Part 4 – Woven Fates

“Hi”, Karan greeted the woman who returned to meet his gaze.
She was none other than Samiksha.
“Hi.”
Karan’s presence surprised her, obviously, and she quickly asked,
“What are you doing here?”
“Hmm. I have the same question for you, lady.” Karan replied with a smirk.
“But let me guess. You are the other claimant for the ring, The Lovers’ Stone?”
“Yes, but how did you know about it? Are you the claimant for it too?”

“Yes. It astonishes me how fate makes us meet every now and then. Agree?”
“Um, yes”, Samiksha answered with hesitance.
“Actually I was . . . “
Karan’s sentence was interrupted by Benny, who invited them to his office.

“So Karan,

“Please come.”

She is the other claimant of the ring. She is . . .”
“Samiksha, the famous baker,” Karan announced as he looked at Samiksha with admiration. She gave him an almost nervous smile and looked back to Benny.
“I have proof that the ring belongs to my mother.”
“Hmm. You will have to bring them to me first. They will be verified and scrutinised. Then, we shall see. But Karan, you were supposed to get the proofs as we discussed on the phone.”
“Yes, but I must visit my father’s home for those. Please give me time to do that.”
“Apparently, even I don’t have the proofs with me. I, too, will have to visit my mother for them.”

“Alright then. I will wait for it. Where would you need to go for it, though?” Benny asked curiously.
“Bicholim.”
Karan and Samiksha spoke the answer at the same time. They looked at one another and again at Benny.
“Let’s say a week. You both can meet me with the proofs then.”
They left his office and went outside the gate, and the obvious question popped up.

“Where does your mother live, Samiksha?”

“Sirigao, and your father?”
“Mayem.”
After a moment, Karan asked.
“Shall we go together?”
“Um, I will take a train, thank you. See you in a week.” Samiksha left, thinking of the strange coincidence of their parents residing in the same place.

Karan was all set

in his Toyota to leave for Bicholim. He was excited to hand over the rare precious ring belonging to his father. He had often heard about it from him and was glad that it had found its rightful owner. But at the same time, the claim Samiksha made regarding the ring equally was haunting his mind. He was sure the ring belonged to his father, so he trusted Samiksha. He decided to suspend the thoughts and continued to drive.

After a few minutes, he saw Samiksha with her luggage at the roadside. As usual, he smiled but wondered what might have happened to her decision to travel by train.

He drove his car

sideways and parked it near her.
“Here we meet again, madam”, Karan said with a sparking teasing tone.
Samiksha was obviously dumbstruck. It was almost 7 pm. She could not get a train as it was an emergency planning. Hence, she opted to go by private car. But the stars were not in her favour (or maybe they were) and she could not get one.
“The trains have other plans for you, madam. Let me guess. You couldn’t get one and are waiting for private transport?”
She made a funny face and replied,
“Chivalry is dead in today’s world. People tend to waste time guessing instead of offering a lift. Right, Chef?”

Karan laughed out loud and got down from his car.

Taking her luggage with authority, he kept it safely in the dickey of his car. Opening the door, he signalled her to get in. She knew there was no other option and quickly got inside. Even though she found him irritating at times, her heart trusted him.

“So, I hope you are comfortable. Please put on your seat belt.”

Samiksha tried but was unable to do so. He smiled and helped her to do it. Suddenly, Samiksha became aware of his closeness and sat still like a statue. He immediately noticed this and reassured her by speaking softly,
“I think no man has ever come this close to you. Don’t worry. If you are with me, your safety and comfort are my responsibility. I will ensure that you reach your mother’s home with a smiling face.”
Karan’s words comforted Samiksha for the first time, and she relaxed in her seat.

They had to take a longer route as the road they usually took was under repair work. After some time, Karan noticed Samiksha was feeling sleepy and dozed as the cool breeze touched her soft skin. He smirked and continued to drive. He shifted in his seat a little bit so that his shoulder was accessible to her. Slowly, she fell asleep on his shoulder, as he had already predicted by her yawns and sleepy eyes.

She wrapped her hand

around his strong chest and slept peacefully. Even though Karan drove without any speed breakers, a bigger one made his car jerk. Samiksha opened her eyes, rubbing them sweetly and glanced at him.
“Hmm, I am happy you slept comfortably, wrapping your arm around me.”
Once again, Karan was in a teasing mode, and she was embarrassed to recollect her actions.
“I am used to sleeping like that with my teddy, so my action is justified.”
Karan broke into laughter and said,
“So I look like your teddy to you, ha?”
“I didn’t say that. He is much cuter, softer and sweeter.” Samiksha teased him.
“Hmm. That is unfair. This teddy offered you his shoulder so that you sleep comfortably, madam. By the way, we are about to reach Bicholim. I will drop you at your mom’s place and then leave. Ok.”

“You are one gentleman,

I agree, though.” Samiksha smiled and opened her mind.
“Wow, you have bestowed my first compliment since we met. By the way, what was the secret ingredient in your cake that day?”
“Hmm. I cannot disclose it. You are a renowned chef; find it out yourself.”
Karan nodded, accepting her challenge, and showed her a thumbs up.

They reached Sirigao.

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