<font size="2">Hey guys! I have written after a long time. I will continue
my ffs after sometime. I intended this to be an os but I really don't know what
it is now. I will be punctual with this one, hopefully! You know my writing and
this one is among that line. But please read and drop in your views. N do tell
me whether I should continue or not' </font>
<font size="4"> Love, love and only love!!</font>
He can't
quite believe his eyes. Is he in some kind of vision, a daydream? It is not
possible, is it? There she is. Standing right in front of him and looking at
him. But there is no chance she will know who he is. How will she know? She has
never seen him. Only he had. Arjun could still remember that day in the beach
like that scene is forever etched into his memory. He is not like the usual
boys, spending his whole day working and whole night partying. He belongs to a
nearly extinct species or the one that is only evolving and he is among the
first few. He owns the company that is passed down to him by his forefathers,
bestowed with a destiny that is the destiny of every Singhania first born. The
Singhanian Empire and estate is the sole responsibility of the first male child
of the family. Of course, the other children do get their rights but the first
born has several other privileges and responsibilities. And it is quite notable
that for many generations the family begot only one male child, only one to take
the empire forward. A single child scheme has been going on in the family for
centuries and maybe that's why all the Singhanias have books as their boon
companion. The massive library with its impressive dcor houses thousands of
books in different languages about a wide range of subjects. They are not only
rich businessmen but also highly knowledgeable scholars. They are frequently
invited to give lectures in many famous universities. This is only a speck of
knowledge about his family. And it is said only to inform the readers that he
has grown up among books under strict discipline but nevertheless enjoying his
time with his books. Arjun has been fulfilling his share of responsibilities
dutifully. He has taken the company forward in many ways, explored new realms
of business possibilities and has also indulged in expanding his knowledge base.
He is reclusive but that doesn't mean in any way that he is meek or quiet.
He saw her
in Mauritius where he was forcefully sent for a vacation by his father Rudra Pratap
Singhania. Mr. Singhania is a well respected businessman, scholar and
philanthropist. Everyone is betting their money on the fact that Arjun will
exactly be like his father. Arjun himself is sure of that. He respects and
follows his dad that much. But this story is not about Arjun's relation with
his father but it's about her. He first saw her in the sugar sands of
Mauritius. He was standing in the beach watching the sea waters washing his
feet and reclining back to the sea. He was in his favorite light blue long
sleeved shirt which was rolled up till his elbows and his khaki pants which was
rolled up till his knees. The first few buttons of his shirt were open. His
hair was little messy because of the light breeze. He continued watching the
waters washing away the sands around him through his wayfarer. He was feeling
light and there was a good conviction going on in his head that something good
was about to happen.
His
transcended mind was disturbed by the music flowing from the guitar of a
faraway person. He turned to locate the source but his eyes never reached their
supposed destination as they got stuck to their true destiny. He saw her. No,
he didn't see her emerging from the ocean like a water nymph. He saw her few
meters away from him on the beach walking. The light breeze that was ruffling
his hairs was also ruffling her long auburn hair. She was wearing a transparent
white shirt whose sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, just like him. Her
bikini was subtly visible through the translucent material. She had teamed her
white shirt with a khaki Capri. This seeming similarity was what attracted him
to her. She was wading through the sands lazily taking in the smell of the
beach and the serenity that was pervading in that slightly secluded area. She
was walking unaware of the world and the pair of eyes that was watching her.
She kept on walking until a group of young men and women came running towards
her. He watched as she comfortably slipped herself into the noise of that crowd
and laughed with them oblivious of him.
He wasn't in
love with her. He didn't believe in love at first sight. What was she to him? A
beautiful dream he saw in Mauritius. She was the most serene scene he had ever
seen. The memory that relaxes him. But no he is not in love. He just loved to
remember her and now most probably see her, watch her, and relive serenity.
Arjun never
thought he would ever see her again. But here she is. Six months have passed
since he had first met her. Or saw her. She extended her hands forward and
introduced herself.
"Hi, I am
Arohi, Arohi Ahluwalia. I believe Mr. Sharma has already called you? I will be
the one who will be taking that family interview."
"Arjun,
Arjun Singhania."
"I know. You
don't need an introduction. The good boy among the bad boys of the business
world!" She said with a genuine smile. He observed the twinkle in her eyes
while she smiled.
"Times
Magazine, last issue. They made me out to be a saint!" Arjun said with a
chuckle. He continued, "So, you work for Sharma Publications?"
Arohi again
sent a small smile in his direction and nodded her head. "Climbing the ladders
of success slowly and steadily! I was specially asked by Mr. Sharma himself to
take your family's interview!" Arohi stopped for a moment and said, "He
believes other people involved in the making of 'Exclusive Interviews of the
Exclusive' will savage the Singhanias if given the chance!"
