Chapter 37 – Life’s not that easy

Geet was about to enter his room after helping Annie in her packing when she heard Dadima’s voice

“Do you want me to talk to Mrs. Handa” Geet didn’t like to eavesdrop but she did “Regarding?” she heard Maan’s voice

“You have decided to stay with Geet. Maan, I won’t interfere in your life decision. You are mature enough and I consider you head of family but”

“Dadima, you can clearly state whatever you feel” Geet was now tempted to hear further but then she left. Heart felt a little heavy, somewhere knowing what would be coming up. 

“What’s the problem, Geet?” she scolded herself. “Maan Sir has his family, it’s not only you” 

Geet went back to Annie to help her in her packing. Distraction would help.

For Geet, now that Maan was back in her life, anyone asks her life rather than asking her stay away from him.

*********

Dadima settled herself on the bed and Maan pulled the chair from desk to be seated in front of her “Maan, what if tomorrow Annie decides to go and stay with someone before marriage. Will it go down well with you”

Maan did not like the comparison, nor could he correlate.How is it going to be the same?  “No way will I allow that but there is a vast difference Dadima, you are ignoring.” 

“Yes, I am, because I am not aware of how you two were back then. I don’t understand and so will the world not, Maan.”

“Dadima, this world and society has not made me. I have solely made my own path and reached here.”

Savitri Devi smiled, caressed his cheek “Okay, you rest dear. I will check on Annie”  She got up and Maan kept looking at her. Did he include Dadima in this whole world, did he disrespect her when it came out that he made himself. No way he meant that, Dadima and Annie have been his source of living.

Savitri Devi must have reached the door of room

“Not for society but for you, only you” she stopped on her way, facing her back to him.

“What?” A genuine smile formed on her face 

“Annie is leaving, I can’t let you stay alone here and myself stay with Geet.” 

She came to him “I know my Grandson, he will never leave his Dadima alone for a girl”

‘For a girl’ it hit Maan. Geet was not any girl but his life, Savitri Devi did not miss that  “Doesn’t mean I am not worried for Geet. I too like her and we will make sure she is fine. It’s just a matter of a few days.” 

“I will leave to check on Annie now. Just one thing, make Geet part of your world not your world… hmmm” Maan did not say anything to Dadima, he simply gave a decent smile. How he wished Dadima would love Geet the way she does Annie and him.

*********** 

Annie was very super excited to visit India after eight years. Maan could not understand the reason for her excitement, knowing the fact that she had faced a tough life there. But then, maybe just like him, she had her own attachments.

Annie hugged Geet “Will meet you exactly on my birthday. I will want a gift of my own choice.” she said in her ears

“Whatever you wish”

******** 

Dadima left in her vehicle and Maan went with Geet. As they entered the apartment, Maan pulled Geet to him and made her turn to him. 

Other side, Savitri Devi was happy, Maan would be back. She liked Geet, she liked Geet because Geet was Maan’s world, She liked Geet because Geet crazily loved Maan, she was concerned for Geet as she was all alone in the city and definitely their responsibility. But apart from this, Geet and Savitri Devi have not interacted as much for her to be extremely emotionally attached with Geet. It will take time for her. Maan and Annie were her world, Annie a little plus. And Maan staying with Geet before marriage can affect Annie in anyways. She cannot take that chance.

Very deep down, now that Maan was so much into Geet, so much attached with Handa’s, she also wanted to know Maan’s childhood with Handa’s before giving a go ahead to marriage. He had never mentioned his childhood and now she found that level of attachment. It all made her curious.

Though seeing Maan, saying no was a near to impossible task in anycase. Not that she had any wish to say no, if Geet was her grandson’s happiness she would welcome her with open arms and shower her with all affection. But she will keep her eyes and ears open to all opinions.

Maan unlocked the apartment door and let her in first. He then locked the door and held Geet’s hand to bring her to him

“Jaan” he was looking keenly at her, making her scared of what was coming up. She smiled at him, ready to take any decision that is to come. She will not increase his dilemma in any way. No, she won’t be selfish in any way.

He traced his finger on her cheek, to calm his racing heart, preparing himself

“Jaan” he repeated “Boliye Na” she controlled her voice which was on verge of cracking 

“Annie is not here for this whole months, Dadima will be all alone there” Before he could complete, she herself offered

“And you are staying with me here, no way. You cannot let Dadima stay alone there.” she moved a bit far, tried acting bold but Maan knew her so-so well. He pulled her to him

“Just a month, Jaan.” She nodded. Both knew very well, it was not just a month. It will keep coming up till they get married. First it was Yash, now Dadima and then someone else or something else.

 “And it’s just nights. After a week you are joining the office and you are working full time under me” she nodded but tears filled her eyes. He pulled her in a hug

She traced all through his arm to feel him as she kept hugging him for long. They stayed in a hug for long, feeling the body of each other against theirs, inhaling each other’s fragrance and closeness.

After she was composed, she looked into his eyes

“I will be all good, you don’t worry.” 

Maan left, making sure everything was set up for Geet. He gave her one of his credit cards so she can do Annie’s Birthday arrangement as per her wish and imagination. 

********* 

One week passed by Geet working from home. She took over from one of the dead projects that she had to bring live. 

Whole week passed by meeting after meeting with stakeholders. Regain their trust and get the fundings reassigned.

By the end of the week, things came up shaping. 

On the other hand, Maan had missed his meetings as well and was busy catching up. Whole main office was on toes. Seeing his avatar, Shasha, Pinky and Nikki almost forgot they have met that romantic version of him. He was back to his no-nonsense zone.

By night both would be hell tired and caught up just to check how they were. Geet would sense how tired he was and was  still trying his best to cheer her up. Typically him, when she was the subject. But now Geet has matured. She herself would act tired and then cut the call so that he can rest peacefully. After the call she would hug her pillow and get lost in moments of the night they were together. Wishing them to be together every night.

