Chapter 1

[NOCOPY]

Part 1

She was running around the hall. She was a perfectionist in everything she did.She was handed the responsibility of this Annual Diwali Party like every year. She had her checklist ready. She went to the main gate of the hall to check the decoration. She was satisfied with the setup. Many big personalities have been invited. Biggest investor of their company will be attending and she has to make sure the things have to be perfect.

She then went and checked the eatery section. She went through all ranges of eateries - Indian, continental, salads etc… There were various kinds of food and drinks. Geet has made sure that everything has to be perfect and guests are happy.

Nina tapped Geet’s shoulder -  “Beautiful and perfect.”

“Thanks for liking”

“It has to be if I have handed anything to Geet. Now you should go home, get ready and come to party with your husband hand to hand. I want you both to enter as most beautiful couple of tonight” 

“Sure” Geet gave Nina her usual sweet smile. 

Geet reached home and as she sat on bed, she drifted to sleep. She had been working for arrangements the whole day. And now the arrangements were done, Nina was there at time to welcome the guests. 

Geet was woken up by the sound of her husband “Wake up wife. Need to be there on time” 

“Ohh yeah. I dozed off, don’t know how”

“Wife, you should consider taking some rest and break as well. You stretch yourself little too much”

She went to the washroom, took a relaxing shower in warm water. As water fell on her body, she felt her tiredness of the whole day was going away. How she wished, she had some more time to visit the parlor and be professionally ready. It was such a big day for Nina and she wanted everyone perfectly present.

Geet covered herself with a bathing gown and came out much relaxed. She looked at her husband, who was ready and looking very handsome

“Looking very handsome husband” he looked at her and smiled “Thanks wife”

“I hope I get decently done as well. Mom was looking so ravishing” Her husband shook his head

“Well all while you were busy running and getting the party arrangement to be perfect, she was in the parlor. Imagine she was 3 hours in parlor”

Still covered with a gown, she took the hair drier and started drying her hair.  

“Trust me three hours is the bare minimum time in the parlor. There are tons of processes these beauticians do on you. I actually lose my patience seating for three hours there but these beautician never gets tired”

“That’s because you start missing your work in those hours. But mom actually enjoys it. You know why, because she knows you are there”

“But I have arranged a beautician for you. They will help you get ready. You anyways is going to outshine anyone, with your slight touchup”

“Thanks. Your words make me feel less pathetic” she commented and he laughed. 

After an hour, Geet was readied by a beautician and they left. Geet was trying to zip her gown when her husband was standing at door

“Ready”

“Yeah, just trying to zip the gown. It’s too fitting”

He came and stood behind her, looking at her in the mirror. 

“Can I help?” he offered. Geet hesitated for a while, then smiled and turned her back towards him. 

He carefully zipped her gown but he could feel her stiffness all the while. 

“Geet it’s done. You can relax” he gave a faint smile. Geet could sense his irritation by her behavior. She felt sorry for her act. Sorry is at least something she owed to her decent husband. He doesn’t deserve to be offended after bearing with her odd uncomfortable self. He started moving towards the door but she held his wrist.

“Dev, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel..”

“It’s Ok Geet.” he smiled and then to lightened the situation

“Better get going, or your boss Nina is going to kill us.”

**************

Party Venue

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Nina was proudly admiring the arrangement Geet had done. People have started pouring in. All guests were high profile. 

She then saw her daughter, Megha and Son-in-law Aakash. She went ahead and hugged both of them

Looking beautiful Mom-in-Law, complemented Aakash. 

“Hey, call me Nina. In this high profile people, you don’t call me Mom In Law and spoil all my effort of spending half of my day in parlor”

Aakash laughed out “Looking beautiful Nina”  “That’s like my handsome boy.”

She then looked at Megha “Why did you not come early to help Geet. She was running all day, all alone.”

“Very well Mom, you only trust her perfection. You would not like me to interfere in ideas of your favorite employee cum DIL”

And then Megha’s eye went to the door “Name the Devil and Devil is there. You Favorite DIL and son is here” and Megha went ahead to welcome Geet and Dev who entered the party hall, hand in hand.

Geet hugged Megha, who was not only her Sister In Law but her BFF. 

“Looking beautiful” complimented Geet to Megha.

“See who is talking. Lady who is going to make all men in the party jealous of my brother” She looked at Dev. Dev smiled. 

Dev then left Geet to Megha, for girls to have their own time as he went on to meet the Business associates and welcome their main investors. This party was actually to impress their high profile investors.

Geet went with Megha and both girls took their seat at the bar stool

Geet ordered Red wine for herself and Megha ordered her special cocktail.

Geet observed the whole party from that corner. She was cherishing everything. She had only her in-laws in the name of her family and she loved it and cherished it. She loved her work and her passion for her work was known. Not only that, Nina knew it was Geet’s work which prompted most of her top investors to invest in her company - Forever4U Designers. 

But Geet knew, for the company, Geet was just an employee, though Nina always called her an asset. Shares of the company were in the name of Nina, Dev and Megha. Nina was very strict, it will only go to blood. 

