Poles Apart – Chapter 3

One month passed and today there was meeting between Handa’s and Khurana’s for the merger Deal. Geet and Mohinder from Handas. Dev, Sanjeev and Ragini Khurana from Khurana’s.

They were all seated in Handa office. They both were with lawyers

“These paper signing and all are just formalities, right? We are going to be relatives now” Ragini tried to make environment familiar.

“Off course, we are going to be family. There is no question in it, right Khurana sahib?” Mohinder was excited about the relation. Off course deal was happening but he was happy his daughter is going to be married woman now.

“But deal is important part of it. It will show you how much we trust each other. I mean money is best way to prove trust. Dev will agree, right Dev?” Geet looked at Dev. Internally whole Khurana group were nervous

“Sure, Deal will make us all satisfied” Said Dev faking a smile.

Lawyers from both side checked each other’s paper and came back to their client.

Handa’s lawyer took them to side and he was tensed

“Sir.. Maam, the deal is one sided, we are at lose”

“What? How?” Geet was shocked.

“Do you know what you are saying, they are going to be relatives.”

“Sir, that’s your personal issue. But here we are merging 33.33 percent of all Ma’am’s share and they are just giving 12.5 percent and that too after combining Dev Sir and Sanjeev Sir’s share and it is coming to have only 12.5 percent of whole Khurana Group”

“What? But how?”

“There is big complexity” and he explained them how combining whole Khurana’s Share, Sanjeev, Dev, Anwesha and Vikrant they just have 25 percent share and rest 75% they have no control. It is liquidated to several small companies; they have no control.

“Then who has control?”

“Their lawyer can’t answer. Says it’s just for business purpose”

“Khurana’s have just 25 percent in their own company?” Both Geet and Mohinder were curious now.

Dev came in “So let’s get this done. We all are going to benefit from the merger. It’s Dev Khurana’s word.”

“Business doesn’t go on word Dev. I mean relation is one thing business is other. We need transparency”

“Definitely” Dev agreed “So let’s do thing when we all are in sync we proceed. Let our lawyers be satisfied. Can finance team from both our side check into things. I mean we are open” Geet was straight.

“Ok, let’s meet next week then” they agreed.

At Handa Haveli – Geet was all worried

“Dad, what’s about these Khurana’s. At home they have given whole one floor to a person in charity and they themselves, whole family living on one floor. In Business, these have just 25 percent and rest is not in control”

“Geet don’t think this deep beta. There must be some complexity, Its name is Khurana Enterprise, it will be Khurana’s only. They must have done for some business policy. And take it as marriage beta, not business deal. After all, both houses and companies will be your and Dev’s together.”

Geet made all kind of calculations and then thought to give it a chance with proper documentation. Joining with Khurana Enterprise was a big thing for Handa group. Khurana Enterprise was so huge that even in their dipping state, their 12.5 percent was much bigger chunk then her 33.33 percent of HG. But definitely, as of now this will be till the deal. Before giving the nod for marriage she need to know what’s actually going on. Khurana’s look so sweet, co-operative and descent person. Maybe someone have trapped them due to their goodness. Whatever be it, she will get into it.

But Ragini Suggested Dev, to bring Geet once to mansion before deal signing so that she feels more comfortable with them and get more attached to Dev.

The next day, Ragini and Sanjeev left. Anwesha had already left for her friend’s place. Dev then invited Geet on time, making sure Maanu would be leaving the mansion by that time.

“How about coming to home and know it. It will be your home after all” Dev sweetly talked to Geet. Geet smiled, how descent a person he was.

“Sure, why not” “And we can know each other better as well”

Geet’s heart was racing as she was reaching the KM. Why? She knew has nothing to do with meeting Dev.

“Ohh I hate that man so much” came out of her lips as her anxiety was taking toll. No-No, not at all Geet Handa.

Dev was happy that Maannu had left ten minutes back. Off course, before leaving he had placed few sweet taunts on Dev. But today Dev was not in mood to get into his useless arguments

His cunning taunting smile always hit Dev’s heart to core. But nothing was in his control. So he wanted to focus on Geet.

Geet was welcomed by Dev. Dev’s heart fluttered seeing her beauty sleeveless blouse and baby pink chiffon Sari. His eye went on her beautiful waist but he had to behave descent. The service lady brought some drink and eatery. They were having casual talks but Geet was stealing eyes and it always involuntarily went upstairs many a times. Once Dev saw her looking upstairs

“Don’t worry.. he is not here. He left for whatever he have to. You can relax” Geet gave faint smile of acknowledgement, somewhere deep down bit disappointed.

“Why would I worry for any random man. You are forgetting you are marrying Geet Handa” he smiled and gave nod.

But say it as nature’s trick –

He was about enter his destination when he realized, he has missed the important thing. He turned his Jeep in direction to KM.

Dev was showing Geet around when he got a call. He picked and it was from his worried lawyer. Dev turned to Geet

“Important call from office, you take a round, I will soon be back” and Dev left far away. As Dev left Geet alone, her mind started wandering. The man is not here. Her legs started to move towards the stairs and then up. What inspiration was he talking about? How he stay on whole floor? Does he stay alone? So many questions and curiosity made her reach upstairs.

