Thanks a ton buddies for all your sweet comments😊
and really sorry for not able to keep my words about updating yesterday
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Part 26
Vicky slumped back in his chair as he thought about the conversation he just had with Anu. She wanted him to look for a missing friend of her. Was it just a coincidence that the friend's name was Geet? Or is it the same Geet who was working in the East Villas right now? He had a feeling that he knew which Geet Anu was talking about but he wanted to be sure so he had aaked Anu to send him Geet's picture. He, who had a habit of laughing his way through troubles, could find no humour right now for everything just seemed to be complicating around him. Maan's out of the character behavior, Geet's despair, Anu's worries over a certain Geet... everything seemed connected and circled around Geet. As he waited for Anu to mail him Geet's picture, he started processing his thoughts. He remembered, Maan's outburst moments ago and decided to check on him once and so made his way towards his cabin.
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"Send" Anu clicked on the sent command in her mailbox after attaching a couple of Geet's picture to the mail. She had told Vicky about her friend Geet and how she just vanished one fine day. She however, didn't tell him about Maan and Geet immediately. She didn't want to raise an alarm but swore Vicky into confidentiality. She didn't want to tip off Maan right away as she knew that would not yield good results.
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Vicky knocked on the Maan's cabin door, but no reply came and so he entered his cabin and looked around appalled. The place looked like it had been struck by a tornado. As he picked up the files and papers strewn on the floor, he wondered what had come over Maan suddenly. Vicky had seen Maan behaving unreasonably rude towards Geet but someone was capable to gauge such an uncalled for reaction from the perfectionist Maan singh Khurana was a fact that was hard to digest. Even in the grave situations like Dev and Naintara's unapproved wedding and the messing around with hotel business had never evoked such strong comebacks from Maan. He had seen and known Maan as the most balanced and sorted out individual and this side of him was disturbing him. He called for a hotel staff to clean the office when his phone's message tone beeped. It was from Anu, she had sent him Geet's pictures. Vicky rushed back to his cabin and immediately logged in to his email account. As he clicked on the attachment of Anu's mail, Geet's picture loaded on his desktop and that confirmed his doubts. He was right, the whole thing was allied.
As he looked at Geet's and Anu's smiling picture, he instantly understood the girls had once shared a very beautiful bond. He looked at Geet intrigued. She wore a beautiful smile in the picture and looked much livelier than the pale and grim Geet that she was now. He remembered how many times, he had asked her about her troubles and she had always brushed it off. He remembered the melancholic look he had found on Geet's face more than once. He knew she had lost her parents but how many people just vanish in thin air as Anu had mentioned after the demise of their parents, he wondered. He had sensed that the source of her sorrow and depression was more intricate than that and couldn't help but wonder what could be more ghastly than the sudden loss of parents for any girl her age. He wondered what should he tell Anu, ki yes her friend Geet was working here in the hotel and on seeing her Maan Veerji was acting like a wild elephant set on a rampage!
Just then his phone buzzed. It was Anu. "Did you get my mail Veerji?" Anu asked the moment he answered the call. "Anu, not only did I get your mail but your comrade is found too" he answered her. Anu's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Veerji, you found Geet already? Kahan hai woh and how is she? Is she alright? Did you speak to her?" she bombarded him with questions. "Anu... one at a time please... my head is already spinning from the events happening here... but before I tell you something, tell me what has Geet to do with Maan Veerji?" he asked her straightforwardly and started pacing to and fro in his cabin. Anu gasped. "Geet met Maan Veerji?" she asked incredulous. "Yes. And he's acting like an arrogant radical and I'm going nuts" he answered frowning. Anu closed her eyes. "Is he hurting her?" she asked him. Vicky was appalled at Anu's question. She certainly knew things. "Yes he is!" he said. Anu grumbled, "Great! The elephant is on the rampage!" Vicky's eyes widened. Anu was reiterating his thoughts. "Anu, tell me what is it" Vicky demanded as he animatedly moved his free hand in the air. Anu sighed. "She was my friend Veerji... my best friend Geet... last summer she interned with the Khurana Estate and it's there that Maan Veerji met her and the most gorgeous love story blossomed" Vicky stopped in his tracks. "Love Story?" he asked not sure he was hearing it right. Anu sighed, "Yes... Maan Veerji was in love with Geet..." Anu went on to tell him whatever she knew about Maan and Geet, that is everything that happened before Geet went to Hoshiarpur.
