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Before she could ask where he was going, he was out of the door. She sighed thinking. Was I too hard on him? He only meant good for me'
Surya came out the secret place after he climbed up the stairs. He looked back at Maan, who was still in the ground. He smirked and said, "I've only hurt your business till now Geet. Next are your loved ones."
He opened his car and drove away waiting for the moment to strike next.
Chapter 23
Geet paced around the living room of the house. She did her best to be patient for Maan to come back. Once he had left, she had realized how silly she was to be stubborn to have the file back. Yes, it was important to have the file back. But she wasn't ready for the cost. She would never be at the price of seeing Maan hurt. It didn't matter at the moment that she knew why she was so worried. The worry had finally made her realize that she cared for Maan more than anyone in the world. She loved him!
She looked at the clock for the millionth time. It now read 6:50 of evening. Maan! Please come on. You've been gone the whole afternoon…."
The doorbell brightened up her mood and she rushed to open the door. When she saw Maan standing in front of her, safe and sound, she was more than thrilled. Happy tears flew down her cheek. She didn't want to think before taking him in a tight hug. He was surprised to see her in this state. Nevertheless, he caressed her and walked in a bit and closed the door. She refused to let go of the hug.
He called out her name few times but she just let the tears flow and wouldn't respond other than shake her head. He felt the shaking of head on his chest and that was it. The warm feeling both of them got from the comfort wasn't easy to describe.
"Geet, stop crying… please Geet… I can't see you cry… Geet…stop… please…" he kept on repeating over and over again but she kept on shaking her head. He had really scared her when he left like that with a determined face.
"Geet, look at me. I'm fine. See…"
She tilted her head a bit to look at his face, just to show him that she did look. Then she buried her face again in his chest and murmured, "Tumhe kuch ho jata toh?"
Maan decided to get a few things out of her so he teased. "So? You wouldn't have cared right?"
The words hit her like a big thorn being pierced in her heart. It hurt very badly. How could he think that? She stopped the flow of crying and looking at him, shock in her eyes. "Why would I not care, huh?" she demanded cutely.
"I was kidding silly… now will you leave me? You're crushing me more than those goons!" the minute he said that, he bit back his tongue. He wasn't supposed to mention that! The thing he had imagined happened.
She got worried and checked him from top to bottom. "Goons? You're not hurt are you? What did you do exactly?"
He got a hold of her hands and stopped her, made her look into his eyes as he spoke. Her eyes full of concern for her. "I'm fine. It doesn't matter what I did. What does matter is the file is back safely and we are going back to India tomorrow." Then he made the atmosphere light. "Now, do you have any plans for dinner or am I going to have to go to bed starving?"
She smiled. "Order? I'm really not in the mood of cooking anything."
"Sure thing."
***
During night, both were getting ready for bed. Geet wasn't worried about any of her projects and the pending work. All she was worried about was Maan while she thought about what her father was capable of. She feared losing him, not knowing why exactly she feared it. She knew Maan was strong and could fight anybody. But it still bothered her, seeing the fact that it had been a long time since she felt close to anyone. She didn't want to lose yet another loved one. She already lost her family because of that man.
Maan slipped in besides her, making her smile. He questioned, "What's wrong? You look worried."
She shook her head and simply turned the lights off. The room turned dark, with only moon light coming in through the reflection from the window. She lay in bed and sleep seems miles away. She turned in bed to look at the retreating outline of Maan besides her; sleeping peacefully. She softly placed her hand on his face as he slightly caressed it, letting her emotions flow.
Seconds later, she barely whispered. "I can't stand losing you too."
Maan replied back, taking her by surprise; she flinched and took her hand back. "You won't."
"You're awake!" she stated the obvious, her cheeks flushing at being caught while she voiced out her worries; silently glad that the lights were turned off so he couldn't see her face.
"It's okay." He spoke with a soft voice while taking her hand in his. "It's good every once in a while to worry. It's good to let people come close to you once again. You shouldn't let your past affect your present and future. You can't stay afraid all your life."
She could simply gaze up at him awe. How could be care so much for her? She just kept on being drawn closer to him with each action of his. To respond to his affectionate words, she squeezed her hands, which lay in his and closed her eyes, moving a bit close to her.
