CHAPTER SIX - I care - so should you
"We always perform a credit check and a financial check on the company that invests in our profits..its part of the Regulations, and Im sorry to say you are not upto our standards" Adi disconnected the call and shook his head.
He glanced at the clock..it was five minutes past his break. These damned investors.
"Whats up?" Pinky plopped on the chair next to him.. "Aren't you hungry Adi? Its already past your lunch hour.." She bit into her apple.
He sighed "I am..I didnt have any breakfast and now Im famished..but I have to finish these calls." He starts muttering to himself.
Pinky tsk-tsked "Adi! If you dont eat..how will you get the energy to make those calls? Look at me? Do I look lethargic to you?"
Adi rolled his eyes "Tell me something Pinky..when was the last time you stopped eating for five minutes?"
"Hmmm! Nice question..but Im not answering that..anyway, My break is over. I have to help Geet" She dusted her hands off
Adi looked confused "Help Geet? With what?"
"Well..first off she isnt feeling too well, I caught her puking her head off in the washroom this morning. When I asked her, she said she might have a stomach flu..Doesn't wanna see a doc either. Very stubborn that girl" Adi's eyes widen at the mention of stomach flu.
"and now she is sitting with a mountain of files on her desk..and insists she wants to do everything herself, inspite of her condition..then she has the companies Email to go through--"
"Did she have her lunch?" Adi inquired
"Uh uh! Nope..she says she isnt hungry.." Pinky shakes her head as if its the biggest setback of a persons life "Honestly Adi, how can a person NOT be hungry? I mean food is sooo good! and just look at Geet..she is not--"
Adi interrupts Pinky's tirade "Where is Maan Sir?"
Pinky frowns "what has Maan sir got to do with that? I bet she wont eat anything if he comes around!"
"Comes around? What? Pinky will you stop riddling things!" Adi looks mad..and its almost comical.
"Oh..he had a doctors appointment today. Said he'l be back in an hour or so.." She gets up from the chair and goes to the cabin door. "You can take a break now you know..even Sasha ma'am isnt here..so this office is ours for the day" She grins and walks out.
Adi shakes his head and goes back to his calls, mid-way, he stops and gets up..thinking otherwise, he grabs his bag and heads out for his lunch break..and to ask Geet how she's holding up.
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Geet tastes Bile again and groans..she quickly looks around to see if there isnt anyone in her cabin and dashes to the washroom again.
Welcome - Morning sickness.. according to her limited knowledge, she was well aware Morning sickness started during the third trimester..
Why NOW? Now when she had lots to do!
She had thought Pinky wasn't going to buy the fact that she had stomach flu. It was a pretty serious case, and she had geared up to hear a lot of "Oh my GOD-got-to-get-u-to-the-doc" chants.
But surprisingly and much to Geet's relief, Pinky wasnt persistent. A few minutes of insisting and Geet's stubborn attitude made her shrug and leave. But she had been adamant to come and help her out with her work. And bring a cheese sandwich along.. The thought of food made her wanna puke again.
She heard a knock at the cabin door. And panicked.
"Geet?"
It was Adi! "Yes? I'll be there in a minute.." She got up and pushed herself up, her legs wobbled. She realized she hadn't even eaten breakfast.
With the basin's support..she wobbled over to the door.
standing there for a few seconds, Geet took deep breaths to calm her racing heart. "Geet?" There was a note of worry in Adi's voice.
She opened the door and grinned "Hi..what up? Had your lunch?"
"Yeah..uh..I heard you weren't doing well. So I got you this" He gave her a tylenol and a glass of water. Geet smiled, "Adi thanks yaar, I wasn't well..but I'm feeling much better now.."
He looked grim "Pinky says you said you had stomach flu?" he raised his brow.
Geet opened her mouth to confirm it but stopped, she knew Adi wasnt as dumb as he looked. He was smart enough to guess that Stomach flu shouldn't be dealt with mildly. And seeing her barf every two seconds would compel her to go to the doctor on his demand.
