SAHIL FF-AASHIQ BANAYA AAPNE-PT25-THE REAL THING-NEW-PG-108 - Page 29

Originally posted by: Suku_SwaRon

Mandy I know you are a busy person, will it be too much too ask for the next chapter😳, yaar maine abi ek baar phir se read the whole thing. It has got an alag se charishma, awww I love to read it again and again.

Originally posted by: Preet.Kc

Was going to sleep when i found this story and i said okay lets read it but than said don't know if i will like it of not, so said to myself to read just the last chapter and when i started i found that i know the author, so though to check and touche i was right!!! 😆 after reading chapter 11 i think i have to read the previous one. Girl you have intoxicated me with this story too. Well i'll read when i'll be more awake then now 😆

But chapter 11 was too good, no words.

Simply awesome.This Aahil and Saman reminds me of the old Ahil and Saman.

Originally posted by: najma123

Weekend is almost over. 😒

Originally posted by: MrDarcyfan

I know, and I am sorry, but this weekend was just no good for me. I got stuck updating my last story and there is still the final part to go. I also had some family stuff on, so no way I can do this update for a few more days, but will try and do the next one sooner. It's just not been a great time for me. Plus, I have a horrible cold, so find it very hard to look at the computer screen.

Now with the holiday season coming up here, it's going to be really hard to find extra time. So will try and get some updates done this week!

Cheers

Mandy

Part 12 - "This Feeling Between Us!" - Part 1

*"Ishq ke naam se dar lagath tha...dil ke anjaam se daar lag tha tha...Aashiqi Wo Hi Mere Saath Ho Gai...Jise Darate The Wohi Baat Ho Gai...Raah mein unse mulaqat hogayi...ji se daar teh tain, wohi baath hogayi..."

Sanam walked into the house, all confused. She didn't even realise how flushed her face was and there was something in her eyes that told anyone who looked closely enough that she had experienced some passion. She didn't look like the same girl who left with Aahil. The funny thing was, she had kissed guys before of course, but never had it left this impression on her. She had never remembered being this effected by a kiss before. But then Aahil was a great kisser? "His technique" as he had called it, was flawless. So much so, that she had wanted the kiss to continue, even when he was trying to go slow with her. She blushed harder when she remembered how she bit into his full lower lip. He had such amazing lips, they were so sexy and sweet, just like him! "Hold on Sanam, since when did you think he was "sweet?" she admonished herself. But the truth was he had been really sweet with her, and considerate too. She suddenly realised that she had been with him for nearly 3 hours, and not for a moment had she felt the time was dragging. She had really enjoyed his company. He was as good a conversationalist as he was a kisser. This man was most definitely the triple threat. He had looks, brains and charm.

"Hey Api...you're back!" Said Seher's voice from the kitchen as Sanam walked further into the house. Suddenly Sanam was not sure if she was ready to see her sister so soon after her "encounter" with Aahil. Anyone else would have been different, but in one glance Seher would know that something had happened between her and Aahil. Her sister knew her too well.

"Hey Seher" said Sanam, trying to escape by making her way to the staircase and into her room, avoiding going into the kitchen and facing Seher.

"Where do you think you're going young lady? Said Seher's voice as Sanam was about to step on the first step of the staircase. "Come back here right now and dish the dirt!" Sanam groaned. There was no getting away from her sister now.

"I'm a bit tired Seher...I think I might have a nap?" said Sanam, still not turning around.

"Woohooo...THAT good was he?" said Seher with a laugh and Sanam turned around on the step with an indignant look.

"We only KISSED? Batameez! As if I would...just like that?" said Sanam angrily, not realizing what Seher had just made her admit to.

"Kyon Bachchu...Pakari gayi na? Am I good or what?" said Seher with a laugh. "Of course I KNEW you didn't do that with him?" said Seher, her browse raised. "At least not on your first date? But...you KISSED ha? Why you S**t!" said Seher laughing. "I didn't kiss Rehan till our fourth date?"

