Partner Of Life – Chapter 1

She was running around the hall. She was a perfectionist in everything she did.She was handed the responsibility of this Annual Diwali Party like every year. She had her checklist ready. She went to the main gate of the hall to check the decoration. She was satisfied with the setup. Many big personalities have been invited. Biggest investor of their company will be attending and she has to make sure the things have to be perfect.

She then went and checked the eatery section. She went through all ranges of eateries – Indian, continental, salads etc… There were various kinds of food and drinks. Geet has made sure that everything has to be perfect and guests are happy.

Nina tapped Geet’s shoulder –  “Beautiful and perfect.”

“Thanks for liking”

“It has to be if I have handed anything to Geet. Now you should go home, get ready and come to the party with your husband hand in hand. I want you both to enter as the most beautiful couple of tonight.” 

“Sure” Geet gave Nina her usual sweet smile. 

Geet reached home, and as she sat on the bed, she drifted to sleep. She had been working on arrangements the whole day. And now that the arrangements were done, Nina was there on time to welcome the guests. 

Geet was woken up by the soft call of her husband: “Wake up, wife. Need to be there on time.” 

“Ohh yeah. I dozed off; I don’t know how.”

“Wife, you should consider taking some rest and a break as well. You stretch yourself a little too much.”

She went to the washroom and took a relaxing shower in warm water. As water fell over her body, she felt the tiredness from the whole day was fading. How she wished she had some more time to visit the parlor and be professionally ready. It was such a big day for Nina, and she wanted everyone to be perfectly present.

Geet covered herself with a bathing gown and came out much more relaxed. She looked at her husband, who was ready and looking very handsome

“Looking very handsome, husband.” he looked at her and smiled. “Thanks, wife.”

“I hope I get decently done as well. Mom was looking so ravishing. ” She said with a sigh

Her husband shook his head

“Well, all the while you were busy running and getting the party arrangement to be perfect, while she was in the parlor. “

He paused before completing, “Imagine she was 3 hours in the parlor!!”

Still covered with a gown, she took the hair dryer and started drying her hair.  

“Trust me, three hours is the bare minimum time in the parlor. There are tons of processes these beauticians do on you. I actually always lose my patience sitting for three hours there. I wonder how these beautician never gets tired.”

She thought for a moment, “Maybe because they love their job just like I do mine.”

“You losing it has a reason. You start to miss your work during those hours. But Mom actually enjoys it. And you know why – because she knows you are there.”

“But, knowing you, I have arranged a beautician for you. They will help you get ready. You, anyway, are going to outshine everyone there, even with your bare minimum touchup.”

“Thanks.”

“Your words make me feel less pathetic” she commented, and he laughed. 

After an hour, Geet was readied by a beautician. Geet was later trying to zip her gown when her husband was standing at the door

“Ready?”

“Yeah, just trying to zip the gown. It’s too tightly fitting. Mom likes the dresses to be best fitted.”

He came and stood behind her, looking at her in the mirror. 

“Can I help?” he offered. Geet hesitated for a while, then smiled and turned her back on him. 

He carefully zipped her gown, but he could feel her stiffness all the while his fingers were on her dress. 

“Geet, it’s done. You can relax.” he gave a faint smile.

Geet could sense his irritation with her behavior. She felt sorry for her act. Sorry is at least something she owed to her decent husband. He doesn’t deserve to be offended after bearing with her odd, uncomfortable self.

He started moving towards the door, but she held his wrist.

“Dev, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel…”

“It’s Ok, Geet.” he smiled and then, to lighten the situation,

“Better get going, or your boss Nina is going to kill us.”

**************

Party Venue

******************

Nina was proudly admiring the arrangement Geet had done.

People have started pouring in. All guests were high-profile. 

She then saw her daughter, Megha, and Son-in-law Aakash; she went ahead and hugged both of them

Looking beautiful, Mom-in-Law, complemented Aakash. 

“Hey, call me Nina. In this high-profile gathering, you don’t call me Mom-in-Law and spoil all my effort of spending half of my day in the parlor,” she laughed

Aakash laughed out, “Looking beautiful, Nina.”  “That’s like my handsome boy.”

Nina then looked at Megha, “Why did you not come early to help Geet. She was running around all day, all alone.”

“Very well, Mom, you only trust her perfection. You would not like me to interfere in the ideas of your favorite employee cum DIL.”

And then Megha’s eye went to the door: “Name the Devil and Devil is there. Your favorite daughter-in-law and son are here.”

And Megha went ahead to welcome Geet and Dev, who entered the party hall, hand in hand.

Geet hugged Megha, who was not only her sister-in-law but her BFF. 

“Looking beautiful,” Geet complimented Megha.

“See who is talking. The girl who is going to make all men in the party jealous of my brother.” Megha said, looking at Dev. Dev returned a smile to his sister. 

Dev left Geet with Megha so the girls could enjoy their time together while he met with business associates and welcomed their main investors, as the party was meant to impress these high-profile guests.

Geet walked with Megha, and both girls took their seats at the bar stool

Geet ordered Red wine for herself, and Megha ordered her special cocktail.

Geet watched the entire party from the corner, enjoying every moment. With only her in-laws as her family, she cherished that connection. She loved her work, and her passion was well-known.

Nina very well knew that it was Geet’s efforts that inspired many of her top investors to support her company, Forever4U Designers.

But Geet knew better. For the company, she was just an employee, though Nina always called her an asset.

