Chapter 2 – Destiny pairs them up
Dear All,
Thank you for your review comments. It feels nice. I had ideas to expand this story, but it was my first attempt so I decided to write the first chapter.
Princess season, with your encouragement, I am presenting the second chapter. Kindly read and hope you enjoy it! The main character, Purvi is south indian, but this is not "Two States". I hae introduces Purvi's parents in this story (Purvi F – Purvi father), Purvi M – Purvi mother
For those who are reading now, a quick recap:
Purvi, Kevin and their friends work in a software company. Purvi is simple, traditional and has limited fun. Kevin is charming, outgoing and slightly dislikes Purvi's serious nature. He is surprised when he comes to know contrary to her image, she is a fabulous dancer who can have fun on the dance floor. He gets attracted to this personality. Will this be a love story?
Chapter 2: Destiny pairs them up!
The team was having a great time together in the club. For the first time Purvi felt part of the team. They got to know more about each other. Purvi's phone rang and she stood up looking at the caller id. She went away from the team and was speaking in low tones. She came back and said "I have to leave now. It's getting late." "See you all on Monday. Bye".
Abhijit: Arre Purvi, dinner toh kar lo. It's just 9 pm. You live in Andheri right? I can drop you and Ishu..
Ishu: Haan yaar, rukh jaa naa..Its Saturday tomorrow afterall !
Purvi: I am really sorry Sir, but I will have to leave now. I will take a taxi
Abhijit: as you wish Purvi. We had a great time together, maybe next time we all can enjoy more with you. Vivek, just go with Purvi and get her a taxi.
Purvi left saying Bye to all.
She hailed a cab and sat looking outside, thinking about the good time she spent today. She went back in her memories of college time, when she lived away in hostel for 4 years in Pune. Hostel life was a complete shift for Purvi who was brought up in a strict manner by her father Mr Balkrishnan Iyer. Purvi was academically very strong and her father made her persuade only those hobbies he considered were traditional and correct. Purvi was a class topper, Chess champion and a well versed Carnatic singer. Life had a strict and set pattern for her in Mumbai, when after her 12th she got admission in Pune at a very prestigious college for engineering. Her father was very proud with whatever his daughter achieved so far. However he was skeptical about her getting distracted with new found freedom. He would always keep tabs on where she went, how she studied, who her friends were etc. On the other hand Purvi enjoyed the freedom and she soon got a taste of simple pleasures in life – friends, outings and college fun. She was careful to be discreet but she also respected her father a lot and hence had very set limits for fun activities.
The taxi horn brought her back to reality and she came back to her real self.
Purvi settled to sleep thinking of the time spent in the club when she received a message on her phone. It was an unknown number. She read the message – Hi Purvi .Hope you reached home safely. Gud night.
She was surprised, but replied – Who is this? The person replied – Your secret admirer! She gasped and didn't know what to do. She deleted the messages and went to sleep. She awoke to her phone ringing and saw the same number. She cut the call. The person called again, with trembling hands, she picked up the phone.
Purvi: h helloo?
The person: Hey darling. Hope you are dreaming about me?
Purvi: (angrily) what nonsense ! who is this?
The person: (quickly) Hey relax Purvi, its me Kevin. Sorry I was just joking. God you would have complained to the police I guess…
Purvi: Kevin..how did you get my number?
Kevin: its easy …your email signature has it .. …anyways, just checked if you reached home safely.
Purvi: Yes I did. Thank you. Goodnight
Kevin: btw, you danced really well. Gudnight….Miss Purvi Krishnan Iyer.I know you have to wake up tomorrow early to milk the cows maybe ! hahahahahahah
Purvi cut the call while he was still laughing.
Next day Abhijit called Shreya, Purvi and Kevin to his cabin. He addressed them:
Abhijit: We have good news for the team. We have received a new project from our US client and they have requested our exclusive services for 6 months. The team has requested 3 members from India to lead the transition. We had sent profiles of the whole team and they have approved 3 of it. So guys..pack your bags! You 3 have been selected to lead the transition. You will have to leave in 3 weeks time to our New York office.
Kevin and Shreya: Thank you Sir !
Purvi: Sir I will not be able to go. I need to talk to you.
Abhijit: Yes sure Purvi. Shreya and Kevin you guys can leave. I shall call a team meeting to announce the same. Till then please control your excitement.
After they left, Abhijit spoke to Purvi.
Abhijit: Yes Purvi whats the matter
Purvi: Sir..i donot want to go. Please send someone else..
Abhijit: Purvi, give me a valid reason. We can work this out.
Purvi: My…my family will not allow I think Sir…My dad is very strict..
