Poles Apart – Chapter 17

Maan got out of his car and stood in front of Handa Haveli. In the small city of Hoshiyarpur, the Haveli stood grand with pride. 

Sukhwinder Handa has requested to meet him. How could he deny and why should he deny. He was Grandad’s friend. He had only met him once during the function in London but they had great interaction in just a few days of meeting during function days. He had encouraged him just like his grandfather. Later he never had direct communication with Sukhwinder Handa but he would always be there when granddads communicated. He was connected to his Grandfather, how could he miss on anyone connected to him. On the top, Maan never had the feeling of a Business tycoon. He preferred his identity as professor, a common man.

Mohinder was surprised to see Maan Singh Khurana, the owner of Khurana group standing at the gate of haveli. He welcomed him and led him to the main hall of the Haveli. Sukhwinder Handa was brought in his wheelchair. Maan got up and touched his feet 

“Stay blessed child”

Maans settled “And thanks for visiting me on my request. I would have come myself but you can see my condition”

 “No problem. Any specific reason you wanted to meet me?”

“Yes. But I also wanted to meet the brilliant boy. You completely disappeared?” He then looked at Rano and Geet’s Tayi ji, Tejaswani aka Tejo 

“Get something special.” They left.

Rano then called Geet

“Dear, by when are you reaching HP”

“Mumma, in a couple of hours. How is Daarji”

“He is good. We have special guest here, he is attending him”

“Guest? ohh no. I wanted Daarji all for myself”

“So Maan, where have you been these days? You kept your name hidden from the market”

“I was not hiding, but was busy doing things I loved. But as KE is drowning I have to now takeover”

“But this way? people don’t even know you exist and everyone knows Dev as the face of KE.” Maan looked at Mohinder, who was one of them

“Not our old allies, they all know me. On top of that, I am a businessman, business matters to me, not my publicity. Company’s publicity is more important for its share.”

“That is you always. I remember. But son, you have to change by time.” Maan nodded, it was neither Yes nor No.

“I am looking for a face for my company.”

“Why not you? Who can be better face than you yourself”

 “The role should not be taken by someone not interested in that role. It will be unfair for the role. Person will be my trusted person as well as carry the public image elegantly. Plus one should also love public recognition, not like me. I will not be a good choice for that role as I am not interested in public image.”

Mohinder was listening intently. He was now realizing the difference between the man he had finalized for Geet and the man his father had actually referred to. He was now really wishing that Geet get over her crazy love and say yes to Maan. But of course, only if Maan says yes to Geet. 

“So do you have someone in mind”

Maan smiled and looked down. Before he would utter a word

“Daarjiiiii” Maan heard Geet’s voice. Maan frowned thinking why she was here. Ohh she had been calling him for the last two days after the Grand Meet. He had been held up and then the call from her Grandfather had made him leave all work and come here. He had texted her though that he would meet her next week.

Seeing a frown in Maan’s face “Geet, my daughter. You must have met her in your meetings” Mohinder said with pride.

“Yeah, she joined me in business. I remember she is your daughter” He did not reveal to Mohinder about his relationship with Geet. And what would he even say about the crazy relation they shared. Had she agreed for marriage, he would have enthusiastically talked about their relation.

“Mohi, Maan knows Geet from before, did I not tell you.” Daarji looked at Maan

“Do you remember Geet, Maan?” Maan smiled and looked down 

“Yes I do. How can anyone ever forget her” Mohinder was surprised with Maan’s view on Geet. His heart was so wishing now, Maan and Geet would look perfect together. This was the man for Geet. How did he even select Dev for Geet.

Geet unloaded herself in the Agan, washed her leg and entered the main hall. At the same time Rano and Tajo entered with snacks for Maan.

Geet saw guests in the hall. She could see his back. He looked so much like her professor. Then hit her head “Geet stop imagining him, at least here.”

