MG FF THE DIVINE FLOWER : thread 2: PART 39 : page 141 17th may - Page 30

Geet felt like she had stepped into the ICCU where the doctors would announce she had only seconds left or declare her dead. Technically, she wont be able to hear that if she was dead. But here she don't have that sweet chance of escape. This was no ICCU but the spacious and luxurious conference hall of Pageant. There were two elaborate oval shaped rows around the central table. The polished mahagony tables were separated by an ascending step like a movie hall so that the people on the second row might not miss the show or the boss could catch them if they were accidentally sleeping. The chairs had plush leather cushions all arranged in a black and white order like a chess board. There was a mike and a bottle of expensive mineral water placed in front of each chair on the table. Geet always felt that it was such a waste of money as the mineral water bottles would be trashed after every conference which would be 10 per day with an attendance of hardly 10 people and the rest of the unused bottle would go to the bin even without the seal broken. That was according to the pageant logic that time taken to sort the unused bottles would be wasted and time is money!

But today the conference hall was packed. 80% of the employees were present there. Almost all the seats were taken and people were even standing. The empty seats ofcourse were that of Maan Ramona and Adi who did not arrive yet. Geet took the seat next to Sasha. The protocol of Pageant suggested that the editor-in-chief was supposed to be seated on the central seat and the first and second assisstants took the seats at her immediate right respectively. The room was filled with low murmurs and a few accidentals squeaks now and then. It was evident that something was going on of which Geet wasn't aware of. She looked around but only found Sasha who was glowering at her, definitely not a good choice to collect news. Pinky was nowhere in her sight. Geet felt this earlier that Pinky was "in" with Adi and Maan on something which she was trying to hide from her. Apparently she didn't want to be the one to break the bad news to her thought Geet. And then suddenly and abruptly all the whispering and murmuring stopped as the men and women in power entered the conference room. Leading in front was Ramona followed by Maan, Adi and a much timid Pinky who immediately separated from them to the farthest corner of the room. Geet shifted in her seat uncomfortably as Maan's gaze fell on her for a split of a second and then he marched to his seat. Ramona offered Maan her own seat at the centre indicating clearly that Maan was the centre of attraction for the day. Geet stood up for Ramona and so was placed in between Maan and Ramona.

Before she could curse herself she heard a manly voice addressing the crowd,

Maan : Hello everyone, I wanted you all gathered here to make an important announcement. Its probably the first time that the press is waiting impatiently for an in-house tabloid news.(he chuckled in a rough voice and then his face became all business-like) Several things have been going on for the past two weeks. I know there had been a lot of speculations and rumors most of which are I would say true. But today when I give my statement all those speculations and rumors may turn into facts. (He then showed a device to everyone) Can anyone tell me what this is?

Someone from the crowd shouted, "that's a jammer!"

Maan nodded in approval and said, "yes it is! Does anyone of you know how lethal a jammer could be? I guess one of us definitely know that by now. Because one of us had got this fixed on Geet's house just so because they had to block her information of the party dress code. Geet came to the party wearing the show stopper dress which was originally decided to be worn by all the waitresses. Now that does not sound lethal. But the thing is the jammer blocked all her contacts to her home and her five year old kid fell from the stairs and broke her rib!! And not just that, this someone even went a step ahead and made an MMS of Geet to tarnish her image!! That's enough messing up in an office and I declare that person, Ms Sasha, fired from Pageant and unfit to work in any other firm with a blacklisted resume!

Sasha jumped up from her seat. Her face was flushed. She said in a faint trembling voice, "YOU can't fire me!"

Maan : Ofcourse I can!

Sasha : NO! NO! How can you say that I fixed that jammer? Or that MMS?

Maan : indeed because I have the proof. You ordered the jammer from your laptop under the fake username and uploaded the MMS. Both are from the same IP address. Have you noticed your laptop is missing since yesterday? Don't worry my men are working on it and they will return it you safe and sound.

Sasha was bewildered. She never thought somebody would go so deep into all these. Now she was totally exposed in front of all her colleagues. Even Tasha confessed after a small threat from Ramona. She was caught without a way to escape, totally trapped. She felt humiliated and infuriated. And so she bursted out, "Oh yes indeed I did it!! You know why because I wanted everyone to know how our beloved colleague Geet was violating the company policies. Why the hell are you concerned if she comes to a party wearing a wrong dress?? Why are you concerned if her daughter fell off the stairs?? She was making out with you in the party!! That's why she didn't care what happened at her home!! Because I don't think you even care that much for your own family! If it was then you wont be here defending this assistant when your own wife is claiming a divorce from you!!"

Ramona barked, "Stop right now Sasha or I'm going to call the cops!"

Sasha : I know you will do that even if I keep quiet but that doesn't change anything! This man wants to prove that I am a vamp well then what is he himself? Here is he supporting this b**** who is the mother of a child who does not have a father!!

The vague murmurs all around the room stopped abruptly as Maan thundered, "ENOUGH Sasha! I don't need to answer any of your stupid questions but don't you dare blame my kid or her mother!!"

The crowd was surprised but Geet sat there frozen. The same words which she wanted to hear all these years were now said in front of the whole world.

She forced herself to focus as Maan continued.

Maan : As for me, I am divorced long time ago. I fell in love with Geet when I was..(chuckles) probably when I was eighteen. That's when I saw her first. We confessed five years later and were happily and madly in love with each other. But then things went wrong. We fought and..I left her and got married. She walked away from my life and that's when I realized how incomplete my life is without her. I thought it was too late but fate had its part to play. Pari and I decided to split our marriage as it had no future. The next day I came to know that Geet works here. I came here, and found her. After all those years we were together again and I kissed MY fianc!! Yes I am going to marry the mother of my child!! It was a special moment of my life which was ruined by this woman (pointing to Sasha) and I m gona sue her big time. Ummm so that's it I am going to get married soon I hope!

The reports started recording and writing furiously. There were questions pouring out. "When will you get married Mr. Khurana?" "Will the wedding be at New York or India?" "I heard you booked the Plaza. Is that for the wedding?" "How is your daughter? What are her thoughts about the wedding?" "Is it true that Vera Wang would provide a personally customized design for the wedding outfit?" "Who has the satellite rights for the big wedding?"

Maan was barely listening to them. His eyes were focused on Geet who was equally surrounded by a set of reporters.

She was sitting there frozen and numb unable to comprehend anything. Maan made way and made her stand with his hands around her waist. He led her outside the room and they enetered the elevators.

Geet still stood there almost lifeless. Maan was getting nervous now.

Maan : Geet are you ok?

She came back to her senses and freed herself from his grip.

Geet : how dare you! How dare you Maan!! I need to get out.. mujhe abhi bahar jaana he.

Geet tried to reach for the button but Maan quickly pressed STOP and stopped the elevator mid-way blocking Geet.

Geet : mujhe bahar jaana he..jaane dijiye abhi...

Maan : Geet stop it! Whats wrong with you? The lift is half-way..u can't go out..until we talk!

Geet : Whats left there to talk? Mujhe laga atleast now you understand some of my pain..but no..you want to trap me and get married!! That's what you were trying to do there.. that's why you planned all this!!

Maan : What are you talking about? I planned nothing! You think I framed Sasha? God! Geet I'm not that low..

Geet : I am not talking about that.. I know you took so much effort to expose Sasha and prove me clean..Thats not what I am talking about..That clip never bothered me because I was never ashamed of accepting our relationship in public..

Maan : then why are you still mad at me Geet? Can't we start once again?

Geet : You still don't get it, do you? I wasn't angry because of the leaked MMS! I am upset not because of what you did with that Rossa either.. its just that how could YOU think so low of me.. It disgusts me.. Maan you could stab me with a knife and I will still defend you but you ripped off my self-respect. Its worse than rape!

Maan : Geet..

Geet : And this is not the way to start afresh! You are forcing me into a marriage that I don't want..

Maan : I didn't force you.. I would never do that..

Geet : then what was all that about?

Maan: I just wanted to shut that Sasha. When she blamed you like that and talked about Ami. I just said to prove her wrong. I know very well how difficult it is for you. But if you think about it you know that's the only possible way

Geet : Maan you still think I will say yes to this?

Maan : Do we have another choice? Listen Geet, I am more than happy to leave everything back in India and be around you and Ami but the only reason I want to go back is dadi. I owe her an explanation for all this. Pari is leaving and dadi thinks its all because of what happened here. But I have to let her know the truth. Given her health, I want to be with her. She is everything to me..

Geet : I know. You can go back..

Maan : that's it? I go back and end of the story? What about Ami? What will you do when she will ask for her dad?

Geet : oh, that's your alibi? Its me who appointed you as her father..well then now I fire you from that position! Did you hear me, You are fired Maan!

Maan held her shoulders tenderly.

Maan : calm down Geet. That's easier said than done. Ami now has a person in her mind as her dad. It will be impossible for you to fill that place and you know that. Just consider this marriage as an arrangement. Like you and I will take care of Ami living under the same roof like strangers. I would never claim any rights on you as a husband. We will just be Ami's parents and nothing more!

Geet : you know what, I am not taking it still!

Maan : Just think over..

Geet got through Maan and switched back the elevator to the ground floor again.

PAST :

Yogesh stopped in front of a white trendy building. On either side of the pathway there was a neatly grown lawn and a beautiful garden mostly consisting of orchids and expensive imported flowers which were pretty showy. As Geet stepped in, she could sense the floral smell at the place. That had to be a spa thought she. So Maan planned a spa-day for her may be. Two uniformed girls greeted her and took her in as she said her name. Several girls attended her at the same time. One girl started working on her face and plucked her brows. Two short girls started working efficiently on her hands, probably doing manicure and other two on her legs, pedicure. An elderly lady was doing wonders with her hair. An hour later when Geet looked at the mirror she felt different. She knew that she was a beautiful girl but she never took much care of her looks. But now suddenly she looked glowing and her skin and hair felt smooth and silky. The uniformed girls appeared again out of nowhere and took her to a different room. Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. It was like in one of the sets of princess diaries. The closet was elegantly stuffed with all kinds of dresses, formals, casuals, ethnic wears, traditional lehangas, saris and all the required accessories.

Geet couldn't help but ask in a meek voice, "I thought this was a beauty parlour."

One of the uniformed girl replied in a business-like pleasant voice, "oh yes mam! This is indeed a beauty parlour plus a makeover centre"

Geet : make-over?

Girl : only for VIP customers

Geet : And I'm a VIP customer?

Girl2 : ofcourse mam as you have a full-day appointment with all our services!

Geet : and how much is that for?

Girl1 : oh..only 75000 mam!

Geet was about to faint. What was Maan thinking? Was she an ugly rot who needed serious make over?

Geet : so what was the instruction given to you regarding my make-over?

Girl: oh nothing mam! we were told that we should not do anything without your consent. But we will have you choose from a particular set of clothing as you are going to some kind of party.

Geet : party? Umm..ok show me the clothes!

Geet expected them to lead her to the set of cocktail dresses but they brought a hanger full of colourful printed skirts and jumpers.

Geet : are you sure this was supposed to be a party-wardrobe?

Girl1: ofcourse mam

Geet sighed and leisurely picked up some skirts and cool blouses to go with it which was accessorized by the girls. She wore a knee-length sky blue skirt and beige floral printed blouse. The girls gave her a handcrafted jute bag and a scarf with goggles and set of dazzling earrings suggesting her to go plain neck.

jsut to get a feel of a bubbly Geet in casuals :

She liked the way she looked and so much wanted to hug Maan for this royal treatment. At the same time her phone rang and she pouted as she picked up the phone.

Maan : kaise laga?

Geet : ap na baat mat kariye mujse

Maan : ab mene kya kiya mishty?

Geet : rehne dijiye.. agar apko lagta he ki me itni badzurat hu to mujhse pyar hi kyu krte ho?

Maan : Geet ye tum kya keh rhi ho?

Geet : sach! Warna ap mera make-over kyu karaoge?

Maan : that's not a make-over jaan. Just a bit of pampering!

Geet : pampering? Mujhe laga make-over he. Isliye I got a bob-cut and a tattoo also.

Maan was alarmed, "you didn't! Geet did you really?

Geet : how about a surprise..

Maan : you know what, no matter whatever you do, I will love you always!!!

Geet : sach me?

Maan : try me!

Yogesh took Geet to the Khurana's private airport. Maan was on a call as Geet stared at him puzzled. As soon as he saw her, he stopped his conversation mid-way his eyes taking her form like capturing a photograph. His body had a mind of its own. It was reacting in ways stranger to Maan himself. He wanted to take her in his embrace right at that moment and steal her from the whole world. It took all of his self-control to greet her with just a smile and a causal hug. He gulped as his eyes fell on her shapely long legs. He so wanted to..ok forget it. Lets give the poor guy some privacy..😳

He hand automatically wrapped around her waist.

Maan : Ready for the trip?

Geet : not until you tell me where!

Maan : Goa!!

Geet : Goa! Haye babajiii.. dadima puchegi to me kya karungi...aur raat ko me..ap..hum..Maan nhi mujhe ghar jaana he abhi..raat bhar bina bataye ghar se baahr wo bhi Goa..chi chiii...

Maan : Geet, me hu na..ab chalo!

His eyes were so warm and trusting that she nodded and followed him meekly.

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PRECAP : meeting someone @ Goa 😉