Part 5 – The Lovers

“Karan, I know you for years. The urge to establish yourself on your terms was your passion. You did it. Succeeded in MBA. Became an established, successful builder. Turned out lucky every time. Aunty stayed with her sister as you said. You didn’t want anything else here to divert your attention.”

Karan was speechless

and continued listening to Aaruun.
“You don’t express easily, don’t want anyone to get hurt. After shouldering the responsibilities of family, you had forgotten yourself, bro. Then Samiksha came into your life. Everything changed. Finally, Karan Valenti started smiling, living. Maybe you found your twin soul.”
“She is my twin soul.”
Karan interrupted.
Aarun kept looking at him.
A drop of tear was visible in Karan’s eye corner.
After a pause, he continued.

“The fact that she left the job is not hurting me. It’s my behaviour with her Aarun. She is so pious, and pure. I learnt how to be happy without a reason and live a carefree life from her. All I thought about was, how to make her happy and smile. Damn. I hurt her soul when she needed me the most. I am ashamed of myself Aarun.
At that moment, all I thought of was the contract. I did not even think for a second, what if I lost her?

A tear dropped from his eye.

Aarun hugged him.
“Go and apologise. Be with her. I will take care of everything here.”

“Just lie down ok,” Samiksha said to Mrs Samuel.
“No, answer my question. Are you fine? How did you come back from your job so soon today? If it’s for me, then please go back. Nothing is more important than commitment towards our work Miksha.”
“Mom relax. First of all, my happiness is dependent on yours. If you are fit and fine, my smile would be back on my lips.”
Samiksha paused.

“And I came early, as my office people are very understanding. They told me to go home and take care of you.”
“Then I am sure, Karan sir must have emphasized this. Such an understanding and caring employer that he is”,
Mrs Samuel said with a smile.
Samiksha tried to hide her feelings, but she was worst at this. She walked away quickly before the tears exposed her current state of mind.

There was a knock on the door.
A delivery man stood with a huge box at the door.
“Yes?”
“Mam, this is for you.”
“Who has sent this?”
“It’s written inside mam. Good day.”

He handed over the box and went away.
She went inside the kitchen and opened the box.
It was filled with deep red roses. Her heartbeat skipped. Before the thought of Karan sending them to say sorry, entered her mind, she brushed it off. She looked for the sender’s name.
‘To the one who met my Duster, before me’.

In a rage,

she banged the box on the platform.
She was hurt, injured deep inside, for only one reason. No one and no one else had hurt her like this before.

There was a second knock on the door.
Mrs Samuel opened the door this time.
It was Karan Valenti.

“Hello, Aunty. Hope you are feeling better now.” He gave her a warm hug.
“I am fine. Very pleased to see you. Thanks a lot for coming. Please come in.”
He came inside, his eyes searching for, his smile.
“Miksha has went out son. My medicine was about to get over and you know her. So particular and organised she is. Went now itself to the medical store.”

She smiled.
“What will you have?”, she was about to get up from the bed.
“Aunty please, relax. After addressing me as your son, you cannot be formal with me anymore.”
She lay down peacefully.
The doorbell rang.
“Wait, I will see.”
He opened the door.
And he found his bliss, her.

Their eyes met

for a brief moment. She entered.
“Miksha, see who is here.”
“I can see ma, you relax.”
“I am relaxing. Karan’s presence is so positive Miksha. In fact, you can go back to work, if you wish, really.”
She said with a radiant smile.

Samiksha avoided eye contact with Karan.
“No Mom. I am not leaving you till I am satisfied. You understand. Now please rest.”
And she went inside the kitchen to keep the household items.
“Aunty, I will help Samiksha ok.” He lifted the other bag and went inside the kitchen.

She knew he had entered and deliberately ignored him. continuing to keep the items in place.
Wondering why there was no movement at all, she turned back into her angry mode.

Karan was kneeling down, looking up at her, and his hands crossed across his chest.
“You are the reason for my joys. You are my twin soul. Forgive me.”

