Hello Ladies... and wish you all a very very very Happy Women's Day 😳
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Part 18
"Vicky?" Geet repeated with a frown at the familiarity of the name. But before she could ponder more over it Pinky came to her side. "Geet, thank God you are here... kitni der laga di... chal abhi" finishing the last bit, Pinky pulled her alongside to meet the head of the hotel's marketing division, Sasha.
"Geet... sweet name... but I think, Ms. Confusion suits her better" Vicky said to himself, courtesy her confusion on the road and then her confused expressions over their conversation.
"Hello Ma'am" greeted Geet as she sat across Sasha in her cabin. Politely acknowledging her greeting, Sasha went through her records and asked her basic questions related to the job. She then explained the job profile to her. After half an hour of drilling interview session, Sasha was finally convinced and pleased with her. "I think that should do. I'll ask Pinky to process your papers. You may join from tomorrow, if that's fine with you? Actually the position is a little urgent" Sasha asked smiling. "That's perfectly fine ma'am. Thank you" Geet smiled back and collecting her papers left her cabin.
Pinky and Adi met her at the reception and were happy and relieved at her selection. Adi asked Geet to go home meanwhile Pinky assured her that she can complete the paperwork tomorrow. After months of gloominess, a small but genuine smile came on Geet's lips and she thanked Babaji for giving her atleast a chance to stand on her feet.
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Vicky was lounging lazily around the poolside, sipping on his cocktail when his phone rang. Looking at the caller id, he coughed and immediately sat upright and then answered the call "Hi Veerji... (pause) yeah yeah I'm at the hotel... (pause) Honestly Veerji, I'm getting a high at it... feels like I've suddenly turned into a spy...(pause) ok... ok... I know... I'll let you know" saying he disconnected the call and shook his head while he muttered, "yeh Veerji ne mujhe kahan phasa diya hai" and then laid back on his lounger.
Fun-loving, extrovert and chilled out is how one could describe Vicky. Vicky or Vikrant Khurana, Maan and Dev's younger brother, was back to India after 2 long years on Maan's insistence. Rumours of the sinking reputation of East-villas were doing rounds for quite sometime now. But since, Viren had handed over hotel's responsibility to Dev, Maan knew better than to interfere in Dev's business. But recently, the hotel ratings dropped, which had called on Maan's attention and not wanting to appear nosy for the sake of his satisfaction, he had asked Vicky to look into the matters subtly. And so, here he was!
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Passers-by looked at the black porche parked in front of the gates of the society. This was not the first time it was seen parked outside the gates, however the tinted glass barred everyone's view of its insides. But Maan didn't dare avert his gaze from her window. The windows had remained shut for more than two months now but he still made usual rounds hoping and wishing that she would open it someday and wave and smile at him as ever. It was easy to shut others up, tell them he didn't care but was it really that easy to exercise it himself? What was he supposed to do with his heart that pinned for her every single moment? Her arms were his solace; taken away that, he himself was burning in the embers of dejection and gloom. Can anybody see that? Yet what could he do? It was her decision to leave him... if only, if only, he knew where he went wrong and what could he do rectify it all... to start all over if that was possible... Looking at the house, he remembered the golden days of his life he had spent there.
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Flashback
"Anu... why are you dragging me along?" Maan asked as he drove towards Geet's place with Anu. "Yeh lo... ek toh main aapke fayde ke baare main soch rahi hu aur aap hain mujhe hi aankhen dikha rahe ho" Anu said. "Anu..." Maan warned her. Anu needed to pick up some notes which Geet had said she would arrange for her and then had also insisted Maan to drive her there. Though he felt uncertain to go to Geet's place like that the temptation of seeing her a little earlier than usual made him succumb to Anu's demands. Around half an hour later, he stood at her door with Anu incessantly pressing the doorbell of the house.
