ALMOST LOVERS
Chapter Eighteen
Building Love
Throbbing beats of pain,
The rain that splutters,
And the wind that blows
And I hide against the storm.
Let the winds carry me,
I let my mind lose its sanity,
Yet you anchor me,
And protect me against the storm
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PAST:
He watched her in silence, wanting to observe the play of emotions on her face. He could see the barely hidden frustration that kept the pain at bay. She was simmering under the facade of calmness. He wanted to fix what he had damaged but he felt helpless.
"The success of Dream Homes has been….taken away by the media. Instead they are focusing on your social life" The tone of disdain from one of the senior board members of Handa constructions was enough for Maan to clench his hands to refrain from strangling the idiot with his bare hands. "We cannot let this project continue"
This meeting was to discuss the project, after the horrible media attention Geet and Maan were receiving. All of Geet's hard work had been for nothing, as all the good from the party had been stolen by the pictures of them two in the media. No one wanted to listen or pay attention to housing developments when there was juicy gossip about Maan Singh Khurana.
"We can get over this" Geet's voice was strong and confident but the slight frown on her face told Maan that she was preoccupied with other issues. "Scandals die away with time"
"Yes but this project cannot go forward now" This was from another man, who wasn't as harsh but was similarly inclined. "It will be years before the project won't be associated with the current rumours"
Despite himself, Maan felt amused at the use of euphemisms. These men were sly enough to get the fact across without using the words.
Geet however wasn't pleased at all, instead turned to her father for support. "Dad we cannot let this project die because of what has happened"
Mohinder Handa looked like a man who had the weight of the world on his shoulders. The lines on his face clearly showed his anxiety as did the sadness reflect in his eyes. But his voice was strong as he spoke, "You gentlemen are right, we cannot let this project go forward"
Geet's eyes widened at her father's words. This project had been her father's dream and he was willing to let it go himself. It boggled her mind, and she couldn't resist asking him "Father what are you saying? We can't-"
"Geet, we employ over 10,000 people. Their livelihoods depend on us and we cannot afford to be imprudent" He spoke gently but resolutely to Geet. "Dreams are important but we cannot let them succeed at the cost of the company. This project will not be a success if we move forward because no one will be interested in the house at the moment. The current scandal will cloud the project, giving it negative attention."
Geet lowered her head in shame, realising that she was the reason for her father's disappointment. Project Dream homes no longer existed.
Maan watched the resigned look on Geet's face and he made another promise; he would ensure that she would succeed in every venture she aimed for. He would not let failure every touch her again.
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PRESENT:
Geet sat down on her table, looking at the flowers. As usual they were pristine and perfect, glistening with dew drops. The lilac roses were beautiful in their unique hue and it was only enhanced by the white lilies interspersed between. But Geet's focus was on the crisp note set amongst them.
Slowly she unfurled the note, letting her guard down for the moment.
Geet,
You cannot destroy me because as long as you exist, I shall be fine.
I can live in any amount of pain if it means your happiness.
Maan.
Such faith, Geet thought even as her heart clenched at the words. If they hadn't been the truth maybe she would have been stronger but she knew he meant them. She knew that he loved her but his love was destructive. It had destroyed her and would in the end destroy him.
Don't weaken Geet, don't let your emotions get the better of you again, she reprimanded herself. You cannot step back when you are so close to your target. There is no turning back now.
Yet it didn't stop her from putting the note away with all the others and instead opened up her private drawer to get out a locked box.
Inside the box was a flash of her, their past. It was memorabilia of all their special moments; movie tickets, a small dried rose and a pair of earrings amongst many other things. She gingerly picked up the movie ticket, remembering that day.
It had been unforgettable in its simplicity and beauty.
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Past:
Geet went through the motions of packing up while trying to hold back on her frustration. She put away all her official papers and project details, clearing her table.
What use am I if I fail in my father's dream? She thought with no small amount of bitterness. The disappointed look on Mohinder's face kept on flashing through her mind. She had never failed her parents before but today she had been unable to fulfil her father's dream.
So preoccupied she was with these gloomy thoughts that it took a while for her to feel a pair of eyes on her. Slowly she turned around to meet Maan's intense look.
He was leaning against the wall, a carelessly graceful stance that didn't fail to show the muscles of his forearm or his broad shoulders. But it was the way his eyes were focused on her, with a look she couldn't define, that surprised her.
"Hey" She said in a nonchalant manner, not wanting to reveal her sudden confusion.
"Hey" Even though there was the penetrating stare, the little smirk on his face made her relax. "How are you?"
"Fine" She said abruptly, not wanting to talk about her issues. She wasn't the type of girl to expose her weaknesses; that right had once belonged to Rehan but she wasn't going to let anyone in after his betrayal.
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly showing his lack of belief in her words. Geet didn't know why but it annoyed her that he seemed to be analysing her. She didn't want him, of all people to see her as someone weak. "Are you-"
Before Geet knew what she was doing she cut him off, "I am fine! There is nothing wrong with me! I'll get over this, indeed I'll get over him. You, of all people, don't need to worry!"
