Chapter 3

He wakes up after his alarm goes off, but today he was feeling restless and didn't stay in bed much. His mornings were quite busy, unlike today, where he doesn't have much to do.

He went outside to the balcony and rested his arms on the iron railing, taking every second of the peaceful surrounding. Sun has not risen yet and he could still see the stars twinkling in the night sky like little diamonds.

He was always busy with work and never gets time to be with himself, and that is what he always craves. Being the CEO of Bakshi and Sons, which was started by Vijay Bakshi, his dad almost fifteen years ago.

They were the major exports of precious gems and metals of the country. And soon started importing automobiles in heavy numbers. Aarush has grown his dad's business since they have appointed him as the CEO of the company.

His elder brother Rishabh is handling their business in London, from where the automobiles were imported, helping India to progress. It was Vijay's dream to make India self-sufficient and spread its values, culture, and ethics around the world.

Mukti, his younger sister, makes documentaries about the rich heritage of India, and they telecast her show on 'Discover India'. They grew up so fast and everything changed. The siblings who were together every day of the year now only meet once a year.

The sky was turning into a shade of red and the Sun was rising. He checked the time, and it was 6:30 a.m. He walked out of his room into the hall. Mrs. Dani, their butler, was already working in the kitchen.

"Good morning, ma," he said as he joined her in the kitchen and sat on the chair near the island. "Good morning, Aarush. Here is your coffee."

She gave it to him and engaged herself in the kitchen. Aarush has known this woman since his childhood, who has always treated him as his son. She was like his family, his second mother.

She knows him way better than his real mom does. "So, why are you staring at me?" she asked with humor in her tone. "Nothing, I was just thinking and it might have looked like I was staring at you,".

He said and took a sip of his coffee. "When is Mukti coming? Did she say anything to you?" Aarush enquired and got an immediate response. "I got a call from her saying that she would come tomorrow."

"I can't wait to see her. It's been six months since I have seen her face." Excitement was visible on her face. She was close to all three of them, just like a guardian. When Rishabh left for London, she cried for three days straight, worrying how he could take care of himself without her.

"There is nothing to smirk about. She is like my daughter," she said and kept 2 pancakes with chocolate syrup and a fruit bowl in front of him, a frown plastered on her face. "I wasn't smiling at you," Aarush said with a cheeky smile.

"Oh really?" "Yeah, it's just that, I remembered a few incidents in which you behaved even worse than mom." She smiled and that turned into a hearty laugh. Aarush was grateful to have her by his side and never felt the void his mother left.

"And that's because, my son, I was the first person to hold all three of you when you were born, so I have a full right." Aarush pouted but it soon turned into a sheepish smile "Okay! I know that, please don't start again." She smiled and disappeared from the kitchen. Mrs. Dani has been serving him for as long as he could imagine. She never got married and having children of her own was something she never really talked about. She has always treated all three Bakshi children as her own.

He looked at his breakfast in front of him. 'She still considers me to be a 14-year-old boy when I am 25. Still that same breakfast and same behavior' he whispered to himself and felt the warmth of a mother's love.

However, mom will be a mom and she is his second mom. He completed his breakfast and went to his bedroom to get dressed for the day. There he found Ma gaping at a fabric.

He went closer to her and found it was women's lingerie. 'Fuck! Shit! What I will say to her, I have no fucking idea.' he thought and scolded himself mentally for being so careless. 'Why did I even bring it from the guest room?' he cursed himself.

Indian moms could be difficult in this subject especially when they know you don't have any girlfriend. "What is this Aarush? "She asked as her voice was laced with anger and with a certainty of slapping him.

"I got this for you." He tried to dilute the atmosphere around him but instead was pushing himself to her scolding. "Don't play with me Aarush, I want an honest answer, NOW!" she barked.

Before I could speak, she started, "You couldn't be sleeping with a girl? Are you?" 'No, I can't tell her I have a mistress. She will lose all her temper and end up killing me' he thought before answering again.

"I got this for Mukti, I saw her once in the lingerie store. So, I guessed she might like it." He said it in his defense, a full-fledged lie. "Don't lie to me and better not use poor Mukti's name in this," she spoke after a while. She caught him again.

In childhood, she was the only one apart from his father who could tell when he was lying. "You have a girlfriend?" My eyes shot up at her. 'She is not my girlfriend; I am not capable of dating anyone. It isn't me. But I couldn't break Ma's heart and tell her I sleep with girls just for fun.' he thought to himself but nodded and said, "I am sorry, that I hid it from you."

"Do you love her?" LOVE, why was she asking him that? "I am still figuring out still. You know it is difficult sometimes." and then remained silent.

"Tell me her name at least. And when are you introducing her to the whole family?". "Umm, her name is S..." But before he could complete what he was saying, their conversation was interrupted because of a call from his assistant, Tara. "Hello, sir good morning." he heard her chirpy voice as soon as he answered his phone. "Yes, Tara, what is it?"

"Sir, today you have to take an interview for the CMO position. It is scheduled for 5 in the evening" "Sure, Tara, thank you for reminding me. And I want you to make a list of all the pending exports and keep them on my desk. I will be at the office before 10." He informed her and received an immediate response.

"Sure sir, will do that, and one more thing sir, the interviewee is a girl and her name is..." "Tara just keep her portfolio on my desk. I will have a look." He said not wanting to prolong the conversation too long.

"Okay sir, Good day." He hung up the phone and glanced around to see Mrs. Dani had left him alone in the room for which he was relieved.

Changing into his gym wear he made his way to the gym. He was stressed and working out was the only way he could feel relief. He has everything that a man would dream of; family, money, reputation but there is still a void no one is able to fill, love.

