Chapter 8 - Somewhere Only We Know [Tej, Karan, Purvi, Arjun]
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai - Friday - 10:00 pm (local time)
In true Tej style, she and Purvi arrived at the airport in a whirlwind of chaos. 'We're running late because Tej just HAD to have aai make gajar halwa to take with us. I'm in so much trouble.' Purvi thought as she struggled with her suitcases. 'I hope we're not the last ones there.'
Archana and Manav knew they it was going to be an emotional goodbye so they gave their hugs and kisses at home and the girls left for the airport. Purvi and Tej came up to the Emirates check in counter and met with the rest of the team. 'Thank God he's not here yet.' Purvi exhaled as she leaned against the wall to catch her breath.
"Isn't it exciting Purvi? You and me? In London? Exploring the city together and getting into crazy adventures!" Tej bounded excitedly. She was happy to be accompanying Purvi on this trip. She had been missing Ovi since her return to Canada and during that time she had gotten closer to Purvi.
She was initially upset with Purvi that she had kept the fact of Archana being her mother from her but as Tej considered the situation she realized that Purvi's hands were tied and she was just put in a bad position. Tej forgave Purvi and the two became even closer when the family moved into their new home.
Tej observed that Purvi had looked a bit sad but she thought it was because she was missing their aai. Tej loved saying that. Their aai! She finally felt complete as if all the pieces of her puzzle had fallen into place.
Ovi had been so busy these last few months with her fashion shows that they hardly had time to talk. 'Always is a rush' Tej thought but now she was excited with the prospects of her new adventure. She and Purvi had even gone shopping for some western clothes as all Purvi seemed to own were some simple suits. All those years of shopping with Ovi had finally paid off.
Tej thought Purvi looked particularly cute today in her white flowing peasant top and dark wash jeans. She even convinced Purvi to buy a pair of sexy, black high heeled sandals to complete the outfit. She had on simple jewelry -earrings and a locket that kind of looked like a lotus flower. 'That was new' Tej thought. Purvi hardly wore make-up, just some gloss on her lips and mascara and she looked timeless - like a new woman.
Purvi had also rubbed off on Tej somewhat. She convinced Tej to dress a little more sporty chic. Today, Tej donned a flattering emerald tunic over some snug black jeans and some jazzy, black sandals. She too wore minimal make up but gave in to the gloss and mascara. She still kept her sporty jacket close by in case she got cold on the flight.
As Purvi was catching up with her team, Tej was was busy thinking up their first grand adventure in London when she caught sight of an Adonis walking up towards their group.
'Wow! Purvi you have to see this guy! He's like wow!" Tej grabbed Purvi's hand and pointed towards Karan who was fast approaching them with his great strides.
"Tej" Purvi hissed in a low voice. "That's my boss!"
"That's your boss?" Tej blurted out in a loud voice. "What a looker, eh?" The three men on Purvi's team chuckled while she blushed furiously.
"Shhh"
Karan came to a stop in front of Purvi and Tej and he looked Purvi up and down.
"You went shopping I see, Miss Deshmukh." Karan smiled and Purvi heard the collective sigh of the women around them who stopped to appreciate Karan's unnatural good looks. 'He could get away with murder if he wanted' Purvi thought as she smiled back at Karan.
Karan looked very dapper today as well. He dazzled in his slim fitting black shirt that emphasized his physique and some expensive blue jeans that were made to look well washed in. He had on some sharp black shoes and a very smart, tailored black jacket in his hands. 'He smells divine' Purvi noted, 'That's always a plus for a guy.'
"You look very nice today. Not that you don't look nice every day but today you look especially nice." Karan stumbled over his words. A rare occurrence for him!
Purvi blushed, "Thank you."
"I picked out her wardrobe" Tej chimed in.
"And you must be the effervescent Tej. Purvi warned me about you." Tej beamed up at Karan and he flashed her a disarming smile. Purvi caught a glimpse of a dimple. 'He's handsome alright, but he's no Arjun' Sadness briefly flashed across Purvi's eyes but not before Karan noticed it.
"Ok everyone's here. Let's get this show on the road! First stop Dubai!"
Karan went up to the check in counter with everyone in tow.
Dubai International Airport, U.A.E. - Saturday - 12:30 am GMT
Purvi loved Dubai! She was sad that they only had a three hour layover as she wanted to go exploring. She was very thankful for this opportunity to travel and she and Tej 'oohed' and 'aahed' as they browsed through the shops at the airport.
