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nWhen Mike called Vikram and told him about everything that had happened in Singapore, he turned mad. He felt like going to Singapore to reprimand Anthony about his actions. He thought of calling her but then Mike told that she had fallen asleep after all the crying. The image of her in tears floated in his head and made him uneasy. He asked Mike if he could come over. Then Mike told him that he had planned Karaoke night so that she will feel better. Mike hesitated a bit, but then he asked -

"Would you like to join us?

" He knew that Vikram was a busy guy and every minute of his was precious, but he also knew how much he cared for his sister so he was hopeful that he would say yes.

n

"Sure, will come to your place to pick you guys by six.

", said Vikram and disconnected.

nThen he immediately started checking at his meeting schedule on his laptop. He was in Staten Island for some business deals but for Akira's sake, everything could wait.

nHe called up his assistant to push all his meeting to next week.

nVikram was Akira's neighbor and their parents were very good friends. All the childhood memories started flooding inside him.

nHe was really fond of her and they used to play around all summer. Mike was a little baby back then. They studied in the same school and sometimes ate lunch together. Then he started dating a girl who didn't like his proximity with Akira. So Akira stopped mingling much with him. Even after he broke up with her, Akira maintained the same distance as she was scared that people might think that she was the cause of their breakup.

nAs his dad's business empire grew they moved to Staten Island to a bigger property and he moved to a different school, so they couldn't meet that often. Then slowly even the families drifted a bit apart as Vikram's dad's empire started growing to an extent that it became a conglomerate. He became a business tycoon and his social circle changed. But still, they met each other during Christmas and other holidays.

nAfter Vikram joined college, he could hardly meet Akira and the distance crept in. But after her parent's death, Vikram rushed to visit her with his parents. When Akira saw him, she ran to him and cried. He stayed at her house for a whole week till she felt ok. His parents wanted to take Akira and Mike with them but Akira didn't want to leave the place where she had fond memories of her parents. He felt a pang of sorrow and desperation when he had to leave her and join his college back. He felt bad for not staying in touch over the last couple of years. Before leaving he looked into her eyes and told -

"No matter what happens, I will always be there for you

". Akira sensed the sincerity in his voice and asked -

"You promise?

"

n

"I promise

".

nBrushing away all these old memories he bolted towards his car and started for Brooklyn where Akira resided. How could he miss a Karaoke night with her?

n---

nAll four of them darted towards Vikram's car which was parked outside her house. Mike and Teddy took the back seat. Just when Akira was about to open the passenger door, Vikram dashed there and very carefully took her hand which was holding the handle into his right hand and with his left hand opened the door and gestured -

"My lady.

" Akira laughed wholeheartedly and then sat inside. Vikram then slowly placed her hand which he was holding gingerly like some treasure, into her lap. He looked at the bundle of cuteness and sighed. Then he came to the driver's seat as soon as possible and sped through.

nFew minutes into the drive, Akira asked -

"By the way, where are we going?

"

n

"To Tony's

", the rest three screamed together.

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