Vicky was speechless as he slumped back onto the couch and listened his sister telling him all about it. "Maan Veerji was in love since a year back... he even proposed her for marriage... and I know nothing about it... mujhe koi shaadi main invite karne wala tha ya jab main ghar wapis aata toh mujhe seedhe baby sitting pe bithane ka plan tha" he asked dubiously. Anu frowned, "veerji this is no time to crack jokes!" Vicky squinted his eyes, "This ain't funny! Aur tu toh kuch mat bol... Geet was your friend and even you didn't tell me... kitna maza aata dono mil ke Maan Veerji ki taang kheenchte" he complained visualizing the happy moments.
Anu slapped her forehead, "Veerji, focus... focus... there's a problem at hand, we need to tend to... Please tell me how is Geet?" Vicky's expressions turned grim, "not too good. From the day I have met her she's either lost or hiding herself in some isolated corridors struggling to contain her tears... (Scratching his head) Are you sure this all you told me is for real and not your cooked up fantasy coz we are talking about Maan Veerji being in love!" he asked still confused. Anu whined, "veerji please!" Vicky made a face, "ok... then tell me what the problem is?" Anu shook her head, "yehi toh nahi pata... whatever happened, took place when Veerji was in New York..." Anu went on to tell him about Geet's disappearance, Maan's anxiety, his search and finally Maan's belief about Geet's marriage. "Even after this you feel it's not Geet's fault" Vicky asked seriously. He could now make sense of Maan's anger and was a little angry himself for he could never see his Veerji being hurt. "I can't believe it is Geet's fault. Veerji, I have known Geet much before she met Veerji. And I also went to meet her neighbours... they told me Geet did return to Delhi and was alone... and Veerji, it's not just her... even Aunty and Uncle never came back... this whole thing don't make sense at all" she said nervously. "They didn't come back because they are no more!" Vicky filled in for Anu. Shocked, Anu slumped on the edge of her bed. Anu's hand flew to her mouth as she said, "I knew something was terribly wrong. Oh God! Uncle Aunty!" Vicky told her about all he knew. How he met her, befriended her and what he knew about her. "And you still think that she cheated on Veerji" it was Anu's turn to question him. Vicky inhaled deeply, "I don't understand. Anu, bachchi give me time... give me time to find out things" Anu nodded her head, "veerji please take care of Geet. Let me see how soon can I come to Mumbai?" Vicky nodded his head as he disconnected the call.
He rubbed his temples and muttered, "lagta hai I should start a spying agency now. Started with spying on Dev Veerji and Naintara for Maan Veerji and now to solve the mystery called Geet" and then thinking something he gulped. "Agar Veerji ko pata chala toh bohut joote padenge." But the problem was, he had no clue how was he going to sort things out. He had no clue what had transpired. He had no clue who was right and who was wrong.
He stepped out of his cabin to see Geet talking to a few staffers. He had seen her pinning and hurting himself, how could he be angry with her, he thought and then there was Maan who was behaving completely out of his character. He now understood that the source of Maan's anger was not his irritation but his pain. He watched as she peered into his cabin and looked disappointed to not find him there. "Veerji ko dhoondh rahi ho?" he went behind her and asked. Geet quickly averted her gaze, "nahi toh... woh bas, he wanted a few updates" she said. Vicky smiled ruefully, "strange even after he treated you so badly just an hour ago, you are again looking out for him." His tone was almost cynical. Geet looked at him taken aback. "I need to get back to work" she said and quickly left the place.
