“Two months ago, I met Janak for lunch at The Marquis. While driving back together after our lunch, we crossed the villa. He stopped to show it to me. I never even knew he owned it. But as I wandered through it, I fell in love with it. I know it’s dilapidated and old but I could see it had so much potential. I could totally visualize it.”
Raashi smiled in the distance, remembering that day.
She continued, “Imagine its walls restored. That huge ceiling lit up with antique brass and crystal chandeliers. Old antique print dark wallpaper on its walls, Victorian tables and chairs dotted around it. Imagine those beautiful arches painted and those lovely baroque pillars restored. I was blown away. That place could be fabulous. It could be made into a world-class restaurant. Janak saw me wandering through it, mesmerized and wanted to know what was going on in my mind. I explained my vision to him and told him the villa had so much potentialand he ought to do something about it. A few days later he called me to his office and handed me the deed to the villa. He gifted it to me. Just like that. I argued with him, but he absolutely refused to accept the land back. He wanted me to fulfill my vision. To make it a reality.” She raised her eyes to his and shook her head in a soft no. “I’m sorry Sameer, but I just can’t sell it.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Sameer argued. “Because the way I see it, you can build this restaurant of yours anywhere. Yet, you won’t, because it’s me asking to buy it back from you. You are punishing me.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say.” Raashi was visibly aghast.
“If that’s not the truth then why won’t you sell? I am offering you whatever you ask for it,” Sameer countered.
“The place that I envisaged, that restaurant, was my grandmother’s dream. My parents died in a car crash when I was ten, Jiya four. My grandmother looked after us. It’s because of her that I am who I am today. She wanted to one day own a beautiful classical restaurant. She had never traveled anywhere, but had seen pictures of wonderful Parisian, vintage style restaurants in magazines and she had shown them to me. What I described to you right now was her vision. She wanted to build this vintage restaurant in an old restored property. She died leaving her dream unfulfilled and I am going to make that dream come true for her.”
Sameer leaned back in his chair watching her. Of all the reasons that had come to his mind for Raashi not wanting to sell the land, he had never in his wildest imagination ever thought that she wanted to fulfill her grandmother’s dream, that she’d be so passionate about it.
When he did not respond, Raashi reiterated. “I am serious about this.”
“I can see that.”
“So you understand and you won’t bother me anymore?” Raashi asked.
“All I understand is that we are at crossroads. It’s your dream versus mine and like you, I am not willing to give up,” Sameer replied.
“I knew this would be a waste of time. You just don’t get it, do you?” Raashi retorted, angry now.
“I need to think about this, Raashi,” Sameer said slowly. When she didn’t say anything, he said, “Give me some time, please. I’ll get back to you.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts when all of a sudden Sameer sat up straight.
“Well? You up for some dessert?” he asked changing the subject.
A confused look crossed her face.
“They taste as good as they look,” he insisted. “You wanna try something?”
He pointed to the colorful array of sweet delights on display.
“Sure,” Raashi agreed.
At least he wasn’t pressing her and she was well aware how persistent he could be. Hopefully, once he had thought about her reasons he wouldn’t trouble her again. Besides, she wasn’t one to say no to desserts and the cafe´ did have an amazing selection.
Raashi happily chose a dessert from the vast selection. She turned to ask Sameer if he wanted something too, but he refused. She raised her eyebrows in question and he shook his head once again.
She took a bite of the cheese-cake and shut her eyes.
“Umm. Divine!”
She opened her eyes to see Sameer watching her with amusement.
“What?” she asked.
“I’ve never seen a woman enjoy dessert as much as you. Most women I know would never even opt for dessert. Everyone I know is just too obsessed with their weight these days.”
“Well, Mr. Sehgal, what can I say, you have been cavorting with the wrong women. Here try some of this. It’s blissful.”
She dug her spoon into the dessert and offered it to him. Sameer leaned closer. Raashi hesitated for a second but then brought the spoon forward letting him take the bite.
She smiled as his eyes widened in appreciation. He grabbed her spoon and dug in. Soon, they were fighting over who was being greedy and eating more than the other. Sameer scooped the last bite on to his spoon before Raashi could. She made a face at him and complained. He brought the spoon near her mouth but then mischievously moved the spoon away from her towards himself. But to his bad luck, his hand accidentally knocked down his glass of water. The water spilled on the table and the spoon fell on his shirt.
