~*~ENTWINED DESTINES~*~ MG SS - Chapter 15 Page 76 - 23.04.17 - Page 29

CHAPTER 10

"Just what are you doing hovering over me?" An irritated Geet asked, her eyes still shut.

"Matlab I was right. You were not sleeping," Jiya said with a victorious smirk to which Geet opened her eyes.

"Says who?"

"Say me. I mean I'm saying it."

"Kuch bhi... now move out and let me sleep. As far as I remember we've got afternoon classes today," and Geet simply covered her face with the duvet as she got back to what she loves... sleeping.

"Ji nahi," Jiya uncovered her. "You're not gonna sleep and stop avoiding me,"she frowned at her.

"I'm not avoiding you!!!" She said defensively.

"Oh yes you are!!! Ab bata Maan ke saath kya chakkar hai, huh???" She furrowed her brows at her. (Oh yes you are!!! Now tell me what's cooking between you and Maan???)

"Maaan!!!! Maan Sir se Maan???"

"Kyun!!! Tum Maan bula sakti ho toh main kyun nahi... waise bhi unhone khood Maan bulaane ki ijaazat di. So you see you haven't got any copyright,"she stuck her tongue at her to which she simply rolled her eyes.

(Why? If you can call him by his name then why can't I? As it is he himself permitted me. So you haven't got any copyright.)

"And don't change the topic. Joh pucha hai uska jawaab de."

(And don't change the topic. Answer what you've been asked.)

"Kya?"

(What?)

"Kya kya? Abhi toh poocha hai. Kal raat itna late Maan ke saath rahi ho. And you didn't even care to inform us. And neend mein apne aap se muskurarahi thi. Chakkar kya hai huh?"

(What what? I've just asked you. You were out with Maan till late last night. And you didn't even care to inform us. And you were smiling while sleeping. What's cooking huh?)

Geet just exhaled sharply.

"Aisi koyi baat nahi hai Jiya," she said softly, her eyes down, unconsciously playing with her hair.

(There's noting as such Jiya)

"Geet. You know you can tell me," Jiya sat beside her on the bed and gently lifted her chin up so that she could face her.

Geet swore she could feel her eyes getting teary. She hated how she didn't have control on her emotions at this time of every month. Damn those hormones!!!

"Jiya. I... I..." she hesistated.

"Tu pyar karti hai na unse?" Jiya voiced out Geet's unsaid words. Geet immediately looked up at her.

(You love him, right?)

"Jiya... woh..."

"Matlab I was right," she playfully winked at her. "Toh masla kya hai?"

(Means I was right. Then what's the problem?)

"It's... it's complicated Jiya. Woh...woh aaj bhi Sam se pyar karte hai." She said sadly.

(It's complicated Jiya. He still loves Sam.)

"Lekin tum ne toh kaha tha ke donon ka,"

(But you said that they)

"Haan break up huwa hai. Bahut saal pehle. Haan woh khood batate nahi lekin I can feel it. Maan ke zindagi mein uski aehmiyat abhi bhi hai. I know that. Itna kuch huwa, Lekin he never blamed her. Iska kya Matlab hai? Yehi na!!! Aur phir... woh mujhe... he doesn't think of me in that way. Pata hain woh kya kehte the mere baare mein??? He... he used to say I'm cute... like his... like his sister!!! He takes me as a friend. A small one that is. Un ke liye toh main abhi bhi unki teenage waali Chaashni hoon. Bas!!!" She finished in a low voice as silent tears started trailing onto her cheeks.

(Yea they broke up. Many years back. He doesn't say anything but I can feel it. She still has an importance in Maan's life. I know that. So much happened, yet he never blamed her. So what does this mean? And then he doesn't see me in that way. Do you know what he used to say? That I'm cute... just like his sister. He takes me as a friend. A small one that is. For her I'm still the teenage Chaashni. That's it.)

