FF: M&G - Protect The Boss 1 - Page 61

"Geet?"

His voice jolted her out of her daydream. She realised he hadn't said anything yet, & he was looking at her confused.

"Geet?"

She opened her mouth to say something, but her throat was suddenly dry; she began coughing.

Maan rushed towards her, as Geet doubled over, having a coughing fit. He patted her back nervously, but this made Geet lurch forward & cough more. She waved him off, straightening herself up.

"I'll see if I have water in the car," he said. Geet shook her head as she waved him goodbye, walking inside her building, still coughing slightly.

Maan made a mental note to text her later & ask her if she was okay before he got into his car & drove off.

__________________________________________

Once she knew she was safe from Maan's line of vision, Geet stopped her fake coughing, her throat now aching from unneccessary pressure.

It was better to fake a coughing fit than have to explain to Maan why she dazed off into her dream...

Shaking the thoughts off with a small shake of her head, sending her curls bouncing, she climbed the stairs to her apartment.

__________________________________________

Dev woke up with a headache the next morning which felt like the size of Africa. Slapping his hands across his bed, he was grateful that he hadn't committed a Maan-esque mistake of one night stands & attempted to sit up, but groaned due to the pounding in his head.

It was only when he managed to locate his glasses from his bedside table & put them on, did he see Pammi stood at the door, her lips pressed into a stern line.

"Mother..." he mumbled, running a hand through his ruffled hair. "I can explain."

"Oh, you better explain this real good."

"I-"

"I pride myself from your reputation Dev. Your squeaky clean image. And what did you do? You threw it back in my face."

Dev sighed as he attempted to get out of bed, but Pammi placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"What if the media had seen you in a state like this & taken pictures? They would be plastered all across the newspapers. My status in society would be diminished, your chances of taking over at KC would have been almost ruined. Maan gets away with this kind of behaviour because he's guaranteed the position. You have to work harder to prove you're one better than him."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Talking of my beloved nephew, the guardsmen told me he was the one who dropped you off home. Imagine the celebrations him & his father must have partaken in when they saw that Dev Khurana, the golden boy, had taken their help."

Before he could speak, Pammi turned to leave, before informing him that he was to get himself ready for office within the next half an hour.

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The rest of the day had been spent fairly normally between Maan & Geet. Both of them decided to take a 'pretend the kiss never happened stance' - when Maan had inquired Geet on her cough, as she had predicted, she simply said Pinky's home remedy of gargling salt water with a dash of lemon had cleared her throat up.

Truth be told, her throat was even more sore, but there was no need for Maan to know that.

To everyone's surprise in the office, Manish had called for a meeting of some sorts; only calling in Maan, Dev & Pammi. As he was on his way to his father's office, Maan met Dev who was coming from the opposite end of the corridor. Dev looked uncomfortable as he adjusted his tie as Maan observed him, secretly feeling smug at his plight.

"Rough night last night?" Maan asked, unable to hide his smirk.

"You could say that."

"Strong black coffee always helps. Take it from experience."

Maan knocked on his father's door & entered, not bothering to hold it open for Dev. They stood before Manish as they awaited Pammi's arrival.

"Does your mother always take so long?" he inquired.

As if on cue, Pammi sauntered in, looking as devilish yet glamourous as always. She stood beside her son, shooting Maan evil looks; who was immune to his aunt's dislike by now & simply ignored her.

"I'm guessing you are all aware of my mother's birthday next week. We will all be busy with next week with international clients paying a visit to us, so I have decided to hold the party tomorrow."

Maan groaned internally, realising his cherished weekend lie in would be taken away.

Dev realised he would miss an episode of his favourite Saturday morning cooking show, thereby leading him to gritting his teeth.

Pammi sifted through her schedule in her head & realised Divya Vinod's cocktail party would have to take a raincheck.

"However, we seem to be in a peril. The usual party organisers & caterers that we employ for big events are preoccupied in a wedding contract. Of course, on normal terms, I would offer them twice the amount of money & pry them away... unfortunately, the wedding contract is with the Grewals, with whom I am on very good terms with, as you all know. Therefore, I am letting Maan & Dev leave office earlier today so they can organise the party."

Maan & Dev shared an uncomfortable glance.

