Kaliren (Maaneet ff) updated on pg69/ 3may - Page 42

Originally posted by: Madhuri53

PArt 3 updated on 3rd Jan

...3rd Feb

...3rd Mar😕

...3rd Apr😡

...3rd May😭

Now when you are updaing

updating now😊

I know its been so so long... dont know if you guys would be still interested in this one... but still here i am... better late than never as they say... No sorry would be enuf of the wait and no thanks would suffice to express how grateful I'm to you all.

"Speak up!" he roared again and tapped his stick on the ground in agitation as Geet took an involuntary step back. "Bauji, woh iski car ka tyre puncture ho gaya tha" a woman, in her late fifties rushed to Geet's side trying to save her from the old man's wrath. "Ranoo!" he snarled at the woman. Geet looked at Rano and gently squeezing her hand, she shook her head for a no, knowing well that there was no escape from the situation that she was in. With her gaze fixed to the ground, she stepped forward and said, "Daarji meri gaadi ka tyre puncture ho gaya tha. Maine ghar pe phone kiya tha" she replied in a low defensive voice. However, that earned her another scowl, "Phone karke inform karke teri zimedaariyan kya khatam ho jaati hai?" he asked still sticking to his grounds. "Daarji…" Geet tried to interrupt but was cut short when he raised his hand to refrain her from any defenses she might have. And then as usual she dropped her eyes to the ground and muttered an apology, "I'm sorry Daarji. Aainda aisa nahi hoga" Shutting her eyes, she accepted defeat, for something that was not her fault while Rano gulped down the lump in her throat. Being a mother, it was not easy for her to see her daughter giving up the small battles of life in this manner. How she wished she could change things… turn the clock back… make Daarji see what he was doing to an innocent girl... make Geet fight back but she knew none of it was in her power.

The momentary silence was broken by a mocking snort and the tap of the stick. "Galti! Aaj tak tune galtiyon ke alawa aur kiya hi kya hai? Aur agar mai teri galatiyan gin ne lag jaun na, toh yeh poori raat bhi kam pad jaani hai (turning to Rano) Rano, is ladki ko samjha de… jo choot isse Mohinder ne di hai na, uska kabhi galat fayda na uthaye… warna iske liye achcha nahi hoga" He stomped away with a warning that hung thick in the air.

Geet sighed and her tensed shoulders relaxed just a notch before she let go off the dupata she was rolling on her finger and composed herself. She then turned to Rano with a half-smile, "Maa, Papaji nahi aaye abhi tak?" she asked a rhetoric question as if nothing was wrong. Mohinder wasn't home and Geet was only relieved by the fact. She didn't need Mohinder standing up against Daarji once again just because of her. "Abhi tak nahi" Rano stroked her hair, knowing well that Geet was trying to evade the subject. "Aur Pinky? Woh so gayi?" Geet asked. Rano sighed and pulled her along to the dining table. "Haan aaj jaldi so gayi" she replied making Geet sit while setting up dinner for her. "Thak gayi hogi… Ma, aap kyun kar rahe ho? Aapko araam karna chahiye" Geet tried to stop Rano's musings until Rano glared at her and that settled her back in her chair. "Sabka khayal hai lekin apna bilkul nahi… Galat na hokar bhi, kyun sunti hai chup chap daarji ki baatein? Na khud kuch bolti hai aur na bolne deti hai" Rano expressed her unhappiness over Geet's unexplained submission while she served Geet's dinner and sat on the chair beside her.

Geet smiled and placed her hand on Rano's, "Ma… aap aur main dono jaante hain ki Daarji ke gusse ki wajah kya hai… Woh khud kitne udaas hai humme pata hai… aur phir kaun jaane, shayad Daarji ki soch sahi ho…" An anguished cry, "Geet!" stopped her from continuing. And she looked up to see Rano looking at her with tearful eyes, "Tujhe pata hai tu kya bol rahi hai? Daarji ki soch ko hum badal nahi sakte lekin tu? Tu jaanti hai na, tere Papaji ko tujhse kitni umeedein hain" Rano squeezed her hand to reassure her of their love and support. Geet placed her hand over Rano and gently nodded in agreement. "Khana kha ab… Pinky theek hi kehti hai, hume tujhe kisi laughter club ki membership le deni chahiye." Rano joked. Geet chuckled. While Rano made a point to stuff Geet's tummy to her heart's content the two women also spoke about the orphanage and its impending construction. Rano smiled to herself watching Geet animatedly talking about the kids and her chores around them and wished for a day to come when that smile shall forever shine on her daughter's face. She didn't know how or when but being a woman of faith, she knew that day would come… a day when her Babaji would answer her prayers.