She kept opening the doors for each room. So much richness and class. Why has Khurana’s donated such elegant space to this person.

First door – ohh the room took her breath away. It was so well maintained but very clear, that no one used it but maintained. She moved inside the room to see two huge portraits of an old Lady and old Man. The portrait looked towards her as if they were talking to her. She felt shaken. It looked like someone talked to those portraits daily. It all felt so emotional and Geet did not like it. This was not her at all. Why should she feel emotion pouring out for the people she doesn’t know at all. What was this man, anything related to him churned her in different way? No, he is a chepo Geet. You are giving him over importance.

But this thought did not stop her from moving further and opening door of next room. It was big study room. Anyone could say it was overly used. Wow, the chepo even have to do something with the study?

Then she entered next room, trying to find clue about his inspiration word. It was stuck in her brain. How many times she has explained herself that he was drunk and had just blabbered but it did not leave her.

As she opened the door, she stood dumb struck with the view. It was huge room and filled with unique paintings. Some covered, some uncovered, some just in work. In trance, Geet moved inside to check them closely. She must have walked few steps and stood when she felt pair of hands slid smoothly wrapped around her bare waist. Geet’s breath stopped there, she knew it was him. He pulled her closer to him in jerk as if he owned her.

“No No-one owned Geet Handa” her mind said but it was too weak in front of the feel which has completely over taken

“Leave” came out from her lips but her own heart denied her wish as he placed his chin on her shoulder and made his rough cheeks touch hers. What an audacity with Geet Handa

“Chori Pakri gayee Insipration” he said in his husky voice, fanning his breath on her cheek, killing her completely. Geet gulped her saliva, she felt she was not in this world

“You don’t know who you are dealing with”

“My Inspiration. Worldly name – Geet Handa” and he turned her in swift movement to face him and again encapsulate her in his arms, shocking her

“How dare you” she held his collars in her fists, making him come closer to her

“You are caught, still this attitude. I appreciate” he smiled and pulled her face closer to him by his hand on her forehead. Geet was as if strength less to deny any of him moves or closeness. What was this man, she hated him? No one has power to make her do things without calculation, here no calculation was working.

“You will regret man” she warned. He smiled making clear it didn’t work on him

“Payment?” he asked “for?” she asked in return. he slightly moved his fingers on her waist, making her dizzy with desire

“chori” and he rolled his tongue on her lips. Geet’s hand went on back of his head and pulled him closer. In anger, of losing herself to him, she bit his lips. He smiled and opened his mouth and let her in, making her take the lead. After a while, he pulled her closer and closer to her and pushed his tongue inside hers. Their hands were travelling on each other’s back. The moment was simply magical and out of their own control. Materialistic and wordly worries can wait for a while. After a crazy while when they separated, he laughed and she pushed him away

“Damn you.. how dare you. You don’t know who you are messing up with” she was angry like fire

He came calmly towards her, smiled and bent to her ears “Do you know, who is messing with you?”

“You cheap, I do not need to know the likes of you. Never”

He again slid his hand in her waist again and pulled her “Never say Never. Anyways, it was just a small payoff for intruding my world”

She did not throw him far but in return held his collar and pulled him to her “You have stayed a lot here. Mind you now, your days here are gone. Geet Handa is coming and I promise to throw you out.”

He casually smiled as if what she said didn’t affect him “at price of these wonderful small payoff, you are welcome to intrude my world and try to cause as much trouble in my life”

They were so close; she was fighting yet something was making her simply not increase the distance between them

“Paintings kaise lagi, bolo na inspiration” he asked ever so softly, and that word inspiration, her heart simply floated. Unable to bear the feel she turned her face

“These artistic things are not part of my world.” They were still locked with each other when they heard Dev from down floor

“Geet- Geet where are you?”

Geet looked all shocked at the man in front of her. She pushed him far, he was simply laughing on her condition  “You.. stop it.”

He shrugged his shoulder, picked some file and saying

“Bye. Close the door before leaving Miss” he left her to deal with Dev Khurana on her own.

“Idiot, I really hate this man. Payoff my foot”

Geet went down and met Dev somewhere from ground level. Casual as if nothing happened.

“Where were you Geet? I was worried”

She was now back to her old self, completely in control

“Chill Dev. You left me here so I was just taking round. Lost my way. I am not a kid, stop worrying. It’s your house not any ghostly place”

Dev gave silly smile “Off course off course. Actually was worrying so you don’t go upstairs”

She gave a small laugh “You are little too worried about me meeting that man”

“You don’t know; he is completely crazy”

“I know” came out of her lips “What you know, how” Dev was so scared

Geet damaged controlled “No I mean you always say that about him. It feels as if I know”

Sudden relief in Dev face could be seen as he said “We will have to talk more about us then and not him”

Geet gave faint smile in response. Dev had arranged wonderful lunch for them in Mansion itself.

Dev many a times tried to place his hand on Geet’s but she involuntarily pulled away. She did not like any touchy affair till things were finalize. Her heart was laughing on her this thought, reminding her of her acts few minutes back.

But then she imagined his laughing face, challenging her and she placed her hand on Dev’s accepting the challenge. But hating ever bit of the touch, repulsion was great and she pulled off quickly.