"Behave Anu" Maan admonished... "Veerji... you behave well ok... first impression counts... meri toh best friend ka ghar hai par aapka toh hone wala sasural hai" she said gravely and then giggled. But before he could say a word, the door opened and he straightened up. "Good morning Aunty ji" he heard Anu say and looked up to see a smiling lady in Punjabi suit with her dupatta placed over her head standing in front of them. "Good morning Beta" the lady smiled and replied looking fondly at Anu and then moving aside for them to enter. Anu smiled a little and then turning over her shoulder whispered to Maan, "Aapki to-be mother-in-law"... Maan glared, "shut-up Anu" he whispered. Turning towards Rano, Anu introduced Maan to her, "Aunty ji, yeh hai woh insaan jinhe aapki beti ne das hazaar naam de rakhe hain... aapki beti ke sadoo boss aur mere Veerji" she chirped while Maan coughed as he felt like strangling her for her big mouth. "Chup kar... Kuch bhi bolti rethi hai" Rano said looking slightly embarrassed and then turning to Maan, "I'm sorry Beta... Geet didn't mean it". Maan politely shook his head, "Nahi Aunty ji... koi baat nahi... aap Anu ki baaton pe dhyan mat dijiye" he said, glaring at her asking her to shut up.
"Geet kahan hai auntyji?" Anu asked. Rano gestured and lead Anu and Maan towards the dining table where Geet was sitting beside Mohinder. As Rano introduced Maan and Mohinder, Geet looked up surprised at Maan and then at Anu, who went over to her side and told her that he was here to drop her. Geet nodded once and smiled only a little as Mohinder asked the other two to join them for breakfast. Before Maan could refuse, Anu was already rolling up a paratha. Maan shook his head at her and took a seat passing a fleeting glance towards Geet who was visibly upset. He frowned. Just then he heard Anu, "Aunty ji aap kahin bahar ja rahe ho?" she asked as she looked at the suitcase that was placed in a corner. And Geet sniffed. At once turning to her, "Oye tujhe kya hua?" Anu asked a little perturbed. "Kuch nahin" she whimpered. "Geet... aisa nahi karte puttar" Rano tried soothing her. "Kya hua Aunty ji?" Anu enquired again. Maan by now was sitting on the edge of his chair impatiently waiting to know what was wrong.
"Kuch nahi beta... we are going to Amritsar for 2-3 days... isiliye" Mohinder smiled a little as he stroked Geet's hair. "Toh, do din baad bhi toh ja sakte the na... meri training do din baad complete ho jati... toh main bhi chalti" Geet said amidst tears and without looking back ran upstairs to her room.
"Main dekhti hoon" Rano said as she followed Geet upstairs. Anu looked at Mohinder concerned. Geet threw herself on the bed as she cried. "Beta... you know na... its your dadi ma's death anniversary... we couldn't have postponed the visit even if we wished" Rano tried reasoning with her and then added "Besides, your classes are beginning from next week... aur tab tak hum aa jayenge" she finished the last line soothingly. "Aap dono har saal koi na koi bahana bana dete ho" Geet said accusing while Rano gulped and hastened to justify, "Its nothing like that, Geet (then calming a bit) theek hai next year... I promise" Rano smiled knowing very well that this promise was not meant to be kept. Geet wiped her tears and Rano reminded her of Anu and Maan. Geet nodded tearfully and told her, she would come down soon.
Anu looked at the stairs worried. "Don't worry beta... she'll be alright... (gulping) har saal woh apni maasi ke saath hoti hai... but this time uske training programme ki wajah se usse yahin rehna padega... woh kabhi akele rahi nahi hai aaj tak" Mohinder said looking worried. "Uncle ji main hoon na..." Anu tried to be cheery while Rano came down the stairs. "thodi der main aa jayegi" she said as she started picking up the plates. Maan gestured Anu to go to Geet. Anu smiled at his concern and within no time dashed upstairs to Geet's room. As Rano cleaned up, Mohinder and Maan chatted for a while, while Maan's eyes kept darting towards the stairs. Needless to say Rano and Mohinder had taken instant liking towards Maan, however they yet didn't know of the bond he shared with Geet.
After a while Anu came down with Geet in tow, who still looked upset. Her eyes were puffy as she looked at Maan who gestured her to not to cry. Soon it was time for Rano and Mohinder to leave. Geet hugged them as Rano showered her with the list of do's and don't, asking her to be careful, to take care of herself, to eat on time, so on and so forth. And as soon as they left, Geet started sobbing again.
"Geet... its just the matter of few days" Maan took Geet in his arms as he tried to console her while Anu fetched a glass of water for her. She then insisted for Geet to stay at Khurana Mansion while her parents were away, to which Maan readily agreed but Geet declined as she had a few tasks to complete before her college began. And then in sometime, even they left for their destination. Maan and Geet dropped Anu at her college and then went to office.
