Desde sempre e para sempre Chapter 1

Desde sempre e para sempre

Chapter 1

    A tall young man in a dark suit was standing by the glass wall which gave him a magnificent view of the East River.  The United Nations was smack in the middle and as he looked down and made out the tiny dots of people making their way out of the building, he realized that another day was over at the UN. He smirked. Bunch of diplomatic acrobats of a circus who thought they were saving the world. Little did they know that they lived in a world that only stretched as far as the UN Headquarters. Outside was a whole new world, the real world, where people didn't talk in the third person and where people were much more than the delegate of Brazil and the delegate of India…

It was a ritual. Every time he was in Manhattan, no matter what, he would stand by his window with his whiskey tumbler at 6:30 pm and watch the delegates pour out of the UN HQ. It was precisely why he had bought the entire 75^th floor on the Chrysler building which overlooked the East River and the United Nations.

 

His ritual complete, he chugged the remnants of his drink and put the whiskey tumbler back on the elaborate bar table in his cabin. The sun had already set and the night life in Manhattan had begun. But for Gael Breno Bourgeois, it was the second morning of his day. While he wrapped up business in the West for the day, the East had woken up.

There was a knock on the door.

Gael: “Come in, John.”

John: “Sir, I have your brother on the private line. I know you asked me not to disturb you but he says it’s urgent…”

Gael nodded and dismissed him.

He switched over to his Bluetooth and once again stood facing the glass wall. However, this time he was facing the south and the entire tip of Manhattan lay before him.

Gael: “Davi. Oi! e aí?”

Davi: “Irmão, she is asking for you.” 

Gael was silent for a couple of seconds. He knew what that meant.

Gael: “How long does she have?”

Davi: “The Doc says two weeks, max.”

Gael: “I am on my way. Tchau!”

Davi: “Tchau!”

Gael: “JOHN!”

John scrambled in: “Yes Sir!”

Gael: “Get my Chopper ready. I am leaving for the airport in 5 minutes. Make sure my jet is ready to take off the moment I reach the airport.”

John: “Yes Sir! Right away…”

Gael went back and stood by the window facing the UN. He sighed and put his coat on. It was December and it had begun to snow. It was going to be Christmas in two weeks. He picked up his briefcase and his cell phone and walked out of his cabin.

Why did she wear a saree?! She was not in Mumbai and people on the street were definitely not going to burst out into a song and dance! Not that it happened in Mumbai but she liked to think it did. It had started to snow and the bottom opening of the saree allowed the cold air to freeze her bottom. She shivered and opened her Hot Pink umbrella which would stand out even to anyone who was looking at the UN from say the Chrysler Building! It was a norm to wear the dark and boring colors at the UN especially during winter. Black coats and black winter jackets, black umbrellas and black scarves….but no. Naina Malhotra, she liked her colors, it kept her happy.

Naina: “NAINA MALHOTRA!!! NEXT TIME IF YOU DECIDE TO WEAR A SAREE WHEN IT IS SNOWING OUTSIDE, I WILL KILL YOU!”

She knew she looked like a clown. Her red winter coat and a pink and white saree hardly matched. But she had packed everything else and she had NOT expected it to snow!

Naina: “TAXI!!!! WHAT…..”

The taxi passed her and stopped in front of another lady. The delegate of Venezuela with her form fitting coat which showed off her voluptuous body had managed to snag the taxi even though Naina had been the first one to call for it!

Naina: “FINE! FINE! NEW YORK TAXI BHAIYYA! I WILL WALK! I DON’T NEED YOU!”

Naina sighed. Why did she even bother? It’s not like he could hear her and she was making a fool of herself. But she was cold and that’s what it did to her. It made her upset. She pulled her coat tight and started walking to her apartment. It was only a couple of blocks away….

Gael was flicking through his emails as he made his way to the Helipad. The moment he walked through the office passages everyone stood up to greet him. But he didn't even bother. His entourage was behind him wheeling his luggage and files that he had decided to carry with him. He never looked up from his mobile as he walked by; the people around him didn't exist.

