Femme Fatale
Chapter Twelve
A bond formed
Rules for agents 12:
Dreams are futile
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Summer came and went.
As always, time would not stand still for anyone, even for the pair.
They were in the mustard field, partially hidden by the long stems whilst they made their pact. Today it wasn't with mischief that they had set out but with a plan for the future.
Maan, being the overconfident budding boy, was the one digging the hole while Geet awaited for him to finish.
"Quick!" the impatient girl poked him from behind, "Don't take all day!"
"Chup!" Maan growled back, throwing some dirt at her while she kicked his back, "Ouch! You little chudail!"
As usual they had their little scuffle, sounding like an old married couple rather than young friends but then as per their usual behaviour, they made up again within minutes.
They were a bit subdued as they picked up the box they were going to bury. It held little glimpses of their summer; a piece of a glass broken whilst running, a cricket ball and a lock of hair from Pari after a failed experiment.
"We can add when we meet again next summer" Maan promised, taking Pari's hand. Intertwined, they smiled at each other.
"As Yash Chachu says, our world is a cycle that brings us back to where we began" Pari's words were especially poignant for a girl of her age.
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He took her hand within in his, noting that they were delicate yet her grip was strong. They walked a bit more to the centre of the dance floor before he put his hand around her waist.
"Sir, there was no need to help me" Geet said with arched eyebrows, "I could have handled the lecher. I would have given a swift kick at his nether regions and he would be singing soprano the rest of his life."
"Soprano?"
"If you didn't understand that I meant I could castrate him, which means chop off his private male parts. My heels are quite high and thin, so it would be possible. Or I could have head butted him and knocked some sense into him. Otherwise I could have-"
"While I am enchanted by your enlightening methods of revenge, please do control yourself" Maan spoke in a dry voice but inside he was laughing. He didn't want to show Geet that his amusement because the crazy girl might actually take that as encouragement and carry out all these deeds! "After all I wouldn't want to bail you out. Actually that way I could fire you without paying severance pay! Maybe you should do that and I can get rid of you"
"No, sir you would still have to pay" Geet proclaimed in a calm voice, "I checked my contract. Even if I do illegal activities, you still have to pay as long as it doesn't harm the company" Maan just gave a choked laugh. Of course she would make sure that it was a part of her contract.
It was a slow dance but both of them moved elegantly and in sync with the music. Both of them however realised that they were centre of attention, the whole crowd staring at them.
"Sir, do I have something on my head" Geet asked in seriousness. "Or is my dress ripped?"
A startled Maan looked at her head and answered, "No but why did you ask?"
"Why are they all staring at us then?"
A smirking Maan gave a wink, "Well whenever I dance, everyone stares. It's just the affect I have on people"
Geet looked sceptical, "But why?"
Maan rolled his eyes, "Look, as much as you want to deny it, I have an effect on women. They flock around me, want to be with me and would do anything for a moment with me. All women are the same, they want a piece of the Khurana name and fame" There was trace of cynicism in the comment that told Geet that sometimes he didn't appreciate the fake attention.
"Sir, I am a woman as well, so do you think I am like that as well?"
For some reason that comment touched Maan. "No, you are different." Realising that he sounded too serious he quickly backtracked, "After all you can't be really called a person. You are this freak of nature, an alien force."
"Are you sure your pant isn't ripped and they can see your jocks?" Geet giggled, pulling her bosses leg as usual. "Maybe you are wearing ugly underwear. By the way, what size are your undies? Or do you prefer boxers? "
Maan managed to answer in a voice choked with laughter, "Why do you have this fixation with undergarments"
"No sir, secretaries are meant to give presents to their bosses. What is more useful then underwear? Everyone wears them!"
"Yeah, why don't you go around asking everyone their underwear size. Go ask my Dadima while you are at it!" He raised his eyebrow in challenge, wanting to see if she would follow through.
"Sir, Dadima seems like a smart woman who would have more than enough underwear." Geet's lips twitched lightly, the only hint of her own amusement. "While you don't seem as competent. Probably wear dirty underwear all the time!"