Whenever Geet looked upset, Maan would call her in his cabin on the pretext of some work and would try and cheer her up. He would hold her, cajole her and pamper her to make sure she was ok. After work, he went to drop her at her place but instead of leaving right away, he accompanied her to her house. "Maan main theek hoon and I'll be fine aap jaiye" she insisted. But he was adamant. Sighing, she asked him to take a seat as she prepared coffee for both of them. Geet cuddled upto Maan on the couch while he engulfed her in his arms and kissed her cheeks as they stayed there for long, just enjoying to be with each other. They spoke, smiled, laughed and teased each other endlessly, enjoying each moment of their togetherness. Geet knew he was making sure that she didn't miss her parents and she felt her heart swell at his affectionate gestures.
As Geet traced patterns with her fingers on his palms, Maan looked at the cosy and warm dcor of Geet's home and felt her presence and touch in everything. It was odd, for though he had been here only twice, somehow this place was turning out to be the most comfortable place on this earth for him. Holding her so close to himself and having her just to himself, made him feel at home. He wished for the day when the same touch and feel would be evident over his room, his home too. He desired to bask in the glory of this warmth and touch for the eternity. Pulling her more to himself, Maan intertwined his fingers with hers and kissed her forehead while he relished their proximity.
While Geet spoke to Rano, Maan ordered dinner for both of them. When the dinner arrived, Geet asked him to freshen up as she set the table and lit the candles for the perfect setting. After all, this would be the first dinner they would enjoy together. When Maan returned he smiled at her efforts. Could fairy tale romances be better than this? Over the dinner, she kept talking while he did the listening job, reminding her to eat as well in between.
Finally, when it got really late he reluctantly took her leave, not before leaving behind his own set of instructions for her. Asking her to take care, call him at once if there was any trouble, sleep well, so on and so forth. By the time, he reached home, he had called her 5 times already asking if she was fine, if she needed anything... till she snapped at him asking him to concentrate on his driving. He complied but as soon as he reached his room, he was back on call with her and chatted till sleep took over.
Next day, Maan picked Geet up for office and by the time they reached, their breakfast was ready in his cabin. Incidentally it was Geet's last day at Khurana group and he was grumpy. That meant he kept the staff on their toes. Poor Sapna was on the brink of crying when she met Geet. She was making coffee for him when she told her that Sir was in horrible mood and was making everyone run. The office boys were on some errands and he needed coffee immediately so she was here. Comprehending the matter at hand, she rolled her eyes as she took the coffee from Sapna and told her she would give it to him. Reluctantly Sapna handed over the coffee to Geet and went. Thinking something, Geet poured down the coffee down the sink and instead took him a cold glass of water. She chuckled. These were some exclusive liberties only she could take over him and her last prank over him for the time-being in the office. She sighed. She was going to miss being here.
Entering in his cabin, she banged his mug in front of him. Startled he looked up at her and then at the mug. "Pani?" he asked incredulously. "Umm hmm... thanda pani" she corrected. He frowned at her, "Maine Sapna se coffee maangi thi" he picked up the receiver of his phone to call up Sapna but she snatched it from him and put it down again. "Pata hai. Lekin aap ke liye yeh thanda pani hi theek hai hai" she replied defiantly. "Matlab?" he placed his hands on his waist. "woh kya hai na... subah se aapka dimag kuch zyada garam hai toh socha cold water will be of some help. Besides, main toh kehti hoon, aap thodi sugar bhi kha lijiye.. insaan kadva hai toh kya zubaan toh meethi ho jayegi" she finished it sweetly. "Geet!" he said glaring. She frowned, "aur nahi toh kya... it's not anyone's fault that it's my last day in office here. toh aap sab par itna gussa kyun kar rahe hain?" she asked now placing her hands on her hips. Maan fumbled. "Aisa nahi hai... Main toh..." she raised her hand indicating him to stop. "Bahane mat banaiye ga. Mujhe sab pata hai" she told him and he knew she was right. Just then when his intercom rang, he answered it and was about to snap at the intruder when she glared at him, he mellowed down. Moving over to his side, she hugged him while he was still on the call. While he spoke on the line, he held her with his free hand and she rested her head on his chest. "Maan... I'm going to miss office, everyone, all of this and you" she whispered when he placed the receiver back. "I know. But Geet, I'm not going to have you compromise on your studies for anything. Get that?" He sternly said. She nodded her head and stayed in his embrace for a few minutes before going over to wrap up her things.