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It was dark around except for a dim flash of light that seemed to be appearing from somewhere in the centre of the room. Low grunts and muffled laughter broke the perfect silence of the room from time to time. Now and then there would be small movements around the light but apart from it, the surroundings were still. A few seconds later, however the dark was suddenly flushed with bright light revealing the source of the gentle hue from before. Standing by the switch board, when Geet's eyes fell on the figure perched on the bed, covered under the sheets. The movements stilled while Geet rolled her eyes walking over to the bed. In one swift motion, she pulled the sheet to get a better look at the person who was not so discreetly hiding under those sheets. A laptop placed on her lap, headphones in place and her hair strewn all over her face, Pinky sat in the middle of the bed with her eyes shut tight and her lower lip stuck under her teeth. And despite the fact that she was supposed to be angry, Geet couldn't help but smile at the adorable sight Pinky presented in front of her. Undoubtedly, she was no less than a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But when she saw Pinky opening her left eye to peek at the person who had caught her ministrations, she quickly hid back the smile and adorned a stern look. "Kya ho raha hai ye?" Geet asked but the indulging fondness that lingered in her eyes, gave her away. Grinning foolishly, Pinky pushed back the covers. Placing the laptop aside, she jumped out of her bed and threw her arms around Geet, hugging her tightly, "Kya Di… kitni der kar di… aapko pata hai na ki mujhe aapke bina neend nahi aati"

Relatively cheerful, Geet playfully smacked her arm, "Mere bina ya Mr. Khiladi ko dekhe bina?" she raised a brow and Pinky grinned again. "Di… woh main kya karti… sapne main itna rapchik scene dekha ki I had to get up to watch… after all… Khano main Khan is Tees Maar Khan... Uff Di… kya deemag chalta hai bande ka" she blew a kiss at her laptop. "Haan uska chalta hai aur dusron ka band ho jaata hai" Geet animatedly said while Pinky made a face. "Di… Mere Akki ke baare main kuch mat bolna" she pouted. "Akki?" Geet asked. "Uff Di! You are sooo out of touch… Akki… Mera hero… Mr Khiladi… Akshay Kumarrr" Pinky drooled while Geet rolled her eyes. "Chup kar… Daarji ne sun liya toh phir se naaraz ho jaayenge" she said a little worried now. "Daarji? Daarji jaag rahe the?" Pinky asked and looked at the watch. As understanding dawned, she frowned, "Unhone aapko phir kuch bola Di? What did he say? Mumma ne mujhe kyun nahi bulaya?" Pinky asked grimly. Geet chuckled, "Meri Ms. Khiladi… Daarji ne kuch nahi kaha… aur mumma tujhe neeche bula ke kya karte? Unhe teri bak bak sun ne main koi interest nahi thi" Geet teased as she moved about, tidying the room. "Haww Di! Meri baatein aapko bak bak lagti hain? If there is one person who doesn't make sense in this house na toh that's Daarji" she asserted. "Pinky!" Geet warned her and Pinky immediately retreated from the disputable territory by putting her hands up. Geet let out an exasperated sigh. "Waise Di, aaj aapka din kaisa tha?" Pinky asked to change the subject. "Mera din acha tha… but now enough of this. You should sleep now" Geet stated firmly. "Di Woh… the villagers are just about to raid the train" Pinky said eyeing her laptop. Geet shook her head and turned to her study. "Aap bhi aao na Di" Pinky called. "Na na… teri bina sir pair ki movies tu hi dekh" Geet replied looking over her shoulder as she pulled a diary from her desk. "Haan aur aap as usual karo apni diary se baatein" Pinky stuck her tongue out and Geet chuckled before turning to her diary.

