This chapter has digressed somewhat from the main plot which you will realize as you read on.
Chapter 7
As his Limo made its way through the wide lanes of Los Angeles, Maan's mind went back to the turn of events that had transpired in his life in last twenty four hours. In these few hours, he had broken up with his eye-candy girlfriend, met Sasha and had a realization, met the fiery bomb 'Geet', got someone belonging to the roads into his pent-house, had been nice to a person...in fact a girl, felt a strange sensation of jealousy, gave a smile that had absolutely no sarcasm in it, LAUGHED HEARTILY that too in presence of someone else, felt amused on being called names like thief, dusht danav etc, had actually controlled himself to not take down her then and there on the couch when he was so aroused...implying the presence of thoughtfulness in some corner of his heart, had a casual breakfast with someone... answering personal questions with PATIENCE and actually Bargained that too her price! Mind boggling number of impossibles in just a few hours. Is this some kind of dream he wondered. Pinching himself to check if it was, he gave a yelp, making the Limo driver turn back alarmed. His stern expression made the driver cower back to the task at hand. So, its not a dream. I actually have asked her to stay with me for a week. But I have reasons which are way above my ego tousles. She! She needed help. His help and he owed her that because she is the one who made him feel alive, who gave him the semblance of calm. I am bound to her well being, after what she has gone through, I could simply not turn my back at her. The event of the morning, when she went for her bath came flashing back to him.
Flashback
He was in a hurry to get away from the pent-house to his office. He had decided to leave her her some more money and a note that she should leave in the day as she pleases. He was done with her and they shall not see each other again. And in this way, he and she, both would be free. NO STRINGS ATTACHED, on their own separate ways. That was his plan when suddenly his Blackberry had buzzed with an e-mail. It was from the Head of his Security agency. He had totally forgotten about his talks with them this morning. Cursing the effect Geet had on him, he quickly opened the email.
Dear Mr. Khurana.
As ordered by you, we did a thorough investigation about the girl you talked about in the morning. Please find the relevant details below.
Geet Handa
Born on 21 September, 1989 in Delhi, India.
Lost her parents when she was two years old in a car accident. She miraculously escaped unhurt. Her grandfather took her under his wings and moved back to Hoshiyarpur, their native place in Punjab. After two years, his jobless younger son Brij and his wife moved in with them. Geet's aunt, being issue less, was a wicked woman, who mal-treated the four year old Geet viciously. On certain occasions, the kid was gagged, tied and locked into attic for hours for even smallest mischiefs. The atrocities on her continued even when she was admitted in a school. She studied in a Municipal Corporation School at the village when her new family could afford better. We could not locate any school friends, indicating the possibility that she never had any. She was a bright student all throughout until class eleventh when she suddenly discontinued her studies. It was later found that her grandfather passed away at the same time. Within a year of his passing away, the financial condition of the house deteriorated. Geet's jobless uncle resorted to regular drinking and wife beating. The infuriated wife took her resort in beating Geet in turn. When one day she observed her husband eyeing Geet lecherously, she decided to do away with her. She drugged Geet and sold her off to one of the local brothel owners for a sum of mere twenty thousand. Brij and his wife died within a month in a natural calamity.
Source: Local residents of Hoshiyarpur, folks from school.
The local brothel felt Geet was too good to be wasted in Punjab. His bosses agreed and decided to sell her off as a 'virgin bride' to Arab Sheiks. She was illegally transported to Los Angeles in inhumane conditions as luggage. The pimp in Los Angeles collected Geet. Since Geet created a lot of nuisances for the handlers, she was always kept tied and sedated. The next step was to deport her to Saudi with a group of 'exotic' girls, a mix of experience and novelty from throughout the world.. Meera, another Indian girl, reportedly an experienced prostitute, met Geet there only. They developed a sisterly bond instantly. Eventually The LA police sniffed the suspicious activity of the pimp and raided his den. Taking advantage of the chaos, Meera ran along with Geet from the place. They are on the run since then from LA police.
Sources: LA police, planted insiders in the international
flesh trade.
Meera and Geet tried to do odd jobs in the country, but their wanted status in police and absence of legal documents made it impossible to come out of cover. Eventually they moved to Hollywood Boulevard and Meera decided to continue the profession. After initial disgust to the idea, Geet too succumbed to the situations and decided to join Meera. They chose to stay away from pimps, which in turn badly affected business for them. Meera is also a drug addict, bound in shackles of local drug peddler Carlos. They owe a $200 to him and another $100 as rent to their room. Latest, Geet was seen going on her first assignment with a man in black Lotus yesterday night. She hasn't been heard since then.
Sources: Blue Banana Staff, local prostitutes.
Thanks for obtaining our services.
Yours faithfully
XYZ Detective agencies
New York.
