The Secret Crush – Part 1

It’s a payday, and Natasha never delays her payments she knows how everyone eagerly awaits the credit notifications, including her mother in the far distant village. Moving to the big city was the right decision all those years ago, she thought to herself.

Her younger brother finished his MBA last year and procured a high-yielding job in a multinational, even the elder sister’s debt was paid off and her kids are studying in good boarding schools from the money Natasha sends her bi-yearly. Mother is living a comfortable life in a ‘mansion-like home’ with a string of caretakers at their village home. She throws lavish ceremonial functions every year on her father’s death anniversary. Everyone is settled in life and doing just fine, away from any financial botherations thanks to their ever-giving Natasha Didi.

She moved her slender fingers on the keypad and multiple payments were cleared instantly, she took a long sip of her sparkling water when she heard a familiar voice. ‘It’s time to board Ms. Sahni, this way please,’ said a young handsome man in a white crisp shirt and dark blue trousers. As Natasha got up from her Emirates First Class lounge with a nod, he took a step back to admire the beauty she was. Every fortnight he awaits her arrival at the terminal, to guide and escort her to the business class lounge and then finally to the aircraft.

He was smitten by Natasha’s elegance and mesmerizing beauty ever since the administration assigned him to celebrity management affairs. It is been more than two years now, that Aman has been taking care of Natasha’s airport transition. But their conversations never grew beyond pleasantries and directions. She had never been rude or irrational to him, unlike other high-profile clients and he never tried to cross the professional boundaries.

There was something mystifying about the lady, she was the epitome of grace and feminine elegance, he secretly wished to be her lover, but didn’t have the courage to disrupt the work liaison. He was aware of her personal communication details, courtesy job requirements, but Aman never took advantage of the information or drunk-dialed her in late at night. However, he contemplated it numerous times, especially when all his friends were having steady steamy relationships.

Natasha was aware of the affinity Aman had for her, but she knew how to create boundaries. All her life, she has done that with utter perfection – make boundaries. Also, he is just a pup, a very young boy who has no inkling about life. A kid straight out of college to earn some bucks and score credits for his future studies, he has no idea what poverty, hunger, or what life is. She keeps a safe distance from him, not for herself but for him to steer clear of her. She is dangerous for his life and any future he has dreamed of.

But today is not as usual, he had a plan to put in motion. Aman showed her the window seat and handed the other details to the flight steward. As Natasha settled in her seat and started digging her handbag for currency, Aman bent down towards her to fix the seatbelt. She was taken aback by this sudden closeness, stunned her lips parted to say something, but she could not say a word. His eyes, deep brown irises reflected the light from the window and looked angelic. Sharp jaw with a light hue of stubble, a shapely nose, and those kissable lips he looks like a supermodel on the GQ cover page. What the hell is he doing as airline ground staff, she thought to herself.

Lost in the moment, Natasha didn’t realise when he asked her to hand over her handbag for stacking below the seat. ‘Where do you want to keep the handbag, Ms. Sahni?’, he prodded again.

Abashedly she looked away handing over the bag in his direction, he took the designer Prada bag from her hand, when his thumb gently brushed against her wrist. The touch was oblivious but Natasha felt warmth – something she misses on her work escapades.

Come join me tomorrow for the next part of Natasha and Aman’s story.

If you are interested in reading a short fiction story, click here.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023

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