Her finally words before letting sleep come to her were 'Never leave me'. With that, she slept worriless. Maan said to himself silently. "I never will."
***
The next day, they had boarded their flight on time and were home, back in India, where they were safe from everything. At home, everyone welcomed them with great warmth. They were surely missed.
After taking a little rest, few days later, Geet insisted on going to office just to check how things were going. Maan didn't object, seeing that it would distract her for a while. He decided on tagging along though. Ishwar was happy to see their relationship process. In those past few days, he had seen Maan admiring Geet many a times, making a conclusion that he has realized his feelings towards her. it was only a matter of time before Geet comes to admitting it as well.
***
Yash, as instructed by Raj, came to Handa Empire, unaware that it was run by Geet. Annie as well made her way towards office. Over the days, she had come close to Arjun, even though Geet had instructed him to keep his distance. All thanks to Maan and his practical joke just to tease Geet. It didn't matter though. Things seemed to have worked out better for the two. Both of them knew they were more than friends but just hadn't confessed to each other.
Yash waited in the reception area for the receptionist to call his name for the interview. He had come for the post of secretary of Geet. Only, he didn't know he was applying for that!
Annie walked inside Geet;s office while Maan and Geet were arguing. Obviously, Geet had found out about Maan's doings and she was mad at him. Not mad technically but still mad for teasing her. He was trying to please her by giving her chocolates but she wouldn't take them.
"Maan, please, how could you do this? What if things didn't go the way they did?"
"Geet I'm sorry sweetie. I didn't mean it this way. I just was trying to-"
And he stopped seeing Annie come in. He changed his sentence to, "-Hey Annie! Come in." He gave her a big smile and seeing her, Geet also put aside her anger. But not before giving Maan a look of 'We're not done here'. Maan look down sad, knowing that it meant she was still mad at him.
***
"Annie! So good to see you." Geet said while welcoming her in and asking her sit down. They sat on the couch while Maan left the room to take the interviews.
"Araina…" she said once Maan left.
Geet;s eyes widened hearing the name. it immediately reminded her of her Araina. "What did you just say?"
"Araina… That's my real name." she replied. When Geet have her a questioning look, she explained to her how she wanted to tell them that she was adopted and she wanted to search for her real parents.
"It's a lovely name. And I understand… If there's anything I can do, let me know…" Geet replied feeling for her… Somewhere wondering if her sister would search for her too if she found out about her being adopted.
"Actually, there is something you can do." When Geet gave her a 'go on' look, she continued, "There's this nun called Ann who can tell me little something about my family. She comes in town tomorrow. I was hoping you can come with me? I don't want to be by myself in case I do find out anything."
"Sure! I'd love to. But…"
"But?"
"Araina… I'm so sorry… I can come with you but I won't be able to come inside with you… Orphanages reminds me of my family and I don't think I want to…"
Araina didn't know the full story either. In short, Geet simply told her how they had to separate and going to orphanages reminds her of her sister and brother and it's too much for her to handle; knowing that she can never meet them again.
"I'm so sorry…" Araina said at the end.
"Thank you… But you know what? Wherever my sister is, I'm sure she'll be the same as you! You're so much like her… Her name was Araina too… Now who knows what her name is."
"Never lose hope on meeting them. God plays in mysterious ways. Who knows, you might see them again one day for the better."
Geet smiled, seeing her own reflection in Araina. For a girl going through so much, she surely had a positive attitude, same like Geet, even though Geet could get overly-worried at times.
***
In the interview room, Maan and Meera took interviews one after another, pleased by none until Yash came in. Maan could be positive at Yash and gave him the job immediately. All throughout, Meera could only gaze at Yash and not actually pay attention to anything. It was surely love at first sight!
It wasn't until after the interview that Yash gave a look at Meera, who had stayed silent the whole time. She was the most beautiful girl he ever laid eyes on and was smitten by her looks. He passed her a smile and left, hoping to meet again.
***
Again, no explanations for my inactivity in updating. I decide to do something but things never work out. Hopefully, this time it does and I can update this bi weekly or something...
Anyways, waiting for likes and comments :D
ps: pmz will be sent a bit late.
-Khushi.
Edited by ..first.rain.. - 12 years ago
Anupamaa
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