Thanks a ton buddies for all your sweet comments and your patience...
Wishing you all a very Happy Ugadi and a Happy Gudi Padwa😳
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There he stood in front of her eyes, staring at her in shock. As much as she had tried to escape this moment, the moment had coursed its way and now she could no more run away from it. Anyways, when was the last time that life turned out the way she had planned or aspired? It always gave her rude shocks. The same was happening yet again. What was she supposed to do now? How would he react now? One side of her wanted to run to him and find solace in his arms just like she would have done in the past. And the other side of her wanted to run away. Nonetheless, she felt herself being torn as she stood rooted on her spot. Her hands hand numbed. Her senses had numbed. She forgot to blink. They forgot to blink.
Maan was more than sure that he was hallucinating. That she was a fiction of his imagination. A mirage in his deserted life that would evaporate the moment he allowed himself to blink. After all this was not the first time he was imagining her. This was not the first time he was yearning for her to be real. But each time he took a step towards her she would disappear. His sharp mind however, didn't miss the stark contrast in his previous imaginations and this one though. She was not smiling here. She was not beckoning him to her. She was as shocked as him. She seemed as pained as him.
Oblivious to the inner turmoil between the two people present there, Vicky walked over to Geet and snapped his fingers in front of her eyes to pull her from her thoughts. "Hello? Anybody home?" he asked. Geet looked around, trying hard to fight back her tears. She couldn't afford to breakdown in front of him. Because, she knew, if she did, she will not be able to gather herself again. Looking anywhere but at him, she turned to Vicky. Gulping down the lump in her throat, with great effort she asked, "haan' " Her voice, brought him back to reality. He wasn't dreaming. She was there. Right in front of him. As hurt and pain resurfaced, shock withered away leaving in place for his anger and spite. "I'm sure you recognized your ex-boss. You interned with Khurana's right?" he grinned. "Hmm" she answered forcing a smile.
It was then that Vicky realized something was not right. "Are you ok? You look pale" Vicky asked, concerned. "I'm fine" she assured hurriedly, still avoiding Maan's gaze. "You don't look fine though. Come I'll drop you home" he offered. Maan didn't miss the worried and affable tone in which Vicky spoke to Geet. Neither did he miss the efforts Geet was taking to avoid him... it hurt him... pained him... infuriated him.
Slowly Maan made his way towards them and now stood just beside Vicky. His eyes were turning to threaten her and then she heard him ask, "What are you doing here?" As the icy coldness in his voice cut through her, she flinched. "Sir... woh..." she struggled to say. "Veerji, she's Sasha's assistant" Vicky replied on her behalf. What he failed to see was the flicker of emotional uproar that was slowly engulfing the two. Maan glared at her. Questions, doubts and apprehensions flogged his mind.
"Thanks Vicky. I shall leave now... (Turning to Maan) Please to meet you sir" she said not intending to give any cue to Vicky, however, her nails dug into her palms. All she wanted to do right now was reach home and lock herself in her room, where she could shield herself from the look that was blistering her. She knew she had to get away before her legs would give away. "Geet lekin..." Vicky began only to be cut in by Pinky, "Geet... (she walked upto them and greeted Maan before turning to Geet) Chale?der ho rahi hai" Geet nodded and thanked Babaji for sending Pinky in, precisely at that moment to bail her out of the situation. As she rushed out, Maan kept watching her retreating back. And even though he wanted to rush behind her and stop her... take her away somewhere where she would not be able to walk out on him... but he didn't and suppressing the agonizing yelp of his heart, he strode away.
Vicky turned in Maan's direction only to see him walking away. "yeh Veerji bhi na... koi kaam yaad aa gaya hoga" he said to himself before he shook his head and continued in his stride.
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Finding comfort in his workout zone in the Khurana house in Mumbai, soaked in sweat, he kept playing and working out with and around fire. The fire that was lit inside him. He hated the impact she still held on him. He hated the fact that his heart had skipped a beat and even rejoiced when he realized she was there. He hated it when his cried out for her when she left without another look yet again. Why was he the only one being consumed in this misery? Why was he the only one being burnt when she didn't even bother to care? He kept looking at her and she didn't spare him a look. Even if he closed his eyes, he saw her. And why now? He had left Delhi hoping some respite... and here he comes to face the same girl around whom his entire life had come to revolve. With every move of his workout he remembered the time he had spent with her. He had learnt to live then. He had started to know happiness then. He had known what dreams were about then. And then she had walked away taking away everything along. He closed his eyes to see her again. She was just the same even now. The same innocence, the same captivating eyes, the same simplicity... yet nothing was same as before. She was no more his Geet! She belonged to someone else! So what if she didn't wear anything that indicated her marriage... but he knew better... he had seen it with his own eyes!
