Breakfast was an interesting affair if Manik and Mukti were there. Their constant bickering but lovey-dovey moments make Aarush kill them sometimes but the fact that their trust in each other assures him they will never leave each other, and nothing can break them apart.
They are so cringy yet so in love. They were giggling and eating their breakfast while his thoughts were full of Samaira. There was a battle going inside on whether or not to give Samaira a job. The pros outweigh the cons, and he was interested in giving her the position of the CMO. She had tremendous potential and it could give a kick to his already booming business.
"I am thinking about giving Sam the job," Aarush said. They broke their eye contact and looked towards him. "That's great bro, at least she will be near you every passing day." Manik mocked and Mukti nudged him. "Are you sure about that brother because this is for the company and if you are deciding for your interest, it's not decent?" Mukti said with a concerned voice. "I have always kept my personal and professional life far away from each other. My decision is professional. She is confident, creative, and intelligent. Her presence in the company would be beneficial to us." He spoke. "In that case, it's your choice," Mukti said and put the last piece of waffle in her mouth.
Manik gave him an encouraging nod and he called Tara. She picked up, "Good morning, sir," "Good morning, Tara, I just want you to inform Miss Malhotra that she has got the position and can join from Monday." "Sure, sir will do that. Anything else." "No that's it and yeah I won't be coming to the office on the weekend I am taking two days off." "Okay, sir. Have a nice day."
"Thanks, you too." And he hung up the phone. He gazed at the clear sky from the glass and thanked his God to give him another chance to make Sam his and turned around and saw Mukti was on Manik's lap. He sighed in his defense, he has always failed for Manik and Mukti.
If Ma saw them like this, she would either faint or lose her temper. He smiled at the thought and approached them, "So love birds want to spend the weekend with me." They looked at each other in confusion and nodded. "Sure," Manik said, "but where are we going?" "Camping," He exclaimed.
For wilderness, Mukti is always ready. Ma had packed them their favorite snacks and drinks, RJ had a perfect place in mind, with their trekking bags and Mukti's 10 pounds equipment they were all set for their weekend. When they arrived at the spot, the so-called love birds were in a deep argument.
"You are going to break my camera if you will be irresponsible." Mukti proclaimed. "Are you being serious, I am irresponsible? So why don't you pick up this 10-pound shit? And here you are worried about the camera rather than your boyfriend who can stand it right now." Manik growled. "Ohh, Mr. Trivedi, don't you worry if something will happen to you, I could have a new boyfriend but not a new camera because it is precious," Mukti said in anger.
"You will leave me just for this damn camera. C'mon Mukti you won't even dare to think that." It was difficult for Aarush to hide his smirk. This is a once in a blue moon situation. "What are you laughing at," Manik said "Nothing, just enjoying the surroundings." Aarush laughed hard and Mukti took her camera from Manik, walked past me, and began setting up her tent. The day went by and by the evening they were back to their lovey-dovey mode. Aarush was feeling positive about Samaira's recruitment. Manik sat beside him and handed him a beer. "What about Sonia?" "Nothing about her, she is great I guess."
"Manik, I want you here," Mukti called from inside of the tent. "Sorry bro, got to go." he winked and left him.
Manik has known all his affairs since the start of it. He was the one who introduced Aarush to Sonia about a year ago during a gathering. Sonia is a smart, swift, and passionate girl. Yet, never in a million years, he could stop thinking about Samaira; she was not capable of making him forget Samaira. Something strikes inside him Sonia has not called him for 2 days and that's never been the case. He took his phone and dialed her number however she didn't pick up.
Strange, indeed it was for Sonia, he knew somewhere she wants more than what they are having right now. She is always so desperate to have dinners with him, talk to him and go out on weekends; she wants a committed relationship which he can't give her. Aarush called her again, but she did not answer. Damn it! What's wrong with the girl? He finished his beer and lay down in his sleeping bag. He looked at the stars and never had felt the beauty of them before. Those twinkling stars, big bright moon, and nightlife drifted him to sleep.
He woke up at 3:00 from Mukti's screaming, "Manik wake up, or else we will miss the sunrise." she protested. "Baby, you go on, I want to be in bed for more time, please. Say sun 'Hello' to me." Aarush was awakened by that time." I will come with you Mukti" Aarush said and grabbed a water bottle to splash some water on his face. "I want to see the sunrise with you. Wake up. Please. It will be so romantic. Remember our first sunrise together?" "I know but I need my sleep too. You go with Aarush. I love you." He pulled her towards her and kissed her forehead.
"I love you too" she whispered and put her shoes on and joined Aarush taking her camera in one hand. Mukti was right, the sunrise is so exotic and in the wild, it is just irresistible. Her talks were full of filming and Manik. They were like two pillars of her life, something which she can't live without.
