Kalon
(n.) beauty that is more than skin deep
Kaia sat alone in the waiting room of the restaurant she was supposed to meet Nirvan in , her thoughts drifting back to her tumultuous past. Fate seemed to have a cruel sense of humor, always snatching love away from her just when she thought she had found it.
As memories flooded her mind, one particular image stood out: the face of a boy with piercing deepset eyes and a mischievous smile. She couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the irony of it all.
She remembered the way he had swept into her life like a whirlwind, filling her days with laughter and her heart with hope. But as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone, leaving behind nothing but shattered dreams and a bitter taste of betrayal.
Kaia shook her head, trying to push the memories aside. Love was nothing but a cruel illusion, a fleeting fantasy that only brought pain and disappointment. She had learned that lesson the hard way, and she wasn't about to let herself be fooled again.
"Excuse me Ma'am" Kaia turned to the voice of the receptionist "Your table is ready" the woman guided her through the long hallway to her table.
Kaia sat nervously at her table in the restaurant, her mind consumed with anticipation. She had arrived early, hoping to calm her nerves before 'the perfect groom' arrived.
Suddenly, a strong footstep echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention. Kaia's heart skipped a beat as she watched the man stride confidently through the door in shock as it was the same man she had met a few days ago.
To her surprise, the entire restaurant erupted into a chorus of greetings and well-wishes before she could process anything.
.
.
.
Nirvan had always been punctual, but on this particular day, he found himself running late for the first time in his life. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one a different outcome of the day ahead. He couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that had settled over him like a heavy cloak.
As he walked through the fine marble hallways his mother's words echoed in his mind. She had been relentless in her praise of the woman he was about to meet. "She's perfect for you, Nirvan," she had said, her eyes shining with conviction.
'I don't know what Maa meant by perfect but I sure as hell don't have time for love and it's not like you need to have love to keep a marriage going'
Growing up watching his parents Nirvan had a twisted image of a perfect marriage but unfortunately it inadvertently became the marriage he hoped for.
Despite his reservations, Nirvan had agreed to meet the woman his mother had chosen for him. He couldn't ignore the strange sense of curiosity that had taken hold of him, urging him to see what his mother saw in this mysterious woman.
As he arrived at the quaint restaurant which he booked solely for the two of them, Nirvan's heart raced with anticipation. He scanned the room nervously for the face his mother had described in such fancy terms as the staff greeted him.
His eyes finally landed on the woman who sat at the farthest corner of the room. The setting sun bathed her with glory as her eyes glistened.
She turned around to face Nirvan and his eyes widen in shock; it was the same girl he had left the cab for, it was the same girl for whom he couldn't go to meet Kaia Kapoor, her mother spoke so highly about.
"Kaia Kapoor?"
"Nirvan Malhotra?"
They said in unison in the same manner
'Fate?' The same thought echoed in their head
It would be a lie if Nirvan said he did not think about her in the past three days, she had crossed his mind a number of times. He thought she was undeniably beautiful but now that she was standing in front of him as his potential wife he unconsciously became against her.
"Why are you here?" Nirvan said to break the uncomfortable silence that had engulfed both of them
"Sorry?" Kaia's eyebrows furrowed together
"I mean do you want to get married? You seem young"
Kaia was young, atleast younger than him. Their small age difference became more prominent as Kaia's baby face looked infantile in contrast with Nirvan's tall stature and beard
"I do want to get married"
Kaia partially lied. She only wanted to get married to give her mother's dream a destination
The room fell silent once again. Nirvan studied the symmetry of Kaia's face, her beady yet bright eyes her small button nose to her lips which were painted a unique shade of crimson.
"Do you want to get married?" Kaia asked in a shaky voice not knowing what to expect
"Perhaps" Nirvan was disappointed with his own answer.
'It should have been no, a big fat no'
"What are expecting from this marriage?"
'What was I expecting from this marriage?' Kaia internalized the question
"Nothing"
'Did she just say nothing?' Nirvan touched the bridge of his nose
"I don't want a wife I want a person who will take care of our company along with me"
"So you want an employee?"
Nirvan felt a weird sensation in his stomach hearing Kaia
"I don't want an employee" Nirvan greeted his teeth as Kaia noticed how his contours became pronounced
"I want someone who shares the same interest as me"
Kaia had read about his company but never once did she see his pictures. There company was one of the most successful in India, Kaia found herself intrigued by their achievement but never did she once think she will be a potential candidate for marrying the ceo.
"Our company owns multiple business- furnitures , toiletries, hotels-"
"Hospitals, Apartments I know"
'She knows' Nirvan briefly felt proud of their empire until Kaia spoke again "You should consider spending more on marketing"
Nirvan unconsciously raised his eyebrows as Kaia regretted her words
"I shouldn't have said that I am sorry" Kaia fidgeted with her dupatta in anxiety
"Why do you say that?" Nirvan rested his arm on the table as the topic was something that sparked interest
"I didn't mean it"
"You did, I want to know if my company is lacking something"
"Most of your revenue is generated from your hospitals, hotels and furnished apartments, you are praised a lot because you use your own designs. Despite that your sales are not great."
"Why do you think that is?"
"Marketing..you cater to the higher class only, middle classes don't know your brand plus your long term average cost curve needs proper projection"
Nirvan was fighting the urge to find her attractive throughout but with the conviction with which she spoke about his company he couldn't help getting attracted to her
"Why do you-"
"I am getting late, I should leave" Kaia interjected
'In my calculation I should have rejected her one hour ago but here I am still while she is packing her things' Nirvan sighed at the thought
Kaia turned to leave but stooped at a tug of her dupatta being stuck to the corner of the chair.
Nirvan studied her well as she struggled to detangle her white dupatta. After a few minutes Nirvan got up to help her free her dupatta.
As Nirvan gently freed Kaia's dupatta from the chair, a sense of closeness enveloped them. Kaia couldn't help but notice how Nirvan's gaze lingered on her, studying her with a mix of curiosity and admiration. She felt a flutter in her chest as he stood tall beside her, his presence commanding yet gentle.
For Nirvan, being so close to Kaia stirred something within him. Her petite frame contrasted with his own stature, yet there was a strength in her demeanor that captivated him. He found himself drawn to her, entranced by her presence and the way she effortlessly carried herself.
As their eyes met, a silent understanding passed between them. It was as if in that moment, they both recognized something special in each other – a connection that went beyond words or gestures.
~~~~