Naina: “Good Evening, Om Prakash ji!”

Om Prakash: “Good Evening, Naina Bitia! I am going to miss you, you know!”

Naina: “It’s just two weeks! I will be back to the UN and the Mission in two weeks! Don’t worry, I am sure you need a break from me!”

Om Prakash laughed: “I won’t be here in the morning as my shift will be done in a couple of hours. So, you have a safe flight and relax! It’s your vacation, have fun, okay?”

Naina leaned over the doorman’s desk and hugged the elderly man.

Naina: “Thank you, Om Prakash ji! You know I love you! I will try my best to rest! Convey me regards to Auntyji and don’t worry I have not forgotten about her shopping list!”

Gael got in his helicopter and put his headset on. He then resumed working on his emails.

As soon as Naina got into her apartment, she turned her music system on. She ripped her coat off and literally went around the room in circles as she pulled her saree out. She, herself, found it so silly that she burst out laughing. When the saree was off, she had to hold onto a chair to steady herself. The room continued to spin around her! She then quickly put on some pajamas and a tank top and ran to the window seat, her most favorite place in the house. She made herself comfortable and hugged her knees. It looked so beautiful outside. The snowflakes looked and felt magical now that she was warm inside her house. Her window faced the Chrysler building and she saw a helicopter take off into the wind.  

She reached for her diary and opened it. Her pink diary with her pink gel pen.

Life is but a hazy mist, 

Sometimes snowflakes and sometimes a twist,

Not without a gist but without a list.

Once you conquer note it down, if you fail, you won’t frown.

No, don’t take it to be sans passion,

Arduous hope and fleeting compassion.

Don’t write your destiny to stop you from falling

To make it happen is your true calling…

She closed her diary and hugged it. She giggled as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai started playing on her music player. She stood up and started dancing with an imaginary partner...

She had Kajol's dance moves memorized down pat. Her long wavy hair cascading over her shoulders and twirling around with her as she swayed to the music. She closed her eyes and shivered imagining a seductive kiss by her imaginary partner. Not Shah Rukh Khan but a tall dark man....She picked up her red scarf and twirled it around in the air imagining herself in the gazebo with her one and only. She went into an emotional overdrive imagining an engagement ring on her finger...if only she could run into the forest and into Salman Khan's arms!! He would do too! She bit her lip laughing at herself. 

Life is perhaps a fleeting moment,

One that doesn't embrace innocence.

Mistakes are made but lessons aren't learned,

Forgiveness? Is that only a relative term?

John: "Sir, the pilot says that we should be in Rio in about 8 hours. Would you like me to have the air hostess serve you dinner?"

Gael closed his book. Putting his pen back into his breast pocket, he looked up. 

Gael: "No. And turn off the music. I want absolute silence."

---

Naina on the phone: "Dadi, I fly tomorrow night....make sure Ramu Chacha's taxi is working fine. We don't want to have a repeat of the last time...And have you made your special Chicken Biryani? I like it when it is a day old....I know you know!...But don't forget Sev Puri!...Yes, Dadi! I am going to heat up my dinner now....What am I having for dinner? Don't ask...But don't worry, in just a couple of hours my life is going to change!..Yes, of course I am talking about food!...Dadi, do you have any new boyfriends?....hahahaha....no boyfriend for me but if you want I can kidnap one of the goras for you and bring him home with me...Me? Goras are so dull! They don't have enough garam masala in them! How can I live with him if he can't even go beyond two spoons of your famous spicy Biryani?...Dadi, now I think I have sufficiently tortured myself by talking about all your yummy food. So, I am going to say good night and I will see you day after tomorrow! Love you sooo much Dadi!"

Naina heated a bowl of the leftover Pad Thai and went back to her window seat. Winter in New York was magical but she would choose Mumbai over New York any day! She was finally going back home! It had been two years, two long years...

