Edited: September 6th, 2020

| . . . C H A P T ER - 3 . 2 1 . 5  . . . T R E A S U R E S - N E W - A N D - O L D . . . |

Aman knocked on my cabin door Monday afternoon as Lavanya, Anjali and I were shortlisting the designs to include in the next catalogue for kids that Anjali was working on. I waved him inside through the glass door. He passed a smile meant for Anjali and I cleared my throat to get his attention. Anjali blinked away, embarrassed, and I had to hide my smile. Everything was finally looking upside for all of us.

I was getting married this weekend. Lavanya and Aarav were under the same roof as us. Anjali was finding her happiness too. I was sure it wouldn't be long before Lavanya would look past her life that she's built around us and let someone else in as well.

Aman hid a blush as he stepped up to give me a file, "The information you asked for on Irani house."

Finally. Accepting the file in a rush, I instantly skimmed through it. Lavanya questioned, "Are you spying on the place Khushi works at?"

Anjali chided, "Chote, that's a whole different level of control, you know? You were going to let her be independent, remember?"

I rolled my eyes while flipping a page, "Chill out, ladies. I'm not being a control freak or anything. Aman and I have been looking into them for an opportunity to collaborate on a project since October - even before Khushi decided to work there."

"Oh."

I flickered my glance between them to find a guilty look plastered on their face. I smirked, "I'll accept your apologies anytime now."

"Please." Lavanya scoffed.

Anjali softly chuckled before directing us back to task at hand.

And that's version of an apology for assuming the worst when they heard Irani House, but that's okay.

They're family.

Aman chimed in with his two cents, "Based on their upcoming projects, I think the one by Spades would be our best bet. To grow, we really need that project but with IH bidding on it as well, our chances may be slim to none."

"It's a good strategy." I agreed, until I faintly recalled Khushi mentioning her team working on this project. So, I shook my head, "But let's try finding something else. Something on a smaller scale. We already have enough going on with di's catalogue. I doubt we'll have the resources for Spade."

Anjali questioned, "Are you sure? Children's catalogue isn't taking up as much of our costs."

"Yes, but it will if we go for this and there really is no point in trying to do this if it'll make it difficult to complete our current projects." I pointed out other facts, "And Sam Irani is still new. We need to first understand how he works before trying to work with him on such a grand scale project. If it had been his father we had to deal with, we could have thought of it."

Lavanya offered a simple solution - if only. "Then find out what kind of a man he is. Ask Khushi."

"I'm not going to use my relationship with her to our advantage just like she didn't want to use her relationship with us to her advantage."

She threw her hands up in the air, "Alright fine, do what you think is best. I've to go pick up Aarav from school."

We bid her and even Anjali walked out after Aman making a lame excuse of checking on her order's shipment. I didn't call her out on it or tell her that she didn't need to make excuses for me because it wasn't as if their growing closeness was hidden from anyone. I proceeded to reading the file using a fine tooth and comb. Eventually, a plan formed and I picked up the phone.

Direct method. That was the way to go. A few rings later, the phone was answered. "Irani House, how may I help you?"

"May I speak to Sam Irani?"

"And who may I say is calling?"

"Arnav Singh Raizada."

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

I thanked the waiter for bringing us the menus and then glanced at the man in front of me. Sam Irani. I hadn't known what he looked like, but the second he'd walked into the restaurant, I'd known who he was. He carried himself with poise the same way his father did. He may have grown up in the States and spent the later part of his life thus far away from his family, but the vibe he sent off was one of Irani's. With a simple look, he could have sent everyone the message that he was here to stay and his young age didn't speak for his lack of experience or competence.

To be honest, I wouldn't hold a variable as age against anyone. With hard work, dedication, and passion, anyone could achieve what they set their mind to.

After the waiter left, he expressed, "I'm surprised you called. ASR - that's the name you go by in the industry, yes?"

He's done his homework. Why wouldn't he have? He was there at the calendar launch even if we hadn't crossed paths. "It can't be that much of a surprise. You must be aware your father and I were in good standing."

Sam bobbed his head to the side, "He might have mentioned how he respected the work and talent at AR. Still, my surprise is from the fact that you are not known to approach people. People approach you."

I offered him a mysterious smile, "When it comes to people or things I care about, I don't see the problem in picking up the phone myself and dialing a number."

"Good to know you know when to rise above your ego." He commented casually, but I was sure I had made an impression. I wasn't going to let on just yet what impression I had of him, but I was starting to understand his appeal when Aarav talked about him from what Khushi would mention to him.

Least, he knew when to give appreciation where it's due.

I crossed my hands on the table, leaning in a bit. "I'll get straight to the point. I don't know what, yet, but I do know I'd like to work with you in the near future."

Once again, there was surprise not just in his voice but his body language as well. "A collaboration? You nor AR are not known for that."

"A good businessman knows when to bring changes, and the time for AR to expand and be a symbol of something bigger and better is now."

He cleared his throat, leaning in to show he wasn't intimidated, and questioned. "I'll offer the courtesy of getting straight to the point too. The press conference you held some weeks ago. Is it true?"

It somewhat threw me off balance, but I did not let on. "My sister, yes, but our personal life is not up for debate here. It has nothing to do with..."

He cut me off and I am almost left baffled. Not many people get away with that. "It has everything to do with this. You may be the brains behind AR, and no offence, but she is the face and creativity that is the reason AR Designs exist. If I am to consider this, I and my team has to work with her, not you."

"Look, if you have a problem with what happened to her, then..." I began defensively, ready to defend my sister and change my mind about this collaboration if he was going to be a judgmental asshole.

