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click here KEY CODE:PurviArjunSulochnaAashnaExtraCharacter Thoughts --
Chapter 1- Genuinely Asking
Life was perfect for Purvi. When she was twelve she'd moved in with her whole family in London. Up to twelve years of age, Purvi had been living with only her grandmother and mother. She always longed for a father's love and hoped to be in a big family, and God had listened to her, but ... Not exactly.
A year back, Purvi came back to India. Everyone and everything was in London, but at the same time it wasn't. The only one who had loved and cared for Purvi was her mother, and if she wasn't on this earth, there was no reason for Purvi to be with a whole bunch of ignorant and selfish people. Manav, Ovi, Teju, Sachin, Savita, even Sundari never acknowledged Purvi. She was just the other kid in the house. Way to make me feel like an actual Orphan, she thought. Growing up was kind of hard. She only had a few friends, more like just two. Maybe it was because she was quiet, or maybe because she was the odd one out of the Deshmukh's- but Purvi never really took it to heart until after her mother's sudden death. The minute her mother's burial was done, it was as if Purvi was living among two-faced people, not that they weren't before Purvi's mother's death. She was not taking it- Not telling any of them where she was going, Purvi took a long flight back to India, back to Sulochna, the only other reason she was alive. Purvi lived for only Sulochna now, not even for God. Her life was worthless- an orphan by birth, no love, no recognition, nothing.
Purvi's mother meant the whole world to her, and why wouldn't she? Only she had decided to take an orphan home and give her a name, a life, an identity. She was forever grateful for whatever she had done for her. And since she was gone, Purvi's outer core became so hard even a meteor couldn't break it. A singing, easy going Purvi Deshmukh had turned into the serious, never laughing, just Purvi.
--
She brushed her hair and put on a light blue over-sized t-shirt and a pair of leggings. The night dance lessons were a pain, but she loved it. With her western upbringing, Purvi was seen less in daily salwars and saris like her mom, but she never forgot the values and teachings her mom had instilled in her.
Now morning, Purvi walked into the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee. When coming back to India a year back, Purvi forced her grandmother to move with her to a modern flat. One reason was that chawl was a daily reminder of her childhood and mother, and two, she needed an AC (London was pretty cold).
She sipped her coffee as she made herself a sandwich and heard the doorbell. Her grandmother went to open the door and all Purvi heard was screaming. Not again.
"Excuse me?! What do you want?"
"No no Purvi, he's just asking about the-"
"Haven't I told you I'll pay you?! It's not even the end of the month. You may leave now." Purvi muttered under her breath, "Wonder what urges them to start every morning"
"But miss, the building owners will be here soon and i have to give them their fees-"
"Are they here now?"
"Uh no.. "
"Okay, so when theyre here, we'll take care of it"
"But miss-"
"You may leave now"
"But-" Purvi closed the door on the man's face and sat down on the couch, rubbing her temples.
Sulochna placed her hands on her shoulder and Purvi irked away. She hated sympathy.
"Aaji, I'm fine. Did you eat yet?!"
"Purvi, stop stressing yourself-"
"Aaji, Im not. Please eat your breakfast, I have to get to college."
"Okay dear, come home safe and soon."
"Safe sure, soon... You know that won't happen. Not with work and dance aaji"
She changed her over-sized t-shirt to a nice sleeved top and carried her bag of books and dance clothing. It was the same routine, just different day. She wished for some change, but she knew if she asked God for change, she'd be cursed. She shared a negative mutuality with God, once upon a time, she was one of God's biggest devotees, but not anymore. God hates me, she says.
--
It was a quiet London Sunday morning- the white flurries dropped from the clouds in hordes, making it cold as ever and yet the warmth of Kirloskar residence was all one needed.
"Mom, hurry up will you? Our flight's in just two hours- we can't miss another one!"
"I know I know! I was talking to your dad and telling him where everything is. God knows how he'll survive by himself here..." Aashna Kirloskar, the mother of Arjun and DK's beloved wife, shook her head at her husband.
DK wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. "I'll be fine love, don't worry about me. Now come on, get going, you and Arjun have a flight to catch"
He made a face at his Dad's words and came downstairs with his belongings. Finally, I can stay away from this man. All he cares about is his money and wife. Im nothing for him. And now he's sending us to India to take care of his business, how convenient.
"Arjun, my boy, i'll miss you." Arjun made a snide remark and went to load the luggage into the car. "Harry, we're ready. Come on." The driver started the car and they were off to the airport.
Arjun sat in the back with his mom. He was angry, but he wasn't. Aashna held his hands, squeezing them in assurance almost. He smiled. His mother was all he needed, and the only woman he'll ever love.
