ALMOST LOVERS
Chapter Twenty One
Leaving Him
If I could hold you,
I would keep you in my arms,
Hold my breath and stop my heart,
Still there would be silence and us
If could make you mine,
I would be your soul, your heart,
Be everything you would need,
Still there would be silence and us
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PAST:
There was certain calmness in being overwhelmed with work, that there was no other thought. The feel of the pen between her fingers, the keyboard a fingertip away and the phone continuously ringing, the chaos calmed her.
She bit her lip in concentration as she stared at the blueprint in front of her, trying to visualise how the project would actually look.
It was quite late but Geet felt that she had all the time on her hands. After all there is no Rehan to call me or to make plans with, the stray thought entered her mind and was shoved aside just as violently.
But he was not to be forgotten for just than there was a call from him.
Geet looked at the caller ID with apprehension, wondering what he would have to say but knowing that there was no way out of it she took the call
"Hello" Geet tried not to let her voice waver.
"Hi Geet" Rehan's voice sounded angry along with sorrowful.
Closing her eyes at the sound of his voice, for it still made her wistful and it was that sentiment that made her words sound harsher than they were meant to be "So what is this call about? I know that you aren't going to speak to me without reason."
"I am leaving," he sounded stronger with the words, "I am going to go to US to study."
"Well….that is what you wanted" Geet tried not to sound bitter but she knew that some of the emotion had seeped out. "You've always wanted success…and I am sure you'll get that now."
"There is nothing worth staying for her….anymore" His reply cut her, making her clutch herself in anger and pain. "It is better I start fresh"
"No….there isn't worth staying for. I hope it works out for you" With that she put the phone down. Yes I hope it works out for you.
Maan found it her staring out the window, with a forlorn look on her face that clearly showed her gloomy mood. He wanted to take her in his arms but knew that she wasn't ready for that, at least not yet.
"Have you looked through the Selly Corp project details?" He asked, wondering if she was even aware of his entrance.
Without batting an eyelid Geet replied, "Yes, I've gone through everything. I made a draft of the primary agreement"
"Are you okay?" He asked without preamble, walking up next to her, knowing that despite her answer she truly wasn't paying attention.
"No" She gave a sharp look at him, "I am not fine but I'll be. Have you ever been in love Maan?"
Maan looked at her intently, "Only once"
"Take me advice…..never give them the power to hurt you" She looked away again, "Only those we love have the ability to disappoint and hurt"
"But….only they can make us truly live" He wished he could tell her how he felt when he was around her, the way she made everything worthwhile.
Geet snorted, "Trust me Maan, one day that very love will be noose around your neck"
Maan put a hand on her shoulder, "What brought on this melancholy?"
"He is going to USA to study" She didn't look at him and didn't need to say Rehan's name for Maan to understand. "He called to tell me this. How can someone go from being the person you can tell everything to someone who can barely stand you?"
I know that he is going to the USA, I made sure that he could, Maan's inner voice said even as he felt the now familiar edge of guilt. But it was that very guilt that made him say what he did next, "Well in that case you should know that you can say anything you want to me, anything"
It was then that Geet fully turned to face him, with a soft smile of affection. "That is so nice of you but you don't have to listen to my over emotional ramblings"
You could say anything and I would want to listen, "I never lie" was Maan's arrogant reply, "I also don't think that someone like him is worth your pain. So its about time we got out of this place and have dinner. Come with me"
"No Maan, you don't-"
"No I don't have to but I want to" Maan definitely meant those words for he wanted to know her better and get her to know him better.
Geet shook her head with a smile, "You are so stubborn"
"I always get what I want" Maan raised an eyebrow, with twinkle in his eyes.
"I bet you do" saying that, he started to walk towards the door, leaving a surprised Maan, before she turned back towards him with a smile, "I thought you wanted to have dinner?"
Maan let out a surprise chuckle before following her out of the room.
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Presentt:
One day that very love will be noose around your neck.
Words she had spoken in both experience and arrogance of youth had been prophetic for both of them. But who could have predicted such pain?
Maan wondered if love was always like this, do we always hurt the ones we love the most and they hurt us?
He had hurt her, that he couldn't deny but the truth was that she had always had more power in their relationship for she could destroy him. He would never be able to hurt her again but the anger in her gave her more strength.
He had wanted to give her all that she deserved but in the end that hadn't been enough, his love hadn't been enough.
"Sir, ma'am has asked for an audit on our current projects" Adi gulped nervously as he talked to Maan, who was busy looking at Geet through the glass partition.
"Well, give her what she wants" Maan ordered even as he thought, what are you planning? Are you thinking of bringing down the company…..or bringing down me?
"Sure sir….but even Lotus Project?" Adi mustered up all his courage to ask but it was too important not to.
"Even the lotus project" Let's see what you do with the information.
With that Adi left the room but Maan continued to watch her through the glass partition between their rooms. He could never go tired of watching her, seeing her graceful movements and her fleeting expressions.
It had been a guilty pleasure of his ever since he had met her and he recalled all the times he had spent trying to catch glimpses of her.
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Past:
She brought flowers for the office, Maan couldn't help noticing. They were never one type, instead a mixture of bright colours but Maan realised that she was partial to roses.
She worked with such intensity that it reminded Maan of himself yet she made the time to set the flowers on a vase and would sometimes even touch the petals.
And for some reason he found it endearing. It made he realise that even in the midst of her pain she had the capability to appreciate beauty.
It was for that reason that Maan had given the florist a call in the morning, asking them to send a daily bouquet for her at the office. He wanted her to enjoy the smallest of joys, give her the happiness he could.
He watched surreptitiously as the florist brought the arrangement to her room. There was conflicting emotions of joy and confusion as she took the arrangement and then a blank expression as she read who it was from me.
With slow deliberation she turned towards him so that they stared at each other through the glass. Eyes met, a sudden stillness in the moment.
He watched as the faintest colour flooded her cheeks and she mouthed "Thank you".
And Maan's lips broke into the smallest of grins.
Oh yes, she was definitely aware of him, he had known that subconsciously but this moment confirmed it. She may not love me but she is attracted.
And for the moment that is a beginning.
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AUTHOR's NOTE
Thanks as always for the lovely comments!
I am so sorry for the wait..but it couldn't be helped😳
So I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter!
I'll be focusing on the past for awhile with only glimpses of the present...
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