✨ First date ✨

Samantha

"One thing to be added, Mrs. Samantha Singh Malhotra is the new face of Malhotra Group of Industries. And not only this, she is our new Finance Analyst too....", he declared, his words weighed more than his voice as his gaze was fixed on me.

What? New face?

I don't know how should I feel about this but there are mixed emotions. He took milliseconds in ending the contract with Isha Chauhan and now with a blink of an eye, he announced me as the new face.

"Abhimaan....", I clutched onto his blazer but he held my hands tighter instead.

"Isha, you can leave now but not before apologizing to my wife", he said bluntly and Isha looked at me in despise. To be honest, I felt bad looking at her like this. She cried miserably in front of everyone but Abhimaan barely heard her.

No, I'm not a type of person who takes anyone's disrespect and what Isha said to me was too much to tolerate. I failed to react and now I regret it.

Because if I would have reacted to her, it might been just an argument or a snapback. Certainly not like what Abhimaan did. His ways are clear and blunt which assure how angry he was at listening to her.

A wife inside me might feel good about her husband taking stand for her but a girl feels bad.

"Isha....", he called out again but barely a word slipped from my mouth to stop him. I know he wasn't going to listen to me.

Isha looked at me with hatred filled eyes and gritted her teeth in anger, "I'm. Sorry. Samantha", she stated every word with utmost venom in her voice.

"You may leave now, Ms. Isha", he ordered and went back to his cabin while everyone got back to their work.

While I stood there in shock when Isha turned her heels to me wiping off her tears, "Abhimaan never did this for anyone. And I hate this fact that he is changing for you, Samantha Singh", she said pointing fingers at me.

"Aur woh bhi uss ladki ke liye jo mere aage khade hone ke bhi layak nahi hai", she roamed her eyes at me in disgust and I stood there in silence.

"Lekin yaad rakhna, Samantha. Abhimaan tumhara kabhi nahi ho payega. Mere rehte toh bilkul nahi", her words sent shivers down my spine when she turned her heels to walk away.

My heart clenched at her words as a sudden fear overtook me. "What did she just say?", I thought to myself.

I gulped the lump in my throat and sighed heavily as it was too much for me. It's my first day here and I feel like I have already ruined something.

"Woah, Bhabhi. Abhimaan was on fire", Ruhaan said coming to me and offered me a chair while he also took a seat beside me.

"What happened, Bhabhi? Let's celebrate that Isha is out of our lives", he said excitedly.

"Mujhe bahut dar lag raha hai", I said slowly.

"Lekin kyu, Bhabhi? Usne kuch kaha aapse? Aap mujhe bataiye", he said getting angry.

"Nahi nahi....", I tried acting normal. I really didn't want any other drama.

"It's just that I feel bad for her."

"Bad for her? Bhabhi, she is not worth it. Trust me", he said calmly.

"But...."

"Bhabhi, I have never seen Abhimaan like this since ages. But I also know that he is protective about the people he....", Ruhaan stopped in between.

"People he....", I initiated him to complete his words.

"About the people he love", he said and my heart skipped a beat.

"Ruhaan...."

"Bhabhi, trust me when I say this. Abhimaan is changing, he is finally opening up and it's just because of you. And I'm happy that he is giving his life a fair chance to live", Ruhaan said and I noticed how strong their bond is. He truly cares for Abhimaan.

"But Ruhaan, love is a big word to say I mean it's too much to feel", I said nervously.

Yes, me and Abhimaan are growing with each other but love is different. And to be honest, I'm scared to open my heart to him not that I don't trust him. But after Dad's death, I have moved on with my life all alone and then I had to marry under wrong circumstances. Yet we managed to move along but I'm scared to fall in love.

I'm scared to be alone. Again.

"I know, Bhabhi. But trust me, I feel good about you two. You both deserve all the love and happiness", he said smilingly.

"Thank you, Ruhaan. You are a great friend. Abhimaan is lucky", I smiled back.

"And so are you, Bhabhi. I'm also your friend", he said while we laughed.

"Let's focus on your work now either our CEO will fire both of us", he said.

