Pyaar in the Pink City
Part 2 Old Connections
The day simply flew by. Naani and Maamiji had headed out to the Satsang. Khushi was helping Payal with Aanya's bath. Anjali had been immersed in ensuring the finishing touches to her project were completed per her specifications.
Ever since the day she had cleansed her former bedroom, throwing out everything associated with her marital life with Shyam, she had decided to convert the place into something that would be a hangout for the entire family. All the painful memories will be replaced by laughter and happiness, she had resolved. With Arnav and Akash as her sounding board she had brainstormed several ideas and had struck gold when Dhruv, who had strolled in casually remarked about reviving their long forgotten tradition of music on Saturday nights. One thing led to another and the idea of remodeling the space into a music lounge where the entire family could congregate, perform or listen to music in a wonderful acoustic setting was born.
Anjali had a fantastic time drafting the plan, researching the latest and greatest in design trends and meeting with acoustic consultants. She was so fired up with the project and the million moving parts it entailed that she worked nearly ten to twelve hours a day and was dead on her feet by bedtime. But her heart sang with joy as the lounge began to take shape from demolished walls and concrete rubble to what it was today. She surveyed the fruits of her labor with pride. The last of the details were being put in place.
She had opened up the former bedroom by pulling down the walls and had created a semi-circular structure enclosed on all sides save one by curved sound proof walls. The extra wide entrance spanned the breadth of the room and was fitted with retractable sound proof tempered glass sliding doors that retreated into the wall when open giving an impression of an open lounge. But when pulled shut, it transformed into a state-of-the art performance theater.
Low plush seating was arranged in a semicircle facing the back wall, which served as the focal wall. Anjali had extended the wall space to close up the French windows and had hand-painted the entire wall from floor to ceiling with a colorful mural. All the musical instruments were placed a few feet away from the wall.
Smack dab in the middle was Arnav's set of drums. To the right were two low plush and oversized cushions that served as placements for Akash and Maamaji for their Sitar & Harmonium. On the left, were a baby grand Piano and a slightly raised pedestal for Dhruv and his Saxophone. She had left the central space open and paved the floor with beautiful marble to serve as a dance floor for Khushiji's or Naani's Kathak performances.
The walls were painted a soft, satiny white. The seating was all covered in white suede. The bold focal wall and richly embroidered silk cushions in jewel tones, generously piled on all the seating added color and vibrancy to the space. The entire room was awash with layers of lighting. Recessed lights on a dimmer switch were sprinkled in the ceiling along the perimeter, a fabulous chandelier that was a fusion of modern and traditional styles hung in the center anchoring the entire room while wall sconces of weathered brass completed the picture. The acoustic system of speakers, amplifiers, woofers and all the sound system paraphernalia were cleverly concealed making their presence known only in the experience they delivered when music played and transported the listener to an outer world.
"It's beautiful Di" came a voice full of hushed surprise and pleasure causing Anjali to swivel around; the sudden movement causing her to lose her balance. Anjali felt herself toppling over and closed her eyes, steeling herself for the fall. But a pair of masculine arms held her by her shoulders steadying her in the nick of the moment.
"Sh'.Shu''Shukriya" Anjali murmured shaken as she opened her eyes and found herself looking at the smiling face of the man who had accompanied Arnav.
"You are welcome Anjali" he replied with a smile.
"I am sorry, par kya mein aapko?" Anjali drawled uncertainly as she knit her brows trying to recall where she had seen him before.
Memories of laughter and a crowded college canteen flooded her mind. A group of young boys and gals had gathered around two young men arm wrestling for a date with the most popular girl in college. Anjali had placed her bet on her favorite just like the rest, and joined in the chant, singing out her support "Nitin, Nitin, go Nitin ... "
The scene floated in front of her eyes and the words rang in her ears as recognition lit up her face and drew her lips into a full blown smile. "Nitin Rajput!" she exclaimed pointing to him and looking from him to her chotte and back as she continued, "is that really you? Hume yakeen nahin ho raha hai. Itne saal baad, aap aur yahaan? Aur woh bhi chotte ke saat? Kaise? Kab?"
