Chapter 1

Twenty one year old Naina, a fresh commerce graduate of Christchurch College, excitedly strode inside the Maheshwari mansion adjacent to her much simpler house. 

Gosh it's mind blowing!' ambling through the driveway, she reflected for the millionth time. 

Surrounded on either side by lush, green beautifully landscaped gardens, lolled the majestic house. The two-story spread was impeccably white in colour, its exterior shaped befittingly like a Rajasthani palace. Adding to the grandeur, a lofty several-tiered fountain sat at the entrance.

The Maheshwaris had flocked to Ahmedabad only a couple of years ago. Several properties next to the Naina's Colony were bought, consolidated and in the next ten or twelve months, an army of workers, similar to the ones employed by Shah Jahan, had constructed the grand abode. The palatial house boasted of tennis and basketball courts, Japanese gardens, two swimming pools outdoor and indoor, a state of the art gym, a media room, ten bedrooms and god knows how many bathrooms. 

The Maheshwaris were quickly becoming an essential part of Naina's life. Her Taiji and Chacha both worked for Sri Jai Prakash  Maheshwari the Pharma King.  Impressed by Naina's intelligence and simple ways the entire family was very fond of her. Senior Maheshwari insisted Naina address him as Nanaji. Nanaji lived with his daughter Vishakha Maheshwari  her second husband Sandeep and their older son Rohit and his wife Seema. 

The only person from the Maheshwari family, Naina had never met was Sameer Maheshwari, the younger scion studying in America. Having completed his MBA, Sameer had finally come to live with his parents and join the family business.  

 Yesterday, due to a close friend's wedding, Naina could not attend the lavish bash the Maheshwaris had thrown to celebrate Sameer's homecoming.  Almost all the city hotels and available farmhouses, legal or illegal, had been reserved to house the who's who of the country and outside, in attendance for last nights' shindig.  

Since morning, Naina's family and Colony people's praise coupled with Nannaji's call had persuaded Naina to overcome her shyness and show up to meet the man'.

Naina waited in the humongous living room as one of the servants rushed to fetch Vishakha. From the arched, stain glass windows of the living room, she could spy several workers milling about in the lawns, cleaning up after last night's revelry. Party for some pain for others!' she declared softly.

            Who are you?' questioned a deep voice, echoing in the otherwise silent room.

 Naina got startled, and whirled around to see where this voice was coming from. She immediately recognised who stood in front of her. No sillies! No past-birth memories like in Karz or Karrrzzz (did I miss a Z?)! Naina recognised Sameer Maheshwari from his photographs. 

Sameer was taller in person, definitely six feet or more. The first thing she noticed was his dark hair. Long in front and falling to the side of his forehead. His black pupils framed with long curling eyelashes, studied her with no hint of recognition. After all, Naina was no Paris Hilton or a child successfully rescued from a borewell. Sameer's face cradled a wide forehead, a Greek nose, and a sensual mouth with a hint of dimples in his chiselled cheeks. His broad shoulders and lean body, was clad in a white, probably ridiculously priced, designer T-shirt, dark blue jeans and tan shoes.  Sameer Maheshwari loomed large as an epitome of oozing masculinity.

 You are Sameer, right?' Naina stuttered, blushing furiously. 

And you are about to faint?' Sameer mocked, in a deep and cultured baritone. His eyes crinkled at the ends and his dimples deepened. 

Humour served in arrogance, a typical trademark of children brought up by the philosophy: Spare the child and break the rod or better still, sell it to the raddiwala. Naina's expression awkward, she asked, What do you mean?' 

Your face is redder than a beet root.' 

The snub definitely ruffled, more than imaginary feathers. Were you pursuing a MBA or a cookery course?' 

For a moment, Sameer's eyes narrowed and then he burst out in a full-throated laugh. At the sound, Naina felt like curling her toes.

Okay, Ms Smarty Pants, introduce yourself.' 

Naina . . . Naina Agarwal,' she answered lifting her chin, unconsciously defiant. 

