Part 2...
Shaurya, even though he had left Anjali's side could still see her from the corner of his eye. He was worried, perhaps the idea of show casing Kavya's work was a wrong decision on his part. Maybe this was causing Anjali more hurt and pain. He sighed, as his eyes darted across the room he spotted Ved playng with Shlok. He smiled to himself, Kavya may have left them, but he had gifted his loved ones with Vedh. There were times when he missed his friend so much, at times like this he would take Vedh in his arms and hold him close. This was another such time. He walked towards Vedh, wanting to hold him close, in the hope he could sense Kavya's presence within Vedh. However before he tended to his own needs, it was important for him to go check on Anjali now.
He walked over to where she stood, Anjali seemed frozen, he placed his hand on her shoulder, she instinctly turned out expecting someone else. Anjali turned to face Shaurya. Upon seeing him she felt a weird sense of betrayal. Anjali still after so long, expected to see Kavya before when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She suddenly sensed that she was about to shed some tears. Not wanting to cause a scene, she beamed a huge smile at Shaurya… Even though inside, her heart was racing, she could hear his voice so loud and clear, it was deafening her. She felt overcome…
Anjali " Hey Shaurya, kahan chale ge the?"
Sharuya "kahein bhi nahi, I was just catching up with some friends, acha Anjali I think you should head back now, Vedh ko bhi ley jao ghar he must be tired and you too. I will take care here.
Anjali, who at this moment thought her world had come crashing down, didn't have the strength to say anything.. She smiled meekly, called out Vedh and made her way towards the car. The contact card of Mr Khan, she hurridly stuffed into her bag.
On the way home, as she tried to reason with all that had happened, she tried to calm herself down. Who could she confide in? Mama came to her mind, lekhin I don't want to upset mama esp when she is just beginning to recover from her shock of losing Kavya. Anjali she told herself think here, don't let your emotions run wild. Ho sakta hai, that because you were surrounded by Kavya's paintings you heard that strangers voice, Mr Khan and just merged her feelings with the voice she heard. She took a deep breathe, she would just leave this matter as it was….
A few days late
- The Marriott Mumbai- Thursday.
He lay in his bed, tired but unable to sleep. He suddenly felt alone, for a person who never craved any kind of emotional bonding, these sudden feelings had unnerved him. He reached out to his phone, it was 6 am. He sighed, what could he possibly do at this time of day. Far too early to arrange a business breakfast and right now he didn't have the energy to go for a run. He dragged himself out of bed and made his way towards the balcony. There he sat looking out at the skyline. The city was already bustling. He stretched out, and as he did an image flashed through his head. Taken aback, it was that very same painting he had seen a few days earlier at that exhibition. Mr Khan collected Art, for him it was a pure investment, but there was something about this painting. The woman in it, had aroused some kind of feeling inside him. He felt disturbed, he must have that painting. He wondered whether his inadequate PA had purchased the painting. Knowing how she was, he decided to ring her up, he still needed to reprimand her for not speaking to him properly that day on the phone.
He picked up the phone and dialled her number.
Miss Rai, a floor below slept peacefully, until the sudden sound of her room phone woke her. She stumbled out of bed, put on her glasses and reached for the phone. What fool could it be ringing me at 6:30 am. She was not impressed. She answered the phone sleepily…..
Miss Rai " Helo,
Mr Khan " Miss Rai, that painting I had told you to purchase, have you done the deal?"
Miss Rai's heart suddenly sank, it was Mr Khan even at this time of day he could not let her rest. She bit her tongue, what she was about to say would not go down too well with him. "Sir, the paintings that were on exhibition are not actually on sale. I approached the owners and they didn't not agree.
Mr Khan " What?! Miss Rai, obviously these ppl just want more money, and you very well know money is not an issue for me. I want that painting and its final.
Miss Rai " But sir, they were v adamant and would not agree. Perhaps Sir if you were to speak to them personally?
Mr Khan " I do not have the time for this Miss Rai, as you know I leave for London 2mro morning and today I am hosting my own party. Ok, Miss Rai, I want you to contact the owners and invite them. I just hope they are worthy of being at a party hosted by myself. Check out their background details before inviting them. I have a certain standard to maintain.
With this he put the phone down, feeling slightly more satisfied, one step closer to this painting. Feeling pleased with himself he went to shower.
Thursday afternoon-
Miss Ra i poured over the papers in front of her. Her boss was so demanding and she had so much work to do. Mr Khan did not take kindly to any inefficiency. He was a ruthless business and one who was never influenced by his emotions. However, his reaction to that painting was strange. She was afraid, of his reaction when he would see that the lady in the painting was none other then the exhibition owner.
She took a sharp intake of breathe and dialled the number of a Mr Shaurya…