Reminiscing the meet over and over in his head, he kept wondering about her presence in the hotel. What was she doing here? Didn't she know the hotel belonged to Khurana's? What was her motive to be here now? Did she have an ulterior motive? She had befriended Anu first and now Vicky, what were her intentions? Was it a coincidence or a planned event?
And just as he was about to make a wrong move that would have resulted him being hurt, Vicky pulled him away, "Veerji aap... Are you ok?" he asked concerned. Still a little lost, Maan threw him a glance and looked around to realize what he was about to do. He jerked Vicky's hand off his shoulder and replied, "I'm fine" and then throwing his towel around his neck, he walked to his room, leaving behind a confused Vicky, "inhe kya ho gaya hai?" he wondered aloud still looking at the door from where Maan disappeared. Being careless and so lost was not his Veerji's way of things.
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Sitting on the window sill, Geet looked at the calm sea. No one knew how many storms it hid in itself. Just like her. Looking at her no one could guess the battle she was fighting inside herself. She was so numb and lost when she reached home that without talking to anyone she had walked into her room. When everyone inquired, she made an excuse that she had a headache. But the fact was she needed some time to sort her thoughts. She knew this was not going to be a pleasant walk and she would have to face the challenges that lay in front of her yet again.
As she closed her eyes, she remembered the day when things had started slipping away from her.
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Flashback
It had been more than a month since Maan left for New York. Her finals were just a few days away. With her books strewn all over her bed, her thoughts were however with Maan. Picking up his photograph in her hand, she frowned looking at him, "Mr. Khurana, if I fail, it's all going to be your fault (looking up) Haina Babaji... ek toh mere exams sar par hain aur yeh hain ki mujhse itni door jaake bethain hain... and if that was not less toh jaane se pehle woh shaadi wali baat (smiling)... ab padne main mera dhyan kahan se lagega". Twisting and playing with the pendant that he had made her wear, she was reliving the moments when he had proposed her for marriage. "Mrs. Geet Maan Singh Khurana" she spoke out aloud and grinned, happy and pleased with the sound of it. That's what she aspired to live as now. Holding his picture again, "Ek baar shaadi ho jaane dijiye phir dekhti hoon ki aap mujhse itni door kaise jaate hain" Then thinking something, she dialed his number but then disconnected it. He must be busy she thought. But, in a couple of seconds her cell buzzed and it was him, she excitedly received the call.
"Maan" she almost yelled into the phone sitting upright. "Geet, India mein raat ke ek baj rahe honge... what are you doing up so late?" he asked on the other side. "Padh rahi thi Maan, aur kya karungi?" she replied. "Good. Now do one thing, go to sleep. You can complete the remaining lessons in the morning" he said. She frowned, "Stop talking like Bauji, Maan... ek baar yeh toh pooch lete ki main kaisi hoon?" He smiled and said, "Abhi do ghante pehle hi poocha tha". She huffed, "eh lo. It seems I'm the only one who's missing you. Kyunki aapko toh koi farak hi nahi padta" He grinned, "Really... and who was the one who had said that she was not going to find time in between her studies to talk to me" Geet pouted on hearing him teasing her, "woh toh maine aapko chidane ke liye kaha tha" He shook his head. "Uncle, Aunty so gaye?" he asked not wanting to tread the path where she would get upset. "Haan... long back" she said biting her tongue. Looking upwards she held her ear with her free hand asking for forgiveness for lying to him.
Rano and Mohinder had to urgently rush to Amritsar for one of the old acquaintances of Mohinder was not too well. But she didn't tell him this. She knew he would fret. The intruder in her room and that car incident outside her college had made him more protective towards her. And Anu was also in States for a month for some finance workshop that she was attending to check her aptitude with finance to decide on her Post-graduate subjects. Nothing would help his over-protective instincts. Anyways Rano and Mohinder were supposed to be back by tomorrow morning. She decided she would tell him the truth when they returned and apologize. Of course he would be angry at her for keeping things from him but then that way he would at least not worry much. His project needed his attention and she would not be the one who would come in his path to success. She intended to be her strength.
