Mr. Imperfectionist

13 Air Balloon

Sabil asked his driver to take a leave and he drove the black Audi. He didn't even take his bouncers with him today, which made me feel better. Like a normal common girl again. Living in his palace with staff around to take care of everything and to cook for me had actually started to make me feel queasy since I was used to working on my own. 

We reached Carrer de Montsio. My eyes sparkled as I got off the car and witnessed the wide green landscape. There were already two air balloons high up in the sky. I was excited but also anxious. We were going to be a thousand feet up in an open basket. I wasn't even sure if these air balloons were reliable. 

Sabil held my hand as we marched forward. A man in a black jacket and black hat came running towards us and shook hands with Sabil and me. Sabil spoke with him in Spanish. He nodded and it seemed like everything was arranged and ready.

"Let's go," Sabil said while freeing my hand from his and placed it around my waist. There were three more men who were getting the balloon ready for us. They started the gas and the huge flames flared making the gigantic red and yellow balloon puff up.

The instructor held his hand towards me. I caught his hand and he slowly directed me towards the wicker basket. I placed my foot on the hole that was meant for climbing in the basket and jumped inside.

Everything was normal until now. Sabil followed and stood beside me. Then the pilot got in and waved at someone. 

Sabil was speaking with the Pilot and I could feel the basket launching slowly from the ground. I exhaled sharply and looked below. The basket was shaking. The pilot screamed "Ready" and the balloon started to slowly fly. My stomach started churning. 

As we went fifty feet above I inhaled and exhaled and my back was rigid. Sabil noticed my nervousness and wrapped his hands around my stomach from the back and rested his chin on my right shoulder.

"Está bien Cariño. Breathe." He said. 

I realized my breathing was erratic. 

"Uhhh...Sabil... I'm scared." My voice breaking.

"Look at me." He held my shoulders and turned me around to face him. I looked at his absurdly gorgeous face and for that moment I forgot we were hundreds of feet up in the air. Sabil smiled softly and cupped my face.

"It's okay Cari, I'm here." He whispered looking me in the eye and I believed him. The disgusting feeling in my stomach was slowly settling. He brought his face closer and pressed his lips against mine. I held his shirt from both his waist and gave in to the kiss. My head whirled as I got the whiff of his perfume from closer and his tongue twisted with mine. I could hear the sound of the air but apart from that, it was so quiet.

I didn't even realize there was a Pilot with us in the basket. I was so engrossed in tasting his lips. Everything was now okay. 

After a minute he released my lips and gazed into my eyes.

"Look." He said and turned me around.

I looked at the brilliant picturesque and gasped. We were away from the world. Almost two thousand feet up. Everything looked tiny, even the mountains, and yet everything was so beautiful. I could see the sea, the city, the buildings, the greenery, the endless world before my eyes. The view was exquisite which made me smile wider. I made it to the top and was witnessing the beautiful world with someone I'd started to care about.

"Sabil, this is gorgeous," I said softly.

He kissed my shoulder, "I know." He whispered and then kissed my neck.

I was totally lost while looking at the picturesque view when something sparkling came in front of my eyes. I creased my brows and it took a moment to realize it was a glass of Champagne. 

I chuckled and took the glass and turned to look at Sabil. He raised his glass with his brilliant-breathtaking-mind boggling-makes my heart jump out of my chest smile.

I clicked my glass with him and we both took a sip without taking our eyes off each other.

"This is....well, this is amazing. I have no words Sabil." I placed my hand on his cheek. "Thank you," I whispered with a soft smile.

He shook his head softly. "Don't say that. You deserve everything. You deserve to be happy Cariño." He then planted a smooth kiss on my forehead.

I was lost in the moment of euphoria. My world was perfect. Even though just for today but it was. After about one and a half hours we landed back to the ground. We shook hands with everyone and I said "Gracias" to everyone which made Sabil chuckle and I elbowed him in the tummy.

Then we drove to the Gothic Quarter and then Park Guell. Time went by so quickly with Sabil. I had planned to explore Barcelona alone but I was lucky to find a tour guide in this beautiful human. It was easier to explore. He knew his history. Though I could hardly understand anything. I mostly just nodded blankly.

Later we went for dinner. I was hungry by now. Sabil was right. The view really was breathtaking. We settled on a table from where we could see the wide dark sea. There were candles lit on our table and a bunch of red roses set in a glass cylindrical in the middle. We ordered Paella Valenciana with Duck Meat, Tortilla Espanola, and a bottle of Albariño White.

The food was delicious. But of course, nothing compared to what Mario could cook. Sabil knew that too, but he got me here for the view. Our day was romantic. I knew it was wrong but it yet felt so right.

After dinner, Sabil took me to the mall.

"I really don't want to buy anything Sabil. I was here for the shooting, that's why I'm carrying only a few clothes." I tried to protest.

"Cariño. I told you it's a gift from my side. Now come on, start picking the dresses." He said and dragged me towards the elevator by holding my hand.

"Just one dress," I said.

"Nope." 

We got off on the second floor. He toed me towards the aisle where they had long dresses. He picked a few and handed them to me to try and see if it fits. He forcefully bought me many dresses, blouses, perfumes, footwear, and an Emporio Armani watch.

"Sabil, I cant take these from you. I've been independent since I was nineteen. I can't let you buy all these things for me." I said while he was choosing a pair of jeans for me.

"This is the least I can do for you Saanj." He said and then held the stone-wash jeans before me.

"Here. Try this, I'm sure it will look good on you." He winked.

I rolled my eyes at him. "You have already bought me so many dresses. I don't need denim now."

"Take this and go to the trial room. Right now." He ordered.

I took the jeans from his hand at once and walked towards the trial room. It fitted perfectly. He gave me more five jeans while I was still in the trial room. He made me keep all of those in my basket. 

I decided to buy something for Mom and Anubhav. I bought some shirts and denim for Anubhav and for Mom I bought a Gucci perfume and threw pairs of sandals. 

We were both waiting in the queue for the billing. I got a call from home. 

"Don't pay for these items. These are for my family. I'll be right back." I warned Sabil and went towards the elevator to speak with Anubhav. 

After disconnecting the call I turned and rammed against someone while I was about to walk.

"I'm really sorry." He said. I looked at him. He was Indian. A little taller than me, brown skin, dark hair, dark eyes, and sharp features.

I smiled. "No, it's my fault. My eyes were on my phone."

"Are you Indian?" He asked with a smile.

I nodded. "Yes."

He held his hand forward. "My name is Akhil."

I shook hands with him. "Nice to meet you Akhil. I'm Saanj. Are you here for a vacation?" I asked.

He smiled broadly. "I was here for a business meeting. Thought of buying some gifts for my family before I leave. What about you?"

"Oh, I was here for a shoot. But then stayed back to explore." I said and sneaked a look at Sabil over Akhil's shoulder. He was looking at me. His expressions were unreadable.

"That sounds interesting. Spain is a beautiful country. How long are you planning to stay?" Akhil asked and placed his right hand inside his brown leather jacket's pocket.

"I'm leaving the day after," I answered hurriedly. Sabil's gaze was making me uncomfortable.

"Well, I'm here for three more days. If you don't mind, we can meet tomorrow and I could take you for dinner or something." Akhil offered.

I was appalled by his boldness. We had just met and he was already getting so friendly.

I shook my head. "I cant. I'm here with my boyfriend." 

"Oh!" He said. I glanced at him for a moment. His eyes were on me and looked embarrassed. I peeked at Sabil again and he was second in the line, not looking at me anymore.