Chapter 13
“So you’re telling me that the plans will be finalized latest by Thursday next?” Sameer confirmed.
He was in a meeting with his architects. The solution for the land issue had come to him out of the blue and now that he had given it enough thought, he realized it might just be perfect. However, he wanted something concrete to present to Raashi.
They had poured over the land and villa layout for hours, discussing various nuances and he had exactly what he wanted beyond a doubt. He thanked the team and decided to wait patiently for the new plans he had authorized. In the meantime, he had to gather enough ammunition to back up his plan.
Sameer watched the rain beating on the floor to ceiling window of his top floor office for a few moments, smiling to himself and then left to meet the only person who could influence Raashi.
Raashi checked the time on her watch again.
They were late. She was sitting here in Sameer’s office waiting for him and Janak to make an appearance.
She had arrived on time, but was a little annoyed to have been informed by Sameer’s assistant that he and Janak were in a meeting with the board and would be delayed by a few minutes.
But now, half an hour later, there was still no sign of them.
She switched on the TV and tried to watch the news, but her mind was bubbling restlessly and she turned it off.
Standing up, she started pacing the length of his office.
If it hadn’t been for Janak, she would never have agreed to this meeting in the first place.
But Sameer very cunningly had used Janak to get her here because he knew she could never say no to Janak.
Janak had promised that this would be the last time this land matter would be discussed. He had also assured her that he wouldn’t influence her in anyway. Thus, out of respect for Janak, she was waiting here to get this discussion over with, once and for all.
She looked around Sameer’s office impressed with what she saw.
Sameer’s office had an understated elegance that was so like him.
Black and metal dominated the theme. Colorful paintings lined the walls and added to the vibrancy of the place.
She walked towards the glass windows and stood silently observing the view of the now darkening city.
Sameer entered his office and found Raashi standing by his window, lost in thought. She turned when he shut the door behind him.
“Hi,” he said, unable to stop himself from staring at her.
It had been a week since he had seen her. And he had thought of her every single day, every single moment. She looked breathtaking in a pale pink and white full-length dress, her hair loose around her.
“Where is Janak?”
“Should be here any moment. I’m sorry for the delay,” he pressed a tired hand on the back of his neck.
Observing him Raashi felt a pang in her heart. He had lines around his eyes and he looked worn-out. She watched as he took off his jacket and flung it on the sofa.
She couldn’t help herself as she walked towards him and asked warmly, “Bad day, huh?”
“Oh! You can’t imagine. First, I had to deal with some labor problems at a construction site and then this board meeting came up where all of us were at odds.
I mean, Kabier, Rishi, grandfather and I, none of us could agree on anything.
And worst of all, I’ve just been informed of another incident in my hotel. ”
“Oh, no! What’s happened now?” she asked.
“This was at the Sehgal Plaza in Juhu. Rhea was attending a wedding function at the lawns there and she called to tell me that someone gate-crashed the event,” he let out a deep tired sigh.
“Apparently, some guy was photographing the guests with a high end camera. Initially, no one suspected anything. Everyone thought he was an invited guest. However, one of the hosts found his behavior slightly suspicious and asked around about him. But no one seemed to know him. They confronted him thereafter. The hotel security was called in immediately, but he managed to escape. I just spoke to the GM of the Sehgal Plaza and he confirmed the incident.”
“Oh, I am sorry to hear that,” Raashi told him genuinely.
“Yeah, well, the staff is searching the hotel premises to see if he is still there. I doubt it though. I just hope this doesn’t turn into another publicity nightmare for us.
The media were all over the car theft at The Marquis.
” He grimaced. “Anyway, it’s just one of those days, I guess.
Can I get you some tea-coffee, anything? ”
Raashi pointed towards an empty cup and saucer, on the table in front of the sofa she had been seated on earlier.
“Oh, OK! Shall we get on with our meeting or wait for grandfather?”
“It’s late. Let’s start without him. I’m sure he won’t mind,” she replied confidently.
Sameer gestured towards the chair in front of his desk.
She came forward and took a seat on one of the plush leather chairs facing him.