"Geet, are you there?" she heard him ask. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Haan baba... yahin hoon" she replied. "Achcha suno, go to sleep... as it is you are doing nothing better then spinning your dreams and thinking about me... (She was about to say something but he interrupted her) don't deny it. Mujhe pata hai that you are missing me... I miss you too Mishti. Love you and take care of yourself... I need to go now... tumse kal baat karunga... bye" saying so, he disconnected the call and she sighed.
She felt guilty about lying to him. One more night, just tonight I need to lie to him before Ma, Bauji returns. Or else everything else would be placed on the back burner and he would busy himself with giving her a piece of his mind. She wondered where Rano and Mohinder would be... as they had not called her last night at all and their phone was not reachable too.
Just when she put the lights off and cuddled up in her bed, her phone buzzed again. She looked at the number and frowned. "Bauji?" she said and then received the call. By the time, she finished the call, she was teary... her face had turned ash. She was worried, terrified, scared and unaided.
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Busy with the project, her voice and her silly banter kept him going. He had been away from Delhi for even bigger breaks but none was as difficult as this one. He was working day-in and day-out to avoid any circumstances that would elongate his stay in New York. He missed her terribly and wanted to return to her as soon as possible.
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Two hours later, bewildered and dazed, she sat in the bus to Hoshiarpur. A sense of foreboding was slowly taking over her and she fervently wished that Maan was there with her. But he was miles apart. She thought about the phone call she had received and she just couldn't make sense of anything. What were Rano and Mohinder doing in Hoshaipur when they were supposed to be in Amritsar? Who was Suri, the person who had called claiming to be her father's elder brother? And then Rano and Mohinder's accident... they were supposedly admitted and their condition was grave. What was happening? Had the person not called from her father's cell she might have ignored it. But that was not the case. She wished and prayed for Rano and Mohinder's health. As the bus wheeled into the sunny fields of Punjab, she felt herself being driven into darkness. Minutes passed by like days on stretch before the bus-conductor finally yelled, "Hoshiarpur aa gaya ji... Hoshiarpur"
Taking a deep breath, Geet picked up her small carry bag and got down from the bus. She then asked instructions and headed towards the Hoshiarpur Civil Hospital. At the hospital when she asked for Mohinder and Rano Handa, she was directed towards the ICU. Not wanting to wait for the Elevator, she hurried up the stairs and was quickly guided in to meet Mohinder. He was breathing his last and was taking labored breaths when she held his hand with tears flowing down her eyes. The sight of her father, attached to so many tubes was killing the insides of her. Never in her life she had seen Mohinder so weak and pale. He was her support, her Bauji and he was slipping away. And helpless, she could nothing to stop that from happening.
When her tears fell on his hand, he opened his eyes and gave her a faint smile and shook his head, asking her not to cry. What else she could do then? Nothing else mattered right now, she just wanted her parents. "Nahi beta... you must move on... live your life Geet... remember that we have always loved you" Mohinder managed in a faint, broken voice. "I love you too Bauji... please mat jaiye... please... main kaise rahoongi... kya karoongi?" she said amidst tears. Mohinder smiled, "I know my daughter is strong. I know you'll manage. You have to" Geet kept looking at Mohinder and the next thing she knew was that he was gone.
Moments later she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see a tall slender elderly figure standing there with tears in his eyes. He shook his head at her, indicating that it was over. As she carefully placed Mohinder's hand back on the bed, she asked for Rano in a lost broken voice, "Ma kahan hain?"
Another female, near her mother's age, lend her hand to support her on her feet and then guided her outside the ICU. Mechanically, Geet walked in tow her eyes searching for her mother. She wanted to cling onto Rano. She wanted to cry in her lap. But her legs froze in front of the huge metallic door... Morgue, read the letters inscribed on the door. And she realized the warmth of her parents love and protection had left her forever.
