Key of Knowledge - SG - Chaps 12&13 - 18/7/10 - Page 3

Chapter Nine

She didn't like to be told to hurry, especially when she wasn't given a good reason why. So, on principle, Nupur took her time driving to the Mallik house. She had a lot on her mind, and a little drive in the country was just the ticket, she decided, to line those

thoughts up in some organized fashion. And she liked tooling along in her little car over the windy road that followed the river, it was a wonderful scenery to paint. If she could paint, she thought again—which she couldn't, despite all the desire, all the study, all the years of trying. But someone sure as hell could. She should've tried to track down Gunjan and Ridhima before driving out here. Really, she was supposed to be working with them, not with Mayank. He was… like an accessory, she told herself. A really attractive, sexy, interesting accessory. Boy, she loved accessories. Not a productive train of thought. She switched the car radio off, steeped herself in silence. What she needed to do was find Gunji and Ridz, tell them what she'd discovered. Maybe if she said it all out loud she, or they, could decipher what it meant Because at the moment she didn't have a clue. All she knew, in her gut, was that it was important. Even vital. If not the answer, it was one of the bread crumbs that would lead to the answer. She turned off the road and onto the private lane. No gates here. No circling walls. The Malliks were certainly wealthy enough to rate them. She wondered why they hadn't chosen to buy Warrior's Peak instead of building by the river, closer to town. Then the house came into view and answered her question. It was beautiful, and it was wood. A lumber baron would hardly build or buy in stone or brick. He would, as he had, build to illustrate the art of his product. The wood was honey gold, set off by copper trim that had gone dreamy green with age and weather. There was a complex arrangement of decks and terraces, skirting or jutting from both stories. She approved of meticulous design and execution. She pulled up beside a moving van and was about to step out when she heard the wild, delighted barking.

N -"Oh, no, not this time. I've got your number, buddy." She reached into the box on the floor beside her and pulled out a large dog biscuit. Even as Moe's homely face smooshed against the car window, she rolled it down. "Moe! Get the cookie!" And threw the dog biscuit as far as she could manage. As he raced in pursuit, she nipped out of the car and made a dash for the house.

M -"Nice job." Mayank met her at the door.

N -"I'm a quick study."

M -"Counting on that. Nupur Bhushan, Arman Mallik. Already called it," Mayank added in subtle warning as he saw the interest light in Arman's eye.

A -"Oh? Well, can't blame you." he smiled at Nupur. "It's still nice to meet you, Nupur."

N -"What are you talking about?"

M -"It's guy-speak," mayank told her, and dipped his head to kiss her. "Just bringing Armi up-to-date. Gunji and Ridz on the way?"

N -"No. Gunji's working, and I couldn't reach Ridz. I left messages for both of them. What's this all about?"

M -"You're going to want to see it for yourself."

N -"See what? You drag me out here—no offense, you have a beautiful house—without any explanation. And I was busy. The time factor—"

M - "I'm starting to think time's a real factor." he caught her hand and tugged her along toward the great room.

A -"Excuse the disorder. I've got a lot going out, a lot coming in today. Mayank tells me you managed the art gallery in town."

N -"Yes, until recently. Oh, what a fabulous room." She stopped, absorbed the space. It needed paintings, sculpture, more color, more texture. Such a wonderful space deserved art. If she'd had a free hand and an unlimited budget she could've made this room a showcase. "You must be eager to unpack your things, settle in, and… oh, my God." The shock struck the instant she saw the painting. The stunning blast of discovery pumped straight into her blood, had her fumbling her glasses out of her purse and going down to her knees in front of it for a closer study. The colors, the brushstrokes, the technique, even the medium. The same. The same, she thought, as the other. The three main subjects, the same.

N - - "After the theft of the souls, They're here, in this box on the pedestal in the foreground. My God, look at how the light and color seem to pulse inside the glass. It's genius. There, in the background, the two figures from the first painting, with their backs turned here. They're leaving. Banished. About to walk through that mist. The Curtain of Dreams. The keys." She scooped her hair back, held the mass of it in one hand as she peered more closely. "Where are the keys? There! You can just see them, on a chain the female figure holds in her hand. Three keys. She's the keeper."

Wanting to see more detail, she fished a small silver-handled magnifying glass out of a felt bag in her purse.

A -"She carries a magnifying glass in her purse," uttered in amazement.

M -"Yeah." grinned like a fool. "Isn't she great?" Focused on the painting, she shut out the comments behind her and peered through the glass.

N -"Yes, yes, it's the same design of key. They're not worked into the background the way they are in the other painting. Not symbolism this time, but fact. She has the keys." She lowered the glass, eased back slightly for an overview. "The shadow's still in the trees, but farther back now. You can barely see his shape. His work's done, but still he watches. Gloats?"

A -"Who is he ?" wanted to know.

M - "Quiet. She's working." Nupur slipped the glass back into its pouch, then returned it to her purse.

N -"Such a sad painting, such grief in the light, in the body language of the two as they step toward that curtain of mist. The main subjects in their crystal coffins look serene, but they're not. It's not serenity, it's emptiness. And there's such desperation in that light inside the box. It's painful, and it's brilliant."

M -"Is it the same artist?"

N -"Of course. This is no student, no mimic, no homage. But that's opinion." She sat back on her heels. "I'm not an authority." Could've fooled me, Mayank thought.

M -"Between you and Arman, I figure we've got all the authority we need." She'd forgotten Arman, and flushed a bit with embarrassment. She'd all but lapped the painting up, kneeling before it like a supplicant. Still kneeling, she looked up at him.

N -"Sorry. I got carried away. Could you tell me where you acquired this?"

A -"At auction, in New York. A small house. Ban-derby's."

N -"I've heard of them. The artist?"

A -"Unknown. You can just make out a partial signature— an initial, really. Might be anR , or aP , followed by the key symbol." Nupur bent lower to study the lower left corner.

N- "You had it dated, authenticated?"

A -"Of course. Seventeenth century. Though the style has a more contemporary feel, the painting was tested extensively. If you know Banderby's you know it's both meticulous and reputable."

N -"Yes. Yes, I know."

A -"And I had it tested independently. Just a little habit of mine, The results coincided."

M -"I have a theory…." Mayank began, but Nupur waved him off.

N -"Can I ask you why you bought it? Banderby's isn't known for its bargains, and it's an unknown artist."

A -"One reason is I was struck how much the middle figure resembled Gunji." It was true enough, Arman thought, if not the whole truth. "The overall painting, the power of it, caught me first, then that detail drew me in. And…" He hesitated, his gaze tracking across the painting. Then, feeling foolish, he shrugged. "You could say it

spoke to me. I wanted it."

N - "Yes, I understand that." She took her glasses off, folded them and, slipped them carefully back in their case, then slid the case into her purse. "Mayank must have told you about the painting at Warrior's Peak."

M -"Sure, I told him. And when I saw this, I figured—"

N -"Ssh." she tapped him on the knee, then held up a hand for him to help her to her feet. "It has to be a series. There's another painting that comes before or after or in between. But there have to be three. It's consistently three. Three keys, three daughters. The three of us."

A -"Well, there are five of us now. But, yeah, I follow you."

M -"You followed me when I said the same damn thing a half hour ago, My theory." He complained and this time Nupur patted him on the arm.

N -"Sorry. It's all tumbling around in my head. I can almost make out the pieces, but I can't quite see the shape, or where they go. What they mean. Do you mind if we sit down?" Immediately, Arman took her arm, led her to a sofa.

A -"Sure. Sorry. Can I get you something to drink?"

N -"Got any brandy? I know it's early, but I could really use just a little brandy."

A -"I'll find some." Mayank sat beside her as Arman left the room.

M -"What is it, honey? You look a little pale all of a sudden." Worriedly.

