Chapter 40
"Geet beti, what's wrong? Are you ill?" questioned Savitri, getting up from her seat to check Geet's forehead for a temperature.
"No, Dadima, I'm fine, I promise."
"Then what is all this about not going to the party? It's your party, you arranged it. You have to go."
"Dadima, I just don't think I can handle setting up the party and staying out late, then having to give a big presentation tomorrow. Anyway, I'm sure Maan won't have any problem handling the clients without me. I've got to go now, Dadima. There is a lot of work to do at the office, as well as finishing the party arrangements."
Savitri tried to insist that Geet have some breakfast, but was unsuccessful. Sitting back down at the table, she gave serious thought to the situation as she slowly ate her breakfast. Savitri knew her grandson well, and knew that he would be stubborn about his relationship with Geet. Now it also seemed like Geet intended to be stubborn also, by not attending the party. Well, she had no intention of seeing her efforts go to waste.
"Geet may put up some resistance, but I will have my way with her as easily as I do with Maan," Savitri promised herself.
Geet knew that Savitri was not happy that she would not attend the party. She was the kind of lady who wanted her children to enjoy themselves, and through circumstances, Geet had become one of her children. But was Savitri didn't know was that circumstances would eventually change. Though she couldn't bring herself to tell the sweet lady the truth, she didn't feel like pretending either.
Maan was out of the office that morning, which suited Geet just fine. She didn't really think that she was ready to face him after what had happened the previous night, and she also had a lot of work to get done. The most important thing on her office agenda was to check that the modelers had finished the model for her presentation. Once that was done, she was ready to head off to the hotel, after making sure that Pinky knew how to contact her in case of emergency.
When she arrived at the hotel, the staff were already there, waiting for her to start them off. Geet directed them to start with the wall hangings and lights, watching as ladders were moved and decorations placed appropriately. Geet smiled as she saw a large tapestry draped on the balcony, displaying a massive K, something that Dadima had suggested. Slowly the edges of the room were coming together, allowing the staff to begin setting up tables.
As the time came closer, Geet became more frantic. She ran around making sure that the flowers had arrived, that all the lights were working properly, and that the DJ was getting his things set up properly. In the midst of all the chaos, one of the hotel employees came to tell her that she had a phone call at the main desk.
"Hello?" came Geet's hesitant response, not sure who was calling her.
"Geet, the hotel's catering department just called the office with a strange story. I think you need to go talk with them and find out what's going on."
"Adi sir? What are you talking about?"
"Geet, I just got off the phone with the caterers, who said that got an email from you about changing the food. You need to talk to them about what's going on, because I'm pretty sure that you didn't send any email. Did you?"
"Of course not, Adi sir. How could I when I've been here since one? But, why did you call me? Why didn't you tell the caterers to just come talk with me?" There was a pause on the other side, before Adi's trademark laugh could be heard.
"I didn't think of that, Geet. I just wanted to make sure that you would check what was going on. We don't want there to be any problem, other wise Maan Sir will be very angry."
Geet sighed at the mention of Maan before assuring Adi that she would check on the food. Shaking her head at the craziness, she made her way to the restaurant that was handling the food. There she discovered that they had received an email asking that the food be changed to some typical Indian dishes. Having only worked with Geet in person, the manager thought it odd and wanted to confirm. Geet denied that any change should be made, requesting that they stick to the agreed upon menu.
With time running short, Geet hurried back and began to take an active rather than supervisory role in the decorating. Several tables still needed to be draped and the orchids arranged ascetically. She wanted more chairs available for guests who wished to sit and rest. Looking around, she noticed that one of the silver trees had not had the last of its ornaments placed. Quickly tying her dupatta, she went to work. Things were going great until one of the waiters called to her, startling her to the point where she began to slip from the ladder on which she stood.
Geet tried to catch herself, but her hands slipped past the edge of the ladder, sending her tumbling back. Sure that she would land in a heap on the floor, Geet closed her eyes in fear. Not knowing exactly how it happened, instead of crashing hard, a pair of strong arms encircled her, holding her safely in the air. After a few moment, Geet opened her eyes and looked up to see a very familiar face staring back at her.
She had no idea how Maan came to be there, but she was glad. She was glad that he had saved her, until she remembered what he had said to her the previous night. Feeling immediately uncomfortable, Geet looked away from his penetrating gaze. Glancing around, she saw the hotel employees continuing to work, not paying them any attention. Wondering why he continued to hold her, Geet look back at Maan, trying to signal that he should let her go.
"Maan, I'm fine," she whispered finally. "You can put me down."
Finally her words seemed to break him out of his trance, and what a break it was. No sooner had he set her down, than he began to berate her for not being ready. Geet couldn't understand what he was talking about, causing the couple to argue about the timing of the party. Maan eventually revealed that the party time had been changed, also alleging that the recently arrived Sasha had informed her of that fact. Geet could see the smirk that was on Sasha's face, but was in no mood to let it go.
"When did you inform me, Ma'am," she asked point blank. "You were out of the office this morning with Maan sir, and I have been here all afternoon."
Sasha looked nonplused at this bold declaration, but she soon recovered. "I called the hotel desk and left a message. I know the staff are very efficient, so I had no problem leaving a message with them for you?"
Titling her head at Sasah, Geet agreed, "Yes, the hotel staff are very efficient. You should tell me what time you called, Ma'am, because I was given no message, and I'm sure the manager would like to know which of his staff is no doing their job properly."
"Just stop this useless talk!" yelled Maan, his frustration evident. "That fact is that the clients will be hear any minute, and nothing is ready."
"No, Sir, you are mistaken," replied Geet calmly, to the shock of both Maan and Sasha. "I wanted to make sure that everything was ready on time, so I instructed the staff to finish up everything at least an hour before the party was to start, just to make sure that nothing was forgotten. It will only take a few minutes to speak with the hotel staff and everything will be ready."
"Really. Does that mean that you too will be ready within a few minutes?" asked Maan sarcastically.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...you can't actually expect that what you are wearing right now is acceptable party attire. I will not allow anyone to be seen dressed like you are in my party" he replied.
"Oh, but I'm not attending any party," declared Geet, to the shock of Maan and Sasha both.
"What do you mean you're not attending. All the staff have to attend," said Sasha, looking at Geet like she was crazy.
"Sorry, but that's not right, Ma'am. Sir specifically said that senior staff have to attend, but that the party is optional for junior staff. As Sir's secretary, I belong to the junior staff. I will just take a few minutes to advise the staff what needs to be finished, then I will leave." Turning to look Maan squarely in the eye, Geet asked without emotion, "After all, there's no reason for me to stay, right Sir?"
Precap
"I may have retired, but I am still a Khurana and I still own ten percent shares in the company. My intention is to attend this party in support of my grandson and my bahu."
I know that you all have been waiting for updates, and I really thought I would be able to get some up early this week, but I promise that you will have all six updates to read by the end of Sunday (my time), okay?
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
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