Sanam's face flamed. "It wasn't even a proper date, it was..." But Seher cut Sanam off as she looked at her with a smirk.

"NOT even a proper date but first base covered already? When did Ms Sanam Ahemed Khan become so risque? Must be the influence of a certain hot Nawab?"

"Whatever...it wasn't like that" Sanam muttered, her face now gone totally red.

"What was it like then Api?" asked Seher, her browse raising. "So is Bhopal's most eligible bachelor a good kisser?" Asked Seher with a smirk. Sanam looked away, her eyes shy. "Oh...come ON...this is ME? Tell me! I am dying to know!"

"No...he's not a good kisser!"

"WHAT?"

"He's a great kisser!" said Sanam with a small reminiscent smile adorning her features, her cheeks flooding with colour again.

"Well...well...two days ago, you were like totally dissing Aahil, and NOW he's a great kisser ha? How things have progressed! BTW, where did you guys go?"

"Bhojpur Hill! It's like this Hilltop location with the best views Seher. It was breath-taking. Aahil told me the plot belonged to their family. It was just so beautiful up there!"

"Really? I should tell Rehan to take me there sometime! So when are you seeing him again?"

"I don't know! He didn't say anything. He had some work stuff to deal with, so he went to the office".

"Yeah I know! Rehan said he couldn't see me today, coz they are preparing for some major presentation to some important client tomorrow. HE is at work too?" complained Seher, making a face. Seher had spent the last few weekends out with Rehan, and this was the first weekend since they had started to date that Rehan had not seen her on a Sunday.

Sanam excused herself and went upstairs after chatting with Seher for a few more minutes. She really wanted to be alone for a little while and think. What was this strange feeling taking her over? Why was she feeling this way? She had been talking to Seher, but her mind had still been filled with Aahil. She realised that she missed him? He had only just left half an hour ago, but it felt like days? Sanam had never felt this way before. She suddenly wondered if THIS was what people talked about when they said that they were dying to see someone again. Was this what people meant when they said they couldn't forget someone? She had always wondered, coz no one had ever made such an impression on her before. She had secretly almost laughed, when some of her friends had said they just couldn't stop thinking of someone. She wondered why they couldn't just get over it. But now? It seemed like all that actually meant something. Because now it was happening to her, it all seemed real. How had she gone from not wanting to think of Aahil ever again, to not thinking of anything but him? Had she made a mistake going out with him, letting him kiss her? She knew she had not even given it a thought before kissing him back? She had just been totally lost in the moment. She had just been totally under his spell. Totally ARI'd! Sanam shook her head. She thought she would just watch something, so she went on her IPad and decided to watch some re-runs of MKR. But even then she found she could not shake the thoughts of Aahil away. She didn't even realise when she had fallen asleep, her iPad lying next to her on the bed.

Later that evening Aahil was still stuck at work and so was Rehan. They all wanted to make sure they got this presentation right. They had even ordered food in, as they hadn't been able to leave the office. It didn't look like it was going to be a night where Aahil and Rehan were going to be able to go meet their girls. Aahil had really wanted to call Sanam, but it was nearly 6.30pm, and he knew Sanam would be working now. So he didn't want to disturb her. He realised he didn't even have her mobile number, so he got Seher's number off Rehan and called her. He asked Seher if she could pass him her number and she had. So Aahil sent Sanam a message, as he didn't want to call her in the middle of work and disturb her.

"I really had a great time this morning. See me for coffee at Espresso tomorrow? 3pm?" the message read. Aahil didn't want to pressure her to have dinner with him tomorrow. The truth was, she was very busy and he wanted to take her out on a night she was free and they could really concentrate on getting to know each other. Even though he would love to see her every day, he knew this was not possible.

Sanam was busy with work when she heard her phone beep. She picked it up and saw that it was from an unknown number. She read the message and realised it's from Aahil. How did he get her number? Just then her phone beeped.

