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Chapter 40: Temple Plans
~Present~
"Maan!" Geet called out loudly standing outside his room. She paused to tuck her pallu neatly before continuing to call him.
"Haan baba aa rahi hoon," Maan replied, a little annoyed with her continuous shouting. He came out of the room wearing a simple white kurta that Geet had managed to buy at short notice.
"Maan der ho rahi hai. Only if we start now we can reach there on time. Aur pooja bhi kuch hi der mein shuru hone wali hai aur I don't want to be late," she said rushing to see if all the necessary items were packed to be loaded into the car. "Oi vaalu seekiram vaadi nee singarichindathu pothum!" (Oh naughty girl come soon, enough of dressing up) Geet called out for her daughter who still didn't come out of the room.
"Uff Muruga, these people don't even allow me to dress up," Kritika came out of the room looking peeved earning a huge chuckle from Maan. She was cutely dressed in hot pink lehnga along with a shiny dark green sequined top with her duppatta dangling from her left hand. Geet had combed her hair into a nice French braid yet a few tendrils had slipped out and was dangling along the side of her face. She was biting her lower lips with great concentration.
"What are you trying to do Kriti?" Geet asked confused at her action.
"Shh don't disturb," she said before trying to bite her lower and upper lips.
"Oi kya kar rahi ho?" Geet asked a bit sternly.
"Trying to adjust my lipgloss," she said once again biting her lips.
Now Maan couldn't control his laughter anymore and started to laugh out loudly holding his stomach. Geet shook her head smiling at her daughter's antics. Kritika looked confused at Maan's sudden outburst and slowly it turned into shock before it turned into anger. She put her hands on her hips in a huff and looked at him with her eyes narrowed. Seeing her stern posture Geet instantly shut her mouth and nudged Maan of the impending danger of making fun of her daughter.
Maan felt Geet nudging and looked to see her gesturing something. He failed to understand her clues to keep quiet and continued to giggle. She once again nudged him hard and made him face Kritika. Instantly when his eyes met Kritika's angry stare, he shut his mouth with his finger on his lips as though telling her he wouldn't laugh any more. Kritika continued to eye both of them.
"You guys are making fun of me?" she squeaked, her baby voice pverpowering her.
"Nahi!" Maan instantly replied.
"Nahi, I know you people are making fun of me," she huffed looking away hurt.
Immediately Maan ran near Kritika and kneeled down in front of her. "I'm so sorry baby I didn't mean to make fun of you. Apna Maanji ko maaf karegi?" he asked holding his ears. She eyed him from the corner of her eyes but didn't budge and stood stubbornly. "Really sorry, ab?" he asked once again sliding to the side she was facing.
"Let me remind you Mr. Maanji this is not the right way to ask sorry," she stated sternly. Maan slapped his forehead, how could he forget! Afterall she was Geet's daughter and getting forgiveness from Geet was as difficult as getting water in Mars. Yet certain special techniques could get her to forgive him. He gazed fondly at his mini Geet as his past memories flooded his mind.
"Oh haan, main toh bhool hi gaya," he said shaking his head. "Main bhi kitna pagal hoon, chalo leave that let me try once again huh?" In return there was only silence from Kritika's side but he knew she would be looking at him from the corner of her eyes. "I am so sorry da chellam, please maaf kardo JJ," he said earnestly. Kritika turned to look at him, happy that he had asked for her forgiveness properly yet her ego prevented her from budging.
"Eh vaalu (naughty girl) chalo maaf bhi kardo kitne time voh tumhare saamne aise khade rahenge?" Geet scolded Kritika, annoyed at making Maan beg.
"Geet tum humare beech mein mat aaya karo. Yeh meri aur meri pyaari si JJ ki baat hai," he replied frowning at Geet.
"Haan haan, ek yeh hai number one ziddi aur ek aap ho jiske karan yeh aur bhi ziddi ho rahi hai," Geet complained.
"Chalo hone do na. Tum keh rahi ho jaise tum nahi thi," he teased earning a giggle from Kritika. He turned around to wink at Kritika and both hi-fived each other.
Geet looked surprised at the duo. Few minutes ago Kritika seemed so mad at Maan that she thought it would be again another whole before she forgives him but now it seemes like nothing of that sort happened. "Kamaal hai," she commented sarcastically, "just a few minutes ago you were against each other and now dekho."
"You see Ms. Geet, when we are friends we are good but when we fight we are better, kyun Maanji?" Kritika added teasingly.