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After clearing the dinner table, Pinky went to her room. She sat in front of the mirror, brushing her hair when Adi called her. But apparently she didn't hear him. Smiling a little, he went to her and slid his hands around her neck, "Do you know if you think too much, you might get wrinkles on your pretty chubby face" he said pinching her cheeks and then kissing them softly. She smiled. "So what am I suppose to do? My husband hardly sees anything beyond numbers" she teased him. "Hmm... An accountant by profession, he's ought to be that boring." He said nuzzling her. "Don't act to smart mister and don't you dare speak a word about my husband" she warned him. "Ok ok... peace" he said throwing his hands in air. "Better, now get serious I want to speak to you" she said as she made him sit across her on their bed. Holding her hand, he sat, "bolo". Her face turned grim and so Adi frowned. "Adi I'm not too sure whether I did the right thing by suggesting Geet to work at East Villas" Pinky earnestly said. "matlab?" he asked confused. "Adi... Maan Sir ka behavior towards Geet is concerning me", she confided in him. Adi sighed, "I know Pinky. But maine Geet se baat ki thi and she said she could handle it as she had worked with him before." Pinky shook her head, "I don't think so." Adi smiled, "I'm glad that you think so much for her but she's not alone there Pinky. We are there with her if there's any problem" he said assuring her but Pinky was not convinced. She had seen Geet running out of Maan's cabin crying. "I know that. But..." Pinky started to talk about her worries when Adi pulled her to himself and silenced her with his lips. When they parted, he thanked her for the love and care she showered on him and his family.
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Geet roamed aimlessly in the gardens of the building compound as his words kept repeating in her mind. The emotional torment was becoming too much for her to take now. Maan was not listening and she knew he wouldn't. She knew him well to expect anything else from him. But unknowingly, he was snatching away from her what she considered was the only support that willed her to go on. He was tainting and tarnishing the memories she worshipped. Only she knew, during all those days she spent in Hoshiarpur, how many times she was tempted to end her life. Only she knew, what she went through when Arjun laid his hands on her. And if it wouldn't have been for him and his love, she knew she would have never been able to pull off. And now he was taking it all from him. Slowly, he was breaking her resolve to carry on. Slowly he was shredding her of the remnants of her dreams... dreams she had spun around with him and for him. She knew she needed to leave. Leave before, he shattered the rest of her.... leave before; he snatched away his memories from her. She made up her mind, that she would speak to him and end the series of this tirade once and for all.
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The shocking news about Rano and Mohinder's death had stunned Anu to the core. She wished to be with Geet. She was thinking of an excuse to go to Mumbai herself without tipping off anyone about her motive to see Geet when a servant came to her room and informed her that Nandita and Viren had summoned her to the living room. Sighing, she made her way downstairs to the living room. Sounds of chatter and laughter made their way through the hallway as Anu neared the seating area. She wondered if she had forgotten Nandita mentioning about some expecting visitors but none came to her mind. Pushing the lush curtains away, she entered the living room and was surprised to see Arjun and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rathod seated on the large couches with her mother, father and grandmother. As soon as she came into sight, Nandita quickly got up from her place and smiling ear-to-ear came to her side and accompanied her to the small gathering. She saw Naintara, followed by a couple of servants carrying trays filled with sweets and delectable appetizers, approaching them wearing a huge smile herself. Much to Anu's surprise, as soon as Naintara saw her, she rushed to her and squeezed her in a rib-crashing hug. "Weird", Anu thought to herself but rather stayed quiet. "I'm so happy for you Anu" Naintara squealed in delight. Anu frowned and muttered, "Since when?" as she pulled herself from Naintara's hold. Naintara, looked around embarrassed as she heard Anu and looked around to see if anyone else heard it too. She sighed in relief and shot Anu an intimidating stare before restoring her smile. Anu forced a smile in her direction and turned her attention to her mother. Nandita made her sit beside her as Savitri Devi explained, "Beta, panditji has suggested a very auspicious date for your and Arjun's engagement. It's for the next month". A little surprised, Anu looked at Arjun who smiled at her and blinked once in assurance. "Isn't it exciting?" Naintara's voice cut through the silence. Savitri Devi threw a sharp glance at her to silence her and she cowered back. Nandita lovingly smoothed Anu's hair as she asked, "Are you happy Anu? Is it fine with you?" Anu looked at her mother.