"Uh no...erm..actually I thought it was. But then...I realized that stomach flu is more serious than this." Adi looked at her skeptically
"I mean..uh..Im standing in front of you..perfectly fine..had it been anything more serious, I wouldnt have been able to sit well..you know, standing is out of the question" She smiled weakly, hoping to God that he bought that.
Adi blinked "Geet I dont know whats going on..but you know, you ought to consult a doctor. Assuming things wont take you anywhere"
She nodded weakly. "Aren't you famished? Coz I am" She plopped on the chair and let her breath out in a whoosh.
Adi smiled "Anything I can get you?"
"Oh thanks Adi..but Pinky said she wanted to eat with me. So Im waiting for her.."
Adi pursed his lips "Kay, uh..I'll go get some coffee then..you need any?"
Geet shook her head
"Uh huh aight then..take care Geet. Got a lot of work today..hope you get better soon" he patted her back and took off
Geet heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God its just pregnancy and not really stomach flu..she thought
her hand moved to her belly and she smiled involuntarily.
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"Mr. Khurrana, Im sorry to detain you further, but we have to make these tests on you. Its important that you please co-operate and understand."
The doctor seemed more agitated than cooperative to Maan. But he complied. "Ok, but I need to get back fast...please make this as quick as possible"
He knew there had to be a mistake. He had merely gone for his routine check up. And to complain about his tiredness and exhaustion that took over him so suddenly. But during one of the routine exams. He felt dizzy..It was new to him and it caught him off guard. Would the nurse not have held him steady, He was sure he wouldve fallen.
"I cant believe I was going to faint! Since when do men faint??" He seemed perplexed.
The doctor had laughed "Arent men humans? they feel weak too sometimes" he looked amusedly at Maan "well..now its a different thing that we like to hide it behind our strengths and ego"
Maan had tried not to roll his eyes. A sexiest remark from a male doctor..pssht
The almost-fainting episode had made the doc want to do a blood sample for him. "Look doc Im fine..I guess its because I had a hurried breakfast today. Im sure once I eat. I'll be normal"
'Mr. Khurrana. I know that..but its better to be safe than sorry. Isnt it? A blood sample would do you no harm and it would just make me assured, that my patient is doing well and is healthy"
Maan didnt want to argue with him. He knew it was pointless trying to argue with docs. Acc to him they were another species of engineers. Modeled to take care of the human body.
He checked his watch..it had been an HOUR! He realized that he would have to call Geet and ask her to cancel the meeting held today. Groaning inwardly Maan dialed his secretary's number. It rang..once..twice..thrice. He felt his temper rising. Where was the woman when he needed her?!
He called again. Geet picked up on the third ring, he voice was raspy and she seemed out of breath. "H-Hello?"
"Are you okay?" it was impulsive. He cursed himself.
"Maan Sir? Y-yes Im f-fine" she cleared her throat.
"Try to pick up the phone by the third ring! I dont like people being lazy in the office"
He heard her rush of breath as she gasped, assuming she was gonna yell at him he started contradicting her, but she cut him off "Sir please..you have to hold..I----"
he heard a clank, and a door slam. Maan blinked, anger consumed him and he disconnected the call. The GALL of the woman! To keep HIM on hold.
Who does she think she is?!
He called again, but the appearance of the doctor made him disconnect.
The doctor seemed worried "Mr Khurrana, your White blood cell count is considerably lower than it should be..the Red blood cells are fine though. But just to make sure..I would want to do a coag panel test on you..Because I--"
Maan ran his hand through his hair "Look doc..I am fine ok?! Maybe its a mistake. A small lab error? such things happen..I have to rush to my office now, coz apparently my secretary wont pick her call. And it wont look good on the company's record to keep my investors waiting!"
The doctor replied evenly, "As much as I know that you are trying to do your Job..so am I..and it wont look good on MY record, when a patient whose blood count is way below normal, leaving MY office..without any prescription drugs or lab tests" He looked at Maan patiently, folding his hands
Maan closed his eyes and counted backwards. "I'll come back tomorrow? Is that fine? That wont look bad on your rec, now will it doc?"