--
Purvi loved the airport. It was weird, but she loved it. People leaving, new faces coming in- it was all so amusing to her. She loved the different people and working at her little coffee shop right outside the airport was almost equivalent to her traveling the whole world.
It was eight- thirty and Purvi's working hours were over. She took off her apron and grabbed her bag to leave.
"Wait a minute! Please! Ek second! Wait wait!!"
Purvi turned around and looked at the man sheepishly. Definitely not from here ...
"um, yes?!"
"Can you get me a cup of coffee?!" Must say, he is a pretty well kept looking fella, but that wasn't enough for Purvi to go back and get him a cup of coffee.
"Sorry mister... I'm not working right now- "
"No please, You just got out, just one cup!"
"Uh, no. Sorry. I have places to be."
"Me too, but i need just one cup. I'll pay extra"
"This isn't about money. I'm just not working now. And we're closed."
"So go open it!"
How rude. "There's another coffee shop across the street and around the corner. Goodbye."
Purvi hailed a taxi but none of them stopped. What the hell? I never miss a taxi.
The man came running back, "See, even the no-stopping taxis are you telling you to get me a cup of coffee."
She eyed the man and breathed heavily. "You are seriously annoying"
"And you're very pretty, now can you get me a cup of coffee?"
A sudden silence fell. Her beat a little faster. Compliments came as a surprise to her, especially from such a handsome ... stranger... it made her wonder. Eyes still wide, she shook her head. Was he seriously complimenting me, or was that just a trick?! I'll go with option two. " Umm, no?!"
He smiled at her leaving. "Not bad," he mumbled to himself.
"There you are Arjun! I was looking for you, and what, why are you smiling like that? Don't tell me you were teasing a girl..."
"Teasing and me? pfft, No mom, i was just genuinely asking for some coffee"
"Uh what?!"
"Nothing mom, come on, let's go"
She was pretty different. London waaliyon ki tarha toh bilkul nahi. (definitely not like the Londoners)
--
"Purvi, are you okay? You seem kind of mad"
"What's new about that?"
The two girls, who danced with Purvi, wondered what was up.
Purvi slammed her bag down and roughly changed into her knee length leggings and tank top. She muttered some words to herself and ignored the two girls.
"Alright Purvi, we're leaving. You were a little late today too. Take care okay?"
She didnt even smile back and the girls shrugged and left.
Gadhe. Batameez. Janwar ki aulad- oh, wait, sorry, can't insult the mother oops- but if the son is so annoying, then how must the mother be? The same right? Ugh, whatever. I don't care.
She turned on the playlist and dance her heart out. It was only warm up the first two days, ad the three days after called for routine practice.
She heaved in and out. And suddenly broke down. It was just her and the music, but her insides hurt. This wasn't unusual though- it'd happen most of the time. She thought she was dried of tears- she'd dance and dance and dance and break. And it was all because she thought she was a nobody. She wanted change, she really did, but she was scared. I need to be happy with what I have, that's it.
"You're very pretty" his raspy voice played like a tape recorder in her mind. She wiped her tears, Wow! i didn't even ask his name!? Oh wait, i don't care.
--
He stood from his new balcony and breathed in the drizzling atmosphere around him. I was hoping I'd get to run away from London's rain, seems like it's following me here too.
He was lost in thoughts. He never really ever cared about anything- always impulsive and just out there, but for once he was thinking. He was trying so hard to understand what was going on inside him because whatever it was, it was definitely knew and unknown.
"Arjun?! Where are you! Oh look, there you are! I sent Ramu Kaka a little while ago and he was saying you were being weird and didn't say any-" Aashna blabbered and then shook Arjun.
"WHAT?!" He yelled, a little annoyed with the shake.
"I said, Ramu Kaka came earlier to give you some coffee, but he said you didn't even acknowledge his presence"
"Huh, what ?! When did that happen?"
"Ah, whatever. Here's your coffee, you wanted some earlier right?"
"Uhm, yeah, thanks"
"So, who's this girl that you're so head over heels hmm ?" Aashna smiled, she knew her son well.
"Girl? Uh, no one mom, I just got to India! And you know I didn't like those Londoners-"
"I know, but I did see the princess you were talking to- genuinely asking for coffee right?" Arjun looked away and bit his tongue.
"So tell me, what's her name" Aashna sipped her chai- she was so intrigued.
Arjun's eyes widened and he looked at his mom. She stopped drinking her tea.
"What?!"
"I FORGOT TO ASK HER NAME!"
--
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