Chapter 36
Maan paced his office up and down, more frustrated than he could possibly say. First his grandmother had been acting strangely, going on and on about Geet until Maan thought he would go crazy. Now, Mr. Chopra seemed to have joined the Geet fanclub, insisting that she head the new project despite her complete lack of qualifications. Well, he wasn't going to have that novice flubbing up such an important project. He would tell her in no uncertain terms that Sasha was going to handle the project and not her.
Walking over to Geet's office, Maan saw that she wasn't there. The next place he thought to check was the conference room, but she wasn't there either. Sure he was going to have to search the whole building for her, he walked out of the conference room, only to see her standing at the far end of the hall. Her dupatta had gotten caught in in some branch decoration, which was too tall for her to easily get the dupatta out of. Looking around to see how the other office just ignored her, Maan came to the conclusion that she would be stuck there all day if he didn't help her out.
As he came up behind her, Maan noticed that whatever she tried to do to free herself, only made it worse. The looped boarder of her dupatta continued to become more and more entangled because she couldn't hold it at the right angle. Reaching around her, Maan tried to take hold of the fabric, but managed to grab a hold of her hand instead. Geet's face turned toward him in surprise, and he found himself unable to look away from her honeyed eyes.
Sasha felt her heart stop in shock when she turned the corner and saw the sight before her. That stupid behenji was making eyes at MK, and he was even looking back at her. While Sasha watched in horror, MK proceeded to untangle Geet's dupatta, have a short conversation with her, then grab her arm and pull her towards the conference room. MK had never behaved in such a way before, and Sasha intended to find out why.
Hurrying behind the two, she stood as inconspicuously as possible next to the window, trying to hear what was going on. Her worst fears were realized when that annoying behenji used her feminine wiles to get MK to put her in charge of the Chopra project. Sasha had no trouble believing that a married woman would try to climb the corporate ladder by seducing her boss. After all, this was something that happened in business circles all the time. What she couldn't understand was, why MK was falling for the behenji's helpless act and doe-eyed looks. She also could not stand that what should have been her project was given away to another. This Geet definitely deserved punishment for such a disgusting insult.
"Only you will do this project, he says," complained Geet after she returned to her cabin. "Is he crazy? How will I do this project? I don't know anything about it. What to do, Geet, what to do?"
Geet paced back and forth in front of her desk, wringing the end of her dupatta before she had an idea. "Dadima! She told me that if I had any problem, I should call her. This is definitely a problem, a big one!"
Geet picked up the phone, quickly dialing the mansion's number. "Nakul, this is Geet speaking. I'd like to talk to Dadima, please."
"Geet beti, is there any problem?" Savitri questioned as soon as Nakul informed her who the call was from.
Geet quickly explained the entire situation to Savitri, emphasizing how totally inadequate she felt to undertake a job like this. She also had quite a bit to say about a certain Dusht Daanav who liked to make things difficult for everyone, but especially for her. Savitri could understand Geet's fears, but she would not let her give into them.
"Geet, I am going to give you a list of information that I want you to collect from the various people who have been working on this project so far. The information in the preliminary finalized project file is important, but it will not give you the whole picture. Since today is a half day, you can bring all this information home and we will go over it today and tomorrow. That way you will be ready to get started on Monday."
Geet thanked Savitri for being willing to help. She listened very carefully to all of the instructions and made a list of the information she needed to seek out. She felt much better once she hung up the phone, the conversation with Savitri giving her some much needed confidence. Leaving her office happily, list in hand, Geet didn't notice the hards stares directed at her from two of the office staff.
"Sasha...I mean, Ma'am, are you sure that Geet won't be able to do the project? What I mean is, we already tried messing up her files, having her make wrong coffee and that thing with copying the wrong file. She was able to deal with all of that somehow. Maybe she will be able to do the project too."
"Files and coffee are a lot different than handling an entire construction project. The amount of information that you have to collect from the different departments and be so familiar with you could recite it in your sleep, is more than anything little Miss Innocent has ever thought of. She will collapse under the pressure and beg to leave the job herself," stated Sasha calmly.
"Oh, Ma'am, you're so smart. But supposing that the behenji is somehow able to do the project, then what?" Sasha glared at her secretary, causing her to utter a "silly me."
"I have another idea, just incase this Geet turns out to be more capable than I expect. However, this plan carries a few risks, so I'd rather give the girl a chance to hang herself first."
Sasha had been utterly convinced that Geet would breakdown Monday morning when MK demanded a status update on the project. She had been so sure of the outcome, that she invented an excuse to be in MK's office during the meeting. To her surprise, Geet was calm and comfortable discussing the project details, talking with almost expert ease about what details were still left to iron out. She even provided a timetable for everything to be finished, something that Sasha had seen many senior members forget, earning them a stinging scold from the boss.
Sasha could not believe that Geet had done so well. If she hadn't already come up with a backup plan just incase, she would have been very worried that MK might end up becoming impressed with this irritating girl. Sasha would never let that happen, so near the end of the day she put her plan into motion.
"Sir, I think with a project as big as this, we really should throw a party for the clients, and since Mr. Chopra seems to be so taken with Geet, she should have the responsibility. It's what the clients would be expecting, right?" suggested Sasha smoothly to Maan while he finished up some important emails.
"That's a good idea, Sasha. I just hope that Geet would be able to handle it all."
"Of course she can handle it all. You heard how on top of things she was things morning when she gave you her update. Handling an entire construction project is not easy and she is doing it so well. This party will be a breeze for her to handle," said Sasha, giving her best impression of a true "Geet supporter".
"Actually, MK, I've called her to come so that we can let her know the details. Then she can get started right away."
It was precisely at that moment Geet requested to come in, not knowing the reason she had been called. She listened quietly as Maan explained that the company would be hosting a party for Mr. Chopra and his associates, while noticing that Sasha Ma'am was giving her weird looks. Soon the weird looks were explained when Maan said that it was going to be her responsibility to arrange the party.
Precap
"No, Geet. Why should I question Sir? He gave you this responsibility, so you should be the one to ask him."
Book Talk
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