arshi-( Ippknd)- OS Sheesh Mahal

Two strangers each lost in their own thoughts ,one tripped the other caught her in his arms. His rich deep brown eyes lost themselves in emerald pools. Time stood still; two individuals but in the stillness of time only one heart beat could be heard.

Somewhere overhead a dove could be heard fluttering circling overhead .

"Err thank you for saving me "

"Your welcome "

"Beautiful isn't it - breathtakingly inspiring " the girl commented

"I couldn't agree more !"

One was gazing upwards at the beautifully crafted mosaic mirrored dome . In each piece she could see him. The other gazed straight ahead at the stranger.

"I'm Arnav , you are ??"

"Khushi "

"Could she ask him for his number ?"

"Could he ask her for her number ?"

"Shall we look around together ?" That was the most Arnav could muster.

All she could do was nod her acceptance.He was the famous Arnav Singh Raizada of AR Industries used to public speaking , debating ,closing deals with like minded business men carrying out multimillion dollar deals. Here he was speechless! Pull yourself together or she will have gone ,you will have lost your love. YOUR LOVE ! OMG he was the original atheist , the true non believer in all things which were intangible - god , love they didn't exist in his dictionary .Responsibility , money, power - that he understood fully in that order. Money begot power . He had a generous helping of all three.

She was Khushi Kumari Gupta of Gupta industries used to getting anything she wanted she was independently wealthy and had created her chain of hotels by herself taking the first loan from her father- head of Gupta Industries. She was used to dealing with all sorts of men slime ball ,gigolo's, Lotharios, Business men -all of whom underestimated her. When she went after something in the boardroom she was a piranha. Here all she could do was giggle and unintelligible sentances pooped , yes pooped out of her mouth . She was stammering like a love struck teenager .

She was here to purchase Sheesh Mahal- the would be crown jewel in her chain of hotels - her mum would have it !

He was here to purchase Sheesh Mahal - the thorn in his side -this is where his demons took life from - he would buy it for Di!

She would renovate it with love and care.

He would pull it apart brick by brick .

He was chasing his demons and her, her rainbow.

Who would win ?

This was a game of love and war. There were never any winners in war only casualties and love if you were not careful could be the same. Both were played by the same rules and ultimately could have the same devastating result .Total annihilation of the opponent .

"Coffee?"

"Chai?"

Both asked simultaneously

"Are you here ..."

"For the auction "

"Shall we?" together they spoke as one.

One started the sentence the other completed it . They were total opposites . If he was ying then she was yang ; he was black she was white. He loved coffee black no sugar , she had milky chai with sugar.

Both sat in silence drinking her black coffee with no sugar and him milky chai with sugar ! They were drowning in each others eyes.

He had known her for 5 hours ; she had known him for 5 hours but they felt they had known each other a lifetime.

5 black coffee's later Khushi looked up the" auctions about to start ."

5 milky sweet chai's later Arnav looked up "Shall we ?"

Aman ,Akash, Arnavs closest confidants were there for him .

Payal and Lavanya , Khushi sister and friend were there for her.

Any minute now Khushi's dream would materialize she would be following her rainbow.

Any minute now Arnav s dream would materialize he would be able to lay his demons to rest.

The bidding started and now it lay between the two Arnav and Khushi.

They didn't take their eyes of each other ,mesmerized , lost in each other.

Lavanya whispered "Your near you limit Khushi after the next bid it is your dad's money if you want Sheesh Mahal "

Akash whisper "Sir ,after the next bid it will exceed its market value but there is still plenty of funds available"

Khushi looked at Arnav he saw a flicker of sadness and the business women in her surfaced her dream was slipping like sand through her fingers .

Arnav couldn't bear for her to lose her dream. His heart felt as though it would shatter for a second time in the very place that it happened the first time;but now the pain was far far worse. He withdrew from the auction. Sheesh Mahal was Khushi. She thought she had won her dream.

"Bhai we have plenty of money - you have wanted this back all your life and you let it go . You can't , we can make her an offer that she can't refuse "

"Agreed Akash shall we go and discuss terms "

Payal spoke softly smiling "You got it Khushi and that too within our budget !"

"So why does it not feel right Payal - i have my dream but someone elses may have crumbled."

"Hi "

"Hi yourself - congratulations you won!"

"But you wanted it ?"

"I buried my demons the minute i saw tears fill those emerald pools , my desire for you to win was far outweighed my ghosts , besides

it will become mine when you marry me !"

"Are you proposing ?"

Everyone looked on at the turn of the conversation "WHAT!" gasped Payal ,Lavanya ,Akash and Aman

"Are you accepting ?"

Khushi came up to Arnav and kissed him on the cheek.

He smiled - a truly rare event, The onlookers just gaped in stunned amazement what the hell just happened ?

Each in turn Payal "What just happened?"

Lavanya "She s met her prince Charming "

Akash "He's let go of his past and is moving towards his future "

Aman "He s smiling ! in the last 10 years i have never seen Arnav smile!"

"I take it that kiss means a yes!"

Khushi nodded and Arnav grabbed her lifted her and swung her around and slowly let her feet touch the ground but then his lips descended on hers in a truly passionate kiss which left the girls doey eyed and the boys stunned.

They had all known that today Sheesh Mahal was being auctioned . It was always going to be a momentous day. Time had come full circle where there was originally only tragedy , sorrow and hate demons and ghosts now there only existed laughter and happiness rainbows and dreams. The future held hope for all concerned. Happier times were ahead.

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