Karan took observed the two girls from a distance and made a note of all Purvi's smiles. He was very happy that she was smiling again and her wild eyed innocence at everything around her made him want to show her the world. If only he had a magic carpet! He promised himself that she would get all the happiness that was due to her. 'All good things to you Purvi.'
The girls came up to the gate when it was time to board and as Purvi was organizing her things she reached up to adjust her bag. Her hand got caught in her necklace and she gave a tug to free her hand but didn't notice that her necklace broke and fell to the floor.
Karan came in and scooped it up and was about to give it back to her when the announcement for their boarding group came on overhead.
London - Saturday 1:00 am GMT
Arjun finally poured himself into bed after a grueling day. He brought his papers and treasured Purvi pen with him to bed intending to review some contracts before he nodded off.
'Oh bed, my lovely bed' he thought deliriously as his head hit the pillow. 'So tired Purvi' he mused. He was asleep before the words were completely out of his mouth.
Somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea - Saturday 2:00 am GMT
Tej wanted the window seat. Karan sat at one window seat and Purvi sat behind him in another with Tej next to her on the left. Even though Purvi was drinking in the aerial views of the cities and seas as they flew overhead she wanted to make Tej happy. She was about to get up and switch seats when Karan offered his seat to Tej.
Tej did not hesitate and jumped at his offer. Karan chuckled as Tej bounced in her new seat.
"You really are energetic." Karan laughed as he tried to settle in next to Purvi. "Ouch" he sat on something hard and pulled out a tin from under him.
"What's this?" Karan opened the tin to find Tej's gajar halwa. "Wow! Gajar Halwa? I haven't had this in years!"
"Hey!" Tej piped up from her seat in front. "That's mine. You give it back, mister. You can't have any!"
"Teju!" admonished Purvi "Chillax, let Mr. Dhanjani have this one and you can have my special reserve" Purvi smiled.
"Special reserve?" Tej asked wide eyed.
"Yes. I knew you'd finish yours before we got there so I asked aai to give me some too - you know for your second round" Purvi laughed softly and stood up to give Tej her gift.
"You are the best Purvi!" Tej stood up and hugged Purvi over the backside of her seat. She took the tin of goodness, sat down and put her headphones on. Tej looked so happy eating her halwa and looking out the window that Purvi smiled as she sat back down.
"You are a very caring person Miss Deshmukh. That is so rare in people today."
"Thank you Mr. Dhanjani. All the credit goes to my mother. Please have the halwa."
Karan opened the tin and took a sampling of the scrumptious smelling pudding. "This is amazing and please, call me KD. Our team will be working closely over the next few weeks and I would like you to feel at ease with me."
Purvi started to protest but Karan cut her off with a raised hand. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll call you PD - Purvi Deshmukh. How does that sound?" Karan wiggled his eyebrows at her, an action she wasn't expecting. Uncontrollable laughter bubbled out of Purvi and she had to put her hand over her mouth to keep herself quiet.
Karan grinned at her, "It's settled then. You call me KD and I'll call you PD. Done!"
Karan put on his headphones and went back to eating his gajar halwa.
'What a strange man' Purvi thought but the more time she spent around him the more comfortable she felt.
Twenty minutes went by and Tej was quiet. Purvi peeked over the seat to see Tej with her eye patch and headphones stretched out on her Flat-bed seat. Purvi smiled when she saw Tej turn over and cuddle against her pillow. She was so glad for her family.
Karan had gone to the lounge to stretch his legs and Purvi stifled a yawn. 'Might as well get some rest too' Purvi thought as she kicked off her shoes, extended her own Flat-bed seat and snuggled down under her covers.
Purvi fell asleep in two minutes flat.
Just then Karan came back to his seat and saw both Tej and Purvi sleeping. 'Guess I better join the club - can't let them have all the fun.' Karan thought as he sat down. He suddenly remembered Purvi's necklace and pulled it out from his pocket. Curious, he opened the lotus flower locket to see what Purvi held so dear.
On one side was her Deshmukh family and the other side was her Karanjkar family. One picture looked a little off so Karan put his finger to try and straighten it. It slid down to reveal the mystery Purvi had been hiding. A picture of Arjun Kirloskar. Karan grimaced at the picture for a minute then put the other picture back in its place.
