The Raging Storm (ARVI) - Chpt 22 - Page 98 - Page 39

Originally posted by: lola123

Awesome...loved d part wen dey felt each oda...literally got goosebumps!!!

Originally posted by: latika19

loved it...its awesome..waiting for arvi confrontation...please continue soon...:)

Chapter 10 - The Tower Beckons [Karan, Purvi, Laurie]

Flat 502 - London - (Week 2) Friday - 7:00 p.m. GMT

'Wow, these two weeks went by in a rush.' Purvi thought as she sat on her bed and sloughed off her shoes. She laid back and thought about the past few days.

*** Purvi was distressed because she wanted to make a good impression. Karan had called an informal meeting with their group on Sunday to prepare them for their first day and after the meeting she was almost humming with nervousness.

Purvi sat in a corner of one of the chocolate sofas in Karan's apartment. He came over and stooped down until he was eye level with her, "Nervous? That's a good sign."

Purvi quickly looked up at him. 'Whoa! De ja vu!' as she recalled Arjun had said the same thing to her.

"You'll be fine P.D. I chose you for this position because you were the best fit. I have every confidence that you'll be great. There's no need to worry. Besides if you need anything the team and I are here to help you. Ok?"

"Ok" Purvi visibly swallowed. "Thank you for your confidence. I promise you I won't let you down K.D."

"I know you won't."

Karan got up and went to chat with the others.

Purvi strengthened her resolve and promised herself that she would try her best and not let Karan down.

The next day at work Purvi met with the two ground teams that had been in London for almost a month. Purvi was a little overwhelmed with the sheer size of the projects they were handling but Karan was always hovering somewhere in the background and he gave Purvi the unspoken assurance she needed to forge ahead.

Purvi was amazed at how seamlessly she was able to transition into a key component of the team. She was cautious with her ideas during the first few days but by the beginning of second week she hit her stride and felt as though she had been part of corporate mergers all her life. She was like a sponge soaking up all she learned from Karan and his team.

At the end of the two weeks, after the tenders and proposals had been completed, the announcement was made that the ground teams were being assigned to new projects in France and Switzerland. Nalonynnej, Lola, Urben, Darlyne, Esha, Jyothi and Aakansha were off to France while Maleena, Vilasini, Latika, Luvly, Ashu, Nina and Ramki were off to Switzerland.

Purvi was a little sad to see her new friends leave but they all assured her that this was the first of many projects and that they'd see each other again. They were due to leave the next Saturday and Karan was throwing a party for them at their building. ***

The conference they were preparing for was coming up in two weeks and she was determined to best at her best.

Purvi got up and went to freshen up. Tej had gotten a call earlier from one of her tennis friends and they were out to the movies. She asked Purvi to come along but Purvi declined saying that she had some work to finish. After living alone together for the past two weeks, Tej and Purvi had fallen into synch with each other.

They understood when the other wanted company and when they wanted their space. As Purvi was so busy with work she did not have the time to go exploring and Tej felt bad going alone. Tej also decided last week that she was going to get a job to keep herself busy.

'It was awfully nice of K.D. to offer Tej a part time job with the marketing team to keep her busy.' Purvi thought as she washed her face. Tej accepted the job and was really putting her spunk and energy to good use. As it turned out, she was really good at advertising. Purvi had not known that Karan offered Tej the job so he could keep an eye on her as part of his promise to Archana.

Purvi made her perfunctory call home and decided to spend some quiet time on the roof top garden. On her way out, she grabbed a couple peaches and a bottle of water. She had developed a liking for peaches since she'd been here. The taste called to mind a distant memory but it floated away before she could grab hold of it.

Roof top garden - London - (Week 2) Friday - 7:30 p.m. GMT

'It's going to be a beautiful sunset' Purvi thought as she stepped out of the elevator. The hot mugginess of the day had dissipated and cool, light breezes had taken its place. Purvi walked around to the grass and stopped abruptly.

A man was sitting on a blanket on the grass in front of her.

"You?"' Purvi blurted out. "Here?"

Karan turned around and gave her one of his signature dimpled smiles. "Yes. Me. Here. This happens to be one of my favorite places in the world. Care to join me?"

"Sure."

Karan got up and walked over to one of the wooden benches that served as storage boxes. He pulled out another lawn blanket and spread it out next to his own. "Please" he said to Purvi as he gestured for her to sit.

