There were no tears in her eyes, but her heart was wailing.

Wanting to tread miles, she was ready with her ship,

But it was a best friend who stopped her ship from sailing.

Will she be able to sail, or she will fall and trip?

.

.

Unable to believe her fate, Akira sat on the floor for some time more and cursed her own fate. Even after all this she couldn't believe that she was tricked again.

Then she came out of the room and standing near the stairs she looked at Raymond, who was enjoying his breakfast all cheery along with David, as if nothing had happened.

She took a deep breath and sighed.

"Why you always have to go through so much because of me?"

"Till when you will protect me like this Raymond?"

Then looking up at the ceiling she took a deep breath and said,

"I don't know what to say, God, you snatched my parents away early so deep down I was always angry with you, but today I am not. I am really not. Thank you for bringing this man into my life".

A small tear of joy trickled down her cheeks, which she wiped away and went back to the bedroom to get ready for office.

While getting ready, she pinged Vikram,

"Lunch today?"

---

After reaching office, Akira gave her full attention to all the work that was pending and completed all the pending designs and grid plans which were assigned to her. Then she also helped with a couple of coloring work for the outlines which had been designed by Kirk.

Then around 11 o'clock, she pinged Katherine and asked if she could come and meet her during lunch time.

After getting a confirmation she went to Raymond's cabin.

"Knock Knock".

"Come in".

"What's my lady up to?"

"Umm... I just wanted to let you know that I am going to meet Katherine for lunch today. I just wanted to congratulate her and hear the story in and out".

"Well, that would be nice. I will also come with you".

"Oh, no no... No need", Akira retorted.

"But why?"

"You will be bored with the girls only talk", Akira said and rolled her eyes.

Raymond laughed at Akira and then said,

"Ok ok, I got it. You girls have a great time together ok?"

"Yeah, we will".

Akira said and then turned back to leave.

"Really??? That's all Akira? Don't you want to give or take something?", Raymond asked quizzically.

Akira turned back all smiling and then making a serious face she asked,

"What should I give? I have given all completed work to Simon already", and then a coy smile spread on her face.

"Ok then come here", Raymond said and extended his hand out.

Akira came close and held his hand and said,

"Office romances are frowned upon".

Then pulling her hand he held her by her waist and then making her stand with the support of the table he said,

"But breaking the rules make me so happy".

Akira flicked his nose with her index finger and said,

"You better focus on your work and win that GCG event".

"I am trying my best to do so Akira".

"Then try harder, for my sake", said Akira and leaned on him and gave a small kiss on his forehead.

Without detaching from him, she said,

"I want to hold the GCG trophy in my hands".

"Umm..... " Raymond said and snuggled her tight.

"I will, I promise".

"Because if you win then I will wrap myself for you in something lacy, something sexy and something kinky".

Saying that she hovered her lips over his and said softly,

"And you would like that, wouldn't you?"

Raymond closed his eyes for his head was already filled with the vivid images that she was drawing for him.

Then quickly detaching from him she said,

"Give and take. Remember that !!!"

She giggled and then left the cabin leaving a poor Raymond who struggled hard to push those images away from his head.

It was time for her to go on her mission.

.

.

She came back to her seat and took a couple of pictures of some of the characters that she had designed.

Then she booked a cab and went to meet Katherine first and before leaving for Abacus.

---

"Hey there !!!"

"It's been so long that I saw that smile of yours".

"Really? You could have just checked a picture of mine. Don't you have any?", said Akira and giggled.

Vikram looked at his phone for a second and then smiled.

How on earth could he tell her that her picture was everywhere, his phone screen, his laptop wallpaper, on his iPad too.

"So you are hungry?"

"Yeah pretty much. Craving for Indian food today and I know that you are the only person who can give me company with that", saying that she picked Vikram's jacket and said,

"Chop chop".

Vikram closed the flap of his laptop and picked up the car keys and walked along with her to go to NU DELHI. Their all-time favorite Indian Restaurant in Staten Island.

As they reached the restaurant, they were greeted with warmth because they were their regulars.

Akira picked the same seat where they always sat, close to the aquarium as she loved to tap on the glass and make the fishes move.

She kept her bag on the table and then removed her shades and placed it carefully on the table.

Oh but did I forget to tell? Those shades weren't hers. She had borrowed it from Katherine !!!