What about us? Omkara(SS) Part 2 Pg 3 updated 10/01 - Page 2

Cyrus Irani put down the papers that his associate had just given him. These papers could actually change the game for the acquisition that the Oberois were waiting to do but the negotiations were heading south. He then looked up to see his associate grinning.

"So?", she asked him

"Well this obviously changes things for the Oberois' acquisition, we have had a deadlock for awhile now. I'm going to bring this to Rathod's notice, and boy will he be pleased."

"Well Cyrus, I don't want to brag, but I did find the loophole, so don't you think I should be on this deal and the new IPO of the Pharma division that the Oberois are starting."

Cyrus stared at her, trying to hide his smile. He was really fond of his associate, although she had been around only for a little while, she proved her mettle time and again. She probably wasn't the smartest lawyer that he had met, but she was pretty smart and put in her best in every case she handled. She was a fast learner, and he knew that she would handle the IPO well, even if she hadn't worked on an IPO yet. But the Oberois were a high profile client of the firm. They were really close to Rathod and his family. So he was very particular about who worked on their cases. He would personally assign any case or deal that had to be worked for the Oberois. So Cyrus couldn't promise her anything. "Well Aryahi! Rathod assigns cases to the associates himself, but I'm going to put in a good word for you. But the final decision is Rathod."

Aryahi was going to say something, but she stopped herself. She had a feeling that if Cyrus spoke to Rathod, he would listen, she decided that she shouldn't call in her favor just yet.

"Fine, I'll wait for an answer than", she said getting up, "You should probably, get going. Rathod is going to be leaving soon" she added walking out of the door.

He smiled. She knew how to get things done. She tried to pretend it wasn't a big deal, but he had seen enough lawyers in his life, to know that she really wanted in on the case. She had done some really groundbreaking work for the firm and worked with a lot of high profile clients, the Adanis, the Chopras, the Ranas even. So he wondered why she was so keen on working on the Oberois' case. He saw the time and decided that it was time to discuss the case with Rathod.

---

Oberoi Mansion

Tej Oberoi walked into the kitchen, to see his sons and nephews cooking. He couldn't believe how these three young men in his family, were wasting their time in the kitchen.

"So do you remember the negotiations for the acquisition that was in a dead lock. Manas feels that we may have a solution for it."

"That's wonderful bade papa! So, Seema finally found a solution. I knew she would."

"Well, apparently it wasn't Seema, but some new girl- Arushi, or Arohi or something like that. But Rathod is setting up the papers as we speak, and having them sent over, and once we sign them, the deal is sealed."

"A new girl? I didn't know that Rathod Uncle put someone else on our case, he usually talks to one of us before assigning any new lawyers to our cases right?"

"True, he just spoke to me about her and considering that she's done a pretty good job finding a loop hole in the negotiations, I asked him to put her on to our cases, I guess she is going to assist you on our IPO for the Pharma division."

"Well, she may have found the loophole to this case, but to be honest bade papa, I'm not sure I want a rookie, who we haven't met, handling our Pharma division. This is a big step for Oberoi Industries, and besides, I'm just used to working with Seema."

"Well to be honest with you Shivaay, Seema seems to be falling off her game, and has been slacking a bit, and we may not have met this girl, but Rathod has told me that she is really good, she graduated from one of the top colleges in India with a gold medal, and did her masters from Georgetown. She has had some really good experience. Besides, I've briefly met the girl, when she came in to drop some papers when you were in the hospital."

This caught Omkara's attention, who until now was looking away from his father. With all the things that had happened over the past few days, he had forgotten that he owed an apology to her. He then heard his father continue.

"Anyway, a lot has happened over the past few days, and I was thinking that may be we should have a party, to announce your engagement, that way we can tell the world that everything is fine with the Oberois, and no person or thing can affect us."

Omkara, let out a cynical laugh, "well that's all we can do , pretend to be happy"

Tej looked at his son, and was about to say something when his phone rang, and he walked out of the kitchen.