"Thank you." Purvi settled on her blanket and Karan sat down next to her on his. Purvi felt at peace in his company. She couldn't put her finger on it but being around Karan gave her a strength she never knew she needed. He was like a tether for her but she didn't know what for.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes watching the boats sail up and down the Thames. As the evening set in the lights on Tower Bridge came on and Purvi drew in a small breath at the beautiful sight. Tower Bridge stood out like a beacon - majestic and defiant against the sky. Purvi greedily drank in the sight and committed it to memory.

She turned to Karan, "I can see why it's one of your favorite places."

"The view is fantastic but this place means so much more to me than that."

Purvi waited for Karan to continue.

"It's the place where I fell in love."

"You fell in love here? Wow! That's amazing! With who? Where is she? I thought you were single." Purvi blurted out and then promptly turned a bright shade of red. "I'm sorry. I don't know where that came from. I guess I've been hanging out with Tej a bit too much." Purvi looked down at her water unable to meet Karan's eyes.

Karan gave a small chuckle. "It's ok. I'm used to her speed by now and I figured you'd catch up eventually."

He looked out towards Tower Bridge and seemed lost in a memory as Purvi watched him. "I'm a very private person as you know so not many people this story. We met here in London three years ago - on Tower Bridge actually. She had just graduated from college with an architectural degree and was travelling to 'find her creative self' as she put it.

I was late for a meeting and was walking across the bridge, my head buried in my phone catching up on some email. I wasn't watching where I was going and bumped into her. Her camera fell out of her hands and broke. Oh boy, she let me have it! I have never heard those words come out of a female's mouth before." Karan laughed.

"As she ranted on all I could think of was how beautiful she was. Tall, elegant, graceful with jet black hair and a wicked mouth. A vision in her little white sundress with yellow flowers. She had a cute little nose and fathomless, mischievous brown eyes. My brown eyed girl." Karan said the last part in a whisper as if he didn't want to share the memory of this woman with anyone. Purvi smiled at the gesture.

"She was pure fire and yelled at me for a good ten minutes. I just stood there dumbstruck while people stopped around us to watch the show. After she realized I hadn't said anything she calmed down asked me something. I don't remember what. When I didn't respond she thought I was mute!" Karan laughed a full belly laugh.

"She yelled at the passersby to go away and she came up to me. She apologized for yelling and bent down to pick up the pieces of her camera. I bent to help her and we bumped our heads. I said sorry and her eyes lit up with fire again. Needless to say she let me have it for another five minutes" Karan smiled wistfully.

"I told her I would buy her a new camera on the condition that I could help her pick it out. Her eyes threw daggers at me but I knew she was attracted to me too." Purvi noticed that Karan had something in his hand and was rubbing his thumb on it as he spoke.

"The next day I picked her up and we spent the day together. She went back to the States the day after that but we still kept in touch daily. She bewitched me! We visited each other regularly and about seven months ago I couldn't take the separation anymore. I asked her parents for her hand in marriage and they agreed.

She moved to London about six months ago when she was awarded the renovation project for this building. She fell in love with the project and ended up buying the building with her father's help. We were supposed to get engaged but a very important family obligation came up for me and I had to leave for a while.

She understood and was very supportive. A couple months ago I came back and was really frustrated. Things were not going well on that family issue and I was at my wits end. She tried to help me and I completely blew things out of proportion.

I pushed her away and closed myself off from everyone. She stood by my side through everything but the last straw was when I told her I didn't need her in my life anymore. I thought she was better off without me and my problems. I wanted to push her away so she wouldn't be hurt by what I was going through.

She left me then. She told me that she was worth more than what I was putting her through and she knew that I still loved her but I needed to work my problems out. She knew how important solving this problem was to me and she promised me her support but I was being a 'stupid head' and had to 'grow up'.

She left this on the table and walked out of my life." Karan held up the key chain he was holding in his hand. It was a small figurine of Tower Bridge. "She bought it on the day we met as a reminder of me. She told me whenever I needed her to just hold on to it and think of her and we would be connected."

Purvi touched the lotus flower locket she wore and thought of Arjun.

"She said that when two people were so in love - nothing separated them. Not time, not space, not jello" They both laughed his last words.

