Chapter 18: The Stepping Stone

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A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D

Happy Reading! :D :D

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Ishaani sat in front of the dressing table in her room, putting the final touch ups of gloss upon her lips. They were almost ready to check out from the room and depart for the airport from where their flight to Sydney was due in another three and a half hours. But even as she sat there grooming herself, she found herself unable to keep her mind from wandering back to what had happened between herself and Ranveer the previous night. Her mind recollected their conversations from the previous two days, the intoxicating joy of their success making her sail upon cloud nine in that moment.

Their baggages had already been placed in the Rolls Royce of the hotel the moment they'd returned after their meeting with Mr. Tennyson, where they'd finally signed upon the contract and had discussed all the essentials for the consignment in question. At the end of the meeting, Ranveer had signed a second contract for opening a resort under the RV Group in London before a round of champagne flew around the room.

Ishaani wondered whether it was the intoxication of the champagne that was getting to her as the memories from the previous night only grew stronger. She shut her eyes, unable to contain their moment from breaking into her mind once again as though on autoplay, still feeling her hair stand on edge at the thought of his skin grazing against her own heatedly, his lips creating emotions within her that where by no standards-

"You call that little, what happened between us yesterday?" cut through Ranveer's voice suddenly, breaking the silence of the moment. Ishaani jumped in her chair, snapping out from her thoughts.

"What?" asked Ishaani, turning bright red at being caught daydreaming even though she relaxed back into her chair. Like always being the first one of the two ready, Ranveer had entered Ishaani's room to check up on her, a grey overcoat richly draped upon its accompanying grey three-piece suit, only to Ishaani in a navy blue jumper finishing her touch-ups, quickly tossing the gloss and eye-liner in her handbag. 

"You were fantasizing about it," stated Ranveer and Ishaani gave him an uncertain look.

"What are you talking about?"

"It was during the shower back in the afternoon when I recollected everything that had happened between us the previous night," he explained and Ishaani understood. And yet she was quick to notice that he didn't look awkward anymore. It was the fact that he'd recollected it all and knew for himself that nothing had happened between them by the end of their interlude that had put his mind to rest.

"Nothing did really happen between us the previous night, even though we did do some pretty intriguing things. We both got back into our senses at the right time, though. Well you did, ironically," she modified her statement and Ranveer gave her a curious look.

"You didn't have to lie about nothing happening between us because that was certainly a lot more than nothing," he remarked sheepishly. Ishaani smiled in spite of herself.

"I just didn't let you know the extent of what did happen between us, that's all," she corrected him and Ranveer shook his head, deep in thought about their equation until their eyes suddenly fell upon the calendar in front of them, marking the 22nd of October. There were just eight days more to go now.

"Ishaani, do you even realize what did happen between us last night?" asked Ranveer when their train of thoughts became too complicated for them to continue thinking about it any further. Ishaani remained silent for some time, her face pensive as their fingers interlocked together, bringing Ranveer's promise band into focus once again. RI. Always Forever.

"I do. It was a stepping stone," she replied eventually, leaving Ranveer even more curious.

"To what?" came his question in two words, and yet Ishaani found the answer to it willingly upon her lips. She pressed her lips against his cheek, shutting her eyes as the scent of lemon and honey were beginning to mess with her senses again even though her whisper was loud and clear in his ear.

"To us meeting at the horizon."

-x-

"For heaven's sake, do go to sleep in the flight today!" hissed Ishaani, the first class Cathay Pacific lounge a tad bit more comfortable than the British Airway one. Ranveer shot Ishaani a lazy look.

"Alright, alright, I will," he replied as he yawned softly, the sky outside an inky mass while he pinpricks of the runway beacons now remained barely visible to the naked eye in the luminescent lighting of the lounge. It was already three minutes to nine in Ishaani's watch when she decided to talk about the question of the hour, knowing that there was still time till they had to board the flight.

"Would you mind telling me why is it that you want to take me to Sydney with you?" asked Ishaani at long last, no longer able to contain the question that had been nagging at the back of her mind ever since Ranveer first mentioned it to her. Even though he had given her a reason, it was the unsaid reason that had caught her fancy. Ranveer Vaghela never did anything without a reason.

"Didn't I tell you why?" countered Ranveer in return as he sipped upon his coffee, unable to contain the smile upon his face. Ishaani Parekh was as nosy as always.