Pinky looked at her sister's back who was now busy scribbling away her heart's content in the diary. The minute Geet had mentioned, Daarji, Pinky's grey cells had added two and two and she knew that this day had proved to be like every other. Daarji had once again managed to steal the grace of one more day from Geet's life. Looking back in time, it was hard to believe that it's her same loving and caring Daarji who once dotted on Geet like none other. Though, she would then be jealous of his affections today she felt guilty over even having harboured those thoughts however subtle those might have been. Pinky shook her head and smacked herself mentally for not waiting downstairs with Rano for Geet. Though she wouldn't have been able to stop the indictments Daarji would throw on Geet but atleast would have answered on her behalf. When Geet felt herself being watched, she turned to see Pinky looking at her intently. "Kya hua?" she asked. Pinky shrugged and turned her attention back to her screen while Geet turned to her diary.

"Thank you Babaji… aaj aapne mujhe un se phir se milwaya. I know I didn't behave appropriately with him the last time, lekin aapne mujhe meri galti sudharne ka mauka diya. He's THE Maan Singh Khurana and I took him to be a catering manager, Daarji sach hi kehte hain ki main galatiyan kiye bina koi kaam theek se nahi kar sakti. Jitna bura maine unhe pichli baar samjha tha, utne bure woh hain nahi. Bas Babaji, orphanage ki building ka kaam jaldi shuru ho jaye. Babaji, please help me…. Help me that I don't disappoint Daarji yet again."

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Remembering Daarji's hurtful words Geet shut her eyes, and swiftly drifted to a blissful time some six years ago when life was beautiful.

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Flashback

The sun was shining bright and its rays fell on Geet's face when the curtains of her rooms were pulled back. She whined, "Parde kyun khole? Sone dijiye na" Rano looked at her in disapproving manner and came to her side, "Pata hai waqt kitna ho raha hai? It's nine already" saying Rano pointed towards the watch on the wall. Handa household ran in a disciplined manner. No one, not even the youngest of the lot, Pinky was allowed to stay in bed after 7. Realizing her folly, Geet sprang up on the bed. "Hey Babaji… it's nine 'o clock. Ma I'm so sorry. Woh kal raat bahar gaye the na" she apologized, straightening herself. "Main samajhti hoon, par Daarji? Unko pata chala toh jaanti hai na kitna gussa honge?" Rano asked. "Kya chupaya ja raha hai mujhse?" Daarji walked into the room and Geet pulled her dupata around her neck. Looking at Daarji's stern self, scared she instantly broke into soft sobs. "Daarji woh…" she choked. "Arre kya hua?" concerned, Daarji rushed to Geet side. "Daarji, woh isse uthne main der ho gayi na, toh..." Rano explained. "Bas itni si baat!" he exclaimed looking at Rano and then turned to Geet with a smile, "Koi baat nahi puttar, hota hai… (Wiping her tears and turning to Rano) Rano, kyun meri Geet puttar ko dara rahi hai?" he asked while a dumbfounded Rano looked on. He turned back to Geet and stroked her head, "Puttar, dekh abhi nau baj gaye hain na, tu fresh hoke breakfast kar le aur agar sona ho toh phir so jaana" Geet smiled at his assurance and shook her head.

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Back to Present

"Di?" Pinky's voice broke her reverie and she opened her eyes to see Pinky standing by her side now. "So gaye?" she asked placing a hand over Geet's shoulder. Geet smiled at her, "Nahi, aise hi." She put her pen down and rubbed her temple with her thumb and her forefinger. Pinky frowned, "Kya Di… If you are really tired toh bhi kya yeh diary likhna zaroori hai? I feel… I feel jealous of it" Pinky made a face. "Jealous of an inanimate diary?" Geet raised her brow and turned to put the diary in place. "Inanimate??" Pinky asked putting her arms around Geet's neck. "Di, this lifeless thing holds your every emotion and your hidden feelings. Jo mujhe pata hai aap mere saath bhi share nahi karte" Pinky pouted. Geet smiled, "Aisa nahi hai. And you know there's nothing I need to hide from you." she said and patted her cheek. "Hmm… pata hai… aapki life bohut boring hai" Pinky teased and bending over, kissed her cheek. "Teri train lut gayi?" Geet teased. "Di!!" Pinky squinted her eyes at her sister and they both started laughing. "chal, its late" Geet said switching off the lamp.

