CHAPTER 1: FIRST MEETING
You know that one point of life where you have no idea what you want to achieve? You feel like you are just doing things to make others happy, your parents should be proud of you- yeah something like that was happening in my life.
Let me introduce myself. I am Soumya Kaur, daughter of Manindar Singh and Nimmi Kaur, twenty two years old. I live in the world's best city, Mumbai and currently I am preparing to join my father's business since I am heir apparent. Generally, being the older daughter means that my parents expect me to be perfect. And that, I am not.
I dislike Commerce, yet I have to study it since I am going to be taking over dad's business some day. I have to attend stupid-ass conferences and conventions with ten kilos of makeup on my face. Plus if any of father's associates would hit on me, I'd have to just laugh it off"from the insides I wanted to break those drunk bas***ds' faces.
The one thing I loved was music but that too was suppressed by my parents a long time ago. No clubbing or partying or talking to the 'common folk', only people from South Mumbai's upper class society. Also they expected me to have the perfect actress figure while studying and topping my exams.
And to top it all, my mother would play matchmaking whenever she got the chance with those stupid South Mumbai guys.
So basically, my life sucked.
And today was yet another party at my house, where I would have to have a stupid smile on my face and cake on makeup. Or rather, it was my parents' house, I have a penthouse in Bandra where I live alone.
A bunch of cocktail dresses were scattered on my bed, blues, greens, reds, blacks, pinks. All brand new. But I couldn't select one. That was the most annoying part-my makeup was done, but all these dresses were so darn good that I couldn't select one! And I had a gut feeling that I have to dress well, for some reason I felt this party was very important.
'Yo Di!' I heard my little sister Surabhi come running inside the room. 'Can I borrow your foundation? Mine's gotten over.'
I sighed and turned to look at her, 'Surabhi our foundations don't match, you are an NC-40 while I am an NC-30-' But she had already begun slathering on the product with the beauty blender. Great, she was going to look like a ghost today.
'How to I look?' she turned to face me once she was done.
'Amazing!' I lied through my teeth. It really did not matter what she looked like, lucky for her she is not surrounded by the media and people.
Being the younger sister, Surabhi never really had any responsibilities and problems. She was free to study Psychology and do whatever she wanted with her life. But she was my best friend and though I was a bit jealous of her freedom, I couldn't have asked for a better sister.
'Di, wear the blue one, it brings out your complexion,' she suggested while completing the rest of her makeup. Surabhi's fashion sense was on point, always.
'Okay!' I stripped off my old pyjamas and put on the dress. It was a midnight blue cocktail peplum dress that ended two inches above my knees and was strapless. I decided to leave my neck bare and wore a set of diamond dangle earrings. My hair was in soft curls resting on my shoulders, even though I so wanted to tie it up into a bun, I didn't, not wanting more drunk associates hitting on me.
'By the way Di, I have some news,' I immediately heard the double meaning in her voice and turned towards her. That tone of hers meant something important, always.
'What is it?' A grin creeping on my face.
She began gushing immediately, 'Okay, so according to my sources, there's going to be a very important guest in this party. No, mom's not done matchmaking again, it is one of dad's business associates. He is in his mid-thirties and hot as hell!'
I groaned, 'Surbhi please, these a**h***s always hit on me and I feel like breaking their damn faces.'
'Not this one you won't!' she said excitedly. 'He has also studied from some University of America, I keep forgetting the name. And he is the youngest entrepreneur from India to feature in the People Choice Magazine THREE times! And I heard he also holds majority of stakes in one of the largest hotels in the world. Plus he is planning to branch into film production as well. And did I mention he is hot?'
'Yes, you did,' I laughed. But he is in his mid-thirties which makes him close to dad's age. And you know how I feel about business associates.'
'Oh shut up, wait till you see him. I heard all the catering girls downstairs gossiping about his looks. Too bad I don't know his name, or else I'd have gotten some pictures for you.' Surbhi was so sure I'd find this man attractive, it was hilarious.