The rest of the day went with Geet meeting and conveying her gratitude to everyone. In the evening, much to Maan's annoyance, Anu was already sitting in the car by the time they reached. "Thanks to you I couldn't even speak to Geet yesterday. So today I'm not leaving her" Anu said adamantly crossing her arms over her chest. Geet smiled while Maan rolled his eyes. On her insistence they went for some shopping and then Maan took them for dinner. Anu and Geet chatted away all the time while Maan wondered what he was doing in between these two. Anu was the limit; she actually made him feel like an outsider! His only consolation was the feel of Geet's hand held in his under the table. After spending a fun-filled evening, Anu and Maan dropped Geet at her place and then proceeded home. Once home, he was back speaking to her on the phone.
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"Apno se zyada tujhe us ladki ki fikar hai?" The old man with a turban around his head shooted daggers with his eyes as he admonished and accused Mohinder. With equally grave expressions etched on his face, Mohinder replied, "Woh ladki meri beti hai!" The old man smirked... "Teri beti! You have just raised her up. (looking at Rano)The truth is, your loving wife was never capable of giving birth at all." The venom laced truth stung deeply inside Rano's chest as she quivered and tears brimmed in her eyes. Mohinder's nostrils flared in anger. "Daar ji... just be grateful ki aap mere pita hai... agar kisi aur ne aisa kaha hota toh I would have strangled him with my bare hands." Daar ji rose to his feet and so did Brij as he roared, "Chacha ji... zuban sambhal ke baat karo" Mohinder, who was equally charged up by now rose to his feet as well and threatened, "Brij, tu mere bade bhai ka beta hai... this is the only reason I haven't yet handed you down to the police for misbehaving with my daughter in the middle of the street. But if you think that you can blackmail me to put that property in your name then you are highly mistaken! (turning to Daarji) aapko bilkul sharam nahi aati Daarji, jab Simi marr rahi thi tab toh aapne uski taraf dekha tak nahi. Aap yeh bhi bhool gaye ki who aapki beti hai. Aur ab Brij ko rokne ki jagah aap usse encourage kar rahe ho!"
"Simi mere liye ussi din marr gayi thi jis din ussne bhag kar us ladke se shaadi ki thi. Usse baad uske saath kya hua, isse mera koi vasta nahi hai" Daar ji thundered. "Wah! Usne bhag kar shaadi ki, kyunki aapne usse majboor kiya. Is ghar main aapki tanashahi ne usse kabhi jeene hi kahan diya tha" Mohinder confronted his father. "bekaar ki baatein hain yeh. Mujhe koi farak nahi padta. Simi se main jitni nafrat karta tha usse zyada nafrat uski beti se karta hoon. Us ladki ki wajah se maine apne bete ko kho diya, tu mujhse door chala gaya. Uske badle main zameen toh bohut mamuli cheez hai. Brij jo kar raha hai theek hai." said Daar ji with such hatred that made Rano flinch and assured her that Mohinder's decision of not letting Geet even near to this was the right thing. Trying hard to contain the rage that was over powering him, Mohinder lethally replied, "you could have saved my sister but you chose not to. You killed her. Main aakhri baar warn kar raha hoon, ab Geet se door rahiye aap log." Brij sneered, "soch lijiye Chacha ji... if you don't budge, Your Geet would have to pay a heavy price!" Mohinder gave a mortifying look to Brij and walked away with Rano.
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It was a little before six thirty when the shrill continuous sound of the door bell woke her up. She grunted, "itni subah kaun aa gaya" she muttered as she tried to avoid the bell. But then she remembered, she was alone in the house and that meant she would have to answer the door herself. Yawning, she made her way down the stairs. Groggily she opened the door to see him standing before her, dressed in his casual attire of jeans, a polo neck t-shirt and a leather jacket holding a bouquet of red roses in his hand, he smiled at her. She shut her eyes... she must be dreaming, she thought. He was drinking in the sight of her. She looked cute and edible to his hungry eyes... her disheveled hair made her look naively sexy and then... well then she shut the door on his face. Was he looking ok? Damn! Flowers were not such a good idea... he thought as he rung the bell again. Geet who was still standing close to the door, gathering her thoughts almost jumped when the bell rang again. And opening the door just a little, peeped through the opening. She wasn't dreaming, it was him! His facial expressions had changed from sweet to incredulous as he pushed the door aside and entered.
