Hi all. I am Manashi. I had previously started with a MG ff which I never completed much to the annoyance of my friends. But this time I decided to chose the safest option of writing an OS of three parts.😆
This one is specially for two of my closest friends here Ashu and Soni who I have cajoled, begged and threatened for updating their ffs and they have obliged (well...most of the times). So, something for them and everyone who has the patience to read this.😳
Disclaimer: I am no writer. I cannot write a story to save my life, Still I have attempted, so no joote, ande and tamatars allowed.
This story is quite straight forward, if any of you find it similar to any story you have read anywhere else, that would be unintentional and only because I have not read that one. So kindly tell me, I will do the needful.😃
Now please torture yourself.😉
Edited: As many of you asked, the painting is one of Raja Ravi Varma's oil painting on canvas. I Googled of course.😃
~The Painting~
~Part : 1~
"I want the painting Adi."
"She won't sell it, Sir."
"I said I want it, not asked if she would sell it."
This time Aditya Sinha looked straight and tried to understand what exactly was his Boss suggesting.
"Sir, you possibly cannot be saying that we burglarize her house to get it."
"Well'it's one of the possibilities, but better get it in a way which is on the right side of the law. Throw a party to celebrate the success of any of our recent projects and send her a special invite."
"But Sir, she hardly socializes."
"Then give her a reason to."
Adi looked with a confused expression.
"Adi'Adi'",he drawled, "opportunities never come knocking; one must know how to create them."
"But Sir'."
"Last time you mentioned about her being associated with some kind of charity, isn't it?"
"Yes Sir, she works for homeless kids and there are three orphanages that she is actively associated with."
"Well Adi, we will give her a fourth one."
"Sir'."
"Throw a theme party Aditya Sinha, to announce the opening of a children's home."
"Yes Sir"
With a brief nod, just when he was about to step out of the room, Adi heard him speak,
"Given what I have decided, I hope she is reasonably good looking."
Adi sighed and thought, if only he knew.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She hated it. All of it. Parties, gatherings, dressing up and of course drunk perverts fawning all over her. But this time she could not refuse. Her secretary and best friend came up with her "it's all for a good cause" weapon to drag her to this theme party of some filthy rich, young and supposedly handsome hotelier who has decided to spend a part of his money to build an orphanage and needed her assistance.
But still she hated it. Couldn't he just meet her at her office and decide the project. But why would he? Showing off was a part of the rich and famous and guess he was no exception. She sighed.
Just when she was about to frown for the n-th time for no apparent reason, she heard the voice of the person who she wanted to kill at the moment for putting her in this mess.
"Geeettt, are you enjoying?", Meera chimed.
"Oh yes Meera, I am having the best day of my life and who would not know better than you how much I love parties and wearing backless gowns", she said and charged towards her.
Sensing her impending doom, Meera made a run for her life towards the bar to bring a drink to cool her down. Geet stomped her foot and was about to turn when a decent looking bespectacled man came towards her with a welcoming smile.
"Hello Ms. Handa, how do you like the arrangements?"
Geet gave an uneasy smile and replied,
"It's nice."
He smiled back and spoke,
"Ummm' I realize you are not much into parties, so I guess we should talk business."
Geet crunched her eyebrows and said,
"I am sorry but I cannot recall ever meeting you, so what business are you talking about?"
"Oh, Sorry, my mistake, I should have introduced myself first. I am Aditya Sinha, and it was I, on behalf of my boss, who sent you the invite for this party."
"Oh, Hello Mr. Sinha and yes you guessed it right. I do feel out of place in these social gatherings and would really want to meet your boss and have our discussion."
"Sure, this way please."
She smiled and followed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He was sipping on his wine and already looked bored. And then he thought about that painting and decided it was all worth it. Just when he was about to make himself a new drink, he heard Adi's voice,
"Sir, Ms. Handa is here."
He turned and froze.
Every word that means 'beautiful' would fall short to describe her face. For a fleeting moment, he even pondered what was more that he wanted, the painting or drink in her beauty. But he had no choice with it and he was no ordinary man, so he composed himself as fast and greeted her in the way of his that had the entire female species swooning.
He put down his glass at the counter, extended his hand to engulf her small palm in it and said,
"Maan'.Maan Singh Khurana."
Geet felt her heart would burst any moment. She could not even remember her name to reply to his greetings. She gulped and finally managed to pronounce,
"Hello Mr. Khurana, I am Geet Handa."
To which he nodded and gave her his best smile and thought that now it would be far more interesting to go on with his plan.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He led her to his private chambers and offered a seat.
"Please be comfortable Ms.Handa."
"Yes'thank you."
"Would you like to have anything to drink?"
"No...Thank you, I would rather start with the discussion in hand."
"You do talk to the point Ms.Handa, but as you please. Ms. Handa, to be very honest, I have never been involved directly with the charity that my organization does, so far. But this time I had to be because I recently discovered something from my grandmother. I needed you to fulfill my mother's last wish."
Geet looked up. This man radiated power, authority and wealth .He did not look the kind to share his personal thoughts with anyone, let alone a stranger, but he did, with her. And this made her feel an immense compassion towards this man. She felt, how alone he must be that he needs a stranger to fulfill his deceased mother's last wish. And just that moment she decided she would do everything in her capability to help him. She cleared her throat and replied,
"I am sorry for your loss Mr.Khurana, and I will try to be of as much help. Please tell me what I can do for you."
His gaze dropped to her mouth hearing her last statement, but composed himself before she could notice.
"As you have heard, I plan to open a place for homeless children Ms. Handa and that you have enough experience in this field apart from your work, I would request you to help me"
"Well Mr. Khurana, it's true I have been associated with a couple of organizations, but my knowledge is limited. Why don't you visit one of these homes and see how it works, if you say I could arrange for a visit."
"That would be wonderful Ms.Handa, so can we visit tomorrow?"
"Sure, so tell me how many of you will be coming, I guess we should inform them so that they can be prepared."
He never stepped out without his entourage of staff and security, but somehow he wanted this visit to be different, something he has never done before, something more normal, rather more personal, and hence replied,
"Just us."
Geet felt a jolt in her body, the only thought in her mind'..he said US.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Geet Handa was many things, but more than anything she was an artist. Painting was her undoing. And hence her favorite time of the day was post midnight. When the world slept, she created. But today she wanted the night to end and that too faster than usual. She never knew waiting for the next day can be this powerful. And all because of a man. It's not that she has never seen good looking men, in fact she has seen many, even dated a couple of them till she discovered the real men behind their pretty faces, but this time she knew it was different. She knew because she could not paint. Every time she picked up her brush, she wanted to draw him. Every stroke reminded her of his eyes.
"Why is this happening to me Babaji", she sighed.
Finally, she gave up, washed her hands, changed and climbed on her bed to get some sleep, waiting for the morning, oblivious to the fact that it would change her life, for better or for worse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Precap: I Love You.
How was it?😕
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