The reality, and that's what he made her see. Anjali was a good friend until Sam's achievements started haunting her.
He was an achiever too but that didn't create a rift between Manik and him and that's what he calls a perfect friendship. They had our own reasons to argue and fight for but jealousy wasn't one of them.
Communication was a key between them and it still is which has kept their friendship alive for so long. Even if he was asked to change him Aarush would never because he was someone who has known him always, inside out.
He has a special place in his heart that no one can actually replace, neither Mukti nor Sam. He might be biased because he was someone who has always been with him through thick and thin, through good and bad, and through every rough and smooth phase of his life.
Grabbing the duffle bag which had his clothes and which was given to him by RJ, what a thoughtful friend indeed, he headed to the spare bedroom to get changed for the office.
Soon wearing a light-blue three-piece suit, he wore his wristwatch and took his stuff leaving the room. Sam was sitting on the couches and was going through some files. Has he ever mentioned that girls that take work seriously turn him on? No? Oh, he did today.
She looked so professional, the way her eyebrows squeezed together as she got confused or was focusing a little more. How she is chewing on the back of the pencil and the way it rolled between those pink plump lips just had him there.
He smirked remembering the kiss they shared last night and then small kisses this morning. What an amazing way to start a working day.
"Stop drooling, Mr. Bakshi," Samaira said and he shook his head. "Let's go," he said and she stood up taking the files, and then took her car keys. "I can drive you there," he said and furrowed his eyebrows at her actions.
"I know you can and I appreciate it too but Aarush it will be so weird if we arrive together. I mean you know the mentality of people, tomorrow I will be in a newspaper headline stating the CMO of Bakshi and son climbed her way up by sleeping with the boss."
She stated, raising her concerns. "Okay got it, but please drive safe." "I will" she replied and they left her apartment. She soon settled in her car and indicated to him to leave first.
They both can't even drive together, these people and their fucking mentality!
The drive to the office was smooth and he soon walked into his cabin with Sam following me to her own cabin.
The work, as usual, was busy and hectic, either it's Mondays or Fridays, the schedule remains the same. Conferences, files, emails, meetings, lunch, and then repeat.
Grabbing another cup of coffee he gulped it down, immediately regretting his decision. It was cold and tasteless. he called Tara, "Tara, send me another cup of coffee," "But sir, I gave you a cup fifteen minutes ago." she answered. "Another cup Tara," he said, keeping his tone stern enough. "Got it, sir," and the call ended.
Raking his hand through his hair, he closed his eyes pinching the bridge of his nose. 'Come in', he answered upon hearing a knock. "Your coffee," he nodded and Tara left. Once again someone knocked and he yelled without thinking. "Who the hell is it?" "It's me Aarush..." someone said with a soft voice and recognized immediately, Samaira.
"I am sorry, come in." Samaira walked inside, closed the door from behind, and took a seat opposite to him. "What happened? you were fine this morning," she asked and he dropped his head on the table. "Tired,"
"Then take a rest for a while, I will come later..." she said and was ready to leave but he wasn't ready to let her go. "No, stay here," he mumbled hoping she would hear, and thankfully she did. "Aarush..." she whispered and he hummed in reply. "Tonight, meet me in my apartment, I have a surprise for you,"
she said and he looked up at her to see her smiling widely. "What is it huh?" he said, wiggling his eyebrows trying to tease her. "Something you can never imagine Mr. Bakshi and keep your head out of the gutter," she said as she shook her head.
"Yeah, yeah I am sorry. I was just joking but I'll be there." She nodded her head and then continued. "Sharp 8:00 p.m. you can't be late or early," she said, trying to keep her voice stern but failing to do so. "Fine, Ms. Malhotra, I will be there at 8:00 p.m. sharp," Aarush replied with a grin.
She soon left and he once again survived the other half of the day with coffee and a bit of snack here and there. It was 6 in the evening by the time he finished the leftover work and then left for his own house before going to Sam's. He was in need of an immediate shower.
After a relaxing shower, he changed into some casual white tee-shirt, paired it with black jeans, and threw a blue denim shirt over the tee-shirt. Wearing his sneakers, he left the room while fixing the Rolex on his wrist, giving a last glance to the room around him. He left the apartment, grabbing his bike keys along the way.
It was an hour's drive to her apartment, and around 7:56 p.m., he reached her apartment. Remembering her warning of not arriving early or late, he rested his body on the bike after parking it.
He stood there for a few minutes and then finally he stood in front of her apartment gate. Knocking on the door, he waited for her but she stood in front of him the very next second. She was standing there in all her glory wearing a maroon short dress which ended just above her knees pairing them with silver stilettos. Her hair hung loose but was curled at the ends.
