Chapter 1: The Morning After The Storm
A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D
Happy Reading! :D :D
Ranveer opened his eyes slowly and looked around the room, wondering where he was for a minute before he felt the weight of something against his chest. He looked down to see a tuft of black hair in the darkness, its waves falling freely upon his arm while her hands remained clutched upon his shirt, glowing white in the impenetrable darkness of the wee hours in the morning. He couldn't help but smile to himself slowly as the scent of vanilla and roses remain as prevalent as always, a sign of her presence.
He sighed as he gingerly got upon his knees along with
swinging her legs from underneath her carefully, making sure to not disturb her
sleep. He held her in his arms bridal style and laid her upon the bed gently,
tucking her up with a blanket while he stared at the clock - 3:35AM. He yawned
tiredly as he pulled away the stray strands of hair from upon her face and
tucked them behind her ears, staring at her unfathomable features in worry. He
quickly searched for a free piece of paper by the bedside drawer alongside with
a pen, thanking his stars that he found them soon enough. Pulling off the cap
quickly, he scribbled a note for Ishaani in his characteristically slant
handwriting, leaving it beside the table for her to read when she woke up.
Ishaani,
If you're reading this, I hope that you had a good sleep after all. In case you're wondering whether last night was a dream, it definitely wasn't, and I'm leaving behind my vest as proof. I need to get back to my hotel now for reasons we both know best, so I'll be borrowing your car for now and have my driver drop it back first thing in the morning. I'll be instructing your helpers to feed you well so make sure to have your food on time and don't put up any unnecessary fuss. And make sure to change the bandages as well. Stay home and rest today, and I'll come to meet you once work is done.
See you soon,
Ranveer
Ranveer quickly capped the pen as he kissed her goodbye upon the forehead, mentally relieved that she hadn't contracted a temperature that was usual for her whenever she was pushed over the limit of her emotional capacity. But then again, a lot had changed in all these years, including themselves. Sighing, Ranveer quickly slipped on his blazer and buttoned it up to hide the blood marks upon his shirt while he neatly placed his vest upon the chair of the dressing table unit. Ranveer shut the door behind him softly as he made his way towards the servants' quarters, feeling extremely guilty for waking the helpers up from their sleep but knowing that it was crucial.
He looked around the corridor, his eyes instantly travelling in the direction of his room that he saw was now locked, wondering why it was so in the first place. He walked further towards the room where he remembered Vinod Kaka lodging at and rapped at it thrice, still unsure about what he was going to say about his unannounced presence. The door opened to reveal a woman in her early thirties, looking timid and frightened at the presence of the strange man. Before he could say anything though, another head popped behind her that was thankfully Vinod Kaka's. He noticed that there were three more people asleep in the room.
"Ranveer baba, how is-" began the old man and Ranveer quickly spoke in an urgent whisper.
"She's asleep now. But I need you to take care of her and make sure that she has her food properly, even though she's going to put up a terrible fight about it. Even give her a glass of Electrol - it always helps her. I'll leave now," he added, yawning softly as he looked at his watch - 3:50AM.
"Ranveer baba, it's ten to four! How'll you-" protested the old man as he looked at the clock behind but Ranveer shook his head swiftly.
"Can I borrow one of the cars for tonight? My driver will leave it back home first thing in the morning," he assured
The old man eagerly nodded his head and exited the room alongside Ranveer, leading him to the cabinet where the keys were kept. Taking one of them off the hook, he handed it over to Ranveer.
"Here you go. Drive safe, baba."
Ranveer nodded his head as he accepted the keys from the old man and bid him goodnight, not without apologizing about disturbing their sleep first. He walked towards the parking lot as he reminisced more about the old days, wondering where exactly had life taken him after all in all these years. Spotting the car finally, he quickly unlocked it and took his seat at the drivers' spot, briefly marvelling at the fact that Ishaani had managed to buy her favourite brand of automobile after all - the BMW.
Revving the car and leading it upon the road, Ranveer spent the rest of the journey in pensive thinking as the entire scene from the previous night played before his eyes. It only left him disturbed and unsettled along with a bubbling pit of an emotion he felt apart from fear - hatred. Hatred for the man who'd done this to his moon. And he'd make sure to tear him apart limb for limb for even trying to dare. So many things now made sense to him when it came to Ishaani's professional achievements and he couldn't help but marvel at her daring to defy all the odds and emerge victorious like the way she did.
He brought the car to a halt at the entrance of the Taj as he got down and let the valet take over while, making his way to the seventh floor with his mind quiet all of a sudden. He knew what he needed to steady his nerves after everything that had happened. Walking through the lobby in purposeful silence as his mind refused to say anything anymore, he brought his feet to halt at long last - not in front of his own room, but in the room opposite his own. He was barely aware about taking off his blazer for the second time that night as he felt suffocated, rapping at the door thrice. The door opened abruptly at the fourth knock, revealing Finch standing on the opposite end in a green sweatshirt and black tracks.
"Vaghela! Where have you been? Do you even have any idea how I've- Wait, is that blood upon your clothes? Good Almighty, what the hell have you been up to? Who did you murder?"
