Meira stepped into her room and felt a sudden wave of displacement. The elegance of the suite—the velvet drapes, the intricate moldings, and the soft, ambient lighting—felt far too grand for her. She felt like an intruder in such luxury. Shaking off the feeling, she freshened up and chose an aesthetic top and skirt that flowed beautifully against her curves. For the first time, she didn't look like a girl hiding in a mansion; she looked like she belonged in the streets of a world-class city.
They gathered in a reserved dining hall for a lavish breakfast. The menu featured Russian delicacies—blinis with honey and fresh sirniki—that were a far cry from the hurried meals she usually had at the back of the Roopa Mansion kitchen.
Outside, a long, sleek limousine waited for them, looking exactly like the ones Meira had only seen in Hollywood movies. They were whisked away to the Kuskovo Estate. The sprawling gardens and the palace reflected in the lake filled Meira's heart with a sense of peace she hadn't felt in years. From there, they transitioned to Old Arbat, the vibrant heart of Moscow. The cobblestone streets were lined with artists and antique shops, and for a few hours, Meira lost herself in the colors of the market.
After lunch, Aditya leaned back, satisfied but curious. "What's next, Dev? You've already outdone yourself."
Dev glanced at Meira for a split second before turning to Aditya with a mysterious glint in his eyes. "Next... is something a little different. You and Taniya are going to the next destination on your own."
"What? Only us?" Aditya asked, surprised.
"Yes," Dev replied firmly. "It's something specifically for the two of you."
As Taniya got into the car, Aditya pulled Dev aside, his voice dropping to a serious whisper. "Dev, I know exactly what you're trying to do here. Just be careful. I don't think Meira will like being pushed into things."
Dev's smile didn't waver. "She'll like it, Aditya. Don't worry about her."
Meira watched the car pull away, feeling a sudden chill as she realized she was now truly alone with Dev in a foreign land. Dev turned to her, bending slightly forward with his hands tucked behind his back, a playful smirk on his face.
"Now?" he asked.
"Now?" Meira repeated, her face a mixture of half-scared, half-confused curiosity.
"Well, I have a plan for you, too," Dev said.
Another car pulled up immediately. Meira opened her mouth to protest, to ask a thousand questions about where they were going and why they were separating from the others. But before she could speak, Dev suddenly brought his hands forward, reaching out to take hers in a firm, steady grip.
"Trust me," he said, his smile turning soft and genuine.
The car came to a smooth halt, and the door opened to a scent so sweet and heady it felt like a dream. As Meira stepped out, her breath caught in her throat. Stretching out before her was a sea of purple, white, and soft violet—the Lilac Garden of Moscow. The blooms were so thick they looked like clouds that had settled onto the green branches.
Meira was stunned. She felt rooted to the spot, her legs refusing to move as she stared at the landscape. This wasn't just a garden; it was a living version of the world she had tried to capture in the corners of her sketchbooks for years.
Dev leaned in closer, his voice a low, teasing hum near her ear. "So, how is your surprise, Miss Guest?"
Meira tried to pull herself together, her lips parting to say something, but the words wouldn't form. She looked at the endless rows of lilacs and then back at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "H... how?" she finally managed to whisper.
Dev stood straight, tucked his hands into his pockets, and gave a small, proud smile. "Well, during our first meeting, I didn't just see a clumsy girl or find a reason to laugh. While you were distracted, I saw your paintings. There were two different pages open in your book—both were unique, but they had one thing in common."
He gestured toward a cluster of deep purple blooms nearby. "The lilacs. You painted them with such detail, Meira. I knew then that if I ever got you out of that house, this was the first place I had to bring you."