Chapter 24 – Slipping Heart

Today Geet was joining under Maan. She was nervous. Nervous not because of work but because of their last encounter. It had scratched the soft plaster that she had placed in her heart. Personal feeling was overtaking and she had been working hard to keep herself in control. It was not an easy task to control her feelings when Maan was concerned, he was way deep in her heart.

She knocked and entered his cabin. Their eyes met, an invisible spark flew and locked their eyes for few seconds. They then somehow were able to break the eye lock.

“Good Morning Sir”

“Good Morning. Take your seat.”

After she settled and they were in professional zone. He asked her about her experience of working with Adi, what all she learned and performed. Getting idea of her knowledge from her.

“I have send links to resources of six projects to you. These are all almost dead projects. We had planned to start work on them or some were started but then kept aside for some or the other reasons. But I think with proper look into them, some can be pulled up to work on and be beneficial for company”

“Dead projects?” came out of Geet’s lips as she remembers how Maan had assigned all burning projects to Annie to look into.

“So you don’t trust my intention even professionally now.”

“No Sir” Geet defended immediately. How can she even think that way about him, but he was right, it did come to mind for fraction of seconds.

“Don’t lie Geet. You are thinking I assigned most active and important projects to Annie and Dead projects to you. You are comparing? Tell me truth”

Geet could not lie to him “Just a thought came sir. I can never doubt you.” He gave sarcastic laugh

“Only had you understood my intentions anytime. Anyways, so for you before taking this projects, take a day think and let me know why am I doing this.”

Geet kept thinking whole day, she analyzed the difference between herself and Annie. He felt bad as she had landed herself in this comparison with Annie who always supported her. Annie has a rich brother, all business set up, lavish style. Hers was opposite. To clear her mind further she talked to Brij and his one sentence made things clear to her mind

“He handed you dead projects why? Already our company was dead and it is now alive due to his guidance and help Geet. I am already working on this dead project and trying to pull it up. At least you could have got some nice projects to work on.” “Okay Bhai” Geet disconnected and felt bad for doubting Maan even for a second.

In business, none of them can think as far as Maan, she realized. He was preparing her for handling Handa Group with Brij and pull it up on top from below. Through his projects he was preparing her for her family business.

Next morning, she explained him her understanding – “Right. You may understand more reason going further. Anyways, if you have any doubt or question for my decision, do not hesitate to ask” He spoke professionally but she knew he definitely was pained by her doubt on his decision.

Later he assigned Geet to look into each project per week, send him her understanding report by Friday and Each Monday they would discuss. This was Maan’s way of limit their interaction to once in a week. It would help her get independent and him from losing his heart.

One month passed. It was Monday and Maan and Geet were having discussion on fourth project. It was then Annie knocked and entered

“Anwesha, What’s the matter”

“It’s 12 and lunch time. I am here for personal reason”

Maan shook his head, this girl has all excuse to break his rules

“Bhai… You, Pari and your friends are coming for camping this weekend. That’s final right”

“How many times do I need to confirm you. Pari confirmed too” It hit Geet. She was not part of their personal planning discussion, Pari was part of it.

“Bhai, I want to take one of my friend from office too”

“All your friends are coming. Now why you are mixing it with Office friends?”

“One friend Bhai. Now you and Pari are part of same company, you both are coming. That allows me to take one” Geet was quietly listening, feeling so alien to their personal world. She was no part of his personal world, this knowledge always hit her, every time she encounters such scenario.

Maan shook his head, it was so tough to say NO to his little sis.

“Okay, who is that special one” he asked all disinterested

Annie turned to Geet, forwarded both her hands towards her “Geeet” Maan heart skipped the beat. Geet was all confused. She felt so unwanted. He was so interested in taking Pari and she felt intruding his personal space

“I am fine Annie. You guys have your personal fun time. What will I do there”

“It is not personal, it’s friends group camping and you are coming. Whatever reason you want to spend alone, you are not excused. You are coming” she declared

Geet was in fix between siblings, sister was insisting and brother would not like her tagging along. But that was her idea. Maan without an expression outside, internally was waiting for her answer.

“Okay but I am fine.” Annie cut her in middle, she got her answer

“So final you are coming” Geet looked at Maan, how angry he must be on her.

It was Saturday 6 am morning, all were ready for camping. Pari entered the hall of Khurana Mansion as Maan walked down the stairs and Annie was roaming all frustrated.

“What happened girl” asked Pari

“My friend Geet Pari” and Pari looked at Maan

“she was to come with me. She was all-ready. I shared her plan that I will pick her up in my car and you and Bhai will be meeting us at junction in Bhai’s Jeep” ranted Annie

“I don’t know what happened to her, she is now telling she will come from taxi and I can come with you guys. Who comes to camping with taxi?”

“Geet is coming as well” Pari said excited as she looked at Maan

“Annie you go with Pari. Call your friend and let her know we are starting an hour late”

“Why Bhai?” “Coz I am asking you to.” Said Maan. He very well knew what was irritating Geet. Pari smiled to herself.