N -"It hurts me." She looked toward the painting again, then closed her eyes as tears gathered in them. "Even as it dazzles my mind and my spirit, it hurts to look at it. I saw this happen, Mayank. I felt this happen to them."

M -"I'll put it away." He didn't know why but he couldn't see her in pain and hurriedly got up She caught his hand, and the contact comforted her.

N -"No, no. Art's supposed to touch you in some way. That's its power. What will the third be? And when?"

M -"When?" She shook her head.

N -"How flexible is your mind, I wonder? I'm just starting to find out how flexible mine is. You've told Arman all of it?"

M -"Yeah." Something here, he realized as he watched her. Something she wasn't quite sure she could say. "You can trust him, Nupur. You can trust me."

N -"The question will be if either of you will trust me after I tell you both what I found out this morning and what I think it means. Your old friend might politely nudge me out the door and bolt it behind me."

A -"I never lock beautiful women out of the house." Brad walked back in with a snifter of brandy. He handed it to her, then sat on the coffee table, facing her. "Go ahead, knock it back." She did just that, downing the brandy as she might a quick dose of medicine. It slid smoothly down her throat and soothed her jittery stomach.

N -"It's a crime to treat a Napoleon that carelessly. Thanks."

A -"Knows her brandy," he said to Mayank. But he was too busy looking relieved that the Color was seeping back into her cheeks. So arman rapped mayank with his elbow to get his attention. "How the hell did you manage to get a woman with taste and class to look twice at you?"

M -"I had Moe knock her down, pin her to the ground." Distractedly " Better, sweetie?"

N -"Yes. Yes. Your painting's seventeenth century. That's absolutely conclusive?"

A -"That's right."

N -"I found out this morning that the painting at Warrior's Peak is twelfth century, possibly earlier but no later."

M -"If you got that from Pitte or Rowena—"

N -"No. I got that from Dr. Stanley Bower, of Philadelphia. He's an expert, and a personal acquaintance. I sent him scrapings of the painting."

M -"How'd you get scrapings?" wanted to know. More color rose in her cheeks, but it wasn't the brandy that caused it. She cleared her throat, fussed with the clasp of her purse.

N -"I took them when you went up there with me last week. When you and Moe

distracted them. It was completely inappropriate, absolutely unethical. I did it anyway."

M - "Cool." Pure admiration shone in his tone. "So that means either Arman's experts or yours is off, or you're wrong about both being done by one artist. Or…"

N -"Or, the experts are right and so am I. Dr.Bower would have to run more complex and in-depth tests to verify the date, but he wouldn't be off by centuries. I've seen both paintings, up close. Everything I know tells me they were done by the same hand. I know it sounds crazy. It feels crazy, but I believe it. Whoever created the portrait at Warrior's Peak did so in the twelfth century, and that same artist painted Arman's five hundred years later." Arman slid his gaze toward Mayank, surprised that his friend wasn't goggling, or grinning. Instead, Mayank's face was sober and considering.

A -"You want to believe that my painting was executed by a five-hundred-year-old artist?"

N -"Older, I think. Much older than that. And I think the artist painted both from memory. Rethinking bolting the door?" smiled a nervous smile.

A -"I'm thinking both of you have gotten caught up in a fantasy. A romantic and tragic story that has no basis in reality."

N -"You haven't seen the painting. You haven't seen The Daughters of Glass"

A -"No, but I've heard about it. All accounts place it in London, during the Blitz. Where it was destroyed. Most likely answer is that the one at the Peak is a copy."

N -"It's not. You think I'm being stubborn. I can be, but this isn't one of those times. I'm not a fanciful person either—or I haven't been." She shifted her attention to Mayank, and her voice grew urgent as she grabbed Mayank's hand.

N -"Mayank, everything they told me, everything they told me and Gunji and Ridz that first night was absolutely true. Even more amazing is what they didn't tell us. Rowena and Pitte—teacher and warrior—they're the figures in the background of each painting. They were there, in reality. And one of them painted both those portraits."

M -"I believe you." Her breath shuddered out in relief at Mayank's simple faith.

N - "I don't know what it means, or how it helps, but learning this—and believing it—is why I was picked. If I don't find the key, and Gunji and Ridz don't find theirs after me, those souls will keep screaming inside that box. Forever." He reached out, ran a hand over her hair while the other gripped her hand giving it an assuring squeeze.

M -"We won't let that happen."

R -"Excuse me." Ridhima hesitated at the entrance to the room. She was hard-pressed not to rub her hands over the satiny trim, or kick off her shoes to slide barefoot across the glossy floors. She wanted to rush to the windows and study every view.

R -"The men outside said I should come right in. Um, Mayank? Moe's out there rolling around in something that looks a lot like dead fish."

M -"Shit. Be right back. Ridhima, Arman." And he ran outside. Arman got to his feet. He wasn't sure how he managed it when his knees had dissolved. He heard his own voice, a bit cooler than normal, a bit stilted, over the roar of blood in his head.

A -"Come in, please. Sit down. Can I get you something?"

R -"No, thanks. Sorry. Nupur, I got your message and came right out. Is something wrong?"

N -"I don't know.Arman here thinks I've slipped a few gears, & I don't blame him."

R -"That's ridiculous." In her instant leap to defend, she forgot the charm of the house, the aloof charm of the man. Her cautious and apologetic smile turned into a chilly scowl as she strode across the room to Nupur's side. "And if you said any such thing, you're not only wrong, you're rude."

N –"Oh its not…" she started but was cutt off by Arman.

A -"Actually, I didn't get around to saying it yet. And as you don't know the circumstances—"

R -"I don't have to. I know Nupur. And if you're a friend of Mayank's, you should know better than to upset her."

A -"I beg your pardon." Where had that stiff, superior tone come from? How had his father's voice popped out of his mouth?

N -"It's not his fault, he didn't say anything, Ridz. Really. As to being upset, I don't know what I am." Nupur shoved back her hair and, rising, gestured toward the painting. "You should take a look at this." Ridz moved closer. Then clutched her throat.

R -"Oh. Oh." And her eyes filled with hot tears. "It's so beautiful. It's so sad. But it belongs with the other. How did it get here?" Nupur slipped an arm around her waist so they stood joined together.

N -"Why do you think it belongs with the other?"

R -"It's the Daughters of Glass, after the… the spell or the curse. The box, with the blue lights. It's just the way you described it, from your dream. And it's the same— the same… I don't know how to say it. It's like a set, or part of a set, painted by the same person." Nupur glanced over her shoulder at Arman, cocked a brow.

A -"Are you an art expert?" he asked Ridz.

R -"No." She didn't bother to look at him, and her tone was flat. "I'm a hairdresser, but I'm not stupid."

A -"I didn't mean to imply—"

R -"No, you meant to say . Will it help you find the key, Nupur?"

N -"I don't know. But it means something. I have a digital camera out in the car. Can I take some pictures of it?"

A -"Be my guest." he jammed his hands into his pockets as Nupur hurried out and left him alone with Ridz. "Are you sure I can't get you something? Coffee?"

R -"No, I'm fine. Thank you."

A -"I, ah, came in on this after the first reel, You might give me a little time to catch up."

R -"I'm sure Mayank will tell you everything you need to know." She crossed the room, using the excuse of looking out for Nupur as a chance to see the lovely river view. What would it be like, she wondered, to be able to stand here whenever you wanted, to see the water and the light, the hills? Liberating, she imagined. And peaceful.

A -"Nupur just told me she believes the Daughters of Glass exist, in reality. In some reality. And that the people you met at Warrior's Peak are several thousand years old." She turned back, didn't so much as blink.

R -"If she believes that, she has good reason. And I trust her enough to believe it too. Now would you like to tell me I've slipped a couple of gears?" Irritation flickered over his face.

A -"I never said that to her. I thought it, but I didn't say it. I'm not saying it to you either."

R - "But you're thinking it."

A -"You know, I only have two feet, but I'm managing to stay on the wrong one with you."

