The party was about to start soon. Its better if I go there and wait for that girl to show up. As I walked close to the hall, I heard dhol and sure enough there were three guys dressed in traditional punjabi clothes while playing dhol as each guests entered. Is Mr. Meheta getting married? What is going on?
I slowly walked toward the venue not beilieving what I am seeing. Two girls were standing inside the hall putting garlands around guys necks. What the heck is going on here? I didn't know Mr. Mehta can be so unprofessional.
I walked inside and saw all the guests with smile and shock. Some were even dancing in the middle of the stage holding a drink. I took a step back when my nose picked up a weird smell. I looked ahead at the cause of this. Waiters were bringing out Indian food, more specifically Punjabi food. That's it. This was the limit. I can't be here any longer when everything that I hated and detested was in this party.
I turned to leave when Mr. Meheta himself stood in front of me looking at the party venue as if he was seeing this for the first time.
"Mr. Meheta, what is this? Is this a party for your celebration of new account or you are planning on getting married?"
"Mr. Khruana, believe me. I have no idea about this. This is not the theme I had picked out with my designers. I will get to the bottom of this right now. Until than please enjoy some drinks at the bar"
I sighed and watched as Mr. Meheta corner a girl that had dared to stop him from entering the hall earlier. He pulled the lady out of the hall for talk. Good. I hope she gets in trouble and maybe fired. How can people be so unprofessional? The designing company should be out of business.
Ms. Khanna do you care to tell me what the hell is going on? This was not what we discussed yesterday.
"I know sir but ma'am thought this would be more appropriate since the new account you received was of a new hotel building."
"I don't care what your ma'am thought. I care about the agreement I had signed and paid you guys for. I have never been this humiliated before. This whole wedding theme? How is that a good celebration of getting a new account?"
"woh sir. Please give it a chance. You know that ma'am always did something beyond what anyone can think of. I am sure soon people will start to warm up to this new theme."
"Just get one thing straight. I will not pay you guys for this decor. Have your ma'am talk to me after this party is over."
"Sure, sir"
Pari sighs in relief when Mr. Meheta goes inside the party hall. Now, it was time to find Geet to let her know of what is happening. Not, everything was going according to their plan. She knew if there is anything that mattered to Geet was the company's reputation. This is all my fault, I wasn't so caught up with shopping than we could've avoided this whole mess.
"Pari, how is the party going?" (She hugged Meera and Manisha tightly and relieved of seeing them)
"Geet told me everything. How's the situation inside?"
"Mr. Meheta is really mad. I don't know what he will do with Geet after the party."
"Don't worry. Geet will fix everything"
"yeah, after all no one can be able to be mean to her" (Manisha pats Pari's face.)
"Thanks guys. Lets go inside and help with whatever we can. I just at the end of the party Mr. Meheta realizes what a fun theme this is"
"yes, I sure hope so Pari. Anyway lets proceed. Geet will meet us inside after she gets ready."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"ohh look at that guy. Isn't he so handsome?" (Manisha sighed as he looked at a waiter handing out drinks. Pari, Pinky and Meera roles their eyes after knowing who he was looking at. The waiter. Meera and Pinky high five each other as they both won the bet against him. Pari pouts and hands both of them money.)
"boo I hate you guys." (Complained Manisha. All girls give him a tight hug to make him happy)
"Manisha-we promise by the end of this night we will try to hook you up with someone. For now, lets see if everything is ready." (Meera said. All four of them left with a smile)
Maan sat at the bar looking at the circus going around him. He hated being here but still there was something that was keeping him here. Something that he had a weird feeling of. He watched people dance like monkeys in the middle of the dance floors, some wore turbans giving by the hosts, some wore garlands and some were just looking plain stupid. God, he needed some kind of excuse to get out of here. Maan picks up his phone calling someone.
