SURROGATE RELATIONS Thread 3, part 27 updated 16/9 - Page 3

20.The Green-eyed Monster.

Life had never been happier for Geet till a few days back. She had a Daadi to love, a child to cherish, a friend to argue with and a love to dream about in secret. The easy friendship she shared with Rudr was something she herself didn't understand. May be it was because Tara had shared so much of him with her that she knew she could trust him, even before seeing him. And he was such an easy person to like and they had so many common interests like movies and cricket. He made her laugh with the many stories of his various escapades. May be he was a distraction that helped her not to sink too deeply in the whirlpool called Maan singh Khurana. With Rudr around, all her her wakeful hours were not spend in contemplation of her boss. She knew she was just adding to her torment by falling more and more in love with him as each day passed. Even knowing that there could not be any realisation for her dreams, scarred as she was, didn't prevent her from dreaming a life close to him with her unborn child. Sometimes the dreams were so enticing that she wondered if it would remain in her eyes for him to read. Thus Rudr, the charming friend that he was, presented the perfect smoke screen. But at work there was no avoiding him, though she was starting to hope for a diversion, the way the last few days had turned out to be. Maan sir was displeased about something, that was for sure and everybody was made aware of his sour mood. The whole staff was agitated, waiting for his temper to explode. This time around even she was not spared from his angry glares and rebukes. Pinky and Rosi di had asked if she knew the reason as she was staying in KM. Thinking about it now, she wondered if it was connected to Rudr by some measure. She remembered Maan sir glaring at Rudr at many a times. May be he didn't like Rudr working with Sameera. If that was the case, then she was the one responsible for Maan sir's displeasure. But what could she have done, when she learned that Sam had lost her photographer because of her? She had come to know about it only when Sam visited her last weekend.

"I'm sorry I couldn't visit earlier Geet. I wanted to but things are a bit hectic now." She offered the pizza, she had brought.

"I remember you telling me about the launch of the new collection. Is it ready?"

"It's regarding that...I've run into some trouble. My photographer, the one assigned for the shoot, quit. That too, at the last moment. I know who is responsible for this sudden change of mind. But if Rahul thinks that he can get back to me by these nasty tactics, then he is mistaken. Sameera Kashyap doesn't back away from challenges!" Sam said with added determination.

"Rahul? But how does he...? Geet asked puzzled.

"Leave it Geet. I don't want to spoil a perfect evening with talks about that lecher!"

"But why did he turn against you?"

"Did you think I was going work with him after what he did the other night?"

Sam offered a slice of pizza to Geet.

"You mean...he has influenced your photographer to quit?" Geet asked catching on fast. "Now you are in trouble because of me."

"I'm better off without those spineless fools working for me. May be finding a replacement this last minute is creating some tension and I may have to post pone the launch for a couple of days, but it will happen." Sameera smiled reassuringly. "Don't you worry, little mamma. Stop fretting and have another slice, remember you are eating for two!"

"Little mamma!" Geet muttered, then smiled brightly. "I have the perfect man for you." She grabbed her cell to message Rudr.

"Eh?"

"Photographer, Sam. Just a second."

"Geet I know you wish to help...but the fact is I cannot manage with any photographer. He has to be a specialist in fashion photography."

"If this works, it will really be a scoop. Oh! I just wish Rudr... "

"Here I am, ...what are your other two wishes, little mamma?" Rudr asked as he took the seat next to Geet, a towel slinging around his neck and a hastily pulled on vest showing off his tattoo.

Geet caught hold of his arm in her enthusiasm ans said, "Rudr, please tell me you didn't commit yourself to any new assignments. Please, please, please!"

"Okay, I wont" he said, his voice dead pan but his eyes twinkled.

Geet offered him the pizza as he said, "I want you to help my friend. Rudr, this is Sameera. Sameera, Rudra Pratap Rathod, the world famous photo journalist and .." she paused before adding, " Naintara's brother."

"Ah! Sameera, Tara's friend and boss." He smiled. "Sorry about the get up...little mamma here messaged it was urgent, so I didn't wait to change from my work out gear." He said apologetically.

" Sam, do you think Rudr would suit you?" Geet hurried on, too impatient to get the matter settled.

"Yes, tell me Miss. Kashyap, will I suit you?" Rudr asked with a cheeky grin, understanding the other interpretation Geet's words could have and registering that it had not gone past Sameera.