Ranveer felt his vision blur dangerously the moment his knees buckled, his fall being broken from somewhere far off as a pair of hands held him and dragged him somewhere. He had no sense of being for the next few minutes as he felt someone shove something into his hand and force that something upon his lips until some kind of liquid flowed through that, burning against his throat and zapping him out from the spell of dizziness. Finch swam back into focus, looking petrified.
"Are you alright?"
"This is one f**ked up business, Finch," replied Ranveer groggily as he drained his entire glass in a go. Finch ran over to the bar and brought him a refill as he noticed Ranveer's hands beginning to shake.
"Drink up, drink up. You need it," he added as Ranveer drained the second glass of whiskey as well, shutting his eyes and opening them after an infinitesimal amount of time. Finch noticed that the colour had returned upon the latter's face as his cheeks looked slightly flushed.
"Better?"
"Yeah," replied Ranveer, looking at Finch dumbstruck as to how to best phrase words into sentences.
Finch, on the other hand, noticed the dilemma upon his face and didn't bother being subtle about it as the haggard state of his friend only seemed to terrify him more.
RV had never lost control like this in six years.
"Would you mind telling me what the f**k is going on?"
"Get yourself a glass of whiskey too. You're going to need it," warned Ranveer as he let his head fall upon the plush head rest.
Finch brought the entire bottle of whiskey from the bar top along with an extra glass as he poured both of them a generous measure of it. Ranveer took another sip from his glass as he plunged into the details of what had elapsed the previous day, right from his cancelled meeting with Piyush to him returning back from the Parekh Mansion, skimping upon the details of Ishaani's self-harm. But Finch caught on to it anyway as he heard Ranveer's entire narration patiently.
"Holy mother of- what kind of messed up shit is this?" was all Finch could comment after five minutes of Ranveer completing his narration, looking at him as though he was clearing seeing him for the first time.
"I don't know what to do, Greg. I mean all those years, I thought that she always saw me as a-" began Ranveer but abandoned the sentence as the word refused to leave his lips. Instead, he chose to opt for a different ending to his previous sentence. "-that she never loved me or even considered me as a friend after that night. And then there's the previous night and the confession and... Oh God, this is so messed up," moaned Ranveer tiredly as he let his head fall into his palms, shaking it in bewilderment as he suddenly seemed incapable of understanding anything else.
"I can definitely see that you've bid adieu to RV for tonight," remarked Finch seriously as he stared at Ranveer's troubled expression in worry.
Even though it was a positive sign that Ranveer was finally emoting the way he was supposed to be doing so, Finch was worried that too much was changing too quickly too and too suddenly, and if something went awry here for either him or Ishaani, things between them would get irrevocable.
"She chased him away to kingdom comb," replied Ranveer, halfway torn between amusement and fright, both the men letting out an uneasy chuckle.
"I knew she'd do that sooner or later. But where does Ranveer stand right now, mate?" asked Finch, the worry in his voice not gone amiss by Ranveer as he raised his chocolate orbs to meet the crystal blue ones before him that could so ably see the storm that his mind was raging against his heart.
"What do you mean?" asked Ranveer lamely and Finch rolled his eyes at him.
"You know what I mean. I can see the glimpse of the old Ranveer back in you. Not the dead one, but the one who lived for Ishaani. But I'm assuming that things are only going to get more complicated? You've only gotten over one obstacle last night with the beginning of clarifications - knowing that she loved you all along. But it's going to take a lot more than that till things start beginning to stabilize, I'm guessing."
"We're both damaged goods, Finch. It's not going to be the same in between us ever again, and we both know it. It's why we're hurting all the more," confessed Ranveer after some time, draining the last remnants from the bottle into his glass and chugging it down in one go.
"As long as there's love alive between both of you, I'm sure that the two of you can find your way to each other again," spoke Finch curiously as he noted the expression upon Ranveer's face.
He looked stricken.
"It's never that easy to let go, Finch. And what happened to us in these eight years ever since I left the Parekh Mansion for Sydney is something that changed the course of both our lives, our confrontation on the terrace six and a half years ago sealing our fate. It's not something we can let go of because that night defines who we are today. It's just too complicated and fragile and f**ked up," repeated Ranveer, shaking his head vehemently as though hoping that the problem would go away by shaking his head hard enough.
"How is she doing now?" asked Finch after some time when both of them elapsed into an uncomfortable silence, Ranveer shuttling halfway through sleep and staying awake.
"She's asleep, thankfully. I've given her helpers all the necessary instructions," he replied, his voice fatigued. The emotional drain had taxed him out completely, something that even a day's lack of sleep seemed incapable of doing to him.
"And what about-" he began uncertainly and Ranveer understood the question.
"The scalpel? Threw it out," he replied vaguely, his repulsed expression not gone amiss by the latter. The thought of the scalpel alone seemed to set Ranveer's teeth on edge as his heart seemed to fall cold, especially after the vivid red that Ishaani had painted around him with it.