"So you must
be in his 'very good' books as Sharma uncle is dad's close friend and I know he
is very particular about our family's reputation!" He said not moving his eyes
from her face.
Arohi slightly
nodded her head as in approval but slightly embarrassed of the same. She sat
down when Arjun indicated her to sit down opposite him. They talked for hours about
his family, his forefathers and about the impressive Singhania estate. Arohi
noted down everything that Arjun was saying. He could see sheer dedication in
her eyes for her work. He watched as she nodded her head while listening to him
and taking notes. She was wearing a white long sleeved blouse and a black
pencil skirt. Her hair was tied in a ponytail with few stray strands tucked
behind her ears. A simple black watch adorned her left hand which was her only
accessory apart from a tiny diamond earring perked on gold. Her style was very
appealing to him. Modesty has its charms. He kept on watching her as he spoke
about his family's century old legacy like a robot. His whole attention was
centered on her and the concentration she showed to her work. This was new to
Arjun. Even after not being a playboy he had a huge female following. He had seen
females gawking at him openly. All those batting eyelashes and winks have only
made Arjun to bang his head on the walls. He was in search of a partner not a
beauty queen. He wanted someone with whom he can have intelligent talks, share
his feelings, and discuss the philosophies that guide their lives. He is a very
open minded person and never held any kind of prejudice against anyone. He
waits enough to know a person but till now he hadn't met a girl who has all
those qualities. He needed someone who need not be like him but still should
have the openness to accept his likes and with a genuine interest to share hers
with him. He has many friends who are like him but they all lack that extra
something he is looking for. That extra little twinkle in the eyes and heart.
"May be you
will get a picture of what I am saying if you see our home and meet my family.
Can we go there now?" Arjun asked.
"But its few
kilometers out of city, right? How will I come back as I am sure I won't get a
taxi there and it is already evening?" Arohi said with a little doubt.
"Miss
Ahluwalia, I am gentleman enough to drop you back." He said with a smile
reassuring her.
"Arohi, you
can call me Arohi!" She said and picked up her bag to go, telling Arjun she is
ready.
Arjun pulled
into the long driveway of his estate out of city. The Singhanias loved to live
in the privacy of their huge mansion surrounded by their expansive estate. The
mansion was renovated from time to time maintaining its original look yet
adding modern facilities. Arjun grinned hearing a barely audible gasp from
Arohi. She hadn't anticipated such a place to be his abode even though she knew
Singhanias were filthy rich and their wealth was passed down from generations.
They are aristocrats of modern day. But she also knew despite their wealth and
fame they weren't rude or arrogant. They valued people for what they do not for
what their ancestors did. She was of the belief that such people had extinct
but she knew better now.
Arjun pulled
his car to a stop and asked his servant to park it. He saw a glint of respect
in Arohi's eyes for him. She was stumped by the way he asked his servant to
park the car. There wasn't a touch of haughtiness in his voice. This is what
she was said to expect from a Singhania. Her boss had already debriefed her
about the modesty and humble nature of this family. They were rich, smart,
intelligent and beautiful people, from both inside and outside. Arjun guided
her into the living room of his home. The interiors of the house were decorated
with elegance and beauty. Arohi was taking in the beauty of the place when
Arjun sent servants to inform his family of Arohi's arrival.
Arohi was
looking at the pictures of Arjun's ancestors adorning the walls. She could see
the opulence of this family in those pictures. She had never imagined she would
ever see a house like this. She belonged to a middle class family and her major
asset was her education, her thirst for knowledge. She loved books and
therefore decided to join the publishing sector. She had fought her way through
obstacles, passing all trials and tribulations. After completing her Master's
she joined the Sharma's and worked for two years in Delhi and then she was
asked to join their office in New York. There she worked for two years and a
week earlier she was asked to come back to India to join the Mumbai office to
write the book alongside other few. She knew she was entrusted with a great
responsibility and wanted to prove her mettle. This was a chance given to her
to prove that she has that extra special something to thrive in this world. She
has sacrificed many things for this. Her mother constantly complained about her
not getting married as all her friends have, even the boys! But her mother knew
she won't be happy if she is forced to do something so she never forced her. She
had a history of acting without thinking when forced into something. The truth
was she never found anyone that matched her wavelength. She remembered her
first and last boyfriend Aman. He was a good guy but certainly wasn't the one. Arohi
came out of her thoughts when Arjun cleared his throat to gain her attention.
She mentally kicked herself for trailing away from her duty.
Arjun was
watching her observing the pictures but he could make out she was thinking
something else. When his sister Rashi arrived he cleared his throat to catch
her attention. She turned around and greeted her. His mom, dad and dadi were
off to some family friend's house. Rashi and she slipped into a cozy chat about
the house and their lives. Arjun couldn't stop his smile as he saw his only
sister chatting infectiously with Arohi. Rashi was the girl child born to the
Singhanias after many generations so she was the apple of everyone's eyes,
especially Arjun. So he was very happy to see the excitement on Rashi's face
while speaking to Arohi. However little had he spoken with Arohi he was smitten
by her. She was a very good listener, something that made her exceptionally
good at her job.
