A light breeze was ruffling her hair. The temperature was around a pleasant 25 deg C. The only sound heard was of the chirping of the birds and the lashing of the waves. “What brings you here? Are you a tourist?” The driver of the ferry asked her. “No, I have come for a job interview” she replied.
Samaira was walking towards the conference room where her interview was scheduled in 15 minutes. Is this what I wanted in life? Why did I do this? Such thoughts kept nagging her. She had left her home without informing anyone of her whereabouts. Would her folks look for her?
The resort was an island by itself. It was a five star property next to the sea. A rainforest nestling biodiverse flora and fauna!! The place looked serene. Samaira immediately took a liking for the place.
The fifth sibling of a large middle class joint family, Samaira had a traditional and strict upbringing. Being the best in class was almost taken for granted. It was during her college days when she was studying social sciences that she fell in love with a classmate’s brother, Kushal.
It was three years since she had left college. Kushal had taken a job and was posted on site in Malaysia. Kushal was very ambitious and he kept on telling Samaira that once he gets his promotion as a Senior Manager, just two levels up, they could get married. “I can’t come to India just yet he kept telling her”. Life was not taking here anywhere, and her job as an assistant in a small firm was extremely taxing and there were squabbles at home. All this forced her to leave home oneday.
“Why did you do that? I was to come to India soon. I might get blamed for eloping with you”, Kushal did not seem pleased to see Samaira in Malaysia. A tear trickled down her left eye.
“You are now on the permanent rolls of the resort, Congratulations” her manager Asmitha handed over the envelope to the Samaira. It was a year since she had come to Malaysia and taken a job as a singer in the lounge of a five star resort. Nothing to do with her academics, but nevertheless it helped her pay her bills. Her passion to learn and her hard work paid off and now she was given a full time employment as a front-desk executive. But, because she had such a sweet voice, her manager requested her to sing on weekends at the lounge, which Samaira readily agreed to.
“Can I have a ‘Teh Taarikh’? It reminds me so much of tea in India?” the guest asked the waiter. “Sure, Sir”. Aarav was on an official trip to Malaysia. He had been here for a only a week and had already started missing his home, in India.
Today he had taken a break from work to come to see one of the beautiful islands in Langkawi. The live band was playing at the lounge and the resort guests were enjoying the music. Tourists from many nationalities around the world were enjoying themselves over drinks. “This song is for our guest from India, Welcome to Malyasia Sir.” Aarav was fascinated. After she finished the song, Aarav applauded as he walked towards her. “You are amazing. How did you know that this is my favourite song? Are you from India?” Samaira joined her hands greeting a “Namaste” to Aarav and gave one of her most enchanting smiles. It took some minutes for Aarav to recover from the trance.
It was a beautiful afternoon. A summer shower had wetted the leaves as they glinted in the sun’s rays. Samaira was talking to some guest who had just checked in. Lazing on the couch in the lobby, Aarav was watching her from a distance. She’s so beautiful, he told himself. She, of course, was unaware of his presence. When she was alone, he walked up to her.
“Good afternoon, ma’am, looks like you multitask !” Aarav greeted Samaira with a broad smile. He looked at her badge. ‘Samaira'', he repeated to himself. “The song yesterday was just too good Samaira, I am your fan for life. I had one question though, why don’t you take your talent ahead, may be movies or something … ? I have a few friends in the industry and I would be more than happy to put in a word.” Aarav handed his business card to Samaira. “And yes, if you don’t mind can I have your phone number?” Samaira was a bit hesitant, but wrote it on a piece of paper and gave it to him.
Aarav’s words kept haunting her. She was just drifting in life. Kushal was still stuck with his job and race for promotions. He hardly had time for her. Whenever they met, which was something like once a week, it often ended in an argument or fight and then Kushal would call back to apologize.
Aarav crossed Samaira in the corridor. “Hi Samaira, would you mind showing me around? This place is so beautiful.” “Sure Sir,” said Samaira as she led the way. With great interest she showed Aarav all the plants, herbs and flowers. “You have a beautiful name, Samaira…..what does it mean?” he asked her. “Enchanting”, she replied. “Wow !!” was all he could say. “This is the Moondeck, a place where guest who want to have a romantic dinner by the sea ….” and she felt as if Aarav’s eyes were piercing through her. Their eyes met for a moment and Samiara looked away. “You are as beautiful as your name….sorry if I am being too personal, but I could not stop myself from telling this to you”. “Thank you,” she was blushing. What she could not get to tell him was that he had invaded her thoughts from the first day they met.
