Chapter 6 - Magic Man [Karan and Purvi]
Mumbai - Monday
"Thank you all for coming to this briefing" began Karan Dhanjani, "We already have two delegations in London that have been preparing for our visit and doing the ground work for us. We will be the last team to arrive and we need to be prepared. Let's get to work."
It had only been two short months but Purvi had already loved working for Karma Group of Companies and their way of doing business. They were dually involved in multi-billion dollar deals, community outreach programs and invested their time into developing each project equally. She had been courted by for this job for a few days and honestly, she had only accepted the offer to get away from Arjun but looking around now she was certain she made the right career move. This is where she wanted to be.
She was determined to be efficient and productive at her new tasks and prove herself with this new company. With the success of the Pune contracts, her hard work had paid off and she was tapped to go to London for six months to help her boss and the new team to acquire some new business. She was excited beyond belief when both Manav and Archana agreed for her to go. Tej would accompany her on this trip and she was over the moon to be sharing such an experience with her sister.
'I wonder if Arjun liked London.' The thought crossed her mind so quickly she didn't have time to stop it and it jarred her out of her current daze. She gave herself a quick shake to clear her mind and to refocus. "Is everything ok, Miss Deshmukh?" her boss called across from the conference table.
"Yes sir, everything's fine." Purvi said embarrassed. 'I've got to stop doing that.' she thought. She looked down at her notes and then back at her boss a minute later. This was the first meeting with her new boss Karan Dhanjani and she was pleasantly surprised. 'Wow' Purvi noted as she observed him from behind her laptop, 'As far as good looking bosses go, I have the best luck.'
Standing at six feet Karan Dhanjani was a solid ten on the va-va-voom scale. Fair in complexion; he had the look of the maharaja's gone by - born and bred of nobility. His hair was the color of black gold, regal and unruly. He wore it brushed back but she could tell it was longer than most guys were wearing in nowadays and every so often a stray lock would escape the style and almost fall into his eyes.
And what eyes they were! Winged, aristocratic eye brows flawlessly framed the two stunning hazel orbs nestled beneath them. Purvi was sure those captivating, hazel irises with flecks of green and gold and surrounded by halos of blue, could see into your soul with just one glance. His face boasted a perfectly proportionate nose and provocative, full lips worthy of many sonnets. His angular face was model worthy and she was sure, it was the face of many a dream.
He was of a medium muscular build; lean and lithe. His body seemed to move to a heavenly composition - each movement graceful and confident. His manners were impeccable and it was glaringly obvious that he was of a different caliber of anyone she had ever met. Purvi had felt an instant connection to Karan. She could not put her finger on what it was exactly but she knew it was something special.
She noted the obvious attraction from all the girls in the office but it seemed to have no effect on him. He was very professional with them in but that didn't seem to deter them from trying to cull his favour. Purvi found out from a few conversations with the other office staff that he was one of the youngest business men, at twenty seven, to amass such a conglomerate of multinational companies and turn over profits each year. He was acutely ethical in all his dealings and investors hounded him because of his exceptional ability to turn a coin from copper to gold.
He was also a very upstanding man who valued women and their roles in society. "He hand picks all his employees" Purvi was told. "If he comes across someone who he feels is valuable to his organization, he hires them. I've been here seven years and no one has quit or been fired. Some have retired but never left for another reason." Purvi considered these facts as she finished up her part of the project. She wanted to be sure there were no errors on her part so she gave her full attention to her tasks at hand.
'This is going to be interesting' thought Karan. 'You are quite the gem Miss Deshmukh and I want to see how you fare in London' Karan sat back and looked at his team. His super group was an amalgamation of the top officers from different companies and Purvi was the crown jewel in his collection. He looked at her now while she was busy concentrating on her assigned task.
He had caught Purvi's presentation while attending a conference in Pune a few months ago. Back then she was part of the OVT Group of Companies bought by Arjun Kirloskar, his business rival, and he was blown away by her confidence and people skills. He too had felt that instant connection with Purvi and that night he began his observations of her.
Through his many contacts he learned of her entire life to date. From her coming to live with Archana, her childhood days, her friends, her education up to the present with her cousin's treason, her brief relationship with Arjun, the arrival of her sisters, Arjun's engagement to her sister Ovi, the revelation of her family and the ultimate solution of that problem.
He was also aware of Arjun's departure and his broken engagement with Ovi and that's when he decided to step in and rescue Purvi from the hell she was going through. He knew of her inexorable determination so he was prepared to pursue her for months if needed. He was pleasantly surprised when she accepted his offer after a matter of days.
'How could Arjun ever walk away from her?' Karan questioned. She was everything a woman should be. Beautiful, kind, generous, strong willed, well mannered and family oriented. He knew she had a good heart from those who observed her and those who worked closely with her over the past few months.
He saw her trying to put up a brave front for those around her. He noted that her smile never reached her eyes and he saw the pain hidden in their depths. It bothered him tremendously. She was delicate and strong, determined and selfless and when it came to her family fierce and loving. 'How could Arjun be so careless to let a girl like that fall through his grasp?'
An incoming email interrupted Karan's thoughts and as he read it contents, he exhaled slowly. He read and reread those seven absurdly, fantastic words and he almost shouted with excitement. This was it! The information he was waiting for! He closed his eyes to relish the new information and he sent up a silent prayer to the heavens thanking his good fortune.
"Listen up gang." Karan said as he stood up. "There's going to be a slight change of plans. We will be heading to London this Friday instead of next Friday so please make the arrangements with your families. As previously discussed, you will each have two open tickets you can give to your family members so they can visit you during your stay there. If anyone has any questions, please see me after the meeting. Thank you all for your hard work."
The associates all chatted excitedly as they gathered their things and filed out of the office. Karan wanted to make sure there were no surprises ahead.
"Miss Deshmukh, do you have a few minutes?"
"Yes sir"
"I know you have a special situation as you are unmarried and that your sister was accompanying you on this trip. Is that correct?"
"Yes sir"
"Can you have your parents come in to meet me tomorrow to work out the details of your stay? I would like to make sure they are ok with the arrangements and to make sure that I address any other concerns they may have. Is that alright?"
"Uh yes sir. Of course, sir. That would absolutely be fine."
"Ok then. I will see you all tomorrow. Good afternoon Miss Purvi."
"Good afternoon sir."
Purvi walked out of Karan's office with a smile on her face. 'What a considerate man!' she mused. ' He thought of my situation and wanted to make sure it was good for my parent's peace of mind. He really is a great boss.'
Karan saw Purvi's smile as she walked out and gave himself a mental pat on the back. 'Solid move, old chap. Now you just have to get her to like you.' After that email, Karan knew his world had changed. He now understood why he had to meet her.
Karan smiled, he had big plans for Purvi - big plans.
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