"Haan tabhi toh humara rishta aur kareeb aur anyonya ho jata hai," Maan said dramatically.
"Anyo what Maanji?" Kritika asked confused at his use of words.
"Anyonya JJ meaning it becomes unique and close-knit," Maan explained. Kritika shrugged in return before looking at her mother.
"Ugh whatever, aap log aa rahein ho ya mein khud akeli jaoon?" Geet asked totally frustrated at the fact that now both Kritika and Maan bonded so well that they had permanently made a team against her.
Since her return from hospital a week ago she began to see Kritika and Maan beginning to genuinely bond well. Maan had forgiven her little angel long ago but Kritika was not convinced yet her prank incident had put an end to her hatred towards Maan. After Arjun, Geet saw Kritika bond amazingly well with Maan. Maan began to address Kritika as 'junior Jaanu' or for short 'JJ' while she addressed Maan as 'Maanji'. They did everything together, right from daily activities of eating and playing to annoying Geet to the core. Their mischief seemed to be the primary agenda of the day yet Geet had no heart to stop their mischief. She of course did scold them each time she found them creating trouble yet by the end of the day was glad seeing both support and interact with each other.
"Arre Jaanu itni choti se baat ke liye hume chod ke jaa rahi ho?" Maan asked sounding hurt.
"Acchaji mera mazak udana choti si baat haina?"
"Haan!" both Kritika and Maan screamed together with smirk on their faces.
"Toh phir teekhai bye you both main akeli jaa rahi hoon," Geet declared hautighly and headed to the main door while picking up her keys.
"Oi Mrs. Jellyfish kahaan ja rahi ho, I am going to drive samjhi?" Maan said in a serious tone.
"O hello Mr. Jellyfish this is America, India nahi aur aap yahaan drive nahi kar sakte so now come on get in the car," she replied equally stern.
"Geet first of all remember this is Maan Singh Khurana we are talking about and second of all I have an international driver's license, aur if you have forgotten let me remind you I studied here so I know how to drive here," he pointed out.
Geet realized she was caught but didn't want to show him that she did agree with him and continued walk out of the door pretending she didn't hear anything.
"Hello madam main tujhse baat kar rahi hoon," Maan said surprised at her non-response and hurried to stop her. Sensing him right behind her steps she tried to hasten hers only to trip on her heavy kanchivaram saree. She gasped in shock impending a nasty fall ahead and shut her eyes tightly only to have stopped in mid-air. Two strong arms engulfed her and tightened its grip around her petite waist while she unconsciously clutched onto his kurta. She slowly opened her eyes to see a pair of deep chocolate brown eyes staring back at her with a million emotions playing through it every second. It was as if time had frozen hoping to salvage the deep sorrowful scars of the past.
***
~Past~
"Are you alright?" Maan asked with worry and concern still securely holding her in his arms. While he was about to bring her to stand when he saw her slowly flutter her eyes open. He was instantly mesmerized looking at those lovely pair of eyes staring back at him, confusion written all over them. It was almost like he had forgotten to breathe as he drowned into them. His gaze slowly shifted down to her perfectly molded nose that gave way to her delicately luscious lips. Hadn't he been told love at first sight was overrated? Probably he had not heard them right because at this moment it didn't feel a bit overrated! He mentally made a note to correct his thought process of the definition of falling in love at first sight before continuing to admire the fine piece of artwork in his arms.
Maan was still in trance wanting to capture the moment forever in his heart when he felt her push him away and straighten herself. She adjusted her saree pallu and looked around to see anything else was out of place before turning to look at Maan. Seeing him stare at her open mouthed, anger boiled inside her. She angrily snapped her fingers in front of his face to shake him off his thoughts.
"Hello mister, kannu theriyarathu illa?" (Can't you see?) she asked glowering at him, for the first time her voice reaching his ears. Well, wasn't her voice too sweet like her? He thought with a smile playing on his lips. "Eh you?" she said once again waving her hand in front of his face. "Seems like he cannot see or can hear," she mumbled under her breadth before glaring back at him. "I know your type of guys very well. In the pretext of helping you guys will do anything. But it surprises me a decent looking man too can get to do such nonsense and that too in the temple premises," she said with disgust. By that time people started to gather around them, curiously looking at the scene unfolding in front of them. But Maan was least bothered and continued to look at her starry eyed.
