I smiled and laughed as I sat at the dinner table with my family. Armaan was telling his story about his current patient who has a major crush on him. The girl, is 9 years old, by the way who won't eat or drink until he is there in front of her. My parents as usual smiled and laughed along with him. He always had this knack for saying the right things at the right time. He knew how to make people happy.
I looked at my father, who clearly liked him. During these past four years, we both have come to a mutual understanding. We are more closer now. He never objected to whatever I wanted. When I told him about my plans to go to Puna for further studies, he was more heartbroken than my mom. I can't believe that I couldn't understand his love behind his anger. I knew he was angry for being overweight, he couldn't bear to here any insult towards me that is why he kept taunting me to loose weight. I never blamed my father for whatever he has done or said. His love was behind those taunting and that's all it mattered.
When he had asked me to get married, I didn't say no. I couldn't. After all, he had given me permission to go and study further. He never restricted me for anything. This was the least I could do for him and his happiness. I knew he won't choose anyone without knowing the person's background. I also, as advised by Meera, had to move on.
My sister, Raaji, who is also very fond of very fond of Armaan, sorry Raj. Even though me and Raaji don't have anything in common at all, we at least now share a common ground, Raj. She is three years younger to me. Raaji, always have been a very independent girl from the time she was little. I, on the other head, always depended on my parents for everything. I can't be as open minded as her. Raaji always does whatever she pleases, I wouldn't say she is spoiled though. She is more grounded to her culture than anyone. She just loves to hang out with friends and can't seem to say no to them. Peer pressure, I guess. I just wished that she had a good friend like Meera in her life to keep her straight. Nonetheless, I love Rajji and she knows no matter what I will always be there for her.
"Geet where are you lost?"
"huh" (I looked at him confused. Everyone's eyes were on me looking for an answer. What did I miss?")
"Are you okay? You know pops ever since she came back from grocery shopping she has been super quiet. I mean she is quieter than before."
"Beta are you okay? Anything happen?" (her mother asked with concern)
"uhh no...just is not feeling well"
"Of course why would she feel well. You know she walked to and from the grocery store in the rain. She had to get sick"
"jiju di can be very stubborn when she wants to be"
"yeah, I know but not as stubborn as me." (he winks at her) "Pops you should make her go to her room and rest"
"Why don't you take her upstairs yourself."
"A better idea. I need to get practice anyway on how to take care of sick wife well soon-to-be-wife." (he laughs) "Geet lets go"
I can't say no not in front of my parents. He places his one hand on my waist pulling me towards him a little. I felt weird and awkward. His touch always made me feel this way. I just can't open up. I know he cares, everyone likes him, even I do but not more than a friend for now. He gently tucks me in saying good bye before leaving. I breathed in relief seeing him leave. Now, I can be by myself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maan comes home after his drive. He was suppose to go and hang out but everything canceled due to this rain. Maybe it is good. I can relax for a little bit. He was happy that his Dadima was asleep. He can work out and have some moments to himself.
He removes his shirt and starts doing ti-chi. He closes his eyes remembering the girl. Those eyes. They were familiar. I know those same eyes, I have seen them somewhere in my past before. I can't be mistaken. I never forget especially those hazel brown eyes. They were captivating, they were filled with pain and helplessness. Where have I seen them before?
He works out even harder trying to remember but only flashes of someone's face came to his mind. The girl's face was not clear but the girl had the same eyes he saw today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Geet comes out of her office after work hours. Today the weather was also not good. Rain. As she was walking home, since her car was not working. She saw him again. Standing there looking at her with a smile. She froze in her steps. She didn't know what to do but she couldn't move at the same time. She was mesmerized with his beauty and most of all his killer smile.
"I finally found you." (He comes near her looking at her intently. He brings his hand up caressing her cheek with his thumb. Geet closes her eyes enjoying his touch when a loud thunder brings her out of her dreamland.)
Geet woke up sweating. She could't get Maan out of her head. His face kept popping up. She wanted to forget him. She liked his closeness today. She liked seeing him. No. She can't. She can't be the same person now.
She lies back on the bed afraid to close her eyes. If she does, she knew Maan would be there in her dreams. After a while, sleep took over her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Geet sat behind her desk trying to pay attention but no matter what she says to herself about forgetting him. She can't. She wanted to tell Meera about what happened yesterday but knew its not the right time. Meera's blood will boil and she will bring the whole company down with her due to her anger. She is very possessive especially after the incident that took place during college.
This company that we started together made our friendship even stronger. I still remember the days when we both were struggling to do something on our own. Although, Meera did her major in accounting and I in designing somehow both of us came together. Our company's name is much like us called bright start. Bright start to your day, bright start to the parties and/or functions. Meera handles all the accounts for the company. Our company consists girls except for one guy Manisha, who was also like one of us. There was no hate towards guys but it was better we don't have any guy involved. Pinky is not only a receptionists but she is also our marketing coordinator. She makes sure that people are aware of our company. She comes up with the new innovative ideas. Pari-is my assistant, she is brilliant at coming up with new fresh schemes for ideas and decorations. She knows all the connections that helps us do everything on time. Manisha-should be Meera's assistant in accounting, since he is good with numbers but he tends to be everywhere giving his ideas/inputs.
"Geet I have some good and bad news" She looks up to see Meera standing there.
"Sure Meera. What is the news Meers?"
"Well, remember the new account that I told you about? Well, the lady wants to meet with us asap since the party is this weekend."
"Tha'ts great."
"Whats the bad news?"
"umm its the Khuranas"
I dropped my pen hearing the name. NO, it can't be the same Khurana that I am thinking about. Why is that name so hell bent on coming in front of me?
"what should we do? Cancel the meeting?"