And her heart melt. But she dint wanted to give in so soon. She turned back and continued the work. He got up and slowly walked towards her.
Sliding his strong hands around the waist, he rested his bearded chin on her left shoulder. She was still.
“I know you have forgiven me, Sam. Please don’t hide your feelings now. I have been through hell since I came to know the truth, Sam.”

He turned her

slowly towards him. His hands were still around her waist. She was looking down, traces of hurt and humiliation still visible in her eyes.
He cupped her chin, made her look at him and gently kissed her forehead.
She slowly closed her eyes and then looked into his. Guilt and shame were clearly visible in his true eyes.

“Sam, I have built this company with my blood and sweat. I had no one to guide me. No one. Any harm to it is a blow on my effort of years Sam. My reaction without knowing the facts was unacceptable. I should not have been so harsh on you baby.”
She gave up and hugged him with all her might.

Their compatible heights made their hugs so adorable.
Even the universe stopped, to see these lovers hugging each other, lost in each other.

“So, you know how much have I missed my secretary?”

Samiksha smiled, snuggled in his embrace, his face resting on her shoulder.
He tightened his grip on her.
“Ouch.” She turned back and gave him a naughty look.
“This much”, said Karan.

“Miksha”, Mrs Samuel called her and both of them hustled.
Samiksha came running to her mom.
“What happened Mom? Are you ok? Do you need anything?”
And Karan followed her behind.
Mrs Samuel smiled and looked towards both of them, sensing the tension between the two.
“I am absolutely fine my darling. In fact, as I told you, Karan has a positive presence, so that is working on me for sure.”

Karan straightened

his collars and held his head high up and glanced at Samiksha.
“I know it, Aunty. But your daughter will refuse to accept this fact.”
“Not actually. Karan. Ohh, sorry. I meant, ‘Sir'”.

And the bomb of sarcasm dropped all at once on Karan.
Consequently, he fumbled and struggled for an answer.
“Hmm. Now that is up to him right Samiksha? Being an employer, he might want his employees, even close ones to address him as ‘Sir’. Right son?”
“Yes yes, um not always but. Actually, why are we discussing this office topic here? Let’s make a deal. Once Aunty is completely fine, we all will go for an outing. What say?”

Samiksha smiled at him, but a trace of hurt was still on her face and Karan could sense it.
“Now, you ladies spend some quality time ok. Samiksha, let Aunty take full rest today so that you can resume from tomorrow”, and he got a piercing glance from her.

“Um, I will leave now. Bye, see you tomorrow at work. Take care, Aunty.”
He gave her a warm hug before leaving. Samiksha could not deny the care he genuinely had for her mom.

“Thanks”, saying this, Aarun smiled at Karan the next morning.
“Am so glad you sorted things on time bro. Please never ever forget this. No matter Samiksha is so cute and bubbly and sweet. But certainly when it comes to work. Man, I do have huge respect for her commitment and the capability she carries. Don’t hurt her Karan. Most noteworthy, she is someone to fight for. One of her kind. Never let her go.”

“I know dude.

Won’t let her go anyways. You forgive me too.” And they shook hands traditionally as they did by boxing with knuckles first, followed by a tight hug.
“Aarun, something is bothering me.”
“Go ahead.”
“Samiksha got a message from an unknown number saying the manager wanted to meet, and he got a call that we want to call off the deal.
It’s strange. I smell a common enemy behind all this. He or she managed two things. Confusing me with Sami’s pics and also breaking off the deal. It’s a different thing that I am glad we did not work with those dumb-headed people.”

“Yes, you are right. I did feel all of this strange. Who can be behind this?”
“Hmm. Two people in my mind. My cousin Mervin, or Avasthi. You remember how he left our company when we fired him after he cheated on us.”

“Possible. Let’s dig deeper into this so any new problem can be avoided.”
“Yes, we have to do this.”
Aarun was about to leave the cabin and Samiksha entered. He patted her head and she reciprocated his care with a sweet smile.

After he left, Karan was trying to figure out the situation.
She came towards him and sat on the opposite chair with her diary.
“Yes sir, I am ready for the notes.”

