Tu Hi Toh Meri Dost Hai
Khurana Mansion,
Armaan rushed out to the open gym cum private terrace they had on the second floor. As he reached he just broke down and fell on his knees. The loss of a family was not easy but losing them twice was just two times harder. The pain seemed to be crushing his heart as tears poured out of his eyes.
Shilpa who had followed him had never seen him break down like this. She knew it was going to be hard for Armaan to handle this loss. He had survived once but now it seemed to be defeating him. She rushed to him and sat on her knees and cupped his face and said, "Armaan... shhh chup hojao Armaan. Please dekho Mumma, Papa aur Karan ko bohut dard ho raha hoga tumhe aise dekh ke. Please chup hojao. Sab theek hojayega Armaan... sab theek hojayega"
Armaan eyes filled with pain asked, "Kaise theek hoga Shilpa? Kaise maine wapas sab ko kho diya... I lost everything again. 4 years back I had moved away from here with the thought that I would return to my family but now there is no family Shilpa no family. Today again I'm an orphan. Same as I was when I lost my parents 12 years back. God gave me another family because of Geet and now again I lost them all and I almost lost Geet too. What if I hadn't seen her yesterday? How would I know what has happened? How would I ever find her? How???"
Shilpa just hugged him and said, "Armaan you have lost your family but see you still have Geet. It was fate that she came to Delhi met Daadi and Maan. It was fate that got her here and it was fate that wanted you both to meet. So please don't cry. I know it's hard losing your parents again but remember that they must be happy wherever they are because they know that their Armaan is still there to protect their Geet. You say that you failed but see God is giving you another chance so don't cry and waste it. See Geet is here and now you can fulfil all your promises to Mumma, Papa, Karan and Geet. So Please Baby stop crying. It hurts not only you or Geet but it hurts me too. Am I not a part of your family huh?"
Armaan nodded his head and said, "Yes I promise I will always protect my Geet. And please Shilpa don't say that you aren't a part of this family. Baby I'm here because of you so how can you ask whether you are part of the my family or not? You are my family... all of you. Daadi, Maan and Geet. Ab toh bas yahi hai meri family"
Shilpa sighed in relief that finally she was able to get through to him and after he calmed down they went to their room and rested for a while.
In the evening all gathered in the Informal living room. Armaan remembered the bag he had given to Geet and got it from her room and gave it to her silently. Geet opened it to see a lot of things in it. Shirts, caps, key chains, perfumes, post cards, pictures, camera, accessories, some junk jewellery etc. Geet smiled and said, "Pura New York utha ke leke aaye ho kya?"
Armaan, "Kaha yaar. Sirf itna hi utha saka. Next time tu chalna mere saath tab aur leke ayenge" and patted her head lightly while she smiled.
Geet, "Waise aap dono ko dekh ke toh lagta hai aapki love marriage huvi hai. Am I right?" and smiled seeing Shilpa nod.
Geet, "Acha please tell me your love story. How did you met? How did you fall in love? How did Armaan propose? Where did you get married? And Pictures you must have a lot of pictures I want to see them. And Honeymoon yeah I want to know everything... Hmm rukho main abhi aayi" and went to kitchen while the others were curious as to what she was doing.
Maan had settled on one of the loveseat and lied down while Armaan and Shilpa were on the sofa. Geet returned with popcorn, juice and little snacks which made Maan laugh and ask, "What are you planning to watch a movie?"
Geet, "Arre Armaan ki story hai. Kisi movie se kaam nahi hogi" and winked while he shook his head. He tried to steal a bit of popcorn from her which she promptly smacked his hand and said, "Jao aur khud leke aao. Geet doesn't share food"
Armaan laughed hearing it and said, "Teri line nahi badli abhi tak"
Geet just smirked and nodded in no and after settling down properly said to Shilpa, "Ok ok start"
Shilpa blushed remembering their story while Armaan, Maan and Geet didn't leave a chance to tease her. Soon they all got engrossed in the story. After about an hour finally Shilpa stood up went to her room and got her laptop and passed it to Geet.
The whole evening was spent like this with Geet and Shilpa getting to know each other. After dinner they decided to burst few crackers which was another fun filled activity after the heavy emotional break downs in the afternoon.
Next Day,
Shilpa and Geet woke up early and went to the Pooja Room where Shilpa showed her where all the things were placed and after decorating the Thali both went to the Dining Room where Savitri, Armaan and Maan were waiting for them.
