Recap

Sam and their group reach Kodaikanal the next morning and they stay at a beautiful resort which she likes very much. Soon after, they set out for trekking to visit a tribal village and while returning, Sam and Aayush are attacked by a bear. Sam tries to safeguard him from it, but things turn around when Aayush does the same to protect her. Just when the bear is about to hurt them, they are saved by the tour guide. Later, Aayush confronts Sam as to why she tried to put herself in danger, for which she tells him that it was a natural instinct when she saw him in danger, for which he couldn't reply. Then Sam goes to her room and falls asleep. Before that, she also comes to know that her roommate and senior, Hadiya, has a boyfriend, who might join them in kodaikanal later.

The next morning, someone leaves a rose on the doorstep of Sam's resort room . She discovers that the anonymous person had not just kept one flower but a long pathway full of rose baskets. She is determined to find who that person is and follows the trail. She goes through a dark woods and up a small hill to find a guy standing facing the opposite direction, surrounded by roses.

Sameera's POV

He smiled and gestured me to come to him. My legs felt heavy, my mind was blank and my heart beat furiously !

It can't be ! , my mind said.

I walked towards him slowly, making way through the flower baskets.

"Do you like them?", Aayush asked.

I just blinked. I couldn't say anything.

"What's this?", I finally managed to ask him.

"Sameera Rajkumar ! Will you accept my love?", he asked.

I stood rooted to the spot. Was this really happening ? My mouth hung open and my eyes were wide in shock.

"What?", I asked, clearing my throat.

"I love you Sameera.", he blushed while saying it.

I had heard it right. Aayush just said that he loved me. I couldn't believe it !

"Is...is this...a joke ?", I stammered.

"Do I look like am joking?", he asked gently.

His face was serious and It obviously wasn't a joke.

"How ? When ? Why?"

I wanted to ask him how he fell in love with me but these were the words I spoke.

"Hey. Relax.", he soothed me.

"I realized your love and I understood that the worst thing in the world is to love someone who doesn't love you back. But, here I am , in love with you."

"You..said..you needed to heal yourself !"

"I realized that I didn't want to lose the moon while counting the stars !"

I couldn't think of a reply for what he said.

He came closer to me and said,"I know you are wondering how a guy who had had a breakup could fall in love so soon. Sam, I gave all my love to someone who didn't love me back, who didn't see my worth. But, here you are, I know that you love me truly with all your heart. I can see it in the way you look at me and I can see it in your eyes Sam. I was not in my right mind when I rejected you that day. I thought I was not ready for this and that I might hurt you and hence decided to stay away from you. I felt frustrated and it was Professor Siddharth who helped me at that point. He made me understand that it was okay to get heart broken and it was okay to fall in love again. Then, it struck me that I was a fool to let you go . So, I waited for the right moment to tell that I am truly, madly and deeply in love with you !"

My eyes were wet and I was ready to cry. His words were pure and divine. I pinched myself to check if I was dreaming. I was not .But, a bitter truth struck me.

"Aayush, what I did that day was wrong ! I should never have told about my feelings to you !"

"I don't understand Sam !"

I couldn't hold my tears and I cried when I said ,"I admit it that I am in love with you..even after you didn't accept me, but I realized that I was selfish. What if we do become lovers now but don't end up together in the future. What if my parents or your parents don't accept our love ? I can never go against my parents wishes. What if they don't like you and they make me marry some other guy ? I don't ever want your heart to be broken again, that too by me ! I would rather die than seeing you in that state. I couldn't bear to look at you when Riya left. You were totally devastated ! If something like that happens to you again because of me, I ...I....cannot let that happen to you Aayush. Let's forget about this and move on. I'll try to hide my feelings for you hereafter and I won't disturb you. I am sorry !"

I turned to leave, but he had caught my arm.

"Sam, you would not let that happen to me. Please don't think negatively. My parents have no reason to not accept you as their daughter-in-law. My decision is theirs.. As for your parents, I will make sure that they like me. I will prove them that no one can take care of their daughter more than me. I am educated, I will have a job after college, I mean what more could they want ? They will have no reason to hate me and its my responsibility to make them trust me !"

What he said was absolutely correct and I was convinced ! I was surprised at how he could make me accept stuff !

"But...."

" Even if things don't go as planned, It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you !"

"How many times have you read The fault in our stars?", I smiled, wiping the tears off.

"To be honest, I've only watched the movie.", he grinned.

There were still tears in my eyes and I suddenly realized that I had been smiling and crying at the same time. All because of my Prince charming !

"So .......?", he asked.

"So....?"

"Will you , Miss Sameera accept my love?"

I nodded.

My happiness knew no bounds. I felt I was the luckiest girl on the planet.

"Did you like the roses thingy ? I..uh..tried to be romantic !"

"It was lovely !"

"Hey, is that all you can say?"

"What else ? It was really romantic !"

