Chapter 11
Mann shuffles on his feet as Adi, Tasha and Sasha enter the door that was left open by Abs…
Adi- what happened Mann? Is Abs alright..why did she run..like that..looked like she was crying..
Mann not wanting to give any explanation…just..stares at Adi..then walks towards the window and stares out of it…
Adi..- Mann she is my friend…what did you do…?
Mann looks at Tasha Sasha and Adi…one after the other...and then..softly says…
I think I hurt her…!
Adi – what happened..if it is the project I will help her with the presentation…don't worry Mann..we have sailed through tough projects like this…before… I am sure..she will come around…I will talk with her..
Mann raises a hand… no…its not the project…! I will talk with her..looks around the room as if searching for something..
I will go to my office now…when she is better tell Abolee I need to talk to her…and walks out of the room…
Abs after after splashing cold water on her face and to sooth her frayed nerves..goes back to her cabin instead of the conf room..cos..she didn't want to face Mann and others if they were there…
She is sitting in her chair with her head back against the head rest..when hears a knock and sees Adi peep in…and she waves her hand as if to say..leave me alone..but..Adi…was Adi..and never took no for an answer…
Comes in..closes the door…walks to her side…sits on his haunches holds her hand..says…I am sorry
I should not have brought you to this office….i should have known..mann and his attitude with women..will get in the way..of your exemplary resume….
Shut up Adi! Stop talking nonsense… its not..work..we didn't fight…
Adi…hearing this bobs his head to side..as if waiting for her to confide in him…
No Adi…its personal…! Adi is shocked into saying Personal?
Yeah..i didn't know and you didn't know that the person I met in Paris was Mann..we had a heated argument at the convention and long story short..we kinda rubbed each other the wrong way…
Adi…thinking now..it does not look like wrong..right there a few mins ago? But keeps mum…he knew..patience when…it came to Abs..she needed to say things on her own..one cannot push her into saying anything she didn't want..to…
She blurts out..Adi I fell in love…
What? With whom? Mann (light dawns)….oh…so that's y she ran..out of the room…
So what is wrong with that..he is a great guy..even tho..he does think women are not worth his time..
Yes I used to think he is this insolent S.O.B. but..he is kinda I donno…
Nice I guess… this last week working with him has been great…I have felt like an equal not fighting the woman and glass ceiling created therefore..
He is fair..if demanding..he is..oh…you know..what I mean…you know..him!
Adi says..yes I do..but I didn't know..you were this…gone..into him…you…cagey..so and so..
You could have told..uncle Adi…I was always..there waiting in line…to be your confidante…
Adi I am still fighting it…I don't think I should work here anymore…my principles and ethics don't allow me..to I shall go and resign..now….
No says Adi..i will talk with Mann Don't go…it will be fine…
I know..what happened in Canada..I wont let that happen here!
How? Says Abs Adi the whole office saw me..just then..running…as if…my tail was on fire…
And gives a bleak smile…
Leave it Adi..to take care of things…you finish up here go home I will handle Mann…
Go home…take the rest of the day off…I will convince boss you didn't feel well..he did want to see you but I will tell him..you were not feeling well..now get up..and Go!......Abs…move…
Abs slowly gets up gather her bag and looks at Adi as if not sure..and when he points to the door just takes her car keys and goes towards the lift…
Adi goes to Mann…tells him Abs is not feeling well and has gone home and he will help with the project for now..
Mann informs him that Vicky is coming back tonight so he will take over this presentation…
Running away Mann? Says Adi hearing this…
Don't Adi..don't say a word..it is non of your business and another thing…stay away from Abs..if I find..you…getting…cosy..with her…I swear…Adi cuts him off and says…
Stop talking rubbish she is my dearest friend my buddy…you jealous bugger…Mann admit it you love her…go after her…she is different..i have known..her for a long time…she is all mush under that hard exterior…go…chase after her…man…she deserves happiness..and by god if you hurt her…I will break every piece of bone you have…!
Mann smiles at that…goes and gives Adi a man hug and asks…where is she..home?
Adi nods…
Good luck…he calls out as Mann picks up his car keys and rushes out to go to Abolee…
This time he was going to fight….he thought as he got into his car..this time…I am not..going to be left behind…picking up the pieces…
This time…
Abs reaches home…takes a shower…and decides to lounge around in her bath robe..make herself a milk shake..she was never into coffee or tea…it was either fresh juice..which she didn't want to do right now..so took out some chikoo pulp and made herself a tall chikoo shake…and sat…blankly in front of tv…with images of that afternoon running..in her mind….
She hear a loud banging on her door and wonders who it could be when she hears..
Abolee…(Mann here)…open this goddamned door before I break it open..and bangs hard on the door some more..
Abole first walks towards her bedroom to put on some clothes but decides against it as Mann growls again.. Abolee I know.you are in there…I saw your car..and Adi told me ..too…Open the door..dammit…
Abs stops enroute…to the door..and wonders Adi told him…? Traitor…
Without responding..she opens the door an inch…says..what do you want…? Go away..and leave me alone Mann…don't make a scene..i will talk with you tomorrow…and starts to close the door when he puts his foot in the door and pushes..so the door opens..