Seeing the guest, Geet was passing the hall when her Daarji called her “Geet, Dhi, come here”

“Ji Daarji” Geet went and took his blessings and then her eyes went on the guest there. Her eyes popped out seeing Maan. He smiled at her, she smiled back. What is the professor doing here?

“Surprised to see the real owner of KE here?” She looked at Daarji on his question

“I heard you got the deal with him” 

“Yes,” Maan and Geet said together. “Her presentation was really good” Geet looked at him as he added that. But there was no hint of their familiarity in the other way, in his words and his tone. 

But how was he here? Who invited him? Did Dad find out he is the guy, her crazy one and thus he invited him here. But why in HP? They would have invited him to Delhi? And he came to HP on their call? He said he was busy.

“Maan, please have something,” said Rano, handing him a plate with specially cooked Aloo Kachori and green chutney. Maan nodded and took the plate.

Geet was observing the situation with confusion 

He took a bite, “It’s really nice. It’s been a long time since I have something like this”. The moment Maan said, he regretted placing his vulnerable side in front of all. But how could he not appreciate it?

“Home made, with motherly touch” Added Daarji. Maan smiled, did not say anything.

Daarji then looked at the confused Geet “What are you looking like this. Maan knows you from long back” Surprised Geet looked at Maan, he gave back a formal smile.

Okay, this means they know nothing about their current relation and they know something she don’t know

“Maan, I wanted to ask you something. That’s the reason I called you.”

“Ji, Boliye”

“Maan you know what your Dadaji and I had wanted?”

Maan was dreading this will come, “Ji”

“Mohi and Rano created lots of confusion” Geet looked at Daarji

“So I have called you here to ask you directly. I want to give my granddaughter Geet’s hand in your hand for marriage” Geet’s eyes popped out, her heart doing somersault. 

Ohh now he just has to say yes. She will make no fuss this time. She will happily be his , take all his loneliness away. But then came Maan’s words

“Thank-you Daarji for this honor. Thinking of me, capable enough for you granddaughter. But I don’t think Geet is ready to be hitched to a person like me. We are two very different people. We have different values for marriage. I don’t think her view on marriage matches with mine. Right Geet?” He said looking at Geet

Geet felt the ground slipping from her feet. Her words came back to her. She had mentally prepared to confess to him and now things are happening back to back. 

“How do you know Geet’s view on marriage? Did you guys know each other?”

“Yeah, we had a discussion about our view on marriage, just casually. In her view, we are so poles apart as people, that alliance will fail.”

Daarji looked at Geet “Geet?” Geet did not know what to say 

He looked at Maan “What is your view”

“Marriage will involve two people. So now my view does not matter.”

Geet looked at him, she wanted to say so many things. But what can she say now? If she says yes, he will take all the different meanings for it. 

He got up, pained within. He would be the happiest person to have her. But she had clearly told, they are poles apart and not fit for marriage. He saw no reason for her changed answer now.

“Thanks for considering me. I will take your leave now.” And in quick movement he was out of the main gate. Geet realized he left and she ran behind him. He was about to settle in the car 

“Professor,” he stopped and looked at her. She came closer, pain in her eye

“Aise kyun… Daarji ko” He looked around and pulled her closer. She was taken aback but soon placed her hand on his shoulder. Smiles automatically formed on her lips with his closeness.

“I said it, as he would have felt bad if his own granddaughter must have said no to his choice”

She placed her palm on his cheek “We would have talked”

“We have already talked several times about this inspiration. You already took a promise from me that the topic was closed.”

Geet did not say anything but her heart pained. He has pushed the whole matter so far away.

“We will meet next week right?” she asked, feeling restless. Feeling scared if he is pushing her far

He pulled her closer “Of course. I am missing our time together” he winked. 

Geet came closer and pecked his lips “You don’t want people here to see us this way. You don’t want them to force you into marriage with me”

Deep within Geet felt it as an awesome idea, someone to force them together. She reluctantly separated. “I am so much looking forward to our time together” He pressed the side of her belly over her dress “Call me once you are back in Delhi” she nodded for yes.