"What's to say that she won't try-"
"She won't. I know her well enough. She won't try it again. Atleast not right now. But I definitely need to talk to her about it," he added, looking at Finch seriously as he rubbed his temples tiredly. Finch remained silent for a few more minutes before he couldn't keep to it himself any longer.
"You're both crackpots! I was planning on sending you to Monica for getting yourself evaluated with this insomnia obsession of yours, but I think I'll package both of you to Sydney now. No wonder you guys are so entwined in fate. Peas of a pod. Meant to be."
"Yeah, thanks for the evaluation, mate," shot back Ranveer, rolling his eyes at Finch.
"I've got your back," replied Finch smartly as he chuckled softly, Ranveer giving him a grudging smile as the two friends looked at each other in understanding. Some things went beyond words and actions, and that was how Ranveer summed his bond with Finch. They didn't need to say anything at all. They just understood.
"Would you mind getting me another glass?"
Finch nodded his head as he stood up and walked towards the bar, refilling the glass up to half its capacity as he sighed tiredly, thanking his stars that Ranveer was alright. The fright that he'd had when Ranveer hadn't turned up through the night, the last call being with a frenzied Ranveer across the line asking for Ishaani had only left him with bad vibes. But he was here and alright now and that was all that mattered. Perhaps it would be the beginning of a better tomorrow for him and Ishaani. Perhaps.
Finch turned around to take the glass from Ranveer when he noticed that he'd already fallen asleep, his head dangling upon his shoulder awkwardly while his arm fell out from the chair. Finch shook his head as he walked towards Ranveer and quickly pulled his arm around his shoulder, supporting him towards the bed and letting him fall upon the mattress graciously. He quickly freed him off of his shoes and tie, tucking him up with the plush sheets of the room. Years of tucking each other up into bed when the other was inebriated out of their senses always came in handy and tonight was no different.
And as he stared at Ranveer sleeping away with a peace that he saw upon his face after nearly seven years, Finch knew what had to be done.
An overdue lunch from his end was in order.
-x-
Ishaani stood in front of the mirror at exactly quarter past seven, straightening out her navy blue frill blouse shirt that remained tucked underneath the black pantaloons she wore, the black stilettos giving her outfit the edge while she began doing her hair up in a pony. She hissed in pain as she felt the wounds pull from underneath the bandages, thanking her stars that the blouse was thick and dark enough for the colour of blood to not be too evident even if she bled through any of the bandages.
She gingerly pulled her hair into a neat ponytail as she stared at her reflection, the sanity in her eyes relaxing. She'd woken up abruptly from her sleep at half past six, wondering where she was until the memories from the previous night flashed through her mind, leaving her distressed and panic-stricken until she found Ranveer's note upon the bedside table. Reading it had been assuring as she could see the curves of his handwriting, something that she knew she was going to cherish for now as her eyes fell upon the vest kept neatly on the chair of her dressing table unit.
And somehow, even as she shut her eyes and let herself live through the ordeal of the previous night, it didn't seem to affect her that much anymore. There was a strange solace in her heart that was working its effect for now. She no longer needed the scalpel to be in control of herself - Ranveer's embrace had done the job the previous night.
Remembering the chaos and mess she'd left the washroom in, she'd quickly walked over to the washroom to notice that it was spotless, even though she couldn't remember cleaning up any of the bloody mess the previous night. So all she did was take another shower and redo fresh bandages on her wounds, happy that they'd already begun drying up.
And as she stood in front of the mirror all dressed up, she sighed to herself contentedly. Maybe all was not lost, after all. Maybe, there was still the tiniest glimmer of hope left for herself and Ranveer. Nothing was ever going to be the same anymore and yet nothing much had changed either when it came to their love for each other. It couldn't be expressed, what was between them now, but it could be felt. Oh yes, it could be felt. And somehow, it seemed to do the job of an adrenaline rush as the moments from the previous night only evoked a strengthened hope in her heart, helping her find the will to fight again with renowned vigour.
Chirag Mehta had to pay the price of destroying their lives. There was no other way. And she'd make sure to make him pay for everything he'd ever done to her or Ranveer, and in all coldness, fighting tooth and nail for a future that was snatched away from her so ruthlessly. She may have had her moment of weakness the previous night, but Ranveer's unspoken love had saved her through his actions. And she trusted that unbriddled love enough to know that it'd help them sail through the ordeal.
But Chirag Mehta had to pay for everything first.
Ishaani finished her final touch up in the form of her eyeliner before walking out of her room, shutting behind the memories of the previous night to escape through the window. She'd walked through the night and watched the dawn break through - it was her time to strike gold now. She walked towards the kitchen where Mala had already laid down a heavy breakfast for her, telling her that she was under strict orders to make her complete her breakfast. Ishaani had half a mind to protest but she was too preoccupied to put up an argument. Her mind now remained torn between the blueprints for the diamond consignment as well as the art exhibition that was about to happen.