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Back to present
She felt a hand wiping away her tears. The tears she never realized were leaving a trail on her cheeks. She looked up to see Pammi looking at her, teary herself. She shook her head but didn't say a word. Geet held Pammi around her waist and cried while Pammi kept cradling her till she fell asleep.
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Geet tum conference room ki preparations dekh lo, in the meanwhile I need to check a few things with the vendors. Sasha instructed Geet while hurriedly making a move out of the cabin. Geet started gathering the collaterals that Sasha would require for the presentation. She picked her folders and opened the cabin door, only to find him standing right at the door, glaring at her. She took a step back. Holdng his chin high, he pushed her inside lightly and entered the cabin himself locking the door behind him. She looked at him bewildered. "Sir..." she breathed only to earn a look from him that words got caught in her throat. "What do you want?" he asked through gritted teeth. "Ji?" she looked up at him and asked confused. He took a step towards her but she stepped back. He held her hand and pulling her close, he twisted her hand behind her back. "Ouch" she winced in pain. But he only tightened his hold on her. She struggled to free herself but then stopped, knowing better than that. She knew her protest would only strengthen his resolve.
"Kyun aayi ho yahan? What is your motive this time?" he asked her in vengefully. She shut her eyes. "I didn't know the hotel belonged to you" she replied weakly. He scoffed, "Really? Now you expect me to believe that?" She forced herself to reply, "I m not lying. Mujhe nahi pata tha" she reiterated. "jaise tab tumhe nahi pata tha ki Anu mere behan hai. Jaise tumhe nahi pata tha that Anu is Anahita Khurana. Waise hi tumhe nahi pata tha ki the hotel belonged to Khurana's... that Vicky is my brother!" She stared at him blankly. What was he trying to say that all those times that she had spent with him; she was only fooling him around. That she had some ulterior motive behind befriending Anu. "aap galat soch rahe hain" her voice turned desperate. She couldn't let him take away her reminiscences. That's all was left with her. "Nahi. I know you better than to think otherwise." She looked at him shocked, "Maan" he tightened his grip and she yelped. "Sir... that's how you are going to address me" She closed her eyes again at his spiteful tone. "I'm just here to work Sir. Please... please let me go" she begged not sure of herself anymore. "Let you go?" he chuckled at the irony. She had walked away and now she's asking him to let go. He left her hand and pushed her back so hard that she stumbled and held the chair to keep herself from falling. He had turned to go but then whipped around to face her and told her menacingly, "Dare you Geet... Dare you try to play your dirty games again... I won't tolerate it" Hurt, Geet watched him go as she rubbed her wrist. His finger imprints still quite visible on it. She closed her eyes not allowing the tears to escape her eyes.
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A while later everyone was gathered in the conference room. They were to discuss the new crisis management plan prepared by Sasha and Geet. As Sasha took over to the podium all prepared to present her plan, Maan entered with Adi and Vicky in tow. He shot a glance at Geet who lowered her eyes instantly.
On the other hand, Geet might have gathered herself to face Maan once again in the conference room after what had transpired a while ago, but she knew this was not the end. This was just the beginning.
As Maan got seated on the MD's chair, Sasha waited for the Board members to come in too. But before that Maan spoke. "Sasha take your seat, you wouldn't be presenting today" Sasha looked on confused while Adi and Vicky exchanged surprised glances trying to interpret what Maan was saying. Geet knew something was coming her way here and she braced herself for it. "Veerji, is there a problem?" Vicky asked in hushed voice. Maan shook his head, "No problem at all. I just want Ms. Geet to make this presentation" Geet looked at him immediately, wondering what was he trying to do. "MK, lekin Geet... MK Geet has recently joined. I'm sure she's good but we need to give her reasonable time" Sasha tried to explain him. "Sasha! Maine kaha na, I would like to see Ms. Geet present. And if she can't she's free to leave" As realization dawned upon her Geet gaped at Maan. He was trying to show her down. He was trying to make her leave. "Sir. I think this is a little too unwarranted" Adi interrupted anxious. "I agree Veerji... it would be too discourteous towards her" Vicky said in Geet's defense.