Shalini, Arjun's mother spoke, "Don't hesitate beta. You can share anything you have in your mind. If you are not fine with the proposed date, we can postpone it." Arjun stiffened as he heard that, so did Naintara as they shared a knowing look. However he maintained his composure. "Bolo Anu" Viren encouraged his daughter as Nandita held her hand. Anu looked at Arjun once again who looked at her ever so loving and then nodded his approval on the matter. Anu smiled back and looking at her mother gave her consent. Naintara sighed in relief as she patted Arjun's shoulder ever so lightly. The two families congratulated each other and blessed Anu and Arjun for their bright future. Naintara served sweets to them thanking her stars that Anu had not objected to any of it. Once the engagement would occur, her next task would be to get them married as soon as possible.
Arjun was happy with his moves. Naintara was dense if she believed that he would marry that stupid Anu, he thought to himself. His bait to lure Geet in his trap was set!
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For the next few days, Maan immersed himself deeply in the work and the result was he hardly saw her. Vicky observed Geet closely in these days. He knew asking her anything upfront would prove fruitless for that was something he had already tried and failed. Geet never spoke anything about her past. He caught her looking in Maan's office more than once. He closely observed the way she reacted to things related to Maan Singh Khurana. She would shift on her feet, shuffled in her chair or fidgeted with her duppata when he mentioned about him. He had seen her eyes getting teary when he had mentioned about Anu. But she was quick to cover it all.
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Anu was sitting beside Arjun in his car as he drove on the streets of Delhi. As Arjun spoke about the upcoming engagement and celebrations, Anu was exceptionally quiet. Had it been some other time, she would have happily taken part in the celebrations. After all, she was going to marry her love, her Arjun... but her happiness was marred. Her thoughts were with Geet as she wondered how Geet would be coping up with the loss. She felt guilty for not being there for Geet at a time like this. They reached Khurana mansion and Arjun carried her shoppers for her. Nandita was very happy to see them together and after exchanging the usual pleasantries Arjun followed Anu to her room.
As soon as they were in her room, Arjun pulled her to him, "Whats wrong baby? You seem lost". Anu smiled a little. "I'm fine Arjun, just a little tired". She contemplated whether she should tell Arjun about Geet but remembering his previous outburst she decided to stay quiet. "I know you would have wanted Geet beside you for your engagement" he spoke carefully. Arjun had noticed that after his outburst Anu had stopped speaking about Geet completely. He had cursed himself for his foolhardiness. Anu was his only way to Geet and in a moment of frustration he had ended up spoiling his chance further. Anu looked at Arjun and then gave him a small smile. "I wish she was here" she said as she rested her head on his chest. "Any news about her" he asked cautiously now. But before she could answer Savitri Devi called her and she excused herself and left. Arjun ran a hand through his hand. He went to the wooden panel across the room and looked a framed photograph of Anu and Geet. He ran a finger over Geet's face as he muttered, "I'll get you back sweetheart"
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"Ouch" Geet yelped as she twisted her feet. She was running up the stairs as well as talking to Gurvinder over the phone. "Kya hua Geet, are you alright?" asked Gurvinder. "Kuch nahi. I'm fine. Aap bataiye... aapki baat hui kisise?" she asked expectantly. "Haan hui thi. Your parents were heading to the bus stand when the accident took place. And this won't be the first case against Brij. He has a history of violence" he told her. "But then I don't have any evidence" Geet said grimly as she abruptly stopped in her tracks. "Don't loose hope Geet. Last year he had brutally beaten a guy who eventually died. I spoke to his brother and he is willing to help you. A local support will strengthen your case and also help you nail the offenders" said Gurvinder. "I understand. I would like to speak to him" she said decisively. "Sure, I'll give you his number. But Geet you will have to go back there at least once. You would need to file a complaint and testify too" he said critically. "I know and I will" she said indomitably and disconnected the call. Just as she turned to go to her cabin, she found staring at her. Surprised, she took a step back. It had been almost a week since that last outburst and then she had hardly seen him. As much as she longed to see him, she was afraid of his regular flare-ups. At this rate, it was becoming more and more difficult for her to push things under the carpet. She knew Vicky was having his doubts and Adi too had got upset with the incident at the conference hall. She lowered her eyes as she stepped aside to walk towards her cabin. "One moment!" she heard him and slowly turned to face him. "Yes sir?" she feebly asked.
