Chapter 20

Dheere Dheere Se - Chapter 20

“Bhabhs… why are you bringing Dad on this… ek help mangi hai… nahi kerna toh, you let it go”

“Calm down. I will call her and invite her. But you better be good to her, get that”

“hmm..”

After setting up the situation, Maan left with Geet for the lunch date… oops lunch meeting with the client.

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

Maan and Geet were on the way to the hotel where the meeting was scheduled. Geet was quiet unlike her own self while Maan tried to keep the ride lively by putting an effort to initiate the talk

“You can be yourself”

“Ji…?” Geet looked at him with a question

“Itni chupi. It doesn’t suit you”

“You are a boss. I should talk when needed”

“Geet bas bhi karo abb. Subha jo hua…”

“Subah jo hua, it was all my mistake” she interrupted

“No Geet. I just…”

“Sir, I have sent you notes for this meeting, did you check them?” She tried diverting and he caught it.

“Geet, don’t divert”

“No sir, I should know my limits. And now we are going for an important meeting we should focus on that”

“Don’t tell me what I should focus on and what not”

“Ohh right. I am sorry”

“Geet, for God sake, you are not just my secretary. You are my fiance as well. You don’t need to be in limits in your talks with me. Jo mann me aaye bol sakti ho tum mujhe”

“Yes, fiance not of choice but forced on you”

“Really? And I told you that, right?”

“You don’t need to tell me, itni samajh hai mujhme”

“Fine, think whatever you want to. Because stubborn that you are you will only think what you want to. But now forced or not forced, I have said yes to this marriage and to you as my life partner. We have exchanged rings, so you can place your rights on me as my fiance”

“I don’t want to,” She turned to the other side, tears welling up in her eyes. It was painfully clear that she had been forced upon him. But why did it hurt so much? Why did she yearn for the same love from him that she had for him? No, her love shouldn't be so selfish and expectant. He had been there for her in so many ways, protecting her dignity and making her fall deeply for him with his caring nature. Why couldn't that be enough for her? Yet, her little heart craved his love.

Should she not try to win his heart? Could she not make an effort to ensure this marriage wasn't a burden to him, and that one day, he might accept her from his heart?

They reached the venue of the meeting, which was a reserved seat in the outdoor dining area of the grand hotel.

The hotel was owned by Mr. Raj Subramaniam, the client they have come to meet with.

Maan forwarded his hand for a handshake “Hello Mr. Subramaniam”

“Hello, Mr Khurana”

Mr. Subramaniam was a pleasant soft personality but very professional in his mid 50’s.

Mr. Subramaniam looked at Geet, she felt comfortable by his look. He looked like a knowledgeable person who did not judge people by their dressings

“And you Miss??”

“I am his sec…” “My fiance” Maan interrupted Geet

“She is my fiance, Geet Handa, soon to be Geet Khurana” Geet’s heart made a quick somersault with the way he mentioned her would-be name. It connected her to him, told her she belongs to him.

“Hello Miss Geet Handa,soon to be Geet Khurana” he greeted her with a smile

“Hello sir”

“Let’s sit and talk” he signaled them to take their seats

“So how did it happen? Miss Geet works with you”

“Yes she assists me in my work. She is learning”

“So you both met in the office… hmm. But I must say you both look gorgeous together. Good choice Mr. Khurana”

“My family selected Geet” came out of Maan’s mouth and he regretted the moment he spoke. She doesn’t like him much, she already thinks she is forced on him, why had he to add to it

‘It's arranged. Family’s wish” Geet said, her heart crying. He clearly told she was a family choice

Maan did not know what to say. What could he say when he knows she is not interested. And what about him, he wondered.

What about him? He said yes, Geet is a wonderful person, so beautiful, he knows he gets lost in her captivating beauty even though she is mostly dressed to not impress. But her different jhumka’s everyday, the khol in her eyes, her curls and so many things about her just makes him lose on her, temps him to the verge of holding her close to him.

The tears in her eyes makes him restless, anyone demeaning her boils his heart, whenever she is late, not seeing her first thing in the morning spoils his mood. Their alliance is fixed, ensuring him that she will be around him all his life, soothes his heart. But still he does not know what to name all these feelings for.

