Maneet FF-Love finds its way!Ch18-P147-22/07*updtd - Page 9

Chapter 2

"Thank you Sir for all your help. You saved a girl from being stranded on the streets of Delhi- after losing her wallet. I'm grateful.

Sincerely-Geet Handa- Intern Architect"

" 😊😛 ". She scrolled down to see if there was anything else in the message- nothing else. She then checked the time of the message, "11:58:58pm"

She went back to her sent messages folder and checked the time she had sent him the message. It read "11:48:58pm".

"In ten minutes he responded and in that very ten minutes I had fallen asleep also", she thought, not believing that her message had received a response.

Maan was engrossed in a meeting with the client in the client's office in Faridabad. The meeting was on since morning and he realized they were heading nowhere. Irrespective of the negotiations, the client was unwilling to bind the business and Maan was slowly losing his temper. Sasha, on the other hand- tried her level best to convince the client to their terms and conditions. That way, she would not only bag the deal for her company, but also move a step closer to Maan, professionally.

Sasha worked as the chief architect of Khurana Constructions. She was Maan's professional favorite and handled the company very well- in his absence. Though Dev could handle it better than Sasha any day, Maan did not want to burden Dev with any more operational issues so had delegated the responsibility to Sasha. She had never disappointed him so far. That made her proud and bossy, throwing her weight around in office, during Maan's absence. If she did not like anyone from the Khurana's it was Dev and his wife. Both never cared to give her a damn and never gave her the time and attention that Maan gave her. Maan, too, gave her time and attention only for business or professional work and ensured that Sasha never crossed that limit of professionalism. He never bothered to talk to anyone in office about their personal lives- well, it is not his business to know what is happening in Mr. Sharma's family or whom is Mr. Parikh's son dating. Therefore, Maan and Dev were thorough professionals when it came to handling their employees- though they cared for them and helped them at the time of need. One slight difference that cropped up in both the brothers is that- Maan, was an introvert both in his personal life and professional life. He liked staying alone and was a complete- no-non-sense person. Dev, on the other hand- maintained his no-non-sense attitude only in office. Once, out of office- he was a Casanova and a cool guy- joking around and trying to create a very lively atmosphere wherever he went. He liked flirting with women and admired their beauty- but never treated them inferior. He's always respected them and looked up to them. And after his wedding with Naintara- he was a one woman man only! Though Naintara had her own doubts cos her handsome is always cool and doesn't mind flirting with others in front of her. But despite all that he had promised to her that he belonged only to her and no one else.

"MSK ab kya kare?", asked Sasha, as they took a tea-break.

Maan did not answer. He was in deep thought. He had to clinch this deal- it meant a lot to him. But what he couldn't comprehend was why he wasn't able to convince this client. Despite the number of designs shown to the client- the client wasn't impressed and Sasha was forced to changed her designs and models and come up with new ideas on the spot.

"MSK", she called him again. Before he could respond the client was back.

"Sir, I apologize- but we will have to meet some other time", he said, with a sunk face. "My mother is not well. I have to leave".

Maan nodded and left the client's office with Sasha. Maan was frustrated to get back to work so he decided to head home straight. It was 5:30pm anyway and it could easily take him over an hour to get home in the peek Delhi traffic. He dropped Sasha closer to office and headed home.

Sasha, knew he was disappointed and took this opportunity to get close to him. She reached home and called Maan immediately.

Maan had drove in the parkway of the Khurana Mansion. he answered the call immediately.

"Yes Sasha", he said, as he walked into the living room and found Geet, Naintara and Daadima sitting and talking something while having some tea.

Geet rolled her eyes on hearing Sasha's name. Maan went and sat beside Daadima while talking to Sasha.

"I'm thinking of taking an appointment tomorrow with the client again. Tomorrow will be the do or die situation", she said.

"We'll get back to them in three days. Ask them for that time", he said.

"More time? MSK but that is against our company's policies. We've never asked any client for time- cos at the first go itself all our designs have been accepted. If he is not happy we should just walk out", she said, arrogantly.

"Well, that's what I want to do too- but in any case- we'll see and decide tomorrow. Email the designs again to me- lets see what best can be done", he said.

"Ok MSK, but'." and he cut her talk, "Sasha, I reached home. I'll see you in office tomorrow. Bye- good night", he said and did not wait for her response. He hung up.

Naintara smiled sarcastically thinking, "Serves that witch right".

He then turned to his Daadima and put his arm around her shoulder and asked, "How was your day, Daadima?"

"Fantastic", she said. "Something to drink for you?", she asked, "you look irritated and tired, Son".

"Ah! Tired I am-very much. However, I don't want anything. I'll just go fresh up", he said, getting up. As he got up- he noticed Geet dressed in a green sari- his favorite color. It felt like she owned the color looking gorgeous. He wanted to tell her that- but brushed the thought away and walked away to the bedroom.

"Strange", said Naintara, "veerji never comes so early and refused to talk business stuff. Looks like he's seriously irritated about something".

"Why don't you go and see Geet?", said Daadima.