"You told me one reason, not the other," replied Ishaani rather pointedly, giving him a suggestive look. Ranveer pondered upon the situation for an indefinite amount of time, knowing that now was as good a time to talk about it as any other, especially since they had some time in hand to kill. Edging forward upon his seat, his expression suddenly turned somber.

"I, er, wanted to talk to you about something, actually," began Ranveer hesitantly and Ishaani nodded her head in acknowledgment.

"What is it about?" asked Ishaani, and the sudden fear that had crept into her voice didn't go amiss by Ranveer. He gave her a quick smile to ease away the tension.

"The 51% ownership in Mota Babuji's company... I want you to have them back," he added just before Ishaani could speak, leaving the latter dumbstruck. It was clearly something that she didn't see coming.

"What? Why?" she asked, rather startled. Ranveer sighed, clearing him throat and phrasing his next few statement with as much honesty and sincerity as he could muster.

"Ishaani, if in these two weeks I've learnt anything, it's the fact that there's no one worthier of running the Parekh Empire better than you, and the kind of brain and resourcefulness that you've employeed is proof of the same. And I'm sure that if Mota Babuji would have been with us here right now, he'd have agreed to the fact that you deserve this. Just like how he built this Empire from the ashes, you've done the same thing. And you've taken it to an entirely new height that even Mota Babuji would have been proud upon. And that's why, this is your baby. I cannot accept 51% of its ownership when I've not done anything."

Ishaani heard on in silence until Ranveer's speech finally drew to an end. She looked at him in silence for a few minutes, noticing that there was a decisiveness upon his face that matched the strength of his gaze as he looked at her. But Ishaani knew that she wasn't going to let him get away with something like this even after all these years, especially after losing years of arguments with him in things like this. She wouldn't let him behave like a modest fool again. She inched forward in her chair and replied in the same, determined tone.

"Ranveer, you were the reason why the Parekh Empire reached its peak even then because of the Reliance shares, and it's the same story even today. You love to work in the sidelines but it doesn't change the fact that you are responsible for taking it a step ahead. Yes, I did sow the seeds just like Papa did but it was on your account that the empire has reached its peak - first with the break for a footing into the London diamond markets that you so nobly sacrificed, and now with the diamond consignment duopoly that's in our kitty, all thanks to your efforts."

"Our efforts, Ishaani," corrected Ranveer. Ishaani gave him a grateful look as he continued. "Neither of us could have done this without the other."

"I'm glad to see that you're beginning to acknowledge our teamwork now," replied Ishaani, unable to contain the mischievous smirk upon her face. Her smile grew broader when she noticed Ranveer's flustered look upon her remark.

"Oh yeah, I think we both got a gist of it the previous night itself, so..." trailed off Ranveer as he eyed Ishaani keenly, who in turn now gave him a decisive look.

"And that's why I'm not going to accept your offer. It's yours to rightfully keep. The King of Dalal Street was to be your title, not mine. So take this as a compensation," she added just as Ranveer opened his mouth to argue, cutting his speech. He looked at her pensively for a few minutes, knowing that there was no point in arguing with her upon this. She wouldn't agree.

"I had an inkling that you'd react this way somehow, so I'm not entirely surprised," remarked Ranveer at long last as he fell back into his chair, Ishaani cocking a suspicious eyebrow at him.

"I'm guessing you have a Plan B then, like always. You've never backed down from an argument so easily," said Ishaani, voicing her thoughts aloud without bothering to fall sweet with words. Ranveer shot her a calm smile, knowing that what he had in mind now was something he'd let her know only once they landed in Sydney. And so he said as much.

"I do, but that's not for now. Let's reach Sydney and then talk about it." 

Ishaani nodded her head, not entirely surprised by the dismissal of the topic but grateful for it nonetheless. She didn't want any kind of argument with him, especially now that things were finally beginning to improve between them for the better. And so she was willing to wait for what he had in mind if that was what he wished. It was just a matter of few days.

"I've spoken to Rishi and Puneet and updated them about the entire situation. They'll be taking things ahead from this point forth," spoke Ishaani after some time when all conversation ceased between them. She'd brought her associates upon the entire London episode and had given them the green signal to take things ahead with the consignment, both the men ecstatic at the humbling news. Ranveer nodded his head and smiled.