'Firstly, calm the f**k down. We'll find out in about two hours whether or not he's hot.' I said smiling. What do you want to do till that time?'
'F.R.I.E.N.D.S duh!' she replied. We turned on the television and began our TV show marathon while trying not to let our laugh tears smug our mascara.
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The party was in full swing when I arrived to the living room. Hundreds of people were dressed fancy holding champagne glasses, chatting animatedly. It was annoying.
Taking in a huge breath, I walked down the stairs towards all the other people and was immediately surrounded by many.
'Soumya darling how are you?'
'Long time no see!'
'When are you joining the business, heir apparent?'
'Any plans of marriage?'
I smiled my best fake smile and carefully slid past everyone. Surbhi appeared out of nowhere, grabbed my arm and dragged me to the bar.
'This is why I HATE parties,' I grumbled while guzzling down a glass of champagne.
'I know, but you have no option, do you,' Soumya said, stirring her rum and coke.
'Where's dad?' I asked.
Surbhi gulped her rum and coke, 'Haven't seen him. He was supposed to be entertaining the mystery man today, thats what I heard the staff saying.'
'Ahaa,' I said absent-mindedly, finishing another glass of champagne. Now I was ready to endure the pathetic people at this party. 'So where is this mystery man?'
'I don't know, Di. Even mom is busy with her friends, so this is getting boring.'
'I told you to invite some friends, these parties are anyways not for you.'
'I know but you know how mad dad gets when I bring non-business people to the party.'
I smiled sadly at her, our father was such a pain, he would class discriminate all the time. Thankfully I did my Bachelors degree from Harvard University so I spent three years away from all this mess.
'Soumya!' I heard my father's voice.
'That's my queue, wish me luck,' I told Surbhi as I had my third glass of champagne.
She looked worried, 'Aren't you drinking too much?'
I already felt tipsy, 'Choti, I am three glasses down already, that's not drunk!' And I picked up a fourth glass.
'Naah Di, stop. Bas you have had too much to drink!' Surbhi tried to snatch the glass from my hand but I stopped her and walked to where dad was standing.
My father Maninder Singh was one of the most influential people in India. But while he might have been one of the best businessmen out there, he didn't have time for any of his daughters. And that sucked.
'Soumya, there you are!' Dad said and pulled me into a rough hug. I winced, his hugs were the typical tight Punjabi 'jhappis'.
'Good to see you, dad.' I smiled at him.
'I'd like to introduce you to one of the biggest names of the business world. Meet my friend, Harman Singh!'
I glanced at the man standing next to my father and stopped breathing. If Adonis existed in the real world, then this was him. He was tall, fair-skinned and handsome. His brown eyes looked like pools of melted chocolate, it seemed like they could see your soul. His black hair was done in spikes, something that you don't see on businessmen. His nose was angular, his lips were pink, pouty and perfect.
My breath hitched as I saw his suit hugged him in the perfect spots. You could see he was well built even though he was completely clothed.
I bit my lip while I looked at the most handsome man I had ever set my eyes on.
'Hello,' I heard his husky baritone voice and almost melted into a puddle of goo. I am Harman, nice to meet you.'
I shook his hand, clearing my throat. Instantly I felt sparks flying from my fingertips to my entire body.
'I am Soumya, nice to meet you too.' I was surprised at the husky tone of MY voice. His eyes widened slightly at the sound of it, he clearly knew I was turned on. Without letting go of my hand he flashed a grin at me and I was sure I had died and gone to heaven-those dimples would be the death of me.
At that second, I gulped my fourth glass of champagne. Boy, I was in trouble...
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Author's note:
So there you have it guys, that's chapter 1! Hope you enjoyed it and if you would like to get PMs on updates, send me a buddy request!
For those of you who don't live in Mumbai, the city is basically in three parts, South Mumbai (we also call it Town) and then there are the Western Suburbs, I have seen way too many TV actors there. Lastly is the Eastern Suburbs.
PS: This is going to be a story completely different from the TV show!
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Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
Cricket