"Geet... tu aise roh mat... ek baat kahoon? Kehte hain if you really love someone selflessly then the entire world's forces join together to make you get that person. Aur tum toh kitni achi ho. Sab ki care karne waali. Sab se pyaar karne waali. Tumhaara pyar agar Sacha hai, toh dekhlena, dheere dheere Maan ko bhi tumse pyaar ho jaega. Aur woh bhi behnon waali nahi, tumhare jaise waali," she winked at her teasingly to ease the atmosphere to which Geet smiled lightly. She knew how to make her feel good.

(Geet. Don't cry like this. Can I say something? It's said that if you love someone selflessly then the entire world's forces join together to help you in getting that person. And you're so nice, so caring, so loving. If you're love is sincere then slowly even Maan will fall for you. Not in the siblings way, but the way you feel for him.)

"I love you Jiya," she hugged her tightly.

"I know I know, I love me too," she replied as she patted Geet's back.

Breaking the hug, Geet looked at her disbelievingly.

"Tu bahot hi self-centered hai," she joked and the room was filled with giggles of both girls.

(You're so self centered!)

"Not fair, tum donon yahan hass rahe ho aur wahan main bechari akeli kitchen mein hamare liye breakfast banarahi hoon. Susst Insaanon!!!" Nikkie's voice came from behind.

(Not fair. Both of you are laughing here and there I'm toiling to make breakfast for us in the kitchen like a poor soul. Lazy persons!!!)

"Nikkie Baby, roz toh hum tumhare liye khana banate hai. Sirf breakfast hi nahi Lekin lunch aur dinner bhi. Aur tum lounge mein baith kar apne Sid Baby se coochie coochie and pata nahi kya kya cheesy baatein karti ho, tab toh hum complain nahi karte, kyun Geet?" Jiya replied fluttering her eyes at Nikkie.

(Nikki Baby. We daily cook for you. Not just. Real fast but lunch and dinner as well while you are engrossed in your lovey-Dovey and cheesy conversations with your Sid Baby. And guess what, we don't complain. Isn't it Geet?)

Nikkie frowned at her gulping hard.

"Theek hai theek hai. Main waise bhi mazaak kar rahi thi. Now come fast you both, otherwise the food will turn cold," she said and turned to move out. "Aaj kal mazaak bhi nahi samajhte log," she ranted as she walked out.

(Alright alright. I was just joking anyways. Now come fast both of you, otherwise the food will turn cold. Nowadays, you can even joke with people.)

Jiya started laughing.

"That was mean. Kyun chiraya usse? You know she's a bit sensitive."

(That was mean. Why did you tease her? You know she's a bit sensitive.)

"I was kidding yaar. Don't worry about her. Sid ke saath dinner pe bhejoongi na toh mood ek dum theek hojani hai uski. Now go freshen up. We'll wait for you!!!"

(I was kidding. Don't worry about her. I just need to fix up a dinner for her with Sid and she'll be all good. Now go freshen up. We'll wait for you.)

"Yes Momma!!!"

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And then it kind of became a routine. On the days Geet would be having class with Maan, they would usually go out on dinners or to help her with her thesis. And then at nights their whatsapp conversations. Her friends were used to that routine by now. They knew at least one day in a week, she would be out with Maan. Why??? They would often query. He's one of my besties, would be her reply although Jiya knew better.

And just like that, their finals approached, they had their exams, thesis was submitted and eventually they were done with their MBA, and now awaiting results.

That night, Geet was busy doing something on her laptop when she heard her phone buzzing.

Needless to say, she knew what was it and from whom as well.

Yes Maan, she replied to his whatsapp.

Maan: Kya kar rahi ho Chaashni!!!

Geet: Cricket khel rahi hoon

Maan: Whaaat??? Abhiii???

Geet: Exactly. It's nearly midnight. Obviously sone Ki tayarri.

Maan: Oh. Goodnight then Zzz

Geet: Not really sleeping. Actually I'm applying for internship. Done with studies so time to look for a job. Before that gonna do my internship.

This got Maan thinking.

Maan: Oh oh.

Geet: Hmmm.

Maan: Can you meet me tomorrow??? Marine Drive??? The usual time???

Geet: Aise achanak. Any problem?

Maan: No... kuch baat karna tha. Is it ok with you?

