Chapter 18: Truth Revealed  

Maan’s weekend has been restless. He avoided meeting Pari as she would read him in seconds.

How many times he had urge to get Brij’s number and call him but he stopped himself. If all are fine there then he will be uselessly interfering. He cannot act instinctively on Geet’s change of behavior. He has to wait for report from his team.

Monday Morning, Maan was losing is patience and thus he somehow made himself towards the office room where Geet worked with Adi.

But before he could enter the office room he saw her coming out of office with phone in her ears. Maan for sure wanted to know what was really going on. If he asks her, she may frame but this was best opportunity. He kept safe distance but could hear her

“Hi Jiju!! You called at this hour? Is all fine?”

“Jiju? Meera married?” this was news for him

He saw her listening carefully at other end “Really, that’s good news Jiju. I hope we can start with initial amount that we have collected. Then Veerji can talk with insurance company for further treatment money”

Then she kept hearing at other end “They won’t cover Physiotherapy? How costly is Physiotherapy?”

She again kept hearing from other side “No, we definitely need top class physio. Can’t compromise on that. Should I check with HR, if I am allowed to work on weekend? I can take up side job”

“No Jiju, can’t load Veerji. He is still struggling with all that establishment and all. He has to give his major attention that side or else everything will collapse”

Maan’s leg were as if stuck where it was. He felt strong pang in heart. Geet turned and their eyes met. Maan knotted his eyes to get her attention. She wished him in low voice

“Good Morning sir” but Man instead of formality, came forward and without hint, Geet felt his hand on her arm and she was placed on the side of wall where there was no vision from other side.

“What’s going on” his voice was hoarse and his hands were shaking.

“Fine Sir. Adi sir is happy with my work” she said in low voice.

Why was he holding her this way? She meant nothing to him. Then was he angry that she did not leave the job even after his indication and ignorance. But how could she leave this job, she badly needed this package.

“Are you fool or too smart to not understand what I am asking?”

“I must be fool Sir. But why would you ask anything other than work from a fresher like me”

“Your phone call, what was that?” he came straight

“Sir my Jiju, Meera Di’s husband”

“I can understand that much, Meera is married now and her husband is your Jiju. What was all talk about.”

Geet looked down. She did not want to tell him. It will ultimately come on her that she used him for his money. On other hand, if she was just an employee in his huge organization, why should she discuss her family issue with her employer.

“Just minor family update and concern Sir. Nothing that should take you attention. Like most employee here have their own family issue, same is one of mine.”

He shook her arm “You are not telling?” Geet gulped her saliva and looked further down.

He left her arm in jerk “Do you think I don’t have capacity to find on my own?”

“I am in no position to say a word on your capacity Sir” He shook his head

“This whole idea of talking to you was a waste. I must have known. And why I think, whatever the matter is, you must be the cause” and he left.

Geet kept looking at his retreating figure. She was shaking from the close interaction. Her heart was pounding fast and her knees felt strength less. She ran to the park as she would not be able to face Adi sir and focus on work at present.

Geet settled herself on bench

She knew he will find out and it was his family, he can do whatever he wants. But she was never part of his family, she was always a liability for him. Her heart deeply pained. Why it always pained when she has already accepted the truth, why it pained so much.

She wanted someone to hold her tight and give her a strong tight hug. But there was no one here, she was all alone.

She missed Jiju so much. He never judged her coz he did not know her past. Di and Veerji, though loved her a lot, when it came between her and Maan, they always had sided with Maan. And why not, he deserved every bit of it.  But she knew, even if Jiju knows about her stupid acts of past, he will always be on her side. He will always keep trying to keep her spirit high.

Geet could not get up from the bench, his fragrance so close had gripped her, his face so close to her. He was looking at her with all anger, demanding an answer but he was looking at her. His handsome face was so close to her, his strong hold on her arm and his strong physique so close to her. Uff how hard she can try to get away with the feel, explaining her that she meant nothing to him, his closeness did something to her that she was not in her control.

Geet took time to compose herself. First she had thought to take a leave and go home. But hen that was not any solution. She has to work in this office and also after couple of months with him. She has to learn to face him in all ways. It will be his rule now, not because he was her boss but because she was his and she will go to any length for what he wants and wish.

