His Nightmare

SAMAR

"No... Please don't do this... Don't snatch her from me, please...", Screaming aloud like any other day, I thrust my hands upon the bed and catch the sight of mom. She is here as always. These nightmares have never left me alone and mom too. 

"Mom, what are you doing here? You should've rested in your room, no?", Getting up, I complained. She passed me a strong glare with her damped eyes. Everyday... I have seen her tears almost everyday for the last 15 years. There is not a single day when she failed to stick by my side. She looks out for me everytime when things go hard. But her worries, her tears bother me. It's all because of my nightmares. I wish I could do something for it. 

"How can I rest when my baby is having a tough time? You'll never win this discussion, Samar, so stop trying.", Stroking my hair, she comes to me, pecking on my forhead.

"Mom, don't call me baby. Call your actual baby when you feel like to say baby, okay?", Stretching the 'mom' sound, I objected like a kid. She'll certainly show her toothy smile now. And I was right, she gleamed with happiness in the very next moment. 

"My actual baby is having a sound sleep.", She laughed at her own words. We are a perfect mother - son duo, I guess. She understands my words without even saying it. We share silly jokes, we make fun of each other, sometimes I treat her like a kid, I even squeeze her cheeks. Funny, no? But that's how we are. We're different from almost all tycoon families. 

"Get up now, you're running late.", While leaving, mom told me. Well, it's still early but she knows that I'll be spending my next hour in the gym. 

******

As cold shower splashed over my body, I recalled today's nightmare. It was no different to other one. I saw her again. That innocence filled eyes seeking help still delivers goosebumps all over my body. Her screams make my nights unbearable for me. Sometimes it becomes difficult to even breath. 

Nonetheless, I still want to have these nightmares for this is the only way to feel connected to her, this is the only to fill the strange void in my heart and this is the only reason not to contact any psychologist so far. The promise which I had made to her, I couldn't fulfill it. I failed to protect her, I failed to rescue her. That whole day was so unfair to her. At least I can do this much, right? I can have my share of pain!

"Samar, come fast. We're waiting for you."Dad called me for breakfast.

I didn't know when my tears mingled with sprinkling water. The pain, I have willingly let lingered in my heart is devouring me from inside. 

"Yes dad, coming.", I answered. Wiping off my tears, I took a quick shower and came out since, today is the day when half of my dreams will be fulfilled.

 I will be launching a new plan to build a resort in Kashmir. Investors are already impressed with my proposal and will certainly go for it as that place is known as a "Paradise on Earth".

 Although I have my hotel branches across the world but the greenery, the landscape, the beauty, the magic, the aura, the vibe which that place holds inside it, is mesmerizing. I have tried to intertwin history with modernization in its theme. 

I picked a white shirt with a perfect matched wine red suit and a checkered black tie. Struggling with my tie, I called someone. 

"Lily, come now. I can't do it without you.", Lily is my longtime secretary and a perfect friend. I have become more comfortable with her over the years. Well, I knew she was waiting for my call. Due to inheriting genes from an European mother, she got two blue twinkling eyes, which are always a centre of attraction. She entered my room, giggling. 

'Gone is her fear', My subconscious told me. 

"Good morning, sir.", She streched the 'r' sound in sir unnecessarily while chuckling, hiding his creased lips with one hand. 

"Don't laugh. You're my secretary now.", I faked my anger. Although, I know I'm really bad at it. On a funny note, my acting sucks! I can never hide my expressions with my close ones. Apparentlytly, Lily is in that circle.

"We're still at your home, sir.", She continued her giggles while correcting the knot of my tie. 

"You'll never learn it, no?", She said, turning her lips into a cheerful smile. 

"What to fear, when Lily is here.", She didn't laugh this time and hence proved, I cracked a lame joke.

"And it's done.", She told me. 

In less than 5 seconds, she randomly asked, "What if I'm not here, by your side?" I see, this is turning off topic. Turning my back to her, I grabbed my phone to avoid awkwardness, for I'm conscious of her unsettled feelings towards me which I thought of a fleeting one or an infatuation. 

"Oh, Lily! You know, it just can't happen.", I reasoned out, evading her gaze, her question and her expectation. It's very silly of me to do something this trivial to her but when timidity surrounded me with the fear of loosing one of my precious friend, it can't be helped.