Geet: Hmmm. Ok. I'll be there. And please BE ON TIME.

Maan: Yes your highness!!!

Geet: -.- har baar yehi bolte hai aap. :@

Maan: Goodnight Geet, Maan tried escaping.

Geet: Ok goodnight!!!

***************

"Areh where are you going so early??? I hope you remember we planned to have dinner at Pearl Continental today???," Jiya reminded Geet who was gulping the orange juice.

Quickly wiping her mouth, she replied.

"Yes!!! I'll be there on time!!! I'm getting late now, see you!!!" She pecked her on her cheeks and ran her way out.

Zaroor Maan se milne jaa rahi hai, she mentally concluded and lightly shook her head. I wonder what's in store for them!!!

(She's definitely going to meet Maan!!!)

*********************

"Ahem Ahem, look who's late today," Maan said with a smirk to a panting Geet.

"Woh sorry. Actually kal raat I was looking for various possibilities for internship na toh der se soyi aur phir subah time pe nahi uth paayi," she replied apologetically.

(Sorry. Actually I was looking for various possibilities for internship last night. So I slept late and then couldn't wake up early.)

"It's ok!!! I was just kidding!!! Come let's go there," he pointed to an extreme suggesting they settle in that place beside the sea.

"Hmmm... chalein."

(Hmmm... let's go.)

************************

"So what did you have to tell me?" She looked at him.

"Woh tum internship ke baare mein bata rahi thi na???"

(You were telling about internship right?)

"Haan toh?"

(So???)

"KC join karogi???" He straight forwardly asked.

(Will you join KC???)

Geet nearly spilled her drink. Wiping her mouth, she immediately asked:

"KC as in Khurana Consultancy as in your company???"

"Yes!!! Koyi aur KC hai kya???" He asked her.

(Yes!!! Is there any other KC????)

"Maan. Mazaak mat kijiye," she said.

(Maan. Stop joking.)

"No I'm not. I'm genuinely asking you. We've got our Taxation, Auditing, Accounting and Consultancy Department. You can join any one of them. And I'll also be there to help you," he continued.

"Matlab??? I thought you love your lecturing job."

"Silly, the university requires my services for only 4-5 months. For students' thesis and all. Baaki mahinon mein main ghar par baitha rahoon kya? Tumhari tarah vella hone ka shauq nahi hai," he joked.

(Silly, the university requires my services for only 4-5 mo the. For students' thesis and all. What am I to do for the remaining months? I can't sit at home and stay unproductive like you.)

"How mean!!!"

"And this is why I returned too. Dadi wanted me to take over KC. So we mutually decided that I'll do both at the same time. And right now, we've got holidays and all so I'll be in KC full time for some months before starting University again," he explained.

"Oh oh!!!" She started understanding.

"So!!! Do you accept???"

She hesitated, "errr... ummm... woh,"

"Tumhe kab se mujhse baat karne mein jhijak hone lagi?" He asked her.

(Since when did you start hesitating when talking to me?)

"Nahi woh actually... ummm I'll be very happy to do my internship at KC lekin..."

"Lekin???"

"Actually we decided to do our internships at the same place. Kafi jagah pe try kar rahe hain. And nahi mile toh ICICI pe try karne ka socha hai. Dhruv's uncle is the CEO of the Delhi branch so he said he can talk to him into getting us all there," she explained.

(Actually we decided to do our I tee ship at the same place. We're even trying at various places. And if we don't get then we'll try at ICICK. Dev's uncle is the CEO of the Delhi branch so he said he can talk to him into getting us all there.)

"Yeh toh main bhi kar sakta hoon," Maan said at once.

(Well that's something even I can do)

"Matlab?"

(Meaning?)

"We have a policy at KC, to take up to 10 interns annually. We've got several departments. We operate on a large scale, so it's not problematic for us. And I'm the owner anyways. So if you agree, I can fix up something for the six of you."

"Six???"

"Actually Vicky will anyways be joining. Dadima won't let him go elsewhere, that's for sure," he chuckled.

"That's very thoughtful of you Maan."

