Hey Dearies... Hope you all had a new year blast 😛
Thanks so much for the encouragement... I hope you like this part as well... Please leave in your comments that would help me to improvise myself
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Part 6
Maan had been trying to finish all the work that had been piled up here in his absence. When finally the Bangalore-Delhi flight and the day's activities left him exhausted, he decided it was time to head back home. As he left his cabin, he didn't know that there was someone else working in the office and he instructed Hiralal, to lock his cabin and shut off the lights as he made his way out. Eager to leave for the day himself, Hiralal had switched off all the lights even before Maan could take the elevator.
Just as Maan reached the dimly lit corridor, he saw a girl dressed in red salwar suit, slowly and hesitantly making her way towards the elevator. Her gaze shifted back as soon as the lights went off and then she looked around and was mumbling something. Surprised at who could still be in the office at this hour, he walked towards the girl whose back was facing him and called out, "Excuse me". In response the girl started walking a little faster and her voice became a little audible as fear laced her partially incomprehensible words. When he called out to her again and still she didn't turn, he placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her stride but the consequences were harsh to his ears. She screamed! In a moment he turned her around with force and unable to take the torturous shrill scream anymore he placed a hand tightly over her mouth shutting her up, as his other hand moved securely around her waist to support her as she tried to stumble behind.
Geet's eyes flew open the moment she felt a strong grip around her waist and a warm palm muffling her scream only to find an intense pair of eyes gazing back into her own. As she adjusted her vision and got a better view of the person, it was then that she saw the perfectly chiseled handsome face of the man standing in front of her. She tried to move back but his grip was tight. For a moment she felt relief washing over her as she realized that there was someone else in flesh and bones around her and she was not going to be a victim of some paranormal activity that may have occurred in this place. But as she realized the proximity of this stranger to herself and the look in his eyes all she wanted to do was break free and run away. However, for some reason his eyes captivated her and to her dismay she found it difficult to even tear her gaze away from him. Even after several moments, he kept staring at her and refused to let her go. As a last and final resort, she bit his hand pulling him out of his trance. She looked on as the intense look was immediately replaced by anger and irritation as he pulled his hands off her. Geet quickly backed off, straightened herself and took a deep breath before looking back at the stranger.
The moment she flung her eyes open, Maan felt himself mesmerized by the beauty of the large brown eyes that looked back at him with confusion and fear. His eyes took in the delicate features of the pretty face staring back at her, he noticed the tiny sweat beads that had formed on her forehead, felt the texture of the smooth skin and soft lips beneath his palm and to his bewilderment everything else around him blurred. But then he felt his hand stung and he realized what he was doing and what she had done. He immediately withdrew and looked at her crossly. He was just about to unleash his anger and ask her who she was, when he heard someone calling from his back, "Geet Madam?"
It was Hiralal, who came back to check who would be screaming in the office at this hour. "Geet Madam... Abhi abhi jo chillane ki awaz aayi woh aapki thi? He asked Geet. Geet smiled as she replied, "Haan Hiralal ji... I'm sorry woh lights band hone ki wajah se main darr gayi thi" Maan looked at Geet with wide eyes; the beautiful smile that crept her lips didn't go unnoticed. So this was Geet... the one over whom the whole office was going gaga about, thought Maan. Hiralal now turned to look at the third person present in the corridor and gasped. "Woh I'm sorry sir, maine check nahi kiya ki koi aur office main tha" Maan was about to admonish Hiralal for his negligence, when he heard her speak, "Koi baat nahi Hiralal ji... ab galati toh kisi se bhi ho sakti hai na... main theek hu... aap fikar mat karo" Maan narrowed his eyes at her, "Does she even know in whose presence is she speaking? And from when did she started excusing his staff in his office" This was the first time that someone was interrupting Maan before he had even begun.
However, it didn't seem that she was done yet, as she continued, "woh actually mujhe veham ho gaya tha" Finally Maan asked, "Veham?" turning to him, quite embarrassed, she awkwardly added, "Haan I thought ki yahan kuch hai?" As the comprehension dawned, now he deciphered what she was chanting and Maan looked at her amused, "So you think this place is haunted?" Holding her head high, Geet quickly got to her usual talking self as she said feigning surprised, "Yes it is... you don't know?" Hiralal was just standing there waiting for further instructions. Keeping a straight face, Maan asked, "Oh really? Since you are the only one who seems to know this... would you also enlighten me with the fact that who haunts this place?" Smiling brightly now, Geet flashed her pearlies as she chirpily anounced, "Maan Singh Khurana!!!" Hiralal's eyes widened in horror and Geet started laughing. Maan was baffled, "WHAT?" he roared. "Aur nahi toh kya? Whether he's there in office or not his ghost always loom over scaring people, look!" and she pointed at Hiralal who was rooted to his place, visually mortified. Unaware of the sentiments of the men whose eyes were focused on her ... one giving her a murderous glance while other looking at her with pity... Geet kept smiling as she bid goodbye to Hiralal, who looked at Maan. Already furious, Maan gave one warning look to Hiralal before nodding him off and made a mental note to deal with this petite lady later. Hiralal sped over his heels and went away without looking back even once.
