Chapter 19
Sasha made herself a cup of coffee, inhaling the aroma with satisfaction. Usually she didn't like coming to work for half day on Saturdays, mostly because MK was never there, but also because the junior staff always complained. However, today she was happy because that stupid behenji type secretary hadn't shown up, which was a sure indication that MK had fired her. She decided that in the afternoon she would take some time to go shopping in celebration.
While on her way to the office, she heard a call from one of the employees that MK was on his way up. Quickly recovering from the shock, she gave her coffee to Tasha and rushed down the hallway to meet her boss. She could see how angry he looked, but that only increased her good spirits. Finally she could do something to really get into his good books and also show up that stupid Adi.
"MK, it's such a surprise to see you in the office today. We didn't expect you," she said by way of greeting as she walked into his office.
Maan glared at her intrusion, but answered calmly enough, "There are some things I need to finish today for the Chopra project, as I'm going to be leaving in the evening for a business trip."
"Oh, I see. Well, while you're gone MK, I promise that this time I will personally be responsible for finding you an acceptable secretary."
"What do you mean, find me an acceptable secretary?"
Sasha's smile dimmed a bit at Maan's tone, but she forged ahead with, "That Geet didn't come to the office today and I just assumed from yesterday that..."
"Sasha, I don't pay people to assume things. Geet didn't come to the office because she will be accompanying me on the trip, so she is at home packing."
"Geet is going with you on the trip? But..."
"What but?" questioned Maan angrily, not accustomed to his employees questioning his words. "We are going for a business trip, not some clandestine vacation!"
"Of course not, MK," replied Sasah meekly.
"I don't know how many days I will be gone, so I'm putting you in charge of seeing that the final plans are finished and ready to present a week from Monday. My sources tell me that Chopra is not that impressed with Patel and Sons, meaning that we have the perfect opportunity to secure the project. I will be keeping in touch by phone, but the responsibility is on you. Don't let me down."
Maan tried to continue his work once Sasha had left, but her mention of Geet had brought back memories from the previous night. He hated how she had been able to manipulate him into agreeing with her demands, all because he wanted her land at any price. He hadn't even wanted to do that, seriously considering telling her where she could take her ridiculous offer. What had stopped him was her quoting back his words about standing up for herself, and finding solutions to her problems instead of crying.
Yet, even though he had given in, he wasn't going to let her dictate everything to him. She had until Tuesday to do whatever it was she was going to do with her family before he insisted that she go with him to Amritsar, using force if necessary. Despite what Geet seemed to think of his views on money, 2 crore was a large amount for him to just pay without ensuring he got what he paid for, especially after Naintara's fraud. Well, the police were searching for her, so Maan wasn't going to worry about that just at the moment, not with all his other business concerns that needed attention, nor was he going to think about the very aggravating girl who just seemed to be worming her way into his lofe more and more.
Geet couldn't stop thinking about how she had stood up to Maan not once, or twice, but three times the previous day. He was actually a very scary person, but something about the way he looked at her when he talked just made her want to argue and show that she was a person not a bug to be squashed. While she tried to pack her bags she noticed that her hands were shaking. They had been doing that periodically since she had made the bargain with Maan. Geet just hoped that the shaking would stop before she had to leave.
She really couldn't afford to be so nervous, and it wasn't even Maan who was the problem. If she was going to find out what really happened to her friend, she needed to be strong. It was not going to be easy, for it was a very serious thing for girls like them to run away with a boy, even if they did get married. Still, she wouldn't be able to live with the questions, and now with the 2 crore that she would be getting, those questions could be answered.
"Geet Beti, do you need any help packing?" asked Savitri with all the grandmotherly concern possible as she walked into Geet's room, stopping next to the bed.
"No, Dadima, it's fine," answered Geet with a slight smile, then seeing the concern on the older woman's face, posed her own question, "Dadima, what's wrong?"
"This family gives you nothing but grief, doesn't it, Beti?"
"No, Dadima, it's nothing like that," assured Geet, coming over to Savitri and taking her hands gently. "You've been so good to me, Dadima."
"But Dev and Naintara...your land..."
"Dadima, you are not responsible for what they did. Please don't worry about anything. It all worked out, and I have no doubt that Maan will be able to get his money back."
Savitri frowned at the mention of her hard grandson, stating, "I don't like it that you two are going alone to Hoshiarpur like this. I should come with you."
Geet protested immediately, saying, "No, Dadima, that isn't necessary. What would you do in Hoshiarpur? It will just be uncomfortable for you. It's better that you stay here. We will be gone less than a week, I'm sure."
"I don't see how you are going to do any better than I would. I don't know what Maan was thinking, deciding to drive all the way from Delhi in his jeep. This isn't one of his remote camping trips that he is so fond of."
"Camping trip?" asked Geet in confusion, not sure what Savitri was talking about.
"Yes, it's something that he does whenever he is upset and wants to be alone. He got the habit from his grandfather, who always got a kick out of living roughly. They both used to spend a lot of time hunting in Nepal together before Ranjit passed away. Actually, after he threw out Dev and Naintara, I thought that was where he had gone. I didn't realize that he actually had left to go search for Vicky in Hoshiarpur until he came back."
"Vicky?"
"Yes, Vicky is..." started explaining Savitri, only to be interrupted by Maan's shout from the floor below. Turning back to Geet, Savitri confirmed, "Maan's right, Beti. You need to get going if you want to make it to Hoshiarpur before midnight."
Precap
"Geet, why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
"If Khurana thinks he can just dump you back here, then I won't leave him!"
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