MG | Protect The Boss | Ch.28, pg 48 [20/02] - Page 21

"Geet?"

His voice jolted her out of her daydream. She realised he hadn't said anything yet, & he was looking at her confused.

"Geet?"

She opened her mouth to say something, but her throat was suddenly dry; she began coughing.

Maan rushed towards her, as Geet doubled over, having a coughing fit. He patted her back nervously, but this made Geet lurch forward & cough more. She waved him off, straightening herself up.

"I'll see if I have water in the car," he said. Geet shook her head as she waved him goodbye, walking inside her building, still coughing slightly.

Maan made a mental note to text her later & ask her if she was okay before he got into his car & drove off.

...

Once she knew she was safe from Maan's line of vision, Geet stopped her fake coughing, her throat now aching from unneccessary pressure.

It was better to fake a coughing fit than have to explain to Maan why she dazed off into her dream...

Shaking the thoughts off with a small shake of her head, sending her curls bouncing, she climbed the stairs to her apartment.

...

Dev woke up with a headache the next morning which felt like the size of Africa. Slapping his hands across his bed, he was grateful that he hadn't committed a Maan-esque mistake of one night stands & attempted to sit up, but groaned due to the pounding in his head.

It was only when he managed to locate his glasses from his bedside table & put them on, did he see Pammi stood at the door, her lips pressed into a stern line.

"Mother..." he mumbled, running a hand through his ruffled hair. "I can explain."

"Oh, you better explain this real good."

"I-"

"I pride myself from your reputation Dev. Your squeaky clean image. And what did you do? You threw it back in my face."

Dev sighed as he attempted to get out of bed, but Pammi placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"What if the media had seen you in a state like this & taken pictures? They would be plastered all across the newspapers. My status in society would be diminished, your chances of taking over at KC would have been almost ruined. Maan gets away with this kind of behaviour because he's guaranteed the position. You have to work harder to prove you're one better than him."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Talking of my beloved nephew, the guardsmen told me he was the one who dropped you off home. Imagine the celebrations him & his father must have partaken in when they saw that Dev Khurana, the golden boy, had taken their help."

Before he could speak, Pammi turned to leave, before informing him that he was to get himself ready for office within the next half an hour.

...

The rest of the day had been spent fairly normally between Maan & Geet. Both of them decided to take a pretend the kiss never happened stance' when Maan had inquired Geet on her cough, as she had predicted, she simply said Pinky's home remedy of gargling salt water with a dash of lemon had cleared her throat up.

Truth be told, her throat was even more sore, but there was no need for Maan to know that.

To everyone's surprise in the office, Manish had called for a meeting of some sorts only calling in Maan, Dev & Pammi. As he was on his way to his father's office, Maan met Dev who was coming from the opposite end of the corridor. Dev looked uncomfortable as he adjusted his tie as Maan observed him, secretly feeling smug at his plight.

"Rough night last night?" Maan asked, unable to hide his smirk.

"You could say that."

"Strong black coffee always helps. Take it from experience."

Maan knocked on his father's door & entered, not bothering to hold it open for Dev. They stood before Manish as they awaited Pammi's arrival.

"Does your mother always take so long?" he inquired.

As if on cue, Pammi sauntered in, looking as devilish yet glamourous as always. She stood beside her son, shooting Maan evil looks; who was immune to his aunt's dislike by now & simply ignored her.

"I'm guessing you are all aware of my mother's birthday next week. We will all be busy with next week with international clients paying a visit to us, so I have decided to hold the party tomorrow."

Maan groaned internally, realising his cherished weekend lie in would be taken away.

Dev realised he would miss an episode of his favourite Saturday morning cooking show, thereby leading him to gritting his teeth.

Pammi sifted through her schedule in her head & realised Divya Vinod's cocktail party would have to take a raincheck.

"However, we seem to be in a peril. The usual party organisers & caterers that we employ for big events are preoccupied in a wedding contract. Of course, on normal terms, I would offer them twice the amount of money & pry them away unfortunately, the wedding contract is with the Grewals, with whom I am on very good terms with, as you all know. Therefore, I am letting Maan & Dev leave office earlier today so they can organise the party."