"I've spoken to David about the same and he'll be coordinating with Rishi and Puneet accordingly. And I've told Jameson to have the structure change report ready by the 24th for the Singhania Financing Solutions. Need to have the portfolio structures altered and reconstructed," he explained and Ishaani now felt intrigued with the amount of things Ranveer had upon his plate right now.

"Jameson, your CEO?" asked Ishaani, who'd remembered hearing about the man in question from Ranveer's own lips, recollecting the particular mess-up his CEO had done in terms of the intra-trading. Or atleast that's how Ranveer had narrated it to her.

"Yes, the very same one," replied Ranveer in acknowledgment as he continued, suddenly looking taut. "I need to get back to the ASX first thing after we land and go into some personal trading myself. I've been tracking the markets and it's been pretty rough, and even though Jameson has been giving it his best shot, it's not enough," he added, suddenly sounding every bit as bitter and resentful as he did when he first mentioned about Jameson's error. The CEO had traded very smartly since then, but then again, he missed the hawk-eyed vision of RV to yield the fruits in question.

But Ishaani's attention was suddenly drawn towards something else.

"Why're you telling me about this though? Isn't this your confidential company matter?" asked Ishaani as something clicked in her mind, realizing that a person like RV would never discuss his business with anyone else, no matter who. It was something he'd learnt straight under the hand of Harshad Parekh, who had this as his Rule No. 3 in his series of tips and lessons for life - never discuss business with anyone outside business, even if that meant family.

"Just for extra perspective," replied Ranveer rather disinterestedly, meeting eyes with her and he gave her a sweet smile. Ishaani tried to catch the ambiguity through his eyes, but to her dismay, she realized that he was still an expert at hiding thing when he wanted to. Grudgingly, Ishaani decided to change the topic, knowing that she wouldn't get anything out from him until he wished to let her know himself.

"So, what's the whole idea of the celebration back at your resort?" she asked, hoping that for once he'd give her a proper answer rather than the usual vague, mysterious ones. Thankfully for her, he did.

"We basically have offers every year during the anniversary dates for our most privileged customers. The first year, we had a three-day canyoning package at the Blue Mountains. Then last year we had a special five-day underwater diving package at the Great Barrier Reefs. 50% slashed rates. Worked like a charm," he added when Ishaani stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Damn it! I want to go to the Great Barrier Reef too!" she whined, crossing her arms upon her chest rather childishly just as the waiter cleared away their coffee cups. Ranveer looked intrigued as he leaned forward once again.

"You still haven't?" he asked, and Ishaani shook her head to his utmost surprise. Ranveer couldn't resist questioning further, remembering their conversation from years ago in a locked car minutes before everything went topsy-turvy when death seemed closer than life.

"And that's still upon your bucket list?" Ishaani nodded her head this time, and Ranveer could see that she was thinking about the same thing.

"Oh yeah, I guess the fantasy list is still intact. Although I can strike off having to roam the world because I've been to quite a lot of places. Maintained a travel book as well," she added rather proudly and Ranveer couldn't help but smile in spite of himself. Those three fantasies that they'd confided to each other were definitely the most bizarre ones they could have spoken out aloud. And maybe it was why they remembered them perfectly even till this date.

"So have I," he replied with regards to his own travel fantasy and being a big man. It was once an unattainable dream for both of them and yet it was the first fantasy that they'd struck off, and that too with so much zeal. When Ishaani continued to give him the same sheepish smile, Ranveer flashed her a mischievous look.

"By the way, what was the last one on the list?" he asked even though he knew exactly well what it was. And just like he'd hoped, Ishaani let her cheeks succumb to the rose that she couldn't hide away, her eyes suddenly sparkling.

"Having my first kiss with my true love in the rains," she replied rather quickly as though her voice was being rendered ineffective against the heat rising up in it even though the emphasis upon true love didn't go amiss by Ranveer, who suddenly gave her a blazing look of his own in return. Ishaani was involuntarily taken back to their interlude of the previous night, tuning it out from her mind with great difficulty as she could feel the heat of his gaze upon her soul now. It was as though he knew what was going on in her mind.

"So, what about you? How many did you count off your list?" she asked rather hastily, the plea in her voice for the change of topic making Ranveer laugh. She was about speak again as she glared daggers at him, but was saved the time when Ranveer raised his hands up in surrender and let her get away with the change of topic.