Shivaay looked at his younger brother, "you know you don't' have t pick up a fight with bade papa over everything"

"Really Shivaay? That man wants to throw a party to show the world that we are a happy family, when we clearly are not, how is that okay with you? It's a bunch of lies"

"Well sometimes we have to pretend and put up a show in front of the world, and besides who said we aren't a happy family. Sure, we do have issues with our parents, but we have each other, don't we?"

",One for all, All for one", chirped the younger brother, hugging his brothers."

"Okay Rudra, enough of this!" said Shivaay breaking away from the hug.

"By the way , Shivaay, could you give me the address of this firm"

"Why?", asked Shivaay, Omkara was so detached to the family business that even his remote interest in their lawyers was surprising for Shivaay.

"Remember, that girl I told you about, Aryahi, she was from that firm. I wanted to apologize to her in person."

"You don't' have to do that. I guess, we can invite a few lawyers from the firm who work with us anyway, so I'll just ask Rathod Uncle to include her as well, she'll be here, and then you can say whatever you want to."

"No! Shivaay, you know that's not me. I need to go and get it off my chest as soon as possible. It's not a big deal. Besides I was the one who yelled at her, so I need to apologize, so are you giving me the address or what?"

"Bhai! Just give it to him, I guess the girl was probably hot, so O wants to go check her out himself, now that his girlfriend is away", added their little brother winking.

"Shut up Rudra", said the older brothers in unison.

"Fine, I'll ask my driver to take you there tomorrow, and please avoid taking public transport for a few days, till we clear up all these attacks."

Omkara nodded, knowing that Shivaay wouldn't agree to let him out of someone's watchful eyes, especially after his drug overdose.

---

Next Morning

"How dare you Aryahi? Are you really trying to steal cases from me? Don't forget I'm a senior associate, and I'm this close to make partner. You don't want to mess with me!" snarled Seema, stopping the associate in the hallway. She was really pissed at Aryahi for going behind her back to tell Cyrus about the loophole on a case that she had been working on.

Aryahi looked around, she saw a couple of her colleagues staring at her. They all knew, dealing with angry Seema could get really unpleasant. "Seema, Could you care to be more specific? I don't know what you have a problem with?", she asked.

"Don't try to act innocent with me, I know exactly what you are doing, you're trying to cut into the race, and trying to make yourself seem better, than me but it's not going to work. Did you or did you not speak to Cyrus, about the Oberois' acquisition negotiations behind my back? And why were you looking at those files in the first place? I know you want to get in on the case, only because they are one of the most powerful and influential families in Mumbai"

"Firstly, I was just referring to those papers, because the Oberoi acquisition, is pretty similar to the United Airlines Settlement, so I took a look at it for reference, and secondly, I did speak to Cyrus and not you, because I report to Cyrus, and finally I'm not trying to steal your thunder, or whatever, I'm just doing my work."

Seema looked at Aryahi, and was about to say something, when she saw that a office boy/clerk/peon was waiting on her left, trying to say something. "What is it?", she asked him.

The boy timidly replied, "Mr.Omkara Singh Oberoi is here, and he wants to meet Aryahi Ma'am. "What?" said both the girls shocked, neither knew why Omkara was here to meet Aryahi. "Make him sit in Conference room A, and tell him, she's coming.", she dismissed the boy, and then looked at Aryahi, " Why does Om want to meet you?"

Aryahi who was confused, was even more irritated with Seema's question. She looked at Seema, and said. "beats me."

She walked towards the conference room to figure out why the rude and arrogant guy wanted to meet her. May be after Rathod had told his family about her, he wanted to work with her, he would assign his new case to her, she was about to smile at the thought of that, but saw that Seema was following her to the conference room, and she stopped and looked at her.

"What? I know Om, so I'm going to say hi to him? Do you have a problem?", she asked

"No! Not at all", she said pointing her hand towards the door," after you". Saying hi was just an excuse. Aryahi knew very well, that the only reason Seema wanted to be in the room, was to see what Omkara had to say to her.