She had fulfilled her parent’s wishes when she had cleared the UPSC exams and successfully enrolled into the Indian Foreign Services. Her parents had always wanted her to be an Indian Foreign Service Officer. Her father and her grandfather had been one. As an only child, she had continued the family tradition. She had lost her parents in a car crash while she was still in school . Her grandfather too had passed away five years ago. It had been difficult but she hadn't been alone. Her grandmother, a strong woman, had taken care of her and supported her all along.

When she got her first posting to New York, she had wanted her Dadi to come along with her. However, her Dadi had chosen to stay back home with her people, her community. She was a social worker and made everyone’s business her business. She could be annoying but everyone knew she meant well. She was the one person they knew they could always count on.

Naina yawned and got up to make her way to the bed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day. She had to take care of a couple things before she left. Fortunately, her flight was in the night, so she had enough time to get all her things done just as she had planned.

Gael had not managed to sleep the whole flight. He was worried. She meant the world to him. They had just landed and Gael was waiting for his jet to stop cruising and reach the ramp. His helicopter was waiting for him which would take him straight home.

John: “Sir.”

Gael got up and left the jet. Within a few seconds his helicopter was up in the air and he was on his way home. He looked to his right and saw the majestic statue of Cristo Redentor welcoming him home…

The Copacabana Beach, the white sand and the crescent beach smiling like the crescent moon; a precious place where he had taught his brothers how to swim while she prepared the picnic for them on the beach every Sunday...

The Sugarloaf Mountain where he had been with his brothers for a series of outdoor trekking and climbing trips; majestic and glorious as usual where she had been there to pick the boys up and clean their wounds every time they had fallen down. The sailing expeditions the three musketeers embarked upon knowing that she would be there waiting for them at home...

Crystal clear water, clear breeze, joy of a family, love, belonging, truth, lies, betrayal, death, redemption, freedom, wealth, duty, destiny…

This was his city, Rio de Janeiro. The January River which had given them all a new beginning. He took a deep breath. He was home.

Leo ran to him and hugged him.

Leo: “Irmão…Aaji…”

An elderly lady dressed impeccably in a red pantsuit walked over to him.

Gael: “Mãe…”

Mãe: “She knows you are here.”

Gael hugged his brother: “Leo, its time. We knew this was coming… Davi?”

Leo: “Inside. She has been asking for you.”

They all entered the room.

An old lady on her bed was trying to sit up as a tall young man was helping her and at the same time reprimanding her for doing so.

"Davi, don't forget no matter how tall you grow, I will still whack you on your buttocks!"

Gael: "He is only trying to take care of you. Something you don't think we or this country is capable of doing anymore."

“I was wondering whether I would have to come outside to see you. Confrontation is not one of your best abilities.”

Confronting her... 

Gael ran to her and kneeled before her.

Gael: “Aaji…”

Aaji: “I am still alive and I am not going anywhere until you fulfill your promise…”

Dr. Martinez: “I strongly suggest against travelling in this condition…”

Gael raised his hand and silenced the doctor.

Gael: “John.”

John: “Yes, Sir.”

Gael: “Get the plane ready. We are going to Mumbai.”

Aaji: “Not your jet, Mr. Bourgeois. Before I bid my final adieu, I want to experience life the way I remember it. We came here in an economy class, it was Air India I remember. We will go back in Air India, economy class. I am tired of the privileges you have given me.”

Davi: “I am coming too.”

Leo: “Me too.”

Mãe: “Leo! Copa Mundial Finale is day after tomorrow! It is your duty toward your country! Davi, your movie premier…”

Davi: “Mãe! Aaji means the world to us…it is okay if I don’t show up to click some pictures on the red carpet!”

Aaji: “My filhos! I am not going anywhere! Leo, I want you to win that World Cup for Brazil and come to meet me. Davi, my superstar, I want you to come with your twin. Remember what I taught you, a commitment is a commitment. The show must always go on…”

Leo and Davi kneeled down before her next to Gael.

