Chapter 9 - The Magic Faraway Flats [Karan, Tej, Purvi, Arjun]
Heathrow Airport, London - Saturday - 8:00 am GMT
It was a long flight but Purvi was rearing to go when their Emirates flight touched down in London's Heathrow airport. She felt like a child opening presents on Christmas day. The sights, the sounds, the smells - everything was exciting and new for her.
Karan had arranged for cars to take them to the flats and he and the others were standing off to the side discussing the travel arrangements.
"Ah London, how I've missed you!" Tej spread her arms, came up behind Purvi and grabbed her in an exuberant hug. "We are going to have so much fun Purvi! Once we get settled, I'm going to phone up some of my tennis friends and we are going to hit the town. What do you think?"
"Tej that sounds great but remember I'm here on assignment and I might not have as much free time just yet." Purvi dug out her water bottle to take a drink.
"Oh yaar. Work, work, work - you sound like Arjun, you know that? Both of you are like two halves of the same whole!"
Purvi choked mid swallow and started coughing. Karan, who witnessed the exchange, came up to them. "P.D., are you ok?"
"Yes" Cough, cough, cough. "The water just went down the wrong way for some reason."
'I'm very well aware of what that reason was' Karan thought as he regarded Purvi with a small smile.
"P.D.?" Tej looked at Purvi questioningly.
Purvi blushed furiously and when she was finally able to breathe normally again she quietly explained "Oh yes, you missed that while you were sleeping. Mr. Dhanjani asked me to call him K.D. while he calls me P.D. He wanted us to feel more at ease with each other. He's really nice and I feel comfortable with him."
"Cool, like code names? You have a really fun boss Purvi. Did I get a code name too?"
Karan considered Tej for a moment and said, "I could have called you H.C. for hurricane but I like Tej better. It sounds like a model's name." He flashed her one of his signature dimpled smiles and Tej appeared dazed for a moment. Purvi smiled into her hand. 'Oh boy, Tej is lost.'
"I like Tej too. Its original, nah? Like me - one of a kind!" Tej spun around and put her hands on her hips, striking a few model poses.
He laughed and slid on his Ray Ban aviator sun glasses. "I can already tell this is going to be one very interesting trip. The cars are here. Shall we?"
Karan escorted Purvi and Tej to the waiting black Range Rovers. The others took the second car and they were off to their new home away from home. As they sped along the M4, Purvi sat glued to the window. She drank in the scenery as every turn revealed something new and exciting. 'Wow, I never thought I would be in a place like this. How exciting! It's so different from India.'
They rounded on Tower Bridge Approach and an unexpected seed of happiness bloomed within Purvi. As they crossed over Tower Bridge Purvi opened the window to get a better view. 'This is amazing' she thought.
The cars sped past tourists and commuters alike and Purvi wanted to be part of this hustle and bustle. 'I have to come back here. There's just something about this place.' Karan watched Purvi's expressions from behind his sunglasses and he was happy that he could bring her these small joys.
The cars made a few more turns and came to a halt at their destination -Butler's Wharf in Shad Thames.
Butler's Wharf, Shad Thames, London - Saturday - 9:30 am GMT
Karan and the girls got out of the car as the chauffeur unloaded their luggage. Karan went ahead with the others to get the keys from the concierge while Purvi stood outside and stared up at the building for a moment.
'It's so different from the chawl. Aai I wish I could share this all with you.' Purvi dug out her camera and started to take some pictures of the building. Karan came back out to collect Purvi. "P.D., you'll have time to take pictures later. Let's get you both settled in and then you can go off exploring if you wish."
"Sure."
As Purvi followed Karan into the building she the strangest feeling came over her. The instant her foot crossed over the threshold she felt a light breeze wash over her and she instantly broke out in goose bumps. 'Arjun?' she whispered in her mind.
Purvi stopped and looked around her; nothing out of the ordinary. 'Weird' She shook herself and followed Karan to the front desk. 'Get a grip Purvi.'
The ground floor of the building was made up of the front desk, concierge's office on the right and a small bistro and snack shop on the left. The state of the art gym and sauna were located on the second floor as well as the endless pool and outdoor bar.
Tej already had their key cards and she gave one to Purvi. "Isn't this exciting? We have our own apartment! In London! Purvi, thank you so much for bringing me along with you." She then gave Purvi one of her big bear hugs again as they followed the bellhop to the elevators.
Karan and another woman got into the elevator with them. "Let's go up to your place to make sure everything is all set and then I'll go back down to mine. Ok?"
"Ok"
"Five please." said Karan to the bellhop.
"Three please." said the woman.
Flat 304, Butler's Wharf, Shad Thames, London - Saturday - 9:30 am GMT
Arjun had just gotten dressed and was about to go downstairs to the bistro to grab some breakfast when he felt a light breeze whoosh over him. He felt his hackles rise and looked around him. 'Purvi?' Arjun muttered.
He looked around but did not find anything out of the ordinary. 'Did I leave a window open?' He looked around his bedroom. All closed. He went downstairs to his living room - closed there too, even the balcony doors were shut tight. 'Weird' He shrugged his shoulders and grabbed his key card and wallet from the island in the kitchen.