Chugging down half of her breakfast with a glass of orange juice, Ishaani quickly handed down certain specific instructions to Mala for the night before finding herself in the car by 7:40. She revved up the speed of her car, hoping to reach the office by eight to be a part of the board meeting, provided Ranveer allowed her to attend it. Her car rounded up around the corner of the parking lot at exactly five minutes to eight, her long strides getting her into the office at dot point eight as all her employees jumped from their seats in their usual fits of shock, the men eyeing her with their usual fancy.
She met Puneet outside her cabin, who had his head buried into the file he was studying until he happened to look up and find her standing right in front of him. She was grateful that he didn't squeak or job in fright.
"Ma'am! What are you- I thought you weren't- Mr. RV said that-" stuttered Puneet but fell silent when Miss Parekh cocked her eyebrow at him quizzically.
"Where is he?"
"He's on the way. We have the meeting re-scheduled for eight thirty," replied Puneet hastily while she stared at him in all seriousness. He knew that it was one of those days where nobody was meant to cross her path.
"I'll be in the conference room then. Tell him to meet me over there the moment he touches foot in the office. Understood?" asked Miss Parekh, and Puneet nodded his head just as Rishi passed through there, looking rather harried in her opinion.
He greeted her the same way Puneet did, and all she did was roll her eyes at her two henchmen. She asked Rishi in addition to direct RV to the conference room with an urgency not gone amiss by either, both the men now looking hesitant suddenly.
The fiasco from the previous meeting was forgotten by no one.
"But ma'am, he won't allow-" began Rishi and all she did was throw him an icy stare that froze the words upon his lips.
"I'm sure that I can come to an agreement with Mr. RV on this, Mr. Oberoi. Off you two go now and give me the details about the consignment due to Sydney that's up in the status report yesterday."
Rishi and Puneet nodded his head as they quickly scampered away to their respective cabins while Miss Parekh made her way towards the conference room with a broad smile upon her face. She was happy that Ishaani had been left behind at the threshold of office for the one who'd entered was Miss Parekh, in usual command of everything and everyone around her, including herself. Reveling in the power of the unexpected emancipation, she stared outside the window as the sun bathed her completely in its light, giving her its blessings for the day as she embarked upon the last leg of her mission.
It was payback time.
-x-
Ranveer and Finch sat in silence as the car rounded up near the office, both of them lost in thought. Ranveer had managed to wake up at exactly seven, snapping out from his slumber in shock as he remembered about the meeting that was due in an hour and a half. Quickly running over to his room and getting freshened up, Ranveer met Finch at the breakfast lobby in a navy blue three-piece suit, a gradient tie of a lighter shade giving his attire an extra edge. Finch had donned a dark grey three-piece with a black tie, accentuating his lawyer-like look even more.
Quickly gobbling down his breakfast as he felt his stomach rumble violently from not having eaten since the previous afternoon, Ranveer made sure to cover up for it sufficiently. No conversation took place as they continued to eat, Ranveer knowing that he had to get his mind to function properly, dispelling all trace of any sort of intoxication from the previous night. Once breakfast was complete and stomachs full, the two of them headed out of the hotel and settled into the car, the driver redirected them to the office. Ranveer had left behind instructions for another chauffeur to take back Ishaani's car to her place as he noted down the address and handed it over to the driver in question, noticing in amusement yet another perk of being who he was today - an elite customer of the reputed hotel.
As the car found its way upon the road, Ranveer couldn't help but let his thoughts dart towards Ishaani time and again, wondering whether she was alright or no. He had half a mind to phone her and enquire about her health, but he didn't have the heart to call her up and break her sleep lest she was sleeping. But the truth was, he didn't want to talk to her on the phone, not when all he wanted was to see her once and make sure that she was alright. Finch could notice the timely distress that kept flickering across his friend's face but for the first time, he felt relieved of that distress. It only meant that his friend was successfully turning human once again, getting in touch to a side he'd long since abandoned.
And as the car rounded towards the office, Ranveer couldn't help but feel a sanity in the insanity. There was a strange calm in his heart in spite of whatever that had happened the previous night, giving him a solace like none before. It was as though his heart had finally felt the burden of pain reduce on its own, no special requirement of alcohol required to keep his nerves steady. Or even the requirement to keep up the facade of RV, for that matter. He felt his mind function as fast as always, perhaps a little more so today in light of whatever had happened in these past few days. And if his suspicions were correct like he knew they were in his guts, that'd only speed up the process of his own little vengeance that had double the weightage to it now.
Ranveer and Finch got down from the car and walked towards the premises at exactly a quarter to eight, a smile upon the former's face. Finch could feel Ranveer gradually fade away in essence as they got closer and closer, RV taking over once again as was rite in those past six and a half years. At the threshold of the office, Finch turned his head beside to see a cold smile upon his friend's face, his eyes suddenly fearless. He smiled to himself, amused, even though his smile went amiss by RV as they entered the lift.
"I see that RV had no problem finding his way back again today," remarked Finch cheekily as RV straightened out his tie by taking the help of the mirror latched behind the lift.
"My mentor always told me to never mix up the strands of one's personal and professional life because that always meant doom," replied RV smartly and all Finch did was snort at him in exasperation.
