Chapter 2

He stood there, just to her side at a decent distance from her form with his hands in his pockets, his body standing with a noble posture.

She is still praying with her joint hands, her eyes closed with a neutral face. Her fair rosy color and Lilli's scent are addicting to him.

After a while, she opened her eyes and turned to her side on seeing a person standing side to her through her peripherical vision.

Confusion knitted on her face but her brows relaxed as she gave a smile as a greeting.

" Do you need any help"?

He shook his head lightly as he remained silent looking at her. He still didn't move away from her as she awkwardly glanced at him with her roaming eyes.

"I see. I think your dear person might have died on the same date too". She decided to break the silence to jump out of the awkwardness.

And he looked back to his mother's grave and then to her and then replied.

"No". He cleared her doubt.

"She was dead a long time ago. I just call upon her grave whenever I visit India". He said.

"Oh". She trailed it off with a tint of embarrassment as she looked down at her fiddling fingers.

"I thought she was dead on the same date as my mother when I saw you here last time and now".

"So you remember me"? He spoke with amusement laced in his voice as his brows lifted with a thin smile.

With a flushed face, she replied.

"I mean . . . Yes. Of course. You are the only foreign man that I saw in the crematorium. So I was surprised and the memory stayed like that".

"Hmm". He nodded his head to her as his voice dictated.

"So, today is your dear one's death day"?

"Yeah".

"My hearty condolence to them".

"It's ok. And my hearty condolence to your girlfriend too".

The thin smile on his face swept away on hearing her as he became alert. His posture became rigid on hearing her misconception.

"No". She looked at him at his sudden objection as he didn't wait to clear the misunderstanding. He reacted in a snap.

"The woman you are greeting condolence is not my girlfriend, but she is my mother".

"Oh. I-I'm sorry". She immediately apologized for her misunderstanding as a tiny panic took over her.

"I thought she was your girlfriend. And, my hearty condolence to your mother too".

"It's ok. But . . .

"What made you think that I have a girlfriend ".

Long gone his plan and long gone his sick feeling. Talking with her he lost track of the things he thought to do.

"I-i. I mean, I found the girlfriend thing is the most reasonable reason for you to come here. Who would think that it would be your mother when generally they could be buried in her in-law's country? I meant no offense but, I just thought like that so". She spoke hastily with words almost stammering but she managed to speak fluently amazed him at her speaking skills in English.

"You have amazing speaking skills in English Ms . . .?"

"Adhira. Adhira Benerjee".

"And your name"?

He opened his mouth to say his name but stopped in his track and composed himself. Then he replied.

"Aiden. Aiden Vasiliev, from Russia".

"Oh, Russia -----

Her words were cut off when her phone rang loudly. With a sheepish smile excusing herself she put her hand into the bag to fish out the phone but she didn't get it. Then she shoved her hand opening the other zip and roamed her hand over the things in her bag and glanced at him embarrassed while he was watching her.

Taking her hand out to f that zip she put her hand in another small pouch-like zipping and immediately fished out the phone as soon as she touched it. But due to improper grip, the phone slid away from her hand as the corner of her phone straightly crashed into the cement tombstone, and the cracks spread on the screen like a thorny bush due to the angle. And then it flipped down as the face of the phone harshly landed on the edge of the tombstone and slid down to the ground.

Landing on the ground the phone fell on its back on the straight surface, and the camera lens was damaged as it straightly fell on the small sharp pebble.

Everything happened in a split second and he looked up at her only to find her hands covering her mouth as her hair elegantly fell on her sides.

He heard a few meek sounds from her and the phone is still ringing. He stopped the urge to smile more and took the phone from the ground and gave it to her more like showing the damage.

"Take the call. It might be still working".

Coming out of the trance she took the phone with her two hands as if it is an injured baby.

Biting her lips she cursed her friend for no mistake. She is her Kerela friend who stayed with her in a hostel and now works with her who still didn't learn proper Hindi successfully.

Still cursing she tried to swipe the green button but it isn't happening. She tried again and again aggressively but it didn't work due to screen damage.

"Do you want to borrow mine"? He asked her. But she shook her head denying him still swiping the button and at last, it worked. She picked up the call.

"Oh. It is still working". She said to him as she put her phone to her ear a little bit distance.

"ADHIRA. THERE IS A MIND-BLOWING OFFER HERE".

Adhira immediately pulled away from the phone on listening to the loud voice. She knows that her voice is not that loud but when she saw the screen she realized that it is on speaker and immediately tried to off the speaker but unfortunately, the screen is not working properly.

"Oh no". She whispered as she glanced at him and her phone again while her friend continued.

"ADHIRA. THEY SAID THAT THE COUPONS WORK ON BRAS TOO".