"Get here right now, Adi. I can't stay here by myself. Bye"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Geet quickly got ready in the sari given by Meera. Only thing in her head that kept going on and on like a broken record was the party. The tension. Mr. Meheta's reaction, the guests, the food everything was eating her alive. She was scared to even face her client. This has happened for the first time to her. For the first time her reputation and her company was on stake.
She quickly came out of the room without realizing what she has actually wore. Geet stood outside of the party hall, good thing the door was closed so no one can see her current state. Her hands shook in fear as she tried to grip the door handle.
"Its now or never Geet. You have to face your fears and get it over with. Can't live in fear like before."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P2 and M2 (Pari, Pinky, Meera and Manisha) stood side by side looking at the whole party. Mr. Meheta was starting to enjoy himself when someone had given him complement to this new theme party. He even came up to Pari and congratulated her.
"What a hypocrite he is" (Manisha said while still looking out for potentinal perspective for a boyfriend)
"I know. He was just yelling at me couple of minutes ago now he is congratulating us" (Pari says while shaking her head)
"I know buddha kahi ka" (Pinky says in anger)
"guys lets forget about this for now lets concentrate on finding some guys for all of us."
"Pinky-I think I found a perfect guy for you. Look at that dude wearing glasses who is talking to the guy at the bar." (Pari says.)
"Him? I don't know. He does look decent"
"Who cares if he is decent or not. Its just for one night. Go and talk to him"
"What about me guys?" (Manisha pouts)
"You can take the guy he is talking to. I can't see his face but am sure he is handsome. I mean look at his posture and his physique it oozes handsome-ness." (Pari says)
"Okay lets go Pinky and talk to those guys"
"sigh. I don't see anyone else who could be suitable"
Meera says looking at the floor again. The lights go off suddenly making everyone scream. A bight light was focused at the center of the stage annocing all couples to come to the dance floor. Pari and Meera both sigh as they look at all the couples from young to old dancing together much in love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Adi, good thing you are here. I want you to stay at this party while I leave. I can't handle this whole excuse of a party. Its driving me crazy."
"But sir-what if Mr. Meheta"
"Just tell him that I left for something important. I am sure he will understand."
"Okay sir."
Maan was about to turn around when the lights of the hall went off. He heard everyone screaming and than an announcement was made for all the couples to come to the dance floor.
"Great! This is exactally what I needed. Anyway, am..." (Maan was about to say something when he heard a male call him handsome.)
"Hey there Mr. hot and handsome! Wanna dance?"
What the fish! Is this guy really serious in asking me for a dance? Me? He can't even stand properly let alone dance with me. Wait a minute what am I saying? I don't want to dance with him at all. Another clown at this party.
"Come on sweetheart..lets dance"
I looked at his fingers as they touched me slowly on my shoulders. I grabbed the wrist twsiting it behind that clown in anger. He couldn't even scream properly. Meanwhile, Adi and Pinky look at one another feeling shy. Adi giggled in his annoying laugh while Pinky bit her finger nails.
"Listen to me very carefully. If I see you anywhere near me again than" (I twisted his wrist again) I won't be this nice. Understand?"
"Yes! am sorry"
I let go of that clown as soon as I did he ran away taking his friend with him.
"I am out of here"
Adi sighs in relief when he saw his boss walk toward the door. He looks around for the girl that was just here. He spots her near some group of friends consoaling the crying man who was fliriting with Maan sir. He looked at them and hoped the girl would look his way. His heart jumped in beat when she finally did. He didn't know when he raised his hand and waved to her.
he he he
He laughs nervously when she waves back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Geet takes a deep breath and opens the door. A familar scent hits her nosterals. She looks straight ahead and came face to face with the last person she had hoped to see, yet again. Maan.
What is he doing here at this party? Ohh no is he one of the clients from his company? Great. What game are you playing with me Babaji? I am trying to move on with my life and each time I try to be strong about that you go ahead and bring him back to my life again. Why? Am I meant to be haunted by my past forever?