Again that dratted eyebrow of his was raised. "I see. Well….it is good to know what you are okay but I was going to ask if you were free to go watch a movie."
"A movie?" Geet could feel herself go red with embarrassment. She couldn't believe that she had reacted so badly without even hearing him out and was surprised by his comment "With whom?" Surely he doesn't mean with him?
This time Maan's smirk was even more pronounced. "Well seeing as I am asking, it would be with me. I believe that friends do go out to watch movies sometimes, so it shouldn't be a total surprise. It can be a way to commemorate the project, even if we couldn't complete it."
Geet Handa was not one to get flustered but for some reason with Maan's request she was. "But we can't. There are already so many rumours circulating!"
"And does it really matter?" He countered, knowing that she would never back down from a challenge. "Why should their opinion matter?"
Geet was about to say that it mattered to Rehan, when it hit her that she shouldn't care about him anymore and it was that recollection that prompted her to say "Okay, let us go"
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Geet tried to pay attention to the movie but it was distracting to be with Maan. It wasn't that she hadn't gone to movies with her guy friends but for some reason she felt that this was different.
Maybe because he isn't like any of my other friends, she thought, He is different from everyone else.
Still she didn't want to dismiss his kindness in asking her to a movie because she knew now that it was his way of cheering her up. It was obvious in the way that he was so solicitous to her needs and concerns. He was truly a gentleman in the way he behaved with her.
But Geet had to admit even more disconcerting was the couple sitting in front of them. The boy and girl couldn't seem to keep their hands to themselves and were play tonsil hockey with each other. Geet shook her head in disgust, really get a room! It always angered Geet when people who came to movies did that instead of watching the damn movie.
Almost involuntarily she quickly threw a popcorn kernel at them. She turned around to Maan to make sure that he didn't see her and was reassured to see that he was watching the movie. With an evil grin she tossed another piece on the girl's hair and did so for the next few minutes.
So immature, she admonished herself with a smile, but highly enjoyable. She was thus preoccupied when she noticed that she wasn't the only one targeting the pair.
Turning back to Maan, she was surprised to see that he had an identical smirk and was throwing some popcorn on the couple as well. He gave a sly wink to her and targeted the boy while whispering to her, "I'll go for the boy, you go for the girl!"
Geet stifled her laughter and proceeded to what he asked. It was amusing to see how oblivious the couple were to their nefarious plans.
But a few moments later the boy moved and had popcorn dropping all over from his hair. He quickly turned around and glared at them.
"Did you do this?" The guy asked angrily.
However he had no idea that it was Maan Singh Khurana he was dealing with. "Excuse me?" Maan's voice was hard as ice and the look on his eyes clearly showed that he wasn't one to mess with.
The guy seemed more uncertain now, looking a bit nervous. "Umm….did you throw popcorn at me and my girlfriend?"
"Do I look like the type of guy to do that?" The scorn on Maan's voice was matched by the raised eyebrows that promised a hard time for the guy.
"Sorry Bhai" The guy gulped nervously and quickly turned back to the movie.
This time Geet let out a giggle and was hard kept to burst out laughing when Maan winked at her again. However even more amusing was when the girlfriend started to tell the guy off for being a wimp and walked out of the theatre with the boy following quickly.
Pretty soon the movie was over and Geet finally managed to laugh out while standing outside the theatre with Maan.
"The poor guy!" she choked out amidst her fit of laughter. "Did you see the way he was running after her?"
"The guy was weak, so I hardly blame the girl" Maan retorted with a chuckle. "He deserved it!"
Geet nodded while still laughing, "He did! I hate couples who are so into public display, just get a room! Rehan and I would always joke about people like that!" She was still laughing when suddenly the laughter morphed into a silent sob with the realisation of what she had said.
Thoughts and memories of Rehan hit her so hard at that moment it was almost like a physical pain. She closed her eyes and tried to hold on to herself.
Maan felt his chest tighten in pain and anger as he saw Geet's reaction. She had been so happy when she had let out that sob. And the worst part was knowing that he was the cause.
It was impossible for him to not go forward and take her in his arms. He caged her in his embrace, trying to take her grief within himself to save her from this pain.
Geet didn't even realise when he had hugged her but she could only clutch onto him as support. With a small whimper she whispered, "Why did he do this to me? Why did he leave me?"
Maan didn't know how to answer her question, instead patted her head soothingly and whispered back, "It'll be okay, you'll be okay. I am here for you. Always with you"
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Precap:...NONE!😆 (having an evil moment😈)
AUTHOR's NOTE:
Thank you all!
Loved all the comments!😃
I really appreciate the different opinions this story generates..
..keeps the thread interesting...so keep it up but please remember that a lot of things are still under wraps. So before you all blame Maan or Geet, think about what is truly happening..
But finally...I know that I update slowly...but I can't really update any quicker, especially since I have placements again and have to study.
Still will try to update weekly😃
PLEASE DO COMMENT and press the LIKE button!!
Nothing motivates me as much as reading your comments!😃
-SanjanA
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
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