A Sudden Change Of Heart(MG FF)-Link to 2nd Thread - Page 49

CHAPTER-14

" WHAT?" he growled, causing a kind of stir within the already tensed room.

" Sssiiirrr, main kehraha tha ke, we have around 2 hours to finish this. So, maybe, you ..shhould start now." Adi said, the words tumbling out of his reluctant mouth.

Maan's eyes blazed fire, as they pierced Adi's ones and he said in a dangerously low voice, " You think, if I don't start now, I wont be able to do it in 2 hours? Did Geet tell you that?"

" GGeettt?" Adi said, his voice clouded with confusion. " Geet ne toh kaha tha, ke you can do anything' Yyyouu are very capable. Yyooouu can ddooo.. it without any help. Mmaain toh bas isiliye kehraha tha, ke we have to send it in 2 hours, so it has to be completed early, Sssiirr'" he finished, swallowing his saliva down.

Maan's hands stopped on the laptop. He ran his hand through his hair, and leaned back down on his chair.

" Leave them here. I will complete it." Geet sach bol rahi thi. And I told her so much. Why? Why Maan did you even have to tell her about the checking out thing? Now, she knows you know, and that makes it even more embarrassing for her. Did you see her face when you said it. It was red, and she wasn't blushing. She probably died a thousand times right there, in shame. What the hell did you do? Maan worked through the papers, his eyes alive yet again with Geet's visions.

He walked out if his cabin, with the completed papers in hand, his guilty eyes scanning the whole place for Geet, but he didn't see her. He was so engrossed in looking around, that he bumped into Adi, without realizing it, who dropped the files on the ground with a thud. Maan glared at him, as he started stuttering again, but Maan didn't have time for any of these.

" Where's Geet?" He flared at Adi.

Maan sir hamesha mujhse yehi kyun poch te rehte hain, ke Geet kahaan hain? " Wwwoh, actually sssiiir, a couple of hours ago, Romeo came over, and he and Gggeettt left for their own office, after completing the work here. Apparently, some of their previous clients sued them, and Geet went over to clean the mess." He finished with a gulp.

" ALONE?" Maan yelled at a surprised Adi.

" Sssirr, she is an iiindependent woman. She has always been doing these things alone. Lllikkke yyouu'" He spoke slowly, in an attempt to stop his stammering.

Maan handed the file to Adi, and walked back to his cabin in a daze. Adi is so right. Geet has always been doing everything alone. Her family or friends, no one is around her. But clients who sue can be extremely dangerous. Should I call her up and ask her? No, Maan, after what you said today, she would kill you if you call her. Plus, this is another project of her own firm. What will she think if you poke your nose in it? Nahin, usse kal office mein thik se baat karlena..

*****

Geet hung the clothes in her wardrobe, slamming it loudly behind her. Tears started streaming down her cheeks, as she realized that she was finally in her fortitude of solitary. She didn't have to care about anyone here. Her cheeks burned red, every time she recalled what Maan had told her in the office that day in the morning. Yes, he had called her worthless, but she wasn't offended by that. Actually, that didn't hurt it anymore. She had heard it so many times from Maan and even other people in her lives, that it didn't touch her anymore. But, what Maan said about her helping him, and her checking him out. She covered her mouth with trembling hands, as the words floated back to her. They were so humiliating, so hurting, so unnecessary.

I will never ever help Mk again. Bohut hogaya yeh acche hone ka natak. I shouldn't have worked with him that night. I shouldn't have gone to his office that night. I shouldn't have gone to his house that day. Geet, pichle kuch dino mein tune kitni saari galti kardi, and only because of yourself. You let your guard down, and look what happened.

She dried her tears, with the back of her hand, and grabbed her cell phone. Punching in a few numbers, she waited for the other line to be received.

" Adi, sorry, bohut raat ko phone kiya. Actually, I..I can't contact Mk, but will you please tell him tomorrow, that I will work from my office for the next whole week. I have a lot of other projects, and the Patel deal is making my life hell, with all the suing and stuff. So, please, can you do that for me?" she said, with a slight smile.