Maan was pacing badly first in office and then in his room. He was shocked to realize there was some major problem with the family but what irked him was in this time when he should be completely focusing on Family issue, he was stuck on her face in front of him, so close. How vulnerable she was, her beautiful almond eyes. They had pain and when he had tried to read them, she had dropped them down, her shaking lips as she was trying to speak to him. He took deep breath as if to inhale again and again the fragrance that he had felt with the closeness. After so many years, after all that she had done to him, how could she have so much power on him. Was he still a toy at her hand, who she can play with the way she wants.

“NOOO. No way. She has no meaning in my life and I will prove it. I have gone too far from her and moved on. It will not be on her will.”

He paused “What the hell are you even thinking Maan. She does not exist in your life. You have efficiently thrown her away. She is just an employee, don’t give her over importance. Focus of family and family issues.”

At 2 am in night, Maan got call from his agent officer

“Sir sorry for calling at this hour”

“It’s perfectly fine. I was waiting for your call”

“Sir we have got all information from Mumbai. Sir Mohinder Handa”

“Mr. Mohinder Handa” Maan corrected in strong tone.

“Sorry Sir. Sir Mr. Mohinder Handa……” and he kept giving the information, filling Maan’s brain with shocking information and his hurt filled with pain and guilt.

“Thanks” and as phone disconnected it fell on bed from his loose grip.

He made another call “I want my private jet ready and arrange for its landing in Mumbai. I want the crew available by 8 am tomorrow.”

“Sure Sir. Who will be travelling, we will be making arrangements accordingly”

“Me. I will be travelling.” “Ok Sir”

“I am not sure if I will use one, but make proper hotel room arrangements and other travel related arrangements.”

“Sure Sir. Our top service on their work Sir. See you at 8 am.”

Maan closed his eyes only to find her face in front of him. He opened his eyes, moved his fingers through his hair

“Kya karon” he got up

” Damn this girl” he hit the bed from his leg, in vein expecting it to move from his frustrated hit

He pressed button in his cell “Hi Adi”

“Yes Sir, at this hour Sir?”

Maan cleared his throat “Hmmm .. Adi how is work going on. Finance of company”

Adi was surprised, why is boss asking company finance at 2:30 am in morning. Is there anything major going on he has missed? “It’s great sir, I will present it this Friday. Any major issue Sir?”

“No, actually postpone it for next Friday, send the note across.”

“Ok Sir”

“Hmmm.. and Adi, woo, I mean how is that new girl performing”

“Geet? She is simply brilliant Sir and on top very dedicated”

“Good. Adi actually as she is working with you and such good resource, I want you to make sure she is comfortable here”

“Yes Sir. Along with being boss I am also her friend. She is actually all alone in this new country and always busy managing her living” Maan closed his eyes, she was actually all alone, managing on her own. He was frustrated with feeling the pain that was seeping inside. He looked around to see the facility he was in.

“Sir, you are there?”

“Yeah, I am there. Actually Annie mentioned something, so just was casually checking. I mean in Khurana Enterprise we take care of every employee and she is new, so we should”

“I am feeling so proud to work with you Sir. You consider about even a fresher in organization with such big employee base. I will take care and keep her involved so she is not alone” he disconnected.

Maan was trying to convince his thought as responsibility. If she was all alone, he just needed to make sure she was fine. It was nothing related to any stupid feeling. He was over those things, he convinced himself. Family is important and that’s why he is going to see family first.

Maan had all his packing done and he was pacing in hall at 7 am. He has to talk to Dadima. She has to know

Savitri Devi came smiling. Maan bent down to touch her feet “What’s the matter beta, you look trouble”

Maan hesitated for a while and then composed himself “Leaving for Mumbai Dadima.”

“Mumbai?”

Maan took deep breath “My family in Mumbai dadima. It’s in problem and from when I don’t know. I have to go Dadima please”

“Jaiyee Maan. How can I stop you. It is equally your family as much as this is. Pain or love, family is family. And you won’t be able to do anything till you go there.”