Geet turned to look at the man beside her but was shocked when she found him gone. At the same time, she heard the beep sound of the elevator door and as she turned around, to see him at the end of the corridor entering the one of the elevators. Her eyes popped out of the socket at the prospect of being left alone behind once again and she called out, "Suniyee... Rukyiee..." and made a mad rush towards him. Irritated, he stopped the door from getting shut as she ran towards him, wondering what was coming next. Unable to stop herself in time, she almost bumped into him causing him to stumble behind and banging onto the side of the steel structure.
Ok this was it! "Watch your step lady... What are you upto?" he asked trying hard to contain his anger as he steadied himself and her. Surprised at the sudden outburst, Geet frowned and said haughtily, "Aap itna gussa kyun ho rahe hai? Ek toh waise hi mujhe darr lag raha tha, upar se aapne mujhe aur zyada darra diya aur ab mujhe sorry kehne ke jagah attitude dikha rahe hai!" Maan turned in her direction, "Sorry? Sorry for what? For screaming aloud or running into me? (giving a menacing glare) Do you even know whom are you talking to?" Geet was a little taken aback but couldn't accept defeat, could she? So she retorted back, "You might be Barrack Obama for all I care! Lekin kya ladkiyon se is tarah baat ki jati hai?"... "Oh so you are going to teach me my manners now?" he asked through gritted teeth... She gave him a fake smile, "No... not at all. I'm not planning to start a finishing school here in the lift (bending a little she pressed the level zero button on the elevator panel and then turning towards him continued) and even if I do, I won't admit someone as discourteous as you" Maan's looked at her with murderous glare as he said, "watch your words... you may regret them tomorrow" Geet frowned deeply and pressed her lips tight and turning back towards the door replied, "we shall see that Oh Mr. I'm-so-great" Maan squinted his eyes but before he could reply anything, the elevator door opened and she stepped out of it, and walked away
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Geet called Anu after the dinner. Geet told Anu about the project and presentation she would be working. Geet also told her what happened when she was just about to leave the premises before. Anu on the other hand, listened to the whole conversation with her fingers crossed and was suddenly nervous. She had seen her brother entering home in a foul mood and wondered if she now knew the reason behind it. Not wanting to think of any permutations and combinations, she ducked herself in her bed and went off to sleep. Tomorrow would be a new day.
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Geet blow dried her hair and wore a white colour churidar suit. She wore minimal accessories and make-up and threw her dupatta around her neck. Nonetheless she looked elegant and pristine in her simple Indian formal dress up. Giving herself a final look, she wore her heels and got ready for the first corporate presentation of her life. She reached office early and once again rehearsed the entire presentation and made some final changes. The other trainees were also fidgeting with their powerpoint slides, giving final touches. Geet calmed and felt relaxed, confident and ready. Or so she thought!
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Maan's black Porsche entered the driveway in the Khurana Estate and he stepped down in front of the building. He entered office taking long strides but stopped right in front of the security desk. Automatically, he turned to look at the desk and caught glimpse of the two stems of yellow tulips settled in a small vase just like yesterday. So she was here. He remembered their uneventful meet last evening and smirked. This wasn't going to turn out to be a pleasant surprise for her now, would it? He headed straight towards the conference room where the presentations would take place. Mr. Gupta along with the chief architect and the design head were already present in the conference room having presentation copies of all the trainees. As Maan entered, Mr. Gupta handed him the copies briefing him more details as Maan scanned through the copies. They were indeed impressive. Maan particularly liked one presentation very much as he observed the kind of thought process and fine attention to details been given in the copy. Over the next couple of hours, one by one the trainees were called in individually to present in front of the board.