R -"Since I doubt we're going dancing anytime soon, I'm not really worried about your feet. I like your house."

A -"Thanks, so do I. Ridhima—"

R -"I've done a lot of business at HomeMakers. I've found good values and excellent customer service in the local store."

A -"Good to know."

R -"I hope you're not planning on making any major changes there, but I wouldn't mind a little more variety on the seasonal stuff. You know, bedding plants, snow shovels, outdoor furniture." His lips twitched.

A -"I'll keep that in mind."

R -"And it wouldn't hurt to add a couple more cashiers on Saturdays. There's always a wait at the checkout."

A -"So noted."

R -"I'm starting my own business, so I pay attention to how things run."

A -"Are you opening your own salon?"

R -"Yes." She said it firmly, despite the way her stomach muscles clutched. "I was looking at space before I got Nup's message to come out here."

And why didn't Nupur come back in? She was running out of steam now that her temper had leveled off. She didn't know what to talk about with a man who lived in a house like this, one who helped run an enormous national multinational company.

A -"In the Valley?"

R -"What? Oh, yes, I'm looking for a place in town. I'm not interested in a mall space. I think it's important to maintain a good downtown, and I want to be close to home so I can be more available to my son."

A -"You have a son?" His gaze zeroed in on her left hand, and he nearly sighed with relief at the lack of a wedding ring. All Ridz saw was the quick look. She straightened her shoulders, stiffened them.

R -"Yes. Simon's nine."

N -"Sorry it took me so long," nupur apologized as she came back in. "Mayank's got Moe tied to a tree in the side yard. He's hosing him down, for all the good that's going to do. He'll just be a wet incredibly smelly dog instead of only an incredibly smelly one. He said to ask if you had any shampoo or soap you could spare."

A -"I can come up with something. Go ahead and take your pictures."

Nupur aimed the camera, waited until Arman's footsteps receded.

N -"Talk about gods, right?" she murmured

R -"What?"

N -"Arman Mallik IV. His kind of looks would drive any woman crazy."

R -"Looks are genetic. Personality and manners are developed." Replied stiffly.

N -"It was one fine day in the gene pool when he was made. I gave you the

impression he was giving me a hard time. Really, he wasn't."

R -"Maybe, maybe not. But he's an arrogant snob."

N -"Wow." she blinked at the vehemence in Ridz's voice. "I didn't get that. I can't imagine Mayank being friends with anyone who fits the snob category. Arrogant is debatable." Ridz jerked a shoulder.

R -"I've run into his type before. They're more interested in looking good than in

being human. Anyway, he's not important. The painting is."

N -"I think it is. And what you said about them being a set, part of a set. I think that's true, and there's at least one more. I have to find it. Something in them, or about them, is going to point me toward the key. I'd better hit the books."

R -"Want some help?"

N -"All I can get."

About the time Arman unearthed a bottle of shampoo he heard a car start. He went to the window, cursed under his breath as he watched Ridhima and Nupur head down his lane. As far as first impressions went, he'd made a complete mess of it. He didn't usually alienate women on sight. But then again, the sight of a woman didn't usually slam into him like a hard, sweaty fist. Considering that, he supposed he could be excused for not being at his best. He went downstairs, then detoured back into the great room instead of continuing to the outside. He stood staring at the painting as he had the first time he'd seen it at the auction house. The way he'd stared at it countless times since he'd acquired it. He'd have paid any price for it. It was true enough what he'd told Mayank. He'd bought it because it was magnificent, powerful, compelling. He'd been intrigued by the one figure's face, its resemblance to his childhood friend. But it had been another face in the painting that had dazzled him, consumed him. Undone him. One look

at that face, Ridz's face, and he'd fallen unreasonably in love. Strange enough, he thought, when the woman had simply been a figure in a painting. How much more complicated and impossible was it now that he knew she was real? He thought about it while he put some of his house in order. He continued to think about it later when he and Mayank climbed up to sit on the wall surrounding Warrior's Peak. They each opened a beer and studied the exotic silhouette etched against a gloomy sky. Lights glowed against the windows here and there, but as they drank their beers in silence, they saw no figure pass behind the glass.

M -"They probably know we're out here," said after a time.

A -"If we take your girlfriend's theory to heart, and label them Celtic gods with a few thousand years under their belts, yeah, pretty safe bet they know we're out here."

M -"You used to be more open-minded,"

A -"Ah, no. Not really. Sam would be the one inclined to bite on this kind of a story line and run with it."

M -"You see him lately?"

A -"A couple months ago. He's been doing a lot of traveling, so we don't manage to get together as often as we used to. f**k it, Mayank." Arman flung an arm around

Mayank's shoulder. "I've missed you assholes."

M -"Same goes. You going to tell me what you thought of Nupur?"

A -"Classy, intellectual, and very, very hot.." trailed off as he saw mayank's expression "despite her dubious taste in men." finishing.

Mayank tapped the heels of his ancient tennis shoes against the stone of the wall.

M -"I'm about half crazy about her."

A -"Serious crazy, or let's mambo crazy?"

M -"I don't know. Haven't figured it yet." He studied the house, and the quarter slice of moon that drifted over it. "I'm hoping it's door number two, because I'd just as soon not get serious crazy at this point."

A -"Dia was a social-climbing opportunist with a great body."

M -"God, Mallik." He wasn't sure whether to laugh or give his friend a hard shove off the seven-foot wall. So he did neither and only brooded instead. "I was in love with her. I was going to marry her."

A - "Now you're not and you didn't. Lucky break for you. She wasn't worthy, Mayank." Mayank shifted.

M -"Worthy of what?"

A - "Of you."

M -"That's a hell of a thing to say."

A -"You'll feel better about the whole thing once you admit I'm right. Now back to current affairs. I liked her—your Nupur more—if you're keeping score."

M -"Even though you think she's whacked." Boggy ground, Arman mused, even when you were walking it with a friend.

A -"I think she's found herself in extraordinary circumstances and she's caught up in the mystique. Why wouldn't she be?" Mayank had to smile.

M -"That's just a diplomatic, bullshit way of saying she's whacked."

A -"You once punched me in the face for saying Joley Ridenbecker had beaver teeth. I'm not heading meetings on Monday with a black eye."

M -"See, you are a suit. If I admit that Joley did indeed have teeth like a beaver, will you believe me if I tell you I've never known anyone with less of a whack quotient than Nupur Bhushan?"

A -"Okay, I'll take your word. And I'll admit the whole thing about the paintings is intriguing. I'd like to get a look at the one in there myself."

M -"We can go up, knock on the door."

A -"In the daylight, When we haven't been drinking."

M -"Probably better."

A -"Meanwhile, why don't you tell me more about this Ridhima?"

M -"Haven't known her long, but I did some background checking. On her and Nups. Just in case Gunjan was getting sucked into some weird-ass scam. She moved to the Valley three years ago, with her kid."

A -"Husband?"

M -"Nope. Single parent. Looks like a good one to me. I met the kid. He's bright, normal, appealing. She worked at Hair Today, girly hair place on Market. Word is she's good at her profession, personable with customers, reliable. Got canned the same time Nups did, and around the same time they cut Gunji's hours at the library to the bone. Another weird coincidence. She bought this little cardboard box of a

house when she moved here. Apparently she's done most of the fixing-up work herself."

A -"Boyfriend?"

M -"Not that I know of. She… wait a minute. You ask two questions. Husband, boyfriend. My razor-sharp reporter's instinct leads me to the conclusion that you're thinking of….."

A -"Or something. I should get back. I've got a hell of a lot to do in the next couple of days. But there's this one thing. How the hell are we going to get off this wall?"

M -"Good question." he pursed his lips, studied the ground. "We could just sit here and keep drinking until we fall off."

Arman sighed, drained the bottle.

awesome parts dear...u r such an amazing writer..........