"Before you ask, Seher gave me your number. I called her and asked for it", said the message. Sanam smiled despite herself. HOW had he known that is what she was thinking? Were they now sharing "telepathy?" "This is crazy" thought Sanam. She realized that he was asking her out again, and once again, not to a Five Star or some other flash scenario, but for a coffee date. Somehow it warmed her to think that he was trying to do different things with her, and probably not his usual M.O of Five Star Hotels and expensive restaurants. Maybe he thinks that is what she would be expecting, and he is throwing her a curve ball, doing the unexpected.

She was almost tempted to say she was busy, but the truth was, she had found it tough to stop thinking of him since he had dropped her home. So meeting him seemed like the best option. Maybe that way she could see for sure if it was just the atmosphere of "Bhojpur Hill" that had made her lose her head with him? After all, it had been a romantic location. Now in her usual coffee shop, she can see if he can make her feel the same way? "It's a test" she told herself. But if she was being honest, she really wanted to see Aahil again, but she was not ready to fully admit this truth to herself.

"See you at 3pm tomrorow, Espresso" Sanam replied Sanam.

"Looking forward to it" the reply came back. Sanam smiled seeing the reply. "Snap out of it Sanam" she scolded herself as she went back to working.

The next day went by in a haze for both Aahil and Sanam. Aahil had that important meeting and presentation at work. His executive Neil had really nailed it, and it seemed like they were going to get these clients on board! They all felt pretty happy about their progress. Sanam also had a busy day where she had to meet some suppliers. Therefore, she was dressed formally in a Maroon red shirt and a black pencil skirt which ended at her knees with a slit at the back, and black high heeled pumps. She had her hair pined up and minimal make up. She looked very smart and business like. It was in this outfit that she went to Espresso just before 3pm to wait for Aahil.

Aahil came to Espresso bang on 3pm. He had walked from his office, coz he needed the fresh air after being cooped up all day. He was wearing a white shirt, and black dress pants and a black jacket. As always, his style was slightly more casual than your average business man. He never wore three piece suits as this was not his personal style. As always, the first 3 buttons were undone. Sanam was sitting at one of the window tables and she saw Aahil approaching through a side window. She noted he was dressed formally, but in his usual easy style. He had such an elegance about him, without looking like a stuffed shirt. He was edgy even in his business suit and stood out among the many men in formal attire you see about town. Aahil knew how to make any look his own, and he had a certain signature style. Sanam was interested enough in fashion to appreciate Aahil's slightly off the wall sense of style. He did everything on his own terms. That was clear. Just then he disappeared from her line of vision towards the entrance of the cafe. Within minutes, he had spotted her as he walked in, and suddenly Sanam looked up as she felt eyes on her, and she saw Aahil walking towards her. He was taking off his aviators and his eyes met hers. Sanam took a depth breath. Suddenly he was here and it was all too real. Seeing him again, after kissing him so shamelessly yesterday, she suddenly felt her cheeks fill with colour and she cursed herself. Every time she tried to look cool in front of him, and she ended up blushing like a schoolgirl instead!

Aahil saw Sanam, and noticed how her cheeks filled with pink when her eyes met his. He could not quite suppress his smirk. She was adorable beyond words, and it pleased him that she was so obviously effected by his presence. Sanam gave him a small smile and looked away for a second. Aahil came over and stood next to the table as he put his aviators in the V created by the open buttons of his shirt.

"Hi" Sanam said, looking up at him. Then Aahil bent over her and leaned in, and pressed a quick kiss on her pink cheek. "Hi" he whispered. "As always, I love the colour pink on you" said Aahil with a twist of his lips as he sat down opposite her.

"I'm not wearing pink?" said Sanam with a slight frown.

"I am talking of the colour of your cheeks, not your clothes" said Aahil with a pointed look at Sanam's pink cheeks. "But that colour suits you too. You look pretty" said Aahil with a small smile.

"Thank you" said Sanam softly.

"You're welcome Ms Khan" said Aahil with a gleam in his eyes. Sanam bit her lip nervously and looked away. Now that he was here, she was feeling a bit shy and overwhelmed. Then suddenly Aahil laughed softly.

