The flight from Mumbai to Paris was exhausting. Naina had to deal with a medical emergency involving an infant.

By the time the crew reached their hotel, Naina was leaning against her suitcase, her eyes drooping due to exhaustion and much needed sleep.

"Naina, tu thik hai? You look like a ghost."

(Naina, are you ok?)

Reema chuckled, adjusting her own messy hair.

"I'm so tired, Reema. Mujhe bas ek achhi neend chahiye ab."

(I just need a good sleep.)

Naina replied with a tired smile. The crew checked in at the front desk, but when the receptionist handed Naina her key, he gave a slight, knowing bow.

"Your room has been adjusted Mrs. Khanna. Please follow me."

Naina was too tired to process the name 'Mrs. Khanna'. She just assumed the airline had upgraded her because of the medical emergency she handled.

She bid goodnight to her colleagues and stepped into the elevator. When the doors opened on the top floor, she realized something was different. This wasn't the standard crew floor.

The staff who escorted her opened the doors to a Presidential Suit and stepped aside. Naina walked in, her jaw dropping. The room was massive.

Hundreds of white lilies, her favourite, were arranged in crystal vases across the room. The balcony doors were open.

"Ye...ye mera kamra nhi ho skta."

(This…this cannot be my room.)

She whispered to herself.

"Kyu? Pasand nhi aaya?"

(Why? Did you not like it?)

A deep voice asked from the shadows of the balcony. Naina gasped, turning around.

Kartik was leaning against the doorframe.

"Kartik! Aap! Yaha?"

(You! Here?)

Naina ran toward him, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. He caught her in his arms, lifting her off her feet for a second.

"Meri ek business meeting thi yaha. Coincidentally ussi din par jab tum yaha land krne wali thi. Toh maine socha ki kyu na apni biwi ko surprise kia jaaye."

(I had a business meeting here, coincidentally on the same day you were to land. So I thought to surprise my wife.)

"Aap na...pagal ho bilkul!"

(You are…absolutely crazy!)

Naina laughed, burying her face in his chest.

"Sirf tumhare liye."

(Only for you.)

He whispered, kissing her temple.

"Achha chalo, mujhe pata hai tumne dinner nhi kia hoga. Mujhe hamesha kehti ho khaana khaane ko, par khudka dhyan nhi rakhti."

(Ok come on, I know you wouldn’t have had your dinner. You ask me to eat one time, but never care about yourself.)

He led her to the center of the room where had spread a white silk sheet on the plush carpet. On it was a pot of Dal and Chawal, the one thing he knew she craved after a long international flight.

"Aapne...dal chawal mangwaye? Paris mai?"

(You…brought dal rice? In Paris?)

Naina asked, her eyes widening in disbelief. Her heart filled with warmth and deep love for the man in front of her.

"I called the best chef of this restaurant. Thoda extra pay krna pada, par meri biwi ke liye kuch bhi."

(I had to pay a little extra, but anything for my wife.)

Kartik bowed his head dramatically, sat her down and started serving her.

"Aur ab mai tumhe apne haathon se khilaunga."

(And now I will feed you from my hands.)

After dinner, despite her aching feet, Naina insisted they go for a walk. He wrapped his long coat around her shoulders, and they stepped out into the night. 

Kartik pulled her close, his arm around her waist.

They spent hours talking about their future, about the kids they might have one day, and how they would tell them that their Dad sat in Economy just to see their Mom work.

The next morning, Naina's alarm went off. She had to be back at the crew hotel to join the shuttle for the return flight.

"Nahi...bas paanch minute aur."

(No…just five more minutes.)

Kartik groaned, pulling the duvet over his head as Naina tried to get out of bed.

"Kartik, uthiye na! I can't be late. Reema 100 sawaal kregi. Aur mera career bhi at stake aa jaayega."

(Kartik, wake up!....Reema will ask me 100 questions. And my career will be at stake.)

Naina said, frantically trying to pin her hair back into its perfect bun.

"Career? Main owner hoon, main tumhe promote kar dunga."

(I am the owner, I will promote you.)

He teased, peeking from under the blanket with a naughty grin.

"Bilkul nahi! Mujhe apne dum par Senior Purser banna hai."

(Absolutely not! I want to become Senior Purser on my own.)

She scolded, though she was smiling. Kartik helped her gather her things. As they reached the lobby, Naina spotted a familiar uniform near the coffee station. It was Reema.

"Oh no! Reema waha hai! Kartik, chhupiye!"

(Reema is there! Kartik, hide!)

Naina hissed, pushing him behind a large marble pillar. She didn't want people to know about her relationship with him and give her unwanted attention and advantages.

"Naina? Tu itni upar se kyu aa rhi hai? Tera kamra toh second floor par tha na?"

(Where are you coming from? Your room was on the second floor, right?)

Reema's voice echoed through the lobby as she walked towards her.

Naina's heart stopped. She looked at Kartik, who was trying very hard not to laugh behind the pillar.

"Wo...Reema...actually...shayad kal ki medical emergency handling ki wajah se...mera room...upgrade ho gaya tha."

(Reema…actually…maybe because of handling the medical emergency…my room…was upgraded.)

Naina lied, her face turning bright red. Reema looked at her clearly not convinced at her answer.

"Ohh! Achha. Waise tera suitcase kaha hai?"

(Ohh! Ok. By the way where is your suitcase?)

Reema asked, suspicious. Kartik reached out from behind the pillar and slid Naina's suitcase toward her. It rolled across the marble floor perfectly to her feet. Naina grabbed it and started walking fast.

"Chal Reema! Bus nikal jaayegi! Baaki baatein baad mai krenge!"

(Come on Reema! The bus will leave! We will talk later!)

As Naina dragged a confused Reema toward the exit, she risked one last look back. Kartik was standing behind the pillar, blowing her a silent kiss.

Naina turned away, a huge smile on her face. Her feet still ached, and she was sleep-deprived, but as she boarded the crew bus, she felt like she was floating.

Paris was beautiful, but it was the man hiding behind marble pillars and ordering Dal Chawal in France who made her life feel like a fairytale.