The Raging Storm (ARVI) - Chpt 22 - Page 98 - Page 73

Chapter 20 - Revelations

Flat 502 - London - (Week 4) Sunday - 9:00 pm. GMT

Purvi shivered as a light cool breeze blew over the balcony.

She sat in one of the comfy oversized lounge chairs in the downstairs balcony. The doors were left open to let the cool winds waft through the apartment. She was in her purple and pink plaid capri pajamas with a matching lilac hoodie. Her feet were bare and her hair was pulled into a high pony tail.

She pulled her blanket closer over her shoulders and reached for the steaming cup of tea Laurie had set in front of her a few minutes ago. She still felt weak and groggy but she wanted to make sense of everything that occurred in the past couple hours and lying in bed certainly had not helped.

'Drugged?' Purvi's still could not come to terms with what she had learned today. She stared out at the water while her mind drifted back to the day's events.

*** "Her vitals look good. She should be awake soon."

Purvi heard voices around her but her brain could not comprehend what was happening. After a while she felt a slight sting in her arm and what felt like a small bandage applied.

"Please call me if you need anything else."

"Thank you doctor. I'll see you out."

'Doctor? Who needed a doctor? Was someone sick? I need to take care of them'

Purvi tried to get up to go see what was wrong but found that she could hardly move. She tried to open her eyes but they refused to co-operate. She kept them closed for the time being to get her bearings.

"Water?" she tried to call out after a few minutes but her voice sounded so gravelly she didn't even recognize it as her own. She coughed to clear her dried throat and asked again, "Water?"

Her head was gently lifted up from the pillow and a cup was brought to her lips. She felt the cool, refreshing taste of heaven touch her lips and slide down her parched throat. Never had water tasted this good!

She drank a few sips and then her head was laid back down to rest on the pillow. She tried to open her eyes again and blinked a few times to adjust her focus. She was in her room and in her bed but how did she get here.

Her head throbbed and her stomach felt like it was on fire from the inside. She curled into ball on her side and grunted softly in pain.

"Shhh. It's ok. You're going to be ok." A calming voice washed over her and a hand stroked her hair softly.

She knew that voice. Laurie! Purvi struggled to focus and when she found Laurie's face hot tears began to fall like rain from her eyes.

"Laurie?" Purvi croaked her throat still somewhat dry and raw.

"Purvi!" Laurie exclaimed softly and it sounded like she had been crying too.

'Why would Laurie be crying? What's going on?'

Purvi mustered her strength and rolled on to her back. She gritted her teeth as she fought through the pain and pushed herself up into a sitting position. She broke out in a cold sweat and felt very nauseated. She took some deep breaths and tried to work her way through her pain.

'Breathe Purvi. Breathe' she coached herself but she was unable to fight the nausea. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand up. He legs buckled under her and she fell back against the bed.

Laurie realized what was happening and quickly came around to help her to her feet and both beat a hasty retreat to the loo for Purvi to empty the contents of her stomach. She felt somewhat better after that episode and was able to take a shower to clean herself up.

When she emerged from the bathroom a while later all pink and scrubbed she found a bowl of rasam and some water waiting for her. Laurie helped her get dressed and eased her back into bed. She ate slowly as she didn't know how her stomach would handle the food and when she was finished she sagged back against the pillows.

Laurie took the tray downstairs and then came back to check on her.

"Welcome back to the world, little Purvi." Laurie said as she came and sat on the bed next to Purvi. "How are you feeling?"

Purvi's brows furrowed. Her head still throbbed and her stomach hurt a little but she was feeling much better than an hour ago. "What happened?" There was something important that Purvi should remember but her mind was still cloudy from the events of the last evening.

Laurie had observed Purvi well enough over these past few weeks to know that the news she was about to hear was going to send her into panic mode so she reached for her hand.

"Sweetie, we are still trying to figure that out. We think someone tried to hurt you at the party last night."

"Hurt me? Why would someone try to do that? Who was it?" Purvi's hand stiffened under Laurie's.