"Hey...relax Sanam...there is no need to be nervous"

"I'm not nervous", said Sanam, looking at Aahil. Trust her to never admit to any weakness.

"Oh yeah? Is that why you keep blushing and looking away from me every few minutes?" said Aahil with raised browse. "I know you bit me yesterday, but you don't have to be embarrassed. I told you...I LIKED it!"

"AAHIL...Keep your voice down please?" Sanam said indignantly, looking around.

"Why? Don't you "bite and tell?" said Aahil, and this time he was laughing in earnest.

"Very funny!" said Sanam with a flash of her eyes.

"Hey..." said Aahil as he reached across the table and took her hand. "I'm just kidding baby!" he said huskily. "How was your day?" he asked, his tone changing, but he still kept a hold of her hand.

"Good! And yours? How was that meeting you talked of?"

"It went well. The presentation really impressed the clients and all the hard work, Neil, Rehan and I put into it was worth it in the end!"

"That's good news" murmured Sanam, she was distracted by the warm touch of Aahil's hand holding hers. His thumb was caressing absently over the back of her hand and Sanam could feel herself becoming warm at the simple touch. "What is wrong with me?" she admonished herself. It's not like she had never held a guy's hand before? She was reacting to the simplest touch from Aahil as if it was this huge thing!

"And you?" said Aahil, and Sanam didn't say anything. "Sanam?" said Aahil, and she responded distractedly. "Ha?"

"It looks like you had a meeting too?"

"Yes, but how did you know?"

"Coz you're dressed formally?" said Aahil with a pointed look at Sanam.

"Oh yeah, the meeting? It was with suppliers. It went well"

"Great! So we both had good days at work then?"

"Yeah but mine is pretty much just beginning now!" said Sanam with a sigh.

"Is it tough having to work till late?" asked Aahil his voice softening with concern.

"Yeah...sometimes. But I LOVE what I do, and this is my business, so I feel I have to invest the hours now to make it a success you know?" said Sanam with a shrug.

"So you don't want to be a "Lady of Leisure" then?"

"What? No way! Why would I? I like to work! I think you are confusing me with your usual dates Mr Ibrahim" said Sanam, as she made to move her hand away from his. But Aahil tightened his hold on her fingers.

"I know you're not Sanam. I was just kidding!" said Aahil with a sigh. "WHY do you always take the wrong end of the stick?"

"Sorry! I guess I get defensive when people suggest that women don't want to work, and just want to spend a man's money!"

"It was just a joke? I didn't mean to imply that women like to be idle? I know not all women do! But there are some who do! Trust me, I have met them!"

"I'm sure you have. Looks like you didn't choose your company very well in the past Mr Ibrahim?"

"Just as well, that I am doing it now then? Seriously Sanam, I know you are an independent women, and that is what I like about you. You and your sister have done so well, despite losing your parents at a young age?"

"We did have Badi Ammi!"

"Yes. But no one can compensate for the loss of parents!"

"Your right! I guess, losing your Dad was hard on you?" Said Sanam looking at Aahil sympathetically.

Suddenly Aahil's expression became shuttered.

"Actually, I was never that close to my Dad!" said Aahil abruptly. "What I mean to say is...he was never the demonstrative type!"

"Oh...Ok" said Sanam. She could tell that the topic of his Dad was a loaded one, and she wisely didn't pry. Aahil suddenly pulled his hand away from Sanam.

"Actually...why don't we order coffee? Will you have your usual? Trim Latte and an Almond Berry Friande?" asked Aahil with a small smile.

"Yeah, but just the Latte today. I need to lay off too many Fraindes if I don't want to blow up into a balloon!" said Sanam with a small laugh.

"You don't need to watch what you eat! You have a perfect figure. Curves in all the right places" Aahil murmured softly, looking at Sanam. That gleam was back in his eyes, and her face was flooding with colour again at the look he was giving her. "We'll share the Friande" said Aahil as he turned to leave the table to order their coffee.

