MG | Protect The Boss | Ch.28, pg 48 [20/02] - Page 12

Geet put a trembling hand to her now sticky forehead as her complexion turned green. Maan shifted her off his lap as Dev got up to assist & Sasha's eyes were fixated on the puke that covered Maan's shoulder, a look of distaste across her face.

"I should go & clean this up, Sasha, bring her a glass of water or something." Maan left the table, heading for the bathrooms, but turned back one last time to see Dev's arm already around her shoulder as he brushed the tendrils off her face.

Something raged within him, and he dug his nails into his fist as he controlled the green eyed monster & walked away.

Sasha was also surprised at the scene before her. She slid off the seat & went to get some water before Dev grew suspicious of her. She knew she had to play her whole game calmly & collectively, yet seeing Dev with Geet like that... it had unnerved her, yet she didn't know why.

Geet placed a hand on her stomach, her head in her lap as she mumbled, "I really should have listened to you guys & not eaten."

Dev squeezed her shoulder gently it could easily be perceived as a simple friendly gesture. But there was something about the gesture which made Geet uncomfortable. She shook the feeling off as nausea, grabbing the glass of water Sasha held out for her & taking small sips to settle her down.

Maan was on his way back after managing to salvage his shirt when he got a phone call from Manish, demanding to know where he was. He couldn't exactly explain that he had spent the majority of his day in a fairground, so he lied & claimed that he had bumped into Inder Kapoor, a childhood friend of his.

He knew he had to get back before his father lost his cool again. Walking up to the table, he cleared his throat. Geet looked up, her lower lip jutted out as she looked weary & as pale as a ghost.

"Dad needs me back at KC. Geet, you can take the rest of the day off, there's not much for you to do at the office anyway."

Sasha intervened, wanting to pry Dev away from Geet. "And we really have to get back to viewing that plot. We've wasted enough time as it is."

"I'll come with you, Maan," Geet said weakly. "I need to get back to the office in order to catch the bus home from the nearest stop."

"There's no need, I'll drop you off," Dev offered.

Geet turned towards him. "Are you sure?"

"Sure, he smiled his infamous charming smile, & Maan's jaw twitched.

"Fine, I really should be getting back," Maan feigned indifference as he walked away, trying to take his mind off the thought of Dev & Geet together.

Sasha watched Maan leave the cafe & huffed impatiently, turning to Dev. "What am I supposed to do while you drop her off?"

"Wait here, grab a bite to eat. I won't be long. Come on, Geet."

Geet stood up & left, closely followed by Dev. They walked to the car, Dev offering her advice on light foods to eat so that her stomach wouldn't be unsettled. Geet simply nodded & smiled politely; all she wanted to do was get home & lie down, her stomach was still churning.

The drive back to Geet's block of apartments was quiet. Dev stole glances at her now & then her beautiful eyes were focused on the views ahead.

"There's some mints in the small hole near the handle."

"Sorry?"

"Mints, they help when you feel nauseous."

She pulled the packet of mints & popped one in her mouth, offering one to Dev but he reclined. Far too sooner, according to Dev, they pulled up outside her block.

"Thank you for the ride," she smiled.

He got out of the car & proceeded to open her side. She gratefully stepped out, her bag clutched in her hand.

"Um, well, I would invite you in for tea, to be polite, but Sasha will be waiting."

"Right, yeah," Dev ran a lazy hand through his hair. The action reminded Geet of Maan's habit of dragging his hand through his hair the Khurana men were more alike than they thought.

Dev contemplated & hesistated for a while, then stepped forward & pecked Geet on the cheek. "Get well soon."

His kiss was so unexpected, it left her momentarily stunned. He looked embarrassed as he stepped back & climbed into his car, giving her a small wave before reversing & peeling away.

Geet looked up at the skies. "What in the world was that all about?" she mumbled to no one in particular as she went inside & made her way to her apartment.

