As she woke up that morning, her shoulders felt heavy with the burden of the herculean task that she had to accomplish.

She wasn't scared, neither was she unsure of her own capabilities, just that she was unsure of the predicaments of the whole situation.

Taking a deep breath, she went to the washroom and took a hot bath and when she returned, she saw her mobile screen blinking.

It was Raymond's call.

Feeling all fluttery in her stomach, she picked up the call.

"How are you doing?"

She took a deep breath and said,

"Was a bit unsure before. Felt a bit low too, but now that I have talked with you, it feels all ok."

"For real?"

"Uh... Huh..."

"How do I know that you are not making this all up, just to make me feel good. Maybe it's an attempt to just boost my male who."

"And why would I need to do that?"

"That you should be knowing. Wouldn't you?"

"What are you insinuating?"

"Well, maybe you have become all greedy. Maybe you want something and just to get that you are trying to boost my ego."

"And what could I possibly want from you Mr. Raymond?"

Akira giggled and asked, although she clearly knew what Raymond was talking about.

"Ahhh... the blanket of naiveness. Doesn't suit you anymore Akira. Not after ..."

Raymond said and stayed silent becasue there was no need of words and he knew that she would understand. Something had changed in between them after that night of intimacy and they both knew it. It was like their hearts were connected and talked with a secret language of their own.

Sensing a pin drop silence from her side, Raymond knew that she was clearly lost in her thoughts. So to snap her out he said,

"Back to earth Akira."

"What?"

"Stop thinking about it. After tonight, you do not have to think about it. You just need to say it and I will be there for you."

"No running and hiding?"

"No running and hiding after tonight. I promise."

"That's all I ever wanted Raymond."

"That's all?"

"Yup !!!"

"Doesn't your heart desire for something more?"

Akira blushed just hearing his question, becasue she knew that he was reading her mind.

And suddenly his tone became all raspy and brazen and he said,

"After the dinner party today, what are your plans?"

Holding her breath she said,

"Nothing in particular. Why? Do you have something in mind?"

"What about spending the night with me?"

Akira's ears burned all red, just hearing that sentence. She gulped her own spit and said,

"You are totally messing my head with these thoughts. Don't make me all giddy."

Raymond chuckled and said,

"I wish I could just kiss that red nose of yours right now."

"I am gonna keep the call, Raymond."

"You are such a mood killer. Anyways, just give your best ok. I will handle the rest. Trust me on that."

"I trust you. I trust you blindly. But I don't trust myself."

"Akira, just remember one thing. Nothing can go wrong from now on. Absolutely nothing. All that you need is to wait for the next morning. That would be our morning."

"I know Raymond. I know."

"Let's get everything straightened up Akira." Saying that he gave a soft kiss to her over the phone and then disconnected the call.

Akira took a long deep breath and then took out the envelope from her bag. She looked at it for a while and then picked a pen from her desk.

Holding the pen, she deliberated for a while but then she wrote.

"To Raymond"

.

.

"With Love, Akira."