"Yeah, the pompous ass is back. Bienvenue," added Finch in a badly mutilated French accent that made RV cringe. Shaking his head at his multi-related companion in amusement, RV couldn't help but throw a taut jibe with his next statement.
"Your French sucks. Stick to English, please," he added unsympathetically, giving Finch a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.
Finch gave him the middle finger in return, both friends smirking at each other as their banter was drawn to an end with the lift announcing the arrival of their destination. The doors parted as RV and Finch walked along the tastefully decorated corridor before entering the office, the same bolt of shock hitting the employees as they shot up suddenly, wishing both the men good morning. RV nodded his head curtly as both of them continued to walk towards the cabin allotted to the former without breaking their stride even once until Puneet stopped them.
"Good morning, sirs. Miss Parekh has asked you to meet her in the conference room," he added as he turned to address RV, looking slightly uneasy as though afraid that he'd be fired for simply being the one to inform RV that she'd made it to the office when she was supposed to call in sick for the day.
"Miss Parekh?" muttered both the men in shock as they looked at Puneet disbelievingly.
"Yes, she arrived fifteen minutes ago. She said that she had something to talk to you about," he addressed once again, confused about the reactions he'd just received but he chose to remain silent anyway. He knew better than to question either RV or Miss Parekh by now.
"Is there anybody else in the cabin?" asked RV finally as his face deflected the shock away to accommodate the same stern look upon his face, his eyes growing cold the same way they would even though his heart did remain warm now that it'd begin to beat steadily again.
"No sir, just her," came the immediate response. RV and Finch looked at each other and nodded their heads, Finch understanding what was to be done next.
"Stall everyone still eight thirty," was all RV said, a knowing look passing between Puneet and RV about the urgency of the matter. The three of them had barely separated when Rishi made his presence known, stalling RV once again.
"Sir, if you don't mind, before meeting Miss Parekh, I need to talk to you about something. It'll just take a few minutes."
"Concerning what, Mr. Rishi?" asked RV, instantly noticing the worry upon his face.
"What you asked of me the night before the last."
"What about it?" he asked, suddenly feeling his instincts prickle his heart in premonition.
From the look upon Rishi's face, his findings didn't look too good. Rishi's features remained the same, and yet when he spoke, his voice had fallen to an even more worried whisper than the last.
"There's something you need to know. It's urgent."
RV nodded his head as he and Finch gave each other a nod of understanding, the latter making his way towards RV's cabin while the former made his way towards Rishi's cabin. Things were definitely a lot murkier than met the eye, and the worry upon Rishi's face was proof. But whether his suspicions were right or no, or to what extent they were right, he'd know soon enough.
-x-
RV opened the door to the conference room to find Ishaani staring outside the window, her back towards him. He shut the door behind him softly as she turned behind at the sound, a smile upon her face.
RV gave Miss Parekh a small grin as both of them covered the distance, a new freshness and grace in their facades that seemed to run solely on the thrill of adrenaline and the inexplicable experience of the previous night. Both of them stood before each other today with an addition apart from their breath-taking skill, brain, dedication and their never-wavering will to win. It wsd hope.
And hope was always a funny thing, they both mused.
"You look stunning today, Miss Parekh," began RV while she shot him a gracious smile. The implied meaning didn't go amiss by her.
"You don't look too bad yourself, Mr. RV," came back the immediate reply as she sat upon the seat adjacent to the head of the table, RV occupying the seat opposite her.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" asked RV as he interlocked his fingers tenderly upon the table, eyeing Ishaani with utmost of interest as though he was clearing seeing her for the very first time in her life. Ishaani gave him an unsure look before she finally huffed out aloud.
"Am I still banned from attending them?" asked Miss Parekh in a blank tone, even though RV could sense the annoyance in it. She was still sore about being thrown out from the meeting the other day.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," replied RV, his tone holding a finality in it as he gave her a serious look.
His suspicions had not only been on point, but had opened an entire can of worms along with it. He'd have to tread cautiously if he wanted to safeguard their interests and get to the root of the matter, even if that meant keeping Ishaani in the dark and away from all of it.
"Such a shame, really," she sighed moodily, reminding RV about days long gone when she'd pull faces like those on him when he wouldn't tell her a secret.
And that suddenly sparked an idea into his mind.
"Professor Trelawney has a prediction," said RV suddenly, hoping that it'd catch her attention. It did. Miss Parekh perked up from her lethargic stupor, her eyes suddenly as sharp as a hawk.
This was a game that they'd would play ever since Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was published back during the ending of their teens as a way to warn off each other when Baa was in a nasty mood or whether either of them were about to get into trouble. They used references from the book as code words of their own since they trusted the other to understand what was meant to be said after years of excelling in dumsharas. It was impossible for anyone to understand their language, having a telepathic co-ordination that no one could beat. And it was a method of communication that never failed.
"Card on the deck?"
"The lightning-struck tower," he replied and Miss Parekh gasped in stunned disbelief.
"Who is it?"