With minimal makeup, she completed her look. He stood there stunned looking at her from head to toe taking his sweet time to completely take her in. 'Can I just kiss her right now?' "You can," she said, breaking his trance. He widened his eyes realizing that he spoke that loud.
"First come in and then you can kiss me." She said with a smile and he nodded while walking inside. Not wasting any other second, he pulled her closer to him, wrapping his hands around her waist, in return, she blinked her eyes once encouraging him to continue and he did. He placed his lips on her soft addiction ones.
The kiss was short but filled with feelings and passion. Pulling away Samaira led him inside and made him sit on the couch, vanishing somewhere in her room. "Sam... where are you?" "Patience Aarush, surprise requires you to be patient." She smirks and says, "Fine, Fine got it."
He replied as she walked behind him, soon covering his eyes with a blindfold. "Are you planning to kill me and dump me somewhere?" he asked as the curiosity kept building up but she remained quiet. "Shh, don't spoil my plan Mr. Bakshi or I will actually kill you and dump you leaving no trace behind,"
she whispered huskily in his ear, biting his earlobe lightly. He tilted his head as she trailed her wet kisses along his neck. "S-stop, or e-else we w-won't leave t-this room!" "Oops my bad, come let's go!" she said and he realized and she has blinded him completely. Helping him on his foot, Samaira grabbed his wrist and dragged him with her.
"Where are we going, Sam?" She remained quiet. "Okay, now there are some stairs, be careful Aarush." he nodded and walked slowly following Samaira. "Wait," she said, and left his wrist, he felt her standing in front of him as her signature lavender smell enveloped the surroundings. Soon, he felt her hands wrapped around his neck and she spoke,
"Even in the darkest nights, you became my star
Your smile did something to my heart,
In every second of my life, I fell for you,
But just like the wind, you blew away from me,
Far from me but not from my heart,
And now I have found you again,
The love we lost once, is now ours."
And she removed his blindfold and placed a soft chaste kiss on his cheek as she stood there with a beautiful smile on her face, the smile that has always captured his attention and has stolen his heart long ago.
He was frozen, if he said he was surprised then it would be an understatement because he was amazed beyond imagination. She clicked her fingers in front of his eyes breaking his frozen state, he followed her gaze to get a bigger surprise.
She brought him to her terrace, and it was beautifully decorated. The railings were decorated with fairy lights, along with plants. He always had some weird obsession with pants and she knew it. And in the center was a blanket lying on the floor surrounded by a few cushions and snacks and drinks on one side.
It was beautiful, magnificent, and breathtaking. He took a few steps ahead admiring the view, unknowingly. "Do you like it?" Samaira inquired. "I like it! No, I love this Sam. It is so flawless." He said and she laced her fingers with him. She dragged him towards the fence and rested her head on his shoulders. He was just loving it. This was the thing between them, they know so much about each other that they should know nothing. He loves her. Yes, he does and it's time to confess it to her.
The only thing he needs is a perfect moment tonight. Ah! The stars, the music, and city view, he had all three of these. This combination is the most romantic one ever. He freed his hand and went towards the table where she had kept the music system.
He sensed her confusion from behind but didn't say a word. He played the song, 'At my worst' by Pink Sweats. Her eyes widened and he asked her to join him. He took her hand and pulled her very close to him leaving no air between them.
She snaked her hands around his nape and he rested his arms on her waist. Slowly moving with the tune of the song, he was ready to say those 3 magical words. "Sam, I want time to stop right now." he whispered in her ears, "Oh Sushi, it has already stopped for me."
Sushi didn't sound annoying from her mouth but instead, he wants to hear it again and again. He twirled her and she dipped, he kissed her neck and slowly made her stand on her feet. The song finished but they were dancing slowly with their heads inclined.
"Sam, I wanted to tell this to you. Maybe I should have told this to you way earlier but I couldn't. I love you Sam from the bottom of my heart." and he saw it in her eyes. The spark clearly said that she is on cloud nine. "AARUSH! I wanted to be the first one to say. So, I planned this." she whined, he doesn't know why but it was amusing and he smiled and put the lock of her hair behind her ears. "Anyways, I love you more than you do me. You are my first and last love of Sushi."
He embraced her in a hug. They were the happiest people on the planet right now who found and conquered their love. "It's time to celebrate," she exclaimed and he took the champagne and popped it. She held the two glasses and poured the liquid. They sat on the blanket watching the city. Her head was resting on his shoulders and his arm wrapped around her waist. They kept chattering for a long time.
Finished the whole bowl of popcorn she had kept. The night was passing by and by each second becoming more dazzling than before. They were laying down and looking at the stars with their hands linked together. "Look at the stars, Sam. Today they seem to be extra beautiful." she turned towards him and put her hand on his chest, "They are always glamorous however right now someone else is grabbing my attention."
