Love finds its way#2-Ch26-P76-11/24*updtd** - Page 35

"Aayush R. Singhal-my life's greatest strength. He came in to my life as a professor but became my life. I dunno how and when this happened. He encouraged me when everyone put me down. He motivated me to do my best when I gave up. He's the reason I got the internship in Khurana Group. Without his support, this would have never been possible. What have you done to me Aayush- I can't believe my life could take such a beautiful turn. When people told me about love I never believed and I never wished to believe- I always thought it was nice to watch such cute incidents in movies, but when it happens in real life- it changes your life- and makes it perfect. Thank you Aayush for making my life perfect with your presence, care and affection"

It was Geet's habbit to pen down everything that happens in her life. A habit that she gave up after her wedding to Maan. But this diary- she had somehow preserved. After randomly ending Maan's call a couple of minutes back- she opened this diary to see how she had lived in a fantasy world- and how innocent she was that people had taken her for a ride.

Her phone rang again, she answered, "Maan, I'm not in a mood to talk right now. And why don't you believe me- you did not hurt me. you never will".

"Ah I see- that's awesome progress", came Niharika's voice.

"Nihu tum, mujhe laga ki"

"Huh tumhein laga tumhara Maan ka phone hain. I was wondering why you weren't calling me these days. Now, I know that things are getting better between Maan and you.So, I now know that if you don't call me then everything is fine between the both of you"

"Hmmm", said Geet, not wanting to say anything. She really wished Nihu's assumptions were right. But that was not the case- and she was definetly not in a mood to tell Nihu the whole story so she simply listened to Nihu speak.

"So, where are you Mrs. Khurana?", asked Nihu.

"Hyderabad"

"Kya? Wat you doing there?"

"I've started working again- on one of Maan's projects", she said.

"Oh that's great news. You seemed to have lot of things to tell me Geet. You haven't told me lot of things. What is this Geet? you've forgotten me?"

"Not at all", said Geet. "I've just gotten busy with work and this project. Since I've been out of touch for so long I had to brush up on a lot of things"

"Hmmm, I understand"

"So, what's up with you, sab theek?", she asked.

"Haan bilkul. Tumhaare zindagi mein sab theek- to mere zindagi automatically theek!", said Nihu.

"I love you", said Geet, with a tear rolling from her eye.

"Geet, I don't love you. You know it", said Nihu laughing.

"Yeah Yeah- saare pyaar Achint ke liye", teased Geet.

"Haan haan sahi hain", she said. They continued to talk until Nihu asked "Dinner kiya?"

"Arey nahin yaar. Good you reminded me. I should order something", said Geet.

"Chalo tum order karo. Main rakhti hoon but please mujhe bhool na mat Geet", said Nihu, "Main reh nahin sakti", she said, laughing loud.

"Chal rakho ab- meri drama queen", said Geet, laughing. She hung up and searched for the menu. She was about to dial for room service- when she heard the bell ring.

She went and opened it and found a man greet her, "Namaste, aapke dinner madam"

"What?Lekin bhai saab maine order nahin kiya- abhi karne waali thi", said Geet, confused.

"Madam please take a look at your order", he said, smiling and handing over the slip to her on which he scribbled the order.

Geet read it, "Corn, green peas salad, sweet lassi, Aloo paratha and kadai pannier", she said, at once realizing that Maan had ordered this for her.

"I have not ordered this- my husband has", she said, looking at the waiter.

He smiled, "That's nice. I'm glad I haven't made a mistake. I was worried if I had got the wrong room number"

Geet smiled, tipped him off, and closed the door. "So, Maan ordered my favorite food for dinner", she thought. She walked up to the small dining table at one corner of the room and sat there. She searched for her phone while sipping the lassi. As she did so, she found her personal diary opened to the page where she had made an entry about Aayush. She got angry she was about to tear it- but decided otherwise. She'll tear it when the time is right, she thought and shut the diary.

"Maan, dinner is ready. Son where are you?", said Daadima, in the intercom.

"I'm coming", he said and hung up. He walked down the stairs checking his phone for some emails.

"Kahan reh gaye aap Veerji, kab se bula rahen hain aapko", said Kiara.

"Was talking on phone", he said.

"Veerji, salad ya soup?" asked Naintara.

"salad and paratha Naintara", he said.

