Chapter-15
The Opal,Sydney was easily one of the best luxury hotels in Australia.It's style and grandeur were beyond comparison.Every hotel of the Opal chain was different and unique.The Opal,Sydney was known for its elegance and charm.It was a special day.For the grandest party of the year was taking place there.All the important people of Sydney were invited.All the entrepreneurs,celebrities and dignitaries were present.Everyone was in awe of the magnificence of the hotel.When Rashi entered the hotel,she felt the same thing that she felt always whenever she set her foot in any one of the Opals.They belonged to her dad.They belonged to her.She still remembered the time when she had entered the Opal,Sydney for the very first time as a five year old child.She had been so innocent.She was mesmerized by its grandeur.
Dad,this place is so beautiful!!!',exclaimed little Rashi.
You like it?',asked a smiling Alok.Rashi nodded.
Do you know that to whom it belongs?',asked Alok.Rashi shook her head.
It belongs to you,dear.You and Ronnie.And not only this but plently of hotels like this all across the globe.The Opal Chain belongs to my children.You are a princess.',said Alok.
She was a princess.Of course,she was.She had everything money could buy.She had grown up in the lap of luxury.Her life was so predictable.She always felt that she knew her future.She would become a successful architect and design her own hotel someday.She would assist her dad in his business.She would establish her career.And after all this,she would have to get married into a rich and respectable family.The last one was added by her dad.Everything else was done apart from her hotel.And as far as marriage was concerned,well,that is still a long time away.These were all expected.Nothing unexpected had happened in her life.Nothing.Apart from...him.
Ari,I miss you.',she thought and a lone tear escaped from her eye.It pained her heart to think about him.He was something beyond her level of understanding.Sometimes like a gentle breeze,sometimes like a tornado.Arihant Saxena was an enigma.
How I wish!! Kash hum kuch aur waqt saath bita paate Ari.',she thought to herself.
Rashu,kya hua?? Why are you looking so lost?',asked Tina.
I know why.She is thinking about Ar..',began Ronnie when Rashi glared at him.
Ar,ar,arrangements!! She is thinking about the arrangements of the party.Am I right,Rashu?',asked Ronnie nervously.
Yaar,Rashi!! The arrangements are perfect.Why are you wasting your time thinking about them?Well,time se yaad aaya,someone is very late.',said Tina.
Yes.Where is Falguni?',asked Ronnie.
Falguni is on her way,Romeo!! Itna impatient honey ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.I was not talking about her,anyway.Where is Nikki?',asked Tina.
How will I know?',Ronnie said and he was about to leave when he saw a girl entering the hall.She was wearing a light blue dress.Her features were charming and elegant.Ronnie found himself falling for her.Again.
I am so sorry,guys.I hope I am not late.I hope that I am looking okay.',said Falguni.
You are perfect.',said Ronnie in a dreamy voice.Falguni looked at him.
Allow me to introduce you to everyone in the party.And allow me to be your date tonight.',said Ronnie and he offered her his hand.Rashi and Tina were surprised.Ronnie had never been so free around Falguni.This was the first time.Even Falguni looked shaken.However,she composed herself and smiled.She gently placed her hand in his.
Look,he is here!! Finally!! Nikki is here.',exclaimed Tina.Everyone looked up to see Nikhil standing at the entrance looking simple yet formal.Tina ran upto him and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Oh,baby,you are here.Finally!! I am so happy.',she told him and hugged him.He reluctantly hugged her back.Rashi looked at Falguni.Falguni looked disturbed for a moment but she calmed down.She tightened her grip on Ronnie's hand.
Come on,Ronnie.Let's enjoy the party.',she said and walked away with an overjoyed Ronnie.Nikhil's face fell when he saw this.Then,he too was dragged away by Tina.Rashi looked at both the couples.Her brother and cousin had found happiness.Falguni and Nikhil were trying to move on.
But what about me?I can't even think of moving on.It's just so bizarre.I am thinking about a guy whom I have known only for two days.',she said to herself.
As they entered the hotel premises,Mr Rajesh Bharadwaj gave instructions to his son as usual.
Remember one thing Yash!! Don't ever try to ruin my image in front of my childhood friend!!',said Mr Bharadwaj.
Yes,Dad.',said Yash.
Aur Rashi ke saamne apna impression kharab mat karna.',said Mr Bharadwaj.
Yes,Dad.',said Yash.
Aap kyun bechare par bewajah itna gussa kar rahe hain.',said Uma.
Bechara?Tumhare iss bechare ne pichle hafte mera kitna bada nuksaan kiya tha bhool gayi ho?He could not even handle one simple deal!!!',said Rajesh.
Enough is enough!! Hamare bete ki khoobiyan aapko dikhti hi nahin hai!!',said Uma.