Sanam watched him go, and shook her head. She just could not help reacting to Aahil, and his brand of charm. When he put on that smolder, she was lost. "I'm so sad" she told herself with censure. After all, SHE was always the cool and sensible one, and Seher the more impulsive one. But the truth was, SHE was the more passionate one, and Seher was the more laid back one. Seher was like their Mum. She had always faced facts, and had never been afraid to admit her feelings. But their Dad had always been more reserved and struggled to let people in. However, he was very passionate and loved very deeply. He had been a true lover to their Mum. Sanam knew somewhere deep inside that being more like her Father, she was struggling to accept her attraction towards Aahil. But once she gave into it, she would be gone for good. THAT was what she was afraid of. Because she knew if she fell, she would fall hard. She was not so sure if she was ready for the leap. Will she land on her feet, or flat on her face? She couldn't be sure. So she was afraid.

After her parents died, she had preserved her emotions very strongly, because losing them had devastated her, and she had never wanted to feel that sort of pain again. Losing someone you love, makes you afraid to love. She had Seher and Badi Ammi, the two people she loved most in the world, and she had not been sure if she had the courage to add to that. Of course, she loved the rest of her family too. But after her parents they had been the closest to her. She tried never to dwell on what it would be like to lose either of them, because it scared her too much. Maybe that's why she had always resisted falling in love. Though she had been close to a few guys on and off, she had known that they didn't have a hold on her. It had been easy to forget about them and move on to whatever was happening in her life at the time. They had been in her life to a point, but not an integral part of her life. It had always been so easy to compartmentalize. So why was it not that easy with Aahil? Why was she always thinking of him, and unable to shake the feeling that if she LET him, he could become important to her! But the operative word is "Let!" SHE had to decide if she was going to let him or not. "Yes, it's up to me. I am still in control of this situation" she told herself, as she saw Aahil approach their table with the berry Friande in his hand.

"Our coffees are coming" he said, as he sat down next to her. He put down one fork on the table and the Friande in the middle between them.

"Only one fork?" asked Sanam. "I thought you said, we would share the Friande?"

"Yes, and we will share the fork too?"

"Really?" said Sanam with her browse raised. "What if I don't like to share cutlery?"

"I don't mean to be indelicate Sanam...but considering we were sharing saliva just over 24 hours ago, I think we are past the "can't share cutlery" stage, don't you think?"

"AAHIL...seriously, you need to keep your voice down!" said Sanam in an angry whisper.

"WHY? Are you afraid that your "Ice Queen" image will be tarnished?"

"I'm not an Ice Queen!"

"I KNOW!" said Aahil with a smirk. He took the fork and broke off a piece of the friande and extended it to her. She opened her mouth for it, and he quickly turned it back and put it into his own mouth instead.

"Wha..." Sanam started to say, when he broke off a piece and put it into her own mouth, which effectively shut Sanam up. Aahil was smiling, as she ate her piece of Friande, giving him a withering look with her eyes.

"Your SO cute when you get hyped up Sanam!"

"Whatever..." murmured Sanam as she ate her Friande. For the next few minutes, they ate the Friande with Aahil feeding her and feeding himself in turn. Then their coffee arrived and soon they fell into an easy conversation, about sport and then some current affairs. Aahil was pleasantly surprised to see that Sanam loved cricket as much as he did. He told her how he had captained the cricket team at school and college. Sanam herself had played some cricket in collage, but she said she watched more than played. Seher was a very good player too, she said, even tennis and basketball. Her sister was a very sporty girl.

"Rehan is into sport as well, but he mostly stays fit by going to the gym these days, coz we don't have as much time to play sport anymore. Not like school and college, work is a different ball game!"

"Tell me about it. I usually jog, either at home on my tred-mill or I go for a run outside. Sometimes with Seher! How about you? Do you go to the gym much?"

"Nope. I swim" said Aahil.

"Swim? So you go to the Pool at the Health club?"

"No...Umm...we have a Pool"

"Of COURSE...you have a Pool!" said Sanam, in a tone as if to say goes without saying! "You are the Nawab of Bhopal after all! Why wouldn't your house have a Pool? But in the winter, it must get a bit cold to keep going outside to swim right? I'm sure it's heated but..." Sanam trailed off as she saw Aahil give her a ruefully smile.

