Kerala, God's own land, indeed. Stepping out from her private jet, Manal took in the earthy scent of the beautiful land. Raza breathed in deeply from behind her, - "Exotic, beautiful, stupendous."

Should he voice out his opinion about everything? Was he Hrithik's character from that movie in which everyone over-acted?

Their hotel driver got them to the other branch of S M Emeer's hotels in Kottayam. A short man in a business suit; their concierge, rushed to them along with butlers.

"Welcome, ma'am." He spoke with a heavy accent, passing her a bouquet.

"Thank you, Mr. Mappila." Manal nodded at Raza. He hurriedly took the bouquet with a wide grin on his face.

"Aur, Androse. How are you? How are bhabhi and the kids?" Raza extended his hand.

"Good, good, excellent." Mappila huffed eagerly, shaking hands. Manal glared at her secretary. He smiled, letting go of the manager's hand. She shook her head.

How tacky!

Comparatively, from Delhi, it was warmer here. Manal folded her arms, leaning against the leather car seat. The musky scent of the air against her face, and there was an outburst of colors everywhere. They passed through hills. At a point, Raza excitedly pointed at the waterfall. Entering the city, there was the general hustle and bustle of the streets, and cheery faces in the crowd. Raza spoke zealously with Mappila, who reciprocated with equal fervor. Manal continued to roll her eyes behind her oversized bug-shaped sunglasses. Now her head and eyes both hurt. She watched Raza's yapping mouth and wondered how does it not hurt.

Knowing about her arrival, the hotel staff was extra vigilant. Before Manal got down, both Mappila and Raza together grabbed the door handle. Before they could argue, she pushed the door open.

"Boss."

"Shut up." Manal shoved her handbag into his arms and walked haughtily ahead. Raza held the bag with both his hands, pressing it against his stomach, and followed her. Mappila beside him.

The receptionist beamed at her, but Manal kept a stony face. She scrutinized the place. The young woman behind the desk gulped, eyeing her boss's reaction. Raza dug his hand into his jeans pocket and passed the girl a handkerchief with a smile. She nodded subtly, muttering a quick thanks.

Mappila excitedly showed them around, the staff behaving overzealously. Raza participated excitedly, chatting happily with them. They cleared the suite on the top floor for Manal, while her secretary was in the normal room.

"Raza."

"Yes, Boss."

"Five pm, we will be heading for the resort. Speak to that restoration company manager."

Raza nodded, - "Sure."

Manal walked into her room. He was about to follow. She stopped at the door, glaring at him. He gulped, stepping back.

"What is his name?"

"Her. Rosa D'Souza," Raza spoke confidentially.

"Ok." Manal closed the door on his face.

"Ouch!" Raza rubbed the tip of his nose. His phone rang. Grabbing the handle of his trolley bag with one hand, he picked out the phone from his jeans pocket.

"Salam, Sir." He answered, joyfully. "Yes, we reached safely. Boss was as usual khadoos. Don't worry, I will take care of her—and everything here. Okay, sir—Allah Hafiz."

Manal walked to the bed, pulled off her blue blazer, and placed it at the edge. Just as she unbuckled the thin belt around her waist, her phone buzzed with a message. She smiled, checking Asim's message.

He was so caring and kind to her. Her father disliked him. Obviously, he wasn't of the same financial status. Sohail claimed Asim was for her money. But Manal knew him more than anyone else. She flipped through their recent pictures and smiled softly. Their first meeting always brought bitter-sweet memories. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to flush out the negative thoughts. Manal quivered, placing her phone on the table.

Asim stood by her like a rock. Once she made a mistake by not trusting him, she regrets it to date. She mindlessly plucked out her heels and kept them neatly against the foot of the bed. Asim was also patient with her. Hesitating to express his desire to be intimately close to her. She was confused as to why she was reluctant.

After the terrible incident, her broken trust subconsciously haunts her and spoils her perfect relationship with Asim. But she was adamant about changing that. Why can't she move on? So many years passed? She has grown up so much- mentally and physically and he. He was most probably dead.

Manal smirked- probably a slow, excruciating death.

Exactly on time, Manal was ready in a white satin full-sleeve shirt and short wrap pencil skirt. She carried her tote bag and wore her accessories- a watch, golden drop earrings, heels, and lastly, bug-shaped sunglasses.

Manal walked out of the elevator and enquired about Raza. He wasn't picking up her calls, which infuriated her. The receptionist informed her that he had left with Mappila nearby. Manal furiously dialed Mappila and scolded him.

She threw her bag on the sofa in the lounge and slumped, crossing one leg over the other. Folding her arms, she tapped her finger on her upper arm.

Ten minutes later, Raza toppled into the hotel's lobby, with Mappila behind him.

  He blinked, nervously licking his lips, - "Boss."

Manal raised her eyebrows, keeping a stern posture. "Why are you wearing a lungi?" She eyed his attire.

Raza looked offended, clutching on the knot of the golden-bordered white cloth around his waist, - "Boss. This is Mundu. Kerala's dress. You heard, right, when in Rome--"

"Enough." Manal sprung from her seat, grabbed her bag, and walked to him. Raza gulped, recoiling in his position.

"Please wear a shirt." She paused to run her gaze over his stubbled bare chest, pausing over his abs to count.

She cleared her throat, forcing her eyes off him, - "We are getting late." Manal pulled closer to the deep neckline of her satin shirt and walked away.

"Ji, Boss."

𝙿 𝚛 𝚎 𝚌 𝚊 𝚙

Raza removed his glasses, relaxed at the table, and brought the rim of iced glass to his mouth. It was then he saw her.

Manal emerged from the water, flipping her wet hair back. Raza's jaw dropped.

In a metallic gold flimsy bikini, her skin radiated complementing her skin tone. Her perfect hour-shaped glass in this made her look extremely sexy.

Raza fished out his new phone from the back pocket and hurriedly focused on her; zooming.

"That Asim is one lucky bas—man." He smiled, clicking a few pictures.

How are you guys finding Manal and Raza? That dude seems a little fishy, like too good to be true types. Does he? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments, lots and lots.