Her head shot up to him on hearing the news. Her face flushed in embarrassment knowing that he too listened to that.

His face remained confused not knowing what to do as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other as glanced to his sides.

"AND IT WORKS ONLY IF WE SPEND ABOVE 1500. SO I'M BUYING YOURS TOO". Her friend said in a casual tone but the speaker is on the full volume.

Walking a bit distance away from him she spoke, but still, her voice is audible in the empty crematorium.

"R-Rashi. Rashi. Can you hear me? Rashi my phone's screen is not working. You are on the speaker. Hello"? Adhira spoke as she was trying to decrease the volume only to find out half of the sound button had blasted away and the remaining is to increase the volume button. She cursed herself in irritation as she slammed her phone in her hand consequently.

He was listening to everything standing there.

"AND DON'T WORRY I KNOW YOUR SIZE TOO".

Her mouth hung open as she turned back to look at him only to find him standing with his side profile as he was looking around cluelessly.

"OH GOD RASHI YOU ARE ON SPEAKER". She shouted at her friend but she was still talking and Adhira examined her phone turning it front and back again and again slamming it in her hand.

"She might be unable to hear you. I think due to your phone's accident".

He said to her as she looked at him and the phone again.

She is unable to press any option or lower the volume. And to the bonus, her friend can't hear too. Adhira felt helpless. What is she supposed to say now?

"AS A HOSTEL MATE I CAN SAY YOUR NUMBER IS 36. ISN'T IT"?

Her hand shot up to her mouth on listening to her.

"OH MY GOD. RASHI. FREAKING SHUT UP. THERE IS A MAN WITH ME". She shouted at her in panic but still, her friend couldn't able to hear her.

"36 IS YOUR EXACT SIZE, RIGHT? WHEN YOU WERE INTER YOU SAID IT WAS 34 AND BY NOW IT MIGHT INCREASE----

She immediately throws the phone on the stone unable to hear anything and like that the phone's parts departed flying in different directions due to the impact of hitting the stone.

She just wants to put off the phone.

Startled he looked at her and contained his small smile and in a snap, he masked it away with a neutral face.

After taking a deep breath she turned around and found him masking away his small smile as he remained neutral. Embarrassment flooded through her system as a red hue covered her fair face.

She looked away biting her lip, sweeping her hair to the side so he couldn't see her.

"Are you okay"?

He asked her and she closed her eyes before turning to him.

"Yeah. I am. Umm . . . Excuse me. I-I need to go. Nice meeting you by the way".

Saying that she hurried away from there to escape the embarrassment.

At her sudden bidding bye, he was going to stop her but she hastily passed over him with her head down as her hair smoothly flew like feathers.

*****

On reaching her scooter (scooter vehicle) she started her vehicle l. And as soon as she sat she felt the difference and got up from the scooty. Immediately keeping the scooty on the stand she examined her tires only to find them flat.

They are punctured.

Getting up from the ground and fixing her dupatta (veil), she stomped her foot on the ground with peak irritation.

"Today all my things are revolting against me". She complains to herself.

As if her phone is not enough, now her scooter also ditched her. And her cheeks are flaming in anger.

"Any problem".

She heard the familiar voice as she turned back to him. Aiden Vasiliev.

"Yeah. My vehicle tires became flat". She said to him and he peeked from her body as he gazed at her tires with his furrowed eyebrows and found them flat.

He knows this. He expected this already as he already knows about it. It is part of his plan. But now. He no more wants to continue the plan. He found another smoother way to get her.

"Oh. That looks pretty bad".

"Yeah. I don't know how it happened. But now it is flat".

After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

"Well. I bought my vehicle. If you agree, I'm willing to give you a ride to your destination".

He asked her straight to the point without riddling.

But she looked hesitant in getting his car. How can she trust him? Though he is foreign that didn't give her a reason to believe him instead that only made her doubt him. She is aware of the illegal activities of exploiting women.

But, he looked nothing like that. Just now she had a friendly chat. But again. Kidnappers do talk in such a sweet way so that they could lure them.

"If you are worried about your vehicle then collect your vehicle later with your friend. Or my driver will take care of that. Right now I suggest you accept my ride to your home"?

"B-but. But how do I believe you"?

"Excuse me? Sorry, I didn't understand"?

"I mean. Indian women have a lot of trust issues for those who offer rides or lifts. I intend no offense to you. It's just about my security".

There was a moment of silence between them before he heaved a sigh.

"Ms.Adhira. Tell me seriously. Do I look like a kidnapper or a man who exploits women". He asked her as her eyes took a look at him from top to bottom.

He is dressed in a dark suit with his long hair neatly combed back and his eyes shining in blue, his face rigid with a sharp jaw angle. In no way does he look like that. She felt he is a very handsome man that can be a hot model. He is so fit and fine. She immediately regretted doubting him. But she has her reasons.

