A Sudden Change Of Heart(MG FF)-Link to 2nd Thread - Page 10

CHAPTER-4

She stood in her kitchen, chopping the cucumber furiously, thinking about what happened just two hours earlier in the office. She was 5 years old, when she had first learned about her phobia of darkness. She had no idea why she was scared of the dark. And she didn't tell anyone till she was 12. The only people knowing about it were her parents and of course, HIM. But there was one more person who knew.

MAAN SINGH KHURANA!! Geet thought heatedly, as she realized that Maan had seen her in every phase of weakness. Maan knew all her Achilles' heel very thoroughly. Today, in her cabin, he had seen her in the most vulnerable, and scared state. No one else had had that opportunity. He had always been the one, who had been around her, whenever, she had not wanted anyone to be around. He had intruded on all her secrets, he knew many things about her, which, even many close people didn't know.. And she didn't like it. No, Geet DID NOT like it.. She was exposed to Maan psychologically, and, she was not fond of it. She dropped the knife on the cutting board with a thud, as she recalled that in the last one month Maan had somehow been around her, in every important and happy moment of her life. Maan had been around her in the scary moments of her life, Maan had been with her in the most saddest and pitiful moment of her life… And she found it highly strange and abnormal. Was it a conincidence, that Maan Singh Khurana had always seen her in the most extreme parts of her life? That Maan Singh Khurana had been a part of all her precious and hurtful moments?

Geet stared into space seriously, as the strong voice in her mind voiced out the thoughts her mind was processing…He has seen everything, he has been there every time. The question is, how much does he know?

Maan stared into his laptop, without actually looking into the designs with concentration. His thoughts drifted their way back to Geet. He remembered the trembled, flustered and very scared looking Geet- a sight which should have satisfied him, but, instead, had made his heart ache with sheer pain and anguish. She had looked like a helpless child, when her face was filled with panic and fear, and he had the sudden desire of engulfing her in his arms, protecting her, shielding her from any pain, hurt and damage. She was different, unique, not average.. she had a tinge of unpredictability in her. There was something unknown, something mysterious about her. It seemed as if Geet Handa had a lot of secrets within her.. it seemed as if she had been through a lot.. much more than she deserved… Who hasn't Maan? Think about yourself!

But today, the call in the conference room which Geet had taken, caused changes in her mood and expressions immediately. Why? Whose call was it? Why did that call give Geet so much pain and unhappiness? That's her problem Maan… You don't care, okay?

But I do.. The voice said quietly at the back of his mind. I don't know why..but I didn't feel good when I saw her unhappy today!!

******

" Yes, Romeo, We'll be starting as soon as, Mk is here.. and it will take an hour probably, to reach the site.." She hung up, and grabbing the file, quickly walked out of her cabin, only to bump into the hard chest of Maan. He quickly held out his hands to steady her, and looked at her. The visions of last night came back to both of them. She looks normal today, he thought, though there was no twinkle in her eyes, atleast there was no sadness or pain.Do I ask her, whose call it was last day?

" Oh! Mk, there you are… Chaliye, we have to start for the site as soon as possible. The designs have to finalized today, so that the architects can start working on it.."She walked past him, handing the file to Pinky, and giving her some instructions.

Do I ask her? Whats the problem? Its just a casual question!! Nahin Maan.. whatever it is, its her personal life, and she is not that important to you..

His mind kept hovering around these thoughts, as they both reached the basement. Maan took out his key, and started walking towards his car, when Geet said very slowly and softly, " Woh.. actually, my car is in the workshop, I wont get it back till tomorrow.. So, do you mind if we go together?"

Maan looked at her, and the same feeling coursed through both of them. The last time they had sat together in one car, his car, had been so memorable, had been so painful. As Geet climbed into the front seat gingerly, she could still see the blackened mark on the dashboard. As Maan drove, he saw her looking at it, and his face tightened immediately, as visions of that night floated into his mind. All his tenderness for Geet vanished at once, and his features became rigid and rude, almost scornful.

" So, Ms. Handa, iss baar kya irada hain? Which part of my car do you want to ruin this time?" Maan sneered, glancing sideways at her. She was running her fingers lightly over the mark on the dashboard, and snapped out visibly from her thoughts. She stopped her hand immediately, lowering it onto her lap, and looked straight ahead with a blank face as she answered, " I had not done that on purpose, Mk. It was a mistake.."