Nice updates

Well liked Mayur convo

Atlast Nups knws all the thgs abt Mayu N evn she'll thk abt him

Armaan came Moe broke the lamp so sad

Well Armaan's 1st impression was really bad i thk on Ridz

He is interested in Ridz hop he get her😉

They were sitting on Warrior's wall ajeeb loog Lets c how they get down😆

awesome dear loved both parts

wow gr8 part dear thanks for pm

Chapter Ten

Nupur was barely out of the shower when she heard the knock on her front door. She belted her robe, snagged a towel, and wound it around her hair as she hurried to answer.

N -"Benji. You're up and about early."

B -"On my way to the coffee shop to ogle the nine-to-fivers before heading to work." He peered over her right shoulder, her left, then gave her a leer. "Got company?"

Nupur swung the door wider in invitation.

N -"No! Of course not!"

B -"Ah, too bad." Rolling her eyes, she tucked up the ends of the towel more securely.

N -"Want coffee here? I've already put the pot on."

B -"Not unless you can offer me a mocha latte and a hazelnut muffin."

N -"Sorry, fresh out."

B -"Well, maybe I should just give you the good news, then be on my way." Still, he flopped into a chair.

N – "What it is?"

B -"The painting you were wondering about? The portrait?"

N - "The what? Oh, yes. What about it?"

B -"Remember how we both thought there was something familiar about it? It came to me. Do you remember, about five years ago, the oil on canvas, unsigned? Young Arthur of Britain, on the verge of drawing Excalibur from an altar of stone?" Chilly fingers brushed the nape of her neck as the painting floated into her mind.

N -"My God. I remember. Of course I remember. The color, the intensity, the way the light pulsed around the sword."

B -"Definitely the same style and school as the one you showed me. Might be the same artist."

N-"Yes… yes, it might. How did we acquire it? Through an estate, wasn't it? In Ireland. Rahul went to Europe for several weeks to acquire. That was the best piece he brought back with him. Who bought it?"

B -"Even my razor-sharp memory has its limits, but I looked it up. Julia sold it to Samrat Shergill. The writer. Local boy, or was. Lives in New York now, I think."

Her stomach did a long, slow roll.

N -"Samrat Shergill."

There were half a dozen people at keyboards and phones when Nupur reached the third level of the Dispatch , where Mayank had his office. She saw him immediately, through the glass walls. He paced back and forth in front of a desk, tipping a bright silver Slinky from one hand to the other. And appeared to be holding a conversation with himself. She wondered how he could stand the lack of privacy while he worked, that constant sensation of being on display. And the noise, she thought. With all the clacking, ringing, talking, and beeping, she would go mad trying to formulate a single creative thought. She wasn't sure whom to speak with. No one looked particularly like an assistant or secretary. And despite the retro toy that Mayank was currently playing with, it suddenly dawned on Nupur that he was a busy man. An important man. Not a man she should pop in on without notice. As she stood, undecided, Mayank sat on the corner of his desk, pouring the Slinky from right hand to left and back again. His hair was mussed, as if he'd spent some time playing with it before he'd gotten hold of the toy. He wore a dark green shirt tucked into casual khakis and very possibly the oldest athletic shoes she'd ever seen. There was a quick tingle in her belly, followed by a helpless little thud just under her heart. It was all right to be attracted to him, she told herself. That was acceptable. But she couldn't let this move to the level it was headed for so quickly. That wasn't smart, it wasn't safe. It wasn't even…Then he looked out through the glass, his eyes meeting hers for one fast, hot beat before he smiled and those dimples flashed. And the tingle, the thud, became more intense. He flicked his wrist and the Slinky fell back into itself, then he gave her a come-ahead gesture with his free hand. She wound her way through the desks and the din. When she stepped through the open office door, she saw with some relief that he hadn't been talking to himself, but on a speakerphone. Out of habit, she closed the door behind her, then looked toward the sound of heroic snoring to see Moe sprawled belly-up between two filing cabinets. What did you do about a man who brought his big, silly dog to work with him? she wondered. Maybe more to the point, how did you resist such a man? Mayank held up a finger to signal one more minute, so she took the time to study his work area. There was a huge corkboard on one wall, jammed with notes, articles, photographs, and phone numbers. Her fingers itched to organize it, as well as the maze of papers on his desk. Shelves were full of books, in addition to the Slinky, he had a yo-yo and a number of warlike action figures. There were several plaques and awards—to the paper and to Mayank personally, stacked together as if he hadn't gotten around to hanging them. She didn't know where she would have hung them either, as what little wall space he had was taken up by the cork-board and an equally large wall calendar for the month of September. She turned around when he ended the call. Then stepped back as he moved toward her. He stopped.

M - "Problem?"

N -"No. Maybe. Yes."

M -"Pick one,"

N -"I got a tingle in my stomach when I saw you in here." His grin spread.

M -"Thanks."

N -"No. No. I don't know if I'm ready for that. I have a lot on my mind. I didn't come here to talk about that, but see—I'm already distracted."

M -"Hold that thought," he told her when his phone rang again. "Sharma. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. When? No, that's no problem," he continued and scribbled on a pad that he unearthed from the rubble. "I'll take care of it." He hung up, then unplugged the phone. "It's the only way to kill the beast. Tell me more about this tingle."

N -"No. I don't know why I told you in the first place. I'm here about Samrat Shergill."

M -"What about him?"

N -"He bought a painting from The Gallery about five years ago—"

M -"A painting? Are we talking about the same Samrat Shergill?"

N -"Yes. It's of young Arthur about to draw the sword from the stone. I think—I'm nearly sure—it's by the same artist as the painting at Warrior's Peak and the one your other friend owns. I need to see it again. It was years ago, and I want to be sure I'm remembering the details of it correctly and not just adding them in because it's convenient."

M -"If you're right, it's an awfully big coincidence."

N -"If I'm right, it's not a coincidence at all. There's a purpose to it. To all of it. Can you get in touch with him?" Because his mind was racing through the details and possibilities, Mayank filled his hands with the Slinky again.

M- "Yeah. If he's traveling, it might take a while, but I'll track him down. I didn't know if Sam had ever been in The Gallery."

N -"His name's not on our client list, so I'm assuming this was a one-shot deal. To my mind, that only makes it more important." Excitement rose in her throat and bubbled out in her voice. "Mayank, I nearly bought that painting myself. It

was beyond my budget at the time, but I was doing some creative math to justify the purchase. It was sold on my morning off, just before I was planning to go to Rahul to ask him if I could buy it on a payment plan. I have to believe all this means something."

M -"I'll get in touch with Sam. My take would be he bought it for somebody. He's not much on stuff, unlike Arman. He tends to travel light and keep the acquisitions to a minimum."

N -"I need to see the painting again."

M -"Got that. I'm on it. I'll find out what I can today and fill you in over dinner tonight."

N -"No, that's not a good idea. It's a really, really bad idea."

M -"Dinner's a bad idea? People have embraced the concept of the evening meal throughout history. There's documentation."

N -"Us having dinner is the bad part. I need to slow things down." He set the toy down. He shifted his body, and when she would have countered to keep that distance

between them, he grabbed her hand, tugged her forward.

M-"Somebody rushing you?"

N -"More like something." Her pulse began to skip—in her wrists, in her throat, even at the back of her suddenly shaky knees. There was something about that cool calculation that came into his eyes, the sort that reminded her he tended to think two or three steps ahead.

N -"Look, this is my problem, not yours, and… Stop," she ordered when his free hand cupped the back of her neck. "This is hardly the place for—"

M -"They're reporters." He inclined his head toward the glass wall between his office and the newsroom. "As such, they're aware what kissing is."

N -"I think I'm in love with you." She felt his hand jerk, then go limp. She saw the amusement and purpose on his face slide into blank shock. And twin demons of hurt and temper stabbed at her heart.

N -"There. Now I've made it your problem too." She pushed back from him—a simple matter, as he was no longer touching her.