"Malfoy," answered RV darkly. Miss Parekh frowned at him, confused for a minute before she understood the reference. Her features darkened.
"Malfoy's playing the part of Snape, I assume," she said and it was more of a statement than a question. RV nodded his head.
"Yes, on Voldemort's orders."
"Shit," remarked Miss Parekh stonily as her cheeks flushed red. RV rolled his eyes at her before she continued.
"Is Malfoy on the tail of the Horcrux yet?"
"Yes, pretty much sunk the Dark Mark into it," he replied somberly. Miss Parekh nodded her head, looking tense.
"What do you propose?"
"We need a secret keeper. But who?" asked RV, his eyes a give away of an idea that was formulating in both of their minds at the same time. Miss Parekh smirked at him.
"Let's go with Black," she replied shrewdly and RV smiled.
There was a reason why he and his Mota Babuji trusted her to do well in life - she may have been naive and had her share of mistakes but she was a brilliant strategist by default.
"It's going to be Pettigrew really now, isn't it?" asked RV.
Miss Parekh shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, relaxing back into her chair.
"Well, tried and tested."
"Good enough, then. Now if you'd make your way to your cabin without anymore fuss-" stated RV seriously, pointing towards the door. Miss Parekh rolled her eyes at him in vexation.
"I really wish you'd stop being an ass and let me attend the meeting," she complained, looking annoyed.
"It's pretty serious what we are doing, Ishaani. There is no scope for distraction here, not even the slightest," he emphasized and she let out a grumpy snort.
"Look who's talking," she remarked pointedly and RV knew what she was referring to. He shook his head at her, unamused.
"Well, you just proved my point. Out you go now," he repeated, not entertaining any further argument.
Miss Parekh stood up, hissing slightly as she flexed her arms a little more so than necessary. RV hissed alongside as his head jerked ever so slightly towards her in distress, his eyes betraying away Ranveer's concern for a fraction of a second before he switched back to RV.
Miss Parekh gave him a lopsided smile in return.
"You better give me all the updates for the meeting, Mr. RV, and there better not be any deceit," she added, emphasizing on the word in question that somehow seemed to make a lump rise in his throat. RV gave her a tough look as he walked towards the door alongside her.
"That's Malfoy, not me."
Miss Parekh gave him a cold nod as RV held open the door for her, letting her walk through it with a strut as her head remained held high. RV shook his head at her in bemusement as the clock struck eight twenty-five, now taking his seat at the head of the table as he studied the files before him, prepping his mind up for a six-hour long meeting. At exactly eight thirty, RV clicked the intercom button that connected him to Puneet's cabin.
"Bring them in."
-x-
Miss Parekh poured upon the files in front of her, revising through the structural plans for the consignment in hand. Everything was about the timing now and how well it got executed, for which she'd have to take extra care if she wanted to make sure that things went her way. She was halfway through segregating the freight companies when a door knock disrupted her concentration.
"Come in," she whispered irritably, pushing the button that let the door swing in. She raised her head to scold the person who'd dared to interrupt her in the middle of something as important at this when she fell short of speech.
It was Finch.
"I hope I've not come at a bad time."
"Terrible timing, Mr. Finch. But can't do anything about it now," she replied as Finch gave her an impressed look.
"You are one kickass woman now, aren't you?"
"Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Finch. Well appreciated," she replied, signalling him to take a seat.
She could instantly see why Ranveer kept singing praises of him now that she remembered who exactly Finch was and how he came to be so trusted by him in the first place. He was Ranveer's Australian friend and his former professor who he jusy wouldn't stop talking about in his letters. But she could also see why he was such an eye-catcher in the first place. He was smart, funny, confident with a good sense of wit and humour, and definitely good looking from what she'd noticed. And to top it all, he just had a personality that people couldn't resist not liking, his rich background accentuating it.
She'd known another man with the same characteristics, and yet the aura between the two men were as different as poles apart.
"I don't think that we've ever had the pleasure of having a proper interaction before. I'm Gregory Finch, Ranveer's former professor at UoS, his very good friend and currently his legal associate and business partner, along with being one of the junior partners of my father's law firm back in Sydney," he introduced himself as he put forward his hand, smiling radiantly.
Ishaani cocked her eyebrow at him, amused and even bewitched to a certain extent with the dazzling smile he'd shot her.
"I'm Ishaani Parekh, Ranveer's former schoolmate, his best friend, and the owner and Chairman of the Parekh Empire, along with my firm being a joint partner for the JV consignment to London with the RV Group of Companies," replied Ishaani, wondering where this was going to go.
"It's good to know you, Miss Parekh," he replied and she couldn't help but chuckle, mystified by what the Australian had in his mind.
"Are we at a parent-teacher's meeting?" she asked, unable to keep the sarcasm out from her voice and both of them laughed upon the joke.
Finch couldn't help but notice how both RV and Miss Parekh were so direly dependent upon sarcasm to get their point across.
"Best friend, eh?" shot back Finch in equal sarcasm and Ishaani dropped the pen from her hand as she looked at him, intrigued.