"Just the travelling one. The other two are intact still," he replied, his eyes suddenly distant as though trying to envisage how his other two fantasies would feel like. Ishaani cleared her throat to snap him out from his reverie.

"Tryst at a wooden cabin and learning how to fly?" she asked the moment she had his attention. This time, he gave her a graceful look.

Ranveer couldn't help but to find himself back in the locked sedan from years ago, urging the other to remain alive and to hold on to these fantasies should they ever make it out alive. And they had. But then again, what hadn't he made it out from in all those years? Only perhaps one thing, though... And yet, even that was on the way now, thought Ranveer reluctantly to himself.

"Wow, you remember still," was all that Ranveer chose to remark once his thoughts came to a halt, thankful that Ishaani had not caught on to it. But then again, when the thoughts of a lifetime were summed up within a matter of seconds that faded away faster than the veil of mist, who could really pick them out?

"Yeah, I remember a lot of things from that day with razor-sharp clarity," replied Ishaani almost instantaneously, the rueful smile upon her face not gone amiss by Ranveer.

Ishaani had definitely seen a lot more that day than he did, especially the fact that he'd nearly flat-lined right in front of her eyes for the third time in eight years. And even till this date, she knew that Ranveer felt the guilt of having put her through things like that so many times, even though all his intentions had ever been were to protect her at the end of the day, even if that meant by trading his life in exchange of hers. But unlike the previous time, Ishaani sniffed upon the guilt that she could see had surged into Ranveer's heart the moment their eyes met.

"I'd like to go back there some day and see what's happened to Vile Parle now," spoke Ranveer, knowing that he had no other option but to change the topic yet again. Ishaani wondered what was wrong with them; they couldn't stick to one topic for more than five minutes. When she gave him an uncertain look, he added rather hastily.

"Definitely not in the rains though."

Ishaani chuckled in spite of herself as Ranveer gave her a sheepish look, knowing that neither of them were in the position for any more shocks, considering that their entire life had been nothing but a shock for them in the past eight years. Or by an extension, ever since they both stepped foot into the Parekh Mansion on the same day almost twenty years ago.

"Some good restaurants have definitely opened up and the areas have developed fairly well," replied Ishaani when she sobered down at long last, realizing that there were just ten more minutes for the boarding to begin. Lapsing into yet another period of silence, Ishaani stared out from the window in wonderment as the past few days of Ranveer's stay in Mumbai reflected before her eyes. She still couldn't believe the things she'd pulled off with him in the last two weeks.

"Mumbai's changed so much in these years," remarked Ranveer at long last, his smile reminiscent of how life had been a contrast when thinking so big was nothing but a poor child dreaming of the moon, something that he could never have no matter what. And yet here he was today with everything within his reach. Even the moon, who now willed to become his own.

"Hasn't everything?" countered Ishaani as she flashed him a small smile, both of them suddenly feeling the weight of their unresolved past press upon their shoulders, neither of them smiling anymore. They felt their heart sag with the same prickles of the pain.

They both knew that try that they might to push away the conversation for as ahead in the future as they could, it was something that they'd have to face inevitably, perhaps in the time of eight days. But tonight was not the right time for the conversation, they knew. It was a battle to be fought on another day. And so for the sixth time that evening, the topic was steered towards another direction.

"So tell me, what's the special package for this year at the resort?" asked Ishaani with an unconvincing shot at looking interested. Tempted as Ranveer was to stick upon the topic, his instinct told him to go with the flow of the conversation rather than mess matters more. And trusting his instinct more than he did himself, Ranveer gave her a faint smile.

"Skydiving. Two-day training before the final jump on the third day," he replied, and to his utmost surprise, the look upon Ishaani's face now turned into one of actual interest as her eyes widened in glee. She always loved the adventurous sports, he knew.

"That's amazing!" she remarked excitedly. Ranveer saw the glimpse of the old Ishaani in her eyes once again, his heart suddenly easing after the tense moment from earlier. The hard features of his face relaxed into a much softer one as he smiled a little more freely, Ishaani following suit the moment she noticed him.

"Trust Finch to come up with things like these. He just needs a chance to bring out the adventurer in him," mused Ranveer as he remembered how much Finch had to convince him for the yearly packages before he agreed for the offer scheme on the first anniversary of the resort. And it had become such a huge hit that it was a tradition from that point forth, Finch the happiest of the lot as he willingly participated in everything.