Maan & Dev shared an uncomfortable glance.

"Me?" Maan asked.

"Working with him?" Dev reaffirmed.

"Is there a problem?" Manish asked, glancing at Pammi & smiling slyly as he knew she very well had a problem.

"Uh-"

"Good, then it's settled."

"But what about the servants around the house? I mean, can't they-"

"Maan, don't be so foolish. They're employed for housekeeping, not party organising. Besides, I thought you both would like to add a little touch of your own, as your gift to Savitri Devi, who is your Dadima and Nani respectively."

The office was left stunned in silence as they tried to process the information.

"Very well. Don't let me down," Manish ordered, & gestured for them to leave. This time, Maan did leave the door open for Dev subconsciously, as they were both in a state of shock.

As soon as they were out of the door, Pammi slammed her fists down on the table, her bangles jingling with the noise as she leaned forward.

"What the hell are you playing at? You don't want them to work together as much as me. We're both aware that neither Maan nor Dev like each other."

Manish stood up, attempting to intimidate her as he replicated her posture. "For once, put the family politics aside & think about Savitri Devi. If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't even be here. I have no other agenda than to make my mother happy, & I won't let your petty thoughts get in the way of that."

...

As Maan & Dev took opposite routes back to their offices, they both sifted their brains for ideas to ensure this party would be a success.

Maybe we should organise a huge dinner meal for everyone, make a good fuss for Nani's birthday. But Uncle said the caterers are tied with another contract. And Maan can't cook, that much I know for sure. But then again, neither can I...

Dadima doesn't want too much fuss. What would Dev know? I'm the one who lives with her. It's her birthday, the theme should be elegant and regal, just like her personality is. Quiet and simple is the way she would want it.

...

Sat at her computer, trying to avoid online shopping, Geet wondered why Manish had called for a family meeting. She had thought of many options his retirement, relocation of headquarters. She had even gone as far as being hopeful & thinking he would throw a staff party for everyone.

Eventually she had given up & decided to quickly paint her chipped nails. Pulling her spare nail varnish out of her bag, she began the process when her computer beeped with a message from one of the senior accountants. The message clearly showed that it had been sent to the whole staff:

Just found out that MK Snr called MK Jnr, Drag Queen & her biological protege to his office to ask MK Jnr & protege boy to arrange his mother's party.

Geet gaped at the message Maan & Dev had to arrange a party?!

She smiled in delight as her own mind began churning out ideas, so as soon as Maan stepped in the office, Geet jumped out of her seat & bounced in front of him.

"Is it true?! You're organising your Dadima's party?!"

"Yes, it's true, but where-"

"This is so exciting! I'll help you!"

For a moment, Maan wanted to reject Geet's offer of assistance, for no other reason than the fact that he wanted to do this himself.

But brushing his ego aside, he realised neither him nor Dev had much experience in this sector, & this project seemed right up Geet's street.

So that was what led to his confirmation nod, & before he knew it, Geet had her arms wrapped around his neck as she squealed happily & hugged the life out of him.

He was just about to engulf his muscular arms around her when Geet realised what she was doing & moved away, patting her hair down.

"I apologise, I got over excited."

"It's fine, don't worry about it," he replied, mentally telling his erratic heartbeat to calm itself down.

Maan stepped aside to gather his stuff, & Geet pouted. "Where are you going?"

"Dad's given us early leave so we can get this sorted. The party's tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" An idea clicked into Geet's mind, then she sank into her seat, smiling slightly. Tapping away furiously at the keyboard, she looked up briefly at Maan. "Meet me in the park at 7pm. Bring Dev."

"Why do you-"

"Just do as I say, please. And don't do anything until then."

"Don't do anything? Geet, the party is tomorrow. Saturday. The day after today."

"I'm aware of that. Trust me, for once, and relax until 7pm."

"What am I supposed to do with Dev until then?"

Geet shrugged. "He's your cousin, you can come up with something fun to do."

...

At 5pm, Maan & Dev found themselves in a local bar, Maan sipping an ice cold beer as Dev stuck to orange juice.