The doctor seemed tired of arguing with a man who didnt wanna seem to reason. " Fine Mr. Khurrana, I will ask my nurse to book an appointment for ..say 12 noon tomorrow?"
"No..not noon..I would rather 6 pm"
The doctor shrugged "Mr. Khurrana I would suggest you go home and get some rest.." Maan was texting someone on his phone "But seeing the likes of you..I would not think you would want any advice from a doctor..untill its a matter of life and death"
"Uh yes. Thanks doc."
He walked out of the hall fuming at Geet and cursing his bad timing.
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Geet wiped the sheen of sweat from her face.. she looked pasty and white. She'd thrown up ten times in the space of half an hour and felt pukish already.
Her breaths seem to coming low and shallow. "GEET! HOW DARE YOU KEEP ME ON H---"
Maan had stormed into her cabin without knocking and Geet yelped at his voice.
Maan gave her a once over.. She was looking deathly pale and her face was covered with sweat. Her breathing seemed labored.
His brow furrowed. "What happened to you?! You seem like your sick..."
He started to come closer to her.. She backed away, her stomach was churning again. "S-Sir...please..Im f-fine..Just a tiny bit sick..will be fine..after..after.." she swallowed "after I eat something"
"You mean you havent eaten anything since breakfast?"
She shook her head. "Pinky is getting me--"
'How can you be SO CARELESS! Look at you! You look like you have a temperature..and you havent eaten! Can't you ever take care of yourself Geet? Do I have to keep telling you and reminding you all the time?!" He gritted his teeth.
Geet felt momentarily stunned at his outburst. Maan realized what he just said "I mean...if-if you dont eat well..how will you work efficiently? I do not like inefficient workers in my office!"
The cover-up was a good one. But Maan realized that he had almost told Geet what he was thinking...what was he thinking?
That he wanted to take care of her?
Oh GOD.. why does this girl drive him so crazy. He seemed to lose his sanity when she was near.
"Geet.." he seemed suddenly weary "Why did you keep me on hold? I wanted you to cancel my appt for today.."
She swallowed. "I was- I -- I was in the.." and suddenly turned green. She bolted to the washroom "Geet?" Maan ran behind her, just to see dunk her head in the basin and puke her brains out.
He felt color drain from his face at her sight "Geet! Oh God what is wrong with you?"
Her knees seemed to buckle from beneath her, he grabbed hold of her just in time before she hit the floor..
"Sir I..I" her voice was raspy.
He suddenly realized with a blow of guilt that she had been sick when he had called. How long had she been ill?
Why hadnt she taken a sick leave? Informed someone?
Feeling his hands move of their own void, he grabbed the towel from the hanger and rinsed it in cool water, holding her head steady, he wiped her face and and mouth. She seemed so weak..her hands were white as she struggled to stand, holding the lapels of his waist-coat.
Maan held her from the waist. Her head lolled.
He suddenly felt mad "Are you INSANE? Working in this condition? Couldnt you call and take a sick leave today? Your such a..a.." he seemed lost for words as Geet raised her eyes and looked at him weakly.
"I--I cancelled the meeting sir..I thought it would take you a long time to-to" she swallowed, her voice husky "to come from the hospital, so I canceled it.."
Maan felt numb.
He had called her just for this reason, but she had done it without him needing to tell her anything. Like she always did.
Stacking his files, arranging his post-it stamps on his desk. Giving him a list of who called and which ones were from clients and investors and which from his family. making sure his coffee was always hot and perfect..well not most of the times. No matter how many times he reminded her, she always put 2 cubes of sugar instead of one.
A smile made its way across his face at the thought.
"Sir?"
He blinked and looked at her again. He had been holding her..snapping back to reality he let her go immediately, she wobbled, Maan grabbed her again.
"Wait!" She stopped fidgeting against him. "Hold still"
Without any warning he lifted her off her feet and into her arms "Sir!"
Ignoring her protests he took her to the couch "Sir I can walk! I can--" She stopped midway and grimaced
"Dont you dare puke on me!" But he made no hurry in his stance to get her to the couch.
"Sir please!"
