From cameras to your heart

Chapter 43

The day passed slowly, the hours dragging by like syrup as the plane made its way through the night sky. Inaya managed to fall asleep for a few hours, but her sleep was restless and unsettled, filled with dreams and memories that kept her tossing and turning.

The plane started its descend, the engines whining lowly as it made its way towards the airport. Inaya slowly woke up, her eyes heavy and her head feeling like it was filled with cotton. She looked out the window and saw the sprawling green landscape of Masai Mara stretching out below them.

She felt a sense of anticipation and dread mixed together, knowing that they would soon be touching down on the ground and embarking on their wildlife safari trip. She looked towards Aditya, who was sitting quietly next to her, his eyes fixed on the view outside the window.

Inaya's heart was heavy with emotion as she looked at him, her mind filled with conflicting thoughts and feelings. But she didn't speak, didn't say a word, her eyes fixed on the landscape outside the window as the plane made its final descent towards the Masai Mara airport.

As Aditya and Inaya descended from the plane, they were met by a fleet of cars waiting for them at the airport. Inaya's eyes widened with surprise as she saw the cars. She watched in awe as one by one, the kids emerged from the plane, their eyes wide and their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

Aditya stood to the side, watching as the kids took in the sight of the cars and the lush green landscape of Masai Mara. Inaya glanced over at him, a small smile playing at her lips as she watched the look of satisfaction on his face. She had to admit, she was touched by the gesture, by the thoughtfulness and the care he had shown in arranging everything for the kids and for her.

She couldn't help but feel a pang of affection for Aditya as she watched the kids clamber into the cars, their excited chatter and laughter filling the air. She knew that Aditya had gone above and beyond to make this trip happen, although money was never a problem for him but it still touched her heart in a way she hadn't expected. She couldn't help but wonder what motivated him, whether it was guilt for his past actions or something else entirely. Regardless, she was grateful for him, for the effort he was making to make the kids happy.

She followed Aditya as they made their way to their own car, the kids already settled in their own vehicles, their faces pressed against the windows as they took in the sights and sounds of Masai Mara. Inaya couldn't help but think that this was the perfect getaway, a chance for the kids to explore and learn and have fun while also taking a break from their daily routine.

"Thank you" she said softly.

Aditya looked at her, his eyes softening. The way she spoke to him in that moment, with such simple sincerity and honesty, made his heart thump in a way he couldn't quite explain. It was a feeling he had almost forgotten, a feeling of warmth and connection and affection that made him want to reach out and pull her close to him.

Instead, he simply smiled at her, his eyes locking with hers for a moment longer than was necessary.

"You don't have to thank me inaya"

Inaya met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat at the intensity of the moment. She could see the emotion in his eyes, the unspoken feelings and desires that lay beneath the surface. But she also saw the restraint, the effort he was making to hold back and to keep his distance. She forced herself to keep her emotions in check, to keep her voice steady and even as she replied.

She smiled.

"But I want to"

she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions and unresolved tension. Inaya could feel her heart beating faster, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts and feelings. She wanted to reach out to him, to close the distance between them, but something held her back, a sense of caution and a lingering fear of getting hurt again.