Arohi was shown the entire mansion by Rashi
and Arjun and they also discussed some interesting stories about their family. She
didn't know how time went by talking with this wonderful family.
"So Rashi
what's your plan after college? It's nearly ended, right?" Arohi asked while
sipping the tea offered to her.
"Plan? I have
no plan whatsoever!!! Don't be like my brother! He is always asking me to do
something, some career!" Rashi whined away.
"Your
brother is right. You should be independent!" Arohi said unable to understand
Rashi's point of view.
"I am a
Singhania! Why would I need to have a job or career! It's all set for me!"
Rashi replied nonchalantly.
Arohi was a
little taken aback but still she put her mind out, "That's not an adequate
reason to not have a career. It's not always for money. Sometimes it is purely
for the confidence and assurance you get from having to work. You should
respect work and as far as possible should do it. It's like our mothers working
in the kitchen. They do it not for the lack of servants or other people but
simply for the confidence or satisfaction they derive from it. That's what one
should expect from one's work then success will follow on its own!"
Rashi was
silent for a moment or so. She stared at Arohi for a full minute and said with
a smile, "I will certainly think about it!"
Arohi too smiled
back but with a sense of achievement. She was sure Rashi would change her
decision as for the first time she was forced to think.
"I think I should
abandon this career and become a motivational speaker!" Arohi said looking at
the surprised expression of Arjun.
Arjun smiled
widely hearing her out. Once again the trio slipped into a comfortable chat.
***
"Beatles was
definitely better than Rolling Stones!" Arohi said with finality.
"What! No way!
Have you ever heard a Rolling song?" Arjun asked as if Arohi said something
utterly rubbish.
"No' but I am
pretty sure they can't be anywhere near Beatles! Besides have you ever heard
Beatles?" Arohi throw back the question.
"I don't
need to!! I know Rolling Stones are better!!!" Arjun said with an air of
know-it-all.
"Oh really!!
I don't think so Mr. Know-it-all!!" Arohi retorted back.
"Rolling
Stones!"
"Beatles!"
"Rolling'"
"Beatle'"
"Will you
two stop it!!" Rashi almost screamed to stop the two.
Both Arjun
and Arohi looked at Rashi and realized that they have been going on like
teenagers fighting over their favorite band. They were embarrassed and Arohi
realized she just fought with someone she was not supposed to. Realizing the
mistake she made in her line of duty she was ready to apologize. But she made a
mental note that after this interview is over she will make him listen to
Beatles and will literally force him to change his opinion!
Before she
could apologize Arjun cut her off by saying, "Don't apologize! No one has ever
argued with me like that. They all keep that distance with me! I don't like
that but this argument was something I really enjoyed! Thanks for making me
feel normal!"
The sincerity
with which he said that made her smile from her heart. She was really impressed
by this amazing man.
"Please stop
your 'thank you-s' and 'sorry-s'!! I am bored! Till now you have been asking
questions Arohi now let me do that!" Rashi said grinning.
Arohi was
surprised but she decided to play along. There followed a rapid session with
Rashi sending arrows of questions at Arohi.
"Favorite
color?"
"Red"
"Favorite
hangout?"
"Milan's
near my house!"
"Show?"
"Actually
shows. 'Kitani Mohabbat Hai' n 'Supernatural'!"
"You are a
fan of 'Supernatural'?" Arjun asked before Rashi could ask her next question.
"Here goes
again!" Rashi muttered under her breath.
"Yep!!! Arjun
said sheepishly.
"I can't
believe Arjun Singhania watches TV n that too 'Supernatural'??" Arohi said
teasing him.
"So what! It's
a thriller kinda show! Hey'"
"Dean or
Sam?" Rashi piped in before Arjun and got a scowl from him.
"Dean!! A hundred
times Dean!!!" Arohi said like a teenager.
"Any other
favorite band other than Beatles?" Rashi said not giving Arjun a chance.
"Yeah. Led Zepplin!"
"Led
Zepplin?" Rashi asked. She had never heard of them but Arjun's face lit up. Led
Zepplin was his favorite too.
"It's an old
band and my dad's favorite! He made me listen to them." Arohi said remembering
her childhood.
Their banter
continued till late and it was only with the arrival of Arjun's dad, mom and
dadi that they got any idea of time. Arohi hurriedly took her bag after
greeting the elders and a quick round of introduction. She left with Arjun with
a promise to return soon.
***
chapter 1 - above
chapter 2 - page 3
chapter 3 - page 7
chapter 4 - page 13
chapter 5 - page 17
imp note - page 17
chapter 6 - page 21
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