M -"Nupur—"

N -"I don't want to hear it. I don't need to hear you tell me it's too soon, too fast, you're not looking for this level of a relationship. I'm not stupid. I know all the brush-off lines. And I wouldn't be in this position right now if you'd taken no for an answer in the first place."

M -"Wait a minute now." Panic washed over his face, into his voice. "Let's take a second here."

N -"Take a second." Mortification was quickly outweighing the hurt and the anger. "Take a week. Take the rest of your life. Just take it someplace where I'm not."

She stormed out of his office. Since bloodcurdling terror still had a grip on him, he didn't consider going after her. In love with him? She wasn't supposed to fall in love with him. She was supposed to let him chase her, be sensible enough to keep things simple. She was supposed to be careful and practical and smart enough to keep him from falling in love with her. He'd worked it all out, and now she was messing up the plan. He'd made himself very specific promises when his engagement had fallen apart. The first of which was to be sure he didn't put himself in that position again—a position where he was vulnerable to someone else's whims and wishes. To the point that his own ended up shattered around him. His life was nothing like he'd thought it would be. Women—his mother, Dia—had shifted the lines on him. But damn it, he liked his life now.

N -"Men. They want everything their way." Gunjan lifted her glass of wine in Nupur's direction.

G -"Sing it, sister." Hours after she'd stalked out of Mayank's office, Nupur was soothing her wounded pride with nice wine, female companionship, and salon treatments in the comfort of her own home. There were a number of things to discuss, but she couldn't think about paintings and keys and destiny until she'd vented her spleen.

N -"I don't care if he is your brother. He's still a man."

G -"He is." looked mournfully into her wine. "I'm sorry to say, but he is. Have some more potato chips."

N- "I will." With her hair pulled back from a face coated with a green-clay refining mask, Nupur sipped and munched. She studied the folds of tinfoil Ridz was layering in Gunji's hair. "Maybe I should have highlights too."

R -"You don't need them, You need shaping."

N -"Shaping involves scissors."

R -"You won't even know I've cut it, except it'll look and feel better."

N -"Let me drink a little more first. And see how it looks after you've whacked at Gunji's."

G -"Don't say 'whack' in a sentence about my hair. Are you going to tell us what you and Mayank fought about?" Nupur sniffed.

N -"He just wants to keep it casual. Typical."

G -"Pig." reaching into the chip bowl. "but I miss dating."

R - "Me too.The excitement and the nerves and the anticipation. I miss it a lot."

N -"I need another drink."

R –"You're set for a while." she patted gunjan on the shoulder. "Just relax while I take off Nups's mask."

N -"Whatever you do to me, make sure I'm gorgeous. I want Mayank to suffer the next time he sees me."

R -"Guaranteed."

N -"It's really sweet of you to do all this."

R -"I like it. It's good practice."

G -"Don't say 'practice' when I've got a headful of tinfoil,"

R -"It's going to be great," assured her. "I want to have a full-service salon, and I need to be sure I can handle all the treatments I want to offer. I looked at this wonderful building today." Her face went wistful as she cleaned and blotted Nupur's skin. "It's way too big for what I need, but it was just great. Two stories with a big attic space. A frame house right on the border of business and residential on Oak Leaf Drive. It's got a wonderful covered porch, even a garden in the back where you could set tables and benches. High ceilings, solid hardwood floors that need work. The rooms all sort of tumble into each other on the first floor. A really nice flow of space that keeps it all intimate."

N -"I didn't know you were looking at houses,"

R -"I'm just looking. This is the first place I've seen that caught at me. You know?"

N- "Yeah, I know. If it's too big, and you really love it, maybe you could get somebody to take part of it for another business."

R -"I thought of that. Actually, I have this wild idea. Don't tell me I'm crazy until I finish. Each of us said what we really wanted was to have our own place."

N -"Oh, but—"

R -"Not till I'm finished. The lower floor has two wonderful bow windows. Perfect for displays. There's a central hall, and on each side are those nice rooms. If someone was interested in opening a tasteful gallery for art and local crafts, she couldn't find a better place. At the same time, on the other side of that hall there's a wonderful set of parlors that would make a terrific bookstore, with room for a hip little bistro or tearoom."

G- "I didn't hear anything about a salon in there,"

R -"Upstairs. When someone comes in to get her hair or nails done, or enjoy any number of our wonderful treatments and services, she'll have to pass by the gallery and the bookstore, coming and going. Perfect time to select that lovely gift for Aunt Mary, or pick up a book to read while she's being combed out. Maybe even have a nice glass of wine or cup of tea before heading home. It's all there, in one fabulous setting."

N -"You really have been thinking,"

R -"I sure have. I even have a name for it. 'Indulgence.' People need to indulge themselves from time to time. We could do packages and cross-promotions. I know it's a big idea, especially when we haven't known each other very long. But I think it could work. I think it could be great. Just look at it before you say no."

G - "I'd like to see it, I'm miserable at work. And what's the point of being miserable?" Nupur could almost see the energy and enthusiasm for the idea pumping off Ridz in waves. There were a dozen rational comments she could make to point out why it wasn't just a big idea but a messy one. She didn't have the heart to do that, but she felt obliged to ease carefully back.

N -"I don't want to muck things up, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be asked to come back to The Gallery. In fact, my old boss called this afternoon and asked if I'd come in and speak with him tomorrow."

R - "Oh. Well. That's great!! I know you love working there."

N -"It was like home." she lifted a hand, covered one of Ridz's. "I'm sorry. It did sound like a good idea. A fun one, but—"

R - "Don't worry about it."

G -"Hey. Remember me? I'm still interested. I can take a look at the place

tomorrow. Maybe we can make it work between the two of us."

R - "Great. Nups, let's wet down your hair." She felt too guilty to argue, and with her hair dampened, she sat stoically while Ridz snipped.

N -"I'd better tell you both why I went by the newspaper this morning to see Mayank, to whom I'm no longer speaking." Ridz continued to snip as she told them about the painting in The Gallery and her belief that it was done by the same artist.

N -"You'll never guess who bought it," she continued. "Samrat Shergill."

G -"Samrat Shergill!?" all but squeaked. "Goddamn it, now I want chocolate. You must have some."

N -"Emergency supply, deli drawer of the fridge. What's the problem?"

G -"We were semi-involved a million years ago. Damn it, damn it, damn it," she yanked open the drawer and found two bars of Godiva. "Godiva's your emergency chocolate?"

N -"Why not have the best when you're feeling your worst?"

G -"Good point."

R -"You were involved with Samrat Shergill? Romantically?"

G -"It was years ago, when I was still young and stupid." She unwrapped the bar, took a big bite. "Bad breakup, he took off. End of story. bas***d, creep, asshole." She took another bite. "Okay, I'm done."

N -"I'm sorry, Gunji. If I'd known… Well, I don't know what I'd have done. I need to see the painting."

G -"Doesn't matter. I'm over him. I'm so over him." But she picked up the chocolate bar again, had another bite.

N -"I have to say something, and you might want the second emergency bar after I do. I can't buy coincidence on this. I can't rationalize it all. The three of us—and Mayank, your brother. Now his two best friends. And one of those friends is a former boyfriend of yours. That makes a very tight circle." Gunjan stared at her.

G -"Just let me go on record as saying I really hate that part. Do you have another bottle of this wine?"

N -"I do. Rack above the fridge."

G-"I'll either walk home or call Mayank to pick me up. But I'm planning on being toasted by the time I leave."

R -"I'll drive you home, Go ahead and get toasted—as long as you're ready to leave by ten."

N - "Your hair looks fabulous." Swaying a little from trying to keep Gunjan company with wine consumption, Nupur waved her fingers at Gunjan's new hair. The subtle highlights accented Gunjan's skin tone and dark eyes. And as a result of whatever else Ridz's magic fingers had done, the long, straight sweep looked sleeker, glossier.