"Maybe your own underwear is uncomfortable, which is why you have this unnatural fixation on this topic" Maan laughed out.
"Chi sir, its impolite to talk about a woman's undergarments" Geet said in a scandalised voice, which failed to convince Maan at all.
"Well if you were a woman, it would be impolite. A creature like you is free for discuss" Maan just smirked at her, "Also, maybe I don't have enough underwear because women usually don't want me to wear anything"
Geet gave a serene smile, "Like the lady approaching us now?" Maan took a quick glance, to see one of his more ardent admirers gazing at him. "She definitely is undressing you with her eyes!"
"Oh god!" He groaned, "She is a pest"
Twirling Geet around, he had his chest to her back and his hands splayed across her waist. Leaning down to her ear, he whispered, "It's a part of your job to hold back the particularly annoying ones"
For a moment, everything was still and Maan could feel everyone's eyes on them. He hadn't even considered what he was doing, for he felt comfortable with Geet. As if they had been friends for a while, as opposed to just employee and employer relationship.
But there was something between them at that moment. The way she felt against him and the brush of her fingers against his while he held them against her waist.
He was so preoccupied that he didn't realise that the usually loquacious Geet was silent for a while, but she recovered quicker than Maan, "Well I would definitely want a pay rise"
And then things went back to normal, Maan shook his head to get rid of all the weird thoughts of his secretary.
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Dreams were fragile and precious but for an agent they were poison. Agents were grounded in reality, with no room for dreams to intrude on their job.
But it wasn't the Agent who had dreamt, it was the young Pari. She had dreamt of being with Maan and had fallen in love with him before she even understood the repercussions of such love. It was before she understood that someone like her could never find love.
The two summers with him had changed her and her subsequent life had prevented anyone from taking his place. She may have been with other men but had never felt any emotion for anyone else.
She felt his hands against her and for a moment she forgot herself, about her world. For that moment she was just a woman and he was just a man whom she loved.
But just as swiftly the moment passed and she went back to her facade. In many ways it was liberating joking with Maan and pulling his leg but it was an act.
Going back to the dance, she went back to play her role with her usual aplomb.
"Really, a pay rise?" Maan smirked at her, "Maybe I can make it worth your while in other ways"
Geet heard the flirtatious undertone to the words but as always had to tamper down the side that wanted to flirt back, to get closer. Instead she pretended to be oblivious, "With a car? I will settle for an Aston Martin but I guess a Lamborghini would be ideal!"
Maan rolled his eyes at her stupid comment, "Only an insane person will let you drive either of those cars. You can't be trusted with them" But he laughed, toning down any potential insults.
They continued to banter on, both ignoring the undercurrent between them.
But it wasn't hidden from Rajiv, who saw the pair interact with interest. He watched the way they were oblivious to everyone else as they laughed, or at least Maan was. Geet he knew was watching everyone even while dancing. After all that was her job.
Maan was so confident that he was the most desirable and interesting person in the room, he didn't really give time to anyone but Rajiv realised that Geet had become the exception. He had never seen his son so engrossed and amused by anyone before this.
A part of him rejoiced to see Geet with Maan, bringing forth the hidden hope he had held but another knew that it was futile. The woman Geet had become would never let Maan get closer than what the mission would require.
Babajii, help these two, He sent a silent prayer.
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Like last time, they valiantly tried to hide their emotions that had further matured. Both knew, even without expressing, that their friendship was unique and special. It wasn't something that could be taken away with a separation.
But there was a slight difference in its acceptance. For Maan had a family and friends, while Pari only had her little world in the middle of nowhere as ordained by her Baba. Maan would miss her but Pari would await for his return.
"Don't worry he will be back!" She told herself as she saw him go away, "It will be summer again"
Little did she realise that this would be the last summer between Pari and Maan.
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AUTHOR's NOTE:
Again I am sorry for the delay...
Thanks for all the comments!
So I gave a glimpse into Geet's mind...
Hope it helps to understand her.
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-SanjanA
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