Page 3 of Let's Start with Forever
“Sameer Sehgal,” he replied.
God! This couldn’t be happening. She had avoided him for so long and now fate again had caught her off balance and thrown him straight in her path, when she least expected it. She wasn’t prepared for this chance encounter. To be honest, she would never be prepared.
Raashi lifted her head. He hadn’t seen her. He was scanning the decor with a bored look on his face. A look of someone used to dining at exclusive places.
She took her time assessing him, her eyes drinking him in; after all, she hadn’t seen him in three months. He was so tall that even in her high heels she had to tilt her head up to look at him. With a golden complexion, high cheekbones, a straight patrician nose and eyes the color of dark chocolate, he was any woman’s fantasy man. His dark hair was stylishly cut, though it was longer than usual. It had a ruffled look, like some woman had lovingly run her hands through it. His face, as always, hinted of the perpetual five o’clock shadow, like he couldn’t get a clean shave no matter how hard he tried. He was a disturbingly attractive man and what set him apart was his killer smile. He had that slight cleft in his chin that became more pronounced when he smiled. The inveterate charmer that he was, Sameerbestowed that smile on her hostess and the poor girl fumbled and stammered as she replied to him.
He was dressed flawlessly, as usual in a dark formal business suit, white shirt and patterned tie that showcased his perfectly well toned body. She knew first-hand how well defined his chest was and how his narrow waist tapered into flat abs. She had traced those carved abs with her hands and mouth. Every detail of his body was etched in her brain. Her breath hitched and she put a deliberate freeze on her mind.
One look and everything about him had come crashing back. She was so annoyed with herself.
A woman’s voice interrupted her assessment, “What’s taking you so long?”
Before she could turn to see who had spoken, he pivoted. His eyes met hers and try as she might, Raashi couldn’t move her gaze away from him.
Sameer Sehgal turned his face and stilled.
Their eyes met and recognition hit him like a blow to his gut. Raashi! Bold, beautiful, calm and so confident! Sameer had often wondered about this, imagined what their encounter would be like after...
Shaking his head, he refused to let his mind take that direction right now. He was out on a very important date, one that could decide his future and he didn’t want to get distracted. Raashi, however, didn’t bother to acknowledge him but continued to plainly stare at him.
He opened his mouth to break the awkwardness between them but the cold look in her eyes made him pause. Her outward calm was betrayed by the fury blazing in her eyes. He continued to stare at her and she gave him an icy look in return.
“I thought you had booked us a private corner,” Raashi heard the woman with Sameer say.
She turned to look at her and her eyes widened a fraction when she realized that the woman with Sameer was Natasha Arya, a popular socialite and heiress. Natasha frequently graced the pages of several society magazines. But looking at her, Raashi realized that the magazines didn’t do her justice. She was even more stunning in reality. She looked exotic with glowing skin, dark eyes and a small nose. Her poker straight hair was stylishly cut short to frame her face. She was dressed in a short black, strappy dress and had an air about her that clearly showed that she knew her place in the upper echelons of society. She was tall, almost as tall as Sameer in her high heels and they looked fantastic together.
She had heard the rumors about them. There was talk that Natasha may become a permanent fixture in Sameer’s life. Although Raashi hadn’t seen him or spoken to him in three months, they still had a lot of common friends and she had heard through them that Sameer was considering marrying Natasha. She also knew that Natasha was the only woman who had ever held his heart, and now they were back together. In spite of knowing all this, Raashi was unable to prevent the small shard of jealousy that pierced her heart on seeing them together.
Sameer saw Raashi look at Natasha. He could almost hear her the wheels turning in her head as she made the obvious connection. There were so many things that he wanted to say to Raashi, but now was not the right time. Would there ever be a right time? There never had been and there never would be, he told himself.
From the back recesses of his mind, he heard Natasha call his name.
When he didn’t reply, she shook him slightly, “Sameer?” she said again.
It took a moment for him to regain his senses.
He turned his attention back to the hostess and asked, “What’s going on?”
Apparently, there was some mix up and the table reserved for them was in the indoor section and not in the outdoor area like Natasha wanted.
Raashi silently watched Natasha giving her head hostess a hard time. She quickly scanned the list again.
“You can give them that one, with the sea view,” Raashi instructed the hostess.
The hostess replied, “But, Raashi, that one is booked for...”
“It’s okay, I’ll handle it,” Raashi responded, understanding what the girl was telling her.
“Well, you better. Obviously, you people have made a mistake and you ought to rectify it. Lucky for you that you found a place for us or else it would not have gone well on your record if we had to leave unhappy,” Natasha remarked coldly.
Sameer saw Raashi digest the cold tone in which she was spoken to. Her forehead creased and her mouth opened to reply to Natasha’s comment. But then she changed her mind.
Her face cleared and she addressed Natasha in a very calm tone, “My apologies, we’ll ensure that this won’t happen again. Enjoy your meal.”
And without a second glance at him, she moved away, leaving the hostess to guide them to their table.
Sameer was impressedwith the restaurant. Being an owner of several world-class hotels, he had an eye for detail and decor and this place was fantastic. He loved the way the owner had converted this old sea-facing villa into a quaint restaurant. Soft lights drifted everywhere and the music outside was just right for an evening out for dinner. The indoor area was separated from the outdoor by glass enclosures. Each time the glass doorsto the inside opened, he could hear some of the louder music that was being played. He had heard that the indoor section of the place was a lounge and allowed people to enjoy the latest music along with their food.