He rounded his desk and sat in his own chair.
He took his time assessing her, searching her face for any expression but there was none whatsoever.
She only gave him an expectant look, waiting for him to continue.
Here he was, finally face to face with her, feeling nervous as hell because he knew that whatever he proposed next would decide his future and that she had the power to reject it all.
He gulped in a breath before he started, “Raashi, you and I have been on crossroads regarding this land issue for a while now. We need to come to a resolution and find a common ground.”
“I am all ears,” Raashi perked up.
Sameer didn’t miss her sarcastic tone but continued, nonetheless.
“I want to help you restore the villa and I will build the restaurant for you, just the way you want it. You can have whatever design you wish, spend whatever you want. The final say will be yours.”
She narrowed her eyes. “OK! You got my attention, Sameer. What is in it for you?”
“I would like to work with you and use the remaining land surrounding the villa to build my spa. Your restaurant will be attached to the spa. I can extend The Marquis and make the spa as a new wing adjacent to it.”
“This doesn’t make sense. The land belongs to me. You want to use my land to extend your hotel onto it and add the spa to it? I don’t get how this could work. What exactly are you suggesting?”
Sameer watched her silently for a moment before dropping the bombshell on her.
“In reality, it will work if you allow me to buy the land back and let me lease the villa out to you for a ninety-nine year unbreakable lease.”
Raashi sat back in her chair, shocked by his words. She couldn’t believe his proposal. He was just so sure of himself. Why would she want to give him her land at all?
She opened her mouth to say something scathing, but Sameer raised his hand to stop her.
“Please, Raashi, don’t react without thinking this through.
I can see from your face that you are not too happy with what my proposal and are itching to give me a mouthful.
But think about it. It’s perfect for both of us.
You get to have your vintage restaurant and it will have the added benefit of immediate clientele by lieu of being connected to The Marquis, plus I am willing to build it for you, free of cost. I am also agreeing to buy the entire land back from you.
Consequently, you get to fulfill your dream for free, at no cost to you at all. ”
Raashi tilted her head to the side. “You are quite something, Sameer. Why would you think that I need money from you of all people to build the restaurant? I can manage the money on my own. I don’t need to sell to you at all.”
What was her problem? He was offering her dream to her on a platter. If only she would let go of her prejudice against him, she’d see that this was a perfect solution for the both of them.
“You’re being obstinate just for the sake of it,” Sameer said.
“No, I am not,” Raashi retorted.
“Why do I get the feeling you had already made up your mind before you even came here? You’re dismissing my idea without even considering it.”
“Oh! I’ve considered it and...” before Raashi could finish, the door opened and Janak walked in. She stood up, turning when Janak came towards her and gave her a warm hug.
“Hi, Janak!” Raashi said.
“Raashi, my angel! How are you?” Janak replied, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Raashi smiled at the gesture; something he had been doing since she was twelve. “I am fine.”
Janak turned to look at Sameer. “How is it going? I trust you have told Raashi of your plans.”
Sameer nodded and reached to pick up his cell phone that had started ringing.
“Sorry,” he said, looking at Raashi and his grandfather. “I need to take this call.”
Distracted, he walked towards the window with his phone to his ear.
Raashi spoke to Janak, “You knew of this preposterous idea and yet you allowed it?”
Janak narrowed his eyes at Raashi and led her to the sofa in the corner and sat down with her. “I think Sameer has made some excellent suggestions. Why do you not like them?”
“Because...because he believes he can throw his money at me and I am going to fall backwards to give him what he wants.” She shook her head. “No! Sorry, Janak, but that’s not going to happen,” Raashi seethed.
A deep wrinkle marring his forehead, Janak touched her hand. “Frankly, I’m quite surprised by your reaction, Raashi. There’s something more going on here, isn’t it? It’s not like you to be so rigid. You are one of the most reasonable people I know.”
Raashi bit her lip. Maybe she was being difficult because she didn’t want to come to a compromise with Sameer. If she were being absolutely honest, then she had to accept that what he was offering her was good. She would get all that she wanted and at no cost to her.