So next morning Vikram was in office as he arranged a meeting with his partners. Both of them hurried up.
" Have a seat ", said Vicky.
They sat.
" Okay I claaed you both here to discuss about that resort we were goung to build in that palace", said Vicky.
" Okay", said Vinod.
" Dipti, come in", he said on intercom. She walked in. She looked radiant today.
" You look charming", said Vicky.
She giggled. Vinod was a bit baffled. None of them behaved like this before. But he brushed it off.
" Three names", he said. " Manav, Tarun and Sonia. I want them on this team. Salary of their choice".
Well no one was surprised by the decision. They completed an almost dead project on time. Manav also got certificate of excellence from army.
" I'll inform Tarun and ask him to convey it to other two".
" We need a good PR", Vinod was in his professional self.
" Numaan Qureshi ", answered Vikram handing him his card. " He started recently but I want him".
" Okay", nodded Vinod.
" So when are you demolishing it", said Gaurav.
" Not right now", said Vikram. " There are some valuable artifacts and art inside it.We need a historian to verify it. We can use some as decorative pieces in resort. Sonia can see that. . And I want Manav to see is tjere any architecture worth reuse. That could save costs."
" On that", said Vinod.
" New dress. Looks nice", Vicky said to Dipti with a smile.
She batted her lashes at him. Vinod was getting irritated. Gaurav was confused too.
" Why is he cozying upto her", Vinod asked to Gaurav in frustation after meeting ended.
" No idea", shrugged Gaurav.
Vikram overheard them. The plan was working.
At Deshmukh house
Riya was finally back here. She felt guilty facing Manav and his parents.
" Why do you work so mucj so that you get ill", scolded Manav.
" Sorry", she said.
" No worries", said aunty. " You rest. I will make you ginger tea".
" Okay", she said.
The bell rang. It was Sonia.
Aunty did not like it.
" Boss's summons", she said shrugging. " We need to work."
" Manav Riya is not well", said auntie in a high pitch.
" Aai I need to do my job", he replied.
" Suhasini", said Vikasji. " Let the boy go", he said. " We are here for Riya".
Sonia met Riya.
" Ohh Riya what happened ", she asked.
" Just tired", she replied.
" Get well soon", she said with a genuine smile.
" Nice girl", said Vikasji to Suhasiniji. But she just pursed her lips.
They left.
WHY DOES SHE NEED TO BE AROUND HIM ALWAYS THOUGHT SUHASINIJI ANGRILY?
As per their plan Sonia said to Manav,
" Manav I don't know but I feel guilty when I see Riya. Sometimes I think we should end it and go seperate ways".
" What the hell Sonia", said Manav.
" I seriously don't know".
" She is ill because she over works and forgets her meals. It has nothing to do with me or you", said Manav.
HE IS REALLY STUPID THOUGHT SONIA.
Riya was in love. One look at her and you would understand. She now started feeling better about her relationship.
" I Love Only You", said Manav.
Well she loves hearing it.
" I love you too", she said.
Manav's equilibrium was disturbed. IF SHE LEAVES HIM...His mother needs a raincheck.
The meeting started after an hour.
Tarun, Sonia, Manav, Dipti, Vinod, Gaurav and Vikram were there.
" Mr. Qureshi has not arrived yet", said Dipti.
" He is bringing in a partner", said Vikram.
At that moment Dipti got a call.
" Yeah thats him. With his cousin Zoya".
Numaan came in along with a girl of 21. She greeted everyone politely. Well except for Vikram whom she looked with hostility.
" Ms Zoya Qureshi ", introduced Numaan. "She has a diploma in Fashion designing. "
Well she did. This was her only rebellion against her orthodox and strictly religious father. As her elder brother supported her he agreed.
" I have a degree in linguistics too. I speak Sanskrit and Arabic both", she said.
" Thats good", said Vikram. "Gaurav start the brief".
She ditched Numaan to sit with the girls.
Gaurav explained the palace. In brief a history of it. Their plan for resort. The artifacts. The art. And after it a gruelling Q and A session began.
Meanwhile
Salman arrived home for lunch but there was no one in Qureshi house.
" Bhaijaan you are back", said Aasma. " Would you like a tea"?
" Where is everyone "?
" Abba and Ibrahim went to office and Zaid to college", she answered.
" Zoya"?
" Umm", she hesitated.
" Pray tell", said Salman.
" She and Numaan had a big fight. He called her a useless leech on you and abba and she called him characterless. Then she left angrily to her friend's house. Numaan didn't tell me where he went".
Salman grimaced. His brother and fiancee just can't get along.
" Is there something to eat"?
" Just dal chawal I usually eat for lunch. I have some chicken from last night.."
" Bring everything ", he said. Lets eat together.
They ate chatting about her studies and his work.
After noon
Riya got bored resting. Plus Vicky would return back to her mind if she rests. So she started doing some work.
She got a call on landline. Absent mindedly she picked it up.
" Hello", she said.
" Riya", came that deep chocalate voice.
" Pleease don't cut the call", he said. " I miss you", he said. There was a silence. " I hurt you", he said.
YOU DIDN'T VICKY.
" I am sorry", he said.
The silence remained.
" Riya I know you don't want to see my face. And that is why you don't see me hovering outside your house."
There were tears in her eyes now.
" You also don't want to talk to me and its okay", he continued his monologue.
" I just..", he was at a loss for words.
" I am just habituated to you", he said. " I feel empty without you. FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO FORGIVE ME.".
Tears started flowing. He has completely humbled himself in front of her.
" I am not hurt or angry Vicky", she whispered softly.
" I. I.. can we meet Riya", he asked.
" I was in the wrong Vicky. Not you. I am the one engaged", she said.
" Riya".
" Good day Vicky". And she put the receiver down.
She went to her room and burst out crying.
A bouquet of white lillies arrived next for her.
" My little historian,
You will never be in wrong. In fact you are born to set things right. The dead in my palace miss you. Come home soon."
Love.
Vicky.
It brought a smile to her face.