"Where is she?" Purvi asked quietly.

"She's in London, staying at the Savoy while I'm here with the group. Her assistant made all the arrangements."

"Have you sorted out your family problems?"

"Almost but I got the information I needed so it only a matter of time now."

"Why don't you go to her and tell her? You obviously love her and from what you've told me she loves you very much too. Why are you staying away?"

"I made a huge mess of things and I'm not sure how to patch it up." Karan said sheepishly.

"You just need to be brave and fight for your love. She wants you to fight for her." Purvi looked up her eyes hot with emotion.

Karan regarded her and thought Purvi was speaking of herself as well. He chose his next words carefully. "You really think so? How would I do that?"

"Tell her everything you just told me. Show her with your actions. Make her believe in your love again and she'll surely come around."

"What if I mess up? Will you help me?" Karan looked like a little boy who lost his puppy and Purvi could not resist a soft smile.

"Yes, I will help you win your love back."

Karan's face lit up as the lights overhead came on. They both laughed at the timing.

'And I will help you win your love back too, P.D. I will make sure Arjun fights for you.' Karan promised Purvi in his head.

"Thank you. Would you like a peach?" Karan offered from his cooler sitting next to him.

Purvi laughed again and showed him the ones she brought. "I've developed a liking for them since I've been here."

"Peaches are my mother's favorite. She had them here in London for the first time too - when she was having my sister and has never stopped eating them since."

Purvi was about to ask him about his family when Karan's phone rang. He excused himself to take the call and Purvi considered this man in front of her. In just a few short weeks he had become a very integral part of her life. She knew that she was destined to meet him and now thanked her lucky stars that he came along when he did.

Karan came back to her. "I have to go down to the office to take care of a few things. Would you be ok here by yourself?"

"I'll just head in too." They both packed up their belongings and Karan stored the blankets back in their boxes. As they made their way downstairs to Purvi's flat she asked, "You never told me her name."

"It's Laurie. Laurie Karma."

"Karma? As in Karma Group of Companies?" Purvi was shocked.

"Yes. Now can you see why she's so important to me?" Karan blushed.

"Don't worry K.D. We'll get her back for you." Purvi smiled as they reached her flat. "Good night."

"Good night P.D. Sweet dreams." Karan turned and jogged down the stairs.

Originally posted by: Axiom123

Chapter 10 - The Tower Beckons [Karan, Purvi, Laurie]

Flat 502 - London - (Week 2) Friday - 7:00 p.m. GMT

'Wow, these two weeks went by in a rush.' Purvi thought as she sat on her bed and sloughed off her shoes. She laid back and thought about the past few days.

*** Purvi was distressed because she wanted to make a good impression. Karan had called an informal meeting with their group on Sunday to prepare them for their first day and after the meeting she was almost humming with nervousness.

Purvi sat in a corner of one of the chocolate sofas in Karan's apartment. He came over and stooped down until he was eye level with her, "Nervous? That's a good sign."

Purvi quickly looked up at him. 'Whoa! De ja vu!' as she recalled Arjun had said the same thing to her.

"You'll be fine P.D. I chose you for this position because you were the best fit. I have every confidence that you'll be great. There's no need to worry. Besides if you need anything the team and I are here to help you. Ok?"

"Ok" Purvi visibly swallowed. "Thank you for your confidence. I promise you I won't let you down K.D."

"I know you won't."

Karan got up and went to chat with the others.

Purvi strengthened her resolve and promised herself that she would try her best and not let Karan down.

The next day at work Purvi met with the two ground teams that had been in London for almost a month. Purvi was a little overwhelmed with the sheer size of the projects they were handling but Karan was always hovering somewhere in the background and he gave Purvi the unspoken assurance she needed to forge ahead.

Purvi was amazed at how seamlessly she was able to transition into a key component of the team. She was cautious with her ideas during the first few days but by the beginning of second week she hit her stride and felt as though she had been part of corporate mergers all her life. She was like a sponge soaking up all she learned from Karan and his team.

At the end of the two weeks, after the tenders and proposals had been completed, the announcement was made that the ground teams were being assigned to new projects in France and Switzerland. Nalonynnej, Lola, Urben, Darlyne, Esha, Jyothi and Aakansha were off to France while Maleena, Vilasini, Latika, Luvly, Ashu, Nina and Ramki were off to Switzerland.

