Part LVII
It was January 8th 2010. Sheikh Mushtaq Ali had arranged a grand party in the Taj Hotel to celebrate his wife, Noor's birthday. Geet and Maan were invited to attend it. After the cake was cut, the sheikh gifted his wife several expensive gifts including a diamond jewellery set, an expensive gem studded watch and of course the album 'Ishq', dedicated to her. Noor was very keen to meet the singer and was introduced to Geet by the producer of the album.
Noor was a woman in her late twenties, tall, about 5' 9'', with an oval face which housed a sharp nose, dark almond eyes, pink lips and dimpled chin. Her skin was milky white and flawless. Her lips parted to reveal pearly white even teeth. No wonder the middle-aged sheikh was smitten with his third wife thought Geet as she herself was enthralled in her beauty. Noor had to repeat her name twice before Geet snapped out of her trance and shook her extended hand. Noor had heard the album and was very pleased with her singing. She congratulated her on a job well done. She then turned her attention to Maan who was standing next to Geet and she looked at her enquiringly. Geet hastened to introduce her husband to the woman and they shook hands. Noor held his hand longer than was necessary, looking deeply into his eyes.
Maan looked uncomfortable and averted his gaze before jerking his hand free. Geet noticed her husband's discomfiture and pointing in the direction of the sheikh, indicated that her husband appeared to be looking for her. Noor turned around and luckily Sheikh Mushtaq was walking up to them just then. Smiling at her husband, Noor introduced Mr. Maan Khurana, as the singing sensation's husband.
"What do you do, Mr.Khurana?" asked the Sheikh
"I run a hotel in Andheri, the Garodia Hotel."
"The Garodia Hotel? Never heard of it before. Is it famous?"
"It may not be famous right now but I can assure you that by the time you visit our city next time it would have become famous. We have our own clientele, Sir. Our hotel is unique and quite different from other hotels."
"In what way, Mr.Khurana?" asked the Sheikh curiously.
Maan then briefed him about the motto of his hotel to provide 'A home away from home' and how he went about trying to fulfil that motto.
The sheikh rubbed his chin. "Interesting, would love to visit your hotel some time."
"Darling, can we stay at Mr.Khurana's hotel during our next visit to India?" drawled out Noor, looking at Maan quite lustfully.
Geet promptly and possessively slung her arm into Maan's to indicate he was off-limits.
The sheikh who seemed to be unaware of his wife's growing attraction towards another man responded, "Why not, honey. We will. Can I have your card, Mr.Khurana?"
"Yes, you may," said Maan and dug into his jacket to bring out his business card.
"Nice to have met you", smiled the sheikh, accepting it and led his wife away. She kept turning back to look at Maan.
Geet knocked her elbow against Maan's and teased him about the bewitchingly beautiful woman who seems to have fallen for his charms. Looking at her irritatedly he said he was not interested in any woman save the one standing next to him.
"Are you sure, Maan? That woman is a thousand times more beautiful than me."
"One woman praising another's beauty? Now that must be a first!" exclaimed Maan.
"She is beauuuutiful, Maan," she drawled.
"Well, if you say so. Frankly I couldn't care less. Shall we leave or are you going to drool over that woman for the rest of the evening?" he asked impatiently.
"Looks like someone does not want to expose himself to temptation!" she continued to tease him.
"I've had enough," he said grumpily and pulled his wife out of the hotel. Geet kept giggling all the way back home as Maan tried hard to keep a stiff look.
***
Two days later
Maan was keenly pouring through the entertainment section of the newspaper. His eye caught the caption 'Watch out for the next singing sensation.' Below it was a detailed review of Geet's album. The review praised Geet's voice quality and her versatility in singing. The music director was also commended for putting together pleasing and seductive numbers which were melodious and memorable. The reviewer had given a five star rating and ended his piece with the statement 'What was Shreya's loss appears to be Geet's gain.' Maan threw down the paper and lifted Geet high up in his arms. Geet squealed and asked him to put her down but he twirled her around several times before putting her down. He then told her how proud he was of her and kissed her on her forehead. Geet was glad that Maan approved and encouraged her singing career.
Continued here
Edited by Opti - 14 years ago
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