So you are Naina? My family's adopted daughter.' A thorough gaze sized her up from head to toe.  Sameer liked what he saw . . .who wouldn't? 

Almond shaped eyes perfectly sized, with a pert nose trailed by pouty pink lips, sat pretty in a heart shaped fair face. Bereft of any make up, Naina appeared to be a tall teenager, except, her body was that of woman. Her curves, clearly visible in simple powder pink and silver colored T-shirt and boot cut jeans. 

Sameer's amusement grew, as he noticed Naina's flush become more pronounced, at his minute inspection. My stares are actually making her uncomfortable, he thought, surprised. In the circles, Sameer moved there was not one woman, married or single, who would not botox or lipo herself to her very bones just to emerge good enough to catch his eye. But Naina, discomfited to the core, literally hopped from one foot to another.

Naina, experienced strange tingles, as Sameer's eyes freely roamed over her. Even though thoroughly covered, she felt completely exposed. To break the eye contact, Naina abruptly swung her face away, bringing the wow' feature to his notice. 

            Sameer, riveted, gazed at the poker straight, shiny black tresses, cascading down the shoulders, ending at the waist. Ms Dimple Kapadia and Demi Moore, your days are numbered! His hands twitched to touch the black velvet.

So you've met Naina?' Seema, Sameer's sister-in-law's voice broke the moment.

Think she is about to faint.' Sameer teased enjoying the anger that flitted on Naina's face.

You obviously need glasses.' Naina retorted and then blushed some more because of the surprised look on Seema's face. Everyone including Naina could write books about Naina's calm demeanour.

What is wrong with me? It is all this Sameer Maheshwari's fault. Yeh wapas kyon aaya? Naina pasted a smile on her face and focused on Seema Bhabhi determined to ignore Sameer.

You think something is wrong with my eyes. May you should check them closely.' Sameer sauntered towards Naina, his expression. Only Naini could see the twinkle in his onyx eyes as he walked toward her.

What? No.' Naina took a step back. Her panicky eyes found Seema's amused gaze.

Seema quickly spoke even as she gave them a closer look.  Naina maa is looking for you. She is in her room.' 

Thanks Bhabhi,' Naina murmured, quickly climbing the marble stairway fleeing away as gracefully as she could.  Who dare say T-Rex's are extinct?

Seema waited for Naina to disappear on the first floor. She turned to her bother in law. So what do you think of Naina?' 

 Surprisingly, quite attractive and not my type at all.' Sameer grinned even stared at the top of the stairs where Naina had disappeared.

            Attractive and not your type? That doesn't make any sense, dear brother-in-law.'  Sameer did have a certain reputation with women.  

Dear sister-in-law, I like my women a lot more polished and sophisticated. My woman has to be the strong, independent kind, who sees my shoulder as something to rub against, rather than something to cry or lean on.' Sameer flopped onto the adjoining sofa. A full-scale, head-to-head offensive was unleashed; Seema's head versus his. 

That's it! An Amazon is your ideal woman?' Seema retorted.

No Bhabi I want a sophisticated and intelligent girl. No gaon ki gori types.' Sameer grinned.

Really and looks don't matter to you Dewarji?' Seems sneered.

Sameer shook his head. She has to be nice to look at, but not necessarily a Gisele Bunched. The way she carries herself and the way she speaks and thinks is much more important.  She has to be what you see is what you get kind of gal! My qualifications and interests should thrill her more than my money.'

That doesn't sound bad at all? But what if, she has had prior relationships? A colourful past . . . like someone in our family, like someone I'm talking to?' Seema's face danced with mischief.

Sameer shrugged, Her past is only the past; with absolutely no bearing on the present. I won't share her with anyone, but I am not interested in fighting ghosts.'  

Well, well not an MCP after all? Miracles never cease!' Seema said. 