" Looks like you have committed quite a lot of mistakes in your life, haina?"the voice pierced her soul cruelly, threatening to burst the lava of sadness engraved in her. She closed her eyes, as she felt them fill up, and whispered raspily, " Ha, maine bohut galtiya ki hain aapni zindagi mein."

Her tone strung a tingle in Maan's heart, and he looked in her direction feeling slightly dazed. Geet snapped her eyes open, fully in control of her feelings now, and said rigidly, " But I've learnt from them..and I will NEVER repeat them."

She looked at him, her hazels peering straight into his dark eyes, as she said firmly, " And don't judge me or my life. You don't know much about either!"

" Well, I know you're scared of the dark.. and I am sure, I am one of the very few people who know that, right?" Maan smirked, as he deftly steered the car into the project site.

Geet whipped her head towards him, as he continued smirking. Her eyes filled with a strange kind of anxiety, as she looked at him, and feeling the heat of her gaze, Maan looked back at her. They sat there in the car, staring at each other, for an immeasurable period of time, when Maan whispered gently," And I will take it with me to my grave." Geet smiled at him, relieved, a sense of security and protection sweeping through her, warming her insides immediately. She smiled slightly at him, and she was almost sure that he had also twisted his lips into a sort of smile, but before she could make sure, Maan turned off the ignition suddenly, and spoke out harshly, " Agar tumhare personal baatein khatam ho gayii hain, toh kuch kaam karle?".He opened the car door, and got out smartly, slamming it behind him, and walked off, leaving Geet alone inside.

The smile evaporated from Geet's face, and a tinge of confusion settled in. Inko achanak ho kya jata hain? Kabhi toh itni acche se baat karte hain, aur kabhi… Chaddo Geet, just forget it…

Why the hell do I behave like this with her? This girl is changing my system, and I don't like it.. Why cant I be just plain rude with her like I be with others? Why do I feel something different for her? WHY??

The whole day passed in the site, and Maan and Geet were both busy finalizing the designs so that work could commence from the next day. As the day neared an end, Geet got ready to leave the site, when she realized that she doesn't have her car. She whipped out her cell, trying to reach Meera to tell her to call up the workshop so that she got the car by the next day, when Maan came to her. She jumped in surprise when he barked out," Agar tumhe mere saath ghar nahin jaana tha, then why didn't you tell me earlier? I wouldn't have stayed here for so long!"

" Lekin, maine kab…" She opened her mouth to protest, when he cut in rudely, " Tumne aaj tak mere liye problems create karne ke alawa aur kuch kiya hain? I'm sure tum hamesha sab ke liye problems create karti ho, isiliye toh koi tumhare saath tikta hi nahin.."

Geet closed her hands into tight balls, as his words sank in. She was suddenly reminded of her loneliness, the reason for which she cried almost every night. Her failures sprang in front of her eyes vividly. She had lost so much in the last few days, and Maan's words today gave her the reason for it.. the reason she had thought about all the time after that day. She created problems for everyone, she was the one who was responsible for everything, everything was her fault.

She looked at Maan, her hazels filling up with a depthless pain. He had expected a sharp retort, but her voice was shockingly low, sad and emotionless, as she said mechanically, " I was calling Meera to tell her to call up the worshop and know my car's progress. I have to go home with you, because I have no other option. I am sorry…"

Maan looked down immediately, and felt something he had not felt in quite a long time. GUILT.. He felt guilty, because he knew he had hurt her, without any reason. He had just promised in her the car earlier, that he won't disclose her weak point to anyone, and he had just hit her on her most weak spot. He saw her walk to his car, open the door softly, and sit inside, her hands folded on her lap, her eyes lowered.

He walked slowly, and joined her, starting the car. It was pitch dark ouside, as they left the outskirts and entered the city. Geet still sat quietly, looking down at her hands. Maan shuffled uncomfortably, as he realized that he didn't like this silence. The silence which was heavy with pain, guilt, hurt and sorrow. He cleared his throat, and started speaking, " Woh.. Geet…"

She looked up, her eyes blank again, as she said, " It's fine. I'm used to this, Mk.. Save it.."

Silence restored again, as Geet closed her eyes, leaning backwards on the seat, while Maan continued driving. However, the rumble of Geet's stomach broke the silence. She quickly opened her eyes, and clutched hold of her tummy, twisting her lips, as she realized, that she had nothing to eat since lunch and was famished.

Maan looked at her and said hesitantly, " Woh.. maine bhi kuch khaya nahin.. So do you wanna eat somewhere, and then go home?"

