3. Retaliation
When he walked into the office, his displeasure was evident in the long energetic strides, alerting the staff to be wary of the boss. His determined face told them to keep away from his path unless they were eager to face the whiplash of his tongue or the burning fire in his eyes. Those out of their seats, scurried back to them like rabbits taking cover when the lion prowled. They kept their head bend as they wished him for the morning, not expecting him to acknowledge their greeting even with a nod of his head. Gone were those times when he would smile in reply, gone with this Boss who had forgotten his own wife. He was back to the no nonsense MSK, whose present mood made the staff pray that he would move away from their vicinity, making them clear from the danger called Maan Singh Khurana. When he reached for the handle of the conference room's door, a collective sigh erupted, making Maan turn back to glare at them in annoyance. They bend their head suddenly unable to bear his piercing glare.
His eyes scanned those present. As expected Mz. Geeet Handa was absent. Probably hiding from his wrath, he thought with mild satisfaction. Yet he was disappointed that he couldn't meet her before he left for the office, because that meant he couldn't settle the matter of Mz. Geet once and for all. He had wanted to be present when she was led off his house. The image of dragging her by her arms, screaming and resisting to the gates was something he had fantasized about on his long drive back to delhi. But alas! She didn't give him the pleasure. He has asked Nakul to keep her belongings packed, to keep it ready to be thrown out of KM. He had made arrangements to rid his home of her, now the office...that she was absent for the meeting gave him the perfect reason to do so. He had given her a last chance to proof her worth and she had tried to do that by sleeping with the boss...the memory of that final insolence made him put his hand into his trouser pocket. His hand closed around the ring, its stone cutting into his palm, a reminder of the humiliation he had felt and the thirst for revenge it generated.
"Pinky" he barked making his present flustrated secretary to drop her notepad. As she lifted her scared eyes, the thought of another pair looking at him in defiance came unbidden, but he pushed it aside and said, "I want a termination letter prepared for Mz.Geet Handa. She will no longer be serving us."
"but sir..." adi interrupted earning an angry glare.
"Yes Adi ?"
"Sir...you cant ...I mean..."
"Yes Adi, tell me exactly what do you mean by your objection?" it rankled this shifting of loyalty. Adi was his most trusted colleague seemed to be in league with that woman! What magic had she cast that everybody around him his family, his staff, everybody seemed to be under her spell!
"What is this unknown reason I should consider, tell me Adi. Was she aware of this meeting scheduled for today?"
"Yes..yes sir."
"So, where is she? I don't find her here!"
"She called to inform that she will be delayed...something about there being last minute change in her travel plan back to delhi."
Was there an accusation in his eyes?
"So, just because Mz.Handa couldn't arrange for her transport we, all present here areexpected to postpone this meeting until it suits her? Is that it Adi?"
"No sir. Geet has made sure everything is organised. We can begin the meeting without delay."
"So it seems she has collected a group of staff under her to do to her bidding ... intriguing isn't it how she has developed so many loyal champions? But I find that I cannot tolerate her absence in this meeting. As the owner of KC, I can choose whom I choose to have in my staff. Do you question that, Adi?
"No sir, ...but..."
"But! Do you think you have the right to question my decision?" Temper flared, making those around him cringe at the menace in those softly uttered words. "Or do you wish to accompany Mz. Handa in her unemployment?"
"No...no..sir...but I still think..."
"If you don't doubt my authority and wish to keep working for KC, I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself. Is that understood, Adi?"
"Yes sir..sorry sir..."
"Good! I hope there is no one else in here, who wish to sacrifice their job for Mz. Geet!" he asked scanning those present before him his eyes lingering on Pinky. They all bend their head. "Then we shall proceed with this meeting..."
He reached home to find nothing had been done as instructed and the excuse nakul gave was that Dai had refused to let Geet's belongings be packed. Daadi's undue attachment to Geet filled Maan with such irritation that he grabbed the pillow of the bed and threw it to the floor. He would have her out of this house even if he personally had to pack her all her things. But first he had to deal with Daadi, its time for her to decide whom she wanted with her, her grandson or a woman who was next to stranger. As he turned to leave, his gaze fell on the photo frame protruding from under the spare pillow. Curios, he took it and turned over the frame to look at the photograph it held. Nothing could have prepared him for the shock of seeing his own smiling face staring back at him. The image held an expression of such contentment as if be had the world at his feet. A smile, that inspired the person who looked at the snap to smile back in reflex. He couldn't remember ever being so happy since his boyhood. But what was his photo doing in Geet's bedroom, under her pillow? If nothing else convinced Daadi, this surely would he thought as he took the photo with him as he walked towards Daadi's room.