"Of course", I chuckled at his words.

"Can you please help me with settling with the work?", I asked him.

"Sure, Bhabhi", he said clapping his hands as he gave the file to me and started explaining me the details.

___________________________________________

It's been one month since I'm working in Malhotra Group of Industries. First two weeks were quite difficult for me to understand the work. I'm good at finance so that was easy to settle with but the modelling thing, I mean I really doubt what made Abhimaan think that I'm suitable for this?

I mean we all girl can agree that we have manifested walking on a ramp in our childhood and now when it's coming true, I have mixed emotions.

Our Company works with different brands to promote itself and one of our oldest brands is a Jewellery brand. The designers launch their product and our Company finances it. For the past few years, Isha has been modelling with this project and let me tell you, she was commendable at her work. I have seen her portfolio and it's outstanding, afterall she was a professional.

Although I have started settling with this office thing and the other employees have really started interacting with me, in fact some of them have become really good friends of mine. Yet I'm still nervous about the project. I have gone through all the financial data of this project and our Company has literally spent a huge amount on this jewellery brand so it's really important for me to work hard and prove Abhimaan's trust in me.

I was going through the file when I felt someone's arms locked around my waist and I knew whose it was. "Biwi is overthinking, I see", Abhimaan said.

These days, I was so busy with the project that me and Abhimaan barely got any time together. He was also busy with meetings and conferences. And I gave extra time to understand the project well. "What are you thinking, Samantha?", he asked putting his chin on my shoulder.

"If I can really do this or not? I mean, Isha was a professional, Abhimaan. And she was good at what she does....", I said after turning back to face him.

"But she is not good at what she thinks, Samantha. And we have already talked on this enough", he said sitting at the couch.

Yes, I asked him why he took that decision so impulsively because I can't let him mix his personal and professional lives. And he answered me with same reasons that I'm the best fit for this project.

"Abhimaan....", I stood in front of him.

"Samantha, trust me. You can't see the potential I'm able to see inside you. You will give justice to the brand. Yes, Isha was good but professionally. But you have that spark, Samantha, which is just raw and impactful", he said and to be honest, I blushed inside hearing his words.

"Ab chaliye ye overthinking ko side kariye. Because I have a surprise for you", he said getting straight on his feet and took the files from my hand, kept it on the table and dragged me out.

"What? Where are going, Abhimaan?", I kept asking but he barely answered.

"You will get to know", he spoke once we were inside his car. He drove off to God knows where while I barely spoke anything further. I was just being reluctant.

Soon he stopped the car in front of a building, it seemed to be old and vintage and I read the name at the entrance, "Maan Foundation."

Abhimaan came to my side when we both got out of the car as I looked at him surprisingly, "I realised we still haven't been on our first date, Mrs. Malhotra", he said taking my hand in his and walking inside the gate.

The building was huge, and the entrance row was filled with flowers. "It's my Mumma's NGO. It was our second home. Me, Mumma and Dad used to come here", he started speaking with a softness in his tone and suddenly I smiled inwardly that he took me here. To his most precious place.

We entered inside and an old man who was in her late 60s came to us, "Arey Abhimaan Baba aaye hai. Aao beta....", he welcomed us in.

"Bahu bhi aayi hai.... Andar aao beti", he said when I touched his feet to get his blessings. "Jeete raho mere bachhe", he blessed us while Abhimaan did the same to him.

I smiled at his sweet words when I heard the giggling sound approaching us closer, "Maan....", the children came running to Abhimaan and the side of him which I barely saw was what he was covered in.

Calm and childish.

"Inse milo, Samantha. They are my best friends", I smiled at each one of them while Kaka who welcomed us in and also looks after this place came to us with a tray of sweets in his hands.

The children seemed to love Abhimaan as they were so engrossed into him, I never knew Abhimaan could be this friendlier with kids. Watching him like this made my heart warm.

There was a big picture of Abhimaan's mother framed in the centre of the hall. We also went there and lit up the diya as we took blessings from her.