Geet, who had been searching for Maan since the time she sent him hunting for some jasmine flowers, saw the crowd gathering around the corner and hurried to see if he had gotten into trouble. She made her way through the crowd to find Maan lost in some dreamland while the woman in front of him continued to speak low of him throwing him nasty looks.
"Oh hello niruthungo, vaai iruntha yethu venum nalum peshalama?" (Stop! Just because you can speak you cannot talk anything that comes to your mind) Geet said causing the woman to turn around to look at her.
"Oh please enakku onnu paithiyam kidayathu. This man misbehaved with me," the other lady pointed out.
"Misbehave?" Geet asked incredulously. "Do you even know who he is? Ans please ava onnum antha madiri ellam shejirukkamata," she said confidently.
"I have no interest to know these type of people and you stop making him look like a hero," she replied with irritation.
Maan who had been just a visual spectator of their conversation was confused why Geet was shouting while the other lady; 'other lady' would be an insult no? Hmm a better word would be his sweet angel, ah now it was perfect, so where was he, ah yes the fight between his Jaanu and his sweet angel didn't make sense. He tried to intervene by trying to gain Geet's attention but she seemed too involved in fighting. Finally having no choice and not wanting to see them in such angry state he decided to put an end to it.
"Oh bas bhi karo Jaanu. Aap log, I mean why are you guys fighting with each other?" Maan asked innocently.
Geet and the other woman stopped taunting each other to look at Maan surprisedly. All this while was he really unaware of the reason they were fighting?
"Oh kuch nahi Maan, she is blaming you unnecessarily," Geet filled in. "Chalo we'll leave. Some people just love to waste other's time," she said looking at the woman.
"Arre nahi Geet shayad tumhe gatal femi hogi. Why would she blame me? Magar ho bhi jaye toh isme badi waali baat kya hai," he grinned foolishly. Geet looked at him as though he had grown two horns. She wondered if he was in senses to be involved in such a situation. She was about to argue when she saw him turn towards the other woman. "I am extremely sorry for the inconvevience," he apologized humbly and clearing the way for her to leave peacefully. The lady frowned at his gesture and huffed away mumbling under her breadth at the weird duo.
"Uff Maan yeh aap kya kar rahe the?" Geet asked frustrated at his drama. He continued to gaze at her departure without giving her a reply. "Maan!" she once again called nudging him for attention.
"Huh?" he asked dazed. "Kk kya hua Geet?" he asked turning to look at her seriously.
"Is everything alright Maan? I mean yeh sab, hua kya tha?" she asked totally confused at Maan's behavior.
"Of course mujhe kya hoga?" he replied nonchalantly trying to cover up his folly. "Tum na Jaanu zyaada dimag mat lagaya karo," he asserted pulling her along with him to visit the temple. Having no choice she shrugged away the incident and went ahead with him to offer her prayers to the lord.
Thanjavur Shiva temple was one of biggest temples built by Chola king known for it's huge murthy of Nandi in its premises. Beautiful sculpture and art around the temple had both Maan and Geet mesmerized. It had taken them more than two hours to go around the temple completely and by the end of it Geet had completely forgotten about that incident. They finally made it home late at night after having dinner outside. Before going to bed Maan had informed that there would be one last meeting tomorrow as a new CEO will be coming to the site to familiarize himself with the proceedings before Maan and Geet left for Delhi.
Morning came much to Maan's annoyance because he had hardly got sleep at night. Early rays of dawn had given way to sleep after several hours of him tossing and turning thinking over his encounter with her. He could never forget those mesmerizing amber eyes staring back at him. And only he knew how he had let her walk away in the evening not wanting to embarrass her. Growing up, he had never felt any special connection towards the opposite sex except for his mother who had unfortunately passed away. Recently he had gained a mother in Anu ma and a close confidante in Geet but other than that he never felt the need to have woman by his side. But this girl had him completely shaken giving a new feeling lingering throughout his body. He smiled at the thought of her frowning at him. He had no clue what she was talking yet her chatter brought a huge smile on his face. Even her puckered eyebrows and narrowed eyes sending daggers towards him made her look cute. He chuckled at his own thoughts and slapped his forehead wanting to shake them away only for them to haunt him until the first rays of sun peeped through his window.
"Maan!" Geet called out loudly once again trying to wake him up. "Yeh toh kabhi itne late uthte nahi. Aaj inhe kya ho gaya?" she wondered aloud. She once again went to shake him awake as it was getting late for them to meet some new CEO.
"Hmm…" she heard him groan in sleep and shift his position.
"Maan bahut late ho raha hai. Please wake up!" she called out shaking him off his sleep.