Shilpa did Maan's aarti while Geet did the same to Armaan. After it they placed a tilak on their forehead. As Shilpa was about to touch Maan's feet he stopped her and hugged her and kissed her head.
Armaan looked at Geet and pointed to his feet telling her to touch it to get his blessings while she glared at him but she did as told by her dearest brother. Armaan stopped her and hugged her and said, "I was joking. My Geet should never touch my feet."
Geet smacked his arms and said, "Aaj bhi Mazak. Sikho Maan se kuch sikho. Dekha Bhabhi ko phele hi mana kar diya aur tum mujhe samne se keh rahe ho..hmph"
Armaan smiled and pulled her cheeks and said, "Arre after 4 years I'm getting a chance to pull your leg how could I lose such an wonderful opportunity"
Geet rolled her eyes and took the sweet and stuffed it fully into his mouth and said, "Yeah now have this" and giggled seeing him struggle. After finishing the sweet he made her eat and hugged her and said, "I'm sorry Geet aaj tak sirf promise kiya par nibah nahi paaya but I promise this time I won't let you down"
Geet's eyes got teary and she just controlled it and said, "Armaan please never think like that. You have always fulfilled your promises. Sometimes it's just situation because of which we can't do anything so don't blame yourself for it"
In the evening Geet was packing her belongings when suddenly the lights went off. Geet felt her breathing hitch and tried to find her way out when by mistake she shut the door. Hearing the door close it seemed that she was back in time and panic began to set it. She tried to breathe in and out but her breathing seemed to be stuck and her legs wobbled not being able to support her weight and she collapsed. The darkness and closed room seemed to be closing in on her and she pulled her knees close to her chest and began to slowly rock herself trying to make herself feel safe when she heard someone bang the door. It just seemed to make her scared more that she didn't realise the lights were back on and the door had been opened while Armaan and Shilpa were trying to pull her out of the panic state she was in.
When she opened her eyes she realised she was on bed and someone was holding her hand. The lights seemed a bit bright but after squinting a bit her eyes adjusted to the brightness and she looked around to see Armaan was sitting next to her and staring at the wall blankly. She tried to move which made him realise that she was awake and he left her hand and after helping her sit asked, "Geet what happened?"
Geet, "Woh Armaan its nothing. I just got scared of the darkness"
Armaan glared at her for lying to him and pulled her sleeves and said, "Stop lying Geet. U just had a panic attack. And what is this Geet? What have you done to yourself?"
Geet looked at her arm where a few fading but visible scars were there. She had always worn full sleeves to hide them but don't know how Armaan saw them. She really wasn't ready to tell Armaan everything but she knew he wouldn't let it rest and so softly pulled the sleeves back and said, "Armaan please I really don't want to talk about it" and tries to plead silently with her eyes but it doesn't really help as Armaan doesn't stop and continues, "Geet! Please you have got to tell me what is going on? Tu toh sherni hai toh tujhe darkness se dar kabse lagne laga? Aur yeh panic attacks? Scars yeh sab kya hai? Tu mujhse kuch chupa rahi hai na?"
Geet sighs and says, "Armaan please. Give me time I'll tell you everything when it's the right time. I promise"
Armaan sighed in defeat. He knew she wouldn't budge but tried once again, "Geet please. Sab kuch nahi toh tere panic attacks ka bata ya phir yeh scars ka hi bata de but please kuch toh bol"
Geet knew he won't be in peace and so said, "Woh last year Karan ke death ke baad ek accident huva tha ussi ke wajhe se yeh panic attacks aur yeh scars. But abhi bohut better hai. Phele bohut zyada hote the ab it is in better control par kabhi kabhi unexpected hota hai toh wapas hojata hai. Aur generally meri medicines hoti hai jo isko control karne main help karte hai par yaha leke aana bhool gayi isiliye aaj huva"
Armaan wanted to pull his hair out hearing her. Don't know what all she has been through in the last year but he didn't understand why couldn't she tell him the truth once and for all. 4 Years back she never hesitated to tell him anything but had everything changed in the last 4 years that she would hide something from him. This change was bothering him and he blurted it out without waiting, "Geet has everything changed between us in the past 4 years? Before you never hid anything from me and now when I'm begging you also you aren't ready to tell me. You don't trust me right? Why would you when I abandoned you and ran away from here. I just spoilt everything right?"