Clutching the lapels of her bathrobe…she turns and says…oh well have it your way.. say what you have to and then get the hell outta my house…
J'en ai assez avec vous dj –( i have had enough with you already). She does not invite him or offer him anything just stands a bit consciously with her arms crossed over her bosom and twitches her shoulders…
Mann..then notices her attire…or rather her state of undress and desire flares of a second..and his trousers get tight for him but..he..shifts on his feet..takes a deep breath and looks away from her..and says…to himself..calm down..Mann..calm down…not yet..not yet..dont get on the wrong side of her..and starts again..saying…
I came to apologise…God Abolee I have never said sorry to anyone…the way and times I have told you…running his hands in his hair as he says this..
Well starts Abs…You…he again raises his hand says..let me finish..Abs…this isn't easy for me…
And it is for me? Says Abs…interrupting him..
That's when he loses controls…walks right in front of her… holds her arm shakes her up..and says..
Woman don't you know when to give it up? I am trying to say…I love you here…. Marry me..and you are on your bandwagon….and stops..when he sees her expression…and hears an incredulous..
What? From Abs….he then loosens his grip on her arms..and speaks softly…
Well I would if you give me half a chance…to speak…cherie… my precious one..i wanted to say that to you when..you ran away back in the conf room..that why I told you lets get out of there..
Oh..i want you..and I will looking at her from head to toe..but we need to get somethings cleared out first….
Will you say something now..woman..or are you hell bent on driving me crazy?
She is still gaping at her..when he holds her one..hand…gets down on one knee..and says..
I love you my precious feisty little cat woman… wear this ring and marry me?
Abs is still speechless and looking down at Mann who was on one knee..and puts her free hand on her gaping mouth…
He says…Abolee..cherie..are going to get me out of my misery and say something?....
Abolee realizes..she has been standing for last two minutes…like that..and say..oh..oh…
Your knee..it must be hurting..get up!.....
Is that a no Abolee? Says Mann without getting up..and she say..huh! no…no..
I mean yes..yes..i mean..oh..mann get up of course..i will marry you, you silly man..
You think I go around kissing men..just like that..you ..Ass… I am not that kinda woman…
And laughs and goes down on her knees as well not minding that her robe has fallen open..
And hugs Mann so hard..he falls back..taking her with him…and they both laugh..and hug and then..mann says..if you don't want to be devour right here on your drawing room I suggest you get dressed.. cos..my control is only so much woman…
Abs then feeling the bulge blushes and tries to get up..but ends up..falling again on top of him..
He says now don't complain if I have my way with…you..and kisses..her…
Softly at first and then hard as passion takes over……turns her over under him..and plunders her mouth..and devours her till both of them are breathless… and he lifts his mouth to trail kisses down her throat..and to the opening..of the robe lapel..but stops..himself..and rolls off her..
And says… Abolee..do you want to be a virgin bride or not..?
Now get out of here..before…I do something..that I wont regret a bit…..
Laughs..and sits up…helps Abolee get up ..and goes and flops on the sofa…with eyes closed and silly smile on his faces..imagining her dressing up….
Abolee quickly pulls on jean and tshirt all the while wearing a silly smile..on her face..
Wondering..what changed between…office..and now..and how..did this man.. come to love..her…
She goes into the drawing room and asks..do you want anything..i just made..some milkshake…
And Mann laughs..i need something..stronger than that.. but no..matter..
Come here.. and pats the sofa next to him…
As she sits..he pulls her on his lap..and says now… Cherie hear this..hear this well
Je t'aime beaucoup! me marier et faire de moi un homme heureux! And puts the ring on her ring finger he had gone home to get…he didn't have anything so he had gotten the one..grandmom had given him a long time ago…and someone..had not wanted to wear that..
I will love you, honour you and cherish you for life..honey…! Marry me soon…because I don't think I can survive much of the cold showers I have been taking this past week…
Abs just hugs him and says…no that is not possible..how will everyone come from canada so fast..no..it will have to be in a month or two…
A month or two? Woman are trying my patience..or do you really want me to forget the tradition and have my way with you…and tickles her….
Nothing doing! Vicky is coming tomorrow..rather..tonight at 1am looking at the watch and then warns Abs…talking about Vicky you don't let that rogue..of my brother..anywhere near you you hear…
Abs punching..lightly on his chest laughs and say..stop talking nonsense..jealousy doesn't become you…!
Mann says..Abolee I am really warning you..any man…and..she..puts her finger on his mouth..
Says shut up and kisses..him..blissfully…
…….
Who knew..a strong arrogant man could fall so hard… for her…Abolee, a simple homely girl…. There were so many things she wanted to know…but that could wait…right now..she needed to be…held by him….
As…they come apart after a breathless kiss Abolee is reminded of the song..Falling in love is hard..on the knees..(literally and laughs as she remembers…Mann on his knees…)…Mann asks her with expression what..and she..just shakes her head and hugs him..tight..
Love did find her finally….
The End….
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