He took the diary

and pen from her hand and kept on his table, and pulled her up gently.
“Sami.”
He cupped her face.
“Sorry. Will you ever forgive me?”

She pulled her face back and said, “Never again you dare to do that with me ok. You and ma are my world.”
“Promise to meet me in two days. I am giving you these two days so that you can take good care of Aunty. Once she is fine, you will be able to focus on other things”, Karan said with a smirk.
“Like what”, Sami’s question was ready.
“Hmm. Learn to wait, baby. Sometimes it gives you bliss, a sweet fruit, you would have never imagined or thought of.”
He smiled with his favourite smirk.

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/_thedarziofficial/?hl=en

Samiksha was eager

to know, what Karan was talking about. After two days, it was the weekend. But how will she leave her mom and go out with him, if at all that was his plan?
What else could he think of? Her excitement was at its peak.
She completed her work and then it was lunchtime. She and Karan started having lunch together for quite some time.
He came in and she opened her tiffin.
“So, what’s the level?”
“Pardon me? I guess you meant, what’s the food today?”
“Nopes. The question is right.

“What’s the level of your curiosity? Hmm?”
She blushed.
“Caught you.”, he laughed heartily.
“Tell me 100% or beyond it?”
“Can I ask?”
“Go ahead. All ears for you”, he replied, his eyes never leaving hers.
“Aarun always speaks about how you were before we met. I mean, you were an introvert. You did not open up much. Office to home or if at all needed a business meeting. That was your lifestyle?”

He smiled.

They finished their lunch and Samiksha fed the last piece of cucumber to him.

His phone rang and the moment was interrupted.
He took the call and she finished picking up the tiffin and plates.
“I have to leave. See ya.”

Samiksha continued with the quiz.
What is Karan up to after two days?

“Sami.”
Samiksha went to her drawing room to see the known voice. Her bestie, Jummy.

She hugged her tight. Both were happy and thrilled to see each other after so long.
Jummy was out of town for a few months due to work. commitments. Though both were in touch with each other, meeting in person after so long was bliss.
Mrs Samuel told Sami another piece of good news.
“Jummy is staying overnight Miksha”, she said with a broad smile.

After having dinner, and spending some time with Mrs Samuel, both friends went to Samiksha’s room.
Lights off, and the girly talks started.
“So, tell me. You knew from day one right, that Karan was the one, hmm?”
Samiksha blushed and struggled for the answer.
“Um Yes. No. When I dashed against his car for the first time, I had no idea that we would fall in love. Really.”

“Baby, I am not denying”, said Jummi and giggled.
“See. We really were professionals at first. But yes, Karan did say, he fell for me at first glance.”
Samiksha was very excited to share everything with her childhood friend. She talked about the Italy trip, the recent incident, though unpleasant.

“He is caring Jummy.

Though he is a bit serious type”, Samiksha made a sweet funny face.
“But a true gentleman. I mean he does know how to make someone feel special, feel desirable.”
“Just enjoying this phase Jummy. You know me. I believe in living in the moment. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”

“My Sami. You have made the greatest catch of your life. He is someone to keep. Eager to meet him. Tell me when?”

“Yes, yes. Soon. Now, can we sleep? You gonna wait tomorrow till lunch?”
“No sweetie, have to catch up with a few clients. Am very happy for you my Sammu.”
And the friends talked their hearts out till both were finally in dreamland.

Karan and Samiksha worked religiously in the office, excitement for the next day, though was creating ripples in their subconscious minds.

It was the weekend and Samiksha was already visualising what the day was going to unfold.
Mrs Samuel was on phone.
“Ma. Tell me. Should I come home? What is it?”
“Relax Sami. I just called up to inform you that I will be spending the night with Donald’s mom. You know how supportive and helpful our neighbours always are Miksha. So if she needed my company tonight, why not, right?”

“It’s ok Mom.

But take your medicines with you ok. Let us complete the medicine course properly. Bye then. Take care. Love you Mom”, and she kept the phone…
Later at around 5 pm, Karan called her up.
“Yes Sir,” she said with a smile.
“Waiting for you in my car. Please wind up and come ok.”
“But sir.”