Geet rubbed his forearm and said, "Armaan its not you. Please don't think that. I know why you had to leave 4 years back and I truly supported your decision. Please don't think it has changed anything. I just need time to tell about what all has happened the last year. It's not because I don't trust you but it's just not easy for me to put it all out there. And I know you aren't ready to hear about it too. You will just react rashly and I don't want that. Just please trust me I will tell you everything once I come out of it and I feel I have healed"
Armaan looked at her and nodded. He knew he can't push her and the way she was talking he knew it was something big. And now he had decided he would find out about it whether it's from Geet or someone else but he wasn't going to let it rest. He told her to rest and he would drop her to the Haveli the next morning.
Next Morning,
After breakfast Armaan, Shilpa and Geet left for the Haveli. After reaching he made sure that Shilpa distracted Geet for a bit while he tried to snoop into her room to find some clue but didn't find anything. After sometime they left while Geet relaxed for the day as from next day office would begin again.
Khurana Constructions,
After the small vacation getting back to work was not easy for all but Maan being the strict boss Maan Singh Khurana didn't let anyone slack around. He gave more work than the usual and even on a small mistake just burst out in anger. Geet was a bit scared seeing him so angry when she had seen him smiling and playful for the past 2 days and so decided to just concentrate on her work.
The Next Day,
Maan had called for a conference in the afternoon. As all got seated, he started with briefing about the new projects that had to be started. He wanted the new employees to start the basic plans and each was given a project. The projects were high budget projects and hence needed to be worked on properly. If something went wrong it would cost Khurana Constructions heavy losses and goodwill of the company also would be lost. After the briefing all got busy with their work.
Sasha the 1st senior Architect to have completed 5 years in the firm was annoyed that Geet a new employee got to work on the biggest project right now being handled by KC while she and Aamir had to handle smaller projects. She had to do something to get this project under her and seeing that Maan was busy with other departments smirked that it wouldn't really be that hard with Geet being alone in this project right now.
She got Deepa her trainee started on the project while she thought and worked out a plan to spoil this chance for Geet.
Next Week,
Geet had spent the whole week working on the preliminary designs. She had wanted to get it reviewed by Maan but seeing him busy with meetings and other work hadn't been able to really show him her work after the 2nd day. As she finished putting all the papers in the file, she decided to grab a cup of coffee before the meeting started. Placing all her files in the conference room she went to the cafeteria unaware that she had given Sasha a chance to spoil all her hardwork.
After 10 mins the Design Dept. gathered in the conference room and the briefing started. Sasha tried to make Geet present first but 1 glare from Maan is enough to shut her up and not interfere when he is talking. As the room darkens Geet feels a bit of panic set in but she remembers what the doctor told and takes deep breathes and concentrates on her surroundings and describes them in her mind to divert her mind. It takes a bit of time but slowly the panic and fear seems to leave her body and she concentrates on the presentation. After about 2 hours of discussion on the two projects Maan calls for a break. As all are leaving he notices Geet who seemed a bit distressed. He was about to call her but before he could she left the room.
After the break Geet was asked to present and mumbling a prayer to god she breathed deeply and started. The first few sheets were as she had placed but after that all the sheets were spoiled. As she looked up in horror Sasha patted her back mentally that her plan had succeeded. Maan was really pissed and shouted, "What the hell is this?"
Geet, "Sir I don't know who did this but if you let me out for 2 mins I'll get the other copies of the design"
Maan nodded and Geet rushed out sighing in relief that she had made multiple copies of the design. Being cautious helped her this time.
Meanwhile in the Conference Room,
Maan after making sure Geet was out of sight turned to others and glaring hard asked, "Who did this?"
Sasha never expected that Geet would have multiple copies and was getting a bit worried that if no one confessed Maan would take some serious actions and if he caught her then it would be like the end of her career. Maan didn't spare anyone specially if it was about his work, Khurana Constructions or his family and right now his work and company was at stake. Sasha gulped in fear and wondered whom to blame when Geet entered the room and continued with her presentation.
After the discussion all left to begin their work. Maan was pissed and rushed to his cabin where he made a few calls after which he seemed to be able to control his anger. Geet wasn't sure what to do and decided to apologize to Maan for her mistake.
Hearing the knock Maan asked the person to enter and was surprised to see Geet enter with a guilty face.
Geet, "I'm sorry sir. I should have been more careful about the files. It was careless of me to leave my files and go out of the room"
Maan nodded at her and told her not to worry about it and get back to work. After she left he wondered who would do something like this and why?