This girl seems so familiar. Those eyes again. Wait a minute, those are the same eyes that have been haunting me since yesterday. Can she be the same person? I looked at her from top to bottom. She was beautiful with the right amount of weight. Her curves, her hips everything was so perfect. The sari that she wrapped only insinuated her beauty. Her face, those lips as they quiver in nervousness and most importantly more than anything those eyes that spoke volume unknowingly. I couldn't move out of the way-as if I could stare at her all day long and not get bored.
Babaji what should I do? I can't even speak right now. My tongue is tied. His smell and his very presence is making me dizzy again just like the old days. No. Its wrong to even think like this. I can't be in that same position again. I can't let him affect me anymore. Having no other option I steped to his right and walked past him. I could still feel his gaze on me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"He was so mean you guys. He held my hand tightly and twisted it." (Manisha cried on Meera's shoulder as all of the group memebrs tried to calm him down) "He has such great strength and those muscles were so big"
"Manisha are you complaing or admiring him?" (Meera asked)
"Both..." (he sniffles...Pari nudges Meera to take a look at Pinky who was waving at someone.)
"go and talk to your new boyfriend. Looks like he likes you" (Pari said)
"huh what..no way. He does not"
"Than why are you waving at him for?"
"Just to be nice. That's all. You know i can't ignore anyone"
"whatever" (Pari roles her eyes. She sees Geet walking toward them and quickly goes and hugs her)
She smiles back as much as she could while joining the group.
"this party is a hit. Your idea worked Geet." (Meera said)
"I am glad but still we have to talk to Mr. Meheta and not take any money from him. I know no matter what this was not what he paid for. I don't want to feel guilty later on."
"you are right Geet. Our company reputation is what matters."
"Where is Mr. Meheta by the way?"
"I don't know that buddha must be dancing or eating somewhere" (PInky said)
"Anyway, guys lets enjoy before that budda bothers us." (Pari says)
"Hmm you guys enjoy am going to sit down."
"Me and Manisha will join you. The poor guy needs a drink"
Geet, Meera and Manisha grab a table. All this time, Geet tried her very best not to look anywhere. She kept her head down and only looked at Meera or Manisha whenever they conversed with her. She knew he was here somewhere. She could feel his presence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maan watched the girl walk past him toward the group of people that he detested the most. The girl, who had dared to stop him before, hugged her tightly. How is she related to the group? Obviously, she was no stranger to them with the way she talked to them. The man that he told to back off a minute ago knew her as well.
I watched as I sat at the bar yet again looking at her. The way she walked, the way she spoke and her eyes were all amazing. He never felt like this for anyone not even Sameera. This girl seemed familiar. He felt like he knew her from somewhere but couldn't put his finger on it. I wanted to go up and say something to her but something stopped me. I couldn't get enough courage. What is it about this girl?
I was about to get up to say hi when I saw some guy hug her. Jealousy and anger ran through my veins. Damn it. I don't even know her and already am feeling jealous. She was smiling at the guy as he sat next to her holding her hand. He seemed friendly and very touchy. I didn't like that. I wanted to go and break that hand right this minute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat at this table trying to look alive. Trying to hide my pain and inner turbulence of what I am going through. I knew if Meera finds out that Maan is here than she won't spare a minute and ask me to leave. I can't leave. No matter what, this party is mine. I have to deal with this mess not my workers.
I was soon brought out of my thoughts when I felt someone hugging me. From the looks of it only one person can do this-Raj. I smilled as he sat next to me, well to the best of my capabilities I tried to smile. He held my hand as he talked about his day, his patiences, I just noded once in a while not paying attention to what he was saying.
"Come let's dance Geet"
"Raj-no. You know I don't dance."
"Please for me...lets go"
He pulls me up and places his hand on my waist as he led me to the dance floor. I didn't feel comfortable with this dance maybe because I knew he is here somewhere in this darkness looking at me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I gripped the wine glass in my hand tightly as I watched her dance with someone else. The guy had his hand on her waist bringing her closer and closer while she looked everywhere but him. What was she doing with him anymore? Who is he? He broke the glass when he saw the last thing he wanted to see..he kissed her on her cheek while she smiled.