“Okay, but to me you both look to be made for each other. Your families made good choices for both of you.”

Maan smiled and nodded “Of course, geet is beautiful in all ways” Maan complimented, trying to damage control his previous words.

“Okay now, do you want me to give you a round around this premises. This is the best hotel among the chain that I have. The one you are undertaking will have to be above this in all ways.”

“Sure, let’s take a round.” Maan said and got up.

Raj turned to Geet, “ Miss Geet, feel free to pitch in your observations “

They went around the hotel, each area, the outside part, which had park, three outdoor pools for guests at different points, beautiful garden all around with big central garden with wonderful landscaping, different types of play area, kids play rooms on each floor, indoor pools as well, the bar and dining area was exclusively done, the small breakfast area on each floor . The interior was excellent and rich yet had a subtle soothing look. The rooms had different ranges and views. They observed many other things like the kitchen, bath, etc etc .

“ Thanks for the tour Mr. Subhramaniam, we will give you a plan that even elevates this”

“Miss Geet, anything that you must have noticed “

“Umm me..” hesitatingly she looked at Maan

“ yes please.. “ Maan took his chance to brighten her mood. More than the client he was more into rectifying his morning deeds, making her feel she was not just secretary to him. Client already seemed impressed by the presentation and price quotes that they had sent.

“I was just thinking … I mean the rooms and facilities are very nice and in such hotels people can come and stay for a few days. Matlab, agar mujhe mauka milta than I would have loved to take a vacation, do nothing but enjoy this place”

“Yes, but our stats say, people come here for luxury but leave in 3-4 days. ”

“Yes, if there would have been a kitchenette facilities in some rooms or if there is full fledged kitchen in a suit, then people would be tempted to just extend their stay here and relax”

“Brilliant, I think that is a great idea”

“ and we can also increase the rate of rooms for such rooms. People can have choices to select”

“Brilliant!! Mr. Khurana, lucky you, she is brilliant”

“This hotel was not designed with that concept but we think it will be a great idea for the one you are doing. Can we incorporate it in the design? You can quote the new price for that inclusion. Also this feature will work like a wonder because of its location, Manali.”

Maan looked at Geet - does she realize, she simply increased his deal and paved the way for his profit.

“Sure Mr. Subhramaniam, why not? I will work with my head architect to include this feature”

“Your head architect is fine Mr. Khurana, but I want Miss. Geet to work closely with you on this project.”

“Sure. If you think Geet should be part of it, I am good with it”

“But sir..” Geet tried to intervene

“Also, it will give chance to you both to spend more time together”

Maan gave a smile.

“So Mr. Khurana, we will end this meeting here.”

“You won’t have lunch”

‘I dropped the idea Mr. Khurana. Today’s lunch is for both of you from my side. Enjoy your lunch Date. I don’t want to be called a buzzkill here” He laughed. Maan, who knew how to handle clients, gave a cool smile and nod while Geet was nervous.

“Okay then, I will take the leave. Send me the updated documents Mr. Khurana”

“Sure, you will soon get it”

“And when are you planning to visit the hotel location in Manali”

Maan looked at Geet, she instantly checked his schedule on the pad

“Sir, after 10 days you have a bandwidth”

“Great! Mr. Khurana, I would like you to visit it with Miss Geet. I would like to know if she has more ideas”

“Sure” Geet looked at Maan in horror which he ignored. Mr. Subhramaniam smiled at them and left.

“Come sit” Maan pulled out the chair for Geet but not expecting the act, she did not notice his gesture, went to the other side of the table and settled on the opposite chair

“Sir, why are you standing holding the chair? Sit down”

“Geet, I pulled this chair for you. Per tum toh tum hooo”

She pouted “But I am your secretary, then why….” Maan bent and placed his index finger on her lips

“No, you are just my fiance at this moment. So it was the act of making you feel that way”

He removed his finger “But we came here on business meeting”

“But our client left us for a Lunch Date,” ‘as fiance’ “ he quoted from his fingers

Geet doesn’t know how to behave as a fiance to him. He was so way above, more above her dreams, more beautiful than any of her dreams and she has been forced on him. He definitely deserves better than her, some high class girls, like ones in his friend’s group. But still, he is trying to make her feel included, so nice of him. She does not want to force this lunch date on him

“Meeting is done, we could have left for office. You have so much work scheduled sir” she reminded, her heart heavy on her own act. This is such a wonderful chance to spend a few moments with him, see him from close.