"What?" she questioned.

"It's inside!" said Aahil, almost sounding embarrassed.

"Inside? You mean, it's an Indoor Pool?" asked Sanam with a raise of her browse.

"Yes!"

"Oh well...I guess that means, rain or shine, you can swim all you want right? So if some page three columnist asked you your fitness secret, do you just say "Oh nothing much. I have good genes, BUT of course...I do laps in my indoor pool every day, just to keep my fitness level up!" said Sanam in an ironic tone.

"You make me sound like some spoilt rich brat with an attitude problem Sanam?" said Aahil looking at her pointedly, and his tone suddenly became serious. "I can't help it that I was born into a Nawab's family, and that we are rich. But that doesn't mean, I think having an indoor pool is an everyday thing. I know I am privileged if that is what you are trying to imply?"

"I am sure you're aware of it Aahil. But the truth is, you live in a rarefied atmosphere that is removed from reality for most. I guess with that sort of privilege, a person can't help but feel entitled? Maybe that's why, I thought you were arrogant when we first met?"

"So...you don't think I'm arrogant anymore?"

"Did I say that? It's not that I don't think you are capable of arrogance anymore. It's just that I have seen another side to you. One that balances out the arrogance a bit!" said Sanam with a small smile.

"Do tell me more! I am fascinated by this new discovery of yours?" said Aahil leaning against the back of his chair with his arms folded. Sanam laughed at his stance, when her eyes suddenly fell on the screen of her phone laying on top of the table. It 4.25pm.

"Oh No...look at the time? Sean would have come to the restaurant by now, and service starts at 6pm. We have SO much prep. I'm sorry Aahil. I have to go!" said Sanam with regret in her voice. 1.5 hours had gone by and she had not even realised it? It seemed she lost track of time when she was with Mr ARI!

"That's too bad! This conversation was just getting interesting!"

"Yeah, sorry. Raincheck?"

"Oh...so that means you want to see me again Ms Khan?"

"WHY? Don't you want to see me again Mr ARI?"

"You know I want to Sanam? So why ask the obvious?"

Sanam got up to go. "Not so fast", said Aahil, who also stood up, and before she knew it, he was in front of Sanam blocking her way. "You're going to leave our date without a proper goodbye?" asked Aahil. Even before Sanam could react to the statement, his arm went around her waist, as he pulled her close to him. Sanam had to put her hands up on his chest to stop herself from colliding with him.

"AAHIL...this is a public place?" Sanam admonished him for the third time today.

"So where should we go for a proper goodbye then?" asked Aahil wickedly. "If ONLY there was a place near here that we could have some privacy?" he said in an ironic tone.

"I can't take you back to "S2!" Sean is there, not to mention some of the other staff will soon start coming in as well?"

"So? You have an office, don't you Ms Khan?" asked Aahil softly.

"I don't know what you use your office for Mr Ibrahim, but I don't use mine for that sort of thing?"

"Neither do I Sanam! But in your case, I would have made an exemption. I was hoping you would do the same for me?"

"Sorry, but rules are rules".

"Rules are made to be broken!"

"Maybe for you. But for me, they are made to be kept".

"I promise you Sanam...in the next 48 hours, you will let me into your office! And it won't be to discuss business!" said Aahil with a smolder in his eyes. Sanam tried not to blush.

"You're very sure of yourself?"

"I am sure of this feeling between us!"

"This feeling between us?" asked Sanam, and suddenly she realized that they were still standing next to their table with his arm around her waist, and her hands on his chest. She quickly made to step back, looking around. Aahil too realized that they may be attracting attention, so he reluctantly let go of Sanam's waist. He knew this was her regular coffee shop, and he didn't want to cause her any embarrassment here. However, he did turn around and take her hand in his, as he led her out of the coffee shop. They existed the cafe, and automatically Aahil turned towards the direction of "S2", still holding Sanam's hand.