"Me?" Maan asked.

"Working with him?" Dev reaffirmed.

"Is there a problem," Manish asked, glancing at Pammi & smiling slyly as he knew she very well had a problem.

"Uh-"

"Good, then it's settled."

"But what about the servants around the house? I mean, can't they-"

"Maan, don't be so foolish. They're employed for housekeeping, not party organising. Besides, I thought you both would like to add a little touch of your own, as your gift to Savitri Devi, who is your Dadima and Nani respectively."

The office was left stunned in silence as they tried to process the information.

"Very well. Don't let me down," Manish ordered, & gestured for them to leave. This time, Maan did leave the door open for Dev subconsciously, as they were both in a state of shock.

As soon as they were out of the door, Pammi slammed her fists down on the table, her bangles jingling with the noise as she leaned forward.

"What the hell are you playing at? You don't want them to work together as much as me. We're both aware that neither Maan nor Dev like each other."

Manish stood up, attempting to intimidate her as he replicated her posture. "For once, put the family politics aside & think about Savitri Devi. If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't even be here. I have no other agenda than to make my mother happy, & I won't let your petty thoughts get in the way of that."

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As Maan & Dev took opposite routes back to their offices, they both sifted their brains for ideas to ensure this party would be a success.

Maybe we should organise a huge dinner meal for everyone, make a good fuss for Nani's birthday. But Uncle said the caterers are tied with another contract. And Maan can't cook, that much I know for sure. But then again, neither can I...

Dadima doesn't want too much fuss. What would Dev know? I'm the one who lives with her. It's her birthday, the theme should be elegant and regal, just like her personality is. Quiet and simple is the way she would want it.

__________________________________________

Sat at her computer, trying to avoid online shopping, Geet wondered why Manish had called for a family meeting. She had thought of many options - his retirement, relocation of headquarters. She had even gone as far as being hopeful & thinking he would throw a staff party for everyone, with free food and all the ranges of delicious, sumptous cakes in the world...

Eventually she had given up & decided to quickly paint her chipped nails. Pulling her spare nail varnish out of her bag, she began the process when her computer beeped with a message from one of the senior accountants. The message clearly showed that it had been sent to the whole staff:

Just found out that MK Snr called MK Jnr, Drag Queen & Four Eyes to his office to ask MK Jnr & Four Eyes to arrange his mother's party.

Geet gaped at the message - then smiled in delight as her own mind began churning out ideas. So as soon as Maan stepped in the office, Geet jumped out of her seat & bounced in front of him.

"Is it true?! You're organising your Dadima's party?!"

"Yes, it's true, but where-"

"This is so exciting! I'll help you!"

For a moment, Maan wanted to reject Geet's offer of assistance, for no other reason than the fact that he wanted to do this himself.

But brushing his ego aside, he realised neither him nor Dev had much experience in this sector, & this project seemed right up Geet's street.

So that was what led to his confirmation nod, & before he knew it, Geet had her arms wrapped around his neck as she squealed happily & hugged the life out of him.

He was just about to engulf his muscular arms around her when Geet realised what she was doing & moved away, patting her hair down.

"I apologise, I got over excited."

"It's fine, don't worry about it," he replied, mentally telling his erratic heartbeat to calm itself down.

Maan stepped aside to gather his stuff, & Geet pouted. "Where are you going?"

"Dad's given us early leave so we can get this sorted. The party's tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" An idea clicked into Geet's mind, then she sank into her seat, smiling slightly. Tapping away furiously at the keyboard, she looked up briefly at Maan. "Meet me in the part at 7pm. Bring Dev."

"Why do you-"

"Just do as I say, please. And don't do anything until then."

"Don't do anything? Geet, the party is tomorrow. Saturday. The day after today."

"I'm aware of that. Trust me, for once, and keep yourselves occupied until 7pm."

"What am I supposed to do with Dev until then?"

Geet shrugged. "He's your cousin, you can come up with something fun to do."

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At 5pm, Maan & Dev found themselves in a local bar, Maan sipping an ice cold beer as Dev stuck to orange juice.

"What do you think Geet's planning?" Dev asked.

"No idea."

And that was all that transpired between the Khurana brothers until the clock finally struck seven.

Chapter 20 - Batman and Robin - Page 105