Maan, on other hand, felt the change in Geet. It was not that he did not like the new mature Geet but the cause and path of how this maturity came, was his worry. He had to know it all, he was not getting time. Somewhere he was scared, it will be painful to know all. Painful to realize how he has left his crazy girl all alone in his anger to face things.

**********

It was Monday again and Geet stepped inside the office. It had been just a month after her accident but it felt like ages. She looked around the huge office multistory building as she entered. It looked the same, big circular central area and stairs ran from three sides and so did the elevator. Modern office design with lots of usage of glasses, blinds and light colors wall painting, innovative paintings on each floor with different concepts. She had seen it before itself but melancholy that covered her before did not make her capable of observing any of these. 

But today she was absorbing all the feelings that a new hire will have on her first job in London. And this was the office of her own Maan. Today she was feeling so-so proud of him. Earlier it was only guilt that she had felt with regards to him.

She pressed the lift to open to the door of her floor, planning to settle in her seat and then report to her Boss. Ohh, today there was no fear but excitement of reporting to him. 

But things don’t happen as planned. As she reached her seat, she was surrounded by the gangs. These were all friends she had earned due to Annie but they have welcomed her in their group. 

These were the people who did not let her stay alone earlier, when all she had wanted was to be alone and drown in her pain. And it was the same today, but the intention was opposite. They knew she was all eager to report to the boss and thus they stood there blocking her way.

Geet smiled at them “Good Morning”

“Good Morning and welcome back” they said in unison, teasing smiles on their faces. Numerous questions ready to be poured at her.

“I will report to my boss and be right back” she tried to escape, also badly wanting to see him.

“What’s the hurry yaar” teased Pinky 

“Welcome back coffee treat for Geet from my side” offered Shasha 

Geet looked at them with pleading eyes “I will just be back”  She saw Adi coming out from his cabin

“Hey Geet, welcome back” Geet found short term relief “Adi Sir, Good morning. Am just going to report to Boss” But Adi joined the gang “No worries of work Geet. Catch up with friends. I will handle boss”

So it was all planned, they were all avenging her for the surprise they got the other day. Their sweet torture is not going to be too sweet.

Geet could not deny Adi Sir, she had to go for coffee with them and be prepared for grilling.

Maan on the other side was anxiously waiting for Geet to report. The hectic schedule and lined up meetings, did not allow him to visit her even once this whole week. 

There was a knock on the door, “Come In” he said without missing a second. Door opened and unlike him, he got up from his seat to welcome the visitor and then his eyes went on Adi smiling at him

“You?” “Yes sir. You were expecting someone else?” Maan grinded his teeth and settled back in his seat

“What’s up?” Adi smiled within. It is rare that one gets a chance to trouble the boss.

“Sir, we had planned to discuss this finance report today. Pinky informed me that your calendar is free for the first half today, so I thought we could use it.”

Of course, his first half was deliberately kept free. He had done it to spend some quality time with her. But she was  nowhere to be seen and Adi was standing on top of his head.

“Geet was supposed to report today, has she not come in yet” Adi smiled within, which surfaced on his face

“Why are you smiling? I am asking you” Maan asked in his stern voice

Adi straightened, “Yes sir. Sir she is in the office. With friends for coffee”

“Coffee?” Maan could not believe Geet could go for coffee before meeting him. But it did not take him to correlate, esp. Adi’s smiling face.

“Any problem sir?” Adi asked, trying in vain, to show sincerity in his question. Maan had already caught him

“No, no problem at all. Come on let’s go, Coffee for you from my side today” and he got up, coming towards Adi 

“But sir, finance report” Adi said getting up. Ohh all their plans are going to be ruined. Maan patted his shoulder “No worries Adi, work keeps on coming. Let’s enjoy the coffee” and he moved forward, leaving Adi with no option.

********* 

On the other side, in canteen, Geet was offered coffee and snack and then Pinky behaved dreamy

“Woww, It was so dreamy that day, seeing Boss all topless… hayyyy”

“Dare you see him that way” Geet scolded immediately

Pinky ignored Geet “Uff, I am planning to propose to him. Geet need some ideas”

“What? Are you crazy?”

”Uff Geet, be a good friend. You know him, tell me what’s the best way to propose him” all other girls were smiling inwardly.

Geet knew they were teasing, but still Maan’s name with anyone else; Geet was having a hard time “Pinky stop please” 

“Why, what’s the problem Geet? Is Maan sir not good enough for Pinky” Shasha said faking sincere confusion

“Hey everyone!!! Hey Geet welcome back” Pari said coming towards them, saving Geet.

They all straightened a bit “Good morning ma’am” She looked at Geet and caressed her cheek

“How are you now? I bet much better with special care ” she teased as Geet blushed

“He is staying with Dadima” she said in a low voice “awww” they again said in unison.

“Wha-aat? Dadima is alone as Annie is in India”

“Ma’am you know it?” Shahsa asked, surprised. Other stayed quiet in front of Pari Ma’am

“Don’t ask me girls. It’s a long story, I have been ping pong between these two, since childhood” she added

“Childhood? Woww…. it’s that long” Nikki, Pinky and Sasha -their surprise was just not ending. 

By that time Maan came and without hesitation stationed himself beside Geet and wrapped his hand in her waist, pulling her closer – openly taking the challenge.  These were a close knit friend group and Maan knew talks with this group won’t become talks of the town. 

He looked at Geet “You were supposed to report me”. All were looking intently at the two, though none had guts to speak in front of him.But what he missed in all his boldness is that Geet has later to face friends and their teasing.

Pre-cap: Same

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-Anu