Unable to look at this anymore, I walked out of the hall to get some clean air. Why am I so bothered about this? I don't even know her than why am I getting jealous?
After taking few minutes he goes inside to face her again. When he went, the dance was over and most of the guests were begining to leave. He looked around for her and her group but no one was really available but he did manage to find the guy that was with her sitting at the bar.
"One beer for me"
Maan said while taking out a hanky to cover his bloody hand.
"Damn that is one bloddy hand. What happened?"
Maan smirks as the guy started speaking to her as he had hoped.
"Nothing..just broke the glass in my hand. Its nothing that can't heal"
"hmm you are right mate. Time heals everything even wounds"
"Well said. Cheers" (Both raise their respective drinks. Maan sits right next to the person with a smile) "So you are a client of Mr. Meheta?"
"No. No. I don't think I am suitable for this business world. I am actually here for my finance. She is the one that designed this whole party theme."
"ohh where is she?"
"I don't know talking to Mr. Meheta maybe or instructing staff on the cleanup."
"Interesting. What is her name, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Her name is..."
"Armaaan good thing I found you here."
Maan turns around annoyed to see who dared to stop their conversation. His anger rose when he found the same guy who was hitting on him couple of hours ago. The minute he looked at Maan, he covered his mouth in fear and ran away swaying his hips and arms from left to right. Armaan laughed out loud seeing this.
"He acts like he has seen a ghost"
"Or maybe a monster"
"Anyway, I must go now. Let's see if I can find my fiance" (he winks at Maan before leaving)
Maan quietly sips his drink looking at the direction he went. After finishing his beer he too gets up heading toward the same direction.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mr. Meheta I, on my behalf of my whole team, would like to apologize to you about today's party. I know we were not able to provide you with the quality that you had hoped from us. I am not making any excuse either nor going to give you any excuse as to what really happened."
"Yes, sir. We really tried our best to handle this situation" (Meera stepped in supporting her while Pari and Pinky stood behind them like a unified team)
"Well, you guys are right about one thing. I don't need any excuses. Its true what I had paid you guys for you guys did not deliver. This was certainly not what I had expected from "bright start" company especially with the great things I heard from all of your clients."
"We know sir all we can do is apologize for this mishap"
"I am not done yet Ms. Handa. Please let me finish. With the reputation that this company has created I had expected some great results and well I got even something I had not expected. Needless to say, this party was a huge success."
Everyone looks at him shocked
"I know in the begining I came out a little harsh on you guys but I guess this was what everyone had wanted instead of a boring cocktail party that everyone does. So here is the check of full payment for you guys."
"Am sorry sir but we will not accept this payment. No matter how the party turned out to be the truth is we did not deliver on what we had promised. Am glad you and your guests enjoyed the party. Again, on behalf of my whole staff, I apologize. Thanks again for the invite. We must take your leave now."
Everyone said bye one after enother before heading toward the door. Maan who had been listening to the whole converstaion was impressed by her confidence and her honesty. Usually people would accept the check and not apologize but here she was the opposite. Maan wouldn't have done what she did. At the end of the day, payment for his hardwork what matters to him but to her the company what matters to her.
hmm interesting
After they left Maan goes toward Mr. Meheta under the pretense of saying goodbye.
"Alright I must take your leave now. Its getting quiet late."
Maan extends his hand toward him.
"Thanks again for coming."
"I must say this party was not what I had expected."
"I know what you mean but more than the party the owner responsible for this party is weird. She refused to take any payments for me even after I gave them compliment. We need more people like her who cares more about their company than the money"
"hmm yes we do. What is the name of this company she works for? I might need to decorate for a party I have in mind."
"Bright Start. I am sure you won't be disapointed."
"I doubt I will be. Anyway, Mr. Meheta good night"
Maan goes home thinking about the girl "bright start" hmm what a perfect name. He smiles.
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