"Actually iss mein hamara hi faayda hai," he replied with a wink.

(Actually it's advantageous to us only)

"Huh???"

"Well it will save us from the lengthy recruitment procedures!!! Toh bolo. Manzoor hai?"

(Well it will save us from the lengthy recruitment procedures. So. Do you agree?)

"Ummm mujhe koyi problem nahi hai but I'll still need to talk to the others,"she told him.

(I don't have any problem but I'll still need to talk to the others.)

"Hmmm. Ok but don't take much time because of you guys don't agree, we'll have to take others, and it's quite a lengthy procedure, so..."

"Yea. Don't wor..." just then she heard a beep from her phone. Taking it out she checked only to see a message from Jiya.

"We're leaving from home Geet. Make sure you reach on time. See you :*"

"Oh no!!!"

"What happened???"

"Humne aaj dinner ka plan banaya tha. And I'm running late. I need to get to PC in 30 mins. Abhi toh auto milna bhi mushkil hai," she said with a frown.

(We planned on having dinner together today. And I'm running late. I need to get to PC in 30 mins.and right now it'll be difficult to even get an auto.)

"Don't worry I'll drop you. Let's go," he proposed.

"Hmmm ok. Let's go."

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CONTINUED IN BELOW POST

"Maan aap bhi saath aayen na," she kept saying.

(Maan come with me.)

"Geet. It will be awkward. I don't know them that much."

"Jiya, Pari, Vicky aur Mujhe toh achi tarah se jaante hai na aap. Baaki sab se milwaadoongi. On second thoughts, you know them as well. Remember we were all in your class," she reminded him.

(You do know Jiya, Pari, Vicky and myself. I'll introduce you to the others.)

"Geet. That's not what I meant. You know that."

"Yea Yea. Ab chalein mere saath. Please na Maan," she nearly pleaded. "Issi bahane, KC waali proposal ke baare mein bataaoongi. Pleaseee," and she pouted.

(Yea Yea. Now come with me. Please Maan. In this way, I'll even tell them about the KC proposal.)

"Tum ladkiyon ke paas sirf ek yehi hatyaar hai," he finally gave in.

(You girls know how to use this tool of yours.)

"Kya Matlab???"

(What do you mean?)

"Kuch nahiii your highness. Ab chalein," he said as he locked his car.

(Nothing your highness. Now let's go!!!)

***************************

"Pata hai, Maan was hesitating to join us," Geet said as she relished her enchiladas. She wanted to have Mexican that day.

"Sir you don't have to. In fact we're happy to have you with us," Dhruv said.

"Thanks for The kind words but please drop the *Sir*. I'm no longer your professor now," he reminded them to which all smiled.

"Well. That's not possible. You're going to be our Boss now. So Sir kehna toh parega," Sid said.

"Oh please stop with the formality. We're outside office and besides you've not joined yet. And since you're all here, let's get clear on one thing. I don't mix my personal life with my professional life. So KC ke bahar, we stop playing Boss Boss. I hope I'm clear on this," he told them all.

All looked at him in awe with the exception of Geet and Vicky who knew him in and out.

"Yes Maan!!!" They all said in unison.

"Good. Dinner toh hogaya. Internship bhi milgayi tum sab ko. So kuch meetha hojaye??? Come I'll treat you guys with dessert," he suggested.

(Good. We're done with dinner. You've all got a place to do your internship. So let's have some sweets. What say? Come I'll treat you guys with dessert.)

"No we're full," Jiya said.

"Well I'm not. Dreamy jahan kahe main toh jaane ke liye tayar hoon," Pari said dreamily.

(Well I'm not. Im ready to go wherever Dreamy takes us.)

Nikki cleared her throat to get her out of her trance.

"Errr mera Matlab hai, Maan itna keh rahe hai, toh chalte hai na. Haina Geet?"

(Errr I mean, When Maan is insisting then let's go na. Right Geet?)

"Yea!!!"

Since the three boys came on their respective bikes, each taking one of the girls with them, Geet eventually had to go with Maan only. It was decided that they'll go to Milky lane for frozen yogurt and from there, Vicky left with Pari to drop her at her place and Sid and Dhruv took Nikki and Jiya to drop them as well while Maan took Geet with him.