Geet eased herself in their bed. Pinky shook her head and leaning over Geet applied some balm on her forehead. "Pinky? Kya kar rahi hai?" Geet asked surprised. "Mera sir dard kar raha hai na Di… isiliye aapko balm laga rahi hoon" Pinky said sarcastically. Geet laughed but covered it with a cough when she found Pinky glaring down at her. Shutting off the lights, the sisters settled on their respective sides and went off to sleep.

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"Maan Beta, aap kal orphanage site visit ke liye gaye the?" Savitri Devi asked Maan over the breakfast. "Ji Dadi Ma. Main aur Adi gaye the." Maan replied courteously while his thoughts immediately drifted off to his meeting with Geet. Why was she having that immitent control over his mind, he had no idea. But there was a certain degree of innocence she held within her eyes that touched him deep within. He smiled to himself when he remembered the kids playing with Geet. "Dadi Ma, yeh Handa's kaun hain?" interrupting Maan's thoughts, Anu asked warily. Not sure if she should be asking it or not. "Isse aapko koi matlab nahi hona chahiye. Unka status itna nahi hai ki aap unke baare main jaane" Pammi replied glaring down at her. Anu sank in her chair, "S… sorry mom" she cowered. Maan placed a hand over Anu's to assure her of his presence before he turned to curtly reply Pammi, "Handa Hotels ke proprietors hain woh log. They might not belong to the same status quo but definitely are looked up with high regards." He finished. "We have our place Maan. You better not compare us with them" Pammi sharply objected. "Pammi! Stop that nonsense right away!" Savitri Devi commanded. Throwing away the napkin, Pammi huffed and left the table in haste. "Chalo ab araam se breakfast enjoy kar sakte hain" Vicky muttered under her breath. Maan rolled his eyes while Anu visibly relaxed. "Aap Handas ke baare main jaan na chahti thi na" Dadi ma asked smiling. Anu nodded.

"Aapke Dada ji aur Gursharan bhaisahab ache dost hua karte the. Infact dono ne apne kaam ki shuruwat Hoshiarpur se hi ki thi. Gursharan bhaisahab was always very fond of eating and so he started a small joint that he upgraded to a restaurant. Tumhare Dada ji aur meri shaadi ke baad hum Delhi aa gaye but the two friends always stayed in touch. Viren and Mohinder were born, the families grew… businesses grew. Then your dada ji passed away and I was so engrossed in keeping pace with everything else that our families lost touch" Savitri Devi sighed and turned to Maan, "Did you meet someone from the family at the site, Maan?" she asked. "Geet… Mohinder Handa ki beti. She's takes care of the orphanage." Maan replied. "Oh! Pooling in young blood. It's becoming a third generation alliance then" Savitri Devi commented with a nonchalant smile. "Waise Veerji, yeh Geet Handa dikhne main kaisi hain?" Vicky ribbed Maan, biting into his toast. Savitri Devi muffled a chuckle when Maan glared at Vicky, "Finish your meal and start for college" Maan instructed. Once, they were done, they all headed to their respective destinations.