“Excuse me, where can I meet Ms. Samaira?” Aarav asked the lady sitting at the counter. “Oh, sorry Sir, she is on her weekly off, she should be in tomorrow. Can I help you?” I wish…., thought Aarav.
A product of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Aarav was running his software business in India. His work had earned him a lot of accolades the latest being the “Best young entrepreneur of the year” from a prestigious financial firm. He had everything that a young man of his age could dream of, but still there is something missing, he thought. Not the romantic type, Aarav had a few crushes in life, but he was never in any serious relationship. But since the day he met Samaira, he just could not stop thinking of her. Is this called ‘falling in love’ he asked himself.
“Can you book me on a flight after a week, I love this place and would like to extend my stay” Aarav was telling his assistant Meera in Mumbai.
“Did you notice, you haven’t stopped talking about this guy since we met today? Hope you are not falling in love with him,” Kushal winked at Samaira.
Samaira was noticeably happy today. “Looks like you had a great day yesterday?” a voice behind her said. Samaira was surprised. Did he read her mind?
The days were passing by fast. Aarav was now sure, it was more than liking that he felt for Samaira. He was almost stalking her, finding every small reason to be with her, talk to her and trying his best to find out what she felt for him. Samaira enjoyed the attention, but did not think much about it.
“I have some great news for you. A friend of mine is visiting Malyasia the day after tomorrow and I would like you to meet him. He runs a company to scout new talent for the entertainment industry. He will be staying here. You have a great voice, and I want the world to hear it !!”
“He is using you, don’t you know the types? The industry is filled with such people. They find naïve gullible girls like you, show you dreams and then ditch you. If I were you, I would not entertain him.” Kushal was almost shouting at Samaira. Was he jealous? She kept the thought to herself.
“Hi, I am Rohan. Aarav could not stop praising you,” Rohan handed his business card to Samaira. They chatted for a while and Rohan left saying he would get back to Samiara on what can be done.
But I have a boyfriend and we will marry soon, and he is the reason I have come to Malaysia. These words were echoing in Aarav’s head. Then why did she not tell him earlier? Aarav was fuming inside. But he realized that she had never said anything to indicate that she loved him. How I could he have been such a fool, he thought.
It was one of those evenings when Kushal met Samaira. Kushal was talking non-stop about is work and his promotion and his office politics. Samaira was not listening. She felt caught between her past and her future. Samaira had been thinking a lot about Aarav lately. As always, by the time the meeting finished, it led to an argument and fight. Samaira had tears in her eyes as she returned to the resort. Near the entrance on a parapet she saw someone. It was Aarav. He walked towards her. “Hi, how are you today?” he asked. She smiled, but the eyes with tears could not be hidden. He led her towards the bench on the side of the sea. The waves were lashing and the shimmering of the moon made the sight very peaceful. Aarav held his arms around her shoulder and let her cry. After while he handed her a small note. “I was waiting to hand this over to you” It read,.
‘My dear Samaira, I don’t know if this is love or madness, but I don’t think I can ever have anyone else as a life partner other than you. I do understand that you have a boyfriend and you will soon be married to someone else. I should have asked you earlier, but I also know that even if I knew you were “attached” so to say, I would still have fallen in love with you. You are, as your names says, enchanting and when someone is enchanted, reason does not work.
Please forgive me if I have hurt you, but as you know, is was always unintentional. Tomorrow is my last day in Malaysia. I would like to spend my evening with you. To take with me memories that will last me through the tough life ahead. I have already reserved the “Moondeck” for dinner and will be waiting for you. Madly in love with you, Aarav’
The sun was just setting and the orange sky reflected on the sea. Aarav was standing on the “Moondeck” with the hotel staff as they were preparing for the event. “Your girlfriend must be very lucky, you are personally looking into all the details. What is the special occasion Sir?” one of the staff members asked Aarav? “Oh…umm…a farewell dinner…of sorts..” he replied.
It had just become dark and the lights going to the Moondeck were lighting the path. The place was tastefully decorated in light pink and silver, the two colours Samaira liked. The champagne bottle and glasses with matching pink bows were waiting with the icebox. Light romantic music was playing. The waves were glistening in the moonlight. A perfect setting for a ‘candle-lit’ romantic date.