It's not that those girls aren't attracted to him but he never found anyone as attractive as her, Samaira Malhotra. Even in school, she was the only one who didn't run behind him to get his attention and that's what attracted him towards her.

It's been seven years since he saw her, but her face is still fresh in his memories. Although he was in the USA, he couldn't forget that one fateful night, the dance, and his one incomplete question which he was never able to complete.

That question would have changed everything. If he could, he would have turned the time to that night but he couldn't.

No girl has ever made him feel what she was able to. No one was that capable. After an intense workout, later he changed into his outfit leaving for his office. He wore a charcoal-black suit with a Rolex on his wrist.

Upon entering his cabin, he found the export file and a portfolio on his desk. He sank into work with a cup of coffee shutting every thought of Samaira in his head.

The day went by fast. By the time he got free from his conferences and meetings, Tara gave him a call informing him that the interviewee was here.

Instructing Tara to bring her inside in a few minutes he picked up the portfolio he saw on his table that morning. He has been looking for a perfect CMO for the company for over 5 months now, however, nobody has ever proved their worth for that position.

Turning towards the glass wall in his cabin which gave him the best view of Mumbai. "Sir, Ms. Malhotra is here," Tara informed him to which he replied. "Send her in."

He prepared himself to face another crap who just wants the position but never makes themselves worthy for it. "Good evening, sir," Aarush froze in his place and widened his eyes as soon as he recognized the voice.

That voice sounded familiar. "I am Samaira Malhotra." 'Fuck.' He turned his chair to face her. It was her. His Samaira, the girl who stole his heart at the first glance, the girl that could make his heart flutter with just a mere touch of her.

'How come she is still the same,' he thought. Just that she is a grown-up woman. He was not surprised when his body reacted just by looking at her. Fortunately, the table was there, and she couldn't see the bulge she caused just by standing there.

She is the interviewee. 'Recover yourself Aarush,' he said to himself. "Please have a seat, Miss Malhotra."

He instructed her and then cursed himself for not going through the portfolio pre-interview.

***

He didn't answer her question, instead, his eyes were scanning her portfolio. She couldn't believe that he was the same Aarush she knew seven years ago. Her feelings have always been the same for him, only if he could know how wet she was just by looking at him. Those honey eyes, perfect muscular chest...

"Ms. Malhotra, excuse me!" He interrupted her train of thoughts. "If you are interested, can we start the interview?" He exclaimed with a poker face to which she nodded.

"Very well, tell me what some of the marketing strategies you have planned to stand apart from the crowd?" He asked but his eyes were still focused on the file in front of him.

"Well, I think sometimes standing apart from the crowd doesn't help. I believe in doing the same thing, it's just that we have to hit the consumers differently." She looked into his eyes when she found him staring at her.

"I look for how the consumers want a product to be presented to them. I did a survey when I was at college and found that 60% of the crowd felt that they are often being cheated and want more honest marketing for products.'' She finished her answer but found no expression on his face.

"So, you think Sam... I mean Ms. Malhotra that honest marketing helps?" He said in a challenging voice.

"I think it does." She tried to sound as confident as she could. He wandered around his desk as if he was finding something and then his eyes stopped somewhere, grabbing a pen he once again questioned her. "So Samaira, tell him how will sell this pen?"

"I will ask the person what they do. I will want to understand what kind of person I am selling this pen to. Secondly, acknowledge how important their job is and get them talking about the last time they used a pen. Highlight an emotional use of the pen. Hand them back the pen and close the deal." She answered.

"I think you need to work on your skills more," He exclaimed. "I... umm think it is a perfect way to sell it." I wasn't sure but tried my best not to break down. "Anyways, you don't have any work experience."

Her confidence was crumbling every second. He was behaving so differently, so intimidating which wasn't his usual behavior.

Never in a million years, she thought of meeting him in this way. Yes, she wanted to be with him, however, after losing contact soon after school, she lost hope of meeting again.

She tried but couldn't reach him and now when she has engaged everything seems impossible. Even if she wants to, she can't be with him.

Closing her eyes, she sank back. "Ms. Malhotra, you have worked on so many campaigns and projects but found success in only a few. Why," he questioned.

"Because I was inexperienced and exploring." Was her simple answer

"Exactly my point!" He was explaining himself and did not look interested in giving her the position. He had already made up his mind. "You will get a call if you are selected or else lookup for something else."

He said and got up from his chair buttoning up his coat. He was so mesmerizing; she could watch him all day without getting tired. But before Samaira could embarrass herself further, she got up and extended her hand for a handshake.

Without hesitation he slid his hand into hers and gave a strong, swift handshake, it left her longing for more. "After you, Miss Malhotra."

Nodding to his statement she started walking towards the door, with Aarush close behind her. 'Is he observing me?' Bubbles were forming in her belly; she felt like dancing from inside. He opened the door for her, and she walked outside his cabin.

Tara was at her desk, busy attending a phone call. When she hung up, she was looking at Aarush and Samaira. She gave an expression, which told Sam it was very unusual behavior of her boss.

"I really liked the way; the whole floor is designed," Samaira commented to which Aarush's eyes showed pure pride and satisfaction.

"Thanks, I am close to India." Was his reply and she passed him a smile. He pressed the button of the elevator and the very next second door slid open.

He indicated to her to get inside the elevator and she did, turning around to face him. He looked into her eyes and said "I can never forget you. I remember every single detail." And the doors of the elevator closed. She was shocked, surprised, and frozen at her place. He answered her question. She thought of him as a dumb asshole, but then it was an interview and he had certain etiquette to follow. The doors opened on the ground floor, and she made her way to the building entrance.

The receptionist gave her a warm smile and she headed towards her car.