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"Papa ji, Parathe?" Geet asked serving the breakfast on the dining table. "Geet! Why are you doing this? There are servants in the house. Besides I want you to focus on other things now. Yeh sab toh koi bhi kar lega" Her Papaji, Mohinder Handa said taking the serving dish from her hand and keeping it aside. "Agar koi bhi kar sakta hai toh yeh kyun nahi kar sakti?" Daarji's shrewd comment earned him an instant frown from Pinky while Mohinder let out a frustrated sigh. "Daarji, subah subah na shuru kijiye please" he requested. "Ab maine kya keh diya? Teri ladli ne do parathe bana ke koi pahad nahi tod liya. Waise kaunsa yeh kuch aur karti hai" Daarji commented bitterly. "Daarji… woh mere saath hotels sambhalna seekh rahi hai, orphanage ka khayal rakhti hai… ab wahan ki construction…" Mohinder defended Geet even though Geet shook her head asking Mohinder not to. "Toh kisne kaha hai karne ko. Ghar baithe… ghar ke kaam kare jo usse karne chahiye…" Daarji snarled. "Daarji… Di se jitna hota hai utna woh karti hain na… aap kyun har waqt unke peeche pade rehte ho?" Pinky protested. "Pinky!" Geet hushed her. "Oye bas kar. Zyada natak karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Teri wajah se hi Pinky itni badtameez hoti ja rahi hai" Daarji barked at Geet ignoring Pinky. "Daarji main…" Geet choked. "Andar ja Geet… Jaake taiyar ho ke aa. Tujhe mere saath office chalna hai." Mohinder commanded. "Lekin Papaji…" Geet tried to intervene. "Go Geet" Mohinder reaffirmed. Geet nodded and left the table. Rano who was sitting beside Mohinder followed Geet.

"Daarji please, aap is ghar ke bade hain. You should be proud of Geet. Instead you never leave a chance to taunt her. Kyun Daarji? Uski galati kya hai?" Mohinder pressed. Pinky frowned standing behind her father waiting with her arms crossed. "Galati? Woh khud! Woh khud ek galati hai. She is the mistake herself!" Daarji sneered. "Daarji!" Mohinder bellowed while Pinky's eyes went wide. "Daarji… aap…" not exactly able to formulate his words, Mohinder shook his head and left the place, angry with his father. "Waise Daarji, aap ko Gurudware gaye kitne din ho gaye?" Pinky asked once Mohinder was out of her sight. "Kyun? Tujhe Kya karna hai?" Daarji asked, irritated. "Nahi woh kya hai na… aapki umar main log Babaji ka dhyan karte hain… Pooja path karte hain.. aap kyun serials ki vamps ko imitate karne main lage hue ho?" Pinky said and ran away leaving an stunned Daarji behind.

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"Geet tu theek hai na" Rano asked. "Ma, aap kyun pareshan ho rahi hain? Maine aapse kaha na… main Daarji ki baaton ko dil se nahi lagati. Lekin Papaji ko unse yun ladna nahi chahiye" Geet complained. "Acha, toh mere peeche se apni ma se meri shikayat kar rahi hai" Mohinder walked in with a smile on his face. "Kyun na karu? Aap kyun Daarji se ladte ho Papaji. Woh bhi mere liye?" Geet lowered her head. "Arre, yeh kya baat hui? Every parent fights for the right of their kids, so?" Mohinder raised a brow. "Lekin Daarji? He's not an outsider Papaji" Geet said. "Puttarji, he's my father. And how to protect my kids, is something I have learnt from him. And enough is enough, unki har zidd ki keemat tu nahi chukayegi" Mohinder said with conviction. "Tere papaji theek keh rahe hain Geet… Bekaar main in fizool baaton main waqt mat laga." Rano seconded Mohinder. He smiled and gently stroked her hair, "Aur Daarji ki fikar mat kar. Tujhe pata hai tu Handa parivar ki pehli beti hai jisne MBA complete kiya hai. Dekhna, its just a matter of time. He's going to be as proud as we are. Chal abhi jaldi se taiyar ho ja" Mohinder assured her. "Tu taiyar ho main tere liye naashta leke aati hoon. Khabardaar aaj bina khaye office gayi toh" Rano warned her and then kissed her forehead. Geet sighed when Rano walked out of the room.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

"Adi have you assigned the project to any particular team?" Maan asked Adi who was sitting across from him. "Nahi Sir. But I'm planning to put Sasha on to it. She'll co-ordinate with Ms. Handa. You wouldn't have to worry sir. We'll manage the project and submit timely reports." Adi assured. "Adi, Sasha? But commercials is her forte", Maan frowned. "But sir, this isn't particularly residential plan too. Aur phir I suppose agar hum yeh project khud handle kar le, with minimum resources toh Viren Sir ko koi problem bhi nahi hogi. Don't worry sir, we'll keep you updated." Adi explained. Maan pursed his lips. Of course this sounded like a very plausible solution but then he didn't feel like acting on it. "No Adi. Woh… dadi ma would like it if I handle things personally. Tum dad ki fikar mat karo. Do one thing, assign a team to report to me… or ask Sasha to get on the job and present a lay out to me" Maan commanded while he kept his eyes, glued to his laptop, watching the site pictures that Adi had clicked a day earlier.