"No. Don't cancel the meeting. We have to remain professional no matter what."
"Are you sure, Geet?"
"Yes, Meers. Our company's reputation is at stake. We never decline our customers however big or small they are"
"Okay. I will set up meeting with them."
"I will have Pari attend the meeting. She will finalize all the designs and color schemes. By the way, what is going on with Meheta's payment?"
"OHh yeah I forgot to tell you. That bhudda said he won't pay us unless all of attend his party tonight."
"God, these people. What time is the party?"
"At 8pm. I don't even know what to wear. Pari and Pinky are excited about it since they will get to meet some boys there."
Geet laughs "Of course what else is new with them. Anyway, should we have them leave early so they can go home and prepare themselves?"
"Nah, I think we should keep them here until they start to cry. Its never too late for overtime" (She winks at her)
"Not a bad idea. Lets see how long they last here" (both shake hands)
Manisha comes running in without knocking as usual.
OMG have you guys heard about the party tonight? I don't know what to wear. I want to dress sexy but at the same time I don't want the boys to think am too easy."
Meera coughs in her hand trying to stop herself from laughing.
"Manisha you could wear anything you like but remember you are representing our company at the end of the day" (Geet said trying to concentrate back at the designs in front of her but only Maan's picture came in her mind. She puts the pen down closing the file)
"I know darling. I will maintain a very professional relationship up till the party ends after that I will let myself loose"
Meera laughs out loud hearing him talk like that. Geet smiles as well not wanting to take this topic any further or else everyone will have to spend numerous hours trying to maanofy him. He only agrees to shut up, if we offer him help him meet a boyfriend and god knows that will take forever.
"Anyway guys. Lets concentrate on the rest of the details."
"chal Manisha help me with some closing some accounts." (Manisha pouts and leaves with Meera to her cabin.)
"Pari come in my cabin please"
"Okay Geet."
Yes, everyone was on first name basis here. Everyone was like a family here no formalities of boss or employees relation here. Pari knocked on the cabin door as she stepped in.
"Pari I want you and Pinky to go to Mr. Meheta's house to make sure all the details of decorations are done perfectly. You are in charge. I will be there around 7 to double check everything. Oh one more thing, you both will need to bring some change of clothes with you. I am sure Mr. Meheta will provide you guys a room to change for the party.
"What?! But Geet. How can we change there. I mean our hair, our nails, our dress, our shoes, our makeup everything comes into factor here. How will we decide all of these factors in that short spam of time?" (Geet smiles)
"I don't want to here anything. I have decided already. If you want I can send Manisha with you guys for help?"
"NO." (Pari stands up in fear) "Don't send him or else we won't get any work done. He will start hitting on the waiters and come running to us for advice. Its okay. We will go there and change"
"Good." (Geet smiles her and Meers plan was successful. Time to teach these girls a lesson. Not everything is about boys just than her phone rings. Speaking of boys)
"Hi Raj"
"Geet, how many times do I have to tell you call me Armaan. Kitne Armaan se mere parents ne naam rakha hai. Use kiya karo"
"I like Raj better. Anyway, is everything okay?"
"Why something needs to be wrong for me to call you?" (he laughs) "I just called to make sure you were okay."
"Hmm I am fine today"
"Good. what are you doing tonight? Lets go out to dinner. I am free after lunch"
"Ohh I can't. My client has a party tonight and he won't pay us unless we attend"
"Really? Okay where? I will come as well. Someone needs to be there to protect you girls. No need to worry when am here"
"Okay its at 8pm at Maharaj Hotel. I will tell Manisha to write your name on the list"
"Okay. I will pick you up later then"
"Actually no need. I will see you there. I have to go there first to make sure the decorations are done correctly"
"okay see you there. Bye"
"bye"
Geet hangs up the phone. Its good that he is coming. He will be busy with everyone anyway. I need to focus tonight is a big night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was 6 in the evening and Geet was still in the office. She completely lost time of track if it wasn't for the phone call.
"Yes, Pari. How's everything going? How are the decorations looking?"
"Geet we are in trouble. The white curtains we had ordered originally didn't come instead we got multi-colored curtains. What are we going to do? All other decorations are done properly."
"what? Didn't someone check on the orders personally?"
"Yes, we did but I gues the exporter made a mistake with the orders. The party is in two hours and we don't know what to do."
"Uhh okay. I will be there. Until then make sure no one goes inside the hall not even Mr. Meheta"
"Okay, hurry"
Geet runs out of the cabin telling Meera and Manisha to lock up while she goes to the party. I am so dead today. Not today. Babaji please save us. She quickly grabs an auto going to the hotel.
As soon as she reached to the place, Pinky and Pari were there waiting for her. They led her to the reception hall where the decorations were suppose to be done by the hired contractors. She looks around. It looked like some indian wedding party.
"how come you guys didn't call me before? You guys left about two hours ago am I right?"
"woh Geet we uhh went shopping for the party. We assumed that everything would be done accordingly to what we planned"
"You guys." (She takes a deep breath) "I told you guys before don't ever assume anything in life."
"We apologize Geet. We really are sorry. Now what do we do?" (Pinky asks half way in tear)
"Its too late to do anything now. We can't get new curtains made and ready to go within two hours. We just have to use our imagination and come up with a different theme based on these curtains now. Lets grab a table and put our brains to work"
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Maan sat in his office going through his files when his assistant, Adi walks in.
"Sir, don't forget the party tonight at Mr. Meheta's."
"I hate parties you know that"
"Yes, sir but don't forget he is our client. We have to go to this party or else he might cancel the contract"
"Damn it. Okay. I will go for little bit. Where is it? Maharaj Hotel"
Aami Daakini
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Cricket
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