Chapter 16 - The Bollywood Boudoir [Tej, Sid, Karan, Laurie, Purvi, Arjun]
Bollywood Boudoir a.k.a. Roof Top Garden - London - (Week 3) Saturday -10:30 p.m. GMT
It was the perfect night for a party! The atmosphere was light and festive, replete with music, chatter and the laughter of Karan's guests filing into the party. Karma employees and business clients alike were welcomed with a fantastic surprise as they stepped of the elevators and into a whimsical world.
In honor of Karan's migrating employees and the new hires taking their places, Karan and Laurie had teamed up with the designers to convert Laurie's roof top garden into a breath-taking bollywood boudoir for the night. The lounge chairs, benches and potted plants were removed and the thicket of grass was expertly covered so it would be protected from all the heavy traffic of the night's events.
A white marquee was set up over the majority of the area with just a little strip next to the balcony left uncovered for guests who wished to take in some fresh air while basking in the majestic view of Tower Bridge.
As the guests entered the marquee they were immediately transported to India as their senses were tantalized with vibrant colours, tempting aromas and the pleasing sounds of an ancient culture.
On the interior of the marquee, the ceiling and walls were expertly draped with bright fuschia, royal purples and deep burnt orange coverings. Little mirrors and gold embellishments were intricately woven into the fabrics to give the effect of the palatial parties in eras gone by.
To the left in this oasis, thick, plump and richly colored cushions were set atop authentic Indian sofas and poufs that were sprinkled invitingly around marquee. These sitting areas were surrounded by brass tables with lanterns and tea lights, whose flickering flames were swallowed and reflected off the little mirrors embedded in the wall coverings.
A small stage, dance floor and D.J. booth was set up in the middle of the comfort area while the right side was dedicated to the dining area. The bar was set up along with some small high top tables set for guests who wished to be seated at tables and the caterers had a small enclosure to prepare their wares that would be served among the guests as they mingled.
The faint aromas of the amuse-bouche prepared by the culinary staff wafted through the entrance to entice the guests to their side of the tent while a musician atop the stage was playing a lilting melody on the electric sitar to charm guests into meandering over to his side of the tent.
The entire effect was a thrill for the senses and Karan felt very proud as he surveyed the layout and the impressed looks on his guests' faces. He stood at the entrance of the marquee welcoming guests as they arrived and was looking forward for the night's surprises.
Karan was smartly dressed in a custom made jet black Giorgio Armani Black Label suit. He wore his crisp, white shirt tieless and unbuttoned at the neck and his immaculately polished black New and Lingwood Stamford Loafers.
His unruly hair was causally combed back in soft waves and he wore Laurie's favorite perfume of his, Bleu de Chanel, just to make sure she stuck by his side all night. 'A sleight of hand I know but one has to keep one's woman happy and at his side at any cost' Karan mused.
Karan glanced to the heavens and sent up a silent prayer. 'Please God, let Purvi find her happiness tonight.'
"Counting stars, mate? I fink you missed one. Betta start ova." Sid said as he came to stand next to Karan at the entrance.
Sid was also stylishly dressed in his custom fitted black Etro jacket and black slacks. He wore a cerulean blue shirt also unbuttoned at the neck and black Aldos on his feet. His camera hug around his neck and from time to time he would tske some candid shots of the guests as they wandered around the beautiful boudoir.
Karan welcomed the new arrivals as they got off the elevator and then said, "Sid, I'm busy right now, can I ignore you some other time?"
"Oh, funny man tonight? Good on ya, guvna." Sid said while glancing around, his eyes searching for the one thing he couldn't find. "So, ah, all the guests aren't 'ere yet, are vey?"
Karan stuck his hands in his pockets while he glanced at the elevator. "Nothing gets past you Captain Obvious." He turned back to Sid and offered, " No. The girls are on their way up."
"Right, right." Suddenly nervous, Sid rubbed his sweaty palms down the side of his pants.
Karan noticed this action and gave a little smile. 'I can't believe I'm going to doing this'. He gently clapped Sid on the back and said, "No worries, I'm sure Tej will think you look great."
Sid exhaled and quickly shook himself up. "Careful mate, I might fink you're actually starting to like me."
"That's unfortunate for me." Karan said deadpanned. "You're one of the good guys Sid and I know you like Tej a lot so I'm giving you a chance. Don't disappoint me. If you hurt her, you will have to answer to me." Karan said in a low, voice as hard as steel.
Sid eyed Karan warily and after a considering his words for a moment stuck his hand out for a shake. "You've got my word. I won't hurt her."
Karan regarded Sid for a minute then accepted his handshake.
"So, does vat mean vat Laurie can neva be mine ven?"
"Here are some wise words to live by, 'my friend'. Don't insult the alligator until after you cross the river."
"Jus wondering, ya know."
"'Ya know', now that I think about it, there's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation couldn't cure."
Sid turned to give Karan a smart reply when the elevator bell dinged announcing the arrival of new guests.
"Don't blink, old chap, you might miss the show." Karan said to Sid with a smirk on his face.
Sid swiveled back around and raised his camera to capture the memories of the recent arrivals.