"You sure Sir?" Adi asked. Maan shifted his firm gaze on Adi and he nodded in agreement. "Right Sir! Toh main… main Sasha se kehta hoon ki she'll work with you on this project" Adi muttered. "Thank you!" Maan said turning his attention back to the screen. As if on cue, Adi collected his files and was about to walk away when Maan's voice stopped him, "Adi, I think we should get Ms. Handa introduced to our team who would be working on her project." Adi nodded, "I'll fix up an appointment sir". Maan shook his head, "That's ok Adi. I'll do it. You just coordinate with Sasha" Maan coolly replied. "Sir aap?" Adi looked at Maan perplexed. "Kyun? You think I can't fix up my own appointments?" Maan asked in a challenging tone leaving no room for argument. "No! No sir… its… its perfectly ok..." Adi hurried out wondering if something was wrong with meticulously difficult boss.

Maan sighed and leaned back in his chair, contemplating his actions and Adi's reactions. He frowned, agreed that this would probably be the first meet that he would be setting up for himself. Adi, being his Personal assistant looked into those matters, efficiently. And in his five years of working with Maan he has never observed any change in that front. So he acted surprised but then this project mattered to Dadi Ma a lot, didn't it? And he was only making sure that his dadima's wishes were being fulfilled, so? Isn't that why he was taking so much interest in the project? After all Dadi Ma's happiness was what mattered to him at the end of the day. Maan reasoned with himself and if there was a small voice that spoke a foreign language in his head, he chose to ignore it. Maan shook his head and picked up the phone to dial Geet's number but stopped mid-way, hesitating. Would it appear too cordial if he just called on her cell phone, he wondered. And then thinking something, he dialed in the number of the orphanage.

"Niddhi, puttar chalo, bahar aa jao" Ramlal, the caretaker of the orphanage called out to the little 3 year old who along with her teddy bear was hiding beneath Geet's work desk in her office. "Shh… Goofy… hum awaaz kalenge toh chacha ji humko pakad lenge… quiet lehna, Okay?" Niddhi explained to the soft toy in her hand; shook her head from left to right and then placed a finger on her lips to emphasize her words. Ramlal, looked around, "Saara din shararat, ab kahan chali gayi yeh" he muttered and calling out to her left the place. Niddhi grinned to herself and crawled out from under the table. "Yeaa… chacha ji humko nai dhund paye" she squealed, running in circles around Geet's desk. Just precisely at that instant, the phone rang and she stopped short in her spiral path. Looking left and right, she stepped forward and picked the receiver of the phone.

Maan waited as the phone buzzed, waiting for someone to answer the call. As he dialed the number, he formulated his words in his head, wishing it to be the voice he wished to hear. However, his call was answered by a shrill baby voice, "helo!". Hearing the kid's voice on the other line, Maan wondered what he was supposed to say now. But then again before he could say, the voice returned, "helo??" He had been there only a day, but he had a fair idea these kids were not too easy to handle, "Hello… Mujhe Geet se baat karni hai" he answered. "Didi se?" nidhi asked. "Haan… aapki didi se" he replied. "Lekin aap kaun bol lahe ho?" Nidhi asked. "Main? Main woh…" Maan felt a little awkward now. "Haan aap… jaishe mai nidi hu.. aap kaun?" she persisted. An involuntary smile came to rest on his lips at the child's identity as he remembered the adorable face of the three year old, "Niddhi… beta main aapke wahan kal aaya tha ma…" Maan began but was cut off again. "Humare yahan toh roz doodh wale bhaiya, shafai wale bhaiya, shabji wale bhaiya, khana banane wale bhaiya aate hain… aap kaunshe wale bhaiya ho?" Niddhi innocently asked. Dumbstruck, Maan looked at the phone as his opinion about the kid changed and he wondered if the little cutie was really as innocent or hell bent on testing his bare minimal patience! "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND" he yelled into the phone. "Aah… itni zol se kyun bol lahe ho?" Nidhi complained. Maan grit his teeth, "Aap apni didi ko phone dijiye" he ordered. "Kyun?" Niddhi pressed. "Mujhe unse kuch kaam hai" an irritated Maan replied, wondering why he hadn't just let Adi fix an appointment instead of volunteering himself for this mindless mutterings. "Kya kaam? Meli didi aishe hi kishi bhaiya se baat nai kalti" Niddhi replied haughtily.