"Sorry, did you say paratha Veerji?"

"Yes", he said, understanding her confusion. He always had soup or salad for dinner and nothing else.

"Ok, I'll make it for you", she said, pushing her chair backwards.

"Is it not ready?", he asked.

"Nahin Veerji. No one wanted paratha tonight so I did not ask the cook to make", she said, standing up to walk into the kitchen.

"Never mind then", he said, "Don't bother, I'll just stick to salad"

"Arey Veerji koi baat nahin, she'll make some for you. You never ask for paratha and even in those rare occasions when you ask, if you cant have- then that's not good", said Dev.

Yes Veerji, main yun gayi aur yun aayi. Please have salad till then. I'll get you your paratha", she said and rushed into the kitchen.

Maan waited patiently for Naintara to return and she did as she had promised-very soon.

"Thank you Naintara", he said.

"pleasure", she said smiling. "I made it in a hurry I hope I did not mess it up", she said.

"I'm sure it will be good-don't worry", he said, with a faint smile.

He had dinner quietly while Kiara and Daadima spoke about their trip to some boutique and jewelers that morning. He did not pay much attention. He knew the bills would land up on Dev's table some day and freak him out. He smiled remembering how Dev had gotten angry about Kiara spending some 600 thousand more on a necklace cos she thought it looked sophisticated and Dev had to actually use a magnifying glass to see where the necklace was- as it was so fine and simple.

His assumption was right. Dev had reacted even before the bills reached him. "You ladies went shopping again?", he asked.

"Yes"

"What's the bill like?"

"Fine paper and lovely font you know Dev. Very classy", said Daadima, winking, knowing her answer would anger him more.

Maan hid his smirk. Dev looked like he would throw something at someone.

"Excuse me?",he said, "I don't get it. Do bro and me slog our lives out so that you could go and spend without thinking twice?"

"What and whom do you earn for?", asked Daadima, raising her eye-brow.

"Dev, you are talking to a lady who owns the entire empire. We only run it for her", reminded Maan.

Daadima smiled at Maan's answer. He knows exactly how to please her.

"Right!", said Dev, "I forget", he said.

"So, you still want the bill amount?", asked Daadima.

"No, I'll simply pay for it. But Kiara, you think twice before spending", he advised.

"Sure I will", she said.

"You should start working too", said Maan, "only then you'll appreciate education and money".

"Maan", came Geet's voice.

"Yes honey!", he said, going through some documents.

"You're sleeping?", she asked.

"No, dancing with my girl friend Geet. You disturbed me. Wrong timing", he said.

"Ah taking advantage of your wife not being in town?", she asked, with a lopsided smile.

"Completely. Very rarely you get such chances you know", he said.

"Maan, mazak chodiye. Dinner kiya aapne?"

"Tumne kiya?", he asked.

"Pehle sawal maine ki", she said.

"Geet, I just finished", he said.

"Ok, I had too. Bahut hi bekaar dinner tha", she said.

"Achha? Isn't the food in the hotel good?"

"No, the food's good. But lasagna was bad", she said.

"Lasagna?", he thought, "Maine kya order kiya tha?" , he thought trying hard to re-collect.

Geet knew Maan wouldn't remember such details so he must be trying to re-collect. She smiled and waited for him to speak.

"Anyways, what did you have for dinner?", she asked.

"I dunno Geet", he said. "I had dinner- that's all that matters".

"Hmmmpppfff", she sighed, "Babaji how can this man not be interested in food. Good food is all what I live for"

"Maan, main" and he spoke up quickly.

"Accha Geet before I forget- tomorrow I might not be reachable. I'm going for a site visit with Adi, Kapil and Sasha. So best is to catch up once you are back", he said.

"Okay", she said.

"What time is your flight?", he asked.

"Tomorrow 6pm", she said.

"Okay, so you will be back before I will. Good", he said.

"Maan, I'm sorry I hung up so randomly", she said.

"Geet, lets not talk about something that will make you sad"

"Okay!", she said, "So aap kya kar rahen the?"

"Dancing Geet. My girl friend is waiting for me to go back and dance"

"Oh poor thing must be feeling sad and missing you"

"Ah she'll wait".

"Maan, kal dinner ek saath kare?"

Maan was surprised. He did not see that coming. "Geet, I'd love too but I dunno when I'll be back"