He settled in his car. She kept standing there as his car first reversed a bit and then drove on to take the main road, disappearing from her vision.

Geet went inside, when all were waiting in surprise for her. She went forwards and hugged her Daarji. Darji felt her tears on his kurta at his shoulder “Dhi”

Geet settled and looked at Mohinder “Geet, you don’t need to cry. I had already told Daarji that you have someone in life and you are so done with Khurana’s. But nice Maan understood your point.”

“Dad, it’s not like that. It has all gone wrong” Mohinder frowned with questions on his head

“Dad, he is the one” 

“He is the one? but then what he said about your view? and you said you had no idea of the owner of KE, you were not to sign a deal with KE and you say he is the one.” 

Geet looked at everyone “Dad, Daarji, Mom… I messed up everything.” She paused and took a deep breath. 

“He proposed to me and I denied…..” she stated how he proposed to her multiple times and she denied. How he would take her yes for the person he is and not by his status. How her yes will be meaningless if she says yes after knowing his status. How she had laughed and openly rubbed off his proposal.

“I only knew he was my professor, my crazy one. But Daarji, I wanted to confess my feelings to him as soon as I realized but Dad wanted me to focus on the Grand meet first.”

She looked at Rano and pouted “Mumma, I failed him in the matter of heart.”

“Geet, you can still confess your feelings to him. Are you sure of your feelings?” Rano Confirmed

“Mumma, more sure than anything but how do I confess now? He had asked multiple times and it was me who said this topic was closed. Now that I know he is the owner of KE, how do I reverse my own words?”

“So you think he will say no? Why would he, if he had himself proposed to you.”

“Mumma, I doubt he will ever say no to me. He listens to whatever I say. Now that I am thinking, how I have easily said No to him everytime when I can feel he will never ever say No to me. But Mumma, there will always be doubt in his heart. He will be hurt thinking…”

“Geet, Dhi. Do you really love him?”

“Ji Daarji. Without a doubt”

 “Puttar, his life is filled with pain and loneliness, are you ready to take it” Daarji queried. 

“Is it so? Then I don’t want my daughter get into that kind of life” Rano came as protective mother 

“Mumma, I love him. Wherever I am, with whoever I am, I won’t be at peace knowing he is lonely. I want to live for him Mumma and with him, just like you live for Dad.”

“Geet such relation are not for you dear. You are a business woman, practical girl.”

Geet came to Rano and hugged her “Mumma, things have changed with him in my life. Mumma, how do I explain…” 

Rano smiled and patted her “never ever thought I would see this change in my daughter.”

“Geet” Darji called

“Ji Daarji”

“He is already yours. Go win his trust. But it may take time dear, his heart has been broken many times in many ways from his closest. Do you have patience”

“All life’s patience Daarji”

“Daarji” Mohinder was shocked, Daarji was cool to send Geet in the relation where there was no certainty of Maan’s trust on Geet. On top, his lonely life scared Mohinder. How will Geet handle all this? He has pampered his daughter for a perfect life. Life with Maan can be a roller coaster.

“Mohi, Mainnu to pehle se hee Geet aur Maan ke jodi lagani thi, abb kudi bhi wohi chahtee hai. Aisa sohna munda deewana teri kudi ka.. aur kya chahya.”

“Daarji..” Mohinder was about to argue but Geet interrupted. 

“Dad I love him”  Seeing her expectant eyes, he shook his head and placed his hand on her head 

“Now what do I say? I am not against your love, just scared for your heart. Go win his trust. But remember we are always there for you” Geet smiled and nodded

“Geet” Daarji called again

“Make sure to let him know, he is no longer lonely. He has a big family now.”

Geet ran and hugged her Daarji “Ji Daarji , Pakka”

Do hit like and comment.

-Anu