Purvi was a little sad to see her new friends leave but they all assured her that this was the first of many projects and that they'd see each other again. They were due to leave the next Saturday and Karan was throwing a party for them at their building. ***

The conference they were preparing for was coming up in two weeks and she was determined to best at her best.

Purvi got up and went to freshen up. Tej had gotten a call earlier from one of her tennis friends and they were out to the movies. She asked Purvi to come along but Purvi declined saying that she had some work to finish. After living alone together for the past two weeks, Tej and Purvi had fallen into synch with each other.

They understood when the other wanted company and when they wanted their space. As Purvi was so busy with work she did not have the time to go exploring and Tej felt bad going alone. Tej also decided last week that she was going to get a job to keep herself busy.

'It was awfully nice of K.D. to offer Tej a part time job with the marketing team to keep her busy.' Purvi thought as she washed her face. Tej accepted the job and was really putting her spunk and energy to good use. As it turned out, she was really good at advertising. Purvi had not known that Karan offered Tej the job so he could keep an eye on her as part of his promise to Archana.

Purvi made her perfunctory call home and decided to spend some quiet time on the roof top garden. On her way out, she grabbed a couple peaches and a bottle of water. She had developed a liking for peaches since she'd been here. The taste called to mind a distant memory but it floated away before she could grab hold of it.

Roof top garden - London - (Week 2) Friday - 7:30 p.m. GMT

'It's going to be a beautiful sunset' Purvi thought as she stepped out of the elevator. The hot mugginess of the day had dissipated and cool, light breezes had taken its place. Purvi walked around to the grass and stopped abruptly.

A man was sitting on a blanket on the grass in front of her.

"You?"' Purvi blurted out. "Here?"

Karan turned around and gave her one of his signature dimpled smiles. "Yes. Me. Here. This happens to be one of my favorite places in the world. Care to join me?"

"Sure."

Karan got up and walked over to one of the wooden benches that served as storage boxes. He pulled out another lawn blanket and spread it out next to his own. "Please" he said to Purvi as he gestured for her to sit.

"Thank you." Purvi settled on her blanket and Karan sat down next to her on his. Purvi felt at peace in his company. She couldn't put her finger on it but being around Karan gave her a strength she never knew she needed. He was like a tether for her but she didn't know what for.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes watching the boats sail up and down the Thames. As the evening set in the lights on Tower Bridge came on and Purvi drew in a small breath at the beautiful sight. Tower Bridge stood out like a beacon - majestic and defiant against the sky. Purvi greedily drank in the sight and committed it to memory.

She turned to Karan, "I can see why it's one of your favorite places."

"The view is fantastic but this place means so much more to me than that."

Purvi waited for Karan to continue.

"It's the place where I fell in love."

"You fell in love here? Wow! That's amazing! With who? Where is she? I thought you were single." Purvi blurted out and then promptly turned a bright shade of red. "I'm sorry. I don't know where that came from. I guess I've been hanging out with Tej a bit too much." Purvi looked down at her water unable to meet Karan's eyes.

Karan gave a small chuckle. "It's ok. I'm used to her speed by now and I figured you'd catch up eventually."

He looked out towards Tower Bridge and seemed lost in a memory as Purvi watched him. "I'm a very private person as you know so not many people this story. We met here in London three years ago - on Tower Bridge actually. She had just graduated from college with an architectural degree and was travelling to 'find her creative self' as she put it.

I was late for a meeting and was walking across the bridge, my head buried in my phone catching up on some email. I wasn't watching where I was going and bumped into her. Her camera fell out of her hands and broke. Oh boy, she let me have it! I have never heard those words come out of a female's mouth before." Karan laughed.

"As she ranted on all I could think of was how beautiful she was. Tall, elegant, graceful with jet black hair and a wicked mouth. A vision in her little white sundress with yellow flowers. She had a cute little nose and fathomless, mischievous brown eyes. My brown eyed girl." Karan said the last part in a whisper as if he didn't want to share the memory of this woman with anyone. Purvi smiled at the gesture.

"She was pure fire and yelled at me for a good ten minutes. I just stood there dumbstruck while people stopped around us to watch the show. After she realized I hadn't said anything she calmed down asked me something. I don't remember what. When I didn't respond she thought I was mute!" Karan laughed a full belly laugh.