"Niddhi!" Ramlal walked in taking niddhi off guard and the phone dropped from her hand. "kisse baat kar rahi hai?" Ramlal asked. "Pata nai chacha ji, koi hai pal naam nai batata… bas didi se baat kalni hai aishe bola. Usko poocho ushka naam nai hai?" Niddhi sweetly asked removing the strands of her hair that was falling in her eyes with the back of her hand while she bend down to pick up the receiver. "Main pooch loonga. Par tu yahan kya kar rahi hai. Kabse tujhe lunch ke liye dhoond raha hoon. Jaldi ja warna teri maggi noodles koi aur kha jayega" Ramlal warned. "Maggi Noodleshh!" Nidhi grinned and squealing in delight ran towards the dining room. Ramlal smiled affectionately and pressed the receiver to his ear. "Kaun bol raha hai?" he asked.

Maan sighed in relief when he heard Ramlal's voice on the other end. "Ji main… Khurana constructions se baat kar raha hoon. Mujhe Ms. Handa se baat karni hai" Maan patiently replied. On hearing Khurana constructions, Ramlal smiled excitedly, "Aap wohi hain jo kal aaye the?" he asked. Maan took a deep breath, "Ji haan" he replied. Ramlal enquired about the construction plans before he put Maan's call on hold and called out aloud, "Geet Puttar!"

On hearing her name a strange anticipation coursed through Maan. Something that made him smile despite the irritated conversation, if one could call it so, that he had just had with the kid. Involuntarily, he started tapping his foot insistently. "Kaun hai chacha ji?" he heard the feminine voice on the other end. Mesmerized by the charming voice, he was so lost and attuned that he failed to hear whether Ramlal had replied to her or not. And his trance was broken when that sweet voice spoke hesitantly over the phone, "Hello". And once again, he felt at a loss for words almost forgetting what the purpose he had called her for was or more appropriately forgetting the pretext under which he had called her.

"Mr. Khurana?" the hesitant voice asked. "Ms. Handa woh…" Maan began. "Its Geet…" Geet corrected him politely. Shutting his eyes, Maan instantly gathered his thoughts, "Right, Geet! I had called to ask if you would be available sometime this week. I would want you to meet my team who would be working on the project" Maan explained. Geet smiled, "It would be a pleasure Mr. Khurana" she replied. "Maan!" he corrected her this time. Geet smiled, "Ok! Maan… Whenever you think it's convenient" she replied. Immediately rescheduling a few meets, Maan accommodated a meeting with her in the next two days. "Is that ok?" he asked. "It's no problem Maan. I'll be there at your office" Geet replied cordially and disconnected the call.

When Maan disconnected the call, he found himself waiting for the purposed meet. He shut his eyes and leaned back in his chair, only to remember her smiling face. Yet, he couldn't help but notice the faint hint of hesitation that was so evident in her voice even today. When his memory conjured her teary face flashing across his mind, he snapped his eyes open and shook his head to shake off that unpleasant memory. As clueless he was about what induced her in his thoughts, he was as sure of the fact that he didn't wish to see her so broken that he had seen that day. Those grief-stricken eyes had haunted him for days at end and he never wished to go through that again. The intercom rang on his desk, informing him about the client's arrival. Putting her thoughts at the back of his brain, Maan rushed to preside over yet another deal.