The other trainees were done with their turns. Geet had noticed the pale faces of her fellow mates when they had walked out of the room. "I would rather walk into a lion's den than walk back again in that conference room" Ritesh commented, when he walked out from the room after his turn. Prachi was in tears and had nearly fainted... while Sahil was cold and numb, his face white as he said, "I now know what Guerilla Warfare was!" and now finally it was Geet's turn. Looking at other people's reactions, a little nervous, she stood on the door and prayed, "Babaji madat karna" and then taking a deep breath entered the room. Familiar faces greeted her politely. "All the best, Geet" Mr. Gupta wished her luck. Taking it a cue she was about to begin thinking they were only going to be the audience to her presentation but then Mr. Gupta stopped her gesturing towards the person standing near the window talking on his phone with his back towards her. So there he was, she thought! She flipped the pages of her report waiting for Maan to join the rest. As Maan finished and approached the team, he saw Geet looking through the report and said, "I think we can start here" startling her. As she looked up, she instantly recognized the person she had met last evening! "Geet this is Mr. Maan Singh Khurana" she heard Mr. Gupta and Geet shook her head, sure enough that she was asleep and was facing a nightmare.
Maan smirked as he saw Geet's eyes widened in shock and her mouth dropped open. Looking at him smirk, she gulped! She looked up and thought, "Thank you baba ji... mujhe nahi pata tha ki aap mujhse itna pyar karte ho ki itni jaldi apne paas bulane ke arrangements kar loge" Mr. Gupta than continued, "and Maan this is..." Maan cut him in between and added meaningfully, "Geet Handa... (boring his eyes into her) Would you like to have a glass of water Ms. Geet? You don't look well... Looks like you have witnessed an apparition". Embarrassed, Geet understood that he was trying to mock her and muttered to herself, "yes sure... a phantom!" But then fumbled aloud, "yea... I mean no... I'm fine... perfectly fine" Mr. Gupta frowned a little as he sensed the undercurrent but decided to ignore it, "shall we start, Geet?" he asked. Suddenly unsure, she heard herself saying, "yes". She turned away from her audience, closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she refocused her attention back to her presentation and thought, "Nahi Geet, don't falter. The look on the phantom's face says that's exactly what he's expecting... waise bhi tune kitni mehnat ki hai... Don't let it go waste" Mustering up some courage, she turned back, looking confident, though she couldn't find even a small fragment of her usual confidence inside her anymore... and looked back at Maan, directly in his eyes as she asked, "Shall I start sir?" Maan looked back at her, challenging her as he nodded, "go ahead"
Geet knew her work and her project like the back of her hand. The management lessons that her Bauji imparted her with, came very handy at times like these. So once she began, she gradually forgot the tension she felt just a few moments ago. Immersed in her presentation, she explained the nitty-gritty of her design and her promotional plan.
He was impressed with her work undoubtedly. What he liked the most in her presentation was the in-depth research and the use of case-studies backing her points. They were freshers so of course, the presentations lacked the professional luster but what he was assessing was the thought process and the efforts gone behind the work. Others were good too but they lacked enthusiasm and conviction towards their own work. But not Geet. She knew what she was talking!
Maan also took in her pristine form while she was presenting. The fact that she was looking gorgeous in white had not gone unnoticed by Maan. Infact he was taken aback by her simplicity the moment he looked at her when he turned back from the window after attending the call. He noticed how in a matter of seconds she regained her lost confidence and her nervousness were replaced by the enthusiasm and excitement. He looked at those twinkling eyes that had captivated him yesterday. Her beautiful pink soft lips, he had touched. He looked at her hand gestures as she animatedly presented her plan and justified it. The manner in which she tucked the loose unruly strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled and stressed on few points making her point. And then finally, she looked at him and said, "thank you". Maan looked around and saw the look of appreciation in everyone's eyes. He and the rest of the people asked her several questions and Geet confidently replied them all. Appreciating her hard work, Mr. Gupta asked her to get back to her work. Sensing an intense look on her, Geet was only eager to get out of the room and so quickly complied and left the room.
"Didn't I tell you she is the best" Mr. Gupta commented as soon as she was out of the room. But Maan was a little lost. Yes she was indeed the best of all. He had given a tough time to all the trainees today. But all he wanted was to make flawless professionals out of them. He had been dying to give her some lessons too, especially after yesterday. But she didn't give him an opportunity. Few had the courage to look Maan Singh Khurana in his eyes, and she was one of them. There was something about her that made her different. Yes she was different than the others. While the trainees had dressed themselves in blazers, she was wearing a simple white churidar but was able to make an impact that none could. Her simplicity, her mannerisms, her dressing style, the way she presented and carried herself everything was different but there was something else too that set her apart... apart from them all... apart from everyone.
Maan appreciated talent and gave an excellent opportunity for deserving people to learn and grow. He was not going to be partial. As always he would give the best trainee an opportunity to work with him, only this time it would be a little more fun, he thought. Geet was going to be an interesting subject! He let Mr. Gupta and others know that Geet would indeed work with him on the project.
