Vikram’s declaration stole her breath, and Ahana instinctively shook her head. "I don’t know that I’m ready for that."
"I’ll give you all the time you need, as long as you give me a chance. Don't shut me out, Ahana."
Ahana pulled him away and rose to her feet, threading her fingers through her hair. "I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises," Ahana said finally.
"That’s all I can ask," Vikrant said. "So will you have dinner with me tonight?" I’ll pick you up at six."
A reluctant smile tugged at her mouth. "All right, dinner at six. I am eager to spend time with you, my darling!"
"Great. See you soon." Vikram left, and within minutes, Ahana was second-guessing her decision.
Restless, Ahana paced the apartment. Remembering the news vans that had been parked outside the hospital, she called her mother, who answered on the first ring. "Ahana? I heard about what happened at the hospital on the news. Are you all right?"
"I’m fine, Mom. Perfectly fine. I want to ask you something." Ahana winced, realising she should have called her mother sooner. "How are you doing? How are things going for the first time with Vikram?"
"Vikram was nice and fine with me; he was always good to me, Ahana. You're the one I’m worried about. Wait a minute, Vikram and you are together?"
Ahana stared out the front window for a long moment. "Mom, I have a question for you. Have you forgiven Goa for everything Ganny has done with you?"
"Of course I have," her mother responded. "In fact, I feel sorry for him."
Ahana was nearly shocked with the answer, and she said, "Feel sorry for him? Why? Her mother says, "Because he’ll never have true love the way you will have it with my dear daughter in the future. He will never know God’s love either. I pray for his soul every day to get calm and free from the pain."
Humbled, Ahana thought her mother was far smarter than she’d ever given her credit for. "You’re right, Mom," Ahana said. "God deserves our prayers."
Maybe if Ahana kept thinking about it from her mother’s perspective, she could really find a way to forgive them both.
Ahana was dressed and ready to go well before six, so she didn’t mind when Vikram showed up ten minutes early.
"Ahana, you look absolutely beautiful."
Ahana reached up to give him a quick hug. "You don’t look half bad, yourself."
Vikram looked surprised yet pleased at her warm embrace. He kissed her on her cheek and then held the door open for her, saying, "After you."
Vikram drove a very nice guy to her. They reached the restaurant, which was perched high on a hill. It was opulently decorated because the location was for special arrangements to entice customers to their restaurant. Ahana decided she preferred the meal they'd share, as they'd done since college.
"I bet their food dish choices aren’t nearly as good as yours," Ahana said in a low tone.
Vikram says this with an annoyed look. "Thanks for your amazing comment."
"I still like dining with you, but sharing is better," Ahana insisted, leaning back to peruse the menu.
"Have whatever you like," Vikram said as if he could read her mind. "After last night, we deserve a special moment together. Rubika never did this to me, as I tried first for a new start but failed."
Ahana didn’t want him to think she was anything like Rubika, so she settled on a more reasonable and tasty dish.
After the waiter took their order, Vikram reached across the table to take her hand. "You look happier tonight than you did this afternoon. I am loving your presence in my life." Vikram was flirting with Ahana.
Ahana couldn’t deny the truth. "I am happy. I also love you more than in previous lives, which means I admire your style and charm. So you must have heard that Aisha is still in the ICU, but her vitals are stable."
"No, I hadn’t heard, but I’m glad to hear she’s hanging on." Ahana took a sip of water from the glass on the table. Vikram was sitting beside her side chair, holding her hand and gently rubbing it. "And how’s Kumar doing? He survived, too, and is listed as critical but stable in the ICU."
Ahana was surprised by the lack of resentment she felt about that news. "Actually, I talked to my mother, and she made me look at men like Kumar and Ganny differently."
"Oh yeah? How?" Vikram questioned.
Ahana repeated what her mother had told her. "I think I can see now why God asks us to forgive our enemies. He is aware that we have His love while they do not. And really, what more could we ask for?"
"You’re a very special lady, Ahana," Vikrant said, his hand tightening around hers. "I’m lucky to have you with me."
Ahana couldn’t deny what was in her heart. "I think you’re pretty great yourself, Vikram."
A wide grin split his face, and he stood and came around the table, drawing her up to her feet. "Does this mean we’re officially dating, Ms. Mehra?" Vikram asked in a teasing tone, sliding his arms around her waist.