Maan looked at her hurt. “mere sath samay bitana itna napasd hai tumhe Geet per aadat to dalni hogi na. Saath zindagi bitani hai toh”

“Sir aap…” Maan soon realized that they are circling on the same topic. Why can’t he get over the fact that this is it. If she doesn't like him then he cannot force her. He can win her. But does he love her to win her? No he does not need to know that and that should not matter. Being her fiance, it is his duty as gentleman to win her, to make her feel good in this relationship. Make her not feel suffocated in his presence. He got up

“Sir, you got upset. I didn’t mean”

“Geet stay seated, I will soon be back” Maan left for something and by chance it was that time she got a call from an unknown number. Geet disconnected but then soon got a text message

“Geet you have not saved any of our number. Maan is to be blamed but for now save my number. I am calling you back.- Naintara Bhabhi”

Geet felt bad to have disconnected Maan’s bhabhi’s number. She immediately saved the number and soon got a call back from her

“Hello Bhabhi”

“Hello, so nice to hear your sweet voice. Can’t imagine that dumbo got a sweet like you. Is he being good to you”

Geet did not know what to answer “He is a very nice person and a very nice boss too”

“This boring answer of yours, tells me a lot. I had to talk something to you.Are you busy?”

“No, out for lunch”

“Akele, Maan doesn’t call you with him for lunch time?”

“Nahi, I am not alone. Actually we came for a lunch meeting”

“Ohh, so you are with Maan and the client, should I call you later?”

“No, The client left. I don’t know why but Sir introduced me as his fiance when in actuality, I came here as his secretary. And the client was so happy about it. Like everyone, he was so impressed by Sir that he gifted this lunch date to us”

“Wow, Maan really finds good clients. Lunch date… Enjoy it with your date” she teased Geet.

“Nahi woo….” Geet paused, not knowing what to say.

But not hearing anything from the other end, Naintara thought “Ohh god, please keep sending such cupid clients to these two fools. This girl is even more naive. She definitely needs my training to rule Maan. I can’t let Maan boss over her. In our house, Girls Rule” Naintara self talked

“Well Geet, I called to tell you that we are starting to shop for your marriage and we want you to be part of everything and enjoy every bit of it. So today, you are coming along with Maan.”

“I am okay with whatever you all buy”

“You don’t have to just be okay. You need to place your choice and mind you, expensive ones. We need to make this kanjoos fiance of yours, spend something. I heard he got 50 million dollar project”

“Yes, we are just awaiting final confirmation, to say just legal confirmation”

“You are his lucky charm, let him know. And he owes you a big gift”

“No no… it’s all his hard work. Sir works so hard and he is so intelligent and he plans so well and…”

“Bas bas bas… my digestive system won’t work listening to so many praises of my enemy.”

“Ji..” Naintara laughed “Well I am kidding. We are actually partners in crime”

It all felt so alien but good to Geet. Like a dream, how people lived and fought in family for each other here. How she had lived a life in silos. Naiantara somewhat understood her pain. Her silence told her the story

“Geet this is your family and I hate to admit it, but Maan is a wonderful person. You will forget you past once you start your life with him”

“Ji… bohut acche hain wooo…” Geet knew he was a sooo good person.

“Haan.. apke woo bohut achche hain but don’t forget today we need to get him to loosen his purse. Chalo bye, see you in the evening. Enjoy your lunch date with your Woooo” she teased

“Bhabhi”

The phone disconnected. Sitting alone she was pondering on her talks with Naintara Bhabhi. She was lost in imagining how her life would be in that family. She will get to experience all the small small things that happen in a loving family. And then Maan Sir, Maan sir will be her husband. She is getting more that she would have asked from life. And what she is doing, getting hurt and showing attitude to him on his just a few questions.