"What's the time?" he asked. She looked at him confused. "What's the time?" he asked again. "Quarter past eleven" she answered. "Two hours 15 minutes late!" he said icily. "Sir, I was..." she began. "I hate excuses Geet!" he said before she continued. She frowned a little. He was certainly attracting eyeballs and they were in the midst of the hotel lobby. "Give me a chance to speak sir" she said but his eyes turned dark as if she said something really offending and he stepped towards her, towering her, "Give you a chance... So that you could cheat, lie and hurt people once again" She gasped as he looked at her menacingly. "Don't do this please" she pleaded looking around. "This faade is not going to melt Maan Singh Khurana, who has seen the uglier side of this pretty face." She looked up at him, tears threatening to roll down her cheeks.
"Veerji", Vicky interrupted him. "yeh aap kya kar rahe ho Veerji? Everyone is watching" he cautioned him. Maan stepped back but glowered at Vicky, "Discipline is for everyone Vicky. She might be your friend but I'm not entertaining this" Vicky frowned. Maan was certainly going out of hand here. "Veerji aap... (he shook his head) Veerji, she's late because she had a meeting with the ad agency" Vicky informed Maan. Geet's eyes were transfixed to the floor. Maan looked at her and Vicky once, "fine. Get me a copy of the minutes", he spat and stormed to his cabin. Vicky looked at Geet apologetically. Observing Geet closely, he was almost convinced with Anu's point of view. He went behind Maan, high time he sorted a few things.
Geet felt a hand on her shoulder and found Pinky beside her. Her expressions were grim as she asked, "Are you ok?" Geet nodded once and walked away to her cabin leaving behind a frowning Pinky.
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"Veerji, you were rude!" Vicky said as he walking in Maan's cabin. Maan, who was just about to take his seat whipped around. "So you are going to teach me things now" he asked irately. Taken aback, Vicky gaped at Maan. "Veerji, I'm just saying you should have at least let her speak". Maan narrowed his eyes, "I didn't feel the need to" settling in his chair he lifted the screen of his laptop. "Veerji, please... don't be so difficult. You should talk to her once... May be, what you are thinking is not right after all" Vicky tried to make him see some sense... Maan looked over from his laptop. "You spoke to Anu, didn't you?" he asked accusingly. Vicky shut his eyes momentarily, "yes. She wanted me to look for Geet. She was worried" Like a panther on hound Maan rose from his chair. The chair wheeled back with force and he moved towards the front of his desk. "How long have you known her? What do you about her ministrations? About her sham? I went there to get her back... to look for her... but she ridiculed me and my love"... Maan said agonized. "Veerji, ek baar baat karne main harz hi kya hai... I have been observing her since she joined the hotel... and from what I have seen she's hurt too" Vicky tried desperately to make Maan understand his view.