"Now tell me my today's schedule.", I forced a smile on my face for facing her again.

"At 10 AM, you have a meeting with investors.

 At lunch, you need to meet Mr. Adem....", She continued reporting me. 

Mr. Adam is coming from Turkey and wants to set up an Indian hotel there for he knows we're the best in this field in India. As he'll be coming a long way, I need to put proper efforts and attention. 

******

"The entrance and interior will be similar to that of Medieval king's palaces and the services we provide will be in a modern frame. We can give them the luxury of royal people while using AI (Artificial intelligence).", I explained to the investors. They're looking quite satisfied with the presentation.

"Don't you think it only targets upper class people? From what I know it's impossible for a middle class family to pay a visit even if it is for a day. So how will you draw their attention?", The person sitting in my front questioned.

"Yes it is. For that, I have thought of a solution. As you said earlier, it'll solely target rich class that means we can anticipate to make a hefty amount of profit and can spend a fragment of it for middle and lower class.

 Every month we'll randomly choose a family to visit our hotel without paying a single penny and in exchange we'll ask them to write a proper review. 

In the long run it'll also attract the middle class, instead of planning 2-3 short trips throughout the year they can plan a holiday in our hotel. We can offer some percentage of reduction to them.", I detailed my views while looking at them, striving to comprehend their expressions. Well, I'm not anxious still I want to know their thoughts. 

"Impressive.", One of them smiled and I earned a round of applause from them. I'm ecstatic, I feel like, I'm on cloud nine, the feeling is just... just beyond indecipherable. 

"It was a great presentation, Mr. Oberoi. I'll send you the contract within 3 days.", The one who asked me the question greeted me with an amiable handshake. 

******

"Hello, Mr. Adem. Welcome to India.", I have come to the airport to receive Mr. Adem and his secretary. He is similar to my age but a bit healthy in physique and has worn black and white checkered suit. Don't call me rude but he is looking like a chessboard. Haha...

'Be professional Samar.', I reminded myself.

"Oh thanku, Mr. Oberoi.", He checked out the nearby scenario, taking a look around. "I didn't expect India would be like this."

"What do you mean?", I baffled. He was like a easy-going and uncomplicated man over the phone. I hope he wouldn't belittle us and from the 'us' I mean, we Indians. 

"It's kinda giving a enchanting vibe.", Breaking the ice, he said something nice. 

"Oh, yeah! It's really amazing. Let's go to our hotel. You can relax for some time and then we'll discuss further at lunch.", Saying this, I called the driver to escort Mr. Adem. 

"See you at the hotel.", I told him and proceed with my car too. As I love to drive my white BMW all over the Jodhpur city, I do not prefer drivers. 

Within a couple of seconds, I get reminded of something. Where is his secretary? I didn't meet her and Mr. Adem didn't even mention her once. Should I go to the airport? Concluding everything, I called Mr. Adem to confirm whether she landed here or not. 

She'll be coming by herself, Mr. Adem told me. To recheck all the arrangements, I called Lily and advised to be prepared, considering the distance between our hotel and the airport. 

******

"And this is my secretary, Lily. I'm sure you met her earlier.", Introducing Lily, we take a seat inside a tinted glass cabin cornered from the whole restaurant of our hotel. The reason why I preferred a tinted glass cabin for conference is due to my secretive behaviour. I don't like people to observe me.

"Oh yes! No need to introduce her. She is really an ace in her work.", Mr. Adem complimented Lily. 

"I got lucky then.", I quickly added and beamed. With only a slight glance of her I can estimate the contentment she felt. 

"My secretary is on the way, till then why don't we begin the discussion?", Mr. Adem suggested. 

Only when I was going to speak, the door to the cabin opened and came in was a beautiful young lady but I bet she can't beat my Kayra in this. She must be Mr. Adem's secretary. 

"Oh! Here comes my secretary, my right hand. Meet Kayra. And may I say, she is as meticulous as Lily.", I was stunned as I heard Mr. Adem statement. 

Is it Kayra? Is it really her? Appalled by her presence, I just gawked at her without blinking for a second, observing her every single detail, leaving myself teary-eyed. Despite of having numerous thoughts in my subconscious, I followed my heart and hugged the hell out of her.