He disconnected the phone. She felt like calling him back. Or walking to his cabin and asking. But then remembered his words. Karan was up to something.

As she approached his car, he opened the door. She sat beside him, a smile never leaving her lips. Face glowing in the warm light, in a mixture of red and yellow rays of the sun of the evening.
He drove the car and in spite of Samiksha asking him what was it all about, he managed to twist and turn the topic with his wit.
They halted near an entrance of a posh building.

“Shall we go in? I stay here.”
And Samiksha’s heart was in her mouth.
“What.? Who will be there? Your mom, also will be there?”
“Relax baby, I told you mom stays in Banglore. I stay alone here. Saru, my maid, comes for cooking and for other household chores. Now, shall we go in?”
“Yes.” A nervous Samiksha replied.

He first took his car

to the parking lot. There was a separate level for parking only his cars.
“So madam, do you remember something?”, he asked placing his hand on his favourite Duster.
“Yes sir, very much. You weren’t driving properly the other day and . .”
He interrupted her sentence by pulling her towards him and holding her tight.

“Now say, who wasn’t driving properly?”
“You”, Samiksha placed her finger on his nose and said fearlessly.
He tightened his grip and she let out an “Ouch.”
Giggling she replied, “It was your fault ok. You were lost in some thoughts, maybe.”
He could not deny this and gave her a quick kiss before releasing her.

They took a lift and reached their destiny. His home.
Samiksha was stunned by the luxurious duplex flat he owned.

Credit: Google images

“Wow. It’s beautiful. Your house is so lovely.”
“Madam you can also stay in this flat you know. All you have to do is,”, he said slowly in Samiksha’s ear “Marry the owner of this home.”
Samiksha giggled and ran from there to see the lovely house.

It was a huge place with two bedrooms, a magnificent living room, and a spacious kitchen.
“So, how is my sweet small home ha?”
She burst into laughter.
“Sweet, agree. But small? My dear if everyone had such little homes, the world would look like heaven. Don’t you think so? “
She went near him and shyly encircled her arms around his neck.

“Your home

is beautiful Mr Karan.”
He smiled happily and replied, “Thanks a lot madam for the much-awaited approval. You hungry?”
It was 6 pm in the evening and she was indeed hungry.
“Come.” He led her to his kitchen.
“There are sandwiches. Shall we have those before something sweet?”
And he said it with a smirk.
So Samiksha knew the word ‘sweet’ definitely means something more than mere food.

After having a sandwich, he removed the cake from the fridge. It was of their favourite flavour vanilla.
“It’s so yummy. Looks so tempting. Who made it?”
“I ordered this one for you.”
She was all smiles.
“Come, sit”, he pulled a chair for her at the kitchen table, giving her the knife.

“All yours.”
When she saw the cake closely, she noticed what was written on it.

Credit: Google Images

Dearest Sami, Thanks for
being in my life..’

She was overwhelmed

by the words. She looked fondly at him.
“Go ahead.”
She smiled and started cutting the delicious cake feeding the first piece to him. He ate it heartily. Then repeated the same with her.
He then gave her a knife and told her to cut off at the place where a heart shape was made on its surface. She did it, but the knife got stuck in between. She felt something hard inside the cake.

“Karan, I hope the bakers are trusted ones. I can feel something hard inside, see.”
And she again touched it with the knife to show him.
“Hmm. One of the best ones of course. But let’s see. Cut further. Go ahead.”
She cut it properly as he said, and her eyes shone brightly at what she saw.

A beautiful diamond ring was inside that heart-shaped part.
She was dumbstruck, shocked.
Her eyes watered at the sight, after comprehending what he had planned for her.

Credit: Google Images

He took the ring out, slowly sat on one knee and put his right hand forward.
“The most beautiful lady who took my breath away. Stole my heart forever.
Samiksha. Please marry me.”

The world stopped. Time froze. Samiksha was overwhelmed by his unique way of proposal.