"And what about you? Did you go to the Barrier Reef last year?" asked Ishaani, curious to see whether what she had in mind would be true or no. Ranveer's goofy smile made her realize that she was absolutely spot on, his words confirming the same when he spoke next.

"No, I'd heaps of work at the office so I couldn't. Even this year it's the same story, even more so because of the consignment. But we'll definitely have to go for the party on the 27th," added Ranveer just as Ishaani was about to break into an exasperated speech. She rolled her eyes at him, knowing that it was about time to bring about some much-needed changes. Not just in his life, but in theirs on the whole. And so she decided to purse her lips on the matter for now, jumping towards another question.

"Where's the resort located?"

"It's near the lake side. Beautiful forest-like area and it'll definitely remind you of our crevice back in Mumbai. It's a beautiful spot of land that we managed to get our hands upon, courtesy of Finch's ancestral property," added Ranveer with pride. 

Ishaani suddenly felt her world spin at the thought of how much he'd achieved in his life in her absence. There was so much that she was learning about him every single day that it made her wonder whether there was anything that she even did know his life after all those years.

 There was a time when she knew every single thing about anything related him even though she knew that she'd been an oblivious buffoon when it came to understanding his love for her. And now that she knew about every single emotion he felt without even really trying, she realized that she no longer knew anything about him. 

And such was the irony of life, she remarked to herself bitterly.

"Wow, it does sound like a really beauty. I can't wait to see it already!" she exclaimed as Ranveer shot her a loving glance, his eyes growing much softer when he spoke next.

"Oh yes, hopefully you will like the place. And it will give you an insight into what I've been up to for the past eight years as well. You've always wanted to see how my life in Sydney was, haven't you?" asked Ranveer as his gaze met her own once again. Ishaani couldn't hold back the gasp that left her lips.

How it was that he'd read her thoughts, she didn't know. But at the end of the day, she knew that he was Ranveer - he could always read her thoughts with his eyes closed. All he needed was her essence to know whether she was alright or no. Ishaani smiled in spite of herself as she wondered whether the irony of life was something even he felt so, although he was definitely much more updated upon her life even now than she was.

When Ranveer snapped his fingers at her, Ishaani finally spoke.

"That's true. I did want to visit you back during your Masters but I was held back by a lot of unnecessary things. So yes, I'm going to take full advantage of the situation now. Besides, I've never been to Sydney till date for some odd reason. I've been to Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra though," she added when Ranveer looked rather surprised, answering the unspoken question flickering in his eyes. And suddenly, she could see his eyes twinkle softly. He gave her a look of pure happiness even though she couldn't fathom what exactly it was that had made him so happy.

"Well, then in that case, these four days are going to be quite entertaining for you considering the amount of places I have to show you around," he said and Ishaani smiled, understanding the rest.

He'd always wanted to take her around Sydney, like he'd intimate in several of his letters to Ishaani during the beginning of his Masters. And by the unbelievable stroke of luck, he was going to get the chance to do so at along last. His infectious happiness got to her as she returned his smile with an even bigger one, suddenly feeling euphoric enough to know that everything was going to fall into place like she hoped it would. What had evoked that instinct in her, she didn't know.

Perhaps it was the ring upon his finger that'd caught her attention when it glimmered in the light. Or perhaps it was the ring safely tucked against her heart that contained the warmth of her love. Or perhaps it was the smile upon his face that made her believe above all that she could do the impossible because it was that smile that she wanted back into her life at the end of the day. And knowing the amount of things she'd done in the past four years that the world had dubbed 'impossible', she knew that this was yet another impossible mountain that she was meant to ascend.

And like always, she knew that she'd reach the peak. Years ago during a cold night in Manali, Ranveer had told her that his biggest fear in life was loneliness, because standing at the top of the highest peak all alone frightened him just as much as it exhilarated him. On that night, she'd held him in her embrace while his love was enough to keep them both warm, promising him that she'd never abandon him no matter what. They now sat staring at each other from the highest peak of two opposite mountains, all alone as the world remained prostrated before them.

And yet there was a bridge in between the two peaks as his peak remained higher, enough to accommodate both of them jointly. It was a peak extremely difficult to scale, but then again so had every other peak been as well. But she knew that she'd be able to scale it and reach him at long last, driving away his loneliness as he finally found his match.