He took the locket and wrapped it in Purvi's hand that was sticking out from under the covers. She shifted slightly in her sleep and pulled the hand with the locket up to her chest. 'Arjun' she sighed softly and then snuggled into her pillow.
Karan smiled at her wistfully as he arranged his own Flat-bed. He made himself comfortable and drifted off to sleep.
London - Saturday 2:30 am GMT
Arjun rolled over in his sleep and his hand landed on the papers he brought to bed. Unconsciously, his hand closed around the pen he took from Purvi on Valentine's day and he brought it to his chest. "Purvi" he sighed into his pillow and sunk into a deep, peaceful slumber.
Somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea - Saturday 2:30 am GMT
Purvi found herself on a beach at sunset.
The clear, cloudless sky was ablaze with champagne yellows, robust oranges and fiery reds as the sun bid a grand adieu and made its exit over the horizon. The soft surf crashed against the shore to the beat of an ancient, timeless melody and a warm wind whirled around her with the salty tang of the ocean waters in its midst.
Purvi smiled and was at peace. She felt comfortable and loved - a feeling she had not felt in months. Not since Arjun. She looked down to find she was wearing a white halter dress that came down to her ankles.
Her hair was loose and was gently tousled by the curious coastal breezes. She wore no make-up just a simple gloss on her lips and the glow of the evening sun on her cheeks. Her feet were bare and she wore no jewelry except for the bangles Arjun had given her - wait... the bangles Arjun had given her?
"Purvi"
Her name was spoken as a whisper and carried to her by the mischievous wind. Purvi looked up to see a man standing ahead of her at the water's edge looking out at the sunset. She could only make out his shadow as the sun's kaleidoscope dazzled her for a moment. 'It couldn't be - could it?' she thought.
"Arjun?" she whispered back but the man didn't turn around.
She tentatively made her way down to the water's edge - her eyes never leaving the figure in front of her. He was dressed in a crisp, white shirt and black jeans - which he had rolled up to his knees. His jacket was hooked in the loop of his elbow as his hands were stuffed into his front pockets.
Purvi was almost to him now. She held up the edge of her dress with one hand to prevent the playful waves from splashing up and dampening her lovely frock. The sun finally dimmed its light show when she was a mere five feet away from him. She stopped cold. It was that unmistakable profile. The one she could never forget even if she lived to be one hundred years old.
He stood with his feet slightly apart and his head held high to the evening sky. The warm water lapped at his bare feet to get his attention but his eyes were closed as if in devotion.
"Purvi" He said her name like a prayer.
This time she felt his love and pain in that one word. It washed over her like a giant tidal wave.
"Arjun" she whispered.
His eyes snapped open wide and he spun around. They stared incredulously at each other hoping that the other wasn't a mirage that would disappear right before their eyes.
"You came" he sighed. "I've been waiting for you." A slow, tentative smile spread across Arjun's face as he reflected 'My God she's beautiful.'
'My God he's handsome' Purvi thought. She looked at him not quite sure what to say. He looked like he lost some weight and his hair was a little longer. Instant worry crept in her mind. Why wasn't he taking care of himself? Was he ok? "Arjun?" she asked uncertainly.
"Yes, my Purvi. I've been longing to see you all these months. God has finally answered my prayer." Purvi saw his eyes glisten with tears but he quickly blinked them back.
"How have you been?"
"I've been doing ok" she lied. "And you? How have you been?"
"Terrible. My life has been a complete wreck since the day you made me leave you. Can't you tell?" Arjun took the final few steps towards her and she froze.
"I know that you haven't been doing well either. You look like you've lost weight and you need a haircut."
Purvi harrumphed. Arjun smiled.
'She has no idea how beautiful she is.' He mused. His knees were becoming weak as he drank in the sight of her in that white dress. 'Just like that day in the temple. So pure. So perfect.'
He wanted to reach out and capture her hair as it danced in the playful wind. He wanted to feel the softness against his fingers and her arms around his neck. Her eyes - loving and unsure - looked right into the depths of him.
"I know you miss me too but you are just too proud to say it."
"Why would I be missing you? You are off living happily ever after with Ovi." At that Purvi turned around and a few hot, treacherous tears streaked down her face.
Arjun came up right behind her and she could feel the heat of his breath on the back of her neck.
"There is no Ovi - only Purvi"
She shivered in the cool night's air and wrapped her arms around herself. Arjun took his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. Instant thrills zinged up and down her spine as she was enveloped in the warmth of his jacket. She closed her eyes for an instant and inhaled that wonderful scent that was Arjun. She quickly brushed the tears away.