Though Geet was shocked when Nina frankly had told her about it. But she has adjusted to the fact. Nina, in her way, had tried to compensate Geet, with big incentives and a huge salary. But not being part of the family business and only being an employee of the company, where she gave her heart and soul, pinched her.

Megha has been her support always. She had explained to her.

“Geet, you are Dev Bhai’s wife. So whatever is your husband’s is yours.”

“It’s not about money Megha, its about being part of it. This way I feel she consider me only as her best employee and not part of family”

“Geet you know Mom, how practical she is? But you should be proud, she trust you more than her own both kids”

Geet was lost in past when Megha snapped fingers in front of it “Where are you lost Geet”

“No where, just looking at Mom, how elegantly she is welcoming all the guest and investors”

“Hmm… all your hard work and see who is taking the limelight or this elegant party. Ideally, she should have called you and kept you at front.”

“Megha, you both brother and sister, criticize Mom a little too much. We can’t deny she is the pillar of this company. And I like my work and not meeting people, that’s not me”

“You are the soul of company Geet. Don’t ever forget, she very well knows you are one main reason of company success, she will never accept in public though”

“Now let me chill, I like enjoying the party sitting here. It’s cool to watch people”

Slowly the Party started getting alive, all business associates and investors along with family friends and distant relatives were there. Dev and Nina were busy attending everyone. 

Geet was enjoying the liveliness but her eyes were still on the door.  Dev’s eyes went on his wife as her eyes were on the main gate. She was not looking at him. He was not even expecting his wife to look at him.

Then Geet and Megha got busy in their talks when Megha suddenly said “Hey he is here”

“Who?” Geet asked sipping her drink

“Mom’s most awaited guest, our biggest investor, you know who it is, The Maan Singh Khurana”

Geet looked at the door and a soft smile formed on her face.

“See how all girls and ladies are hovering him” they laughed on Geet’s comment

“Really yaar, this man has the next level of patience. First I really wonder, the busy and huge personality like him, takes his time out to oblige us by his presence here” Geet smiled on Megha’s comment.

But soon Nina came forward and took over Maan Singh Khuarna. Later they saw, Dev too joined Nina and Maan Khurana. It was all business

Both the ladies were suddenly intervened by Aakash.

“Not good Megha. Your handsome loving hubby here in the party and you eyeing Maan Singh Khurana, not fair yaar” both girls laughed at his sweet cribbing.

“Can’t even feel jealous yaar. He is way above my par to feel jealous” Megha turned and placed her hand around her hubby

“Dare you say anything about my hubby. He is the most handsome for me and reality. That man looks a little far from reality. Just enjoying the view hubby” 

“Hey chill, just kidding” Geet laughed at her favorite couple's antics. Then he turned towards Geet

“And sis in law, is he again going to ask a dance to most beautiful lady in the party”

“I don’t know” Geet has blush on her face  as she smiled

“Well that’s the ongoing tradition from last 5 years” Megha punched Geet’s arm 

“Bhabhi keep that blush for Dev Bhai” Geet simply smiled in return.

Aakash was then pulled by a few business colleagues and he left the ladies to enjoy the party. Both of them dispersed to meet other people in the party. 

Maan Singh Khurana, was a person rarely seen in parties and People were waiting for a chance to have a few words with him, though Nina was not leaving her own chance. He was her biggest investor. He had money like God and it was not in the capacity of anyone in party to imagine the start and end point of his wealth.The investment that he did in her firm was just a drop of water from his huge sea of money, still claiming the position of being her biggest investor. Only if he can increase a bit more from his side, it will be huge for her firm.

“Mr. Khurana, hope you like the arrangement. We have tried our best to keep it up to you level”

“It’s perfect Mrs. Sharma” Maan knew Nina very well. He has been investing in her firm for the last seven years. And increased a lot since the last five years after Geet has taken the position of head designer. He very well knew and never hesitated to indirectly convey to Nina that he was very impressed by Geet’s work and her work ethics. 

“Thanks, I have personally looked into the arrangements” she stated and he smiled

“Hmmm.. the perfection shows Mrs Sharma, your daughter in law has given her expert touch to it. Am I wrong?” Color of Nina’s face was gone but she laughed “Of course, she is a powerhouse of talent. I am so proud of her.”

Maan then left and met others including Dev. Dev explained his marketing strategy where Maan did give some positive input.

Geet after talks with few people was with her plate at food stalls when she felt a pat on her shoulder

She turned to look, Maan was standing with a smile on his face “Hi, How are you Mrs. Geet Dev Sharma. Seeing you after a whole one year. Kaisee ho '' Unlike, with other people in the party, his tone with her was more friendly than professional. 

“Same. How have you been?”

“Same. But why is it the same at your end? You didn’t take my suggestion”

She did not say anything.

But then Maan saw others approaching them. He patted her arm, “Enjoy your food, will catch you later at the dance floor” and he left to meet other guests and then moved to the bar section to order some light drink for himself.

Thought this was the perfect day to start this new FF. I just started it as a Diwali gift to my readers. Please do like and give your POV.

Do not worry, This is a Maaneet story and you will get a very different Maaneet here. And I promise, you will love then here as well.

I am planning to start this FF full fledged from December. 

Take your own time to read and give your feedback.

INDEX BELOW   👇

-Anu