"You're going the wrong way?" said Sanam, as she realised that they were going towards "S2" and she knew his office was in the opposite direction.

"THIS is the way to "S2" right? What sort of gentlemen doesn't escort a lady to her door after a date? Not just your Mr Darcy has manners?" said Aahil, glancing at Sanam as he walked further down the block towards "S2", his fingers laced with hers. Sanam smiled despite herself. The Mr Darcy comment had got her. Yes he most definitely had manners. That was for sure. They walked in silence for a few minutes and soon reached the front door of "S2".

"Invite me in Sanam" said Aahil softly, as they stopped in front of the door to "S2".

"Aahil please...I told you, I am sure Sean is in and..." she trailed off.

"It's up to you Sanam...if you want me to kiss you here on the street, then I can! Trust me, I don't care for myself, kyon ki...main toh pehele se badanaam hu... but I don't want you to feel embarrassed in any way, coz I care about you. I know this is the area you work in, so..." Aahil trailed off himself.

Sanam sighed as she realised he had a point. She turned around and punched in a code into the lock on the door, and with a small click it signalled that it was open. Aahil automatically stepped forward and pushed the door open for her. As they stepped into the restaurant, it was extremely quiet. It was clear that whoever was in the building was at the back. Without further preamble Aahil turned towards Sanam and she was trapped between him and the door.

"You asked me what this feeling between us was? I felt it the very first moment I laid eyes on you! Don't tell me you don't feel it too?"

"I don't know what you mean?"

"Really? I am surprised that you would lie? If nothing else, I always relied on your honesty? Are you really denying this feeling between us?"

"If you're talking about attraction...then..."

"Attraction?" said Aahil as he cut Sanam off mid-sentence. "This is not attraction. I have felt that before, but this? Never! So I know the difference Sanam. Are you seriously telling me that..." Aahil was saying when a voice behind them spoke.

"Sanam?" said Sean's voice. "I thought I heard voices, so I came to check" he said by way of explanation as to why he was at the front of the restaurant. Sean had thought he heard the sound of voices coming from the front of the restaurant. So he had come to check, as he knew that the staff didn't use the front door to get in. There was a staff entrance at the back. This was the main door, and usually only him, Sanam or Seher sometimes used it, as only they had the Code. As he stepped further onto the restaurant floor, he had noticed that Sanam was at the door, and he had seen the back of a man standing next to her. At a glance he had not realised who it was, but as he stepped closer and spoke, and the man turned, he realised it was Aahil Raza Ibrahim. Right away, Sean realised what he probably interrupted, but it was too late to do anything about it now.

"Sean!" said Sanam. "Was that relief he had heard in her voice? Was Aahil bothering her in some way? Somehow that didn't go with his image?" Thought Sean.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you" said Sean apologetically. "Hello Mr Ibrahim" said Sean formally, looking towards Aahil.

"Please call me Aahil...Sean" said Aahil with a slight smile.

"That's fine Sean...Mr Ibrahim was just leaving!" said Sanam, looking pointedly at Aahil. He looked back at her as if surprised by the formality. Aahil had thought they were well past all that? He knew they referred to each other as Mr Ibrahim and Ms Khan sometimes, but that was mostly done in jest, or sarcasm during their conversations now. But this time, when Sanam addressed him as "Mr Ibrahim" to Sean, it seemed like she was trying to make a point? Almost as if she wanted to create some formality and distance between them.

"That's right...I WAS leaving. But then I suddenly realized that I have something I need to discuss with Ms Khan, regarding the arrangement my company has with "S2". I didn't think we will have time to discuss this today, but now I feel it's best we finish this discussion now?" said Aahil with a pointed look at Sanam. "Can you lead the way to your office Ms Khan?"