“We are getting married. It’s his right to ask some questions. If you do not have guts to answer he has the right to get angry, you don’t have to show this attitude to him all the time Geet” she gave a pep talk to herself.

Geet looked up to find Maan coming with a bouquet in his hands. He reached her with a smile

“Sorry for the long disappearance. Got late getting this ready” then he forwarded it toward Geet. Confused Geet got up

“For you”

“Sir this…”

“Geet take it, we do not need to argue on everything. This is to start our first formal Lunch Date. Though it was not planned, I wanted to make it memorable for you.” Geet was elated with his gesture. Maan sir presenting her the bouquet, so unlike him.

“Thank you sir” and she settled

Taking his seat he spoke further “Geet, I know these are the little things you find romantic and you have dreamt of such things with your partner, which now happens to be me. So I take it on myself to fulfill your big and small dreams”

“Per app Kya mujhe…”

“Geet, from the time we have said yes to the marriage, we are both fighting with each other, continuously trying to figure out why the other one said yes. The fact is we both said yes, we may have our own reason. And now that we have accepted this relationship and none are ready to back out of it, I take it this way - we are willingly getting into it. Hum ek dusre ka sach janne me itne ulajh gaye hain that we are just hurting each other more. You have not hurt me intentionally but I have hurt you and I am not liking that feeling. The fight is just dragging on at the same point. And it is hurting you. I feel I have let you down as a partner that you must have dreamt of”

“No sir.. Not at all. What are you talking about? You are someone who I cannot even dream off. That far you are from me”

“Haan.. wahi toh. Aisa hi feel kewaya hai maine tumhe. We just got engaged, I should have been sweet to you, made you feel included, but no. I did exactly the opposite and I want to end it. I don’t want to indulge myself into thinking- If or not, I am the person you must have dreamt of. Instead, now that I am the one, I will try my best to fulfill all your dreams. I don’t want this two month of our kinda courtship period be a nightmare for you due to my harshness and questions”

The word courtship with him, made a wave in Geet’s heart. But what could she do for him He has everything

“And in this, what can I do for you, sir.. Aapke paas toh sab”

“All you can do is live your dream. Accept me and my family as yours and place your demands just as you would have dreamt to put when you had your own family. This is your family, for us you are already included. I want you to include us as part of your family as well. Now you have a big family Geet, so all I want you to do is just leave all worries of yours and enjoy your life. If I see worry on your face from now on, I will know I am not a good partner to be”

Geet immediately placed her palm on his lips, making the blood rush through his veins due to sudden sensation. Geet realizing what she has done, curled her fingers and removed her hand

“Sir, please don’t say that. You are more than perfect in all ways”

“Ask my family, they will be the best source to remove your misconception” he laughed and she laughed along

“So should we start our relationship afresh“

“Ji..??” she was obviously confused

Maan forwarded his hand “From my side, I accept you in my life without any questions”

Geet forwarded her hand to meet his “I promise, I will not worry you with my questions as well”

“Good deal”

“But in office still I am your secretary, you cannot stop me from being your secretary in office and doing my duties for you.” Geet came back in her original mode

“Matlab office me apni hee chalane wali ho tum” Geet nodded her head in yes

“Okay, abb itni muskil se abhi abhi dosti hui hai, so as you say”

“Should we order something?” he asked, and agreed to that. And then they ordered lunch. Actually Geet was confused so Maan ordered for both of them. By the time food arrived

“Sir, I really love this bouquet. Such fresh roses and all three colors, white, red and yellow. They look so beautiful“

“I know these types of things fall under your romantic ideas, right?”

She blushed shyly and nodded for yes. Ohh she was such a child. The hardship of life has also not been able to eliminate that inner child within her. He will definitely preserve it. Even if he has to compromise with his practicality sometimes for her, he will.

“I have never received bouquet before from anyone, this really feel special”

He narrowed his eyes “So you wanted it from anyone else. Sorry but now its me only”

“No no sir.. I meant”

“Chill Geet, I am joking. We are not talking on that line any more. Rushing on things is just spoiling it and more for you. We'll take it slow - Dheere Dheere Se”

“Dheere Dheere se” she repeated after him. It felt so light to both of them

[NOCOPY]