"We don't know yet. Look at me. You are safe here. Karan and I are always here to protect you." She relaxed when Laurie gave her hand a light squeeze.

"Do you remember anything from last night? Anything you ate or drank that might have tasted funny?"

"N..no I don't think so. I ate what Tej and Sid ate and drank the same things they did."

"Ok how about drinks. Did you try any of the alcohol drinks maybe thinking it was non-alcoholic?"

"No, I even told that girl I didn't drink alcohol so she got me a ginger ale instead."

"Girl? Which girl?" Laurie sat up with concern.

"She said her firm was thinking of doing business with us so we chatted for a while. She ordered drinks for all of us - Tej, Sid and me."

"Do you remember what she looks like?"

"I..I think so. She was a very plain girl and you could miss her if you weren't careful. I think Sid may have gotten a picture of her while we were standing there."

"Ok, let me see what he's got. You rest up and I'll come back to check on you in a little bit."

"Sure. I still feel like I've been run over by a truck." Purvi let out a small laugh and she saw Laurie visibly relax.

Laurie came over and tucked Purvi in. "Sweet dreams. I'll be right down stairs if you need me."

An exhausted Purvi slid down under her covers and instantly fell asleep.***

Laurie came out to check on Purvi sitting on the balcony. She had been so quiet since she came downstairs but Laurie knew better than to push her.

"Are you hungry Purvi? You didn't really have anything today and you must be famished."

Purvi looked over at Laurie with sadness in her eyes. "I'm not really very hungry."

"How about if I cook something? " Karan chirped behind Laurie. "I'm a master chef you know."

Karan wiggled his eyebrows and beamed at both of his favorite girls. Both erupted in a fit of giggles at the confident look on Karan's face.

"Jani, we want to feed her not put her off food for life!"

"Look here woman! That was only one time and you lived!"

Laurie let out a full belly laugh. Karan gave her a mock scowl. Laurie fought hard to catch her breath amidst her peals of laughter. "H-h-he w-was making me tea and he added salt instead of sugar. Master chef, my foot." Laurie now had tears in her eyes.

Karan rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. "I've gotten much better at it. In fact you say, my tea is better than your mum's"

Laurie winked at Purvi and both girls broke out in laughter. Laurie held her ear in apology and Karan too broke out in a grin.

He was so happy to see Purvi up and smiling again. He felt as though he had aged ten years after last night's events and seeing Purvi like this now eased a great weight off his shoulders.

"Fine, let's order something and I'll go pick it up."

"I'm not that..." Purvi's stomach let out rather loud growl and she blushed with embarrassment.

"The butterflies in there sound like they've turned into lions." Karan joked. "Now, what will you have?"

"Erm... do they have pav bhaji? I've been hoping to go to Southall and sample it from this one shop but never got the time. Laurie knows the place"

Laurie nodded her head in agreement. "It's good."

"Pav bhaji it is. Kachori, can you place the order? I need to make a few quick calls before I go."

"Sure"

Karan and Laurie went inside and Purvi turned her attention back to the Thames. A sense of anticipation danced across her skin making her hackles rise. She knew that feeling anywhere.

Her breath hitched as she turned to look towards the door. She saw Karan and Laurie fluttering about the flat like an old married couple but no sign of what caused her dread.

Purvi stared at the door for several minutes before she shook herself and turned back around to face the water.

"Arjun" she whispered softly into the night and more memories of the day floated up into her mind.

*** Purvi was awake now and more alert. The rasam had helped and now her stomach pains and headache was almost gone. She sat up in bed and was contemplating going downstairs when she heard loud voices coming up the stairs.

Someone was yelling and the voice was coming towards her room. A moment later Tej burst through the door and barreled towards Purvi. She ran for the bed and grabbed Purvi in a big hug.

"Careful Tej. She's still a little shaken up from last night" came Laurie's calming voice from behind Tej.

"What you do think of yourself Purvi?" Tej launched at her. "Letting someone hurt you like this? Why didn't you take care of yourself? If I had been there I would have thrashed the person who did this. Who was it? Tell me!"

"Calm down Tej. I still have a headache."