"I don't miss you."
His voice was low and raspy right next to her ear. "You are little liar, Purvi Deshmukh. You know you can't fool me, right? I've been loving you too long." He paused, "By the way, you look stunning tonight."
Purvi closed her eyes again letting his smooth voice caress her - his words were a balm to her soul but the timbre of his voice was like pouring gas on her already raging fire.
God, how she missed him!
"You touched something in me Purvi. You woke me up. You made me come alive and I know I did the same thing to you."
Purvi shuddered from his nearness. 'Knees getting weak - must do something.'
She could play this game too!
She opened her eyes and turned around to face him.
"Do you want me to admit it, you wretch? Well here it is - Yes! I felt it too!"
She looked him in the eye and poured all her feelings into her next words.
"I lived a thousand years in every word, every look, every kiss, every moment that we shared. I know just where to touch you and I know just what to prove. I know when to pull you closer and I know when to let you loose. I have always loved you with everything I have inside me. Can't you see that?"
This delicate slip of a woman before him just given him a glimpse of heaven and it was most exquisite. Arjun was rendered speechless by her confession and was deeply humbled that she allowed him to be that close to her.
Every star in the sky was taking aim at her eyes like a spotlight. The sumptuous moon bathed them in her luminescent glow while the eager clouds crept closer to catch the final act.
A wicked wind blew Purvi's hair over Arjun's cheek and he closed his eyes relishing the feel of her soft tresses against his skin. This simple touch was nourishment for his parched soul.
"Purvi" He said her name like a life line.
"I dared to dream, Arjun. I put all my hopes in our love. I put all my faith in you but now I have nothing left to show for it." Pain marred Purvi's features and Arjun felt as though he got punched in the stomach. His greatest fear was losing her and with these words he could feel her pulling away.
He looked into her eyes with conviction, "Hear me, Purvi. You are mine and I am yours only. Until my dying day. No one can ever separate us. No one!"
"I don't know if I can believe you."
"I know all the rules, my sweet. I could never let you fall. I will do whatever it takes to win back your trust and to prove to you that I am worthy of your love. But I don't know how to leave you, Purvi, please don't make me try."
"Do you truly mean that?" Purvi looked up at him with so much hope and he knew in that moment he would cross the scalding hot deserts barefoot before he would ever let her feel any hurt ever again.
"I mean it with every breath I have left in me. I'm never going to make it without you Purvi. Never"
Purvi melted at his words and Arjun opened his arms to her.
She threw herself into his arms and he held on to her as if his life depended on it. He rained sweet kisses on her hair, her forehead and her face.
Her touch left a trail of fire over his skin and, oh, how he burned for her!
He could go on holding her like this forever and he would never be satisfied.
"My Purvi."
"My Arjun"
The instant they became one again the thunder clapped and the lightning split the skies.
Flying over Rome, Italy - Saturday 3:04 am GMT
"My Purvi" Purvi's eyes flew open and she sat right up in her seat. She gulped for air and realized she was still on the airplane heading for London. 'What the hell was that?' She looked over to her left and saw that KD was asleep and Tej was still knocked out in the seat in front of her.
'What's happening to me? That dream felt so real.'
She broke out in a cold sweat and reached her hand up to wipe her face. Something in her hand touched her forehead. She looked down and saw that her locket was wrapped snugly around her hand. 'How did this end up here?'
She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and looked out the window.
'There's a storm raging' she thought, 'and I'm not going to be able to survive this one.'
London - Saturday 3:04 am GMT
"My Arjun" Arjun jerked awake, "What the hell was that?" He shot right up in bed and found that his hand was aching. When he tried to flex his fingers, he realized he was gripping Purvi's pen tightly. He relaxed his hold and tried to remember how it ended up in his hand.
'What's happening to me? That dream felt so real.'
His breath came in a ragged pace and his heart beat a furious tune in his chest. Was he going crazy? The thunder cracked as if in response. He had to get some air. He got up, opened the balcony door and stepped out into the early morning dew.
The cool air did nothing to calm the heat emanating from him. The salty tang of atmosphere caught his attention and he knew it wasn't just the weather. Lightning flashed in the heavens.
'There's a storm raging' he thought, 'and I'm not going to be able to survive this one.'
Edited by Axiom123 - 13 years ago
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