Hearing him consent, she disconnected the line, and leaned back against the headboard of her bed. She knew that she had just lied on Adi's face, but she had no other way. The best thing would be to avoid seeing Maan for the whole of next week. That would give some time for the things to cool down, and two months of the contract will also be completed.

" I have to be with and around you for just four more months, Mk. Usske baad, main bhul jaungi, ke main aap jaise kisi insaan ko kabhi jaanti bhi thi." She spoke out aloud.

*****

The morning was usual for Geet. She was running late, because she had overslept, again. She gulped down the piece of bread, washing it down with an extremely hot coffee, which went scorching down her throat. Just as she flew towards her room to grab her car keys, her door bell buzzed loudly. Sighing loudly, she raced back to the door, and jerked it open.

The cool air filled her lungs, and it took some time for the whole situation to sink in. But, the minute it did, the controlled Geet was already in position.

" Mk." she Said his name without any feeling or fervor.

It stuck him like an invisible poisoned arrow the hollowness with which she said his name. Okay, maybe not his name, just his initials, but the emptiness in her voice was clearly evident. Ignoring this lingering feeling at the back of his mind, he made an effort to continue.

" Good Morning, Geet. I was wondering if I could talk to you." He said, clearing his throat. Yes, he had decided that he would talk to her at the office, but then, Adi had called him early in the morning, to tell him that Geet won't be at his office for the whole of next week. So, he had grabbed her address from her office, giving some excuse of work, and was here to talk to her.

" About what?" Geet said coldly, leaning against the door, her body language clearly showing her lackadaisical attitude and disinterest. She had still not invited him inside, and she didn't intend to either.

Maan cleared his throat a little more, mentally slapping himself. The nervous feeling was still lingering in his mind, and he became even more frustrated with each and every extremely rude gesture of Geet. All he wanted to do was pin her against the door, say that he was wrong, and leave. Wait, Maan.. yeh kaisi baat soch raha hain tu? Why do you want to pin her down? That's probably not the best way to apologize. Wait, did I come here to apologize?

He was immediately reminded of the last time he had the same feeling around Geet. Guilt and the need to apologize.

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.."

Yes, she had cut off his apology that time, by saying that she was used to people treating her like that. In a wrong way, in an inappropriate manner. But this time, he had gone too far. Maan knew, that he had to make her realize that he understood that he had made a mistake. A Big Mistake. God, Maan, why do you always do wrong with her, then feel guilty? It's as if, you always feel just this one emotion around her. Guilt. Except, of course, I feel something else too, something I am not familiar with. Something I've never felt before.

She made an impatient click deep down her throat, and started tapping her heels firmly on the ground. Maan jerked off his thoughts, and looked at her.

" Look, Mk," Geet sighed, and started speaking, " I HAVE to get to work. I have a LOT on my plate right now, and I am really running late, so if what you want to say is not important, then I would like you to leave, so that I can start for work too." She finished icily, crossing her hands over her chest defensively.

" Uh, no.. it's important. I have to talk to you now." Maan said determinedly. Ekbar mujhe andaar bhi nahin bulaya iss ladki ne.. " Geet, there is a thing, a design I need your help in. It is for some other project for my firm. Will'"

" Do it alone", she interrupted him," I am not here to do other projects for you. I will only work on the contract I have signed with you for 6 months. The staff you have on your payroll can help you." She said, tilting her head firmly on one side, indicating him to leave.

Maan walked closer to her, reducing the distance between them. He slowly whispered close to her lips," Yes, but, I can't do it alone. I can't do it without you. Do you want to help me, Geet?" he said, gazing into her hazels.

However, Geet was far from being vulnerable that morning. The same eyes which had her captivated in their magic had blazed at her the very last day, saying some very demeaning things, and she refused to forget them, ever.

" No, I don't." She said shortly, and then, as Maan stared at her shell-shocked, she continued, " Now, if that's all, I would like you to leave. But before that, let me clear out something. I went to your place because YOU wanted me too. I was invited by you. And, I didn't check you out. I DON'T find you attractive, Mk. Now, you can go."