"Sorry, sorry. Here, you rest." Tej helped Purvi to settle back against her pillows.

"Teju?" A voice came from the open door.

Purvi's mouth went dry and she looked disturbed.

"Ovi. Come in, come in. She wanted to see you before she went back to Canada so I brought her here." Tej beamed at Purvi. She was so happy to have both sisters in one place.

"Hi Purvi" Ovi said as she walked into Purvi's room. "How are you feeling? Laurie told us what happened last night."

"I-I'm feeling much better. Thanks." Purvi was getting upset and was trying in vain to hide it.

Laurie sat next to her on the bed facing Tej and Ovi. "Tej wanted to tell you something Purvi."

"Oh yes I forgot when I heard what happened last night. Everyone is getting sick today. You. Aagi."

"Aagi?" Purvi stopped her with immediate concern and Tej smiled. Even though she was sick and on the bed herself Purvi was always concerned for everyone else. That was what she loved most about Purvi - her caring nature.

"Yes, aagi in Canada is not keeping well and when I spoke with her this morning she asked me to come visit with her for a few weeks. I spoke with Karan and he told me it was ok to go. I will be working remotely after next week. This job is important to me and I don't want to run away from my responsibilities. You taught me that. But seeing you here like this, I think I will stay back."

"No, no Tej. You have to go take care of aagi. She will like that very much."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Don't you worry. I'll be here to watch over her Tej." Laurie assured.

"Ok I'll go then. Thanks Laurie. Purvi means a lot to me. She's my little sister after all."

Ovi rolled her eyes behind Tej's back. A gesture not unnoticed by Laurie.

"Come on Teju. We have to hurry if we are going to catch that flight. Go. Pack quickly."

Ovi sat in the chair next to Purvi's bed while Tej scampered off to collect her things.

"Purvi, you don't look that good. Are you sure you're feeling ok?"

"Resting helps" Purvi said in a small voice.

"It's a shame what happened. Hope they find who did this to you." Ovi's eyes burned with an unknown look.

"Oh don't you worry Ovi. We will get to the bottom of this. Karan and I are very thorough when it comes to the people we care about most." Laurie cooly offered.

Ovi looked around the room and her eyes narrowed in what appeared to be jealousy.

"Wow Purvi, your boss must really like you to be putting you guys up in such a fantastic place. I mean really like you."

"He does actually. Purvi's boss likes her very much." A stern voice came from the doorway. Karan sauntered in Purvi's room and walked up to Ovi. He towered over her as she sat and he made her so nervous that she stood up to greet him.

"H-hi I'm Ovi. Teju's sister." Ovi stuck out her hand.

"Tej's and Purvi's sister?" Karan clarified as he shook her hand.

"Y-yes, that's what I meant. Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure's mine" Karan gave her a small smile and a look that seemed to see right into her soul.

This was one man not to be messed with Ovi noted.

Karan walked around to the bed and stood next to Laurie. "Purvi is a strong girl who is caring, mature and responsible. If only there were more people like her in the world." Karan said pointedly at Ovi.

Ovi looked down at the floor while Karan caught up with Purvi. Purvi noticed the small bandage on Karan's face and made a point to ask him about it later.

"Ok, I'm ready." Tej said while pulling at her bags.

Karan came to her assistance. "Let me help you down with these."

"Thanks for everything Karan. I know I've just started with this job and I promise I won't let you down."

"I know you won't Tej. I hand pick everyone in my company don't you remember? I wouldn't have chosen you for the job if I didn't think you were capable. I'll see you downstairs." Karan took her bags and left.

Purvi just had to ask. She had to know if everything was alright. She had to know if he was happy. "Ovi, h-how are the wedding plans coming along?"

Ovi looked furious and was about to answer when Tej jumped in. "Wedding plans? Yeah right! Arjun and Ovi broke up the day he went back to Canada. Said something about being in love with someone else and left. The jerk! The next time I see him I will give him a good thrashing!"

Purvi's eyes widened. Arjun broke up with Ovi! The day they went back to Canada?

"How did this happen Ovi?" Purvi was in shock.