"Oh, Rudr! Be serious!" Geet admonished suddenly catching on, "Let me explain. Sameera had this new collection ready for launch and then her photographer quit on her the last moment. All because of that scoundrel, Rahul. You see Sam fired Rahul because he ...he tried to ..." she closed her eyes to take a deep breath and went on, "...he tried to misbehave with me. Now Sam no longer has a photographer because he teamed up with Rahul. So Rudr, will you help?"

Sameera watched Rudr as Geet went on with her explanation, noticing the amused indulgent expression in his eyes as he looked at Geet, which lit with anger when Geet mentioned about the incident with Rahul. She was confused about the affection for Geet that was evident in Rudra Pratap Rathod's eyes and wondered about the impact it would have on her own friend's life.

"Don't you think you are taking something for granted, chotu? It has to be Miss. Kashyap's decision to see if I'm suitable for her venture. As for me, I'm willing to help."

Sameera who was aware of the genius he was with camera decided to accept his offer.

Now Geet wondered if Rudr,the charming flirt that he was, had offended Maan sir in some way, thru' his association with Sam. She picked up her cell as it rang. Speak about the devil...she thought with a smile as she answered, "Rudr, I was just thinking about you ..."

"Didn't I tell you I'm telepathic, chotu? You just have to think about me and I'll know you are missing me. So take a break from your boss and come with me."

"Go with you? Where?"

"To the end of the world!"

"Don't you have anything better to do than call me with cliched dialogues? Go flirt with someone else."

"That is the problem, na? Jab se in aakhom ne tumhe dekha, is kambakt nazar ko aur kuch bhata hi nahi! Wow! That is a great one. Don't you think so chotu? I should write it down for future."

"Why don't you do that, while I do some work here. But tell me the truth where have you lifted the dialogue from?"

"See, true creativity isn't appreciated by you girls. If you heard that being uttered by any of the Khans or Hrithik Roshan for that matter, you would stand up and cheer! But, me...when I say it, it becomes lifted! I'm so hurt, chotu."

"Rudr stop being..."

"Miss Geet Handa, if you could spare a moment from your phone, can I get some work done?" The vibrating anger in his voice made her almost drop her phone.

"Bye" she whispered urgently before disconnecting.

"Mr. Bakshi's file." Maan held out his hand. "Yes sir!" Geet hurried to place it in his hands.

"Accounts, Geet!" he slammed the one given on the table.

"Sorry sir!" Geet gave the needed one.

"Hold my calls ...I don't want to be disturbed."

"Yes sir...sorr..."

He stalked away without a backward glance, leaving behind a disturbed Geet. She couldn't concentrate on her work and kept looking at Maan's cabin, but found that the blinds were drawn. It made her feel bad that Maan was angry with her and that she couldn't say sorry. Even Rudr's message didn't cheer her. Then she saw him walking towards the elevator and ran after him. He didn't respond to her calling and in her hurry to reach him before the elevator door closed she tripped on the carpet and nearly slammed into the elevator. Strong hands pulled her inside and pinned her to the wall.

"Do you have a death wish Geet? What is the matter with you? Can't you look where you are running to?"

"You didn't let me say sorry..." she stammered, tears misting her eyes. Unable to stand her tears he almost relented. "I ...we...Rudr had just..."

He remembered her smile and her words, "Rudr I was just thinking about u.." Anger flared, making him pull her closer, his hands hurting with the force of their hold. "Look Geet, whom you talk to or go out with doesn't concern me. But if your idle chatter interrupts my work, I wont tolerate it. Is that clear?"

The anger in his eyes made her cringe and the tinge of fear he saw in her eyes made him despise himself. He turned away from her, raking his hand thru' his hair and said in a softer tone."I didn't mean to frighten you. " He took another moment to calm himself and said, "I'll be gone for the whole evening, so ask Daadi to send her car for you , haan Geet?"

"That wont be necessary..." Geet whispered.

"Um?"

"Rudr said he would pick me."

Maan just pressed the button to open the elevator door and bit out, "Get out, Geet." Seeing his mood change again, Geet couldn't wait to do his bidding, but she did wonder about the loud bang that reverberated as the door of the elevator closed.

hope the update made u happy...will send out the PMs later...sorry for the typo errors...will check that too later...

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i love jealous maan😍