G -"I'll have to take your word. I'm pretty blind."

N -"Mine looks fabulous too. Ridz, you're a genius."

R -"Yes, I am." Flushed with success, nodded at both of them. "Use that night cream sample I gave you for the next couple of days, Let me know what you think. Come on, Gunjan, let's see if I can pour you into the car."

G -" 'kay. I really like you guys." With a drunk and sentimental smile, Gunji threw her arms around each of them. "I can't think of anybody I'd rather be in the big mess with. And when it's over, we should have hair and drinking nights once a month. Like a book club."

R -"Good idea. 'Night, Nups."

N -"You want some help with her?"

R -"Nope." wrapped a supporting arm around Gunjan's waist. "I've got her. I'm stronger than I look. I'll call you tomorrow."

G -"Me too! Did I tell you Samrat Shergill is a jerk?"

R -"Only about five hundred times. You can tell me again on the drive home."

Nupur closed the door, carefully locked it, then wove her way to the bedroom. Unable to resist, she stood in front of the mirror and experimented with the new cut, tossing her hair, tilting her head at different angles. She couldn't tell, not exactly, what Ridz had done, but whatever it was, it was right. Could be, she mused, it paid to keep her mouth shut for a change instead of directing the hairdresser's every snip. Maybe she should feel guilty and drink wine every time she visited the salon. She could try the combination in other areas of her life. The dentist, ordering in restaurants, men. No, no, not men. She scowled at herself in the mirror. If you didn't direct men, they directed you. Besides, she wasn't going to think about men. She didn't need men. She didn't even like men at the

moment. In the morning, she would spend an hour working on the puzzle of the key. Then she would dress, very carefully, very professionally. A suit, she decided. The dove gray with the white shell. No, no, the red. Yes, the red suit. Powerful and professional.

She raced to the closet, scanned her wardrobe, which was arranged precisely according to function and color. With the red suit in hand, she danced back to the mirror, held it in front of her. She snickered and, pleased that all would soon be right with her world again, turned away to prepare for bed. She undressed and lectured herself into putting her clothes away instead of just throwing them around the room. When she heard the knock on her front door, she was wearing only a white silk sleep shirt. Assuming it was one of her friends who'd forgotten something, she turned off the locks and opened the door. And blinked at a grim-faced Mayank.

M -"I want to talk to you."

N -"Maybe I don't want to talk to you," she responded, trying to enunciate each word instead of slurring them together.

M -"We need to work this out if we're going to…" looked at the state "what are u doing opening the door dressed like this!!" He took a good look at her, the wonderfully tumbled hair, the glowing face, the slim curves under clingy white silk. And the vague and glassy look of her eyes."What? You're drunk?"

N -"I'm only half drunk, which is completely my business and my right. Your sister is fully drunk, but you've no cause for concern as Ridz, who is not in any way drunk, is driving her home."

M -"It takes countless beers or an entire bottle of wine to get Gunji completely drunk."

N -"That seems to be correct, and in this case it was wine. Now that we've established that, I'll remind you I'm only half drunk. Come in and take advantage of me."

He let out what might've been a laugh and decided the best place for his hands—well, not the best but the smartest—was his pockets.

M - "That's a delightful invitation, sweetie, but—" She solved the problem by gripping his shirt firmly and giving a good yank.

N -"Come on in," she repeated, then fixed her mouth on his.

Chapter Eleven

Mayank found himself shoved back against the door, tripping over his own feet as it swung shut behind him. Most of the blood had drained out of his head by the time she'd gone to work on his throat with lips.

M -"Whoa, wait. Nup..."

N -"Don't wanna wait." Her hands got as busy as her mouth. Had she actually thought she didn't like men? She certainly liked this one."How come people always say you gotta wait? I want you to…"

M -"Oh, God." He wasn't entirely sure if it was a prayer of thanks or a plea for help. But he was sure his willpower had a very specific limit, and he was fast approaching it.

M -"Okay, okay, let's just calm down here a minute.Nupur." She got her body closer his, he felt his eyes do a slow roll to the back of his head. "Now hold on."

N - "I am." She tipped her head back to send him a wicked grin, clinging to him.

M - "Ha, ha. Yeah, you are." He closed his hands over her wrists and with no little regret. He was out of breath."We've got a choice here. You can hate me in the morning, or I can." Her eyes sparkled up at him, and her lips were curved in a feline smile that had his throat going dry.

M - "God, you're pretty when you're half plowed. You should go lie down now."

N - "Okay." She pressed herself against him. "Let's." Slippery knots tied and tangled in his belly.

M -"I'm just going to back away from the beautiful drunk woman."

N -"Uh-uh." She rose on her toes to rub her lips over his again, felt the desperate plunge of his heart. "You'll never make it out the door. I know what I'm doing, and I know what I want. Does that scare you?"

M -"Pretty much, yeah. Honey, I came by to talk to you, about something I'm currently incapable of remembering. Why don't I make us some coffee and we'll…"

N -"I guess I have to do everything." In one fluid motion, she slid the sleep shirt over her head and tossed it aside.

M-"Oh, sweet Jesus." Her arms had wound around his neck, and her mouth was a hot, silky temptation on his.

N -"Don't be afraid," she whispered. "I know what im doing."

M -"I bet." Somehow his hands had gotten lost in the sexy mass of her hair & reason couldn't find the exit. "Nupur, I'm no hero."

N -"Who wants one?" With a laugh, she nipped at his jaw.

M -"Since you put it that way." He swung her around, reversing their position so she was trapped between the door and his body. "I hope to God you remember whose idea this was, and that I tried to—"

N -"Shut up, and kiss me." If he was going to hell, he'd make damn sure it was worth the trip. With his hands on her waist, he jerked her up to her toes, and caught the light of triumph on her face an instant before his mouth crushed hers. It was like holding a lit fuse, all sizzle and spark, a dangerous woman who knew her own power. Who

was testing his. Her skin was already flushed and hot, and as he took his hands over her the soft sounds she made in her throat weren't whimpers but urgings. Already desperate, he buried his face in her hair.

M -"In bed." He circled her, prying off his shoes as they bumped into a corner of the wall. They fell on the bed, breathless and insane on the pretty pastel covers.

When she moved under him, a lazy kind of stretch, it seemed a very good possibility.

N- "I want some water." She stroked a hand down his back. "You thirsty?"

M -"Not if it means moving for the next five or ten years." She gave him a light pinch,

N -"I'm thirsty. So you have to move."

M -"Okay." But he nuzzled her hair a moment longer. "I'll get it."

N -"That's all right." She gave him a little shove and wiggled out from under him. "I'll get it." She stopped by the closet on the way out, and he had a glimpse of something thin and silky .

M -"Maybe I'm dreaming. Maybe this is just some wish-fulfillment fantasy, and I'm really in my own bed with Moe snoring on the floor." Or maybe not. He sat up, scrubbed his hands over his face. And unfortunately, began to think. He'd come over because he'd been churned up, pissed off, and generally confused by the scene they'd had in his office that morning. And now he was in her bed, and they'd just had sex. When she'd been drunk. Well, maybe not drunk, but impaired. He should've walked away. He should've found the moral fortitude to walk away from a willing woman when that, willing woman's inhibitions had been erased by alcohol. And what was he, a saint? When she walked back in wearing nothing but a short red robe, he scowled at her.

M-"I'm a human being. I'm a man."

N -"Yes. I think we've established that beyond doubt." She sat on the side of the bed, offered him the glass she'd brought in. He took the glass, gulped down water.

M- "You were all over me." She cocked her head.

N -"And your point is?"

M -"If you regret this—"

N -"Why should I?" She took the glass back, swallowed the stingy sip he'd left behind. "I got you where I wanted you. I'd been drinking, Mayank, but I knew what I was doing."

