"Please no formality. We couldn't finish shaking hands the other day, but I hope that doesn't leave us as strangers." ---- Wow! Opening line is really interesting. I had really wondered on what did Suyodh and Adi thought of Shyama advocating for Arjun that day at office..So yes, he noticed her and that unfinished introduction was stuck in his mind...cool!
"True, but I'm here on a consultation," I said removing my hand from his hold and stepping into his foyer. (Hmmm...true professional style! I wonder how she manages her emotions, no surprises or taken aback feelings??)
Naturally, my eyes pirouetted to all corners. I noticed that the outside didn't match the inside, which was overly large to be empty and needed work. The house was new, but seemed used at the same time. It appeared everything, including him, were waiting to belong there. (I see..I deeply suspect Vishwa's hand here...since it speaks about settling, Vishwa is also trying to settle Shyama in to matrimony. I dunno why, but yes, I wish if I was Shyama..I love such projects, where you are given a blank canvas or backdrop and you can paint to your heart's wish. The place has several possibilities and its tempting to explore )
"Tea, if isn't too much trouble," I asked and he took off in the direction of the kitchen. "I mean the Indian chai," I clarified for good measure, in case my initial suggesting could be mistaken for the kind highfalutin hypocrites sipped on: just lemon and tea please! ---- Loved the punch here! And it did remind me of the chai she had with Arjun...you have painted the contrast very beautifully!
"London hasn't changed you much," he said, smiling and swirled around walking backwards. (Now where did that come from??)
That wasn't a response, I expected and with my eyes narrowed, I followed him ignoring all propriety, without staying put in his living room. "Sorry, but I don't remember mentioning I had lived there." ( Yes, right! How did u know Adi? Where you stalking her? I loved Shyama ignoring the propriety and it shows her curiosity, this girl has serious curiosity issues..)
"We have met briefly at the Pendley Shakespeare Festival a few years ago," (My god! Here also Shakespeare ??? he he) he said, pouring me a cup from a tea-pot.
"Really? Which year?" My eagerness exploded (See this what I mean by her curiosity issues he he) with the searching that continued in my head; the irony, irrefutable when I had deemed him unforgettable the same day. (yes, that's true...I mean a man like him is really unforgettable..then how did she miss him?? I really want a look into his thoughts about Shyama..please)
"3 years ago, if I'm not wrong." He shrugged; our fingers touched, as handed me the cup and his eyes held mine, in wait, to read something in them. (To read what? Some recognition??)
"Oh! I was part of the production team that year." I shook my head as the recollection from the festival came to me. "It was madness then. No wonder I don't remember you. Were you a participant?"
"I was visiting with my guardian. He teaches at the university there." (Now! Who is this guardian?? I am cracking my head..Parashuram was Karna's teacher,hmmm...thinking thinking)
On our way back to the living room again, I determined that whatever little anxiety that had built inside me driving there had vanished. His voice echoed in the vastness of his walls, but sounded unguarded with my presence too. (There is some sort of silent charm in him, I can't explain it completely but it sort of makes you too lower your guard and be at ease...he exudes a kind of familiarity and security that it makes you feel relaxed and enjoy the conversation like as if he is a long lost friend)
"Which one? At Tring?" My inquisition seemed to have no end. (See see this girl is too curious ) lol!
"No, Oxford."
"And you? You went to school there?"
"Yes, but a long time ago." We stopped by the arch that marked the entry to the family room that was built right off of the living room. I loved this visual! I can't explain why but yea, its sort of familiar feeling...am at a loss of words to explain what this scene created in my mind J
"Its funny that Oxford has come up twice in the last two days." I said, taking a sip of my tea; the hot beverage did more wonders than it was aptly credited for. (Ha ha! I liked her comment and the fact about Chai!)
"You meet an old friend?" he asked with some certainty. (How come he is certain?)
And I didn't know why, I had observed that when he turned to face me, at times, my forehead was at the same height as his mouth was from the floor - a detail that I needn't have noticed. (is there any significance in this statement?? Or is it to explain the beauty of the scene of both of them standing at the archway talking?
"Something like that," I hesitated giving him the particulars, knowing well that Aditya wouldn't be excited to know it was in reference to him. (What made her think that??? Agreed that he might not like it but how come she understood that equation these both men share?)
"A friend's mother also went to Oxford, but she is here now teaching at the city college." (An accidental slip or purposefully mentioned?)
"You are talking about Khyati Puru." There was no question in his asking. (Wow! Impressed! I wanted to see Shyama's expression on hearing this)
"You know her?"
He took a step ahead and now, I faced his back, as he spoke on with an apparent severity in his tone. "Yes, she went to graduate school with my guardian. He was a senior and she was a few years younger, I think. (Now I really want to know who is this guardian very badly)
"Is she aware of your connection with her schoolmate?" (I wonder why Shyama asked this question..I mean its not the normal question which she would have asked..there would be other questions...but this felt like a silent inquisitive question..may be my brain is overworking since Shyama had privy to the conversation which Khyati and Nilofer had...I am curious)
"No! but I believe she will come to know with time." He said, his tone ensconced in such disapproval, as though her ignorance could only be a crime. (Aha! I sense a bitter resentment here and silent pain)
"Its a small world, after all," he said wanting to assure himself, his smile effacing the earlier hardness in his voice (Agan I see Arjun Rampal essaying this visual with an ease which he alone can manage)
"More than you can ever imagine." I reaffirmed in agreement. Well, without doubt, my world, since last week, seemed to be filled with Vishwa, his stories, his cousins and his clients, who now wanted to be my client as well. ( Ha ha!! I loved her sarcasm laid thought)
Having placed the cup on a bare table, I ambled into the middle of the room. "So, tell me how can I help you with your home design? What are you unhappy about? And what can we change?" Swirling a full circle about that spot, I faced him again. "Are there any limitations? Any particular preferences that you have about decorating?" (too many questions! Though I loved her swirling while asking those questions)
"That's a lot of questions, Kushi." (Exactly)
He stood with both his hands stuck in his pocket. ( I love this posture and there is something manly and powerful about the way he is presented in this visual)
"Ok," I smiled, as he joined me in the center, "I will make it easier for you. Look around and tell me the first thing that comes to your mind."
With my arms folded, I studied him, as he tipped his head up and closed his eyes. Distant; he was in a different space though he stood within inches of me. But oddly, it felt that he precisely desired that. An extended hand to reach him. (Aha! This line tugs my heart! True and something makes me want to reach out!)
"The silence in the room," he answered, after a long minute. ( A very Adi-ish answer, but that must have been what he might have experienced in his life)
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