ALMOST LOVERS
Chapter Nineteen
Leaning on You
Solace in our closeness,
For moments you make me forget,
But then reality breaks through,
Recreating the chasm of anger.
Such beauty in love,
Like the sun hidden behind clouds,
We hold it inside,
But unable to let it shine
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While in love one never considers the end of the relationship and if you have loved someone your whole life then that seems impossible. But when it does end then it changes the balance of your whole life.
Geet wondered if it would take a month, a year or her life to get over Rehan. Sometimes she felt such anger that she wanted to scream out in to the air but her logical side told her that it was meaningless. Another part of her wanted to go up to him and slap him but again her logical mind told her that would give him too much importance, he wasn't worth that.
Yet at the core she missed him. It wasn't just a matter of missing him as her boyfriend but as her best friend. He was the one that she would call to talk about her problems and happiness but today she felt like she had no one.
For the first time in her life she had to consider the emptiness of future without someone by her side. It was like waking up to realise that your whole life had been a lie. It wasn't about breaking up with Rehan but rather understanding that betrayal can come from anyone.
Still she promised herself that she would not get upset about someone who was blinded by his own short comings. It was too late for forgiveness as they had gone past the point of return. It was bad enough that she had broken down in front of Maan, she didn't want a repeat.
Geet was so embarrassed by her crying session that she made a conscious effort to avoid Maan after that. It was relatively easy since their project was no longer keeping them connected.
Still she would remember the way he had held her and couldn't help but smile in fond remembrance. There was so much more to him than what people knew or thought, he truly was a gentleman. But more importantly there was a sort of awareness towards him. Something had shifted within her the moment she had cried in his arms. She could still feel his arms around her and it was an alien sensation. It made her question why she had gone with him to watch the movie, almost on a date.
Don't be silly Geet, it wasn't a date! She chided herself but the pesky logical voice inside her intruded, If not a date what else do you call it when a single male and female go out to watch a movie?
It was with these thoughts that she was preoccupied when the object of her thoughts intruded.
"Geet, Maan is here" Her father called her through the intercom. Geet let out a small groan of embarrassment and frustration but knew that it was futile to not go and meet him.
So girding herself, she went to the day room downstairs and greeted Maan calmly.
"Hi Maan!" She smiled at him, noting the knowing smile on his face. It was almost as if he knew that she had been avoiding him. "How are you?"
"I am fine. It's been a while since we've met. How have you been?" The thinly veiled comment had hidden concern that touched Geet.
"Good" Geet hoped she sounded convincing.
"Maan here was just talking about a great idea" Mohinder started to talk. Even though Mohinder was still apprehensive of Maan, he had been impressed with the calm manner that Maan had used in dealing with the scandal. He had never lost his temper and had tried to help the situation. "I'll let him explain."
"Well, the whole team at Khurana was very impressed with your work" Maan talked directly to her, wanting to make sure she understood that he truly meant what he was saying. "So we were wondering whether you would like a position in our office as a trainee. It'll give you experience that'll be beneficial when you properly join Handa Constructions"
Geet's instinctive response was to refuse. She didn't want to spend more time with him, it was all too confusing. But almost as if he sensed the hesitation, Maan continued on. "Remember that this will be a great chance for you to understand how things work at the top level. You will get to be part of the decision making and observe how to manage multiple projects." He looked towards Mohinder for his opinion.
"Maan is right Geet." Mohinder calmly tried to make his daughter understand. "You need to get used to handling big projects and take more responsibility. At Handa Constructions you will be treated reverentially just because you are the boss's daughter, while at Khurana's you'll have to earn the respect. This will be the perfect stepping stone."
And how was she to refuse her father. So with a resigned smile she turned back to Maan and said calmly, "I would be delighted and grateful to join Khurana Enterprise"
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Present:
Maan stood in front of his table with eyes closed. He was Maan Singh Khurana, one of the richest men in the world and had more power than most men could imagine.
But he was also a man devastatingly in love with his wife.
Love, he thought bitterly. It is such an innocuous word to explain the torrent of emotions that can barely be contained. Illogical and impractical, it defies all concepts of self-preservation yet is the cornerstone of nature. I've done so much in the name of love, yet that love has become a noose around my neck. It acts as both a balm and pain.
She had been his only desire the moment he had seen her, defying all reasoning. He had subconsciously changed himself to become what she would desire.
And the irony is that I nearly succeeded. He clenched his hands in pain but his pain was his penance. Yet it seemed that there was more punishment in store for him.
