TWELVE
"Geet," Maan said, bringing her back from her thoughts, "I read Chandni Raat last night, and I wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed it."
"Thank you," she said, taking another bite of pizza.
"I obviously had the wrong impression of what romance novels actually are. When I gave the book to Annie today, I apologized for teasing her for years about her choice of reading material."
"That's nice."
"Your novel was great. I stayed up late to finish it, because I wanted to find out how the hero and heroine were going to solve their problems. It seemed hopeless for a while, but you really did a fantastic job of putting the pieces together."
"Thank you. Do you have enough soda?"
"Yes I'm fine. Do you do your own research? You covered the details of clothes, house, food, the whole nine yards of that time. Do you have someone to gather that information?"
"No, I do my own research. I have a large library that contains books from different times in history. Ohhh, I'm stuffed. Four slices of pizza, that's my limit."
"I've had plenty, too. It was delicious, and thanks for sharing it with me. Was 'chandni raat' your choice, I mean the title, was it yours or the editor's pick?"
"I titled it 'chandni raat'. Sometimes they change what I've chosen for reasons that make no sense to me."
"Does that bother you?"
"Pehle lagta tha, par not anymore. I don't care if the readers remember the title. I want them to remember the characters, the story. I'll go and put the rest of the pizza in the refrigerator."
"Okay." He looked at her thoughtfully. "I'll fold up the cloth."
Interesting, he thought. He was getting the impression that Geet didn't want to talk about her work. He'd assumed that someone like her, having her level of talent would enjoy discussing work with the person who showed interest in it. But not Geet Handa.
He'd met women who were so involved in their careers they couldn't be bothered to talk about anything else. Geet's attitude had caught him off guard, but it was very refreshing.
The confusing part was that Annie and Pari were concerned that Geet was too focused on her work. If that was true then why didn't she want to discuss it? Maybe because she is eccentric like writers always are, maybe she has some superstition, like totka or something. Yes? No? He really didn't know.
Geet came back into the room, took the tablecloth, then headed to the kitchen again.
Maan was fascinated by the fact that she was a writer, Geet thought. Most people she met for the first time found her career intriguing. She usually enjoyed answering all their questions ' even when on vacation ' as it was easy for her to talk about something which she loved.
Tonight, however, she needed to direct the conversation to center around him. If, and that was a very big if, she decided to make Maan The Project, she had to know more about him, determine what makes him go, determine why he worked harder than was necessary.
Geet returned to living room and sat down next to Maan again. At the same time, they both shifted slightly so that they face each other. Their eyes met, and neither spoke.
Oh God, Maan thought, Geet's eyes were incredible. He'd never seen eyes that were so deep. Would they change colour when her emotions changed. He wanted to know.
Geet tore her gaze from Maan's and picked an imaginary thread from her dress.
How much time had passed since she'd looked directly into Maan's chocolate brown eyes? She honestly didn't know. She'd been rooted to her place, with the raging heartbeats, that she could hear in her ears.
"So," she said a little loudly. She looked at Maan's chin. "Annie told me that you are a family of architects. She said that your father started the firm years ago, and a dream, with your mother as his secretary. Now you're all involved in the company."
"Yep, we're Khurana Constructions. Our folks are retired now, and are having a fabulous time travelling here and there. My brother Vicky isn't an architect. He's an IPS officer, a very dedicated cop."
"I don't remember who the middle one is."
"Dev. He's married and has a son. Great kid. Dev likes the challenges of taking remodelling project. He's done a lot of restoration work, and is currently having more jobs than he can handle. Vicky is next in line as far as age. He got married three months ago. Annie is the baby of the family."
"Did you hire someone to take Annie's place now that she's been ordered to stay in bed?"
Maan nodded. "Annie hired a sharp girl. You see not only Annie an architect; she also has a degree in landscape architecture. Most people don't know that landscaping can be complicated, so as to require a college degree."
"Because of Annie we're a full-service firm. It other words we can design a home, construct it and landscaping to enhance it, if the client wishes. We're really proud of her and we miss her now that she's concentrating on her family."
Geet smiled and met Maan's gaze again. "It's obvious that you're all very close. That's nice, really lovely."
"It's always been that way." He shrugged. "It can sometimes be pain in the rear because family members don't hesitate to give their opinion on what you're doing, chahe aapne pucha ho ya nahi. Par baaki time ye jaakar achha lagta hai ki they're all there."
"It sounds wonderful. I wish I had brothers and sisters like you and family who --"
Family who what? Maan wondered. What was Geet about to say?
"I think I have everyone in your family straight now." She said.
It was fact finding time. She'd become very adept over the years at phrasing her questions in a manner that provided her with the information she wanted to know. She was about to do her thing, just in case she decided to make Maan The Project, which she probably wouldn't, but, well''just in case.
"That leaves you," she said, smiling. "You're what? About thirty?"
"Thirty one."
"I had my twenty eight birthday a few months back. From what everyone said, I should be expecting a depression settle over me." She shrugged. "It didn't happen."
"Well I guess some people feel if you are not married by thirty, you are doomed."
"I was married at nineteen, divorced at twenty one. Now that was a doomed relationship."
"What happened?"
"It's old news," she said, waving one hand in the air. "It's not worth talking about. We're discussing you. You're the only one in your family who isn't married." She laughed. "Aur haan if you are married then I'm going to be very annoyed that you ate my pizza."
Maan raised one hand in the air and placed the other over his heart.
"I'm not," he said with a mock serious expression on his face, "nor have I ever been married ma'am."
"Yes I know. Main to bas mazak kar rahi thi. Annie ne bataya tha, par--" she leaned slightly toward him "'why not?"
next -- part 13 -- https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/41206695
Questions for u --
y do u think maan is not married??
n what happened with geet??
i hope u guys like this part...
i'll update one more part tomorrow...
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