Whispers of the Heart

Chapter 8

Kian's POV 

Kiara sped down the empty road, the car slicing through the quiet of the night like a warm knife through butter. I was impressed, though she drove faster than I'd ever allow anyone else in my car of course other than myself, she somehow seemed completely in control. Her hands rested casually on the wheel, and every time I glanced over, she had that same mischievous glint in her eyes.

Soon, she slowed down as we turned onto a small, winding road that led to a deserted area just outside the city. After a few more twists and turns, she stopped in front of a dimly lit roadside dhaba. The place looked modest, with flickering lights and a couple of tables set up outside. I hesitated, reluctant to leave the safe confines of my car, but when she hopped out and glanced back at me expectantly, I knew I didn't have much of a choice. 

"Come on, Mr. High-Class," she teased, rolling her eyes. "Don't tell me you're afraid"

Reluctantly, I stepped out, feeling incredibly out of place. I'd never stopped at a place like this, and as she made her way confidently into the dhaba, I followed with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She didn't even look at me as she placed the order, and to my utter surprise, she began speaking in a language I didn't recognize. Her voice was smooth, fluid, like she'd been speaking it forever.

I stood there, clueless, trying to decipher the unfamiliar sounds. When she finished ordering, she saw me staring at her unable to grasp what she was saying, she let out a small laugh and said understanding my confusion "Telugu," she said with a shrug. "I speak telugu,  It's a piece of my heart"

The way she said it, with such genuine affection, caught me off guard. I'd never seen her speak in another language, let alone express such a personal connection to one. The more I learned about Kiara, the more I realized there was so much more to her than the confident, dedicated, straightforward person she showed at work.

"So, are you just going to stand there and stare?" she said, giving me a playful look. "Or are you actually going to sit down and try something new?" 

"I'm not used to this," I admitted, taking a cautious seat at the small table she chose. "If someone who knew me saw me here... well, they'd probably have a heart attack."

"Oh, trust me, Kian, I know," she laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "That's exactly why I brought you here."

A few minutes later, the food arrived, and I stared at it, feeling a mix of intrigue and nervousness. The dishes were aromatic, spicy, and completely different from the usual cuisine I was used to. She must have noticed my hesitation because she picked up a piece of flatbread, rolled it expertly with the curry, and held it out to me with a grin.

"Try it. I promise, you won't regret it," she urged, looking at me with a challenging sparkle in her eyes.

I took a deep breath and leaned forward, taking a bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue—spicy, tangy, and somehow comforting. To my surprise, I found myself nodding, appreciating the unexpected taste. She laughed at my reaction, clearly delighted that I hadn't hated it.

"See? It's not all about fancy restaurants, your usual cuisine, grass in the name of salads and imported coffee beans," she teased, reaching for another bite herself. "Sometimes, it's the little places like these that have the most heart." 

I couldn't help but have a small smile on my face , feeling strangely at ease with her, despite the unfamiliar surroundings. Kiara was in her element here, relaxed and full of life. She poked fun at my hesitations and poked at the small bubble of seriousness  I usually maintained. Every time I made a comment about the food or the place, she'd fire back with a sarcastic quip, her laughter ringing through the quiet night. This was the most I had ever spoken to anyone other than family, I mean I'm not complaining I can see so many more firsts of my life with her. 

"You know," I said between bites, "you're surprisingly good at this whole 'dragging me out of my comfort zone' thing."

"Oh, you have no idea," she replied, winking at me. "It's actually kind of fun seeing you squirm. You're way too serious sometimes, Kian."

The ease with which we talked was unlike anything I'd experienced in a long time. Normally, I was guarded, careful to reveal only the parts of myself that I felt comfortable sharing. But here, under the stars, with simple plates of food between us, I found myself letting my guard down.

"So, Telugu, huh?" I asked, remembering her earlier comment. "I didn't know you spoke it."

She shrugged, her expression softening. "Yeah, I grew up with it. It's always felt... comforting to me. Like I said  it's a piece of home, wherever I go."

Hearing her talk about something so personal stirred something in me. It wasn't often that Kiara let people see this side of her, the softer, more vulnerable part that she usually kept hidden behind her confident exterior. And yet, here she was, sharing a piece of herself with me, and it made the night feel even more magical.

As we sat there, Kiara talking and me listening about everything from language quirks to mundane activities, I realized how special this moment was. Being here with Kiara, just the two of us, away from the chaos of work and responsibilities, felt like an escape into a world that only we shared. I never thought I would ever say this ever, but I could stay here all day listening to her talk so animatedly about things she loved, hated, admired, and so on. 

Eventually, we finished eating, and she leaned back in her chair, stretching with a satisfied sigh. "Wasn't that way better than some fancy restaurant?"

I laughed, nodding. "I hate to admit it, but yeah. This was... different. In a good way."

She grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "You see, Kian? Sometimes, it's good live a little."

There was a brief moment of silence, where we both just looked at each other, the night air filled with a strange, electric energy. For the first time, I felt like I was truly seeing her—not just as my personal secretary or the woman I constantly argued with, but as someone who understood me in a way no one else did that too in such short time.

"Kiara," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Thank you for this."

She shrugged, her gaze never leaving mine. "Sometimes, I think you need a little reminder that life isn't all about plans and deadlines. There's more to it than that."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. She was right. I'd forgotten what it felt like to just be present in the moment, to enjoy life for what it was.

As we made our way back to the car, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for this strange, unexpected night. Kiara had managed to pull me out of my carefully constructed world and show me a side of life I hadn't experienced in years, particularly after my parent's death. 

When we got back to the car, she held out her hand for the keys, giving me a sly smile. "I think it's only fair I drive us back too, don't you think?" 

I rolled my eyes, but there was no way I could argue after everything she'd done tonight. With a reluctant smile, I handed over the keys, trusting her in a way that felt foreign yet strangely comforting. As she sped down the empty road, the city lights gradually coming back into view, I leaned back in my seat, feeling an unfamiliar sense of peace. This night had been magical, a reminder that sometimes, the best moments in life come from stepping out of our comfort zones and letting someone else take the wheel.

Kiara had shown me a world beyond the boundaries I'd set for myself, and for the first time in years, I felt alive.

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