Present
Each and every word of the email was seemingly etched into Maan's heart with a red hot iron. His eyes burned remembering the disclosure of the email and before he could realize a drop made its way across his cheeks. As the salty water touched his lips, he grasped the fact that he had been crying. He has a fair share of bad things in his life too, but he never cried. Until now, he used to think he did not have any tear glands. However, today he became painfully aware of the fact that he had them. His heart constricted understanding the swaying fear that occasionally danced beneath her beautiful eyes. Now the fact dawned over him that she only pretended to be money-minded. She charged him $300 for six hours because she needed only $300 dollars right now. She didn't even ask for a penny more. After knowing this, how could he have possibly let her go? Only he knows how badly he wanted to run to her at that very moment and hug her tight. How much he wanted to tell her that he was here now, for her. But that's when reality slapped hard at him. Was he here? For her? No, he wasn't. A week! that is how much he has got here. And what possibly would he tell her, I pity you so I want to help you! She would not stay for a minute if he said so. Or I am confused about you and I don't know what I want from you? The dilemma was slitting through him when Dev called. And then followed his deal, he did not plan on this. It just came naturally and probably that was the best solution. $3000 was enough for a start. He has one week to take care of everything. What conveniently escaped Maan's mind was the fact that, in his arrangement, his heart has unknowingly paved ways to keep her as close as possible.
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Geet was still lying in the bed grinning to herself at his offer when she remembered
about Meera. She quickly picked the phone near bed and called her room.
Hello? A groggy Meera replied from the other side.
I called and called. Where were you last night? Geet screamed in a breath.
Oh. Hi Geet. Where are you? All sleep lost from her eyes.
Oh, man. Are you ready for this? The guy? The Lotus? I am in his hotel room in
Beverly Hills. The penthouse. His bathroom is bigger than the Blue Banana! Geet
told her excitedly.
Do I have to hear this? Meera feigned annoyance. Tell me more.
Meer, he wants me to stay the whole week. And you know what he's gonna give me?
Guess. You'll never guess. Three thousand dollars.
Bullshit! Meera puked all the water she had just sipped.
I swear to God. And extra money to buy clothes. Geet chirped.
Oh, man! I am bummed. I gave that guy to you! Three thousand. Really? Is he twisted?
There was concern in her voice.
No. Geet jumped into his defense.
Ugly?
He's good-looking! Their make out session on the couch flashed in front of her
eyes.
Well, what's wrong with him? Meera was genuinely disturbed now.
Nothing. Geet asserted with a strange confidence.
Did he give you the money yet?
At the end of the week.
That's what's wrong with him! Meera spoke with conviction.
Well, he gave me 300 for last night. And, Meer? I'm gonna leave it at the front
desk for you. I want you to pick it up and pay the rent and Carlos. I'm at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Write it down.
Meera was tongue tied at the beauty of her heart. She didn't how to say thanks
to her.
Are you writing it down? You'll forget it. Write it down. Geet whined.
Reg... Bev... Wil.
Now, one more thing. Where do I go for the clothes? Good stuff, he is paying.She inquired.
Rodeo Drive, baby! Meera grinned.
Geet quickly got out of Maan's robe and entered the room where they made out last night. The place was clean and made up now. She had no idea who did it. May be housekeeping, though she never saw anyone except Maan in the morning. What she didn't know was Maan would never allow anyone else to touch her clothes. She quickly slipped into her under garments lost thinking how he removed them last night. Putting on her dress, she gave a look at her wig. She did not feel like wearing it because Maan disapproved it. Running her fingers through her curls, she tied her overcoat to cover her exposed midriff and made her way down to lobby.
Tapping her noisy boots, Geet confidently made her way to
the reception. Hi!
Yes, ma'am. May I help you? The receptionist smiled back at her after a minute
of shock seeing a practically naked woman in their lobby. Asad who was
escorting an elderly guest gazed Geet sharply disapproving of her outlook in a
second. Who is she and what is she doing here? He thought to himself.
Yeah, I'm leaving this here for Ms. Meera. She's gonna pick it up. She spoke to
the receptionist while handing over the envelope containing money. Don't open
that. she added skeptically.
No, ma'am. The receptionist smiled nervously. Unknown to them Asad was
scrutinizing them with his hawk eyes. Geet moved from the counter and made her
way out of the hotel.
Ms Majorie, Asad thundered as soon as Geet was out of his sight.
Yes Sir, the receptionist trembled under his gaze.
Do you know that lady? He spoke in a low tone menacingly.
No, sir.
Asad nodded dangerously. If he wanted to maintain the reputaion of his hotel intact, he has to make sure that people like her are not seen again anywhere near the premises of Beverly. She is gone for now, I know how to deal with such people, in case she decides to come back. Asad thought to himself.
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That's it for the chapter! Short? Yeah, I know that😕. But since Geet's shopping and asad and geet conversation is an integral ingredient of the story, I wanted to work on it in a new chapter. So, those who have seen the movie, did you like the change in the first half. Or I have ruined the plot with my inputs Leave your feedback.😊
For PMs, add buddy😊
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