"I have nothing to do with her... do you get that? If she's in pain than that's not bloody my problem... and wait a minute... is that how she gained a soft spot for herself in your heart? Feeding on your sympathy is it so?" he scoffed. Vicky looked at Maan bewildered. "Veerji... aap..." and his voice died in his throat as he saw Geet standing at the door. Tears flowing from her eyes indicated that she had heard it all.
Maan snapped his head in her direction and smirked, "Ah... there she is... so Geet... tell me... kaise kar leti ho tum yeh sab? And what are you getting out of this, huh? Anu, Main aur ab Vicky! What game are you playing here?" he asked scornfully as he shook her shoulders hard. Geet kept looking at him as she saw her innate fears coming true. "Veerji, aap kya bol rahe ho?" Vicky said in urgency. "The truth Vicky, the truth! And truth is always bitter, hai na Geet. Zindagi main pehli baar I made a mistake... but you know what... good that you pulled that pretense off... before that relationship became too much of a burden to be associated with" he spat venomously. "Bas Maan... please bas" Geet pleaded. "Why! Petrified to see your own reflection?" ..."Veerji please stop" Vicky said panicky but Maan ignored him and tightened his grip on her shoulder. She flinched in pain and tried to pry him off but he was firm. "So tell me Geet... how many people have you played this game with? Love, loyalty, commitment... do you associate with them?" Vicky was shocked beyond words but Maan was not done yet, "Bolo Geet... pyar mujhse... shaadi kissi aur se... aur ab? Are you done with your amusement ya aur bhi koi..." but before he could complete, she snapped, "Maan!" and pushed him away.
Vicky shut his eyes. The damage was done. She glared at him amidst her tears, "Enough! Not a word more..." he glared back at her. "Don't you dare..." he began but she cut him again, "No! Don't you dare Mr. Maan Singh Khurana... you are right... it was all a mistake... last one year was all a mistake... if the man I fell in love with can think so lowly of me... then yes it was all a mistake... I was right... this shouldn't have ever begun... I wanted to leave but you asked me to stay... but then that was my mistake again... But enough is enough Mr. Khurana... I work here, but my dignity is not for you to trample on as per your wishes! I'm taking no more... I refuse to take it any more" she spat heatedly as she took his hand and thrust an envelope in his palm. He looked at it and then back at her. Throwing the envelope over to the table he turned away from her. She shut her eyes as the enormity of what had just transpired settled on her. He had ultimately managed to take away the only thing she possessed as her own.
"Geet please..." Vicky urged. Geet looked at him over her shoulder and remorsefully said, "Don't get into this Vicky. Some relations are forever doomed!" And then she walked out without looking back at him. The minute her eyes left him, he turned and looked at her back till the door snapped shut. Vicky turned towards Maan and then his eyes fell on the envelope. Feeling awfully bad, he picked and opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. His eyes turned wide as he read its contents "Resignation!" he muttered immediately catching Maan's attention.
"Wow Veerji, you really managed to shatter her defenses" saying so he ran behind her. Maan slammed his fist on the table and shut his eyes as his own words came back to him.
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"Sasha Geet kahan hai?" Vicky asked as he barged into her cabin. "kya hua? Everything alright?" she inquired. "Did she come here?" he brushed away her queries. "She's gone to meet MK", Sasha told him. Vicky gave her an annoyed look, "Right! And how I wish to change that fact for now" he said through gritted teeth. "Ab kya hua?" Sasha asked. "She resigned!" he said in utter frustration as he showed her the letter. "What rubbish! She's leaving?" Sasha asked flabbergasted. "She wants to!" Vicky said as he placed his one hand on his waist and another on his forehead. "But why is she leaving?" Sasha asked puzzled. "She ain't leaving!" he said instantly. "Vicky, please don't play riddles with me" Sasha frowned at him. "I said she wants to leave... but I won't let her" he said firmly before dashing out, leaving behind a confused Sasha.
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Ok... so the first bout of angry and strong Geet is here... so let me know how this was😳
Sonia
Edited by euphoric - 14 years ago
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