Episode 3

Usually, Nehalooked forward to meeting her colleagues in a more informal setting. This evening though, she was just not in the mood. Meeting Aaryan had disturbed her more than it should have. Nothing significant had happened between them. She had bumped into him; he had saved her from falling. Full stop! Nothing more had transpired. That her body had felt the most divine feeling being pressed against his was not something she wanted to dwell on. No, that kind of thinking would not get her anywhere. Besides, since he would be heading GuptaSystems she would have to work with him, soon. So she had to get a grip on herself and learn to relax around him. She was not a teenager any more. Aaryan looked at the beauty and splendor around him. This was one of the Guptagroup’s oldest and most magnificent hotels and he was extremely proud of it. It was at par and even better than some of the best hotels in the world. The dinner was set al fresco on the lawns of Hotels, located just off the seashore. The lawns were beautiful at this time of the year and opened out to the sea. The gentle sea breeze blew softly through the palms that were dotted around the lawns. When lit up completely the lawns looked like they were straight out of a child’s fairytale book. This was the highlight of the hotel and also one of its main assets, making the hotel an extremely popular setting for various functions. Since this was a small gathering, a small part of the lawns was set aside for the dinner party. The party was already in full swing by the time he had arrived. Several of his colleagues had gathered in small groups and were interacting with one another while sipping their drinks and eating the various appetizers being served. Aaryan walked towards the party and paused inside a quiet alcove under a majestic palm tree, observing his grandfather and Nehahaving a private conversation some distance ahead. Suddenly, as if sensing his presence she turned and looked straight into his eyes and stopped whatever she was saying. Sensing her distraction, his grandfather turned around and spotted him. He waved him over to join them. “Aaryan, my boy, come here, have you met Keya?” Janak asked him. Aaryan glanced at Nehaand replied, “If I’m not mistaken, it was once, ten years ago, wasn’t it Keya?” “Yes, it was!” Neharesponded. “Aaryan you need to hear this. Nehawas just telling me of her business trip to Vienna,” Janak said. “Was the trip successful?” Aaryan queried. “Yes!” his grandfather interjected. “GuptaSystems has put in a bid to replace the existing, and mind you very old, hospital software system of one of the biggest chain of hospitals in Austria with our very own product Medisys. Nehahad gone for the final discussions and it seems that we may very well win the contract.” Medisys was the flagship healthcare product of GuptaSystems. It was a complete hospital management and billing system. Winning a huge contract in Europe would definitely be another win for GuptaSystems. “How big is this chain?” Aaryan asked Keya. “It’s got four big hospitals in Vienna and ten smaller hospital units, catering to towns around Vienna. So, pretty big I would say,” Nehareplied in a calm tone. “How come this wasn’t a part of your report then Keya?” Aaryan raised a brow. “Well, to be honest,” Nehabegan, “we haven’t yet signed anything with them, but I’m positive that they will come to us. They liked our product a lot. And we are better priced than most of our competitors.” She went on to add, “We’ll know our fate in two weeks, but I’m sure that we’ll win this one.” “Good,” his grandfather beamed, “I’m glad to hear that and Aaryan, if we win you have to go and sign the deal yourself. This way you get a 360 degree view of our software business. And Nehais an expert in this field. She can answer any questions that you pose.” Janak glanced up, squinting his eyes. He addressed them both, “I see someone who I need to talk to. Why don’t you two catch up? I’ll see you later.” After Janak left, Nehaturned to Aaryan. “So you’ve finally decided to take the mantle from him?” Aaryan shrugged. “Yes, I suppose it had to happen someday. And I would prefer that he slows down while he still has some energy left in him. He’s been active on all fronts for so long. I think he deserves a long break. Not that he would ever agree to that.” Nehachuckled. “And,” Aaryan glanced at her, “what have you been up to since I last saw you?” “Well, quite a lot actually, but mostly, I’ve been busy with my work in GuptaSystems.” “Quite the career woman, it seems!” he retorted. Nehanarrowed her eyes at his sarcastic tone. “Well, why not?” she splayed a hand out, “I don’t see the harm in that, do you?” “No, I don’t. And what do you do when you’re not working?” “The usual stuff that people do. Unwind at home, meet friends, well, like I said the usual stuff,” Nehareplied. And his questions went on and on. Why the hell was he interrogating her like this? And he wasn’t even allowing her the chance to question him back. She was already physically exhausted and now she was mentally exhausted as well. She didn’t like discussing her personal life with anyone and definitely not with Aaryan Sehgal, whom she’d met for the second time in her life just a few hours ago. Aaryan studied Keya. She had cleverly evaded any personal question he had posed. Each time he tried to dwell into her background or quiz her on a more private topic, she replied with a general comment. What was she hiding? I will uncover your secrets Nehaand if they are as I suspect, then you will answer to me, he silently promised. Together they moved towards the center of the lawn where they joined a group of people discussing the political situation of the country. Politics not being her favorite subject, Neharemained silent and let the conversation flow around her. Aaryan, she realized was quite actively updated on not only the international political scene but the Indian one as well and was quickly engaged in the conversation. Nehaobserved him while he spoke. Dressed in a charcoal grey suit with a white shirt and charcoal tie, Aaryan looked superb. He was well built and had a body that indicated he spent a lot of his time in a gym. He smiled and chatted easily with people and showed none of the tension that had been visible when he was talking to her. Nehagrimaced thinking about their earlier conversation. Why had it felt like Aaryan was trying to find a fault with her? But that was strange considering she had only just met him. Still, she felt that he didn’t like her or rather he didn’t approve