Aarav stood on the edge of the deck as he waited for her. He was wearing a casual off-white linen shirt and jeans. The cool sea breeze was flying through his thick hair. He looked very handsome and distinguished. In a distance he could see a figure appearing and his heart began to beat fast. Samaira had worn a black and golden dress and with slight make up, she looked gorgeous. Aarav could not stop staring at her. “Wow, you look amazing…welcome!” he said. He shook her hands warmly and led her to the deck. He handed her a bouquet of yellow roses, “Cheers to a new friendship,” they touched their glasses and took a sip of the champagne.
Both of them stood in silence, looking at the waves as they lashed the shore. It was something like the storm that was going in each of their hearts. Each waiting for the other to take the first step.
Aarav noticed that Samaira was staring at him. Suddenly he remembered, “Ah yes, this is for you. He handed an envelope to Samaira. It was a singing assignment to New York with a famous music director from India. Samaira almost screamed and unknowingly hugged Aarav. “Thank you so much!” Samiara told him that she had decided to breakup with Kushal. She could not stand the fights any more. The tour to New York should do her a lot of good, she thought.
Samaira was doing most of the talking and Aarav felt very nice to see her smiling so much. This was the first time, since he met her, he felt she looked really happy. After dinner, they both went towards the sea. He held her hand as they strolled on the beach under the shimmering moonlight. “Can I ask you for one last thing? A parting kiss for me?” Without waiting for her to answer, he kissed her.
‘Thank you for the treasured memories for a lifetime’, he wrote a message to Samaira while boarding the flight to India.
Days turned into years. Samaira had a very successful singing career. They kept in touch over phone and emails. But this was the first time Samaira was coming to India for a show.
Aarav was waiting for her in the car at the airport. The flight had just landed. His heart missed a beat as he saw Samaira walk out of the airport in a lemon yellow T-shirt and white trousers. Samaira was smiling and answering questions from the press on her latest successful trip abroad and her forthcoming event in Mumbai.
We have a Moondeck in India too, Aarav said with a twinkle in his eye. He had reconstructed the design of the Moondeck in Malaysia on the banks of the Arabian sea in madh-islands in Mumbai, with everything being the same. Samaira hugged him as they touched their champagne glasses. They stood at the side of the deck , exactly as they had done in Malaysia, but the sea was much calmer this time, just as it was in their hearts. Aarav knelt down and said, “Will you marry me Samaira?” as he slid the ring in her finger. They hugged and passionately kissed each other under the moonlight, shimmering the same way as it did in Malaysia and the live band played “Nothing’s going to change my love for you…..”
Please forgive me if I have hurt you, but as you know, is was always unintentional. Tomorrow is my last day in Malaysia. I would like to spend my evening with you. To take with me memories that will last me through the tough life ahead.
Regis. 🌺
1. Knowing that he is going to loose his lover, still loves his career means he never loved her seriously.
2.why did Samaira waited to marry Aarav only after getting success in USA.
3. What she found in Aarav other than Kushal.
4. Looks 1st love is adolescent and 2nd love is matured ( may be practical )
anyway i should congratulate and expect more and more stories
wish you the best
...Michael
I recall visiting a movie producer's beautiful home in Dhaka Bangladesh with the father and mother of a friend of mine studying for his doctorate in the United States, Raj. The father and mother were negotiating a potential marriage of their son with the movie producer's daughter, one of 3 or 4 visits I made with the father seeking a potential bride for his son. His mother confided in me that they were afraid that their son would fall in love with and marry an American girl.
After I returned to the States, a marriage was arranged with a girl from London. They were married in a Muslim ceremony via telephone between West Virginia in London. Months later, I drove Raj for 10 hours to Kennedy international Airport to pick up his bride, Shammi. Raj was very anxious when she didn't come off the plane. Finally, this ravishing beauty came off the plane and Raj was floored by her! He didn't know what to say the whole trip back for 10 hours. They were remarried in a Christian ceremony in my home two weeks later. They have been married for many years now and have two grown children. A marriage made in heaven the old-fashioned way… By arrangement.
By the way, Behram and Gool, met in college in Bombay, fell in love and got married, just like another couple I knew, Danny and Bina, Behram and Gool are retired and have three grown sons. Danny and Bina divorced before Danny finished his doctorate. All romantic marriages do not turn out well.
Your writing is captivating, but the little editing would make it even better.
Ron
Enjoyed.