He let himself out and closed the front door behind him. He was about to go down the stairs when the elevator doors opened up and a woman got off. As the doors closed behind her Arjun thought he caught a glimpse of "Purvi?" he said. The woman looked up and he smiled apologetically, "Sorry, my mistake."
He shook his head. 'You're losing it, Arjun. One dream about Purvi and you've turned into a lunatic. Get a grip man.' He turned and jogged down the steps.
Flat 502, Butler's Wharf, Shad Thames, London - Saturday - 9:35 am GMT
The place was exquisite. Purvi stood flabbergasted in the foyer of her new flat and she could not wrap her mind around the fact that she would be living here for the next six months. 'Wow' she kept repeating to herself and she looked around the room. Karan smiled as he watched her take it all in.
The foyer gave entry to a massive living room with floor-to-ceiling windows which offered a gorgeous view of Tower Bridge. To her right in the living room, designer chocolate leather sofas formed a cocoon around a state-of-the-art entertainment center equipped with a forty two inch flat screen television.
A small fireplace stood off to the left separating the television nook from an efficient corner office. In the middle of the floor there was an elegant dining table that seated six and behind it two grand French doors that led out on to a generous balcony. To the left of the room was the most amazing kitchen she had ever seen!
An army of stainless steel kitchen appliances - all gleaming and proud - stood at attention against the left wall. Marble counter tops boasted elegance and hinted of inumerable soirees of the past. The small island opposite to the appliances served as a breakfast bar for quick meals.
Purvi slowly shuffled into the room not believing her eyes. She was pulled out of her reverie by the bellhop who informed her that he was taking her luggage up to her bedroom. Tej and Purvi followed him up the stairs which were next to the kitchen and up to their rooms. And what bedrooms they were!
Her imperial bedroom had king sized bed with a grand headboard nestled against the right wall while a couple of chocolate leather chairs sat off to the left of it. White, fluffy pillows sat atop an equally soft-looking down comforter and Purvi could not wait to jump in. The bedroom also had floor-to-ceiling windows with an environmental shade control system and a small balcony that overlooked Butler's Wharf.
The bellhop took her luggage into her walk in closet. She thanked him and remembered what Tej had told her about her travel etiquette. She went for her purse but the bellhop said "Mr. Dhanjani has already taken care of everything. Thank you and enjoy your stay." He gave a little bow and went back downstairs. She heard Karan let him out as she went to explore her closet.
A grand walk in closet opened up into a luxurious bathroom. An oversized jet-stream tub and separate shower with a rain shower head caught Purvi's attention. The commode was privately enclosed and the double sink granite vanity had an enormous, tasteful mirror behind it.
She heard Tej squeal and she ran back into the bedroom. "Can you believe this place? " Tej exclaimed as she hugged Purvi. "This is wow and beyond."
"I know. I can't believe that people actually live in places like this. It's like something out of a magazine."
Purvi hugged Tej back and both girls started squealing.
"Does that mean that you like the place?" Karan called from downstairs.
'K.D., I forgot all about him!' Purvi chided herself and grabbed Tej's hand as they made their way downstairs.
"This place is amazing. I don't know what to say. Do all of your employees stay here?" Purvi asked.
"Yes, all of my travel contingents stay here. This building is actually owned by a very good friend of mine. She's the architect and I'm afraid you haven't seen the best part." Karan got up from the sofa and put his phone away.
"Better than this?" Tej quipped.
"Yes, after you get settled I suggest you two head up to the roof. There's a surprise up there. Ok, I'm heading downstairs. Both the pantry and fridge have been stocked with some essentials but if it's not to your liking then there are some small shops and delis along Butler's Wharf you can check out.
We also have an account with the bistro and shop downstairs - just give them your room number if you need to charge anything. The others usually go down to Southall once a week to get their fill of home foods and spices so you can get together with them for that."
"Mmm - vada pav, jalebis, saag aloo" Tej rubbed her stomach. "I'm getting hungry now."
Karan laughed and took out a credit card and gave it to Purvi. "That's my cue to leave. This is for your travel expenses. I will see you ladies later."
"Thank you. For everything." Purvi took the card from him.
"Don't mention it P.D. We'll have an informal meeting later tomorrow to sort out the work arrangements. I'll ring up with the details. Ladies." Karan nodded to them and left.
"Let's go to the roof!" They exclaimed in unison. They both grabbed their key cards and ran for the door. The roof was actually above their apartment on the seventh floor. As the elevator dinged open, Purvi and Tej could not believe their eyes.
It was a roof top garden! In the middle of the grays and browns of the buildings all around, Karan's friend had managed to create an enchanted oasis basking in the view of Tower Bridge.
A wooden deck led out to a beautiful thicket of lush, well manicured green grass. Wooden benches and reclining lounge chairs dotted the edges of the roof top and lights ran above the entire garden in a crisscrossed pattern.
Various, colorful potted plants were fashionably sprinkled throughout the haven making it warm and inviting. The grass looked so inviting that Purvi took off her shoes to walk on it. Tej did the same relishing the feel of the soft blades beneath their feet.
"This is so beautiful Purvi. I can't believe it. I don't know what it is about this place but I love it."
"I agree. This place is magical Tej. Great things are going to happen here. I just know it."
Purvi hugged herself on the morning sunshine and felt the same peace as she did in her dream.
'Yes... magical!'
Edited by Axiom - 13 years ago
Cricket
Anupamaa