Shares of the company were only in the names of Nina, Dev, and Megha. Nina principal was very clear, shares will only go to blood. 

Geet was shocked when Nina frankly told her about it. But she has slowly adjusted to the fact.

Nina, in her way, had tried to compensate Geet with big incentives and a huge salary. But not being part of the family business and only being an employee of the company, where she gave her heart and soul, pinched her.

Megha has been her support always. She had explained to her.

“Geet, you are Dev Bhai’s wife. So whatever is your husband’s is yours.”

“It’s not about money, Megha; it’s about being part of it. This way I feel she considers me only as her best employee and not part of the family.”

“Geez, you know Mom, how practical she is? But you should be proud; she trusts you more than her own two kids.”

Geet was lost in the past when Megha snapped her fingers in front of it. “Where are you lost, Geet?”

“Nowhere, just looking at Mom, how elegantly she is welcoming all the guests and investors.”

“Hmm… all your hard work and see who is taking the limelight at this elegant party. Ideally, she should have called you and kept you in the front.”

“Megha, you both, brother and sister, criticize Mom a little too much. We can’t deny she is the pillar of this company. And I like my work and not meeting people; that’s not me. She knows that”

“You are the soul of the company, darling. Don’t ever forget, she very well knows you are one main reason for company success; she will never accept it in public, though.”

“Shhhh.. stop spreading negativity against your own mom. Now let me chill; I like enjoying the party sitting here. It’s cool to watch people.” Geet stopped Megha from speaking the harsh reality. It was known, and nothing was in her hand. Why not enjoy what she had in hand?

Slowly, the Party started getting alive, all business associates and investors, along with family, friends, and distant relatives, were there. Dev and Nina were busy attending to everyone. 

Geet was enjoying the liveliness, but her eyes were still on the door.  Dev’s eyes went on his wife as her eyes were fixed on the main gate. She was not looking at him. He was not even expecting his wife to look at him.

Then Geet and Megha got busy in their talks when Megha suddenly said, “Hey, he is here.”

“Who?” Geet asked, sipping her drink

“Mom’s most awaited guest, our biggest investor- you know who it is: The Maan Singh Khurana.”

Geet looked at the door, and a soft smile formed on her face.

“See how all girls and ladies are hovering over him,” Geet commented and they laughed at Geet’s comment

“Honestly, this man has incredible patience. I’m amazed that someone as busy and prominent as him makes time to be here for us every year!” Geet smiled at Megha’s comment.

But soon Nina came forward and took over Maan Singh Khuarna. Later, they saw that Dev had joined Nina and Maan Khurana too.

It was all business.

Both the friends, sipping their drinks and enjoying their gossip, were suddenly interrupted by Aakash.

“Not good, Megha. Your handsome loving hubby is here at the party, and you’re eyeing Maan Singh Khurana, not fair yaar.” Both girls laughed at his sweet cribbing.

“Can’t even feel jealous, yaar. He is way above my par to feel jealous.” Megha turned and placed her hand around her hubby

“Dare you say anything about my hubby. He is the most handsome for me and my reality. That man looks a little far from reality. Just enjoying the view, hubby.” 

“Hey, chill, just kidding.” Geet laughed at her favorite couple’s antics. Then he turned towards Geet

“And sis in law, is he again going to ask a dance to the most beautiful lady in the party?”

“I don’t know.” Geet didn’t realize she had a blush on her face as she smiled.

“Well, that’s the ongoing tradition from the last 5 years.” Megha punched Geet’s arm 

“Bhabhi, keep that blush for Dev Bhai,” Aakash commented. To which Geet simply smiled.

Aakash was then pulled by a few business colleagues, and he left the ladies to enjoy the party. Both of them dispersed to meet other people at the party. 

Maan Singh Khurana rarely attended parties, but everyone was eager to speak with him; however, Nina was determined to seize her opportunity. He was her largest investor, possessing wealth beyond imagination. His investment in her firm was just a small portion of his vast fortune, but it made him her biggest supporter. If he could invest a little more, it would significantly benefit her business.

“Mr. Khurana, hope you like the arrangement. We have tried our best to keep it up to your level.”

“It’s perfect, Mrs. Sharma.”

Maan knew Nina very well. He has been investing in her firm for the last seven years. And increased a lot over the last five years after Geet took the position of head designer. He very well knew and never hesitated to indirectly convey to Nina that he was very impressed by Geet’s work and her work ethic. 

“Thanks, I have personally looked into the arrangements,” she stated, and he smiled

“Hmmm.. the perfection shows Mrs Sharma, your daughter-in-law, has given her expert touch to it. Am I wrong?” The color of Nina’s face was gone, but she laughed,

“Of course, she is a powerhouse of talent. I am so proud of her.”

Maan then left and met others, including Dev. Dev explained his marketing strategy, and Maan gave some positive input.

Geet, after talks with a few people, was with her plate at food stalls when she felt a pat on her shoulder

She turned to look; Maan was standing with a smile on his face.

“Hi, how are you, Mrs. Geet Dev Sharma. Seeing you after a whole year. Kaisee ho ” Unlike with other people in the party, his tone with her was more friendly than professional. 

“Same. How have you been?”

“Same. But why is it the same at your end? You didn’t take my suggestion.”

She did not say anything.

But then Maan saw others approaching them. He patted her arm, “Enjoy your food, I’ll catch you later on the dance floor,” and he left to meet other guests and then moved to the bar section to order a light drink for himself.