Geet nodded and got up. She knew there was no point going to Maan- he wouldn't be sharing his tensions with her anyways- but there was no point arguing with Daadima as well- as no one would believe that Maan would not listen to Geet- afterall the Khuranas and the Handas assumed that Maan and Geet are happily married.

Geet walked reluctantly to the bedroom and knocked on the door before entering. Maan turned to look at the door and saw Geet come in.

"Geet, this is your bedroom too. You need not knock", he told her, in an angry tone.

"Yes! But I didn't want to be surprised you know!", she said, winking. He rolled his eyes and said, "Whatever", and was about to say something more, when his phone rang again.

"Sasha, I got your email", he said.

Geet could only listen to Maan's side of the conversation unfortunately. She walked to the couch and sat down beside him where he was sitting and working on his laptop. She looked at the designs too and made some points mentally. There were more than 100 designs.

"Ahaan, Poor Sasha has worked quite a bit", she thought and continued to see the rest of the designs as Maan glanced through them while talking on phone with Sasha.

After a point, he simply said, "Let's just discuss this tomorrow. My mind doesn't seem to be working right now. In case, the client doesn't accept after further negotiations. Lets just let this deal pass. No client has challenged our designs till now", he said, angrily.

He hung up after a few seconds and was about to close the laptop. He suddenly turned to look at Geet, who was still trying to look through the designs.

"I'm shutting it down", he said.

"Sure. Go ahead", she said, "Shut down your laptop and your anger, frustration and ego as well", she said.

His, hand remained on the side of the laptop screen. He gazed at her intently and asked, "Do you know what happened to suggest what I should do?"

"I need not know what happened to suggest what you should do. This is something that hasn't happened before to you and hence you're angry and irritated", she said.

Maan raised his eye-brow. He moved back a little, crossed his arms across his chest and asked her, "What do you mean?"

"Maan, just because the client doesn't like your designs you are angry and frustrated is it?", she asked, softly.

Maan almost melted at the softness and concern In her voice- but as always controlled his thoughts and expressions.

"Sasha's given them over a 100 designs. So, obviously we're irritated", he said.

"Maan, I know I'm not the one to advice you. You've been in this industry and handled people for many years now. But let me tell you what I was told by my ex-boss during a conference- he said, "if you don't understand what the client wants- then making even 100000 designs will be useless. But if you understand the client's requirements and his tastes and attitude- you will give the client the best design in just the first few attempts".

She paused and looked at him. He said, "I'm listening".

She smiled slightly and resumed, "And if for any reason you are not able to do that- there is nothing to be depressed or angry about. Every person has his own tastes, likes and dis-likes. Just because someone does not agree with you, doesn't mean you're inferior or he's superior. So if opinions and interests don't match- no need to argue, no need to be angry or frustrated- just respect their thoughts and opinions, smile and part on friendly terms. You never know- how and when you might encounter the same person again".

"What's the point you are driving home Geet?", he asked.

"Two points- First, do you and your chief architect really understand what the client wants? If you don't, then even a 100 designs or 10000 designs is futile. Second, don't let the project out of your hand- because some refuses to agree with everything you say. Only let it pass- if you've given it your best and still the client is not convinced. Since, you cant force him or your ideas onto him- you part on friendly terms- after telling him why you are not able to meet his terms and conditions".

He looked at her and smiled, for the first time in the last few weeks. Geet's mouth fell open and her heart skipped a beat. "What an awesome smile he has! Why doesn't he smile often?", she thought.

He got up and walked to the huge glass doors that opened into the balcony and terrace lawn on the other side of the bedroom. He looked out while standing with his hands in his pockets. After a few minutes he spoke, "Btw who this ex-boss of yours? Seems to be a knowledgeable man", he said, while looking sideways at her with a smirk on his face.

"That he is!", she said, getting up and walking to him. He turned to look outside again.

She held him from behind, placing her hands on his stomach. He either moved nor stiffened- much to Geet's surprise.

"Maan, you need to relax a bit. You look very worried and stressed out these days", she said softly.

"Geet, this client is very annoying", he said, still looking out.

"Since when did other people start disturbing ' the Maan Singh Khurana?", she asked.

He took a deep breath and said, "Geet- I need some tea".

"Sure", she said and was about to move her hands away when he held them gently.

"Green sari, Geet?", he asked, turning sideways to look at her.

"Hmmm", she said.

He smiled and left her hands. She turned to walk towards the door when he spoke again.

"Geet, the cordless is on the couch".

"I'm making the tea myself Maan. Cordless cant really help much", she said and walked away.

"Why cant I understand you, geet?", he thought as he heard the door close.

"Why cant I understand him- once he's nice, once he's angry- once he lets me close- once he distances himself from me- what does he want", she thought as she walked to the kitchen to make some tea for Maan.

"Why cant I understand you, geet?", he thought as he heard the door close.

"Why cant I understand him- once he's nice, once he's angry- once he lets me close- once he distances himself from me- what does he want", she thought as she walked to the kitchen to make some tea for Maan.