Chapter 14- Getting hold of reality

Next day Geet got ready in her formal, white shirt with purple stripes, black slim fitted trouser and long black open jacket falling below her knees. It was raining and she had to take the public transportation, which definitely would include walking for some part. She placed high heel belly on and left the hotel room.

Geet had settled in the training room by the time trainer and Annie arrived. Geet and Anwesha got their office laptop. Anwesha was busy talking to trainer when Geet scanned her. Both their clothing was smart, but the quality of everything just oozed out from Anwesha. Magic of Billionaire’s sister just showed. Though she was casual girl by nature but still everything on her was perfectly done.

Geet knew the difference would start showing up after few days. As of now, she had got done all preparation for joining Maan’s office. But her clothing would be repeated, her nails and hair would not always be professionally made. But she had stopped caring about these things long back. It was just excitement of working with Maan that she had done all these silly things. She internally laughed on her silliness.

Her eyes went on bracelet in Anwesha’s hand. It was beautiful, with diamond and ruby all around it. She knew it was Maan’s choice. In woman’s jewelry, bracelet was his favorite.

He admired the adjustable diamond studded bracelet she got on her 10^th birthday. Her Dad gave it to her. Maan would keep fiddling with it. He loved it. She has at present mortgaged to jeweler for doing this shopping. She never forgets, he had bought bracelet for her from his first earning. That incident chocked her. Probably he must have thrown it somewhere.

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So training started in full fledge. They were given small tasks and both clicked well as professional approach. Geet had got her thinking style from Maan’s teaching and it was installed in her. Anwesha had that’s style in her blood. So it matched and they clicked.

One week passed this way, Geet would talk mostly only on work, rest she spoke less. She was scared, if anything personal by mistake come out from her lips and if it will reach Maan, what would he think, how would he react. He had completely ignored her presence in office or maybe he was so busy to think about fresher like her. So she was confused of how to interact with Anwesha. She in no case wanted to upset Maan. His aloofness towards her, her nonexistence in his life, pained deep but she will now not do anything that he does not wish. She was taking it all as part of her penance.

But somehow, the two girls clicked. Anwesha would talk a lot, but only friendly talked. She knew, being Khurana’s means she does not keep talking about family stuff to the employees. Also Bhai has asked her to keep limited to the peer friendship.

But they would still have some talk on office, Anwesha would imitate Trainer, Geet would just give small smile. They discussed the work together, would go for coffee. Geet would prefer office coffee only as she needed to keep check on her spending. There too Anwesha would talk so much and Geet would be a good listener.

Geet has lost all interest in making friends. She preferred to live in her shell and with Maan’s indifference to her, now it only increased. If Anwesha was not around she would be all alone, keep herself busy in training assignment or looking for reasonable accommodation, which was in commutable area.

Anwesha, on other hand made so many friends in office. First most wanted to be friends with Anwesha Khurana. It was unimaginable to even get to talk to Maan Sir but Anwesha Khurana was so approachable. Also, she was talkative and fun loving. Geet was not any Khurana here, she was just fresher and why would anyone want to talk to a general new employee. On top she did not try to socialize in group.

It was first Saturday after she joined office. Geet did not have time to be lazy. She did her jogging and then meditation. Just like office day, she had cornflakes and milk for breakfast. She took an apple, got ready and left for house hunt. She had talked to few landlords and she had to finalize one.

Geet roamed whole day, talked to apartment agencies and landlords. Budget and location was her main factors. At last she was able to get an apartment in London itself, but it was low income group apartment. But it suited her need. She anyways was not into lavish living, nor could she afford. She took a look around.

It was a studio one-bedroom apartment. Kitchen living dinning all in one hall and Bedroom with attached washroom and small balcony. It had small central park view as well.

“Perfect!” she gave signing amount and ready to move in tomorrow. How long will she use loaned hotel room of company? It was anyways, valid only for 15 days.

8:00 PM: three people, three location

Anwesha, entered pool side party location with friends. It was Saturday and all friends wanted to celebrate her joining. She always went in party with tons of warning from Bhai and more than her, her friends got the warning from her brother.

Same time, Maan entered disk with his best friend and group of friends. They have been complaining of him being too busy and taunting him for his missing on friends. On top, he needed it so much this weekend. He needed friend to handle the unexpected event that had popped up. And when Pari had placed her hand on her waist and gave angry look. He had to give up and go along with her for friend’s night.

“So how was your trip”

“Maan dare you talk about business now. Forget all work and enjoy”

“Chalo… aaj toh chada heel leta hoon. Then you handle things with Dadima” he had laughed out.

“Packka” and she had held his arm and pushed him inside the disc where all his friends were waiting.

Same time, Geet after roaming around the city, entered her hotel room. She had got 6” Subway on her way but was too tired to even eat that. She placed her purse and Subway packet on the coffee table and thumped herself on the bed. She must have dozed off for an hour or so and then woke up due to uncomfortable position.

She then changed to night dress had her subway and sat to call Mamma. She had been avoiding calling Mom, but she has to

“Hi Mamma” “My bachca. How are you? You know how I was dying to have call with you. Why did you always disconnect my video call?”

“Mamma, I love you. Missing you so much”

“hmm, Maan being there, you miss your Mumma. Don’t fool me. How is he?”

“He is doing great Mumma. He is a big Boss here. And as always, is most handsome” Geet framed her answer to her Mom. She would be all worried knowing what her situation was here. She better talked about Maan.

“So you are happy now? If he is there I do not need to worry about you” Geet did not say anything. Only she knew, their world was apart now.

“Why will I not be happy. I got to see him after so many years.” It was getting hard for Geet so she shifted the topic to Dad.

“Mumma, once I get salary, I will send money for Dad’s treatment. We will try to get him best treatment Mom”

“Woo Maan ko…”

“Mumma no way”

“Wohh bhi bachca hai ghar ka. He should know his uncle’s condition. We did mistake, elders can make mistake. But he is family Geet, you kids are not understanding this. Brij also get angry on this”

“Mumma, your kids are not that useless, we are trying our best, please trust your own kids” Ranoo did not say anything but among all she had deep trust on Maan and she knew it was only in his power to fix the problems. She knew once Maan comes to know, he will run and come for family. But her kids were just not letting her connect with Maan.

Maan got badly drunk and Pari knew something was off. She knew Maan so well. She, with help of other friends, placed him in the back seat of car, very carefully surrounded by security, so that no one knows it’s Maan Singh Khurana Drunk.

She took the driver’s seat “So what made you drink this hard today?”

Maan was so drunk, he lay down completely on seat “I love my friends. I felt overwhelmed by love you guys shower on me”

“Good. I am asking you something Maan”

“I miss my old friends yaar. Where they are, how they are. Sab uski wajah se… sab uski wajah se… my family and friends were snatched from me. I miss Brij and Meera. I am not allowed to know” an Maan drifted to sleep.

Pari did not say anything, knowing Maan was drifted to doze of heavy drink. She knew he missed Meera and Brij but he very seldom brought it out. What has caused for Maan to remember them this way? Anyways, she will talk to him later.

Pari let Maan out when they reached Khurana Mansion “I can walk Pari. I am fine.”

“You are not. Stay shut and take my support.”

“110^th time I am asking you, my proposal is still on”      he said in still drunken state

“And my answer as always is No. At least in drunken state, let your heart speak Maan”

“Dil se… Paccka. Marry me yaar. Maan jao na. Everything will be so perfect.”

“For you, not for me.” She led him in and called servant to take him to his room. Dadima must be sleeping at this hour so she quietly left.