Leo: “We know Gael is more....”

Davi: “But we love you just as much…”

Gael stood up and left the room.

Aaji: “I love all three of you equally. I just worry about Gael ...he is still broken.”

Leo: “Don’t go, Aaji!”

Aaji: “You are going to be there too in a few days!”

Leo: “NO! DON’T LEAVE US AT ALL!”

Mãe ran to her and hugged her, bursting into tears.

Mãe: “YOU are their mother! How am I going to…”

Aaji: “You have been the perfect mother to all three of them. I am sure you will do just fine. It is time for me to go. I have outstayed my welcome here in Rio. It is time I go back home, back to my people.”

Davi: “And we are not your people?”

Leo: “Have we not loved you enough?”

Mãe: “Has Rio disappointed you?”

Aaji laughed: “Rio has given me all that I could have asked for and much more. YOU…each one of you have been my family, my only family…but I know my soul will not rest in peace if I am not back home…please…”

Gael was standing by the fireplace in the living room. The Bourgeois Palace, an eclectic castle, the majestic conical roofs, the splendid gardens all in the middle of the city provided a glimpse of the true Bourgeois history and heritage. The castle was decorated for Christmas. 

A 25 ft tall Christmas tree decorated with real gold, silver and diamond ornaments was right next to the fireplace. Gael traced his hand along the mantle, taking in all the photos of him and his brothers as they grew up together in Rio. The last one was the very first one. This one was with just him and his Aaji in Mumbai...

Mãe: "It is okay to let your guard down sometimes, filho."

Gael: "No, its not."

Gael: "John!"

John ran into the living room.

Gael: "The itinerary?"

John: "Sir, there is a problem. Air India does not operate flights between Rio and Mumbai. We will have to fly to New York..."

Gael: "Whatever. We can take my jet to New York and then Aaji can get her fill of Air India from New York to Mumbai."

John: "There are only two flights that go to Mumbai per day, Sir. We won't make it in time for the morning one but the one in the night..."

Gael: "Reschedule the second flight."

John: "Sir, we won't have to. We should reach New York with ample of time to spare until the evening flight to Mumbai."

Gael: "We leave for New York in an hour. We should be there by 3 pm. I want the Air India flight to leave for Mumbai by 4 pm."

John: "But Sir, its scheduled for 10 pm. We can postpone a flight but we can hardly..."

Gael: "I am sorry, I didn't know this was a discussion. Now if that's all..."

Gael stalked out of the living room. 

John turned around his head spinning. He had the worst job in the world even though his paychecks were meant for a King. On his way out he bumped into Davi. 

Davi: "Tough night, John?"

John: "Oh its just like any other day with the Boss."

Davi smiled: "Offer to compensate the passengers with the flight fare who can make it by 4 pm and those who can't, offer them double the fare and make sure they are on the next flight to Mumbai."

John: "Thank you! But do you think Sir wouldn't mind..."

Davi: "He has too much money lying around. He wouldn't notice."

Leo walked in: "He would definitely notice. But then I am sure he will email you to do just that in a couple of minutes when he has cooled down..."

John's phone buzzed with an email from the Boss. 

John looked at the identical twins, Davi and Leo, before him: "As you said...The Bourgeois clan sure is something!"

The next day:

Naina: “He…hello? Yes, speaking…yes…WHAT? WAIT! How can you do that? It was scheduled for 10 pm! Why?....What do you mean you can’t tell me!.....NO! I don’t want your money! I want to know who is responsible for this! Please, put me through to the manager!”

After waiting for a while and losing her cool all over again…

Naina: “Hello! What is this about?! The flight was scheduled for 10 pm and now you are telling me that it departs at 4 pm?! No, you are not just causing me inconvenience….No, I cannot wait for the next flight! Keep your money and shove it up your…”

Naina disconnected the phone and groaned. So much for being the sophisticated diplomat! She had woken up to this call having slept through her alarm and oh no! She had so much to do!

