RAJ returned, but he was so busy with a new branch of their auto sales business opening on the East Coast, Shanti saw him only for breakfast. That one short period in the morning, the few words spoken and the slight smiles as she served him breakfast gave her something comforting to hold onto for the day.

“Are you missing me?” he asked in a low tone.

She glanced at him briefly and nodded slightly, being cautious in her response to him because sometimes unexpectedly his mother and father would join him in the dining room.

“I never used to mind being away on business trips before,” he told her, “But not now.”

She looked at him and their eyes met for a short moment, unspoken words of his feelings.

“A beautiful change has happened,” he said quietly as he left, his arm brushing against hers slightly.

Neither of them saw his mother come quietly into the dining room and stood there looking at them.

Shanti took a deep breath to relax her feelings as she continued her tasks. That week was quite hectic for the household staff with the arrival of overseas visitors, special lunches and cocktail parties. The job was so demanding that many days she had felt worn and tired, hardly able to live her life a little for herself. And worse for her, was her mother taking most of her salary for her own needs, leaving Shanti barely able to supplement her young brothers.

It was so frustrating for Shanti, she sometimes questioned, “How long more do I have to live like this, dear Lord?”

She knew life didn’t plant a rose garden for her, but she believed there must be something that could give her a little happiness.

Three weeks later with the new branch opened for business, Raj was relieved from his busy schedule and came home at regular periods. It was a great relief also for Shanti and it pleased her heart that she would be seeing him more often. But his mother seemed to always have something important to discuss with him and some new tasks for Shanti to do. It seemed like a deliberate attempt to keep them apart and Raj was clearly becoming frustrated.

A holiday weekend was coming up and he said to Shanti, “I think I need a break from work and endless family discussions, and I think you do too.”

She said nothing because she had nowhere to go, but he did.

“This weekend we are going on a trip to a resort away from everyone and everything, just the two of us.”

Before she could digest his plan to respond, he kissed her on the cheek and left, “See you later.”

After he had left, she said to herself, “Okay, I need a break myself.”

Raj made all the arrangements for the trip to a family resort on the Abary River, a weekend away, neither family knew of, to avoid them ruining it. Shanti was somewhat thrilled as they drove from the Corentyne to West Coast Berbice. She hardly ever got the opportunity to travel to see different places and experience the fun and excitement of life.

Today, she was riding in a Raptor with her rich boyfriend.

The mysteries of life never failed to astound.

He looked at her, seeing how relaxed she was and asked, “Are you excited?”

She smiled and nodded, “Yeah, it’s something new for me.”

He reached across and squeezed her hand, “It will be a great weekend.”

The real thrill though for her was the speed boat ride along the smooth, black water of the Abary river. She was awed by the green wide expanses of cattle pastures, rice fields and neat farmhouses – a long ride that was a wonderful experience. On reaching their destination he helped her out of the boat and put his arm around her waist as they walked up the landing to the house. It was an impressive two-storey colonial building standing supremely on an expansive land bordered on two sides by tall flowering trees. On the green matted lawn were thatched roof benabs, the table and chairs crafted from tree trunks for an outlook to blend with the environment.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“Simply amazing!” she laughed a little, “It’s like stepping in a completely different world.”

“Yeah, I love the peace and tranquillity of this place.”

Lunch was laid out on the patio of the lower flat so they could eat in the ambience of the cool breeze, scenes of the river, the landscape stretching to the far horizon and the different species of birds. The appetising food were special dishes of seafood, meat and vegetables, a flavourful and delightful meal. And relaxing afterwards under one of the benabs with fruit cocktails was simply heavenly.

“And this is what I call a break,” Raj expressed with a contented sigh.

“It sure is,” she agreed, “I so love this.”

A while later, he got up and, taking her hand, said, “So now, I am going to give you a tour of the house.”

The interior was so amazing she fell instantly in love with its unique designs, beautiful antique furnishings and Victorian lights.

“Quite stunning.”

After the interesting tour, she stood on the upper deck looking across the river and joining her after a little while, he put his arms around her waist, his face nestled in her hair, “What are you thinking?”

“That this must be a dream.”

He turned her around and pushing back the fallen strands of hair from her face, he tipped her chin up gently and with his lips close to hers, he said, “It’s real, as your heart beats against mine.”
And he kissed her, a soft, lingering kiss.

That evening, he showed her to her room and said, “You can rest and get dressed for 8 o’clock.”

On the bed was a black evening gown with silver accessories and shoes. She lifted up the dress and exclaimed quietly, “Oh wow. Am I going to a ball?”

At eight o’clock there was a rap on the door and she stepped out, looking exquisite with her beautifully styled hair, an incredible transformation from a simple girl to a woman of elegance. He was waiting for her, dressed in a dark, tailored suit that defined masculine elegance and style. He took her arm, deeply impressed by her new outlook and asked cordially, “May I have the pleasure of taking you to dinner?”

“Yes,” she answered simply.

The table was set with the finest silverware, rich wine and scented candles. Two waiters stood by to serve and after Shanti was comfortably seated, she said quietly, “This is quite a surprise.”
He smiled and touched her hand, “I want this to be special for you.”

After dinner when they were alone and soft music set the tone for a romantic night, he said to her, “I want this to be your dream, a special place where we can be alone, leaving the world behind.”

The love in his eyes and the passion in his voice left her almost breathless and softly she spoke, “Raj–”

He put a finger to her lips gently and said just as softly, “Don’t say anything, just let your heart speak.”

That night their love story turned a new page.

An endless night of passion and bliss in a world where they were all alone and words spoken that left a deep impression on her mind, “I will always be yours, Shanti.”

That intimacy was a bond they now shared, but their love still had to be kept a secret and hushed. The lady of the house held strong views on family values and status, and she would be unrelenting if she knew the poor girl had won her son’s heart.

He could not belong to her but Raj saw the richness in the poor girl his mother could not see because of her obsession with class, status and sophistication. He wanted Shanti in his life for her simplicity, gentleness and the deep, pure love he saw in her eyes. But he knew his decision would be seriously challenged, so he had to come up with a good plan as soon as he could and he told Shanti, “Whatever happens, stay calm and act normal. Don’t ever doubt my love for you and don’t think I would want to leave you.”

She held onto his words but couldn’t stop the nagging fear in her heart that she may lose him. The girl his mother wanted him to marry was coming that weekend with her elite family for a visit.
“How could I be able to go on with my life without him?” she questioned herself, an ache in her heart.

But when he told her on Monday morning that he didn’t say ‘yes,’ but asked for some more time, the deep relief she felt brought tears to her eyes.

“Everything will be fine,” he told her as he embraced her, but not long after the challenges he knew would come his way began when regular business trips overseas imposed on him by his father kept them apart, leaving Shanti unprotected working for the mother.

By the time he could return, it was too late.

He could find her nowhere!

To be continued…