“Sameer, watch your tone. I am still your grandfather,” Janak scolded.
Sameer rubbed his forehead, trying to reduce the pounding that had started since this morning when he and Kabier had found out that they didn’t own their grandmother’s property anymore.
He had asked Kabier and Rishi to meet with him today at his office. He had finally discussed about his dream spa project in detail with them. His grandmother’s property next to The Marquis hotel had an old heritage villa and Sameer wanted to restore it, extend it and convert it into a spa. It would be an extension of The Marquis. Kabier and Rishi had loved the idea so much that they had called for the land documents immediately to begin the planning. But then to their absolute shock they had found out that the property no longer belonged to them. And now grandfather was telling them very coolly that he had gifted the property away.
“When did you do this, grandfather?” he heard Kabier ask.
“Not so long ago,” Janak Sehgal replied, waving a nonchalant hand in the air.
“And you did this without even thinking of informing any of us?” Sameer queried unable to conceal the anger in his voice.
His grandfather raised his chin.
“Just because I’ve handed over the reins of the business to you guys doesn’t mean that I am answerable to you three. That was my land, and I decided to gift it to someone who fell in love with it and has a wonderful vision for it.”
“Just like that?” Sameer heard Rishi ask from behind him.
His grandfather gave a half shrug in reply.
What was wrong with the old man? How could he have just handed over a prime piece of Sehgal property, the most beautiful villa, the most perfect land to someone else? It was unbelievable!
“What am I supposed to do about my plans for the land now?” Sameer asked, seething in fury.
“Well, I’m sorry but today is the first time I’ve heard of this plan of yours. The idea has merit, my boy. But I guess you will have to do it somewhere else.”
“No,” Sameer shook his head. “It has to be there. This is no ordinary spa I am talking about. I want to build something exotic. This location was unique because we could have connected it to The Marquis. Imagine enhancing the status of The Marquis to a resort hotel within the city. It’s not going to work anywhere else.”
“I agree with him,” Kabier said.
“Well, so we’ll just have to buy it back,” said Rishi.
“That doesn’t make sense, Rishi,” Sameer told his brother.
“Why? The land obviously doesn’t belong to us anymore and you want to build a world-class spa in that villa and connect it to The Marquis. Once done, it will make The Marquis one of themost sought after hotels in the city, not to mention probably the country. So?” Rishi asked splaying a hand out.
Sameer ran his hands through his hair. Bloody hell! Why hadn’t he discussed his plans with his grandfather earlier?
“Whom does it belong to?” Kabier asked, interrupting his thoughts.
His grandfather faced Sameer.
“Raashi,” he replied.
Sameer felt like the wind had been knocked out of him.
Raashi! Oh, My God!
Why of all the people had his grandfather chosen her to gift this land to? This was so not happening to him. He could judge trouble from a distance when it was on the horizon. And this was just that. Disaster waiting to happen! There was no way Raashi would sell the land to him. No way in Hell! He was so screwed.
“Why, why her?” Sameer asked as patiently as he could.
“I don’t need to justify my actions to any of you. Suffice it to say that I felt she was the best person to value the importance of that land. She fell in love with the villa the first moment she laid eyes on it. That day, standing at the threshold of that old villa, she had an immediate vision for that decrepit place. She described her idea with so much passion that I was floored hearing her thoughts. That land was hers from that day on.”
“Then we are left with no option but to negotiate with her to get the land back,” Kabier said solemnly.
“I can tell you that it would be a waste of time but that’s up to you guys. And now if your inquisition is over, I will see myself out.” He stood up, straightened his jacket and walked towards the door of the office.
But before he got to the door, he turned to Sameer and asked, “Do you have any new updates on the car theft at The Marquis?”