This had already turned out to be a bad start! Was it a sign? Was she not supposed to board that plane?

Naina knew that in her profession she had to board a million planes but it did nothing to alleviate her fear of flying…

She splashed cold water on her face. Dadi’s chicken biryani; that was all she was going to think about.

Naina ran about the room tossing things into her suitcase. This was just how she was. It was not like she would have done a better job had the flight departed on time. She had wanted to go to the parlor before she left but now that was out of the question. She looked at herself in the mirror. It wasn't that bad…besides, it wasn't like she was going to meet her Prince Charming on Flight AI 101!

If the flight left at 4 pm, she needed to be there by 1 pm. It would take her 2 hours to get there. She had to stop on her way and say goodbye to her girls at the dance academy. Naina looked at the watch. She should have left an hour ago!

She quickly sat on the bag to shut it. Both of them, one after the other. She knew it was overweight. It had to be! She was Indian!  She called her driver to get the car ready and jumped into the shower.

Naina Malhotra always made it a point to wear a great outfit while flying. If it was the last outfit she was ever going to wear before the plane crashed and killed them all, then it might as well be a great one.

She wore beige pants and a white top with a gold belt. She tucked her figure-hugging top into the pants and left the top few buttons undone. She had big, long and brown hair which curled at the bottom. The bed hair suited her. Her hair was so big it would take her hours to do anything with it anyways. She decided to leave it open and put some chunky gold earrings on. She LOVED bangles and made it a point to wear them everyday. Today, she put on a set of colorful bangles with patterns of gold on them. She then grabbed her brown handbag and dumped all her important papers and passport she needed, including her phone, into her handbag and started searching for her shoes.

Where was the other one?? 

She found the other nude heel pump under her dresser, put it on and finally left her home. Her suitcases were heavy, she couldn't even lift them herself! Dammit…she would deal with it at the airport.

Gael, on the other hand, was well on his way to New York and cherishing his 64 year old Macallan Single Malt Whiskey on his private jet. His Aaji was sleeping comfortably in one of the bedrooms.

Gael: “John, as soon as you reach Mumbai make sure all her medicines and you know the doctors and a nurse, make that three nurses, are waiting for her in the suite…where are we staying?”

John: “I booked the Tata Suite at Taj…”

Gael took a sip of his whiskey: “Don’t they have a Maratha suite?”

John: “I think so but it is a bit…”

Gael: “A bit what?”

John: “It’s only Rs. 2 Lakh per night. I am guessing it is less equipped…The Tata Suite is the best they have and that too is just Rs. 7 Lakh per night, nothing by your standards, Sir. But that is the closest...”

Gael looked at John and smiled.

Gael: “The Maratha Suite will be more appealing to her than the Tata Suite irrespective of its tariff and I mean no offense to the honorable Tatas…”

John: “I am extremely sorry, Sir. I will make the changes as soon as I get there. I should have asked you before but I thought…”

Gael: “Relax! Leo is right. You are way too uptight.”

He poured a glass of whiskey for John: “Here, it will help take the edge off. We will be there in a few hours. Take some rest and I am sure you will do your job well when we get there. After all, I hire only the best.”

Gael stood up and entered his room. John loosened his tie and sighed. Sometimes Gael was pissed off, sometimes he was indifferent and sometimes he was impatient…regardless John was always sweating in his presence because Gael was never...what was the word…“nice!” John took a good sip of the whiskey, the most expensive whiskey in the world and he would be a fool to not taste it. It was priceless! He smiled and set about to work. 

Relax? One does not simply relax if one is working for the great Gael Breno Bourgeois. He knew people would kill for his job, for the experience, guidance and training he was receiving under the Nobel Prize winner in Economic Sciences. Invested in one of the most cut throat as well as insensitive fields of business, Gael Breno Bourgeois was a living legend. And John was grateful to him for had it not been for Gael, John would have…he shook his head and opened his file. John was not one to drown in his past for it was worthless.