Alas, he surprised me with a smile and cutting me off yet again. "You're getting me wrong, ASR. I have nothing but respect for the two of you. Life threw a curveball at each turn and nevertheless, you two managed to flourish. You've got thick skin and reached this height with no outside influence. I admire that in a person. If I ask, it's because I am the type of guy who likes to know what he is getting into before calling it a done deal. I prefer certainties. Assurances. And so, I just want to make sure she is ready for this. Irani House has a set standard and despite how revered she is in the industry, it won't be a walk in the park. If she needs to focus on her personal life first, then I say that takes precedence. We can always do this at a later time."

It took me a few seconds to soak up everything he's just said. I wasn't expecting such raw honesty. I've only ever known that from Lavanya. Maybe I jumped on the defense too quickly. Then, giving him his certainty that he prefers, I assured him. "You don't have to worry about her. She's ready for the challenge and don't take my word for it but all those people who saw her talent. She completes any task she undertakes to the T."

This time, he silently considered. The waiter approached us for our orders. Once it was just the two of us again, he said, "I have a feeling you're hiding something. You aren't interested in this just because you want to take AR to the next step, is it?"

He is a smart fella as well. He offered me his honest opinion. Least I could do was return the gesture. "Call it keeping my competitor in check."

He chuckled, "You're certainly every bit of a businessman my father warned me about."

It did serve as a confidence boost to learn he felt he had something to be wary of from me. Perhaps he'll want this collaboration just as much. "It's why one day I am going to be a better name than you."

He claimed otherwise, "ASR, maybe I'm a fool to claim this to my competitor, but if you ask me, you already are. What you lack in resources, you more than make up for in quality. Take this for instance, a 100 glass pieces are worth nothing in comparison to 1 stone piece."

"Are you calling yourself a delicate glass piece?"

"I am calling you a stone piece."

Being referred to as hard rock should have been offensive, but it only made me smile. I knew I no longer had to worry about Khushi working for him. She was definitely going to flourish there. The dreams she has would be achieved there and beyond. In this backstabbing industry where one only looked out for himself, Sam was a guy worthy of her trust. Maybe even my trust. I never felt as much as ease with his own father in the years of knowing him compared to this guy in front of me I've only known for half an hour.

"There's a valentine's day party at my office. Why don't you come?"

"That's a month away."

He grinned at me with a wink, "See, one lunch and we're already making long term plans."

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to get to know him as a person.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

All of us took Thursday and Friday off work this week and Monday and Tuesday off next week. Saturday evening was Mehndi and Sangeet. Sunday afternoon was the wedding and a reception in the evening.

Friday evening, we share a dinner at a restaurant with all our friends and family. I didn't realize how much I missed this since college days. It was humbling that they even flew out from Australia to attend the wedding. For them to take time off their work life to join our celebrations meant a lot. I knew it meant everything to Khushi as well.

Not just Ron, Jasper and Amanda, but Aaron as well. Khushi was stunned to see him when we went to receive them at the airport before heading to the restaurant, "Aaron? Hi! What - how...?"

He informed as he hugged her, "You didn't bother inviting me to the wedding, but Kripa did."

Kripa added when we looked at her, "Hey, just because we aren't together doesn't mean your friendship with him has to end too." He smiled at her and she reached forward to hug him as well.

I would have been concerned - not because I didn't like him hugging my cousin sister, but because there might still be feelings there but the smile I read on Kripa's face as they parted put me at ease. She wasn't hurting that they'd broken up when she'd moved back to India after college.

He turned to me next and I may have not approved in the past, but I'd already told me reasoning to Khushi back then too. I just didn't want anyone to get hurt in the future. Knowing now how things turned out, I welcomed him. Atleast both of them handled their amicable break up maturely and decided to take the good memories with them their separate ways. I couldn't have asked for anything else.

It led for a crazy night with a wild walk down the memory lane.

At the end, there was just one thing I needed to do before the wedding.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

Khushi turned her head sideways as she sat in the passenger seat and I drove, "Did you really have to monopolize my time the drive back home just because next couple days we won't get alone time?"

"Yup," I simply answered. She'll find out soon enough why I didn't let anyone else drive with us and insisted Kripa and Armaan drove them back.

Few minutes later, she sat up straighter on noticing I didn't take a turn where I should have. Similar to the first time I had taken her to the shelter, she asked, "We aren't going home, are we?"

"Yes and no."

"Arnav."

"Just wait," I smiled mysteriously at her and she huffed, slumping back against the seat.

It takes another ten minutes to reach our destination. Even before we get out of the car, she questioned, "What the heck are we doing in the middle of nowhere?"

I agreed that this literally was in the middle of nowhere. The nearest house must be a mile off. Opening the door, I walked around the car. She did the same and met me towards the front of the car. Taking her hand, I led her towards the center of the empty plot.

"Welcome home."

She turned her head to squint up at me in confusion. "Excuse me?"

"This land," I explained glancing down at her, "I want to buy it."

"Huh?" She shifted on her feet and I turned too so I was facing her instead of looking ahead. "Why?"

"That place, Khushi, it doesn't feel like home anymore. Not since we found out Shyam bugged it with cameras. It's felt like a giant invasion of our privacy and even though they cleared the house of any bugs since then, I don't want us to start the rest of our lives together in those same walls. This," I nodded ahead of us at the empty plot, "is where I want to build our home where we'll all be together and no darkness will touch us."

Teary eyed, perhaps over the thought that I thought of this, a hand reached up to caress my jaw. "I told you to stop making extravagant purchases, but I love you, Arnav. Have I said that enough?"

Resting my forehead against hers, I let my eyes flutter close for a second. "Say yes." The yacht and chopper were one thing. Materialistic. I wanted her involved in this decision. I knew she wouldn't say no, and I could have bought it as my wedding gift for her, but still. This would be our future home. I very much wanted her signature next to mine on the legal papers.

There'd be plenty of other gifts.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .