CHAPTER 20. EK KISS KE AFTER EFFECTS!
It was early morning and Maan had just finished jogging. He had just entered the house when a frantic looking Khushi ran towards him with newspaper in her hand which she was waving at him. Maan stopped at the threshold of his house and looked at Khushi in alarm.
Khushi stopped in front of him and drew heavy breaths as she stared at him with worry and horror. Maan felt dread enter his heart but he refused to show it. "Veerji!... Paper... Geet...", Khushi continued to huff and puff in front of him while grasping her side which was paining due to running so fast. Maan rolled his eyes and grabbed the paper from her hand and opened it. It was because Maan was made of sterner stuff that he did not stumble at what he saw in the paper. But that did not mean he was not shocked. Horror and shock filled his face as he looked at the paper with wide eyes.
There on front page was a picture of Maan and Geet kissing which, Maan was sure, was taken from last night party where Maan had kissed Geet as a revenge for teasing him. The picture was printed in all its multicolor glory and seemed to be taken from far away. It clearly showed Maan and Geet's face and their searing kiss. Right above the picture printed in bold letters was, "CONTRUCTION KING AND HIS SECRETARY ENGAGE IN LURID AFFAIR" The paper continued to write about their relationship as if they were doing something wrong. It implied that Geet was some greedy girl smooching off Maan and Maan was a slimy person who took advantage of Geet. All in all, the words were enough to bring a big damage to Maan's image and Khurana Constructions.
Maan threw the paper away in anger as Khushi looked at him in worry, "Ab kya karoge Veerji? Yeh khabar toh aapke image ko bahut bada nuksaan pahuncha sakti hai! Aur KC ko nuksaan pahunchega woh alag! Humein bahut darr lag raha hai Veerji!" Maan noticed the worry on his sister's face and turned his expression to neutral, "Stop worrying Gudiya! Tum bhool rahi ho ki tumhaara bhai koi aam aadmi nahi hai! Main Maan Singh Khurana hoon! Itni aasaani se koi mere image ko damage nahi kar sakta! I think it is about time we disclose mine and Geet's relationship!"
In few minutes, Maan's phone rang and he picked it up after seeing who was calling.
"Haan Geet! Bolo!", Maan spoke and then waited for few minutes listening to Geet's words.
Then he nodded and spoke, "Maine dekha Geet!"
Geet seemed to say something as Khushi noticed Maan looking very pensive.
After listening for few more minutes, Maan spoke again, "Tum theek keh rahi ho Geet! It is about time we disclose it to everyone! Waise bhi Khushi aur Rajji ko bhi bataane ka time aagaya hai! Humne yeh ek mahina bahut enjoy kiya hai lekin it is about time we involve our family aur aage ki planning start karein! You don't worry! Main aaj hi PR Department ko bolke ek press conference organize karta hoon and there we will disclose everything! Tum bas Rajji ko char baje se pehle Office aane ko kehdena!"
Maan listened to Geet's reply and then after saying his byes he disconnected the phone.
Khushi was intrigued by Maan's one sided conversation and looked at him curiously, "Yeh kis cheez ke baare mein aap baat kar rahe the Veerji? Ek mahine pehle kya hua tha? Woh bhi aisa kuch jo humein aur Rajji ko pata hona chaahiye aur pata nahi hai?" Khushi pouted with her hands on her hips and then her expression changed to horror and she looked at Maan with wide eyes, "Hey Devi Maiyya! Kahin aap dono ne chupke se shaadi toh nahi karli?" She started mumbling to herself, "Nahi nahi! Hum yeh bardaasht nahi karenge! Bilkul nahi karenge! Aapne humaare sapne ko tod diya! Kitna armaan tha humaara aapke shaadi mein naachne..." Khushi was cut off by Maan's loud laughter. She looked at Maan in confusion as Maan let out loud laughs. Seeing her expression he patted her head while laughing all the more.
Khushi looked at Maan in worry as Maan trudged to his room already making calls to the PR Department of KC all the while chuckling in between. Kahin Maan Veerji paagal toh nahi hogaye? Soon Maan was dressed to Office and was having breakfast with Khushi. All the time Khushi kept on glancing at him worriedly while Maan concentrated on how he would word his statement which he would present to the press. When it was time to go to Office, Maan asked Khushi to come to his Office around 4 in the evening as he wanted her to be there and also to bring Arnav with her.
As Maan walked away, Khushi stood there in shock. Arnavji? From the morning, Khushi had tried to forget Arnav and his antics at the party and had almost forgotten it once the kiss scandal came out but now as Maan mentioned Arnav all the moments from the party flashed in her mind making her heart squeeze. She staggered back as she remembered their fight and then their almost kiss. Lost in the kiss, she wandered to her room thankful that she had already called in sick at her work as she did not want to face Arnav when all her emotions were visible on her face. She decided to give herself a day to compose herself to face Arnav again. She did not know that due to hangover and grief, Arnav had called in sick too. Of course, Khushi did not call Arnav to tell him about the press conference as that meant coming face to face with him which she did not want to do. So Arnav remained ignorant and will remain like that till the evening when Anjali would come running into his room wanting him to have a look at the news on the TV.
When Geet arrived at KC, she was assaulted by whispers all around her but she did not react. She did not do anything wrong, then why would she be embarrassed. She loved Maan and Maan loved her and the kiss was nothing but the proof of their love. She raised her head high and walked into the Office with nothing but pride on her face. The pride was due to the fact that she was in relationship with Maan Singh Khurana; not the MSK who was billionaire and Construction King but Maan who being a stranger saved her from the goons. She was proud to be in love with such a noble and honest man and she refused to let some snooping idiot or newspaper gossip to ruin her relationship. She loved Maan and she was proud of it.
Sasha glared at Geet as she passed by.
"Dekho kaisi ladki hai? Sharam bhi nahi hai! Aagayi mooh uthaake yahaan!", Sasha whispered to Tasha who as usual agreed to her.
Maan was already in his cabin when Geet reached her cabin and they had a small conversation on phone convincing each other that the other person was okay. Once Maan explained to her the plan on dealing with press they said their good byes and kept their phone. Once done with the conversation, both went on with their routine acting as if nothing was wrong.
Soon it was nearing 4 in the evening and Khushi, Maan, Geet and Rajji had gathered in Maan's Office. Right five minutes before 4, all four trudged out of the office in unison showing everyone their united front. All had their head held high and their stance showed nothing but pride. Once they reached the hall in the ground floor where the press conference was arranged, Maan went to the podium followed by Geet while Khushi and Rajji stood with the staff of KC near the walls while the press reporters from various news agencies sat in the middle of the hall.
Maan stood at the podium and addressed the crowd, "Hello! Good evening everyone! I am sure all have seen the picture in today's newspaper and all are eager to know my response. Let me release my statement and then you people can ask your questions."
The press looked eagerly at Maan with all their cameras and recorders pointed towards him.
Maan grabbed Geet's hand and pulled her close. Whispers erupted amongst the room and Maan spoke, "This is Geet, Geet Handa. Future Mrs. Khurana aur meri fianc!" Right at that time, Geet raised her left hand and showed her hand to the crowd. There on her ring finger was 24 carat diamond ring. Geet smiled at everyone proudly while Rajji, Khushi and Pinky's jaw dropped open. All three looked at each other in shock wanting to know if the other knew about this news. But the shock on their faces spoke volumes. The reporters started taking notes furiously, some even going to the extent of describing the ring and Geet's beautiful hand.
Sasha looked at Maan with betrayal in her eyes. MK ne aisa kyun kiya? Suddenly, Adi sang from nearby in whisper, "Dil ke Armaan Aasuon Mein Beh Gaye! Hum Wafaa Kar Ke Bhi Tanha Reh Gaye!" Sasha looked at Adi with glare and Adi ducked his head but a smile was fixed permanently on his face.
Maan continued speaking, "Jee haan! Aap sabne theek suna! Maine Geet ko ek mahine pehle propose kiya tha and she has accepted me! We are engaged and soon we will start planning our wedding." Maan looked at Geet lovingly and Geet shyly smiled back.
Maan continued to speak, "Toh aap sab jise ek behuda affair keh rahe hain woh aur kuch nahi par ek hone waale husband wife ka romance tha! I am sure aap sabne bhi shaadi se pehle yeh sab kiya hoga!" Some males from the press chuckled while many females blushed softly.
Suddenly, a reporter spoke up, "But sir, agar aisi baat hai toh aapne pehle kyun nahi announce kiya? Matlab agar yeh photo akhbaar chapi na hoti toh shaayad yeh baat hum sabke saamne aayi hi nahi hoti?" Many reporters nodded around him all wondering the same thing.
Maan spoke up, "You are right! Aur agar hum dono ka bas chalta toh hum dono aur ek mahina kisi ko bhi nahi bataate!" The press seemed horrified. Now that she noticed it, even their family and staff seemed horrified, Geet mused.
Geet spoke softly, "Humaara maksad aap sabko iss baat se bekhabar rakhna nahi tha. Humaara maksad sirf itna tha ki hum dono kuch pal ek doosre ke saath bita sakein. Kyunki ek baar humaari engagement ki baat humaare behno tak pahunch jaati toh dono shaadi ke plannings mein lag jaati aur hum dono ko ek doosre ke liye waqt hi nahi milta!"
Rajji looked miffed at their comment and Maan and Geet could read it from her face. They will have to butter her up soon, both mused. Khushi looked at the couple indignantly. What the!
Maan spoke up, "Ek newly engaged couple kya chaahta hai? Yahi na ki woh dono ek doosre ke saath thoda couple time bitaa sakein. Toh bas! Humne bhi yahi chaaha! Lekin aap logon ne iss kiss ke zariye saara plan bigaad diya! Aur meri aur Geet izzat ki parwa bhi nahi ki!"
Soon most of the reporters looked ashamed even though only one newspaper had published the picture. Maan was a businessman and in these many years he had learnt how to manipulate press and this was the plan he had explained to Geet in the phone. Instead of being the guilty party, Maan had turned the tables and rose up as the victim winning browny points amongst the press with his usage of right words. Done with the press conference Maan grabbed Geet's hand and both walked out of the hall followed by Khushi and Rajji as rest of them looked at the power couple with shock and surprise.
Rajji and Khushi waited till they reached Maan's cabin before they started bombarding the couple about how Maan proposed Geet. Geet smiled at them, "Arre! Bataati hoon! Bataati hoon! Sab bataati hoon! Zara saans toh le lo!" Both the girls quieted down and Geet opened her mouth to tell the story.
OK! That's it for today folks! Baaki ki kahaani in next update!
Thanks, take care and have fun,
Kalpana
Edited by Kalpana_Writer - 11 years ago
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