She had to admit that it was a well-played shot and that there was a reason why he was one of the top lawyers of Australia from what she'd researched upon him. He knew his A-game. And she'd certainly met her match for he was not a guy to be messed with.
"It's complicated. I'm sure you must know, being his very good friend," she retorted back instantly and Finch gave her an impressed look.
He'd met his match who knew to play with words like an equal.
"I do," he replied back proudly and she smiled.
"Well, how can I help you?"
"Would it be too much if I took you out to lunch right now? It's almost one," he added, pointing towards the wall clock that read two minutes to one.
Miss Parekh gave him a bemused look.
"The last time I was asked out to lunch, didn't turn out so well," she replied and both of them smiled. The reference didn't go amiss by either. Finch cleared his throat as he stood up, holding his hand out to her in a respectful request.
"This time, it's only going to be lunch. You can drive too, if you want," he proposed eagerly and Miss Parekh laughed in spite of herself. She gave his request a good thought before nodding her head and accepted his hand.
"Alright, I'm in."
-x-
An hour later saw them at the dining area of the Taj Mahal Hotel as they'd just been served desserts, both of them laughing upon a joke that Finch had just said. The lunch, unlike Ishaani's anticipation, had actually been fun and light with Finch telling her stories from his life, giving her an idea about his complete profile - both personal and professional.
Ishaani in turn, indulged with several stories and conquests of her own (both personal and professional) with several jokes fired from both ends as wits and charm were something they were naturals at. It was safe to say that both of them had taken an instant liking to each other and by the end of the meal, they were extremely comfortable in each other's company.
"So tell me, Mr. Finch-" began Ishaani once both of them sobered down, looking at him curiously.
"Greg will do-"
"Alright, Greg. Tell me - what's the purpose of the lunch?" asked Ishaani finally as she had the last of her chocolate mousse, staring at him in expectation.
"Must there be a purpose for the lunch?" asked Greg, who was still devouring the blueberry cheesecake pastry before him. Ishaani smirked.
"Everything's done for a purpose. It's not like you're single and you're hitting on me with a date because you have a wife and two children back home who you so dearly love. And should you be hitting on me by calling this a date, not only will I take you out limb for limb, but Ranveer will do the same as well," she threatened him jovially and Finch raised his hands in surrender.
He had an instinct that she wasn't bluffing.
"You're bloody amazing! It's no wonder why Vaghela is so crazy behind you," remarked Finch as he finally completed the last bits of the delicious pastry, letting the waiter take his plate away as he took a sip of the red wine in his glass.
"He is crazy, I'll give you that," she replied swiftly.
She was unable to hide away the small blush that crept up her face at the thought of how Ranveer was always there for her even though she still felt that she didn't deserve him.
"Your stint the previous night wasn't any better, missy. It was only your fortune that it all turned out for the best in the end," stated Finch sharply, suddenly giving her a disapproving look.
Ishaani smiled at him calmly.
"Not one of my best moments, I'll give you that," she replied, shrugging her shoulders at him helplessly.
Finch couldn't help but feel surprised at how calmly she'd taken the fact that Ranveer had told him about whatever had happened the previous night. It was not a calm she was feigning; it was a calm that she actually felt. Years of dealing with clients had taught him that.
"You're not offended that Vaghela told me about it?" he asked, his voice uneasy as he remembered what had happened the last time his friend had opened his mouth about something like this years ago. Ishaani shook her head.
"When you come to terms and accept who you are, you tend not to bother too much."
"This is coming from a place of trust, I can see. And from a place of love. Passionate love," he stressed, relaxing back into his chair and mentally kicking himself for being so upfront about it.
But he also thanked his stars at the same time that she was being really cool about it so far. And that only meant that he'd have more ease in getting his point across since she looked to be in an extremely logical and practical mood.
"I make mistakes only once, Greg. And is it that obvious?" she questioned, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Finch smiled softly, realizing that her question was with regards to Ranveer. He nodded his head and both of them fell silent, enjoying their glasses of wine until he broke the silence after some time.
"What's going on in your mind, Ishaani? What're up to?" he asked, his tone suddenly serious as he set the glass upon the table.
Ishaani gave him a bewildered look.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, looking as though the question had taken her off-guard. Finch sighed before plunging into what exactly he had in mind about the entire situation.
"Look, the previous night when Vaghela crashed upon my doorstep, I saw the glimpse of my old friend back in him. The same Vaghela who'd come to Sydney eight years ago, innocent and pumped with the zest of life even though he was very private as a person even back then and came with a luggage of a troubled past along with a lot of insecurities. He's neither innocent or does he have that zest of living anymore, but I saw that life creep back again into his eyes after all these years. I know that you are directly responsible for it."
"He saved my life yesterday, in more than one way," stated Ishaani absentmindedly, more to herself than to him but he heard her anyway.
"And contrary to your knowledge, you saved his life last night as well in more than one way," corrected Finch, and Ishaani gasped in surprise. He continued.