Maan stood there, not knowing what to say next. He was waiting every minute for his usual anger and ego bursts to kick in, but surprisingly, they didn't. The only feeling coursing through his veins were guilt and sadness. He slowly nodded his head, and left, leaving Geet standing on her doorstep alone.

*****

" Yes, uh-huh, okay, I know. I will file the details before the dinner." She walked towards the basement, her heels tapping on the bricked floor loudly. She unlocked her car, escaped into it thankfully, and leaned back against the seat. She shook her head, trying to get rid of the guilt yet again. Geet had been busy keeping herself involved in something or the other the whole day since she had that rendezvous with Maan at her doorstep. A few weeks earlier, she was busy doing the same thing, but the distractions served as her only way of forgetting Dev and his hurtful memories, and all her painful moments with her family. But, now as she was busy engrossing herself, it was to prevent the guilt from seeping into her veins and eating into her brain like a parasite.

She couldn't forget the look on Maan's face when he had left her doorstep, and neither could she forget his words from earlier. Geet sighed loudly, slamming her hand against the steering wheel. What should I do? Why do I always succumb to everything he says? Why can't I forget his words, and then not be angry on him? Geet, he had come all the way to your house to ask for your help and you turned him down so harshly. I mean, I am not saying that you should have agreed to help him after all the accusations he put on you, but, at least, you could have invited him inside, and said it in a better way, haina?

And why the hell did you have to say you didn't find him attractive? Saying that to anyone is demoralizing. Geet, mujhe toh lagta hain, ke Mk ko uss tarah aaj tak kisi ne nahin dekha. He was so sad, and well, maybe a little guilty. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hain Geet, ke just like you, he has a hard time trusting people and confiding in them? Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hain, ke he is an introvert, like you? Shayed isiliye, he was scared that you would reveal his weak side out to strangers. Think about it, Geet. Tu bhi kitna tensed thi, jab tujhe pata chala tha, ke he knows that you're scared of darkness. Tu kabhi nahin chahti thi, key eh baat koi jaane. And he respected that, and kept it a secret. But he told you that he would do first, haina? She recalled the words he had said to her in the car, when they had reached the site about 8 days ago. , " And I will take it with me to my grave."

He assured you. And you didn't do that. So yeh sochna toh normal hain, ke tu bata degi sabko, haina? Dekha jaye, toh Mk puri tarah se galat nahin hain. Ha, he shouldn't have talked to you like that, but that's it. It's not entirely his mistake.

Geet was overwhelmed by the realization that just hit her. She picked up her cell phone, and started dialing his number, without thinking about it. She knew, that if she gave it as much as a second's thought, then her complicated mind would conjure up tricks to stop her. And she wouldn't let that happen. She heard the rings on the other side anxiously, waiting to hear his voice. Geet had no idea what she was about to say to him, but, still she wanted to talk.

However, the hollow rings came up to her ears, and finally ended with a beep. Geet removed the phone from her ear, staring at it.

" Why is Mk not picking up his phone?" she wondered aloud, and started her engine.

About twenty minutes later, when she was in front of Khurana Constructions, her powerful mind finally intervened. Geet, you have done this earlier, too. You have taken decisions sitting in the car, executed them, and that's why you're in this whole mess today. Don't do this Geet. Don't go.

" I have to!"

She climbed out of the car, and almost ran towards the main building, only to bump into the rock hard chest of Maan Singh Khurana, who held her back immediately. She looked up, and saw him look at her as if seeing her for the first time. He stood her up straight, and placed the loose strand of hair on her lips behind her ear. He was still staring at her when her voice brought him back to senses.

" Why don't you pick up your damned cell phone?"

PRECAP: Why do you always get upset when your family calls you?

Before anyone gets confused, I'd like to clear, that the part in green italics is a part of Chapter 4. I used it here, just to relate the scene, and make you all remember what happened the last time Maan wanted to apologise. I will use more scenes like these in future, to relate, and make it easier for you all.😃

And, now, a funny thing. I have almost 117 likes, for the last chapter, and only about 5 pages of comments. The ratio doesnt actually, add up,does it?😉 I mean, I am sure all my readers are not silent...😆

Please it the like button for these chapter, and leave me longgg comments. I really love reading them..

Love

Sarzah