Khoobiyan?Dekhna iski khoobiyon ke chakkar mein ek din hum Sydney ki sadkon par lota leke baithe hongey aur ussi lote mein log atthani chavanni daal rahe hongey!! Mere itne saalon ki mehnat ko mitti mein mila dega yeh.And next week,I have to win the contract with the Phoenix group at any cost.Agar Phoenix group ka haath hamare sar par pad gaya toh hamari kismat khul jayegi.And this brat of yours won't open his mouth in the conference.I will handle everything.I won't be surprised if Rashi rejects him at the first sight today.',said Rajesh and he walked ahead.
Why don't you say something?Why do you let him insult you like this?',asked Uma.
Maa,he is my father.Jo kahenge mere bhale keliye kahenge.I am trying to learn from my mistakes.And he is only pointing them out.',said Yash.
Oh my child!!!! Bhagwan se yahi prathana hai ki har janam mein tumhe mera beta banaye.Aur har maa ko tum jaisa beta mile.',said Uma and she hugged her son.
Trisha,Ronnie,come over here.Rajesh and his family have arrived.',said Alok and he walked upto his friend and hugged him.Ronnie was standing beside his mother.
Dekho Mom,Maalgadi suit pehen ke aaya hai.',he uttered in a way so that only Trisha could here.
Par phir bhi hai toh Maalgadi,na.'said Trisha.
Trisha ji,it's a pleasure to meet you.Kaisi hain aap?',asked Uma.Trisha smiled in such a manner that it looked genuine.
I am fine,Uma ji.You look so pretty.And this handsome young man must be Yash.',said Trisha.
Namastey,Aunty ji.',said Yash.
Namastey beta.',said Trisha.
Where is Rashi?Oh,there she is.Come let me introduce you to her.',said Alok.Yash looked at Rashi.She was looking beautiful in the black dress.She was even more beautiful in person.She had a vibrant smile on her face but there was a strange sadness behind that smile too.
Namastey Uncle.Namastey Aunty.',she wished Rajesh and Uma.
Rashi,my child,this is Yash.And Yash,that's Rashi.',said Alok.Yash and Rashi shook hands.Yash felt a strange feeling towards her.He felt as if he was meeting some long lost friend.
Alok,I think that we should leave the kids alone.Let's go and meet others.',said Rajesh.And then,Alok and Trisha left with Rajesh and Uma.Rashi,Ronnie and Yash were left alone.
So,Yash!! How are you?Is everything fine?By the way,I am Ronnie.We have met before.',said Ronnie.
Yes,I remember you.You are a lawyer but you write beautiful poetry too.I remember that.',said Yash.
Oh yes,I do.And before I leave the two of you alone to converse,I would like share some poetry with you.I have written it especially for you.',said Ronnie.
Oh,please do so.I love poetry.',said Yash eagerly.
Na tere aane ki khushi,na tere jaane ka gam.Na tere aane ki khushi,na tere jaane ka gam.Bhaad mein jaye tu,tera kissa khatam!!',said Ronnie.Yash was dumbfounded.
Bro was just joking.He loves to play such tricks.Right bro??',said Rashi sternly.
Oh yes!! I was joking,man!! Don't take it seriously!!',said Ronnie.
No,it's absolutely fine.',said Yash.
So,I will leave you guys alone.I have a date.By the way,pick up two masks.It's a masquerade party.Enjoy!!',said Ronnie and he went off.Rashi and Yash were left alone.
So,hi!!',said Rashi.
Hi!!',said Yash.
It's really,really strange.',said Rashi.
I am feeling the same.',said Yash.
Hey,why are you so tensed?Relax!!Chill!!',said Rashi.
I admit that I am tensed.',said Yash.
Even I was a bit tensed.',said Rashi.
If you don't mind,then can we forget for a while that we are here to see each other?Can we behave like,like..',he said.
Like friends?',said Rashi.
Yes.That's the word.Friends.',said Yash.Friends.That word sounded so magical.
The black limousine was nearing the hotel.Inside it,the two individuals discussed their course of action.
I still don't get it Ari.You dismissed the chauffeur and insisted on driving the limousine??Majra kya hai??',asked Atharva.
You understand everything,Einstein.I know that very well.Still,let me remind you that ..',began Arihant.
That you value your secrecy more than anything.Hamare beech ki baatein hamare beech hi rahengi.No third person can interfere.Even if it's a chauffeur.',said Atharva.
Maan na padega tujhe!! Tujhme akal toh hai.',said Arihant sarcastically.
Jokes apart.Let's discuss the plan once again.We will enter the hotel premises.I will get in with the executives representing Phoenix.',said Atharva.
And I will get in later.With the help of this invitation card which my dear friend Einstein has acquired for me.',said Arihant.
It is said that the path of love is rocky and filled with difficulties.Par tere liye kuch mushkil nahin hai.',said Atharva.
Nah!! Love without difficulties is nothing.Mushkilen toh aayengi.And I will have to face them.We will have to face them.',said Arihant.
