Chapter 52

"I am so happy!!!"

Purvi grins joyfully.

It has been a month, since I left DeGlobal Corporation. In this time, I had managed to set up the business, getting the registrations and paper work done and officially started our very own company - TaPure Media.

We are meeting at a coffee house this Saturday morning, where Purvi called me to inform that she has submitted her resignation and can formally join our company after a month.

"That is great news!" I exclaim. "We can start visiting more clients." I have lined up meetings next week with a few contacts recommended by Rishabh Peshwal, who has already signed up with us.

Currently Purvi is working on our projects from home after office hours, till she can join me full time, while I have my hands full getting the business on its feet and bringing in clients and at the same time working on our own marketing strategy and keeping accounts.

Basically, I had no time to go house hunting. Next week for sure, I will check out the apartments I have shortlisted on the property website, I promise myself as I return home. I had messaged Jeet, to let him know I will be staying on for a few more months, to which he replied, 'That is great! Will see you when I return'.

I look in admiration at the building which is undergoing massive renovation on a war footing. Work is being carried out 24 hours a day, ever since all the previous owners left the building a month ago. The exterior is almost finished, and it is mighty impressive. The building looks like a royal palace with its new coat of paint, renovated roof and wall cladding. The once disused fountain is now spewing sparkling water from the mouth of the cherubs.

I follow the porters carrying furniture and electronics, heavily wrapped in bubble wrap, inside the building.

"Hey there," a female voice calls out. Looking around, I catch sight of Zenia walking out the building towards me.

"Hi," I reply, perplexed at seeing Zenia here. I thought she was a friend of the previous owners.

"Tamannah?"

"Tarana," I correct her.

"Oh yes," she makes a comical grimace, giving herself a light tap on the forehead. "Of course! Sorry. Silly me."

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh! I am doing the interiors for V," She points towards the building.

"We?"

She lets out an amused chuckle. "Not we, I meant Vicky Grewal, the new owner. I call him V. He asked me to help design the interior."

Oh, now I get it! Zenia is the interior decorator!

She continues, "He wants his bedroom and office to be ready, by the time he moves in next Saturday, on his birthday."

Jeet is moving in next week. When he left for the US, I thought I would not see him again. Just the thought of meeting him, gets my heart racing at Grand Prix speed

"You know, I have been looking for you. I need your opinion on selecting the colour for curtains because I am confused. V said you have a good eye for detail. So, can you come now and help me select. Please?" She draws out the last word, looking at me with big, hopeful eyes.

"I, uh, don't know if I would be of any help. I really don't know Jee, um, Vicky's preferences and I have never seen the much of the building, except this part so I don't have any idea of the aesthetics."

"What? You have not seen the rest of the building? Oh, come with me and see the place. You will get a better idea then," Zenia grabs my hand pulling me inside the building.

I was not expecting this!

Palace would be an appropriate term for the bungalow, and I suppose this was a palace once upon a time, considering that my previous landlady belonged to a royal family and she inherited this property from her ancestors. Nevertheless, I am astounded by grandeur of the place.

The Grewal bungalow at Andheri is smaller compared to this one. While I did not exactly take a full tour of that house, I can safely say that this bungalow is at least twice as big and has as many times, the number of rooms than that one.

I never knew that from my apartment side, I could see only half the building. It is actually much bigger than I imagined. The way my mouth is constantly hanging open as I pass each room, I think by the end of the day, my jaw will get locked in this position and my mouth will remain permanently open.

Every room looks more lavish than the other. Zenia takes me around four floors of the bungalow, showing me the different rooms. The ground floor houses a gym, a spa room and a large indoor swimming pool. Kitchen, the formal dining room, guest bedrooms and main living room are on the first floor. A mini movie theatre, a games room, library and an art studio are some of the rooms on the second floor. The top floor is reserved for the family living room, Jeet's office, bedrooms for the family members, and the master bedroom for Jeet. The bungalow is serviced by two lifts, one for each wing and a dumbwaiter. The garage below, I was told, can easily accommodate over a hundred cars.

But the best part in my opinion, the one that took my breath away, was the other side of the bungalow. The house stood facing the sea. It had an absolutely incredible, unhindered view of the sea as far as one could look.