"Arre Geet sone do yaar. Raat bar she didn't let me sleep," he mumbled covering his blanket over his face.
"Kya!" she exclaimed at his claim. "Kisne?"
"Pari," he managed to pique in.
"Pari? Kaun Pari?"
"Tum usi se uski naam puchlo na. Mujhe vaise bhi full Tamil nahi aata," he said with his eyes closed.
Maan's talks sounded too gibberish and Geet couldn't make out its head from tail. "Maan bakwaas band kariye aur uthiye," she said annoyed at his talks.
Unable to take her shouting Maan finally opened his eyes and sat up on his bed. His red eyes and dark circles under his eyes definitely did show he hadn't slept well. She was alarmed whether he had fallen sick and rushed to his side to check his temperature.
"Eh, kya kar rahi ho Geet?" he mused seeing her hovering over like a nurse.
"Temperature check kar rahi hoon. Pehle aap itne der dak so rahe the aur phir you were blabbering about some Pari and now your eyes look blood-shot," she explained continuing to place the back of her palm on his forehead.
"Oh God Geet! Main bilkul teekh hoon," he chuckled removing her hand and making her sit beside him. "I was just tired so I overslept. Chalo abhi hume nikalna hai. You finish your breakfast I'll join you," he assured her and slid off the bed to freshen up.
"Ajeeb bandha hai. Pehle he says something about lack of sleep and some Pari ab he is saying something different. Chaddo! Maan ke moods mein baat dalna hai toh khud ko confusion mein dalna," she brushed away walking out of the room to get some fresh filter coffee.
Maan and Geet managed to arrive at the site just in time for the new CEO to arrive due to heavy traffic around the city. Maan was busy checking his emails on his blackberry while Geet chattered away about her plans for the day. Since she couldn't go shopping yesterday, she was busy listing places she wanted to visit for shopping. Maan simply nodded to her demands while concentrating on his work. Just then the receptionist knocked and entered to announce the arrival of Mr. Raman along with his new CEO. Maan asked her to let them in while he and Geet straightened themselves ready to receive the two.
Mr. Raman walked ahead while a bit short and petite young woman walked briskly behind him. Her hair was neatly tied into a bun while she was neatly dressed in a crisp blue suit. Professionalism oozed in her every stride as she walked towards the room where Maan and Geet were waiting.
"Hello Mr. Khurana!" Mr. Raman greeted, warmly shaking his hands with Maan. The lady accompanying Raman came to stand in front of Maan making him speechless. Could it be his imagination? He thought shocked at seeing her. Afterall, she had occupied his thoughts since yesterday, stealing away his sleep as well as his peace. Oblivious to Maan's sudden change in expression, Raman turned towards the woman, "Please meet my new CEO, Miss Radhika," he announced proudly. Radhika was about to greet Maan and raised her eyes to meet his but instantly froze.
Geet who had seen Radhika walk in was first shocked but her shock turned into annoyance as Radhika came to stand in front of her. Geet opened her mouth to give Radhika a piece of her mind for insulting Maan but he overtook her.
"A very hello to you Miss. Radhika," Maan quipped, his voice edged with amusement and extended his hand in greeting. Geet turned around to look at Maan, confusion evident in her face. He did even seem to show any type of reaction that he had previously met her.
Mr. Raman quite unaware of the undercurrent continued with a sense of awe and respect, "Radhika meet the man himself, Mr. Maan Singh Khurana." Radhika's eyes widened in shock with Raman's announcement while she reluctantly shook her hands with Maan.
"So Mr. Khurana from today she shall be handling this project so if you need anything please let her know," Mr. Raman said. "I'll let you two familiarize with each other while I look into some issues with Gopalan," he continued. "Miss. Geet if you don't mind, could you come with me too I need to give you a few things," he said turning around to leave.
Geet averted her eyes away from Maan at Raman's request but didn't want to leave Maan with that woman who had blatantly gone to accuse him. Yet she couldn't refuse Raman, so she turned to look at Maan to rescue her out only to have him nod and smile in assurance for her to go. Not wanting to create a scene, Geet turned to follow Raman, leaving Radhika and Maan alone.
"So Miss. Radhika I'm afraid you were not expecting me. Please excuse my ill timing," Maan said, smiling genuinely.
