Part 4 – Woven Fates

“Hi”, Karan greeted the woman who turned back 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, I mean The Lover’s 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 both of 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 the proofs to claim that the ring belongs to my mother.”
“Hmm. You will have to bring them to me first. They will be verified, scrutinised and then we will see. But Karan, you were supposed to get the proofs as we talked on phone.”
“Yes, but I need to 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 it.”

“Alright then. I will wait for it. Where would you need to go for it though?”, Benny asked curiously.
“Bicholim.”
The answer was spoken by both Karan and Samiksha at the same time. Each of them looked at one another and again at Benny.
“Lets say a week. You both can meet me with the proofs then.”
They left his office and outside the gate 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 after a week.” Samiksha left from there with the thought of the strange co incidence of their parents residing in same place, pondering in her mind.

Karan was all set

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

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

He drove his car

side ways and parked it near her.
“Here we meet again madam”, Karan said with a sparking teasing tone.
Samiksha was but obvious dumb struck. It was almost 7 pm. She could not get a train as it was an emergency planning. Hence she opted for going by a private car. But the stars were not in her favour ( or may be they were ) and she was unable to get one.
“The trains have other plans for you madam. Let me guess. You couldn’t get one, and you are waiting for a private transport?”
She made a funny face and replied,
“Chivalry is dead in today’s world. People tend to waste time in 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 at the moment 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 to do so but was unable. 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 re assured 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 comfortability is my responsibility. I will ensure that you reach your mother’s home with a smiling face.”
For the first time Karan’s words comforted Samiksha and she relaxed in her seat.

They had to take a longer route as the usually taken road 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 this by her yawns and sleepy eyes.

She slid her hand

around his strong chest and slept peacefully. Even though Karan drove avoiding any speed breakers, a bigger one made his car jerk a bit. 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 recollecting her action.
“Actually I am used to sleep like that with my teddy, so my action is justified.”
Karan broke into a laughter and said,
“So I look like your teddy to you ha?”
“I didn’t say that. He is much more cute and . . soft and . . sweet.”
“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.
“Vow, I think you have bestowed first compliment on me 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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