As the first guest stepped off the elevator, Sid's heart stopped for a second. His eyes greedily drank in the sight of an angel in front of him. Then his heart galloped into high gear as his brain finally registered that the beautiful goddess was none other than Tej.
*Click* *Click* *Click*
"Erm, Sid?"
*Click* *Click* *Click*
"Yeah?"
*Click* *Click* *Click*
"Save some paparazzi for the other ladies too" Karan snickered.
"Oh, uhm... yeah... ah..."
Next came a confident Purvi, who looked absolutely stunning in Karan's eyes and he sent up a silent 'Thank You' for the happiness on her face. Sid took some wonderful shots of her as the girls approached them.
Karan laughed at Sid. "You really don't have any game, do you? A beautiful woman walks past you and you get all tongue tieee..."
It was Karan's turn to be rendered speechless as Laurie came into view. Karan's eyes went wide and his mouth remained open from his last comment.
'One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi...' Sid counted as he took pictures of the stunning Laurie. Karan was lost in his own world as he stared unabashedly at Laurie and Sid had to clear his throat to shake Karan out of his stupor.
"You were saying?"
Karan gave Sid a quick dirty look. "Not a word" and then quickly swung his gaze back to Laurie.
As the girls came up to Karan and Sid, pleasantries were exchanged and Tej, Purvi and Sid stood there looking at Karan and Laurie, who only had eyes for each other. Each of the three thought, 'I wish I could have that someday.'
As if in answer to their silent prayer, a loud clap of thunder came from the heavens and wily wind whipped through the group standing at the entrance. All five of them jumped, startled by the sudden fervor in the atmosphere.
"Good thing this marquee is waterproofed" Karan said recovering from his love induced stupor. "We'll be ok if it starts raining. Shall we?"
Karan extended his elbows to both Laurie and Purvi, who graciously accepted, and all three made their way into the party.
"K.D. you smell really nice." Purvi complimented Karan are they entered the marquee.
"Doesn't he?" Laurie agreed and then she leaned into Karan, "Score one for you"
Karan leaned down to Laurie and whispered, "As far as I'm concerned, Kachori, I lost my heart the first time I saw you. You're it for me!"
Laurie beamed up at Karan with unspoken feelings and he gave her shoulder a slight nudge.
Outside, Sid extended his hand and did a formal bow in front of Tej. "M'lady?"
Tej blushed and accepted his hand. The contact was so electric that both sets of eyes flared at the touch. Heat flushed both their cheeks as Sid tucked Tej's arm into his elbow and they both turned to enter the party with telling smiles on their faces.
Just then the elevator bell dinged again as the last guest had finally arrived.
Arjun stepped off the elevator and into the cool night's air.
A party wasn't what he needed at the moment. What he needed to be was on a plane to India tonight. Earlier in the day, even though he agreed to make an appearance at Karan's party, Arjun decided that he needed to head back to Purvi pronto.
He made the airline arrangements, packed his bags and was standing on his balcony waiting for the driver to collect him when the euphonious strumming of the electric sitar stopped him.
He closed his eyes for a moment allowing the rhythmic melody to wash over him. As the music soothed his soul, Purvi's smiling face floated up into his consciousness. He smiled back and she turned to run away. He stretched out his hand and opened his eyes. 'Something doesn't feel right. I need to go up there.'
He conceded that he was losing his mind and that Purvi was in India but he had the strongest urge to go upstairs. He cancelled the driver, postponed his flight and made quick work of getting dressed for the party.
Karan mentioned that his business clients would be attending the event as well so Arjun convinced himself that he was staying back to network a little then be off to the airport to go home. He told himself that needed to focus on work for a few hours and would then catch the next flight out.
'Funny, I never thought of India as home but if I'm honest with myself it's not India is it, Arjun? It's Purvi. Purvi is my home.' Arjun cleared the thoughts that meandered through his head. 'Work now, dream on the plane.'
Arjun was dressed in a custom fitted black Ermenegildo Zegna suit coupled with a blood red shirt, left unbuttoned at the neck. He had grabbed his black shoes from the same designer out of his bags and gave them a quick shine. He decided on a clean shave to compliment his fresh hair cut he had gotten earlier in the day and splashed on a bit of Bleu de Chanel before dashing out the door.
'Not sure why I dressed up tonight either. The only one I want to dress up for is in another country. Away from me. Alone.' Arjun looked up into the skies, 'I'm coming for you Purvi. Hold on, I'll be there soon. God please help us.'
Arjun was about to enter the marqee when the salty tang of the ocean hit his nose. The effect immediately nostalgic and reminded him of the dream of Purvi on the beach. He stopped short of entering the doors as a chill ran down his spine.
Safely inside the tent amidst a sea of happy smiling faces, in the same instant Purvi also felt a similar chill race down her spine. She gasped and rapidly scanned the mob for the one person who could make her feel this way. When she didn't find him she chided herself, 'I'm losing my mind. Maybe I should just go back downstairs.'
Arjun entered the boudoir and was welcomed with a drink by one of the wait staff. He gladly accepted and made his way to the bar. He noticed a few familiar faces of clients that he had worked with in the past and stopped to reconnect with them.