I glance down to the beautiful, serene lawn in front, divided into two by a wide path leading to large wrought iron gates. I gasp in surprise as I notice the area beyond it, turning to Zenia in disbelief.

"That beach! Is it part of this house?"

"Yes," she laughs, "this property comes with its own private beach." Massive stone walls on either side of the property extend beyond the gate, into the sea cutting off the rest of the city and creating a small strip of beach, solely for the owners of this property.

How many times have I sat, just across this wall, never realising what it was concealing?

"Wow! The house is amazing, I am very happy for J..er, Vicky, although honestly, I do not understand why a man needs so much space."

Zenia drapes her arms around my shoulder like a longtime friend, "That's because you don't know V like I do," she says as she nudges me forward. "We have known each other since kindergarten and have been best friends since then," she informs.

"When V decided to shift back to India, he planned to purchase his own house. This property has been on the market for over a year and it was offered to him at good price. V had his reservations though, as he thought it was too ostentatious for him." We reach a huge master bedroom and sit on the plush smart bed that lights up the floor around when we get off it and too many other bells and whistles to count.

"There was another builder who was also interested in this building and if he got his hands on the property he would not only demolish this heritage bungalow but also cut down most of the trees growing in the garden, some that are rare and hundreds of years old, as well as destroy the beach."

Zenia smiles softly, "The owners, your landlady specially, were not keen to sell to the builder and wanted V to purchase the property. V is a sentimental fool and he could not bear to see such a beautiful landmark destroyed. The deal was struck with the owners in January this year, but the actual sale was to take place next year as V was in no hurry to shift so soon. But then," she furrows her brows, "all of a sudden around four months back, he told me he had changed his mind and wanted move in immediately and started pushing very hard for transfer of property, even convincing the old lady's grandson to fly down to sign the documents." She shakes her head "like I said - sentimental fool. Once he sets his heart on something, he will do anything for it."

While Zenia studies and compares swatches of curtain materials, I walk to the huge balcony, looking at the waves gently lapping the shore. Now that I see the full picture, I feel guilty for being responsible for the hurried occupation of this place, even though I was not aware of it.

"What do you think of this colour?" Zenia holds out a bright blue patch of cloth.

"What is this for?"

"Curtain for V's bedroom," she sweeps her hands around.

"I don't think he will like this colour. As far as I know um.. Vicky likes darker colours." I grab a dark sea green cloth from the bottom of the pile of swatches. "This one would tie in well with the view outside." I hand the material to Zenia who holds it towards the window.

"Yes, you are absolutely right. This one looks way better. V was right! You do have a good eye for detail," she tells me brightly. We continue discussing colour scheme and layout for this room and Zenia happily agrees with most of my suggestions.

My initial impression of Zenia was correct. She is very sweet and down to earth, and we both get along very well. Soon the interior decorating was forgotten, and we end up discussing about our interests and experiences! She narrates incidents of her travels and blogging while she listens with rapt attention as I tell her about my business venture. She enthusiastically agrees to partner with us, as an influencer, whenever we may need her.

She is really a great gal; I wish I had a sister like her. I think to myself as I wave to her when she leaves for the day and gets into a very familiar matte grey Range Rover.

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"What do you think?"

Zenia is showing me the latest version of Apple watch she bought as a birthday gift for Vicky. He is arriving in two days and we are putting in the final finishing touches to his bedroom.

"It's superb! I am sure he will be very happy to get it," I reply looking at the carton, reading its list of features. Technology these days is astounding, as is the price tag!!

"I hope he likes it, though it's not as lavish as his gifts," she says with a soft smile. "On my last birthday he gifted me an all-expenses paid trip to Bora Bora. He also gave me his Range Rover to use, since my car broke down and is in the garage."

Watching Zenia leave in the Range Rover, stirs up memories of Jeet and all the moments we shared, since I first sat in that car. And speaking of Jeet, I should be getting him a birthday present as well. He has done so much for me, the least I can do is give him some token of appreciation. But what does one gift someone who has everything?

Suddenly an idea strikes me. That's it! A quick search on the internet gets me the location of the place. Wasting no time, I reach my destination.

As soon as I lay my eyes on it, I know this would be perfect.

I am so happy!