“Strange are the ways of the rich and famous. A large celebrity crowd was in attendance at the function that day. Rhea couldn’t stop gushing about Vir Malhotra,” Sameer chuckled.
Raashi laughed. “Yeah, Vir has quite a fan following these days. He is going to be a big star and soon.”
“That day at Nox-MixGrill when I heard you sing, you were mind-blowing. I couldn’t believe there was this side of you that I knew nothing of. Do you miss it?”
“At times, I do. Music was such an important part of my life at one time. But, that part of my life was over the day my grandmother died and I had to take responsibility of the business and my kid sister. So yeah, music took a back seat. I don’t even own a guitar any more. I gave it away a long time back. And to think that there was a time when I never went anywhere without it,” Raashi mused.
“Would you want to go back to being a musician again, someday?”
“Honestly, no. I did it once and it was great while it lasted. Of course, leaving the band was tough for me. We were like a family and the boys took a long time to forgive me for leaving them. But they are hugely successful now and I am successful in my own right. Besides, this restaurant business is in my blood. I love it. I never thought I would take to it so effortlessly.
“Janak...” she lifted a shoulder, “he was there when I needed him the most. I learnt so much from him and all the people he sent my way to help me run the business. Honestly, I owe it all to him. I wouldn’t have succeeded without his support.”
“I know. I get it.” Sameer said. “He’s one of those people who understands you completely. He understands what you want, what you’re feeling and then he helps you find your own solutions to your problems.”
“Absolutely.”
Raashi stayed silent for a long time, reliving the early days of her business after she took over, since her grandmother had passed away. Then she saw Sameer watching her quietly. She never spoke about that part of her life to many people. Even Dheer, who she once dated, never understood her need to quit the band and take over the restaurant business. He never recognized how important it was for her to continue her grandmother’s legacy. Dheer had never been able to understand or appreciate Janak’s place in her life despite Janak beingher lifeline in those days. But Sameer? Talking to him had always been easy. And she knew he loved and appreciated his grandfather as much as she did, which just made it easier to talk to him about her past.
She sighed and put her plate down. “Anyway, let’s get to work?”
Sameer placed his fork on his plate and put it to the side. There was still so much of her he wanted to know about. But right now wasn’t the time. So instead, he said, “Of course.”
After calling one of his staff to clear their dinner, Sameer led Raashi to his desk where he had laid out the architectural and design plans for the villa and its surrounding land. He explained the layout of the spa, how he planned to extend The Marquis and how her restaurant would be the main front of the property.
“What do you think?” Sameer asked, when he saw Raashi studying the drawings.
Raashi asked him several questions and argued over many points with him.
When she was satisfied, she finally said, “Looks good to me on paper, at least. Why don’t we meet at the site tomorrow morning and see all this again in daylight. It will give us a better understanding, don’t you think?”
“Definitely. How about I fetch you from home and we go from there together?”
“Sure, let’s do that!”
Raashi frowned as Sameer looked sheepishly at her. “What is it now?”
“Actually, I have a confession to make.”
Raashi gave him a pointed look.
“Well, I asked my architects to come up with a draft design for your restaurant, along with pictures and ideas. It’s a first cut, but it’s quite easy to envision. You wanna see?”
Raashi didn’t know whether she was angry with him or excited to actually see what he had proposed for her restaurant.
“Sameer, you had no right!” she said, but he caught the glimmer of excitement in her voice and went to the end of the desk, turning his laptop towards her.
“It’s yours, Raashi. If you don’t like it, you can trash the whole thing. You know you have a final say in everything regarding the restaurant.”
Raashi went through the presentation. It was fantastic. Seeing a 3D demo of how her restaurant could actually look like was unbelievable. She was awestruck, impressed and speechless. It overwhelmed her to see her dream actually becoming a reality. Both of their dreams could be fulfilled.
She turned to Sameer.
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how touched I am by this,” she said, pointing to the laptop screen. “It’s more than perfect. It’s something I’ve dreamt of for so long. I wish my grandmother was alive to see this.”
Her eyes clouded with emotion and lone tear slipped from the corner of her eyes. Unable to help himself, Sameer caught it with his finger. Her eyes storming with emotions, Raashi leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He gazed at her for a second and caught her waist, gently bringing her closer to him. So close, that she was crushed against his chest. And then he speared his hand through the heavy silkiness of her hair. He put his hand under her nape and brought her mouth closer to his own. She didn’t hesitate one bit. She closed the remaining distance between their lips and kissed him.
So very gently she teased his mouth with her own. Sameer let her do what she wanted with him. She was kissing him softly, sweetly. Little nips on his mouth that drove him wild with desire. He could feel her hands all over his back as she pushed herself closer to him. She tugged his shirt and her hand moved underit, seeking contact with his skin. His heartbeat accelerated as she stroked his skin. He held her more firmly against himself, feeling her soft breasts against his chest and kissed her desperately. This was what wanted, since forever, he thought. She, in his arms, his mouth entwining with hers, her hands on him. This felt right.
