Part-5
"Late Late Late!!!!!!I am late for office!!!!" Geet was hyperventilating as she raced up the stairs of KC in a hurry,completely ignoring the idea of taking a lift instead.Balancing herself cautiously so that she doesn't fall,she made a haphazard entry in the office.But no one cared a damn about her as all were busy in work wearing serious faces.Geet felt alienated.She walked by the reception scanning her eyes on everyone.
"What has happened to everyone today?" mumbled Geet,breathing heavily.
"Today???This is our normal office scene.Maan Sir is very very strict!" whispered Pinky,"And to top it all,you are late,Geet.There's lot of work.He will be very angry with you!"
"Tell me something new Pinky." said Geet out of breath as she rushed towards Maan's cabin.She was a little scared to see him after the previous night's episode.But she also couldn't spend her entire life standing outside his cabin.Thinking that,she knocked.
"M-May I come in-" she paused,took a deep breath & then added,"Sir?"
She got no answer from inside.She peeped in to see Maan was not in the cabin.She went inside & looked around.Everything was arranged in a neat & systematic manner.She could make out that Maan was an orderly & disciplined man.No wonder,he had problems with her as she was completely the opposite of him.She wondered what he would say regarding her very late report to office.She dismissed that thought & began eyeing the contents of his desk.Every inch of that furniture had various files,blueprints & everything indicating his extreme seriousness for work.
"Whoa!He seems so much passionate about work!But...it's so queer that his cabin doesn't hold even a small photo of Dia!Chaddo!He anyways told me not to interfere in his life."
Geet began to move backwards.On the other hand,Maan was just entering his cabin.He did not see Geet as he was busy reading a file.She kept walking backward with her back towards Maan & as it is they clashed...Maan's file fell on the floor.Geet was taken aback.She turned around to meet his startled gaze.Geet was so scared seeing him that she lost her balance & tripped in his arms.Her hands rested on his shoulders while his arms spread across her back.Their eyes locked in a startled manner.Geet grew nervous staring at him.Before he could say anything,she blurted.
"C-Can I-I drink water.I am very thirsty.."
They distanced themselves looking away from each other.She unsteadily reached out for the glass of water sensing his anger.There was err silence.She knew that he would shout so she purposely took a whole lot of time to drink water.Ultimately when his inpatient & irritated stares were at their peak,Geet decided to face him.
Picking up the file lying on the floor,she walked towards him & stretched out her hand to give it to him.Maan snatched it roughly from her making her frown.
"Half an hour late!!!!!No one has ever been that late before!!!!!"
She stood there quietly without looking at him.
"Now what are you standing here for???"he questioned,"The files are kept on the desk.Take it & I want a detailed report of all the cases mentioned therein!"
She walked across the desk.Taking the files,she prepared to go from there.
"And yes.we don't cater to patients who have a reverse walking disorder!!So walk properly!!!"said Maan with a slight tone of malice.
Geet looked at him disdainfully.Ignoring that,Maan sat on his chair.
She was just about to push open the cabin door when she heard Maan's voice from behind.
"Geet!Which medicine have you taken which has silenced you completely unlike yestarday where you were giving me your piece of 'advice' !"
Without turning around,Geet replied with an air of superiority.
"Maan Sir,I don't need any medicine as I know the difference between office & home.I admit my mistake of coming late but yestarday someone 'else' was at fault!"
Maan sharply eyed her as she went out...
~*~
"Ahhh!!!!Do you even know how much I detest him!!" Geet exclaimed in anguish on phone.
Dia laughed,"But I love him.And ofcourse you shouldn't be late,he's very punctual."
"Haan Haan.Kyun nahi,Kyun nahi" Geet sighed.
"Actually Geet.Yestarday Maan & I did not get to speak properly.I am missing him,I hope we both have lunch together today..."
"Why are you waiting for break-time?Come now & meet him.Simple."
"N-No.He doesn't likes to be disturbed during office hours & our relationship is quite priivate.."
"Oh Ho!How much you think?Come now!!" urged Geet.
"O-Okay then,I-"
Geet interrupted her as she saw Maan coming out of his cabin.
"Dia Dia Dia,I will speak to you later.Agar Maan Sir ne phone par baat karte huye dekh liya,then I'm dead!Byee!"
Geet quickly kept the receiver down & presented a very serious picture of working hard on her work.She heaved a sigh of relief when Maan did not at all look in her direction.
~*~
Dia arrived soon after.Geet had managed to complete half the work by then.Pinky was surprised to see her landlady there.She assumed that Dia had come to meet Geet as they had got along very well & indeed Geet came to receive Dia at the reception.
"Where is Maan?" asked Dia excitedly.
"I think he is in a meeting with the HOD's.But I guess the meeting will be over anytime." replied Geet casually.
They went towards the conference room when just at that time Maan was walking out.Seeing him,Dia at once hid behind a wall.Geet was surprised seeing that.
"Why are you hiding?" she asked her animatedly while standing in the open
Dia shook her head.
Maan noticed Geet talking animatedly as if someone was there behind the wall.When Geet saw him with a questioning look,she immediately rushed from there while Maan proceeded towards his cabin.
Geet caught up with Dia few minutes later.
"Why did you hide yaar?"
"He wouldn't like seeing me in office!"
"Oh God Dia!" Geet was irritated,"Just chuck off this thought from your mind.Maan Sir is in his cabin & you are going to talk to him there."
"But Geet--"
"Aree yaar!Kuch toh rehem karo!Picture this:You will talk to him,then he will be in a happy mood & we all employees here will be relieved from his stolid strictness atleast for a day." Geet's eyes sparkled.