He put her on the sofa. "Rest!" he barked. "I'll ask Tasha or Pinky to take over for today..or er..if you need tomorrow as well."
"N-No sir Im fine" She sat up straighter on the couch, thankfully her stomach wasnt churning any longer. Maybe she barfed out everything in it..
"Im sending some lunch, Geet..you better have it"
"But I--"
"NO ARGUMENTS! Have your food! We have work around and you cant attempt to be sick all the time"
She looked away stubborn.
"As usual.." he muttered, he picked up the phone from the desk and called cafeteria "Get a grilled cheese sandwich here and a glass of Sprite. YES, In Geet Handa's Cabin..NOW"
He slammed the phone.
"Sir. You can leave, I am sure I know how to eat..and please be careful, thats My phone.."
Maan sighed exasperatedly, "You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met in my life!"
"And you are the most arrogant and rude person I have met in mine!" She shot back, and immediately regretted, as she saw his eyes narrow at her remark.
"What..did..you..say?" He walked towards her, hands balled in fists. "I ..I didnt mean.."
"I am your boss Geet, You have some nerve speaking to me like that!"
She squirmed as he got closer. He knelt near the couch. "Dont you dare...or else Im going to make sure to get you suspended!"
She swallowed. "Then..w-why do you always yell at me? All the time? Ive never heard you say please or sorry even once.."
Silence.
She wished she could take back the words because Maan was giving her icy looks. Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze she tried to move away but realized he was so close she couldnt move without touching him.
"Sir..please..I.." Geet wanted to tell him he was being arrogant and rude, that he was being pushy that he was prying into her life. Interfering in the way she dealt with herself. But she forgot everything. She forgot everything when she looked into his eyes. They looked tired. For the first time she noticed the dark circles and the blood shot look. But behind that she saw her own reflection.. her face..
"Geet" Cinnamon and mint
His breath blew across her face like a caress. She did a weak attempt at pushing him away..looking away, she tried to grasp at the straws of reality
"Geet..look at me"
It was like an invisible force was lifting her head, forcing her from inside to look at him. She tried fighting with it. But to no avail.
She lifted her eyes and saw his..Pool of black. But they werent icy, they looked sympathetic. She realized she was going crazy, MK was never sympathetic with anyone.
She saw his hand, felt it brush the stray strands of wet hair plastered to her face. Felt his fingers tuck them behind her ear. And that was when she felt goosebumps erupt on her body..and the same time someone knocked.
The spell seemed to be broken.. "Yes?" Maan asked he straightened up. "Sir? You ordered a sandwich?"
"Come in.."
The peon got a glass of sprite and a sandwich plate. Leaving it on the desk he walked out.
Maan pretended to play nonchalance. He pretended that whatever happened was just because he was concerned since she was under his employee.
Yes! thats it..why am I getting worried. He turned around to look at Geet who had her arms wrapped around and was eying the food-tray warily.
"Your eating everything that is there on it" came the reply
"Sir..I'll just throw up again..please dont force--"
That Is why Geet I asked him to get sprite as well..that way you wont throw up, or atleast the sensations would subside" He opened the bottle and poured her a glass.
Geet meanwhile was watching Maan's every move "How can he seem so unaffected? What did just happen a few seconds ago..? Why did I feel goosebumps all over? Why is Maan being so ..so..caring? That word seems alien with Maan..then how? why?"
Her thoughts were plaguing her. He handed her the plate. She took it gingerly, hoping not to drop it.
When his cell phone rang she almost did."Be careful!" He growled.
"Yes!" he snapped. Geet winced at his voice.
"Ok..Im coming..tell them in a minute or two" He shut the phone "We have new clients. I have to arrange a conference" She raised her brow questioningly "Should I--"
"You..stay here..I am asking Pinky and Tasha to help. Eat and go home..get it?"
It was an order.
"Ye-yes Sir.."
He nodded and walked out.
Geet looked at her plate. She kept it aside. Her stomach rumbled in protest. "And then you make me throw up again!"