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Post office hours, Geet was sitting in the coffee shop looking sheepishly at the table while Anu looked mad. "I had sent you his entire profile, didn't I? and I told you, that you should be knowing your bosses well." Geet was running her mind to find an escape, "I didn't find it necessary to read about Mr. Sadu Khurana and neither I was ever interested in his looks... (looking at Anu's resentment she quickly went to add) Haan but I did surf about the business and thoroughly studied the website too." Anu placed her coffee mug down with a thud, "Which part of world do you live in, Geet? Veerj... uhh I mean Mr. Maan Khurana has his pictures plastered all over the fortune magazine last month for receiving the young entrepreneur award and you didn't recognize him? An aspiring business student would have recognized him from a distance of ten miles!" Geet frowned, "Now that's hyperbole! Big deal I didn't recognize him... So? I did my best in my work... doesn't that count?" she pouted... Anu rolled her eyes and said sternly, "Don't try your dramatics here!" Geet's eyes widened, "Haw do you realize, you just spoke like he do? And ek minute... now that I see, tujhe pata hai your nose is just as sharp as his" Geet giggled. However Anu frowned, "No it is not! Mine is better, only our eyes are similar" Geet looked at her confused, "huh?" Anu quickly tried to divert from the tangential route their conversation had taken coz of Geet, for her own good, "umm... Ok I excuse you for not checking his profile that I sent you... But Geet, which idiot on this earth goes blabbering about the CEO of the company to the strangers inside the company premises? For heaven sake, you ended up calling your CEO, a bhoot right in his face! Couldn't you keep your mouth shut?" Geet made a cute face, "Theek hai na... ab jo ho gaya, so ho gaya? chal lets finish the coffee and make a move, mujhe ghar jana hai... I haven't slept well since yesterday" Still mad at her, Anu finished her coffee and warned her to keep a control over her tongue as they left for their respective homes.
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Later in the night, Anu was sitting on the lounger enjoying her favourite twilight series when Maan entered the TV room. "Veerji... good you came... you have to see this... Edward is going to fight off victoria for Bella" Anu said excitedly. Maan frowned, "No thanks... Don't know how you enjoy a vampire and human love story! How does it make any sense to you?" She held up the remote and pressed the pause button as she said, "Veerji, when was the last time that a love story made sense to you, to begin with?" Maan rolled his eyes at her, "You should rather be attentive to your books" It was Anu's turn to roll her eyes but then thinking something she sat upright, "Veerji, have you ever felt something for someone?" Maan narrowed his eyes, "Bachi... is there someone in your college trying to act smart with you?" Iratated Anu instantly shut her eyes, "Can't these two people on earth ever be synchronized with the flow of the conversation?" Maan asked again now serious though, "Bachi, maine tujhse kuch pucha hai?" Anu looked at Maan, "Veerji main aapki baat kar rahi hu... and just to put your mind at rest, the answer is no... now... batao na Veerji... have you ever felt something for someone?" Now at ease, Maan laughed a little and replied, "No" Anu frowned, "Veerji you meet so many girls, never have you ever met someone you may have liked? Jisse dekh kar aapko laga ho ki she is different than the rest?" Maan at once looked at Anu but didn't say anything, instead he told her to get to her room as it was getting late and got up to leave... When he reached the door, Anu called him again, as he turned back he saw frowning, she had her finger on her nose and she asked, "Veerji do we have similar noses?" As she kept trying to look at her own nose, he said, "You better get to your bed! You need some rest" and left the study.
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Maan was welcomed the next morning to his office with a melodious sound of her laughter. He didn't have to look who it was, he knew it. As he turned around the corridor, he saw her standing at the reception with the receptionist, Diya and Sapna. Diya muttered something to Sapna, who looked at Geet who was now pouting and the two burst laughing. Geet didn't look amused though. As he got near, he heard Sapna say, "Geet you are one of a kind" and then Geet smiled cutely, "I know". It was then that Diya saw him and nudged Sapna and Geet. Sapna fled off the moment she saw him but Geet stood her ground taking her own sweet time and when he passed them, wished him morning. Diya told her in hushed voice that she should hurry to wish Geet replied haughtily, "I'm not scared of your Maan Sir" Maan immediately turned around and gave her a challenging stare. Geet, at once stopped smiling, adjusted her shoulder bag and practically ran away. Looking at her back, Maan couldn't help but smile.
He was already enjoying this. He didn't know why, but contrary to the other times when trainees would be looking forward to assist him, it was him this time who was looking forward to work with with this one. Geet indeed would be an interesting subject!
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I hope it lived upto the expectations... let me know whether you liked it or not
Sonia😃
Edited by euphoric - 14 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
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