Surely if Geet messed it up in front of the the Board, she would be reduced to a laughing stock. "I'm sure Geet is here for work and this is work!" Maan said cutting on her own words. She knew he was doing this to push her towards the edge. "But Veerji..." Vicky began again but Geet cut him in this time. "I'll present" she announced as confidently as she could, looking straight in his eyes. This was something between him and her and she was not having others trying to defend her. If he would have told her directly to leave, she would have left gracefully but if he was going to try such tricks with her, she would not give in. And why should she? What did she ever do that was wrong? Did he try to get to the truth? Did he try to speak to her? No! Then why should she give in to him? No she would not. Geet made her resolve. His eyes challenged her and she took over in place of Sasha, who looked at her apologetically before stepping down. Geet gave her a reassuring smile.
By the time, the board members walked in, Geet quickly glanced through the presentation. Maan kept looking at her immersed form. Somewhere he knew she would make it. He just wanted to let her know that her stay here was not going to be an easy phase. He wanted to let her know that he was going to throw challenges at every step in her path. He didn't know what she wanted, but he was going to make sure that he didn't fall for her tactics anymore.
As the members of the board walked in, Geet looked away and gently touched the well-concealed chain she wore around her neck and prayed to Babaji for strength and confidence. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face the board with a small smile. She looked at Adi who nodded in encouragement. Vicky gave her thumbs up while Sasha sat with her hands folded. And then she began. A little nervous in the beginning but then presenting the plan in a flow. Adding her touches, making her mark, moving around with ease, emphasizing a few points, she definitely managed to impress one and all. And when she finished, the conference room broke into applause. All this while she avoided looking at him but in the end, she did meet his eyes. However, they were blank.
After the discussion, the board left and Sasha took her in a friendly hug appreciating her vigor. Vicky too, gave her a side hug and Adi patted her cheek lovingly. Standing at a distance, he looked fiercely at her and then walked away. No one noticed him leave but she did. At the end of the day, he did matter. She knew what she had to do. If he didn't like her working here, irrespective of what would happen or what questions she would have to face, she would leave. She wouldn't put him in any discomfort.
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In the privacy of Sasha's cabin, Vicky scratched his head. "Sasha, looks like something is terribly wrong with Veerji. He never behaves so irrationally. Aaj jo conference room main hua... that was so undue" he said thoughtfully. "I'm glad and proud that Geet made it" Sasha said. "So am I. but if she wouldn't have been able to, that would have surely jeopardized her career with Khurana Group. What is wrong with Veerji" he wondered aloud to himself.
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Swallowing the lump in her throat, she knocked on his cabin door and entered. He was looking outside the window. And she thought she could see the silent pain that he was enduring. She contemplated, should she try and tell him everything. May be the knowledge of truth may reduce his pain. She kept looking at him and then mustering her courage she called him ever so softly, "Sir" he turned to face her and for once she thought for a split second she saw his distress in his eyes before his eyes turned cold again. "Kyun aayi ho yahan?" he spat. "I really didn't know that East-Villas was Khurana's property or else I would have never agreed to work here. Trust me Maan" she tried to convince him. He shot her a mocking stare, "oh! So working with Khurana group is that thorny for you now that had you known it you would have opted to work elsewhere" he accused her. "Aisa nahi hai Maan. Main jaanti hoon ki aapko mera yahan hona pasand nahi aayega... isiliye..." Vehemently, he pinned her to the wall "Shut up Geet... don't try to sweet talk to me. And you know what... it doesn't make a difference to me whether you work here or anywhere else. You are the mistake that I regret with all my heart" he said with vengeance. His words jabbed her hard. "And you believe everything that we shared was a mistake?" she asked him unbelievably. Waiting for him to answer, she searched his eyes desperately. "Yes!" was all he said and the world around her collapsed yet again. He regretted her! He regretted their love! "Maan" she managed to whisper. "Why? You expected something else now, is it?" he asked mocking her. She kept looking at him incredulously. He left her, scoffed at her and added, "Stay on Geet... you are inconspicuous as far as I'm concerned... now leave"
He went behind his desk and started looking into a file. However, Geet didn't move. She kept looking at him. "I told you to leave" she heard him say and listlessly turned around to leave. He looked up to see the door shut behind her and threw the file away. If only he could tell her how inconspicuous his existence had become without her! But he won't... he was not going to have her trample over him all over again.
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Ok. Over to you guys... hope it was worth the wait
Luv,
Sonia
Edited by euphoric - 14 years ago
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