"She yelled at the passersby to go away and she came up to me. She apologized for yelling and bent down to pick up the pieces of her camera. I bent to help her and we bumped our heads. I said sorry and her eyes lit up with fire again. Needless to say she let me have it for another five minutes" Karan smiled wistfully.

"I told her I would buy her a new camera on the condition that I could help her pick it out. Her eyes threw daggers at me but I knew she was attracted to me too." Purvi noticed that Karan had something in his hand and was rubbing his thumb on it as he spoke.

"The next day I picked her up and we spent the day together. She went back to the States the day after that but we still kept in touch daily. She bewitched me! We visited each other regularly and about seven months ago I couldn't take the separation anymore. I asked her parents for her hand in marriage and they agreed.

She moved to London about six months ago when she was awarded the renovation project for this building. She fell in love with the project and ended up buying the building with her father's help. We were supposed to get engaged but a very important family obligation came up for me and I had to leave for a while.

She understood and was very supportive. A couple months ago I came back and was really frustrated. Things were not going well on that family issue and I was at my wits end. She tried to help me and I completely blew things out of proportion.

I pushed her away and closed myself off from everyone. She stood by my side through everything but the last straw was when I told her I didn't need her in my life anymore. I thought she was better off without me and my problems. I wanted to push her away so she wouldn't be hurt by what I was going through.

She left me then. She told me that she was worth more than what I was putting her through and she knew that I still loved her but I needed to work my problems out. She knew how important solving this problem was to me and she promised me her support but I was being a 'stupid head' and had to 'grow up'.

She left this on the table and walked out of my life." Karan held up the key chain he was holding in his hand. It was a small figurine of Tower Bridge. "She bought it on the day we met as a reminder of me. She told me whenever I needed her to just hold on to it and think of her and we would be connected."

Purvi touched the lotus flower locket she wore and thought of Arjun.

"She said that when two people were so in love that nothing separated them. Not time, not space, not jello" They both laughed his last words.

"Where is she?" Purvi asked quietly.

"She's in London - staying at the Savoy while I'm here with the group. Her assistant made all the arrangements."

"Have you sorted out your family problems?"

"Almost but I got the information I needed so it only a matter of time now."

"Why don't you go to her and tell her? You obviously love her and from what you've told me she loves you very much too. Why are you staying away?"

"I made a huge mess of things and I'm not sure how to patch it up." Karan said sheepishly.

"You just need to be brave and fight for your love. She wants you to fight for her." Purvi looked up her eyes hot with emotion.

Karan regarded her and thought Purvi was speaking of herself as well. He chose his next words carefully. "You really think so? How would I do that?"

"Tell her everything you just told me. Show her with your actions. Make her believe in your love again and she'll surely come around."

"What if I mess up? Will you help me?" Karan looked like a little boy who lost his puppy and Purvi could not resist smile.

"Yes, I will help you win your love back."

Karan's face lit up as the lights overhead came on. They both laughed at the timing.

'And I will help you win your love back too, P.D. I will make sure Arjun fights for you.' Karan promised Purvi in his head.

"Thank you. Would you like a peach?" Karan offered from his cooler sitting next to him.

Purvi laughed again and showed him the ones she brought. "I've developed a liking for them since I've been here."

"Peaches are my mother's favorite. She had them here in London for the first time too - when she was having my sister and has never stopped eating them since."

Purvi was about to ask him about his family when Karan's phone rang. He excused himself to take the call and Purvi considered this man in front of her. In just a few short weeks he had become a very integral part of her life. She knew that she was destined to meet him and now thanked her lucky stars that he came along when he did.

Karan came back to her. "I have to go down to the office to take care of a few things. Would you be ok here by yourself?"

"I'll just head in too." They both packed up their belongings and Karan stored the blankets back in their boxes. As they made their way downstairs to Purvi's flat she asked, "You never told me her name."

"It's Laurie. Laurie Karma."

"Karma? As in Karma Group of Companies?" Purvi was shocked.

"Yes. Now can you see why she's so important to me?" Karan blushed.

"Don't worry K.D. We'll get her back for you." Purvi smiled as they reached her flat. "Good night."

"Good night P.D. Sweet dreams." Karan turned and jogged down the stairs.