"If God wills so, these four days might be the turning point we are in need for since there's just eight days in our hands now," replied Ishaani after the passage of a few minutes. The announcement of boarding was finally made, all the passengers making their way towards the ticket-comptroller standing by the gate, passes in hand. Ranveer was about to stand up when he did a double-back.

"Oh yes, I still remember," whispered Ishaani rather sadistically as she enjoyed Ranveer's reaction for some reason, standing up and straightening her jumper. Ranveer shot her a dark look as he finally stood up as well, pass in hand.

"Then let's hope that we find the second stepping stone in Sydney," was all he replied before he was handed over his boarding pass once again, walking into the air-bridge without another word.

-x-

Walking out of the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport at seven-fifteen on the twenty-fourth morning of October, Ranveer and Ishaani remained standing by the entrance as Ranveer's eyes scanned for something, Ishaani waiting silently beside him until Ranveer's face brightened up. The weather was a contrast to the one they were coming from. Sydney basked in the warm sunlight, the air filled with the scent of summer as Ishaani pushed the sunglasses up her face, Ranveer doing the same.

Ishaani wondered what had caught Ranveer's attention when he began to walk towards the unknown, she following his lead slowly until they came to a halt at long last in front of white Ferrari. A driver stood outside the car not unlike a sentinel. Ranveer gave him a quiet smile along with a simultaneous nod of his head.

"Thank you, Simon. I'll take it from here now."

Simon nodded his head and he quickly walked away from the car, renting out a taxi instead as he took away their baggages while Ishaani watched the proceedings with interest. She turned towards Ranveer, who in turn gave her a small smile when she cocked her eyebrow in question. He, in turn, gestured towards the car with a shrug of his shoulder.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Hop in!"

"You have a Ferrari?" questioned Ishaani, the stunned disbelief in her voice cracking Ranveer up, who now grinned cheekily.

"Yes, you wanted me to buy one and so I did. I sent the driver off because I know you don't like sitting with one, evident as that was even in London. And since Sydney is my forte, I'll be driving you around instead. Don't even think about protesting because I'm sure as hell not giving you my Ferrari to drive around without a local license," warned Ranveer, knowing what Ishaani was about to speak. So instead, she pulled her lips into a childish pout.

"Show off," was all she muttered under her breath, shaking her hand in resignation. Ranveer opened the door of the car for her, stopping halfway when he heard what she said. He shut the door again before she could take a step forward, startling her.

"What was that again? Was someone being a bad sport?" instigated Ranveer, now giving her a lopsided grin. Ishaani let out an impatient huff of breath at his expectant look.

"Alright, fine. I won't complain," she replied grudgingly as Ranveer smiled, opening the door for her once again. She finally took her seat within while Ranveer joined her a few seconds later, taking off from where their conversation had been disrupted. They both noticed that the passengers and people around were beginning to ogle at the car rather star-struck, leaving both of them rather awkward.

"Good, because I'm taking you for a long drive first before dropping you off home and heading back to work. I'll come home around two in the afternoon and pick you up again because Finch and Monica have invited us. And if I don't bring you long, Monica will kill me. I'll take you sightseeing after lunch," added Ranveer when Ishaani perked up considerably, already enjoying the light and relaxed atmosphere of Sydney that was charged with the liveliness of summer.

"What are you waiting for then, captain? Anchor away!"

-x-

"Whoa, you live here?" asked Ishaani as Ranveer brought the car to a halt at exactly nine right outside the gates leading to the bungalow. Her jaw dropped at the magnificent sight in front of her eyes.

The drive around the major spots of the city had been a refreshing experience, neither of them sleepy after sufficient rest in the flight nor were they jet-lagged owing to its comfort. Ishaani looked at the streets of Sydney in awe as she felt as a strange current zap her with the intoxication of the zest of living, a sheepish smile upon her face by the time they were driving along the beach line of the city.

She could only marvel upon the breathtaking beauty of the azure coast. 

And just when she thought that she'd seen enough, Ranveer brought her to his home. She insisted on lodging at the hotel but he cancelled her bookings and asked her to stay with him instead since the entire house was to their liberty anyway. Knowing that he wouldn't hear anything else as he spoke with finality, Ishaani was forced to accept his invitation even though she was still hesitant.