of her. She shook herself. She was just imagining it for sure. What possible reason could Aaryan have to dislike her? It made no sense. Unable to concentrate on the ongoing discussion, she tried to recollect all that she knew or had heard of Aaryan. As the first-born grandson of Janak Sehgal, Aaryan had been born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. His father had passed away when he was still a boy and Janak had played an active part in his upbringing. Nehahad met Aaryan’s mother, Mina Sehgal, a number of times over the years. She couldn’t say she was extremely close to his mother, but they did have a courteous relationship because Sheena and Nehahad been friends for several years. Nehawas well aware that Mina Guptadoted on her children. She was an elegant woman. Although very active on Mumbai’s social circuit, she was involved in a number of charities and took her welfare work very seriously. Janak had six grandchildren. Aaryan was the eldest, followed by Sameer, his brother Rishi and Aaryan’s sister Sheena. Sameer and Rishi’s twin sisters Shauna and Rhea were the youngest of the lot. Janak had ensured that they all got the best possible education. Still, Aaryan was by far his favorite and Janak had left no stone unturned to ensure that when the time came, Aaryan was more than ready to take over Janak’s place in his business empire. Aaryan had joined the European business at a very young age to learn the ropes. And he had learned fast! In a matter of years he had turned around the European operations into a major money-making venture and with his sharp acumen and keen business sense had expanded its base to the U.S. He was known to be a ruthless businessman, very cut throat is his deals and he always got what he wanted. His personal life had seen a multitude of beautiful women entering and leaving. He had no steady girlfriend that she had heard of in recent times. His last being a top Indian model, one he apparently dumped when she started hinting of marriage. Yes, Sheena had kept them entertained often enough by talking about him. Being extremely good-looking and very rich, he was bound to get a lot of attention from women. But there was no woman who had held his attention long enough to make him think of settling down. The ringing of her cell phone pulled her out of her reverie. She excused herself and moved away from the chatting group before she answered. “Hello,” Nehasaid. “Keya, sweetie, where have you been?” It was Sheena. A smile curved her lips on hearing her best friend’s voice. “Sheena, how are you? I just returned from Vienna last night and today was this big management meeting. Now I’m at this business dinner.” “Hey, my big brother must have been there?” Sheena asked. “Oh yeah! And I was quite shocked to see him!” “Yeah, I can imagine. It’s been years since you met him. Anyway, where are you now?” Nehatold her. “Raashi is with me and we’re coming to pick you up. We’re just a few blocks away and with Raashi driving I’d say ten minutes max,” Sheena declared. “Sheena!!! That’s not possible. Didn’t you hear me? I’m at a business dinner. I was already late for the meeting. I can’t possibly miss the dinner now.” “Hang on, I’m putting you on speaker. Raashi try and talk some sense into her please.” “Hello darling, come out with us tonight. I want to hear all about your time in Vienna,” Raashi drawled. “Hey Raashi! Tonight is impossible. My boss will kill me.” “Keya, your boss reports to Janak and remember, you are one of Janak’s angels! No one can touch you as long as he’s around. So get out there and pull some rank girl!!” Nehagrinned, walking further away from the crowd. Keya, Raashi and Sheena – Janak’s angels. He had given them this nickname so long ago. All three of them were close to Janak. Neither of them had a father and he had played the role of a father figure to each of them for so long. The three of them confided in him and took his advice and suggestions seriously. He was always there for them. Though he called them his angels, in reality, he was theirs. “Keeeeeeeya are you there?” Raashi screeched. “Yes, I’m here. At least tell me what the rush is about.” Nehanoted that she had drifted quite a distance away from the party and from where she was standing she was completely hidden by the palms. “I don’t know,” Raashi began, “Sheena is the one with some news and she says she’ll tell us when we are together. Sheena come on! What’s up?” “Well, I wanted to wait till Nehawas with us, but since Nehais acting all pricey, I’ll tell you my news now. Perhaps that will convince her to come.” Sheena paused, adding to Keya’s building curiosity, before she said, “Rajiv, proposed to me last night, and I accepted.” “Oh my God, that is awesome!” Nehaexclaimed, delighted for Sheena. “Super! This is the best news ever,” Raashi agreed. “Sheena, you’ve made my day! Oh, I can’t wait to meet you two. This is so exciting. When is the Big Day?” “Hang on Keya, there is one slight problem. Aaryan doesn’t know yet and Rajiv still has to meet him to formally take his permission.” “Yes, but what’s the problem, doesn’t Aaryan know that you two are seeing one another?” Nehaasked her. “He does,” Sheena accepted, “but he doesn’t know it’s this serious. He considers Rajiv to be a rich playboy. In fact, Aaryan has been warning me against certain heartbreak if I went in too deep with Rajiv. So I’m a bit worried.” “Have you told Janak?” Nehaasked. “I told him and mom last night. They are thrilled with me being so happy. But you know I can’t do anything till Aaryan approves. Frankly, I think he is going to throw a fit. And both Rajiv and Aaryan are so important to me,” Sheena said in a low voice. “Don’t worry Sheena, Aaryan will come around. Rajiv is a darling and it’s so obvious to everyone that he loves you very much. And the playboy lifestyle he had has been a thing of the past since he fell for you. I’m sure Aaryan will accept him and if he doesn’t I will make it a personal quest to convince Aaryan to accept.” “Convince Aaryan to accept what?” Nehawhirled around, shocked to see Aaryan standing right behind her, his arms crossed on his chest and an accusing look in his eyes. “I have to go girls. Call me when you get here,” Nehasaid, disconnecting the call. Aaryan took a step closer to her. “You haven’t answered my question, Keya. What are you going to convince me of?” “Nothing, what are you doing here anyway?” Neha attempted to change the subject. But he wouldn’t budge. “Don’t brush me off, answer me,” Aaryan demanded.

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