Who?You and your Mohatarma?Or you and I?',asked Atharva.
Einstein,kabhi,kabhi teri niyat par shaq hota hai.Let me clear this once and for all.Mujhe tere saath ghar basane ka koi shauk nahin hai.',said Arihant.
Mujhe aur bhi bohot saare important kaam karne hai.I have a lot of things to invent,to discover.I have a bright future.Tere saath ghar basa kar mujhe apne future ko andhere mein daalne ka koi shauk nahin hai.',said Atharva.
I know,dude.And as far as problems are concerned,then mera bas chale toh Mohatarma ki life mein problems ka saaya bhi padne na doon.',said Arihant.
I trust you on that.You are the Chairman of Phoenix.By the way,your first problem is already knocking on your door.',said Atharva.
What problem?',asked Arihant.
Your future father-in-law is considering someone else as his son-in-law.',said Atharva.
And?',asked Arihant softly.
That guy is attending the party too.',said Atharva.
And?',asked Arihant calmly.
That guy is Mr Agarwal's friend,Mr Rajesh Bharadwaj's son.',said Atharva.
And?',asked Arihant.
He is supposed to meet Rashi today.And if I am not wrong,then they must have met by now.',said Atharva with a smile.
The limousine sped off.It had reached the maximum level of speed but was still maintaining itself.The driver had a calm look whereas the one who was sitting looked undaunted too.The car entered the premises of the hotel.
Dude,you have something in mind.',said Atharva.
You knew it.You were trying to provoke me,weren't you?',said Arihant.
Yes,I was.And looks like I succeeded to some extent,didn't I?',asked Atharva.
And I thought that you knew me better than anyone else?Don't you know that is highly unwise to provoke me?',asked Arihant.
Of course,I do.But kya karoon?Bachpan ki aadat jo hai.And you are no less.You have given me countless shocks too by disappearing here and there.And moreover,you know that I love to play with fire since childhood.',said Atharva.
So do I.No wonder we get so well together.',said Arihant.
No wonder that we are brothers.',said Atharva.
Soul brothers',said the both of them at the same time.
By the way,I have to tell you something else too.',said Atharva.
Shoot.',said Arihant.
This guy whom Rashi is meeting tonight.Yash Bharadwaj.You have already met him.',said Atharva.
Really?Who is he?',asked Arihant.
That guy whom you met today at the mall.The one from whom you took the watch.',said Atharva.
Arihant was silent for a while.Then,after a few moments,he burst into laughter.
Are you absolutely sure?It's that guy!!!',he laughed.
Yes,dude.That's why I am telling you this.He is a very kind hearted and soft spoken namuna.Uss par rehem karna.',said Atharva.
Itna rehem toh mere bhi dil mein hai.But seriously woh,woh namuna??',asked Arihant.
I was just saving him from your wrath.He is of no competition to you but still..',began Atharva.
Still we should never underestimate our enemies or overestimate ourselves.Sandra aunty told us this.I remember.',said Arihant.
I am glad that you do.Anyway,I will get in now.Plan begins.And this is a masquerade party.So,no one will be able to recognize you.',said Atharva.
Yeah,right!! I am lucky that this party turned out to be a masquerade party.Lagta hai ki aaj destiny bhi mujhe aur Mohatarma ko milana chahti hai.Yeh sab kismat ka khel hai.',said Arihant.
Kismat ka khel?I don't think so.',said Atharva.
Arihant looked at him and smirked.
Six Hours Ago,The Phoenix Group Office
It's a great thing for our company to be associated with the Phoenix Group,sir.I assure you that our collaboration will turn out to be a success.',said Matthew Clarke.Matthew Clarke was the CEO of the largest event management company of Australia.
Of course,Mr Clarke.The Phoenix associates itself only with the best ones.And I presume that you are the best in Australia?',asked Arihant.
Yes,sir.',said Mr Clarke.
Can you grant me a small favour,Mr Clarke?',asked Arihant.
Anything, sir.Anything.',said Mr Clarke.
Your company is in charge of organizing Alok Agarwal's party ,isn't it?',asked Arihant.
Yyes,sir.What about it?',asked Mr Clarke.
I have a small suggestion for the party,Mr Clarke.Wouldn't a masquerade theme for their party be great?',asked Arihant.
Mmmasquerade?',said Mr Clarke nervously.
Arihant raised his eyes and glanced at him sternly with a smile.
It shall be done,sir.',said Mr Clarke.
Present
Tu kabhi nahin sudhrega,Ari.Tu kabhi nahin sudhrega.',said Atharva shaking his head.
Sudharna chahta kaun hai.Hum bigde huye hi theek hai.Come now,we have a party to attend,bro.',said Arihant.
Author's note:Hi guys!! Here is the fifteenth chapter.I am sorry for being so late.And I am also sorry for the spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
Arjun
Cricket
Indian Mythology