"What do you think Geet's planning?" Dev asked.

"No idea."

And that was all that transpired between the Khurana brothers until the clock finally struck seven.

Geet looked up from her idle doodling in her notepad to find Maan & Dev walking as far apart from each other as they could as they trodded the path up to the bench where she was sat.

A quick idea flashed through her mind as she threw her notepad into her bag, deciding to change her course of plan. Prior to their arrival, she had spent the last half an hour making notes & ideas for Dadima's party. However, the party was a perfect catalyst to bringing the Khurana men one step closer to each other...

They both stopped in front of her, Maan's hands loosely in his pockets whilst Dev had his arms folded across his chest.

She stood up, greeting them with a smile as she flung her bag across her shoulder.

"Good evening!" she chirped.

Dev nodded in acknowledgement; Maan raised an eyebrow.

"Let's go."

"Go where?" came the voice from her boss.

Geet walked between the two men as she took the opposite route to the way they had came.

"My apartment."

"Why are we going to your apartment?" Dev asked.

"You'll see. If you don't mind gentlemen, today would be nice."

...

The walk back to her apartment had been unnerving & awkward, not to mention unnecessary when they could have driven there instead.

Geet had walked in front of the men, allowing Maan to ardently admire her willowy frame as her curls bounced around freely with the wind.

But he hadn't failed to notice that she had caught Dev's eye too, who seemed to be distracted by her slender legs.

If we weren't walking in a public place, I would have wrung his neck by now, Maan thought angrily to himself.

Geet smiled to herself as she reached her apartment building. But just as Maan & Dev were about to follow her in, she held a hand out to stop them.

"Wait here, please."

"But Geet-" Maan protested, but it was too late as she had already gone. He dragged his hands through his hair as Dev unloosened his tie, an aura of tension yet anticipation settling as both wondered what the eccentric Geet had in store for them.

Minutes later, she came out wheeling one of the famous glass panels that Maan had used for his presentation.

On sync, Maan & Geet exchanged a glance as the events of the almost kiss & Geet's subsequent karate move flashed through their minds & they both looked away, not wishing to acknowledge the embarrassing moment.

"Ahem," Geet cleared her throat. "This is all the help you're getting. Before either of you begin to protest, I know I said I'd offer my advice & experience in this subject, but I honestly feel as if it's not my place to do so. She is your grandmother, the bond which unites you two. I hope you can use this opportunity to realise that."

And she was gone, her words of wisdom lingering in the air. Maan contemplated pulling his phone out & demanding for her to return, if she wanted to keep her job, but he hated to admit that in this instance, she was right.

He also didn't want to let his father down, not when he was doing so well at the office. So brushing his own personal feelings aside, Maan looked at Dev with a quizzical brow as he watched Dev eye the huge glass panel.

"I guess we'll have to push this out. I'll call Nakul, he'll arrange for it to be picked up & my car."

Dev undid a few top buttons of his shirt as he stood at one end. "I'll call for Rahul to collect my car."

With Dev pushing the panel & Maan pulling it, both men attempted to remove it from the entrance to the apartment complex.

Little did they know that Geet was watching from a small window of the 2nd floor staircase, her hands over her mouth to stifle her laughter.

"I managed to reel that into KC single handedly. And now two grown men are struggling with it. If only I had popcorn with me, this is free entertainment."

"Ouch my foot!" Maan complained as one of the wheels landed on his toe.

"Sorry," Dev mumbled, not sounding sorry at all.

Maan narrowed his eyes. "You better be."

"Can we stop acting like children and get this damn thing out onto the road?"

"As you wish my master," Maan replied sarcastically as they finally managed to wheel it out.

...

Once their respective servants had been called to collect their cars, Rahul had taken Dev's car home on request whilst Nakul was ordered to collect Maan, Dev & the glass panel.

As the Mercedes rolled to a stop, Dev scrutinised the size of the panel & the backseats with his eyes & shook his head. "That won't fit."

"I didn't realise you were such a handyman in DIY."

"Your sarcasm kills. This panel is too long."

