Chapter 318

Diya had a good night's sleep and was very cheerful when she woke up. It had been a wonderful evening, something she had not expected it to be. He had been charming, so charming it kind of made her feel that if it was a dream or it was real. She had known him for more than a year now even though they were not very close until now; he had always been a sweetheart, a charming handsome prince on a white horse that all the fairy tales talk about. She didn't want to go too far fetched from reality but it felt wonderful - at least to feel that way. She blushed at the thought of him kissing her last night. The passion in his kiss, yet delicate and gentle made her laugh out loud. She felt hungry but didn't really feel like eating anything. She was just happy. Her phone beeped and she picked it up and looked at the remainders but got distracted and checked the last call she had received. She didn't want to think about him anymore as she had work to do and was too distracting so she decided to turn the TV on and jumped on here treadmill for her morning run. That seemed to work and she was concentrating on the new about the new release from Microsoft. She flipped the channel when they started talking about some local shootings. Looking at the date and her phone beeping with the remainder, she realized that she has to attend a wedding that Friday. She didn't know anyone at the wedding but she had to as it was the wedding of her father's old friend with whom she still somehow maintained contact. Originally she had planned to go with Pryag, but since things have changed she was not sure what to do. She didn't want to go alone as it would be very boring and she hardly knew anyone. She thought of asking Lisa to accompany her, at least they might discuss something related to work and not get bored. She was starting to feel very hungry so she ended her exercise and walked over to the kitchen to get some breakfast.


Before she could finish her breakfast her phone rang and with that tone she knew it was someone she didn't know. The number was not quiet familiar either but still she picked it up and said "Hello". The voice on the other end screamed, "Hello Sis! How are you? Just wanted to see how you are doing? I and Kathy are in Hong Kong now and by the end of this month we should be back home." She was happy to hear his voice. She asked "Hey! That is great. I have missed you very much. Do you remember dad's friend - Uncle Naren? Today I am off to his daughter's wedding. Should I say the girl you used to scare all the time?" He said, "She is getting married? Wow! Time flies too fast. Every year I used to scare her during Halloween. Mmm.... Have fun." Diya said, "I have to go alone today. Wish you were, I would have gone with you. I hardly know anyone there?" He replied, "Probably. It would have been fun to see her now - after all these years? How old is she now? Twenty one something?" Diya said, "I don't really know." He said, "That reminds me... Sorry, I am going to miss your birthday next week. We will be reaching there a couple of days later though. You are turning fifty now right?" and he laughed. Diya snapped, "If I am fifty then who is going to do the math to find your age? Maybe I should tell Kathy to marry a much younger guy?" and they both laughed. "Hey hold on" he said. After a brief pause, "Kathy wants to talk to you". Kathy said with her usual heavy accent, "Happy birthday wishes Diya - well I should say advance wishes" and chuckled. Then both of them wished her and hung up. She was very happy that her brother had remembered her birthday in the midst of all the things he was in. She had not realized that her birthday was up next week. She remembered Pryag who has never even missed a single year to wish her so far. But this time.... she was not sure. Too much have happened. He had walked away... Things he had said...She knew he will not be wishing her this year even though she still wanted to be able to have a decent conversation with him... but too many things unsaid and now it was a little too late.

Chapter 317

Carissa's assistant came in and said "La madame, c'est le temps pour partir" in French. She nodded and said, "La madame, c'est le temps pour partir". In just a minute she was in her car that was waiting outside for her. The driver opened the door and closed it behind her once she was seated comfortably. He assistant sat in the front next to the driver and they were on their way. She looked out the window for a minute and rested her head back and relaxed. Even though she was looking outside her mind was somewhere else. She was not paying attention to anything that was happening outside. Old memories were coming back to her. She remembered the first time she and Akshar had watched a show. They had been to the Phantom of the Opera. It was the most haunting love story and also the winner of so many awards including Best Musical. It had created an international phenomenon unmasking the emotions like no other show one had ever seen, leaving the audiences everywhere breathless. As both loved music and the theater they had loved it. They had been entranced by the sumptuous score, the haunting romance and the timeless story of seduction and despair. Her lips wore a smile when she remembered the songs. The romantic songs, they had lost themselves until the stars themselves looked tired of their own voices. She remembered the lyrics from one of the songs...
Say you love me
every
waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .
Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you . . .
Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . .
Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning . . .

She was spirited to a romantic Paris that never existed in the way it was portrayed on the theatre and surely she smiled thinking that does not exist today. Especially with him it was an experience that was quiet remarkable.

After the opera they went to a party hosted by one of her friends. She remembered what she was wearing. It was a strapless tiered ruffle silk gown that had layer upon layer of silk ruffles in satin red that styled the gown with a small train. She had a matching shawl giving a light coverage and elegance. She had a simple single red stone pendant with matching ear rings. She looked beautiful. It was a late night party; well almost everyone danced and drank. But was still entertaining. The fun started when her friend asked everyone to join in on the dance floor and encouraged a little competition. It turned into a healthy competition and almost everyone seemed to do well on the dance floor. Most of them had a glass of drink when they danced. Eventually they had to request that no glass just partners on the dance floor. Carissa with her outfit didn't really want to get on the floor but as her friend insisted and as she didn't want to be the odd one out, she and Akshar joined everyone on the dance floor. The songs kept changing and they continued to dance and at some point they actually forgot their surroundings and just went with the flow. Carissa, having learnt ballet as a kid was a graceful dancer and was excellent. Akshar was quiet a match for her, so it somewhat became a competition among themselves. The first time they noticed that they were the only two alone on the floor when the played the Waltz that was soft, gentle, and romantic. As Waltz is a smooth dance, they traveled around the line elegantly exhibiting its characteristic primarily by breaking away from each other and also performed some stylized spins and turns. Their shoulders moved smoothly, parallel with the floor, not up and down. Their head should turning in the direction of the turn was so romantic, especially when Akshar held his head and looking over the right shoulder of Carissa, a loud applause broke. Everyone seemed to enjoy the little competition that was happening between them. Suddenly the song changed. Both of them paused for a moment and as the audience encouraged to continue. Akshar immediately recognized it as a rumba and started his moves. Carissa continued with the flow. The crowd was quiet pleased as it was a slow, sensuous, romantic dance with much flirtation. It was a "tease and run" theme. The sexual overtures were well balanced and were delicate and were not aggressive. It highlighted her rhythmic body action and her sexuality which was equally matched by Akshar's move. When the song ended she was almost touching the floor where he held her close in his to his face, by kneeling down and just holding her in one hand. The applause echoed in her ears. "La madame, nous sommes arrivés" said her assistant. She opened her eyes and saw her driver holding the door open for her and her fans applauding. She smiled and stepped out.