Sanam drew in a breath, as she realised that he had stumped her in front of Sean. There was no way she could argue with him without causing Sean to suspect something was off? She had to comply with him. "He's good" thought Sanam. How he had turned the tables on her in a second. Sanam had no choice but to step past Aahil, and lead the way to her office. As she turned around, her eyes met Sean's for a second and she could see that he was asking her with his eyes if everything is OK? She gestured with her eyes that "it's all fine". She knew that as a good friend, Sean had realised her relief at his arrival. But the reason she had felt relieved was because it had saved her from a rather loaded conversation. However, she knew very well she had no reason to fear being in her office with Aahil. Well actually that was not strictly true. She DID fear it! But not because of him. It was her own feelings she feared.

Deny as she might, she too knew that there was "This feeling" between them. He was right. She felt it too. But she was not sure if she was willing to accept it yet! To be honest, she didn't know if she was ever going to be ready to accept it, because the lack of control she felt with this feeling was just too unsettling for her. She liked her life linear and she liked to plan. She didn't like surprises. She needed structure and predictability. Aahil Raza Ibrahim was an anomaly in her normally predictable life. Was she ready to let this storm in? Was she ready for what this "feeling" brought with it? She was not sure. Sanam could feel Aahil's presence behind her, as she entered her office. She then heard the door close with a resounding click.

Sanam turned around and realised that Aahil was moving forward and closing in on her. Suddenly she knew she could not risk him getting any closer. She held up her hand to him.

"Please Aahil, stay where you are!"

"What's the matter Sanam?"

"The matter is that I can't think straight when you come too close to me!" said Sanam almost without thinking. As soon as she uttered the words, she realised what she had said, and she kicked herself mentally. But she was tired of pretending. The truth was that he would already know that she was effected by his closeness. So what was the point in pretending?

"So you admit that you are effected by my presence?"

"I think you already knew that Aahil. So why do you need me to say it? Or is it an ego thing?" said Sanam defensively.

"An EGO thing? You think all this is about my ego?" asked Aahil in an incredulous tone.

"Isn't it?"

"NO it isn't Sanam. I thought YOU already knew that?"

"I..." Sanam started to say, when the sound of a phone ringing interrupted her. She looked around her office, when she realized that the phone ringing was Aahil's, as he reached in his jacket pocket and picked it up.

"Yes Ruhi? NOW? But I thought...?...OK...Ok...I'll be there in 10. Ok!" said Aahil, as he hung up.

"That was work. I have to get back to the office in 10 minutes. It seemed I have an appointment in 15 minutes, which I totally forgot about! So I have to leave. But this conversation is not over Sanam!" said Aahil, as he advanced towards her. Sanam took a few steps back, until she hit something solid. It was her desk. Aahil came to stand in front of her and placed his arms on either side of her on her desk, effectively trapping her between them. "One for the road" he said huskily, as he bent his head and captured Sanam's startled lips in a quick kiss. The kiss was brief but passionate. Aahil moved his lips away from hers and trailed it across her cheek to her ear as he whispered.

"Next time we meet, we WILL discuss this feeling between us a bit more. The question is...will you be ready to admit it?"

"Admit what?" Sanam squeaked.

"That this is more than attraction!" He said. Then suddenly moved his arms off her desk and stepped back. Sanam almost instantly missed his warm presence.

"Later Sanam" said Aahil huskily, as he walked to her office door, and opened it he turned around and looked at her once, and their eyes met briefly. The look in his eyes reminded her of the first time they met, and how he had looked at her when he left the restaurant that night. And then almost as suddenly the door closed and he was gone. Sanam sagged against the desk, as she put her hands on either side of herself on the desk as she took a few fortifying breaths.

"What IS this feeling? Dare she even name it? Also, how was she going to get out of meeting him again, so she didn't have to discuss it? DID she want to avoid meeting him? Sanam had never been more confused in her life. She didn't want to feel this way, but the idea of not seeing him again was actually painful.

Sanam knew, just like Aahil did, that this feeling WAS more than attraction. That was the problem. THAT was what she feared!

To be continued...

*Lyrics derived from the song "Raaha Main Unse" Movie: "Vijay Path" (1994)

Hi all,

I know this update took awhile. But hope it was worth the wait. This week was just not good for me!

Thanks

Mandy

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