"Really, a glue gun?" - Raymond

"You are going to escape my questions like this? Looks like you are sleepy." - Raymond

"No I am not but I guess you must be. You had a long day. Rest well" - Akira

She wrote the text with a heavy heart because honestly, sleep was miles away from her. All that she wanted to do was to chat with him right at that moment.

"I am not" - Raymond

Her heart fluttered and roamed in multiple dimensions after seeing his message. That was all that she wished for.

"Neither am I" - Akira

"Then answer my question" - Raymond

"What do you want to know?" - Akira

He wanted to know everything about her. Right from what she liked to eat to what she liked to wear. Her childhood memories to her late night gossips. He wanted to be a part of everything but didn't know how to. So he decided to take baby steps.

"What's your deal with that knife guy?" - Raymond

"Deal? Really? There is no deal with him. He is my ex-boyfriend. I caught him cheating on me with another girl, and I dumped him and blocked him. So I guess that's the deal" - Akira

"Was it the day you came back from Singapore?" - Raymond

"So you do remember me!!! " - Akira

"Somewhat!!! A bit! Yes " - Raymond

"Then why did you deny? Why were you angry when I mentioned about it?" - Akira

"I didn't deny. I just didn't acknowledge. There is a difference" - Raymond

She didn't say anything after seeing the chat above. She didn't know what to ask him. She wanted to ask why but she didn't know if it was the right question to asked at that time. Sensing her silence, Raymond texted,

"That was an interview process. I wanted to keep it strictly professional for your own good. Hope you get that" - Raymond

"Hmm" - Akira

Raymond could sense that she was feeling low. So he decided to divert the topic.

"So you practice dancing even now?" - Raymond

"Not anymore" - Akira

"But why? You dance so well" - Raymond

"Thanks!!! Someday I will, but not right now. I am still not ready to dance without mum" - Akira

"Oh too bad, I thought you could teach a bit here and there" - Raymond

"Teach you? For what?" - Akira

"For the product launch day, we have a gala night. People from all spheres are invited and we have a dance floor open for that day as it's going to be a formal event. I am not into all this but for the sake of the company and my product, I need to be a bit social and hence the need" - Raymond

"I can teach you a bit. Not an issue" - Akira

"But there is a slight problem" - Raymond

"What?" - Akira

"I have two left feet. You know what I mean right" - Raymond

"God !!! Just when I thought you were just perfect" - Akira

She instantly regretted sending that text. She just blurted out what she had in her heart in the text.

"So you think I am perfect?" - Raymond

"Not anymore !!!" - Akira

She tried to dodge the bullet, but the damage was already done. He was happy like hell. Her text was his jackpot. Even though she evaded his question, his heartstrings were tuned up.

"So when can you start giving me lessons? Are you free in the evenings over the weekends?" - Raymond

"Usually I am. I am not a tycoon like you. But I have already promised Vikram for dinner tomorrow. So maybe Sunday evening?" - Akira

"Vikram as in 'The Vikram Shah' right?" - Raymond

He asked even if knew it was him.

"Well he may be 'The Vikram Shah' for you, but for me, he is my childhood friend and family too. I don't know what I would have done if he and his family didn't support us after mum and dad left us" - Akira

"I see " - Raymond

"He is like a father figure for me. He takes care of me and my brother, gives us career advises and keeps a tab on me like a mom would" - Akira

"Basically he is like our lifeline right now" - Akira

A part of him was happy to know what Vikram meant to her. He was glad to know that she didn't have any feeling harbored for Vikram. But a part of him was sad because he wanted to do everything that Vikram did. He wanted to be her lifeline. He couldn't stand the thought of her being dependable on someone who was not 'Him'.

"You can count on me too. Am I not dependable?" - Raymond

"Seriously? How can you ask such a question?" - Akira

Raymond was a bit taken aback by her answer. He didn't expect her to be so curt.

"What happened?" - Raymond

"I wouldn't be probably alive today to be texting you if you wouldn't have come and saved me from Anthony. I am indebted to you forever for my life Raymond and you are asking me if you are dependable?" - Akira

"I just " - Raymond

"I owe you my life and if someday I can return the favor then I won't even think twice" - Akira

"Fine fine.. Looks like I have the knack of dragging the conversation toward serious mode" - Raymond

"(Smiley faces)" - Akira

"So how you liking the work environment?" - Raymond

"I am loving it. There is so much to learn every single day. Hope one day I will be a good resource for you and you can proudly say that you had hired me" - Akira

"I already am" - Raymond

"Was that a 'make the poor girl feel good statement?' " - Akira

"You think so?" - Raymond

"I don't want to think about anything now. My priorities are very simple. I just want to do good and make someone proud of me. I wanted to see my mum and dad being proud of me, but that can't happen so.." - Akira

Raymond was a bit surprised after reading her text. His thoughts went ballistic. Does she consider me as a family? Does she want me to be proud of her one day? What does she want from me? When he couldn't rest his thoughts, he asked,

"Do you want me to be proud of you one day Akira?" - Raymond

"Yes, probably one day in distant future" - Akira

His lips curled with a smile. It was not a confession but for him, it was way more than that. She valued him and that was more than enough for him right now.

"I know one day you will make me proud. Just follow your heart and your passion and with the course of time things will fall into their respective places" - Raymond

Her heart was all warm after seeing his text.

"Thanks, Raymond. I am really glad to have a mentor like you in my life" - Akira

"But I thought we can be friends !!!" - Raymond