" As you wish, lekin I will pay for my share.." Geet said grimly, looking straight ahead.

As Maan steered his car into the posh restaurant, Geet stormed out, leaving behind a confused and remorseful Maan. He walked in slowly, unaware of how he should deal with Geet. Should he say sorry? Should he say he didn't mean those words? Nahin Maan… you're THE Maan Singh Khurana… you never apologise.. and stop feeling bad about what you said to her..

As he approached the table, Geet was already looking into the menu card. He cleared his throat, and said, " Tum order karo, I'll just be back from the restroom!"

Kya zaarorat thi usse woh sab baatein kehne ki? And you didn't even listen to her explanations first.. Maan, iss ladki ke samne tujhe ho kya jaata hain? Why do you always goof up? Aaj subha se woh bilkul normal thi, lekin, aab, sirf teri wajah se, she is back to her blank mode!! He looked into the mirror, and continued chiding himself, talking alone, something he had stopped doing long back. He suddenly straightened himself, as he realized, that he was actually feeling guilty for what he said to Geet. He was actually feeling bad for hurting Geet. It actually affected him to see Geet in pain.. His conscience tried once more to steer him out of it, reminding him of all the pain and betrayal he has been through. The visions of his past floated in front of him, giving him a tough and rude demeanor yet again. But Geet… he remembered the moments he had spent with her. Her happiness, laughter, joy, cheerfulness in Mumbai, then her distress, pain, tears, and that sadness, and then the blank eyes in Delhi… As he walked out of the washroom, his thoughts occupied his mind, but they were immediately shattered, as he looked at the food Geet had ordered.

" Geet, Mushroom Dopiaza!! Why did you order mushroom dopiaza?"he said in a tone of worry and uncertainty.

" Kyunki mujhe yehi khana hain.." she said harshly, without looking up at him and helped herself to a spoonful.

" Lekin, Geet.. main.. main yeh nahin kha sakta! Woh…" Maan slid into the chair opposite her, and tried to explain when Geet suddenly flung the napkin on the table and burst out,

" Ha, aap yeh kaise kha sakte hain? Maine jo order kiya hain.. yeh toh aapki hasiyat se bohut kam hai haina? Jab khana hi nahin tha, toh mujhe yahaan kyun laye? And then you say, that I create problems. You know what, I don't want to eat at all..lets leave… lets just bloody leave…"The emotions suddenly oozed out, as she couldn't control her reactions anymore. Maan looked at her, and once again tried to explain, when she cut in rudely, and continued, " Main yehi khaungi, I wont touch anything else, so you take your pick…"

Maan stared at her, his irises darkening, in sheer anger and rage, as he picked up the spoon, and ladled the curry onto his plate. Without breaking eye contact, he pushed mouthfuls of the mushroom dopiaza into himself, all the while glaring at Geet. She looked back at him defiantly, and the complex feelings of these two people were clearly being reflected in the atmosphere near them. As soon as Maan finished eating, he dropped the spoon with a clatter, and asked for the bill. He paid his share, and thrust it in front of Geet, still looking at her furiously, and as Geet paid, he got up and stormed out of the restaurant.

Geet also stomped out, and sat herself down in the car grudgingly, as he drove to her flat at a ridiculously high speed. She tried to stop him, but then, her morals stopped her from doing so. She was in no mood to talk with this person- who didn't understand anyone's feelings or emotions or pain. When the car stopped in front of her flat, Geet could barely get out of the car, when Maan drove off, leaving her bewildered and outraged.

Ek mushroom dopiaza ke liye itne tewar… He is clearly the most arrogant and selfish person I have ever seen in life, except ofcourse….

Geet shook her head, and said to herself, Aaj ke liye uss baaremein bohut zyada soch chuki hain tu Geet, don't waste any more time today. Its all because of Mk.. She entered her flat, flung her keys on the side table, chugged a glass of water down her throat and crashed down on the bed, sighing heavily. She was exhausted, and all because of that man. Her mind tried to think about the accusations he had hauled towards her today, about the pain and problems in her life, but somehow, the weariness was too strong. All because of Mk..Her sleepy eyes shot to the answering machine, where she saw the much dreaded red light shining brightly. She bit her lips as she tried to think whose call it could be tonight.. However, her brain failed to process her thoughts clearly, as there was not a single ounce of strength left in her, and her tired eyes drooped into deep slumber, shutting out all the painful visions and thoughts. Leaving the messages unattended and avoided…

PRECAP: Mk, you're allergic to mushrooms

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Sarzah