Her mind flashed back to the way Maan had wiped her face. Had held her when she was about to fall. Had placed her gently on the couch..
so close..yet..
She shook her head "Pregnancy can screw my brain up! I am thinking about Maan! Lord Maan has nothing to do but give orders, bark and snap at people"
She took the plate and ate her sandwich. Knowing taking a day off meant double the amount of workload the next. Surprisingly she didnt feel like puking anymore.
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"Party? now?"
Maan hated these impress-the-client parties. He knew they didnt need those. It was just for random publicity.
Sasha had come back from the meeting, she was going on and on about the profit schemes, the outcome in the long run "Maan think! We have to show them on how a grand-scale we can party..these people are NRIs Maan..you have no idea how gullible they can be.." She gave a girlish giggle
Maan looked annoyed "We dont cheat our clients Sasha..what do you mean by gullible?"
"Oh no..we wouldnt cheat them, just tweak the figures a bit here and there"
Maan stood up so fast, his chair toppled over "I will not have you touching the Financial statement Sasha. If you dare try to manipulate the figures..You will be sorry" He glared
Sasha was used to his angry outbursts "MK! I never said I was going to touch the Financial report...I am only going to portray a better financial picture of our company, ok how about we show them early profits?" Maan closed his eyes in an attempt to conceal his anger "Or how about we postpone our expenses for the next year? and show fictitious revenues?"
ENOUGH!" He roared.
She stopped.
"I will not tolerate anyone ..ANYONE, manipulating the figures or committing a Financial statement fraud in MY COMPANY!" He shot daggers at her.
She looked away haughtily "I was only trying to get us more invest--"
"We can HAVE them..without committing third party frauds or FS frauds! Got it? Now if you have anything else to say apart from cheating them and "tweaking figures" you can continue..or else leave"
His blow was enough to reduce any decent human to covers But Sasha stood her ground. "What about the party? Im keeping it today..since tomorrow and the coming week You arent available"
He rubbed his brow, he could feel the tiredness seeping in him "Yes..fine..but how will we get them at such a short notice? and the arrangements--"
"Are done MK" He looked up confused "What?"
She smiled "I took the liberty of doing the party arrangements before I asked you..I knew you wouldnt say no to this offer anyway" She drawled
Maan would have yelled at anyone else in Sasha's place, but she held a strong and influential position in the industrial world. He didnt wanna deal with her.
"Whatever Sasha..where is it?"
"Hilton" came the reply "7 pm"
She left.
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Geet didnt know why she was getting ready, she knew she shouldnt. Maan had told her not to come. He had told her to rest and leave it to Sasha and the rest of the employees.
"Geet you dont have to..you arent well. Stay at home." He had walked in earlier to check if she had his new client file with him. That is what he had said But both of them knew that he had come to check on how she was feeling.
"I dont have it Sir, you probably gave it to Sasha"
"Oh..uh ok..by the way we have a client party tonight at Hilton.."
"Ok Sir..I.."
"You are NOT coming. Get well today and take leave for tomorrow" She tried protesting "Sir, I know those clients, I know their history, it would be a great help if I came along.."
"Geet!" He glared "Do as I say!"
She pouted Maan ignored that and walked away. "Women!" he muttered. "One wants to manipulate the figures, and the other one wants to manipulate her health!"
Now standing in front of the mirror, she realised that when Maan was speaking, he looked exhausted, he was doing an incredibly good job of hiding it behind his attitude. But his face gave away most of times. He was beginning to lapse into silences.
"Your worried aren't you Geet?" Her reflection almost laughed
"No Im not! Why would I be worried..I just want to be an asset and Im going there to help him. thats it"
"Yeah! Inspite of his explicit orders of no-help-needed" her reflection replied back.
Geet shook her head "What is going on with me?! Im talking to my reflection?!"
She gave herself a once over 'Not bad..she shrugged and headed out.."
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I know the precap was different but please bear with me guys, I wasn't well the past week and had to postpone typing. Promise to write asap. BTW the sixth chapter isnt finished yet 😊
Edited by SanaH05 - 14 years ago
Cricket
Financial markets and global economy
214