In the last line, her tone changed and he got the sign, "Ohh really Miss Malhotra," he said, giving her an eyebrow flash. He moved his hands to her cheeks putting his lips on her red ones. She immediately opened it for him and climbed on him. Their tongues were colliding and hands moving on each other's bodies. He could feel his erection against his pants. His arms were around her hips. He took a sharp twist and was above her. With his one hand on her cheeks, he was tracing her inner thigh with his other hand.
She moaned and willingly parted her legs a bit. Their kiss deepened and he moved his hands further inside brushing the delicate and sensitive skin of her legs. Her nipples hardened and he started moving down by kissing her neck. His fingers made the way to her apex when his stomach made a rumbling sound.
Fuck! Sam burst into laughter and he reluctantly joined her. "Sushi, are you hungry? I have made your favorite pasta," she said pointing towards his left where she had kept the pasta and chocolate-coated almonds. She got up and brought it to him, having a big smile on her face. His mood was ruined. "Oh, C'mon Aarush, don't ruin your mood. Let's take this celebration to my apartment." She got up and took the snacks. He picked up a few cushions and a blanket and followed her down.
Back in the apartment, she heated the pasta in the oven and served it on two plates. After the filling dinner, they took over the couch and had chocolate-coated almonds. He had wrapped her in his arms. They kept talking the whole night. It didn't occur to him when the sleep took over them.
His alarm woke him up in the morning. Sam was right beside him. They were tangled like laundry clothes. He felt at home but he needed to start the day. He slowly got out of her embrace and went to the bathroom to freshen up. The moments of last night were still in front of his eyes. When he returned to the living room, she was still fast asleep.
He didn't want to disturb her so he wrote a letter and put it on the table. By glancing at her a funny idea popped in his head. He pressed his lips on her neck and slowly started licking and sucking the area making sure she didn't wake up. Kept doing it for a couple of minutes and the love bite appeared. Imagining her reaction was enough to bring a smile to his face and he added a line on the note, grabbed his jacket, and left the apartment.
At my penthouse, he changed into his casual clothes and was on the breakfast table having breakfast when he got the call from Sam.
"Sam, we had a beautiful night. I had to leave as I have some work; I will see you later at my penthouse for lunch.
Love Aarush
PS: Look at yourself in the mirror, you look beautiful.
"Is this the way to leave? And how come I would know your home address and what is this hickey for, Aarush. I tell you; you play very dirty tricks." she stopped and before she could continue, he started, "I am not sorry for my actions Sam. You looked so pretty while asleep I couldn't help and I am texting you, my address. So don't get annoyed. I love you."
He said calmly but he got an answer in an equally angry tone. "Don't you dare think I have forgiven you! See you soon. Love you." and she hung up the call. He shook his head in amusement when he received a text from Mukti which said, 'Meet me at Starbuck near to our home.' without even thinking he grabbed the car keys and zoomed towards the coffee shop after all she was texting him after days.
At the coffee shop the crowd was minimal and he found her with Manik sitting on the corner table. "Hey, " he said and she came and hugged her brother. This was the first time they had gone without seeing each other except when she was on her expedition. "Mate" Aarush greeted Manik and took the empty chair. "So, water is under the bridge?" he asked and they nodded.
"We talked after I saw you that day. Since then, we have been discussing every single detail." Manik said. Mukti cut him between, "And we have come to a conclusion that we wanted to share it with you before our parents come to know. I have talked to Rishabh Bhai and he said it is for both our good.". If his elder brother has a positive comment then he must hear it. "What is it?" Aarush interrogated.
"After our fight, I saw from Niks point of view and found that he was not wrong. I had pushed him so much. So, I have decided to cancel the plan to go to Africa.'' He couldn't believe his ears, his sister would be with him for a whole year. Manik continued, "Instead she will be coming with me to Singapore. She will document the country while I will set up my dad's new office. We are going into a live-in relationship."
What the heck! They will be living together. No way. "Not at all, you are not going into a live-in relationship. I will kill you Manik if you even think about it." Before he could boil further, "Relax Aarush, it is true we both would be in Singapore but different apartments. He is pulling your leg."
Manik started laughing and he calmed down. They were so happy with each other and maybe it's time for him to stop being overprotective towards Mukti. "I am glad that you are back together." They both were astonished. "Keep your reaction to yourself."
It was after a very long time that the three had quality time together. An hour passed by and he didn't realize that. "Bye, I got to go. See ya." He got up and started moving. "Have lunch with us, " Manik said. "I have plans with Sam." he winked and they both looked at him as if it would be the last thing happening on this planet. "Bro I knew it since the day I met Sam at the office. The wounds are healing," Manik said to him to which Aarush smiled and made his way to his car.
Finally, both the love stories are on the right track for now and hopefully for forever.