M -"Okay, then. Okay. It's just that, after what you said this morning…"

N -"That I'm in love with you?" She set the glass on the coaster she kept on her nightstand. "I am in love with you." Emotions ran through him, all too hot and fast to decipher. But layered over all of them was sheer, sweaty fear.

M - "Nupur." When she only continued to study him with a quiet patience, the fear began to trickle into his throat. "Listen, I don't want to hurt you."

N -"Then don't." She gave his hand a comforting little squeeze. "Actually, you've got a lot more to worry about than I do."

M -"I do?"

N -"Yes, you do. I love you, which means, naturally, I want you to love me back. I don't always get what I want, but I usually find a way to get it. Almost always, in fact. So to my way of thinking, you'll end up in love with me. Since the idea of that scares you, you've got more to worry about than I do. And you look really cute when your scared." With a smile leaned in to hug him. He grabbed her hands before she hugged him

M -"Let's stay focused here. The whole love deal just isn't in the cards for me."

N -"You had a bad experience." She leaned in to give him a light kiss. "That sort of thing's bound to leave a mark. Lucky for you, I can be patient." she added as she shifted and trailed kisses on his face. "And very, very determined."

M -"Oh, boy. Nupur—"

N -"Why don't you just lie back and enjoy the fringe benefits of being courted?" flustered, grateful, he let her nudge him back.

M -"Sort of hard to argue with that."

She felt so good . Nupur thought as she sang in the shower. Though that could hardly

be discounted. She always felt good, confident, directed, when she had a clear, well-defined purpose. The quest for the key was so nebulous that it confused as much as it energized. But convincing Mayank that they belonged together was crystal clear. A goal she could get her teeth into. She hadn't a clue why she'd fallen in love with him, and that's what told her it was real. He certainly didn't fit her image of her dream man. He didn't cook gourmet meals or speak fluent French (or Italian) or love spending his free time in museums. He didn't wear tailored suits or read poetry. At least, she didn't think he read poetry. She'd always planned to fall in love with a man who had some of those attributes. And, naturally, in her outline the right man would court her, charm her, seduce her, then pledge his undying love at the perfect romantic moment. Before Mayank she had analyzed and dissected every relationship, picked at every flaw until she'd worked a dozen holes into the cloth of it. And in the end, that hadn't mattered, because none of them had been right. She had no desire to worry about the flaws with Mayank. She only knew her heart had gone splat when she'd least expected it. And she liked it. She had to admit she also liked the idea that he was spooked. It was intriguing, and it was challenging to be the pursuer for a change. To be the aggressor, and to keep a man slightly off balance with honesty. When he'd finally managed to stumble out of bed sometime around three in the morning, she'd sensed his fear and confusion just as much as she'd sensed his desire to stay. Let him stew about it for a while, she decided.

B -"Well, aren't we bright and sassy this morning," Benji commented when she swung into The Gallery.

N -"Aren't we just." She caught his face in her hand and gave him a noisy kiss on the cheek. "Is he in?"

B -"Upstairs. He's expecting you. Nupur, you look fabulous."

M -"I feel fabulous." She patted his cheek, then glided up the steps. She knocked on the office door, stepped in. "Hello, Rahul."

R -"Nupur." He rose from the desk, both hands extended. "Thank you so much for coming in."

N - "Of course." She took the chair he gestured toward. "How are things?"

With a pained expression on his face, he sat.

R -"We're having a bit of a difficulty, which I'm afraid we may have cost The Gallery a valued client." Nupur forced herself to appear concerned even while her mind jumped with glee.

N -" I'm so sorry that things have…" Don't say gone to hell in a handbasket, she ordered herself, and continued without missing a beat. "Been a bit difficult during this transition."

R -"Yes. Difficult. Sheena's very enthusiastic about The Gallery, but I'm afraid she's still learning. I see now that I gave her too much autonomy too quickly." To keep from punching her fists in the air, Nupur sedately folded her hands on her knee.

N -"She has a very precisely defined vision."

R -"Yes. Yes." He worried his gold pen, fiddled with his tie. "I think her strengths may lie in a more peripheral area than actual client-staff relations. I realize there's friction between the two of you." Cool, she reminded herself.

N -"I also had a very precisely defined vision, which unfortunately clashed with

hers. So, yes, there was considerable friction."

R -"Well." He cleared his throat. "Perhaps I let Sheena influence me in that regard. I felt, sincerely, that it might be time for you to explore your talents, to experiment. However, I see I didn't take into consideration your affection and loyalty to The Gallery, or how being nudged out of the nest, as it were, might upset you."

N -"I admit it did." But she tempered her statement with the sweetest of smiles.

R -"I have considered all of this over the last couple of weeks. I'd very much like you to come back, Nupur. To resume your managerial duties. At a ten percent increase in salary."

N -"This is so unexpected." She had to imagine her butt glued to the chair so she couldn't leap up and do a victory dance. "And I'm flattered. But… can I be frank?"

R -"Of course."

N -"The friction we spoke of is still going to be there. I have to admit I hadn't been happy here the last several months. Your… nudging me out of the nest," she said, "was painful and frightening. But once I was out, I had the opportunity to look back and realize that the nest had become… let's say a little crowded."

R -"I understand." He held up his hands, then clasped then together under his chin. "I can promise that Sheena won't interfere with your authority, or with the policies that have long been in effect here. You'll have the last word, barring mine, of course, on acquisitions and displays, on featured artists and so on. Just as before."

It was exactly what she'd wanted. More than, she realized when she calculated the bonus in salary. She would be back doing what she did best, and with considerable financial reward, and she would have the personal, if unattractive, satisfaction of putting Sheena's nose out of joint. She would have won, without firing a shot.

N -"Thank you, Rahul. I can't tell you how much it means to me to know you want me back, that you have confidence in me."

R -"Wonderful, wonderful." He beamed at her. "You can start right away, today if that's good for you. It'll be like the last two weeks never even happened."

Like they never even happened. Her stomach gave a mighty pitch. Then, suddenly, it was as if sensible Nupur stepped to the side and listened in shock as reckless Nupur took charge.

N-"But I can't come back. I'll always be grateful for everything you taught me, all the opportunities you gave me—the last being pushing me out the door so I'd have to leave my comfort zone. I'm going to open my own business." Oh, my God, she thought. I'm going to open my own business.

N- "It won't be anything as grand as The Gallery. Smaller, more…" She nearly said "accessible," then managed to backtrack. "Low-key," she continued. "I'm going to focus primarily on local artists and craftspeople."

R -"Nupur, you must be aware how much time and energy that sort of thing consumes. And more, the financial risk involved." There was no doubt about it, he was panicking.

She didn't waste time. Nupur hunted down the address Ridz had relayed, and pulled into a double driveway behind Gunji's car. Good location, she decided, sliding practical Nupur back into place. There would be some pedestrian traffic, and reasonable parking for people who needed it. The house was charming. Homey, she thought. And the three of them working together could certainly perk it up. Paint the porch, plant some trailing vines. Ridz probably already had a horde of ideas on that. The walkway needed to be repaired or replaced. She noted that detail down on the clipboard she'd brought with her. Window boxes? Yes, planted seasonally. And wouldn't it snazz up the entrance to have a stained-glass window replace the clear one over the front door? Something designed specifically for them. She had some contacts in that area. Still making notes, she opened the front door. The foyer could be a showcase for all three businesses. Yes, there was a way to do that with clever placement and displays, keeping it friendly and informal while advertising their goods and services. The light was good, the floors a treasure once they were refinished. The walls, well, paint would solve that. She wandered through, delighted with the rooms. They did seem to tumble together, she thought. Just as Ridz had said. An excellent way to blend businesses. After filling pages with notes she strolled back, just as Gunjan and Ridhima came down the stairs.

R -"Eventually, I'd like to refit the master bath with a Swedish shower and aromatherapy station, But for now… Nupur, hi."