"I, I'm extremely sorry Mr. Khurana. Last evening I didn't mean to speak so rudely," Radhika managed to say in spite of her embarrassment. She had certainly heard about Maan Singh Khurana and carried high respects for him and his company Khurana Constructions. Since Maan had always refrained from too many personal interviews and rarely appeared in public, she didn't know how he looked. Yesterday at the temple, right before her encounter with Maan, another guy had intentionally walked into her. And the repeat performance with Maan had her blood boiling and she went to accuse him without even giving a chance for him to explain.
"Please Miss. Radhika, don't be sorry," he brushed away casually before continuing, "I should have seen where I was going," he said genuinely. "Geet was nagging me to buy all those items for the temple and I was busy juggling to keep all those in hand that I failed to see and walked right into you," he explained.
Radhika was clearly embarrassed at his genuine apology and explanation. She wished she could have taken those harsh words back but the mistake had been made. "No, no Mr. Khurana it wasn't your fault. I really wish I could turn back the clock," she gushed guiltily. "If there is anything I could do to take it back," she said shaking her head ruefully.
Maan watched her sincerely regret her actions and wanted to convince her she really was not at fault. He badly wanted to hug her and ask her to stop worrying over the incidence. He certainly couldn't go out to hug her giving her a wrong impression of him. He first wanted her lose her guilt and forget the incidence before he could even think of taking the next step. An idea lit up seeing her insist her point across. He smiled at his thought and mentally patted his back for coming up with such a brilliant idea.
"Of course Miss. Radhika there is something you can certainly do to take back your words," he said with a straight face.
"Anything Mr. Khurana," she replied desparately wanting to rectify her mistake.
"Then you shouldn't refuse for a coffee with me in the evening today," he declared and continued without letting her interrupt. "I don't know a good coffee place, that can be taken care by you when I come to pick you up at four in the evening," he said smiling.
"What!" Radhika exclaimed in shock at his plan.
"Uh oh Miss. Radhika you are not suppose to ask 'what' you should ask 'where'," Maan corrected cheekily.
"Lister mister, just because I was nice enough to ask for apology don't try to take advantage of it!" she replied sternly.
"Okay then, you don't come to coffee, I take it that it was my mistake and let Mr. Raman know I unfortunately wouldn't be able to work with you guys. You know its my strict policy that I don't work with people whom I have been at fault with," he said casually and slid his hands into his pocket.
"You, you can't do that," Radhika said, disbelief evident in her tone. "That's sheer blackmail."
Maan saw her shake her head causing a few strands of hair slip out of her clip and settle on the side of her face. God did she look cute even when her face reflected pure shock. He wanted to laugh out loud at her adorable expression but fearing her reaction he pursed his lips suppressing a smile.
"Hmm, the last time I checked asking someone for coffee is not blackmailing," he replied plainly.
"No but threatening to cancel the deal is," she huffed folding her hands on her chest in defense.
"Alright, fine I won't cancel the deal," he said to her great relief. "But I would still like you to say yes for coffee," he insisted before adding, "please?" His sudden plea mellowed her a bit and got her thinking. Seeing her not deny him instantly he added looking hopefully, "Just a coffee and then I promise I won't bother you."
Radhika was surprised by Maan's honest request making her speechless. She didn't expect such a big business tycoon to beg her for coffee. "Err," she began unsure of what to reply.
"Great, we'll leave by four and you'll name the place," he said without waiting for her to say something.
"But I didn't accept," she said looking baffled.
"Oh but I thought you just did," he said feigning innocence.
"No," she denied shaking her head.
"Yes," he said equally stubborn.
"No," she insisted shaking her head harder
"Yes," he replied with an amused smile.
"No, no, no," she chanted. She was continuously shaking her head back and forth and failed to see him come to stand very close to her before yanking her towards him. Force of his pull made her collide with his sturdy and muscular chest causing her to instantly grasp his shirt to prevent herself from falling. His strong masculine scent pricked her nostrils making her forget her surrounding for a moment.
"You shall come and that's a promise," he whispered against her ears, his hot breadth tingling her senses. "And now if I may be kindly allowed to leave your embrace, I have things to take care before we head out," he teased seeing her not move out of his hold. Instantly Radhika stepped back embarrassed at her own deed and looked away unable to meet his gaze.
"So Miss. Radhika since we have set plans for the evening let's see what's the plan for afternoon," he said wanting to clear the air of tension and embarrassment.
"Pardon me?" she asked confused at his mention of afternoon plan.
"I meant plans for the site," he winked smiling cheekily before proceeding to get the file he was working on.
"Of course," she whispered before getting down to work.
Cricket