"This is the last place me and Mumma visited before she left me. I remember I didn't want to go back from here that day. I wanted to stay longer but it was Dad's birthday and Mumma wanted to surprise him", he said while the children started running and playing in the hall.

Soon we had our little snack which Kaka got for us and now we are in the backyard. It's more sort of a playground for the children. And to be honest, this place looks so peaceful and serene.

Abhimaan's mother seemed to have a powerful aura because whoever knows her would be familiar with her presence at every place of hers. And I'm already loving this place.

"Kya soch rahi ho, biwi?", Abhimaan pressed his thumb over my palm as we were walking hand in hand.

"Why did you bring me here? You never talked about this place", suddenly the urge to ask him this got inside me.

A soft smile plastered over his face as he stopped to face me, "I realised we have never been on date. And I wanted you to know about this part of my life too", he said softly and I looked deeply into his eyes.

His eyes softened but mine shined at his words, "Thank you, Abhimaan. Thank you for sharing this with me", I said with teary eyes. He immediately wiped off the tears from my cheeks and kissed my forehead, "Agar maa tumse milti toh bahut khush hoti", he said.

"Samantha, your presence also brings the same peace to me."

"Mr. Malhotra, what are you....", he sushed me before I could speak further.

I realised the sun has already started coming down and it was going to be night soon. The children played here for a while but now they all are probably inside the house. And that leaves just two of us walking hand in hand. The backyard was well decorated with lights and flowers.

A date cannot be more better. And that too with Abhimaan Malhotra, someone who has started giving butterflies inside my stomach.

"You asked me what I really wanted to do with you?", he said caressing my cheeks.

I do remember that. We were spending time together and he was tickling me. And then, I asked him what he really wanted to do with me but he didn't reply me that day and I also never exaggerated that question.

"Ask me again, Samantha", he said and I repeated.

"What do you really want to do with me, Mr. Malhotra?", I asked when he took my hand in his and then took out his phone from his pocket and played the song in the background.

Kaise bataaun tujhe ki

dil mera kya keh raha

Rahe na faasle ye jo hai apne darmiyaan

Kaise bataaun tujhe ki

dil mera kya keh raha

Rahe naa faasle ye jo hai apne darmiyaan

Tere qareeb main ho sakoon

De de tu apni razaa

Paas bithaaun ye zulf sanwaroon

Aur baahon mein le loon tujhe main

Hai dil ki ye khwaahish

Ki sun le guzaarish

Aur de de tu khud ko mujhe

He twirled me around while we groov on the song. My heart raced faster and I couldn't stop blushing. Our eyes met and nothing felt better. I have never imagined my life to be like this. But this man changed it all.

Not at a single place, he didn't speak up for me and my respect. I know none of us wanted this marriage but the circumstances tied us together and I feel grateful to God for this man. He is a soft heart behind that cold man.

There is a human, a child inside him who wants nothing but love.

And in return he will make you his whole world.

The song stopped as I didn't feel the urge to let go of his hands. His touch makes me feel warm and secure as if I have always belonged to him.

"Abhimaan...."

"Ji...."

"What about tomorrow? I'm just nervous", I asked back.

A soft smile appeared on his face, "Everything will be fine tomorrow, don't worry. I trust you, Samantha", he said and suddenly I felt a sigh of relief as if it was the only word I wanted to listen.

"Abhimaan....", I called again.

"Ji...."

"You have started giving me butterflies", did I really say this? God!

He chuckled softly and my cheeks turned into crimson red, "I mean.... I didn't...."

"What if I say the same, Samantha?", he replied back and I looked at him surprisingly.

He cupped my cheeks with both of his hands, "Samantha, I....", I trembled at the sound of the thunderstorm and we both looked at the sky and our forehead was soon covered with the beads of the raindrops. Abhimaan opened his blazer and covered me as my shirt was already drenched in rain.

"Baba.... Please come inside. Either you both will catch a cold", Kaka called us from inside and we chuckled at each other while we ran inside.

We checked on the children and they already slept. We had ordered foods for them and they were so happy. Soon we left for our home as tomorrow is our product launch day.

The day we have been waiting for.

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