ManeetFF Dancing Frm The Ashes link on pg146 - Page 89

Maan sat in his cabin. He felt out of place. It was almost as if his body was in a different time and space. He had become attuned to the dull thumping and vibrations of the floor. The office seemed dank without the cheerful colours on the walls. The abstract art on the walls seemed bleak. But, life had to go on.

It did!

The first week that he had been at work he had worked through all the files that Vicky had made. The feather in his hat had been the big projects Vicky had secured. No doubt, his charm ranged towards hard core business men too. He smiled to himself as he ran through the pages; the work was neat and detailed. He felt proud. Had he been that thorough with his work at the Studio?? Thoughts of the studio invariably led to Geet...and his hand itched to make a call. It rang just then, another meeting that had to be scheduled. He sighed and answered it. Life had to go on.

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The last file had been signed and he was about to pack up for the day, when the door to his cabin flung open and banged on the wall. He looked up, shock and anger bursting through his veins, until he saw the irate figure standing in front of him. He very hair seemed to be crackling and her eyes glared at him, till he couldn't look back at her.

''Geet''...he said, suitably cowed.

''7 days...'', she whispered in anger. ''SEVEN DAYS!! What is it that you do in this god awful office, that you forget that life exists outside of it? Or was it your ego that prevented you from giving a Single BLASTED PHONECALL!!!'' He voice had risen to a shriek and he stared at her, looking at her panting, trying to get her breath back. Words refused to register in his mind.

''Are you only going to stare or are you get your ass up and go out for a drive with me?''

He scrambled to get up out of his seat and walked to the open the door for her.

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The last time he had been out with her in her jeep was, when she had heard about him returning to KC. She had been upset then. This time around, she was annoyed ' burning with fury. He tried to explain ' but nothing happened. Finally she stopped outside a restaurant and stalked in ' leaving him to follow.

The moment he took a seat across her, she gave him a dazzling smile. He returned one shakily. In an effort to calm himself and figure out her behaviour, he reached for the menu.

''What? Now you're not even gonna look at me?''

He looked up to see a hint of annoyance in her eyes again. What was on with her today? He looked her in the eye.

'How have you been?'', he asked.

'Like HELL!!'', she said throwing up her hands dramatically. Ok this is much better ' I know this Geet.

'Lyla is driving all of us up the wall. I seriously am gonna turn feline on her and scratch her eyes out.'

'Why? What has she done this time around?'

'What has she not done? She's hell bent on wrecking the practices. When she's guiding the kids she want all the attention ' and if she get it from one kids, then the others who aren't paying her any respects can got o hell. Vicky's had it with her.'

'Sounds like you need Maan Singh Khurana back in the Studio', Maan said, smugly. She threw the tissues from their holder, on to him.

'Who told you to leave, git?', a smile finally playing on her face, as she began recounting her latest adventures in match making with Isra and Farhan.

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Meera. The very name reeked of devotion. How then would the people who named her, be anything but. But to live a life that was dictated by the laws of religion ' following them blindly to the extent of not adjusting or analysing Life around her, was beyond Meera.

She sat in her lone chair as it swing in a corner ' her book fallen on the ground; forgotten.

It had been 2 months since she had spoken to her family. She knew that they were the last people who could be expected to stay in touch with people, but when the transgression was on her part, it was unpardonable. Still, nothing prodded her to make that phone call. She knew it would only make her regret it.

The door bell rang, jerking her from her thoughts. She frowned. Ajay was with his father. Who, then, could it be?

She walked slowly to open the door, only to find Vicky standing there, staring at her uncertainly.

She stared right back at him, words deserting her as she saw the look in his eyes.

''Meera'', he whispered, not moving an inch from the doorstep. ''I think, I'm in love with you!'

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The cafeteria seemed full, despite the fact that there were not more than 10 people in it. Geet was conspicuous by her absence and Nida for a change was seated alone, pouring over her laptop. It had been a long day and it was tiring. She desperately needed some caffeine in her, her body flagging. She made it to the counter and ordered an espresso.

''You must be Isra!', a pleasant voice behind her commented. She turned around to see Faria looking at her. Immediately her eyes took in her clothes, her hair and all the aspects of her face, until they alighted on her eyes and found that she was under a similar inspection. She flushed and replied, 'Yes, and you are?', even though she knew exactly who she was.

''Hi'', Faria replied, extending her hand, 'I'm Faria, Farhan's sister; but you can call me Fari'.

Isra nodded, not knowing what to say. But she didn't need to.

'So are you the one Farhan caught on the verge of The Smooch?'. She made the act sound like the event of the century. But it was the unfair description that got her to blurt out, 'In my defence, I was trying to avoid it as much as possible. His ear should still have the evidence. At least my piece of work is in an area that one can see evidence of. She blushed immediately, as she said it. Nobody knew that she had seen Faria make Prashant squeal in pain. She looked up to find Faria observing her.

'News travels fast around here', Faria murmured, a twinkle in her eye.

Isra smiled back. 'I was the only witness, and I enjoyed every bit of it.'

'Likewise', Faria replied, winking.

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She stared at him, the breath whooshing out of her. He looked lost and hopeful at the same time. And he stared, afraid that he'd fall if he stopped looking at her. But she snatched the floor from under him anyway.

'What is love, Vicky?', a frown marring her eyes.

She finally stepped aside and let him enter. The room was dull and the curtains were drawn. There was a musty smell in it and it looked like it hadn't been lived in for a while. But she had been there ' she had returned home every day after work. He knew. He knew; because he had followed her cab home every day; the only glimpse he'd had of her, all day. He looked back at her, to see her watching him and his every reaction.

It was then that he realized that she looked sad. Had something happened? He panicked.

'Meera? Are you ok?', he moved forward, a hand cupping the side of her face. He felt her face settle in his hand, like she was trying to absorb strength from him. Before he could stop himself, he pulled her into a hug. She came willingly and let him hug her.

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Geet pranced in the house. It felt like she had finally got some semblance of a normal life. The past few days had been frustrating to the point of contemplating suicide. She was thankful she loved her work. And Vicky was back after all. Why did he have such a lost and love struck expression on his face all the time though? She'd have to find that one out.

The weather was turning pleasant and she walked out to the open terrace ' the wind streaming through her hair, twisting it more. She remembered all the times she and Nik had sat there in each other's arms, just content with being with each other. She felt a sudden longing for him and tears sprang into her eye, just with the thought. He was with her all the time. She missed him. Missed him more, than she let on, to the people around her. They always wanted to help and comment and say words that had no meaning left in them. Maan was the only one, who somehow knew what to do. For that she was thankful.

The breeze wafted voices towards her. It was a while before she realized that they belonged to her father and Nanima. She hadn't wanted to listen, but snatches of their conversation reached her and caught her attention.

'...seems happy...moved on...''. Unconsciously she moved closer to the edge to listen to them. '...time for her... married...28 yrs o...''.

Geet froze.

Heya people,

Am so sorry bout the delay - was on holiday and then was submerged in work. I'm really dying to know what you think of these turn of events.

Love

Amruta