While walking towards the entrance, his eyes again went to his watch. It's almost 10.30am and he knew that he is running late... But...
Dinakaran's car driver Vasanth saw him coming out and immediately switched on the car. Dinakaran smiled at Vasanth and when he was about to enter the car, he heard the gate open, immediately his attention turned towards the gate and there she was! Thulasi was again in a red saree... his favorite color... She looked stunning even without any makeup... the morning sun's rays were making her glow in golden color... the sweat in her face appeared to add beauty to her...
"Vasanth, take the car to the road and wait for me near the gate... I will come and join you in a few minutes..." ordered Dinakaran keeping his office bag inside the car.
Vasanth as always obeyed his master without asking any questions. Once the car left the scene, Dinakaran eyes searched for something and soon found the bright red rose near the portico. He went near the plant and plucked the beautiful rose. He started walking towards Thulasi.
Thulasi was walking leisurely, appreciating the beauty of the garden in the morning sun, when she heard the approaching footsteps. She looked up surprised and was very much shocked to see Dinakaran walking towards her. He looked very handsome with the smile on his face. Though she didn't want to accept it, Thulasi knew that she always felt a bid weird whenever she met him... And that too nowadays Dinakaran not showing his usual anger has not helped her at all... She has been very much attracted towards his charm like an iron piece to a magnet...
While Thulasi was still struggling to compose herself, Dinakaran came in front of her with a smile. But he didn't walk past her just with that smile. He stood in front of her and asked,
"This summer is horrible, isn't it?"
Dinakaran was standing there in front of her with his hands inside his pant pocket. For unknown reason she was not able to meet his eyes and reply directly. She felt herself a bit shy and somehow managed to reply,
"Yes..."
She tried to look at him, composing herself, so that she is not offending him.
But Dinakaran’s eyes were fixed on her face so keenly that she was not able to withstand his gaze for a longer time... Her eyes in-voluntarily shifted down...
A smile appeared in Dinakaran's face. The shyness in Thulasi's face added to the slight red color in her face was driving him crazy...
He took the rose from his pocket and said,
"I found this flower in the ground... Was thinking what to do with it... Good that I met you today morning... I hope you will not object to receiving this lovely flower from this stone hearted man..."
Thulasi raised her eyes to look at Dinakaran's face and was again hit by his strong gaze. He also had a smile in his face... She was already feeling very week... may be it's all because of this sun, she said to herself... She just wanted to go away from him... She raised her right hand to get the flower from him...
Dinakaran's smile broadened, he placed the rose in her hand, resisting the great temptation to touch her soft palm...
Thulasi uttered an unclear, thank you and moved away from the place. But Dinakaran turned around and stood there watching her walk fast towards his home... He had no idea what he was trying to do standing there, but he was not able take his eyes from her...
After reaching the portico, Thulasi turned back with searching eyes and the moment she saw him standing on the way still looking at her, she turned back immediately and went inside.
A big grin appeared in Dinakaran's face. Thulasi has completely occupied his thoughts... Continuing to think about her, he went and entered the car... Not only Vasanth, even the employees at Dinakaran's office were surprised to see the smiling Dinakaran. Since the hotel staff has been working along with him only for the past few weeks, they were really surprised to see a smiling Dinakaran for the first time....
To be continued...