He didn't know what to do. He could either find out what she was up to or let her wreak havoc. The practical business man in him demanded that he get to the bottom of her agenda but the love within him knew that it was a hopeless case.
What will I do if she is planning against me? He thought cynically, I cannot leave her nor can I make her suffer. No matter how this plays out, I'll be the one losing. Her pain will be mine, so I cannot bare to go against her.
With a sigh he opened his eyes and looked towards his right. A reluctant smile grew on his face as he saw her office. There was only a blind separating the two offices. It had allowed him to keep an eye on her, indulging his guilty pleasure. He smiled at the memories, a beautiful fragment of the past that he would forever keep with him.
He also remembered the first time he had shown her the place.
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Geet had of course been to Khurana Headquarters during the project but this was different. She had come as a liaison between the two companies, while today she was here to be part of the team.
Never before had she appreciated Maan as she did today.
The reverence that everyone held him touched her. There was such trust in all his employees as well as a touch of fear. She saw that he knew almost everyone, from the peon to his VP. Everything was under his control.
And it created desire within her. Unknowingly she wanted such control and ability. She wanted to be as capable and have people trust her. There was something so magnetic about him, as if his mere presence demanded attention.
"This is your office" He guided her into the room. It was a stunning office, the sort that CEOs would get. It was a corner one, with two walls made of glass and a third that was a large window looking into the next office.
The decor was gorgeous, with a hint of feminine touch. The grey and the blue colour scheme along with the black furniture created a modern yet neutral tone.
The room not only had state of the art computer and projector it also had a coffee machine, Plasma TV and an ensuite bathroom.
"You can't be serious" She raised an eyebrow at him.
"What do you mean?" Maan kept a blank and innocent face despite knowing what she was trying to say.
"So all junior members of the team get such lovely office with the most advanced tech and not to mention the best view" She shook her head.
"Do you have problem with getting the best?" He taunted her, knowing that he needed to rile her up to get her to agree.
But Geet was made of sterner stuff and wasn't easily persuaded. "No, I don't need the best. I want what I deserve and what is right. There is nothing worse than grasping something what you don't deserve"
Grasping something you don't deserve, the words stung something in Maan's heart. He knew that he was using devious means but he couldn't stop at this junction. She was something he couldn't let go, an obsession that was growing with every moment. Yet it didn't lessen the anxiety.
It was these thoughts that caused him to blurt out what he said next. "Am I not allowed do something for you? Don't I have that right?"
Maan's words froze Geet, unable to understand what he meant. For a second they stared at each other, trying to comprehend the other's feelings.
Maan gave a small cough before amending the situation, "I am your friend, right? So as a friend I am giving you this office"
Geet felt the tension leave her body at his words, he meant it as a friend only! But there was also a sensation that she wasn't willing to identify yet. So she focused on what he was saying instead. "But I can't-"
"You can and you will!" He spoke over her and walked up to her. With a crooked grin that had Geet smiling back, he lightened the situation. "I don't want the Handa princess to be all alone. My office is the one next to yours, so I can always keep an eye on you"
Geet rolled her eyes at his comment but she felt her heart splutter at his words. Keep an eye on me? Why does that make me feel apprehensive?
"This princess doesn't need anyone to keep an eye on her" She retorted back. "Plus I head that the boss here is a devil. He terrorises all his workers, makes them cry and is known for his ruthelessness."
"That is true, he always gets what he wants" And what I want is you. "But I am sure he would never harm or make you cry"
Geet laughed, "I am sure he won't because I also know that he is a gentleman. Thanks for the tour of the office, time for me to get to work"
Maan smiled at her and started to walk away but was stopped as she spoke to him again, this time in a softer voice. "Maan thanks."
"For what?" He turned back around to face her.
"For being so nice to me, for making me move on and for……for being a great friend" She gave a tender smile as she said the words, unknowingly causing Maan's own heart to lighten.
"Anything, anytime for you" He let out the honest words.
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Precap:..Maan Singh Khurana continues to woo his woman.
AUTHOR's NOTE:
Thank you all!
As always I appreciate and love all the comments. Please do not hesitate to give your honest opinion!😃
So as you can see Geet is confused about Maan. Before there was Rehan to act as a buffer, to stop her from feeling anything for Maan but now Rehan isn't there and Geet is in a vulnerable state.
Maan doesn't want to hurt her but cannot stop himself from gaining her. He is obsessed with her to the point that he will let himself down for her.
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-SanjanA
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