*******************

"Isse acha toh hum bhi ek bike le lete," Maan joked as they sat in the car."Traffic jam Ki wajah se kitni der pahunche and now it's raining. Car mein umbrella bhi nahi hai. Tum Jiya ya Nikki ko phone kyun nahi karte. Woh tumhe lene aaenge neeche," he suggested.

(Would have been better if we also took a bike. Because of the traffic jam, we took so much time and now it's even raining. I don't even have an umbrella in my car. Do one thing. Call Nikki or Jiya and they'll come and fetch you.)

"Kitne boring ho aap Maan. Baarish ko toh enjoy karni chahiye. Waise bhi woh donon so chuke honge. I won't disturb them. Ok I'm going," she proceeded to he get down.

(You're so boring Maan. You're supposed to enjoy the rains. Anyways they're both fast asleep I assume. I won't disturb them. Ok I'm going.)

"Geet ruko. Tum bheeg jaogi. Aur phir zukhaam and all that."

(Stop Geet. You'll get drench and then suffer from a cold and all that)

"Oh cmon Maan. Itni bhi naazuq nahin hoon aur waise bhi ghar kaunsa 1 km door hai. It's just few steps away," she rolled her eyes at him and immediately got off before he could stop her.

(Oh cmon Maan. I'm not that fragile. It's not like the house is 1 km away. It's just few steps away.)

Once out, instead of rushing into the house, she stood still and stretched out her arms to enjoy the rain drops. She closed her eyes, feeling the rain drops on her face and started twirling.

She's such a kid, Maan thought from inside his car as he watched him.

And then she opened her eyes and turned towards Maan, gesturing him to come out as well to which he immediately shook his head and did a hand movement conveying she is crazy and that she should go inside but she chose to ignore that and rather started jumping in the mud pool. How she loved that and thenBooouuufff.

"Geeet!!!" Maan immediately came out as well.

While jumping, she slipped on the mud and fell.

"Ooouccchhh,"

Instead of helping her, Maan started laughing as he took on her face expressions.

"Aise hyena ki tarah kya has rahe hai. Meri help karo na," she screamed.

(Why are you laughing like a hyena. Help me!!!)

He gave her a hand and made her stood on her feet.

"Itni bachkaani harkatein karogi, toh obviously giro gi na," he said in between laughs to which she frowned and then THUD!!!!

(You do such kiddish things, you'll obviously fall.)

She immediately glued herself to him, hiding her face in his chest.

The heavy rains brought along thunders and lightings as well. Both of which, Geet was afraid of.

Astraphobia!!! Realising she was scared, Maan, who was taken aback by the sudden body contact, hugged her and patted her back.

"It's ok Geet. Kuch nahi hoga," and then all by himself, he tightened his hold on her as if to let her know she is safe with him.

(It's ok Geet. Nothing will happen.)

His hands on her back, tightly holding her, she suddenly realised she was completely drenched and her clothes clung to her body like a second skin layer. She, all at once, started feeling conscious and abruptly broke the hug, looking everywhere except at Maan, with a red hue slowly moving up her cheek.

"Ummm... errr... I'd better go," she said looking down.

He wondered what was wrong with her. It didn't take long to find out because as she turned to her inside her apartment, he realised their previous position. He suddenly started feeling awkward as it dawned onto her that his Chaashni is now a fully grown woman. A pretty one, that is. One whom anyone would be lucky to have. One who can drive anyone crazy with her innocent yet childish behaviour. One whom anyone can easily l... Shaking his head to get rid of those thoughts, he got inside his car and drove off.

From the terrace above, Jiya's lips curve into a smile after witnessing all the happenings. Slowly but surely, she thought to herself.

***********************

Taking her diary, she opened a blank page.

Oh Diary... we hugged today... in the rain... Oh well he hugged me. Dinner, dessert, ride, rain and a hug... do I need to say more???

P.S I'm gonna work with him from now ;)

And with that she dozed off, hoping to see him in her dreams.

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