"It won't hurt to try. Nakul!"

The fearful Nakul rushed to Maan's aid.

"Stick the panel in the back."

He nodded, gulping as he managed to wheel the panel in unsuccessfully as 1/4 of it was hanging out of the car door.

"He can drive it back like that," Maan said casually.

"Are you crazy?! What if the cops see?"

"Do you ever see cops patrolling Delhi at 8pm?" He was met with silence from Dev. "That's what I thought."

Maan climbed into the front.

"How will I get back?!" Dev protested.

"Call a taxi, unless you want to jump in the boot. But then your precious suit would get ruined, I suppose. I'll see you at mine."

And with that, the Mercedes sped off, leaving a frustrated Dev standing on the side of the road.

...

He was sat in the back of a taxi, mentally cursing Maan in every way possible, when his phone beeped with a text from none other than the Khurana himself.

Make sure you come around the back, I'll be waiting near the garden gates.

"Who does he think we are, Batman and Robin?!" Dev muttered to no one in particular.

When he finally reached the lavish Khurana residence, he paid the driver then snuck around the back. He almost bumped into a bin when a hand reached out to grab his arm.

"The whole point was that Dadima doesn't find out you're here & we're planning this, and you turn up stumbling over bins!"

"It's dark & I can't see!" Dev replied in defence as they walked around to the outhouse.

Maan unlocked the doors to the outhouse, which was less of a house & more of an empty, open space. Gym equipment was strewn across one corner of the room & Dev realised that Maan probably used this place to work out.

The automatic lights turned brighter as the familiar glass panel came into view, perched perfectly in the middle of the room. Maan pulled out two black markers from his pocket as he held one out to Dev.

They both shared a look of the unknown and slight fear as they attempted to plan Savitri Devi's party, neither of them with an inkling of how to begin.

...

An hour later, & the left & right sides of the panel looked as different as they could be. They had mutually agreed upon brainstorming their own ideas separately, then combining the ideas to come up with something they both agreed on.

Dev's phone beeped with a text, snapping him out of his concentration as he glanced at the familiar messages he received from Sasha.

He placed his phone into his pocket as Maan smirked, knowing fully well who the text was from. Not being able to resist, he leaned against the panel as he spoke. "Someone special, is she?"

"It's nothing like that," Dev retorted as he tried to focus.

"It's rude to keep a lady waiting."

"She's just a colleague-" He froze as he realised he had given the game away.

"A colleague?" Maan feigned nonchalance. "Then I definitely know who she must be... seeing as your colleagues are my colleagues."

Dev shook his head in dismay as Maan grinned.

...

Pinky was painting Geet's nails as they lounged on the couch, but all Geet could imagine was how Maan & Dev must be faring, working with each other.

She bit her lip to suppress a giggle as she imagined them tearing chunks out of each other, quite literally.

Pinky noticed her friend's smirk and poked her hand. "Oye Geeto, what are you hiding from me?"

"Let's just say a lion and a tiger are having to co-operate tonight, despite the fact that they're continuously engaged in a war to be King of the Jungle."

She grabbed her phone with her free hand. "I should see if they're both still alive yet."

...

Maan was still lazing around idly when his phone beeped, piquing Dev's interest this time as Maan checked the message.

"Who's requiring your company now?"

Maan smiled at Geet's message, before stating proudly; "It's Geet, she wants to know how we're getting along."

Dev's hand stilled from scribbling on the panel. "Geet has your number?"

"Why not, she is my secretary after all."

Maan's eyes darted back to the screen as he felt Dev's cold eyes penetrate through him before he turned away, & it had taken Maan all of his energy not to burst out into laughter at that moment.

...

Half an hour later, & all possible brainstorming had been complete. The activity itself had worn both of the Khurana men out, although neither of them would admit it.

But they still had a full night of planning ahead, so they decided to circle the ideas which appealed to them & cross out the ones that weren't so favourable.

Finally, they stood back as the clear answer jumped out at them from across the panel.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Maan asked Dev, turning to look at him.

Dev returned Maan's gaze. "We have our party."