"Sam, the number of roses is equal to the number of days that has passed since the day you proposed to me !"

I was astonished . Even I hadn't thought about how many days had lapsed. He really is

"You remembered ? Wow !"

"How could I forget the sweet way you said those words ?"

"Aayush, a single rose would have been sufficient to propose to me, instead of spending so much for the flowers."

"That doesn't matter. I wanted this day to be grand and memorable .Come on Sam ! "

" Haha....Mr.Romantic, you make me fall in love with you again and again !"

Now, he blushed again ! He looked like a small baby when he did.

"Oh. I forgot the main thing !", he said and rummaged in his pockets for something.

I wondered if there was any more flowers.

He took out a small box and gave it to me. I opened it to find a ring inside.

A beautiful ring !

"This is a token of our love. Look inside.", he showed me the inner surface of the ring.

There was something engraved in it. I looked closer to discover that it read "Aayush Sameera".

He put it around my finger and I admired it lovingly.

"Doesn't this mean we are engaged ?", I enquired.

"Someone is desperate to get married.", he smirked.

"Aayush !"

"Sam, the ring is just a physical way of representing our relationship. From the moment I fell in love with you, you are mine !"

"So you are !"

He smiled and held my hand . We walked downhill towards the resort.

"Oh, by the way , Happy Valentines Day !"

"Today is Valentines Day ?"

"Yes Dumbhead ! I had arranged the tour for you !

I stopped in my tracks. Too much information for a day !

"Actually, we had to go on a tour every year, as part of the club activity. So, I thought it would be cool if I could propose to you in some nice place, instead of college. My friends suggested some hill station ..."

"Your friends know about this ?", I gasped.

"Not to worry. They are trust worthy ! So, the whole planning process began a month before itself. That's why I didn't give you any part in the "planning" process, as this is entirely for you !"

"I have the best boyfriend !", I giggled.

"My pleasure. Also, Hadiya helped me a lot with this stuff !"

"Aayush, how many other people know about this ?"

He gave an expression which did not seem positive.

"Sam..please don't be mad at me. Everyone here knows !".

"Aayush !! How could you ? I mean..the entire college will come to know about this and .."

"And what , Sam ? Even if these people here tell everyone, no one's going to believe it and even if they did , who cares ?"

"Hope it won't become a problem. ", I sighed and we reached the corridor that led to my room.

"Now, we are going to enjoy the whole day ! Get ready quickly. Many places to visit !", he said and left.

Being someone who had never experienced celebrating Valentines day before, I felt that it was the best day I had ever had in my life till date. I thought Aayush was not a romantic person and that he was highly conserved in his behavior and feelings, but no ! He was the most childish person when he was with people whom he loved and I actually loved him best when he acted like that.

Hadiya congratulated me and said that I was a very lucky to have him. The others grinned at me while some girls shot looks at me as if I was some dirty thing. I never got bothered by them, but Aayush noticed it and said that they were merely being jealous of me, because I was his girlfriend.

With Aayush by my side, none of that seemed to matter to me. Our first Valentines day went like this. First, we went boating. Since it was Feb 14, many two seat boats were floating on the water and he dragged me to one. The couples who had come on the trip followed us and the others went aboard the common , bigger boats. It was a cool experience and he splashed water on me the whole time. Hadiya seemed to have clicked hundreds of pictures of us. I felt sorry for her because she had to celebrate alone. When I told about it to him, he said, "Not to worry. Her boyfriend will be accompanying us soon. Then, she will be happy too.", he smiled.

True to his words, her boyfriend came. He was a tall, lanky fellow, who was a second year and he seemed to be nervous all the time. His name was Varun. He addressed me as "Little sister" and went off to find Hadiya.

After boating, we went to some sightseeing spots. There was this valley view we went for and there were long bridges and paths for the view. Being a nature lover, this was something which I actually enjoyed. We were given an hour's time at that place. Aayush and I started on a stroll . He gave me his arm like an English gentleman and I gladly took it. I couldn't come to a conclusion as to which was more beautiful- the green valley around us or Aayush by my side. I was filled with happiness and I often wondered if I was dreaming. I didn't want to take the pinch test again.

"Do you like this place Sam?", he asked as we walked.

"I have no words to explain. How did you know that I love nature ?"

"Not hard to guess. Most people are. I have observed the way you enjoy rain."

"I want to be like this forever Aayush. With you by my side."

"We will be . No one can separate us Sam"

We were lost in our own fairy land.

Noon quickly set in and our next stop was for lunch.

It was quick and as usual everyone gobbled up food. Aayush and I seemed to share the same taste in food . After food, it was shopping, my favorite part.

There weren't any malls, just endless numbers of small shops and markets. It was four in the evening. We had Hadiya and her boyfriend for company. I wanted to buy Aayush something really good and something which he liked. But, I didn't have the slightest idea as to what I should buy.

