Karan drove his Duster towards their office.
But fear had already entered Samiksha, as she was worried about the love of her life, Karan.

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