Aryahi walked in behind Seema and saw that a man who was busy staring at a painting of a woman carrying her kid, in what seemed like a deserted place. His thoughts were disturbed by Seema who excitedly called out to him, "Om! How have you been it's been so long, and I see that you hair has grown longer than before! You look so adorable" she said pulling his cheeks.

"Seema! It' s always a pleasure meeting you, and thank you so much, I've been growing my hair for awhile now"

Seema continued, "How's Shivaay-, but was cut off by Omkara.

"Seema, I would really love to catch up with you, but I'm here to speak with Ms. Aryahi".

Aryahi who still was unsure about what was happening raised her eye brows, as she thought to herself "Great! Seema is already pissed at me , and now this guy cutting her off to speak to her would piss her further."

"Oh! I see, absolutely Omkara this is Aryahi, Aryahi this is Omkara". She introduced them to each other. Her irritation was pretty clear in her voice.

"We have already met.", said Omkara smiling, "But anyway, I'm Omkara", he said holding his hand out.

"Aryahi", she said shaking his hands.

"I'm actually here to apologize to you", he said,

"Apologize?', she asked

"Yes! I was pretty rude to you the day, you cam home to drop off those papers, I know it wasn't your fault, and Mr.Oberoi asked for those papers, and you were merely doing your work. So, I'm sorry Ms. Aryahi."

"Wait you came here to apologize for that?", she asked him surprised, and when he nodded affirmatively, she added, "It's alright, I guess you were going through a bad time."

"Great, I came for that and also to personally invite you to the party my family is throwing this Friday".

"What's the occasion?", asked Seema, butting in, she was getting impatient.

Omkara looked at her, and then shifter her gaze to Aryahi, "Shivaay, my brother has just returned from the hospital, so we are celebrating that, and we have an announcement to make", he said trying to maintain eye-contact with both women.

"Oh!", said Seema. She was confused, she didn't know about it, and now Aryahi was getting specially invited for it.

"Thanks Mr.Oberoi. I'll be sure-", Aryahi was cut off, when her boss, Mr.Rathod walked in.

"Hi Om, I was just informed that you were here. Is there some problem?"

Omkara smiled and walked upto him, "No uncle not at all, I was just here to meet Ms. Aryahi and invite her to the party this Friday"

"Oh! Why yes! Of course Shivaay just informed me about it. I was going to tell these girls myself. Don't worry we will all be there. By the way, when are you holding your next art exhibition. Neela was very keen on buying your next piece"

Omkara smiled, "It's going to be held soon, I will definitely let you and Neela Aunty know about it. Anyway I better get going, I'm sure you guys have to get back to work."

Saying that he smiled at Seema and waved her bye, and looked at Aryahi and added, "I hope to see you soon", and walked out.

"So, What was that ", Rathod asked his associate.

Aryahi looked up to him and said, "nothing really!"

Rathod the said, "Anyway since you have been formally invited to the Oberois' party, make sure you attend it."

"Be ready by 8:30 Sharp, we need to get there by 9 PM.

Sure Sir, she said, and smiled to herself, things were just falling into place, well almost everything except, Seema's anger towards her.

---

Aryahi paced around the room looking at her watch it was 8:15 PM, she was waiting for Rathod to pick her up, he had told her that she could join him and his wife to the party, because Seema had to travel to New Delhi for a case in the Supreme Court. Aryahi checked herself in the full size mirror. She just wanted to nail the perfect look for tonight. It would be the perfect place to network.

"Can you stop obsessing over yourself", said Purvi, "You don't make this effort when your with Vick"

"Shut-up P, you know that this is a great networking event for me.

"I do, and you look gorgeous, now just be your confident self, and you'll be fine. You're a pro. You have done this so many times. You can do it in your sleep".

" Really?" she asked. "She checked herself out in the mirror, one last time before heading out.

"Good luck" her friend wished her before she left he house.