N -"Hi. I'm in."

R -"I knew it!" With a whoop, she flew down the stairs and grabbed her. "I just knew it. Did you see? Have you been through? Isn't it great? Isn't it perfect?"

N - "Yes, yes, and yes. I haven't been upstairs yet, but down here… I love it," she said. Gunjan stood on the stairs, her lips pursed in speculation.

G -"Why'd you change your mind?"

N -"I don't know. At least I don't know in any reasonable, logical sense. When Rahul offered me my job back, with a raise, I thought, thank God, everything'll be back to normal now." She let out a breath and, hugging the clipboard to her chest, spun in a circle. "Then, I don't know, I heard myself telling him I couldn't come back, I was starting my own business. I guess I realized I don't want everything to be back to normal. I want to do this, and I want to do it with both of you. That's all I know."

G -"We've all got to be really sure. Ridz, tell her what you told me. About the house."

R -"Well, the owner's willing to rent it, but they're looking for a buyer. The fact is, it makes more financial sense to buy it."

M -"Buy it?" The gorge she was leaping across suddenly widened. "How much?"

Ridz named a price, then hurried on when Nupur paled. "But that's just the asking price. Plus, I've been doing some figuring, and if you compare the mortgage payment at current interest rates over a thirty-year term to the proposed monthly rent, it's not that much more. And it's equity. It's an investment. Then there's the tax break."

G -"Don't get her started on the tax break, Your brains will start leaking out of your ears. Just take my word for it, she's got it covered."

R -"We need a lawyer to draw up a legal partnership. Then we pool our money. We have enough for the down payment, especially once we negotiate the asking price down. And still there's enough left over to hold us. We'll take a loan for the property and the start-up costs. We can do it."

N -"I believe you. I think that's why my stomach hurts. Buy?"

G -"God help us. Buy," she agreed.

R -"I guess we should shake or something." held out a hand.

N -"Wait, before we do, I should tell you something." Nupur cleared her throat. "I had sex with Mayank last night."

G -"Sex?" Gunjan abruptly sat down on the stairs. "Ah, go, Mayank?"

N -"You're okay with that?"

G -"I'm his sister, not his mother." But she rubbed at her temple. "Weren't you drunk last night?"

N -"No, you were. I was just buzzed. I'll add that being aware I was buzzed, he attempted, pretty strongly, to be a gentleman and step back."

R -"That's so sweet," offered.

N -"Even after I was all over him."

R - "That's… Wow!" With a laugh, Nupur patted Ridz's shoulder. But Gunjan remained silent. "I wasn't all over him just because I was buzzed. I'm in love with him. I don't have the whys on that any more than I know why I want to own this house with the two of you. It just is, from somewhere deep inside me. It just is. I'm in love with him, and I'm going to marry him."

R -"Nupur! This is wonderful." Leading with her romantic heart, Ridz flung her arms around her friend. "I'm so happy for you."

N -"Don't hand out the orange blossoms yet. I still have to convince him he can't live without me." She stepped forward. "I'm in love with him, Gunjan."

G -"I'm getting that."

N -"I know this might complicate our friendship, and any business relationship we might plan on having."

G -"And if it does?"

N-"Then I'm sorry. I'll back out of the friendship. I'll back out of the business plans. But I'm going to keep Mayank, whether he likes it or not."

Gunjan's lips twitched as she got to her feet.

She didn't know what she was feeling. She wasn't sure what she was doing. But little snags like that had never stopped Gunjan before. The minute she could manage it, she tracked down Mayank. She missed him at the paper, followed his trail to the vet's, where she was told she'd missed him and Moe by fifteen minutes. The irritation of that had her deciding she was angry with him, though she had no concrete reason to be. But by the time she arrived at his house, she was enjoying her temper. She slammed the door and stalked into the living room, where both her brother and his dog were sprawled out like the dead.

G -"I need to talk to you, Casanova."

M -"Don't yell." he remained on the sofa. On the floor beside him Moe whimpered. "Moe needed his shots. We've both been traumatized. Go away. Come back tomorrow."

G -"Now, right now, before I find a sharp implement to stick in your rump. What's the idea of banging Nupur when you know perfectly well she has to keep her mind on the goal?"

M -"I don't know. Might've had something to do with her throwing herself at me. And it wasn't banging. I object to the term 'banging,' which is beside the fact that it's none of your goddamn business."

G -"It's my business when she's just become my business partner. When prior to that we were partners of another sort, and it's my business because I like her a lot, and she's in love with you. This shows a remarkable lack of taste, but is nonetheless the way it is." Guilt crept slyly into his belly.

M -"It's not my fault she thinks she's in love with me."

G -"I didn't say 'thinks.' She's not an idiot, despite her lousy taste in men. She knows her own mind and heart. And if you're not taking her feelings into consideration before…"

M -"For Christ's sake, give me a break." He sat up now, dropped his head in his hands. "She won't listen to me."

G -"You were just an innocent bystander."

M -"There's no point in blasting me about this. I've spent considerable time blasting myself, for all the good that's done. I don't know what the hell to do."

She sat on the table, leaned toward him.

G -"What do you want to do?"

M -"I don't know. She sent me flowers."

G -"Excuse me?"

M -"She sent me a dozen red roses this morning. The card said, "Think of me.' How the hell could I not think of her?"

G -"Roses?" The idea just tickled her. "Where are they?" He squirmed.

M -"Um. I put them up in the bedroom. Goofy. This role reversal, it's just not right. It's not natural. I think it flies in the face of countless rules of scientific order. I need to put things back on track. Somehow. Back on track. Stop grinning at me."

G-"You're hooked."

M -"I am not hooked. And that's another term I object to. Someone with a degree in library science should be able to find more appropriate terms."

G -"She's perfect for you." She kissed his cheek. "Congratulations. I'm not mad at you anymore."

M -"I don't care who you're mad at. And it's not a matter of who's perfect for me. I'm not perfect for anyone. I'm a slob. I'm inconsiderate and selfish. I like having my life loose and unstructured."

G -"You're a slob, no question. But you're neither inconsiderate nor selfish. It's that inconsiderate and selfish bitch Dia who put that in your head. If you buy that, you're just stupid."

M -"So, are you wishing a stupid slob on your new pal?"

G -"Maybe. I love you, Mayank."

M -"Man, I'm getting a lot of that lately." He tapped a finger on her nose. "Love you, too."

G -"No. Say: 'I love you.' "

M -"Come on."

G -"All three words, Mayank. Choke them out."

M -"I love you. Now go away."

G -"I'm not finished." He groaned and fell back on the couch.

M -"We're trying to take a nap here, for our mental health."

G -"She never loved you, Mayank. She liked who you were in the Valley. She liked being seen with you, and she liked picking your brain. You may be stupid, but you're pretty smart in some areas. She used you."

M -"And that's supposed to make me feel better. Knowing I let myself be used?"

G -"It's supposed to make you stop blaming yourself for what happened with Dia."

M -"I'm not blaming myself. I hate women." He showed his teeth in a vicious smile. "I just want to "bang" them. Now will you go away?" adding sarcastically.

G -"You've got red roses in your bedroom."

M -"Oh, man."

G -"Hooked," she repeated and drilled a finger in his belly. He took the sisterly poke like a man.

M - "Let me ask you something. Did anybody like Dia?"

G -"No." He hissed out a breath, stared up at the ceiling.

M -"Just checking." The knock on the door had him cursing and her bounding up.

G -"I'll get it." She sang it out. "Maybe it's more flowers." Amused, she pulled open the door. And it was her turn to curse, with more imagination and viciousness

than Mayank had managed.

"Hey, nice mouth, sweetheart."

Samrat Shergill, handsome as the devil and to Gunjan's mind twice as evil, gave her a wink and strolled back into her life.

wow gr8 part indeed awesome continue soon
cant wait now

awesome part dear...am loving it............