"And I can see that hope and will twinkle in your eyes too, Ishaani. RV and Miss Parekh are still alive and in the foreplay, but they're pumped with a hope that Ranveer and Ishaani feel for the first time. And as much as that makes me feel exhilarated, I'm frightened for the two of you as well. Because if this hope breaks this time, Vaghela will not survive the blow, and neither will you."
"I don't know what to say," was all that Ishaani managed to say after Finch completed speaking, giving his words deep thought. Finch nodded his head, ploughing on seriously.
"Whatever it is that you're doing, be very careful and think about the consequences. For I can see that you've got your brains running up the speed of cogwheels. And your reputation speaks for the kind of woman you can be, especially after I researched into your entire takeover of Mehta & Sons Co. Not just you, but Vaghela as well."
"What do you mean?" asked Ishaani suddenly, giving him a sharp look. Finch let out a huff of breath, choosing his words well.
"You don't think that Vaghela just waltzed into Mumbai and gave in to keeping the appointment I fixed up with your firm just because I put out the puppy dog eyes now, do you? Ranveer may be a beagle but RV's a cunning fox. And it was RV who walked through those doors, not Ranveer."
Ishaani remained silent for a minute before speaking at long last, weighing every word with utmost care.
"Don't think that I'm living under a delusion, Greg. Gone were those days when the world manipulated me and treated me as a pawn. I'm now a queen from that very same pawn, who trusts no one. I've been chasing the RV Group of Companies for six months for an appointment. If he's said yes to it, it going to be much, much more than a legacy that my father wanted him to fulfill. And then again, the tales of shrewdness and cunning about the Singhania takeover are no surprise to me either," she added and both of them smiled in spite of the seriousness of the conversation.
"You know what he has in mind then?" asked Finch, looking surprised.
"I have an inkling of it. But either way, he won't have to spend a penny behind it because it's already his," replied Ishaani enigmatically, not bothering to emphasized any further. Finch felt lost about how it could possibly belong to Ranveer or in what aspect she was talking about in the first place, and did not shy away from voicing as much.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked her inquisitively, but Ishaani gave her a lopsided smile.
"Well, why don't we let the birthday boy find out first tonight? If you don't mind, I'd like to borrow him for the remnant of the day after work," she requested suddenly, hoping that Finch wouldn't object.
He didn't.
"He's all yours," he replied smugly and Ishaani rolled her eyes at him. Finch chuckled wholeheartedly, shaking his head in amusement.
"You're even more in love with him than I expected."
"And you care about him even more so than family. No wonder he loves you so much," commented Ishaani, the softness in her voice catching Finch's attention instantly. Her remark had definitely taken him by surprise.
Ranveer had gone into a shell after his confrontation and separation from Ishaani that night all those years ago. He could trust no one much after that, and somewhere down the line, Finch believed that it had impacted their friendship as well since Ranveer hardly shared anything about himself after he'd come out from his two-month depression.
"Who? Me?" asked Finch, slightly disbelieving as though it was a news flash to him.
"You undermine yourself too much, Greg. You're much, much closer to him as both, a best friend and a family, than you know. If he tells his secrets to you, you must be pretty extraordinary," remarked Ishaani proudly and it was Finch's turn to flush dully this time. He couldn't believe that Ranveer still saw him as his best friend, but if Ishaani was the one saying it knowing Ranveer the way she did, it was reassuring.
"He's only ever had one best friend, and that's you," corrected Finch sincerely as they both stood up and gave each other a warm hug.
"It was a pleasure talking to you, Greg. This lunch date is something I'm absolutely going to cherish," she replied as they separated, Finch kissing her cheek in salutation.
"The pleasure's all mine, Ishaani. And remember, you break my boy's heart this time and I'll-" began Finch in what was meant to be an intimidating look but Ishaani couldn't help but laugh.
"I'd kill myself before breaking his heart ever again," she countered, her laughter ceasing abruptly. Finch suddenly turned solemn again.
"And that's why I'm all the more worried. The two of you are mental because your love knows no boundaries. Match made in heaven, meant to be, entwined fates and souls - agreed. But mental. So whatever you do or have in mind, don't screw up this time," he warned and she nodded in assurance.
"I may have lost my path once, Greg, but my promise was true to him. I'm in it for the long haul," she promised passionately. Both of them smiled, reminiscing the meaning of that one line and the impact it'd had in their lives so far before snapping out from their reverie.
"Good girl. I think it's time we made a push now before the ass gets suspicious," commented Finch jocularly as the valet brought the car around.
Ishaani swiftly took her seat at the driver's spot, Finch awkwardly seating himself upon the passenger's seat beside her, still uncomfortable with the idea of making her drive even though she didn't entertain a single word of protest from him.
"Yep, and that pompous jackass is yet to give me a brief synopsis of the meeting he's debarred me from," added on Ishaani as she brought the car back to life and steered it upon the road, unable to control her smile as she thought about the plans she'd formulated in her mind for later today.
She'd been given hope that there was possibly a second chance after everything she'd been through and put Ranveer through in all these years. And now that she'd been given a taste of hope, she'd make sure to make every moment of their time together count from this point forth.
Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D
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