FF: Serendipity [Completed] - Page 15

Originally posted by: RockBarbie

Since thread is revived and author is in a particularly good mood today, author might give an update.

Also, author urges you to read the other FF she is currently working very hard at - We, the people

:-)

Chapter 11:

"Is there anything else that needs to be done?" Geet asked rubbing her neck which ached from long laborious evening of selecting perfect gown for Nayantara.

"Well…I have to finalize on a caterer…" Nayantara trailed chewing her lips thoughtfully. Geet closed her eyes and sighed softly but it was dissolved in the noise of the clothing store. "Should we check on them now?" Nayantara missed the signs of exhaustion on Geet's face. Geet was with her every evening after work and spent her weekends running about the city to run one errand or the other. It had been a long day at work and her work was slipping because of her tiredness and the calls she had to make to make for Tara's engagement related activities.

"Can't we do that tomorrow?" Geet asked softly.

Nayantara whipped her head and saw Geet rubbing her eyes in tiredness. Guilt washed over her and she was apologetic the very next instance. "I am truly sorry for doing this to you Geet. It's just that I don't have help from any other sources." Tara wriggled her hands, her stance sheepish and awkward.

Geet smiled uneasily. "Relax Tara and don't apologize. I am your best friend so if I complain or try to skive off, feel free to drag me by my ears," she grinned to add on to the effect. Nayantara didn't let go of her grim expression.

"I wish Maan helped me with this, you know? Just a little bit, here and there," she said clutching the chair for a moment to keep her momentum intact. Looking at Geet's flabbergasted expression she frowned. "What? You don't approve?" Her tone was harsher than she had intended it to be. Geet recoiled at her words.

"Let's go. Make the payment." Geet said whirling around and not waiting for a response. "I'll wait for you there," she added and walked out. Nayantara wanted to hit herself for being so ungrateful.

Warm air brushed her long curly hair the moment she stepped outside the boutique. She rubbed her temple as frustration crept through her spine. She had been running around for two weeks and it still felt that nothing has been done.

"I knew you ladies would be exhausted. Here you go." A cup of coffee materialized in front of her and warm breath was several inches away from her ears. She shivered unconsciously at that nearness and the warmth of the voice. She closed her eyes tightly and begged her heart to slow down.

"Aren't you our knight in shining armor," she joked snatching the polystyrene cup. Inhaling the strong aroma of fresh coffee, she sighed happily feeling the tension in her neck slowly dissipate and took a long sultry sip. "Thanks Dev." She said turning around and meeting his eye. "She is paying the bill," she added thumbing towards the boutique.

Dev turned and saw Nayantara at the counter talking to one of the designers. "Thanks a lot for doing this Geet, it means a lot to her. With Maan being…difficult, she is finding it hard to accept it."

"Accept what?" Geet asked raising an eyebrow.

"She didn't expect Maan to react in this way. Well, neither did I, for that matter. He is her…dearest friend, you know?" Dev reasoned.

"Can you blame him Dev? Not everyone can forget their heartaches and act as if nothing hurts." Geet held his eye for a moment longer than necessary and averted it when his eyes widened after realization.

"Geet…I…" Words struck in her throat. Old memories of the two of them refreshed in his mind and the easy camaraderie associated with it. Dev and Geet had dated when he was pursuing his masters. He had broken it off with her after two years of relationship after rekindling his friendship and residual feelings with Nayantara. Geet had amicably stepped back being a friend of both and had let go of Dev. She knew that till Tara was in scene, Dev would always be teetering on the edges of any relationship he would be in. She believed she deserved more than that.

"Dev, thanks for coming on such a short notice." Nayantara came out of the boutique with couple of bags in her hand and a wan smile on her face. Dev, being the gentleman that he was, plucked the bags from her hands and transferred it to his own. Geet smiled inwardly at that natural gesture. Dev was really good man with his heart messed around with Nayantara more often than necessary.

"How was lunch with Maan?" She asked walking in step with Dev. Geet waited for them to take few steps ahead of her allowing them the privacy they would need and indifference she wanted her heart to practice.

"He was glad that I ordered pumpkin soup for him." She could hear smile in Dev's voice. Maan was special for both her friends yet neither had understood the pain he was currently in. A sense of despair had landed on his chest and he was trying hard not to dissect it piece by piece which could potentially destroy his sanity.

"He also told me about his earlier intentions which he shared with you weeks ago," Dev sounded rattled.

"Can we not talk about it now?" Tara said in a small voice. Dev nodded and cocked his head to look at Geet. Geet maintained her signature blank expressions but behind her eyes, a dull ache was accumulating.

"Why don't you two carry on? I have…stuff to finish," Geet said, her instincts taking over.

"You haven't eaten anything since breakfast Geet and it's already nine in the evening. Eat something with us and we will drop you wherever you need to be," Nayantara tried to convince her – part guilt and part concern reigning over her.

Geet shook her head, the curls bouncing heavily across her shoulder. "I…have to run, actually." She gave them a half smile and broke into a sprint leaving her two best friends in a wake of dust and confusion.

She ran towards the nearest taxi stand and gave him the address. She had looked it up on internet weeks ago and she was sure the address was imprinted on her mind, waiting to be used. She didn't know why she was doing something so…unexpected. Her calm and collected persona was shattered when she was walking behind Dev and Tara. Memories were too strong and everything just had gotten complicated after Maan was added to the mix.

She hurried through the gate and waited till the person she wanted to meet was told that she was waiting. She had no idea where to go and the building security didn't let her through without an authorized escort. After thirteen minutes of monologues of self-berating, she looked up when she heard her name being called.

"What are you doing here so late?" Maan asked giving her an once-over. "Are you alright?" Concern sprawled across his face.

She swallowed and nodded slowly. "I am now." She replied.