In the evening as all were packing up Maan came out of his cabin and called for Sasha in a loud voice which seemed to startle all. Sasha who had been hiding and hoping that Maan had forgotten about the incident walked upto where Maan was as slowly as possible.
Maan, "Sasha can you please explain to me why did you spoil Geet's designs?"
Sasha began sweating immediately and stuttered, "MK... what are you saying? Why would I spoil Geet's des..designs?"
Maan smirked and said, "Really Sasha so you didn't do it?"
Sasha nodded and hoped that he believed it and said, "Yes MK. I didn't do it"
Maan moved a step closer which made her quiver in fear and said in his normal but really cold voice, "So you won't accept that you spoiled Geet's designs. Fine let me show you the proof. Mr. Singh can you please get the cctv footage of the conference room"
Sasha who had forgot all about the cctv started shaking in fear pleaded, "MK I'm sorry."
Maan, "Sasha if you would have accepted your mistake I would probably have forgiven you but lying to me is not acceptable. You are a senior member in this office yet you are doing such petty acts. I don't know what problem you have with Geet but if you mess with my office work there is only 1 thing that I will do... fire you. So pack up your belongings and get out of my office now. The HR dept will contact you for remaining formalities but don't you ever dare to step into this office or any of the branches of Khuranas"
Sasha who had feared this began sobbing while all others felt pity for her. Maan had gone back to his cabin while the others got back to packing up for the day. Sasha turned and looked at Geet who stood there in shock. Sasha knew this might be her only chance and rushed to Geet and said, "Geet I'm really sorry I spoiled your design. I was just jealous that you being new got to work on such a big project while I who have been working her for the past 5 years didn't and so I tried to sabotage your design. Please forgive me. If I'm fired today I won't get any job and you must know how hard it is for a single girl to find a job in a city where she lives alone. Please Geet if you talk to MK I'm sure he won't fire me. Please Geet please help me"
Geet was confused whether to help Sasha or not. On one hand she was angry on her to have spoiled her design but when she heard her it was justified that her jealousy got out of hand and made her do it. But that didn't mean she deserved to be fired and so decided to try and talk to Maan Sir. Geet nodded to Sasha and went to Maan's cabin who was surprised at her second visit to his cabin today.
Maan, "Yes Geet"
Geet, " Maan Sir, I think you shouldn't fire Sasha"
Maan was not sure if he heard her right and asked, "What? Did you just say that I shouldn't fire Sasha?"
Geet gulped in fear that he might think that she is defying him and said, "Yes sir but please don't take it in a wrong way. Sasha has worked for Khurana Contructions for 5 years and never has any such incident happened so I think you should give her an another chance"
Maan looked at and wondered what was this girl made of? Sasha had clearly tried to get Geet in trouble yet here she was defending her and voiced this out, "And what about the trouble she was trying to put you into? This time it was just me you were presenting to but what if such an incident had happened in front of clients? Would you tell me to give her another chance then too?"
Geet thought about his question and said, "Yes sir. Even if it happened when the clients were here I would request you to not fire her. She is an asset to this firm and has worked on few of the best projects of this company and firing her for a small mistake would be a big loss for the company. I agree mistake is a mistake but still everyone should be given a second chance"
Maan sighed and said, "Fine I will let her stay this time but if any such incident happens again you are also to be blamed"
Geet nodded and left to give Sasha the good news. Sasha who had been pacing around in worry sighed in relief hearing Geet and thanked her for her help and left for the day.
As Geet was about to leave Maan who had also stepped out saw that it was raining and walked towards Geet who was waiting in the foyer of the building.
Maan, "Geet let me drop you to Haveli. It's pouring and it's also getting dark. You won't find any cab or auto now"
Geet was a bit wary of going with Maan from office and denied his help and began walking out. Maan was clearly annoyed and followed her and pulled her hand to stop her and said, "Geettt! Why can't you just listen to me and come with me?"
Geet bit her lower lip in pain from Maan's hold. She shrugged her hand and said, "Maan Sir please. I don't need your help. I'm just an employee who happens to be your relative but that doesn't mean that you are obliged to help me everytime"
Maan was clearly hurt by her harsh tone and said, "Yeah right. You are just an employee who happens to be my relative. Sorry that I thought we became friends the other day and so as a friend offered help. But since I'm not obliged to offer any help I guess you can manage on your own. Thanks Geet for letting me know about my place" and left without looking back while Geet felt sad to have hurt him while he was just trying to help as a friend. But before she could call him he had already got into his car and left.
Real Estate
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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