"He said he fell in love with someone else and things could never work between us and left. I haven't seen or heard from him since then."

"Did he say who this person was?" Purvi couldn't breathe.

"No, but when I find out I will make that person's life a living hell!" Ovi ground her teeth.

"Oh please Ovi! Just shut up! Arjun never loved you. All these years, you've been chasing him but he's never loved you back. Even when you pretended to be engaged to him he told the whole family that he didn't want to marry you then. He only agreed to keep you out of trouble and now looked what happened you lost you best friend in your selfishness."

"Teju, look here..."

"Girls, girls you are getting late for your flight" Laurie said cutting Ovi off mid rant.

"You're right Laurie. Sorry" Tej ran over to Purvi's bed and grabbed her up in a big bear hug again.

"Take care of yourself and call me if you need anything. I love you Purvi and I miss you already."

Warmth spread from Purvi's heart to her entire body. "I will and I love you too Tej."

When Tej let Purvi go they both had tears in their eyes and Ovi looked on in shock at the closeness between the two.

Laurie stood up and also gave Tej a warm hug. "Take care of yourself and your aagi and hurry back."

"Will do."

"Bye Ovi" Purvi called from the bed.

"Bye Purvi." Ovi gave a small smile and rushed out of the room.

"I'll see them out and I'll be right back." Laurie said to Purvi.

Purvi sagged against her pillows. 'Arjun broke up with Ovi the day he went back to Canada? Ovi hadn't heard from him in months? Where was he? How was he doing? Was he alright?'

Purvi's face was drawn with worry as Laurie came back into the room after Tej and Ovi left.

"Purvi, I have something to tell you about last night. Something about Arjun."

Purvi immediately sat up and her eyes went wide with fear. "Arjun? Did you say Arjun? How do you know about him?"

"Calm down sweetie. I will tell you everything."

Laurie explained Purvi's state that night, her dance with Arjun and how she ended up in her own bed.

Purvi gripped the covers tightly in front of her as Laurie continued to explain how Arjun stayed by her side all night, taking care of her, wiping her head with wet towels.

Hot tears ran down Purvi's face as she listened.

"He wouldn't let me do anything Purvi. He took care of you all by himself. Just before you woke up I made him lunch and told him he should go downstairs and rest for a while since he'd been up the whole night. He wasn't going to budge but Karan insisted."

"A-Arjun? H-here? Taking care of me?" Purvi looked at Laurie with disbelief.

"Yes Purvi. He was here and in fact he should be back up in a little while. He called while you were sleeping and said he'll be here as soon as he finishes some work for some project that was due next week."

"Arjun, my Arjun" Purvi whispered***

The doorbell broke Purvi out of her reverie. Sparks of electricity shot up and down her spine while the wind danced about her gleefully.

'He's here' Purvi couldn't move. She was rooted to her seat as the door opened.

"Hello Karan, Laurie" His voice echoed throughout the flat and her eyes slid close in appreciation. It seemed to quench that part of her soul that had been rendered bone dry after all her tears.

"Arjun. Come in" Laurie greeted him. "We just ordered out would you like to have dinner with us?"

"I-I would love to." Arjun said as he stepped into the living room. His eyes desperately searched everywhere for Purvi.

Laurie met his eyes and looked out towards the balcony. Arjun automatically started for the balcony but was stopped by Karan's voice.

"Actually I think I'll have it delivered." Karan said as he reached for his phone. He picked it up and smiled at Arjun but Laurie came in front of him and gave him a hard look.

"Or I could go pick it up. Quickly." Karan said looking back at Arjun.

"Very quickly."

"You know what Jani? I think I'll come with you. I need a bit of fresh air anyways." Laurie turned to Arjun, "Don't rush her. She has a lot to work through so let her come to you. Understood?" Arjun nodded his head.

Laurie grabbed her purse in one hand and Karan with the other and headed for the door.

Karan pointed his two fingers towards his eyes then back at Arjun and Arjun dipped his head in understanding.

Then they were gone leaving him alone with Purvi in her flat.

Laurie - My Laurie 🤗