Dia smiled shyly.
They stood outside Maan's cabin.They saw him having a video conference with the clients.Dia was mesmerized seeing him.She stared at him all the while & Geet noticed.
"Excuse me Madam.You have to go inside & also talk to him."
"Let it be Geet...I better wait for him till lunch.." said Dia unsurely.
"No!" said Geet firmly but her hand had accidently knocked the cabin door.Maan had finished video conference by then.He had seen Geet.
Geet knew that he had seen her.She reluctantly pushed the door & went inside.
Maan was seated on the sofa & the screen kept before him were now switched off.His eyes watched her as she stood before him at a distance.
"Are you done with the files?"
"Ah-h,60% done & 30%... i mean...40% remaining.."
"Geet!Why I have this feeling that you have been treating KC as a garden & roaming about here & there instead of doing the work assigned to you!"
"S-Sorry Sir.."
"The case studies are important & if you can't do it then tell me,I will tell someone else who's capable enough of doing it!!!!" he said ruefully.
Geet left without saying a word.
~*~
Office Canteen--
"Arggg!!!!!!!!!!!!Dia!You had asked me na can a man fall in love twice.I have the answer!!!!!Sorry if you find it harsh but I have to say it!!!Maan Singh Khurana can never ever fall in love because he is so damn mean!!!!!!"
"Calm down Geet,I am sorry...It's because of me you had to hear from him..But..Maan did love someone..."
Geet anger changed into surprise & curiosity.
"What do you mean?Like was there someone other girl in his life before you?"
Dia nodded,"Her name is Sameera.Maan loved her but after six months of being in a relationship he found that she had been cheating on him...That was a shock to him & he chose to become introvert & stolid...I met Maan's dadima one year ago in London & she found me extremely suitable for her grandson & nonetheless when I came to India with her & saw him,It was love at first sight for me & even he too accepted me...but somewhere I felt that he didn't love me...& my doubts came true when I accidently heard Dadima & Maan's conversation...that's when I came to know about Sameera..."she paused.
Geet sat erect quite intrigued by what she had heard.Dia continued.
"I couldn't help stop loving Maan so still I am trying to win his heart.."
Geet shrank back in her chair, thought for a while & then said
"Frankly,you should move on in life.But then even I feel that you are suitable for him.Actually I think he really loves you because there are people who don't express love to their partners.Also don't lose hope,things will surely be better after your engagement!"
"How do you know we are to be engaged?" asked Dia surprised.
"W-Woh I-I" Geet recollected Maan's words which he said two nights ago,"I just assmed.."
Dia seemed satisfied, "I'm waiting for our engagement.I just hope that no one comes between us.."
"Oh God Dia!I am pretty sure tum dono ke beech koi nahi aayega." Geet said with sheer confidence.
"I won't let anyone come between us."
For the first time,Geet felt firmness in what Dia had said.
They talked for a few more minutes then suddenly Dia got up from here seat.Geet was surprised.She turned around & saw Maan.She too got up with a start seeing him.
"Dia,you here?" asked Maan & then his eyes turned to Geet.
"S-Sir,woh 70% done & 30% remaining..."
Before Maan could critisize her,Geet made sure she left from there!
~*~
There was only one hour left for lunch break Geet pledged herself to finish the work till then.The AC of here cabin was at full speed as she gave her fullest concentration into completion of her file.Though her certificates were forged,she knew almost everything so as to not let anyone have suspicion on her.It was only when she came to the last part,that she didn't quits understand what was to be done.
"What is this?I better ask Sasha!" thought Geet.
But when she asked her,Sasha was doubtful,
"Geet,why don't you ask Maan Sir directly!" that's all she had to say.
Geet did not quite like the idea but she had no choice.She doubted whether Maan would be there in his cabin.She assumed him to be with Dia but she was surprised to find him reading a blueprint.
"Sir?"
"Come in." he said without looking at her though he knew it was Geet.
"Sir,I-I had a doubt regarding something,would you clarify?"
"Show it."
While she was about to show him,she noticed Dia talking quite in a friendly manner to a male employee near the reception.At the same time Maan noticed ink smeared on Geet's fingers.
"Sir,look Dia is talking to Rahul.Does she know him?I didn't know that!"said Geet,Rahul had a boy-next-door image in the office & Geet had got a feel of it on the first day itself.
But Maan hardly heard what Geet had said.Instead her fingers caught his attention.He held her wrist & brought it closer to him.Geet who was watching Dia didn't know that Maan was holding her hand.
"Geet,look here!"he said.She faced him & that's when she realized that her wrist was being held by him.
"Why are your palms fully smeared with ink?"
"Oh Forget this!I think you should--" she again looked towards the reception but Maan least cared.
"I hope you have written something substantial using the ink along with colouring your hand!" he said with acrebity & let go of her hand.
"Maan Sir,Dia--woh-Rahul"
Maan finally looked towards the reception.But his expression remained unchanged,much to Geet's dismay.
Maan again turned to Geet & asked her
"I thought you had some doubt regarding the files."
Geet showed it to him.He found her doubt quiet genuine which he least expected.He began explaining her what was needed.And the best part,she actually understood what was being said to her
"Wait a minure Sir" she stopped him,"But how come..." she paused straining her eyes on the lines written,then suddenly she exclaimed,"Okay,Okay,understood,understood.Give me 15 minutes,the work will be done!"
She did not wait for his reactions but just speeded out of the cabin.Maan saw her dashing Sasha on the way.
"Inefficient!" he remarked.
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
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