The incident was replaying over in her head as she tried to dissect his thoughts & meaning behind the kiss. She was so lost in her thought, that when she finally looked up after having opened her apartment door, did she see Yash & Pinky engaged in a rather passionate liplock.

She dropped her keys in shock, as they pulled away. Pinky's eyes glared into the ground with embarrassment. Yash touched the back of his head awkwardly as he waved & attempted a smile.

"I'll, er, leave you to it-" She was about to walk out but Pinky ran to the door & stopped her.

"Wait, Geet, let me explain."

"It's fine, you don't need to. I must admit, I didn't see you two... well, you know... like, I had no idea. None at all. But true love strikes when and where it wants to, right?"

She knew her words made no sense, as she couldn't make sense of the situation itself. Yash and Pinky?! Pinky and Yash?!

My best friend & Maan's best friend.

Geet gulped subconsciously.

"That's what I'm trying to say, we're not..." Pinky trailed off, before clearing her throat. "It's not a-"

"It's a friends with benefits type of situation," Yash explained casually.

Geet looked from Pinky, to Yash, to Pinky once more, then the ground, for that seemed like the only appropriate place she could look.

...

"Pinks, are you sure you're ok with this... arrangement?"

Geet & Pinky had just finished their dinner Yash had made a swift exit shortly after explaining to Geet the nature of his & Pinky's relationship. Pinky, horrified & embarrassed at the situation, had instead changed the topic & asked Geet why she was home early, to which Geet narrated the fairground fiasco. Geet had been sent to her bedroom to nap for a while, whilst Pinky made spaghetti bolognaise for their evening meal.

The afternoon had passed by as such, & as the warmth of the sunset basked over their city apartment, the two friends sat at the dining table. Pinky fiddled with her napkin as Geet took a sip of her juice.

"I really am. You know, I've been searching too long for true love, Mr Right, the kind of guy I could see a future with. Maybe that isn't what I need, maybe this is it casual flings, no strings attached."

"But you're the one who believes in the fairytales, the happy ever afters-"

"Life doesn't always work out how you think, Geet. You know that as well as I do. Did you see yourself as a dead end secretary, sharing a small apartment with your best friend after 4 years of hard work & graft for your degree? You're telling me you went against your parents wishes, invested all that money for university, & you're fine with what came out of it?"

"There's nothing wrong with humble beginnings. At least I have a job, for that I consider myself lucky. Besides, my non existent career in business & your decision to have a... casual relationship with Yash isn't really the same thing."

"Girls like me don't get the prince charmings," Pinky said, twirling her glass in her hand. "That's the gorgeous girls like you who have guys falling at their heels. Yash was interested in you at first, wasn't he?"

"Oh shut up, Pinky. You're one of the most beautiful women I know, & that's why I'm not so keen on this. You're too good of a person with a big heart, I don't think Yash deserves you."

"Which is why there'll be no emotional attachment."

"I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Yash Malhotra couldn't hurt a fly, that much I know of him," she winked. "He is pretty hot though, right? I can't resist a man like that!" Pinky broke out into a giggle.

Geet smiled. "If he messes you about, he'll have me to answer to."

"That's all we'll be doing babes, messing each other about," she drawled.

Geet flung a napkin at her friend. "Don't be so crude!" They shared a laugh. "Jokes aside, I've been meaning to ask your... advice on something."

"Hit me.

"What does it... well, what does it mean if a guy kisses you on the cheek?"

Pinky's eyes widened. "Maan. Maan Singh Khurana. He's done it, he's made the first move. I knew it from the way he looked at you that night in the club."

Geet was stunned. "Wait, what? I... I wasn't talking about Maan. I was talking about his cousin, Dev."

"Oh. Pinky grew quiet & surprised. Geet looked at the wooden table, her eyebrows furrowed into a frown as Pinky's last sentence swirled around her mind.

The way he looked at you that night in the club...