By the time I had finish contemplating a gift for him, he had already bought me a teddy bear, a valentine card, a showpiece in which the words "I love you" were written in 20 different languages and so on.

"Enough Aayush. Please don't waste money on buying all this."

"Anything for you my dear !", he said and he just wouldn't stop getting gifts.

"Do you realize I can't carry all this to my home?"

He looked flabbergasted.

"What ? Why?"

"My parents can't know about this for now Aayush. I can't just appear on the doorstep carrying all this."

"Then what are we going to do about it ?"

"Well, you could have it in your house. Please ?"

"Yeah. Okay. Since I live alone, it won't be a problem."

"You live alone ? What about your parents ?"

"They live in another town, where my father's business company is located. I came here for college."

"Oh. So, do you cook ?"

"Rarely. My house maid stays with me, along with few other servants. She has been by my side since my birth and Mother sent her along to take care of me . Trust me, she is the best cook ever. I'll take you home someday."

"I would love to visit.", I smiled.

Then, he took me to a chocolate shop.

"Buy whatever chocolates you want."

"Do you love chocolates ?"

"Yes, Madam. Don't you ?"

"Nah. Not much", I smiled apologetically.

The chocolates looked delicious and mouth watering that I decided to try some. Plus, he loved them. There were all types of chocolates there and I ordered pieces of almost every type in the shop. We came out with a huge bag and I fought with him that we would have to share it equally among us.

"Someone just said they didn't like chocolates much ", he teased.

"Since my boyfriend likes them , I am planning to try to like them as well."

He grinned and said that he would buy me assorted chocolates after we reach home.

Finally, I found something for him. A pair of expensive coolers for him. I noticed he didn't have one. From that day onwards, he wore it almost everywhere.

"Doesn't this look great on me Hadiya?"

"Yeah, you look like Hrithik Roshan.", she mocked him.

I joined her and he said we were jealous of his beauty.

He kept on rambling about it when I saw a shop that sold idols of deities.

I dragged him to the shop and bought a small, lovely idol of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.

"Whom are you buying this for dear ?"

"My granny !"

"Wrap it up carefully. We don't want it to break.", he said to the shopkeeper.

I bought it and we walked again, towards the market's exit.

"You must love her very much", he said.

"Yes. She is my most favorite person in the whole world.", I grinned.

"I would do anything for her. She is highly religious and this gift would make her happy."

Aayush's POV

I admired her when she kept talking about her Grandmother and all her childhood memories. Her face lightened up whenever she spoke about what she liked. Her beautiful eyes seemed to speak all the unspoken words. She looked very pretty especially in the pink sweater. Her long, black hair flowed like a waterfall and she had let it loose. Her eyes seemed to match with her dark black hair. She was just a little shorter to me. It was the first time I had actually observed her face.

After shopping for a long time, we reached the resort. Our professor had arranged for a surprise campfire there. People sang songs and danced to their hearts content.. Everyone forced Sam and me to dance. But, she was shy to dance in front of everyone, so I didn't force her to. Instead I decided to sing.

Everyone clapped and cheered when I got up to go the middle of the clearing to sing. I planned to sing for Sam. A romantic song.

Nenjukkul paeithidum maamazhai

Neerukkul mulkidum thaamarai

Sattendru maaruthu vaanizhai

Pennae un mel pizhai...

[ I can feel rain in my heart

A lotus drowns in water

There is sudden change in the weather

Girl, you are to be blamed ! ]

The song went on. I looked at Sam the whole time I sang. Her face changed to pink in color due to her blushing. Everyone whistled and clapped. They even called me "Lover boy ".

"You are the best.", she said, with so much of love in her eyes that I wanted to marry her right away.

No one could love me as Sam did. I accepted that happily.

The next day, we visited a museum and a rose garden. In the evening, we boarded the bus for our return. Sam was excited about returning as she couldn't wait to tell her friends about our relationship.

Sam and Hadiya sat together in front of us. Sam wanted to sit with her because Hadiya had promised her that she would tell Sam about all the crazy things I did in school and all my major embarrassments, much to my disappointment. Hadiya has been my best buddy right from school. We are lucky to have ended up in the same college. I just acted as if I was mad at Hadiya, but she knew everything about me. She knows that I would never get angry for these stupid reasons.I left them to gossip about me and sat with Varun.

Something seemed to bother me.

"What's up man ?", Varun asked.

"Varun, I am scared about Father."

"Why ? ", he looked confused.

"Riya. He was so angry at her when she left me. What if he doesn't accept Sam ? Sam would never leave me.", I sighed.

"Give it a try. Do your parents know anything about Sam ?"

"Yeah. I told them that Sam tried to patch up Riya with me , but Riya abused her and all that ."

"Then what? Sam already has left a good impression on your parents right ? So, it won't be any problem."

"Guess so. I just hope both of our parents accept our decision and support us ."

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So, how was the chapter my dear readers ??

Don't forget to vote and comment. Also, I am sorry for the long chapter !