"Hey".

He called her and she looked up at him. And it is that minute she realized the height difference between them. He looked above 6 feet while she barely reached his chest at 5.4 height.

"If I intend to kidnap you I would have done a lot before. Look at the place we are in. It is so idle. If you were kidnapped not a single soul can know anything about you. And I don't want that to happen to you. I would be devasted until you reach your home safely. And that's why I'm offering a ride to you. Kindly accept my offer, my lady".

Awww. She is smitten by his gentlemanly words. He would be devasted until she reach her home safely.

Coyly she looked down and nodded her head and replied to him.

"Thanks, Mr.Aiden".

"My pleasure".

By the time they finish their talking a black car reached their place and he helped her in getting the car and made a place for himself. Little bit spreading his legs he put one leg on the other. His usual posture.

"Thanks again". She replied as the driver started driving.

"Do not mention please".

"So. What do you do Ms.Adhira"?

She heard his thick Russian accent and replied to him.

"I'm a bank accountant. And, what do you do Mr.Aiden? I wonder what is your purpose of visiting India"?

"I am just an employer in Russia. But due to my promotion and dedication towards work I was sent here to handle the business deals on behalf of my company".

"Oh". She ended the conversation as silence took between each other. He glanced at her from time to time while checking her in the mirror.

"So--- how long are you going to stay in India".

As silence seemed awkward to her she broke the silence.

"Don't know  For now I might stay for 2 or 3 months. But it may extend or may even reduce".

"Oh".

"Hmm".

*****

The car reached her house. To her grandparent's house. Before getting off the car she looked at him to greet him for the last time.

"It was nice meeting you. Thanks for the help". She said.

"Me too. I enjoyed your company today. We talked a lot".

"Yeah. I never thought that I would be this good with some foreign man and that to a stranger".

"Hope I will not be addressed as a stranger next time". Andrey said to her.

"Of course. But, if we meet next time".

"I'm sure we will meet next time. Can I have your number".

"Uhh---". She hesitated and replied.

"You already saw that right. My phone is no more. Or I might have given you the number. But I don't have a phone now".

"Then take my nu---

"It's nice meeting you. Thank you so much for the help. I'll be going now. I have to meet my grandmother".

Saying that without giving him any chance to speak she got off the car.

She doesn't want to give her number just like that. Anyone who wants to have her number has to gain trust from her. And she can't give her number to some stranger, certainly to a foreign man. And that too when they barely met each other and when they are no chance to meet each other again. It would be just a waste of space only to delete the number in the future.

Just then she heard the knock as she turned back only to meet his fate at the window peeking out at her.

"Don't worry. I didn't hear anything at the crematorium. See you again".

Saying that the car drove off slowly from there leaving her frozen flustered.

.

.

.

The car drove as his expression became cold, and the little smile swept away. His hand combed back the hairs with his fingers as he threw his head back closing his eyes.

The car took a turn and stopped at some distance as a person entered the car.

"Sir"?

"Adhira Benerjee. That's her name and you probably got a dress too, now go and search for everything about her. I want every small detail about her on my desk".

"Yes sir". With that saying the man was going to leave the car when Andrey called him back again.

"Prepare documents on Aiden Vasiliev as my identity. Prepare all the evidence of me being a citizen of Russia under the name of Aiden Vasiliev and hire a lady hacker too. Install a GPS to her vehicle. And prepare documents about me being an employee in a random company with a good salary. And I want them as original as possible. Here Aiden Vasiliev will be my new identity".

"As you said, sir".

"But sir - - - -

With his cold eyes, he looked at him uninterestingly with a lazy gaze.

"What about the plan we made".

He blinked his eyes as the plan they discussed replayed in his mind. He thought to kidnap her from then and there at the crematorium and take her to Russia by drugging her. From there he thought to keep her in the bedroom, in his mansion, and slowly make her love him. But nothing of that sort happened.  He could be that person which Adhira thought exactly. But her talking and sweet smile changed his decision.

"Cancel it".

He said and without questioning the man left the car and the car drove off.

After he left he rested his head back again as he closed his eyes imagining her.

A portrayal of her sitting in a white gown like a swan flashed in his dark closed eyes. In the dark, she roamed everywhere like an angel her hair moving elegantly with a beautiful smile on her lips.

He took a deep breath still captivating her image in his closed eyes.

"Adhira Benerjee". He whispered her name in a husky tone.

"My Adhira Vasiliev".

"Why claim you in ill ways when you are paving a path for me". He husked in his thick Russian voice.

"I swear on my mother . . . . I'll make you mine in any way and in every possible way". He made an oath to himself.