Abhijit: Listen Purvi, you are our team's best coder. In fact the clients are so impressed with you that they wanted you to assist in couple of more projects. You are very sincere and dedicated Purvi. This assignment will be a huge boost in your career. We are counting on you for successful completion of this project. We know that this is a test for us. If we accomplish this, it will greatly improve our chances in a couple of huge projects. Please think it over. I am giving you 2 days to do so. I have to reply to them. Please do not disappoint me.
Purvi: Okay sir
Purvi was very hesitant to tell her parents about this opportunity, but she had to. She explained the same to her father and mother. Her father was quiet for some time and then said
Purvi F: Purvi, you are aware we are thinking of finding a suitable boy for you. In this situation you not being here for 6 months is something I do not like and cannot approve. I have an appointment with the astrologer tomorrow. You can say No for this project.
Purvi: But Appa, its not that I am going to find a boy tomorrow itself and get married next month..this takes time Appa. Please let me complete this project. Abhijit Sir says it will boost my career.
Purvi F: I have decided. You cannot go against me..
Purvi: (sadly) Okay Appa.
Next day with a heavy heart, she went to office. She was waiting for Abhijit to come. Shreya ran excitedly to her.
Shreya: Hey Purvi ! I am sooooooo excited. 6 whole months in USA. Let's shop together !
Purvi smiled weakly. Just then her phone rang. It was her mother.
Purvi M: Purvi ma…you reached office? I have something important to say. Appa just called from the astrologer house.
Purvi's heart was beating fast…various thoughts flashed…
Purvi: (thinking in her mind) oh god…did they find a boy..am I getting married..to whom..please no..
Purvi M: Purvi..purvi….enna satame illai ?(meaning- why are you quiet?)
Purvi: illai amma..nee solla..enna (meaning – Nothing, I am here..you say)
Purvi M: The astrologer says as per your jadagam (horoscope), you cannot get married for next 2 years ! The time is not right. Also, he predicted that you will have a foreign trip very soon that will bring you loads of happiness and will change your life forever.. So Appa has asked you to say Yes for the USA project..Congratulations ma..
Purvi couldn't believe her ears ! Yes ! Yes !
She ran and hugged Shreya ! Shreya my dad has okayed my New York project. Yippeeee I am not getting married..yay !
Everyone was surprised..they never saw Purvi so animated. Purvi realized she was in office and immediately straightened up. Sorry, she said.
Things moved very quickly for everyone. Shreya, Purvi and Kevin had to work overtime to complete the various formalities, preparations for the project and their shopping. Soon it was time to leave for USA.
Purvi's parents came to the airport to see off her. She introduced Kevin and Shreya to her parents. Purvi noted her father little worried on seeing Kevin.
Purvi F: Purvi ,remember you are going on official purpose. Pay attention to your work. Donot wander here and there with people.
Purvi: seri appa.. (meaning – okay dad)
Kevin: Uncle donot worry, I will take care of her. She is safe with me.
Purvi was stupefied. She wanted him to shut up.
Purvi F: Whats your name? Navin?
Kevin: No uncle, Its Kevin. Kevin Nathan Sir..
Purvi F: Kevin? You christian? Listen, we are Tamil brahmins. Purvi doesn't eat meat, eggs and we don't drink and she will get married to a traditional boy of my choice only. You better remember this.
Purvi was embarrassed and tears sprang in her eyes…
Purvi: Appa, please…Amma, please.. don't embarrass me
Purvi F: What don't embarrass. I am just telling him..whats wrong?
Kevin: Sir donot worry. I will remember all this. Bye Sir
All 3 bid goodbye and went inside the airport. Purvi was very embarrassed and didn't know how to face Kevin. They were standing in the immigration line where Shreya and Kevin were busy chatting and clicking selfies. After their immigration and security checks, Shreye excused herself to go to the bathroom. Kevin was talking to someone on the phone. Purvi waited for him to complete the call.
Purvi: hesitatingly ..amm..uhh..k..Kevin
Kevin: Yes Ms Purvi Iyer
Purvi: I am sorry. I apologise on behalf of my father. Please donot mind. He is a bit protective of me.
Kevin: No No its okay. I understand. My dad is also quite similar..Not for me but, my sister Natasha..
Purvi: smiled..what does your sister do?
Kevin: She is in UK for her masters. Do you have any siblings?
Purvi: No..I mean I had an elder sister, She is no more.
Kevin: I am sorry…hey you wanna have a coffee? Let me see if I can get a no eggs, no meat coffee..hahahah
Purvi smiled: Yes you will get it sure..It's called Filter coffee…
They all boarded the flight. Next 6 months Purvi and Kevin will be together..Will sparks fly? Will they fall in Love? Await my next chapter….