He talked about mom and dad's trip to London. It's been almost a month they have been in London with his elder brother and his sister-in-law. "I am not kidding brother, but I am thinking of going to Africa next year. I have got the letter and it would be a great opportunity for me," she said on their trip back to the campsite.
"Dad will agree but you need to focus on mom. She is as dramatic as Ma." Aarush laughed and she joined in too. She didn't respond but continued walking. "Have you told Manik about it because in your absence he is never in a fit state?" "Not yet, but I am thinking of telling him after this camp." "You should."
Then he took out his phone and checked the messages and call log, Sonia has not answered his messages or called something is wrong with her. The rest of the day went in third-wheeling the couple. Manik had planned so many surprises for Mukti and Aarush got the reason he didn't come to watch the sunrise. It was dark, and they were in their car heading home. Tomorrow is Monday and he needs to be prepared, he is worried whether he will handle Samaira being next to him every day.
When they reached home, Mukti and Manik went to her room, and Aarush went to the kitchen to find something to eat. With some blueberries in a bowl, he went to his room. He got a call from Sonia, "Why are you not answering my call, Sonia? It's been three days since you haven't called me or answered my calls." he snapped at her. "You are the reason Aarush because, on that night, you were murmuring a girl's name, Sam. I don't know why but I was furious with you. How can you take someone else's name apart from me." she was shouting through the phone?
'I was not taking Samaira's name in my sleep nor was I.' he thought.
He doesn't know but he is in deep trouble. She may be mad at him. "But then I realized I was super drunk that night and maybe I was just mistaken. I am so sorry Aarush; I should have been more mature, but I was just so hurt." But before she continued, he stopped her, "It is fine Sonia, it happens, and don't feel sorry about it. I am tired so we will talk about this tomorrow." "Yeah sure, and what about dinner tomorrow?". She could get into my nerves now just after being sorry.
"Sonia, I understand but let's talk tomorrow. Okay?" "Fine." and she hung up the call. He got dressed into his PJs and went to bed after finishing the bowl of blueberries.
The next morning his usual routine hit him very hard. The hectic morning schedule was on, and work was piled up on his calendar.
A cold shower was the perfect way to start off his day. The time he was in the shower, he stood there thinking about what the future has stored for him. He couldn't imagine his future without Samaira now and by any means, he must make her his. Only his. She would be Mrs. Bakshi and nothing else. He got out of the shower, wore a navy-blue blazer with a light blue shirt, and walked towards the kitchen. Manik had already left by now and Mukti was sitting on the couch editing on her MacBook with a mug of coffee on the table. Ma gave him toasted bread and omelet with his black coffee.
The breakfast was quiet, and he was about to leave when Ma said, "Aarush, Mr. and Mrs. Bakshi will come back next week." "That's great, can't wait to meet them," Mukti said by clapping her hand. "I have missed them a lot. What about dinner next weekend?" "Yes, but before that, you are taking me on a dinner date." "Sure, why not." He gave them farewell and headed towards the office.
He was a bit before his usual time. Tara was not yet in the office. He opened the door of his cabin, and he was shocked.
'Oh no, what is she doing in here?'
Sonia was there sitting on his desk with her legs crossed playing with the lock of her hair. "What are you doing here?" he said while walking towards his desk. "Good morning baby," she said in her sweetest voice. He stood a little away from her. "Morning." She pulled him towards her by grabbing his tie and pressed her lips to his. She was so quick with her actions that Aarush had time to think. He opened his mouth for her and their tongues were moving with each other back and forth.
Her hands strode up to his hair and he moved his hands and placed them on her narrow waist. She was so ready to take him just with a kiss. 'Ohh my Samaira.'
He pulled her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He made her sit on the desk and took her face in his hand but didn't stop kissing her. Her mouth tasted sweet, and her body was on fire. He can't get enough of her sometimes. They were so deep in each other's mouths that it made me forget everything. Samaira is the only one he wants to remember right now and the rest of his life. Minutes must have passed, and she broke the kiss. "Ohh Aarush." He opened his eyes and saw Sonia.
'What the fuck is happening to me! Why am I mirroring Samaira here?'
He came back to his senses and loosened up his tie. She stood there and faced him. He sat on his chair, "What a pleasant surprise it was!" "Indeed. But you took me by surprise. You have never kissed this passionate and long, Sushi." she said and came and sat on his lap.
She is so romantic sometimes that it makes him feel like shit. He wrapped one arm around her waist and the other on her thighs. She planted a soft kiss on his cheeks and asked," When are we going on a dinner date Sushi?" Not again. "I will take you today." "I am so happy right now."
He has never seen her so happy in these many months. She gave him a soft kiss and decided what she was going to wear. He was just tired of her asking about the dinner and this will put a full stop to it.