He found her with Dev and by the way they stopped speaking on seeing him it was evident that hey were either talking about him or about his decisions regarding Geet. He decided to go straight to the point.
"Daadi I need to speak to you regarding Geet."
"If it's about your decision to throw her out of KM, then I don't accept your decision."
"But why Daadi? I can't understand your blind affection for this woman. Not just you but dev, Adi, Nakul, everybody around me...is she so important to you that you will stand against the wishes of your grandson? I'm beginning to feel that that she means more to you than me..." he turned away not wanting her to see the hurt that his words brought, the sudden thought that what he said in anger seemed to be true.
"It's because of you that she became important to me." Daadi laid a hand on Maan's arm.
"Ah! Again the story that she saved my life...if it is true then I'll repay her, ask her to quote her price and I'll give it to her. ...i can't let my whole life be dictated by this debt I seem to owe her...where ever I turn she is there... she has filled the office with people who are loyal to her...even here I my own home, she has taken over...it's as if as if she rules my life..." he paused thinking about the accusation he couldn't voice, her memories that would take over when she was not around, her dreams that filled his night. "I wonder if she had it all planned...may be she planned my accident herself and then came to my rescue..."
"Don't be so harsh in your judgement beta... You hardly know her. Have some confidence in my ability to judge people. Geet is not a bad person."
"Then explain this to me..." he threw the photograph onto the bed. " Why does she have my photo on her bedside?"
Daadi took the photo in her hand, looked at it and said, "Oh! You look so handsome in this photo...you should smile more often...i miss that smile of yours ...so full of life and happiness. Don't you think so Dev?'
Dev who kept silent until then got the cue that Daadi needed his help. " Yes bro, you should smile more often, like you used to when you were with Ge..." Dev caught himself in time, earning a frustrated stare from Daadi.
" I know what you are trying to do... and I won't let you change the subject. I have her termination letter with me, which will make sure she will no linger be working in KC. Now I want her out of here. My photo in her rooms that she is nothing more than an intelligent gold digger!"
" But bro, I don't think you will be able to fire Geet from the office, nor would you want to throw her out of KM when you learn the truth."
"Dev.." Dev turned to Daadi and said with determination, "No, Daadi...I think it is time that bro learned why Geet is loved and respected by all. If he slanders her himself, even unknowingly and we let him do it we are also being unjust to Geet. Bro doesn't remember but we do, we know what he means to her and how difficult it is for Geet to adjust to the present situation. I don't want to add to her misery."
"I think you are right, Dev."
"What are you talking about? Why should I mean anything to Geet? What is this truth I don't remember, that will change the way I see her , as nothing more than a nuisance?"
" Bro Geet is your wife."
"If you are in a mood to joke, I tell you I don't find that funny, Dev! Me and married to ...to that woman, who does nothing but irritates me."
"it's the truth, bro."
"No I don't believe you! I refuse to believe you." Maan's voice pitched higher and he turned away refusing to believe the truth that was reflected in Dev's face. Daadi put touched his arm as she said, "Dev is telling the truth Beta. Geet is your wife, your Hamsafar. The woman you choose to spend your life with...and I'm so pleased with your choice."
"No Daadi...I cant accept this... I cant tolerate her even for a few hours and you are telling me I married her!" he turned back to look at her as he said the words with dead certainty. " I don't remember marrying her...I must have been out of my senses then... what ever the reason, I refuse to accept her as my wife."
"Bhai what are you saying? ... You love her Bhai."
" I don't remember her... I don't remember loving her, nor marrying her...she is no more than a stranger to me and an annoying one at that. I wont accept her as my wife. I want her gone from my life."
"Maan ..." Daadi whispered pleadingly as she swayed on her feet.
Doctor advised that Daadi shouldn't be given any stress as her heart was weak. She insisted on wanting Geet near her. From the situation that arose it became clear to Maan that he would have to wait before he took any strong decision about Geet. But no one knew where Geet was... Then Nakul said he had seen Geet madam going towards Daadi's room and then running out. He said he had tried calling her and she hadn't stopped. Then Daadi had fainted
"Oh no! She must have overheard us talking" Dev said fearing the worst. "But where did she go? We need to find her...where would she go?'
" To the gurudwara..." Maan muttered with conviction. "I'll go and bring her back" he said as he walked out of the room.
4.FORCED how was part 3? i know towards the end it lacks interest, right? but i thought the part in GHSP depicting Maan daadi confrontation was good, so i didn't feel like doing anything special on it...i did consider making Maan see the video as in the show, but i'm not sure i want to add the NT aspect into this...
Edited by bangalores - 13 years ago
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