Simultaneously, Karan was making the rounds with Laurie and Purvi in the opposite direction, introducing Purvi to their business contacts and talking shop for a few minutes with each guest.
Both Arjun and Purvi felt constantly on edge as if something was about to happen and neither could get completely relaxed.
Karan took to the stage and got everyone's attention. Laurie, Purvi, Tej and Sid were in the front row looking up at Karan while Arjun remained across the room by the bar.
"Thank you all for coming tonight. It is my great pleasure to have this grand send off for some of my most talented employees. You all have worked admirably over the past several months on these projects and it is because of your hard work and determination that we have these new ventures ready for implementation. I expect great things from all of you and I know that you will do us proud. Also, we give a hearty welcome to all the new recruits. You have some pretty big shoes to fill and we know you all will take us to new heights. So, from the leadership team at Karma Industries, best of luck to all of you. Thank you again for coming and please enjoy the festivities."
Everyone applauded. Arjun choked on his drink as he was taking a sip. 'Karma Industries? Did he just say Karma Industries?' Arjun coughed to clear his throat and the older man next to him slapped him on the back.
"Are you alright, son?"
"Yes" Cough, cough. "Who was that man on stage?"
"Oh that's Karan. Karan Dhanjani, C.E.O. of Karma Industries."
Arjun's head swam for a second. 'Purvi works for Karma Industries. Purvi works for Karan. Purvi works for Karan? Purvi works for Karan!'
"Thank you" Arjun set his drink down on a passing waiter's tray and turned to make a beeline for the stage and to Karan to ask him about Purvi.
Just then, Purvi's tummy made a little growl and she looked up sheepishly at Karan and Laurie. "I think I'm going to see what smells delicious over there." Sid and Tej said they would accompany her and all three excused themselves to go get something to eat.
Karan had just finished chatting with an employee when Arjun came up to him. 'Play it cool Arjun' he told himself.
"Glad you could make it. Enjoying the party?" Karan inquired as he extended his hand to Arjun.
"Thank you again for the invitation. This is amazing and what a great turn out." Arjun clasped Karan's hand for a firm handshake.
"Arjun Kirloskar, I'd like to introduce you to m..."
"Arjun? What a surprise!"
"Laurie, you? How lovely to see you!"
Arjun and Laurie shook hands as Karan's look grew dark.
"It would seem that you two already know each other?" Karan said tightly.
"Yes, we do." They both said at the same time and laughed which diffused some of the tension from them but seemed to add steam to Karan's already boiling pot.
"Oh? And just where did you two meet?" Karan's voice hardened some more.
"The Savoy" they both said again in unison which caused another round of laughter for them and Karan's fists to curl.
Arjun took note of Karan's demeanor and eased his laughter into a smile. Laurie sensing impending doom for Arjun stepped in and put her hand through Karan's elbow. Karan calmed visibly at her touch.
'Interesting' Arjun thought. 'Purvi reacts the same way when I touch her.'
"Although we haven't officially met, Arjun shared a spot of tea with the super ladies and I when they were in town. He was in the middle of a situation that we were able to assist with. That's how I know him." Laurie explained to Karan.
"Lovely, then let me do the official honors. Laurie Karma this is Arjun Kirloskar. Arjun this is Laurie Karma. My fiance." Karan enunciated the last word very clearly.
"Nice to 'officially' meet you." Laurie smiled.
"The pleasure is still mine." Arjun inclined his head.
A low growl escaped Karan and Arjun could read the signals all too clearly. Karan had just put up neon warning signs all around Laurie and Ajrun inclined his head towards Karan to show that he received the message.
Karan settled himself again as he asked, "What kind of situation?"
"I temporarily lost something very dear to me and Laurie and her friends were able to help me find it."
"A pen, right? A pen that belonged to the girl you loved?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"What was her name again?"
"Purvi"
"Arjun moved here a couple months ago from India, isn't that right?" Karan interjected.
"Yes, it would appear that we are rivals in business." Arjun said to Karan as he watched him intently.
"Is that so?" Laurie inquired.
"Yes, I'm the C.E.O. of the A.K Group of Industries. We are an international group and recently took over O.V.T Industries in India."
Laurie's hand squeezed Karan's questioningly and after a moment Arjun thought he saw Laurie's eyes widen in recognition. Laurie looked at Karan who closed his eyes as if in acknowledgement.
The move was very subtle but as Arjun was a professional at reading people he caught it right away. 'I wonder what that was all about' he wondered.
"Ah yes. That's wonderful. Well, I'm sure you two gentlemen have lots to chat about. if you will excuse me I see someone over there that I must catch up with."
"Nice chatting with you Laurie. Will see to you in a bit."
At the same time Arjun mentioned Purvi's name, across the very crowded room Purvi's head came up sharply.
"What is it Purvi? Are you ok?" asked Tej before she stuffed another delectable mini samosa in her mouth.
"I thought I heard someone call my name"
"How could you hear that in all this noise is beyond me" Tej turned to get some more hors d'oeuvres for her plate.
'I am really losing my mind' Purvi sighed.
Edited by Axiom - 13 years ago
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