"Yes, welcome to my humble abode," replied Ranveer, suddenly looking flabbergasted as the gates to the magnificent bungalow opened. Ranveer drove the car across the gravel path, finally directing it towards the garage behind the house. Ishaani remained fascinated with the rich gardens on either side of the gravel pathway that could give the ones back at the Parekh Mansion a run for its money.

"Wow, this is gorgeous! And places like these cost a good penny in Sydney. Isn't Point Piper one of the most expensive areas in the world to live in?" asked Ishaani rather noisily and Ranveer was taken back to all the times when she'd question him relentlessly about insignificant things that didn't really pertain to her. Some habits never did die, he had to agree.

"Well, what can I say? I stay here for the beach," replied Ranveer rather comically as they walked towards the entrance of the bungalow, Ishaani's head snapping at his direction at the mention of beach.

"Beach? You can see the beach from here?" asked Ishaani not unlike an excited child, and Ranveer suddenly wondered how it was that she'd even gave birth to Miss Parekh when the child within was still alive in her heart. Or maybe the child was beginning to take a new birth again, prickled his instinct rather pointedly. He groaned inwardly, steering his mind away from the dreaded line of thought.

"Not just see, the bungalow connects to the beach line as well. There are hundreds of beaches all over Sydney so think of this as my private one," added Ranveer rather modestly. Ishaani shot him a radiant smile, letting out a swift whistle before Ranveer rang the doorbell.

"Holy cow!" was all she could remark as she looked around the place and back at Ranveer, the flow of life suddenly getting to her with the speed at which both of their lives had shot ahead. Ranveer seemed to guess her line of thoughts yet again even though he chose not to say anything upon it. Instead, he decided to keep the conversation light.

"And I thought you didn't cuss as much as before," he shot back, knowing very well what was going to come his way with regards to his statement. He was saved from the retort ready upon Ishaani's lips when the door opened to reveal a woman in her mid-forties, wearing a vanilla dress.

"Ah, Jennifer!" exclaimed Ranveer as he entered the house, bringing Ishaani inside hand-in-hand while Jennifer shut the door behind her.

Jennifer was a local of the place, Ishaani could make out, and was of her same height even though she was a little skinnier. Ishaani couldn't help but marvel at the hazelnut shade of her eyes that were gentle, the arch of her cheekbones elegant. She looked very well maintained for her age in spite of the wrinkles beginning to form upon her face, her pencil eyebrows decking them well. Jennifer looked at Ishaani curiously and Ranveer gave out a quick introduction.

"Ishaani, meet Jennifer. She's the caretaker of the place so she'll be showing you around. She's a brilliant cook," he added and Jennifer gave him a kind smile. Ranveer continued. "And this is Ishaani, my best friend since childhood and now my business partner as well," he introduced. Jennifer's face fell momentarily before she looked up at them, giving Ishaani a broad smile.

"Welcome to Salmona Villa, miss. Your bags have been kept in your room and I hope that you have a great time over here," she greeted and Ishaani gave her a grateful smile in return.

"This place is brilliant! And it's so warm around here..." she remarked and Jennifer gave her a tender smile.

"The house has never been so warm before, miss. Today's the first time that it feels so," replied Jennifer honestly. Ishaani gasped, the caretaker's statement hitting her with an impact that knocked the breath out of her. She looked beside to see an identical look of shock upon Ranveer's face that had now lost colour.

"I need to head for work now, so take care and be safe. Jenny, show her around the place in the meanwhile and get her settled. And for heaven's sake, Ishaani, be ready at one! Monica is even a step ahead when it comes to punctuality," he warned and Ishaani smiled.

She knew the real reason for his abrupt parting as he quickly gave her a side hug and signaled Jennifer to take her to her room as he headed outside again. Ishaani walked him and stood upon the threshold, watching Ranveer leave in an Audi minutes later as he waved her goodbye. Leaning her head against the doorpost as his car disappeared from view, Ishaani could only think about one thing. She didn't know what awaited them on the 30th, but there was no denying about what was certain about the present:

Her standing upon the doorstep of his house was certainly the next stepping stone towards the tricky peak of the final mountain she was beginning to ascend.

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Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D

Next chapter:
Chapter 19

LadyMeringue2017-01-16 03:58:33