"Maan?" she said and touched his face to still ensure that it was really him. He held her hand and brushed his lips on her fingers as he brought forward the flowers. The difference between her dream and actuality was slowly fading as almost dazed she accepted the flowers. He leaned in and whispered, "Good Morning Mishti." He smiled at her disordered state and as mischief filled his eyes, he slowly took her hand and bit her index finger slightly. "Ouch" she winced as she snapped out of her dreamworld.
"Aap! aap itni subah subah yahan kya kar rahe hain?" she asked frowning as she looked at the clock. "You forgot! Didn't you?" he asked squinting his eyes at her. "Kya?" she asked, scratching her head a little. His expressions turned intense, as he slipped a hand around her and pulled her close to him, "didn't you promise to spend the day with me?" he whispered in her ears. Any traces of sleep that were left in her eyes, now warded off. "haan par itni subah?" she asked a little meekly. "Its Saturday. Tum ghar pe akeli ho... I didn't want to waste a minute" he said throatily causing her to blush. "Maan..." she smiled and pushed him a little but he picked her in his arms and took her upstairs. There were two rooms, of which the door to one of the rooms was open, he took her in there and she nodded indicating, it was her room. Placing her down, "Get ready soon. We are going out" he told as he tucked her hair behind her ear, caressing her smooth cheeks. She simply nodded as she went and placed the flowers in the vase and then walked over to her closet. All this while he kept observing her. She was about to remove a green colour suit when he stopped her and instead picked out a light pink suit for her and watched as she disappeared into the washroom.
He looked around her room, her pictures, her unmade bed... ok lets just ignore that! For her fresh morning look was enough to play havoc with his senses. It would be advisable to not think about it. He had a long wait ahead of him. He focused back on her pictures and looked at the myriad of emotions that were exhibited. Her pictures as a frowning little child, one in her school uniform where she was holding a trophy, the one in which she was holding her teddy-bear, her pictures with her parents, her friends, oh Anu was present too... it all brought a smile on his face. No, honestly... his face mimicked each expression exhibited in the picture as he watched them.
Geet stepped out of the washroom and didn't find him in the room. However, her room looked a little better than before. Her bed was made and the books those were lying on her desk were piled up well. She smiled and quickly brushed her hair and putting on her kajal and gloss rushed downstairs as the warm and intoxicating smell of the freshly brewed coffee filled her senses. Seconds later she saw him walking out of the kitchen, holding two mugs of coffee. She smiled at him and inwardly frowned at herself. He was way too perfect than her. At the same time, his caring side overwhelmed her and she just went upto him and hugged him from behind. He was taken aback but then, brought her forward asking, if something bothered her. But she declined and whispered, "thank you". he questioned her through his eyes and she said, "aap yeh isiliye kar rahe ho na... so that I don't miss Ma and Bauji?" he smiled at her and kissed her forehead before replying, "Geet, its for us and I can't stay indifferent knowing that you are alone... even if I try my destiny will pull me to you. Because you are my destiny Geet" the sincerity in his voice touched her soul and she tip-toed and kissed him on his cheeks.
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Back to present
Geet was getting ready for her first day at work. Though she was relieved at the arrangement, she wasn't happy. She was going to work elsewhere. She knew, Maan had always been adamant on her joining his company. He would have never had her working for someone else. And today, that is exactly what she was going to do. This was the first time ever that she was not only going to go against his will but was also breaking her promise to him. Hadn't she promised him that she would rejoin the Khurana group?
But who knew then, that fate had something else planned for them. It had planned separate paths for them. And it was time to get accustomed to it.
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"Veerji, discrepancies hain account statements main and funds bhi hotel account ki jagah Naintara bhabhi ke personal account main transfer hue hain... With Mr. Aditya's help I have cross checked and verified it too... (pause) abhi nahi Veerji... Bhai aur Bhabhi abhi yahan nahi hai...let me go through things once again (pause) ji... I'm mailing you the statement copies today itself..."
"Theek hai Vicky... let them be back then... they better be prepared to face me over the mess that they have made with the hotel's reputation and finances! I'll be there soon" Maan said gravely as he disconnected the call and looked ahead determinedly.
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Ok. Now your turn... let me know how it was... Hope it lives upto your expectations😃
Sonia
Edited by euphoric - 14 years ago
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
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