Smiling, Sameer continued, There is more. I am not looking for the jeans clad, English talking, gharulu kinds. Lassi served in a wine glass, is still lassi. There should be no lies, no mind games and no excessive vanity. And unequivocally, she cannot be a gauche teenager who wears sneakers in the middle of the day!' The last part was a dig at Naina's sport shoes. 

Oh c'mon, Naina is damn sweet and extremely nice,' Seema defended, And why are you so anal about women wearing sneakers?' 

You can't stand Bhai in transparent shirts and you yourself avoid certain colours. Similarly a woman in sneakers totally puts me off, except when she is exercising.' Sameer's eccentricity made complete sense to him. 

You are crazy! Naina is the best.' 

Eh tu brutus!' 

Seema gave him a confounded look.

 You too are a part of Naina fan club? Weren't mom and Nanaji not enough?' 

Your Bhai is a part of it too,' smirking, Seema shot back.

Well then I bid adieu to all you crazy people.' Standing up, Sameer, dramatically, clasped his head.

 Where are you off to?' Seema inquired. 

To meet my new conquest of course! I shall not be back for lunch,' Sameer announced over his shoulder. He headed for the pristine, brand new, royal blue Mercedes , a gift from his Nanaji, for completing his masters from Wharton with excellence. One of his Nananji's cardinal rules gifts are big, only, if the endeavour and results exceed expectations. Only a few knew that Sameer, a meritorious student, could have accomplished a large chunk of his education through scholarships, but chose to pay, so someone not equally fortunate, could score a seat.

Sameer hid his humility with contrived arrogance. Humility was a concept better understood by the middle-class or Indian reality show winners. His friends only got' gizmos and complexes the ones you live with or live in. One thing Sameer had picked up from his Nanaji at a very young age was success frees you to be yourself. And success is not inherited, it is achieved. Sameer was just bidding his time and turn. Time and turn, to co-manage the Maheshwari Empire.

Reversing out of the large iron wrought gates, Sameer's head was full of a pair of almond shaped eyes, flushed cheeks and raven hair, instead of his glamorous date: A socialite from out of town, he had just bumped into yesterday.

The subject of Sameer's thoughts was thinking of him, too, but not as favourably. Opinionated jackass!' grumbled Naina, crossly. 

Even though Seema and Sameer had been conversing softly, Naina the beagle' as called by her Arjun Bhaiya, had overheard every single word spoken between them.

Sameer Maheshwari who cares what you think? Unpolished, gauche, my foot! He probably thinks he's god's gift to women . . . Preeti and I will show him!' declared Naina, her usually pleasant expression, marred by a severe scowl. Preeti, her cousin, was spirited and feisty soul one who whole Ahemdabad wouldn't dare to mess with. Preeti was only scared of two things ghosts and their Taiji. Even the ghosts were scared of Taiji.

Naina what happened? Why are you sitting on the floor and why are you looking so angry?' questioned Vishakha, emerging from her room.

Quickly, Naina altered her frown to a smile and shot to her feet. I just thought I dropped my earing. Everything is fine and it shall only get better, Aunty.' Gazing at her sneakers, Naina's eyes sparkled with much malice, like the baddies of old movies. 

Did you meet Sameer?' Vishakha inquired. 

Yup, he was on his way out somewhere.' 

And what do you think?' Vishakha probed. 

Naina's honest response would go something like this, Bada bhagwan, chota shaitan.' Therefore, out of affection for the Maheshwaris, her lips remained interlocked as the brain put forth few more suggestions. Different!' was all she could spit out.

Vishakha chuckled. I know Sameer is a little spoilt, but his heart and head is in the right place. I am sure he will grow on you.' 

Like a bloodsucking parasite, Naina silently derided. Bhabhi said you were looking for me?' She changed the topic.

Oh yes!  I just received some saris and suit materials from Calcutta, beautiful kantha work. Help me choose for myself and yourself .' 

Aunty please, you have given us way too many things already,' Naina protested.

You can never say no to me understand?' ordered the older woman, affectionately. We all missed you at the party yesterday,' Vishakha said, launching into an immediate discourse about the last night's party.

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