Nitin laughed in delight at Anjali's words and replied, "Woh aise Anjali,ki mera mulaqat Arnav ke saat ek design convention mein hua tha, kuch che maheene pahele. Aur we struck a chord with each other. Hum log kaafi emails aur phone calls exchange kiye both business and social aur ek din baton, baton mein we realized ki, Arnav ki Di Anjali, aur meri college ki friend Anjali ek hi hai. Bas, I was looking for an opportunity to catch up. Aur Arnav ki iss nayi venture mein mere saat business dealing bhi hain, tho" he paused and looked at Arnav inviting him to finish the rest.
Arnav smiled, "so far so good" he thought as he spoke.
"Di, chaliye let's sit and chat" and he led them to the living area where Naani and Maami were seated, crooning over Aanya who gazed at their faces in contentment.
After a round of introductions was made, and Khushi, Akash and Payal had joined them, Arnav began to reveal his plan aided by Akash and Nitin from time to time. Arnav and Akash had sought Naani's permission to restore their ancestral haveli in Jaipur and convert it into a resort for the discerning and elite traveler.
"Nitin has excellent credentials. He has a Masters in Architecture and Design from Yale school of Architecture and his company, NRD - Nitin Rajput Designs specializes in restoration work of this nature. Iss project ke liye his enthusiasm was great aur mein inse business dealing shuru kardi. Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist spots in India and AR Resorts cannot be left without making its presence felt over there. Aur, restoration and remodeling aisi hogi taaki, hum ek section of the Haveli private rak sake apne use ke liye when we visit and baaki ka resort ka hissa hoga to entertain guests".
"Idea bahut accha hai chote aur kitna exciting project hai. Hamari haveli tho sau saal puraani hogi, aur hame khushi hai ki hum ise restore karenge. Unn dinon kitna shandaar raha hoga" chimed in Anjali.
"Teek kahat hai aap Anjali. Aap ke naana ji aur humri bahut saare sunaharen yaaden judi hui hai oo haveli ke sangh. Hame tho Khushi hai ki chotte usse uska astitva lauta rahe hain." said Devyani beaming at her grandson.
"Aur Di one more thing, mein chahta hoon ki yeh project AR ki ore se aap oversee karen. Aap ki background bhi fit hota hain, aur aap bhi tho AR group ke hissa ho." Revealed Arnav with a persuasive look on his face as he spoke to Anjali.
"Haan Di. Waise bhi Aanya ke baad, mein aajkal Delhi se baahar trips pe nahin jaa raha hoon. And I think the change will be good for you." Added Akash tagging along with his bhai.
"I need some time to think. Academic background apni jagah, aur industry experience apni. Hume tho real world design ka experience hai hi nahin. Agar yeh project hamari wajah se fail hui tho, hum sah nahin payenge" replied Anjali as she rose to pace the floor nervously.
Nitin quickly masked his expression of shock at her words. He had never known Anjali to be timid or diffident. Clearly she had changed in more ways than one. Looking at her he spoke, choosing his words with care,
"Anjali you are right. Par abhi jo thumhari music lounge ka design hain na, that's extremely good. No less than what a seasoned designer would have produced. Tum socho and agar kuch questions ho tho, we can always chat more. Waise sara design and restoration work and its delivery tho meri zimmedari hain, tum meri client ho aur you will approve and supervise the deliverables" finished Nitin.
Anjali nodded promising to think it over and the family let the matter drop.
Arnav leaned back in his chair contently sipping his black coffee. He had sowed the idea in his Di's head, and he knew his Di very well. He was willing to bet his entire fortune that she would mull over it through the night and come around to his way of thinking. He had decided to rope her in on this project the day he had seen her eyes light up while she had worked on Aanya's nursery addition. Her enthusiasm and drive as she executed her music lounge project only reassured him.
Di had almost gone back to the way she had been in her early twenties, full of confidence, fulfillment and joy. He wanted that happiness for her. There was little he could do about her broken heart. But there was plenty he could do to help her restore her confidence and self-esteem, and he would be damned if he did not try every trick in his arsenal to make it happen.
Khushi caught the steely look of determination in her husband's eye and softly squeezed his hand as she smiled in encouragement.
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Cricket
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