Geet cancelled the taxi as trip was delay to start. She was irritated. Maan will come with Pari, the fact was irritating her. She would have preferred to not go and witness him roaming with his love.

Her bell rang “who is it now? She was so irritated.” And she opened the door to see the man who has consumed her thoughts

“sir aap?”

“Take your belongings for camping and come.” Geet’s heart jumped for a second and then the thought that Pari will be sitting with him on front seat and she like a responsibility

“I am fine. Will come with taxi”

“Don’t show me attitude. Be quick, Annie and Pari will be waiting for us at junction” And that was it. Geet was quiet but her heart somehere was jumping, without her permission.

After they drove some distance, Maan stopped at curb, held her arm and pulled her to face him and come closer to him. Their face so close

“Just say it, fark parta hai tumhen” This is the only thing he wanted to confirm. He wanted to confirm that he mattered. He could feel it by her acts but he was scared if it was just his deep wish he was trying to convert. Her one sentence and he will forget all past, bend on his knees as his heart has now taken over but he feared if he didn’t matter at all to her.

“Why does it matter to you?” Why should she speak her heart, if he was happy with Pari. She least wanted to be another reason of his pain. He was happy with Pari, it was she who was in pain. She was trying to handle herself. Though she was failing badly.

He pulled her harshly, even closer “Fark parta hai ya nahi”

“You are happy, my view does not matter” Frustrated Maan left her and started driving. Not knowing why heart was slipping from his hand when he knew he mattered nothing to her.

As he drove, she beside him, his thoughts were all on her. If only she was his Geet, he would pull her to him and let her rule him. He feared with this rate, it will not be too long when he will bend on his knees in front of her but fear was she will walk out on him.

They met with Pari and Annie at junction. Annie was shocked to see Geet with Bhai.

“Geet you want to come with me. Bhai and Pari can go together” Pari mentally hit her head. She very well knew, Geet’s brain went off seeing her with Maan. This was not new; it was old story.

“Annie you don’t like my company” and Pari managed to handle Annie.

They reached the camping ground as other groups kept pouring as well. Everyone started making their camp. Maan made his as well as others as he was the most expert. Geet was assisting Annie. Maan’s eye every now and then went on Geet, meeting with hers several time. Pari was with other friends but her eyes were on duo. She had no doubt that both were going thru same intense feeling but didn’t understand what was stopping them.

Annie’s friends were happy to meet Geet. Two of them, Sanjeev and Pritam were completely fida on the new beauty. Annie scolded them as she teased Geet. They were all ready to help Geet, talk with her. Geet’s eye went on Maan and he clearly looked displeased. She tried to less talk with them but they were enthusiastic.

“Inhe fark bhi kyun parta hai.” She thought in brain but still tried to talk less, but displeasing him was last thing she will do.

All Annie’s friend gelled with Geet. but the two boys were openly flirting with Geet, but it was all light hearted. They were all just having fun time. Maan’s group was separate.

They all settled after camp making in their group, having fun and laugh but two from each group had eye on the other group. Sanjeev sat on knees and offered some plant stem to Geet laughed and threw it. It was then they heard

“I hope all you guys behave well. This is a camping ground not flirting ground” They saw Maan and shut their mouth up. But after he left they giggled. Again coming back to masti mode.

In his group “Let them have fun yaar. Annies’ new friend, they are just making her comfortable”

“Yeah right. By flirting with her.”

“But she has no problem, why do you care” Maan said nothing.

Later after lite eatery, they decided to go on hiking. Maan very well knew this was not Geet’s thing. She feared hiking because she feared height and then she was not good climber. Earlier too, he had tried to teach her but she would shout and he had to let go.

“Okay, all who are not comfortable can form group here and have fun” Maan suggested

“What Maan, all here are comfortable. We all are going”

Maan looked at Geet. Geet felt offended. He feels she is now not upto his friends level.

“Geet you are coming right?” asked Sanjeev. Old Maan’s Geet rose inside her and in anger she looked at Maan and then as Sanjeev – “Why not” Maan turned and went in his friends group.

Thus all started the hiking. Maan’s group went much ahead as they were pro. Annie, Sanjeev and Pritam helped Geet with gears for hiking.

Maan’s irritation has no limit. He had earlier expertise himself in hiding his emotions but he was many more times possessive for her than Geet. She happily taking their help irritated him.

Unable to take anymore, when Pritam with Geet, enthusiastically helping her, he felt tap on his shoulder

“What’s going on” he heard strong voice of Maan and Geet looked up to meet his angry eyes

“Nothing, just helping Geet”

“Go get yourself ready first, we are about to start. I will help her”

Pritam halfheartedly left along with others seeing Maan’s one strong signal to move.

After everyone left “What’s the issue”

“I don’t know how to use and place these”

“hmm” he picked the bag and while helping her with it

“When someone tries to teach you hundred times, you don’t want to listen and when suggested to not go, you have to”

Geet did not say anything. he knows she was scared of height especially in mountains, still he has to scold for it.

He then explained her how to handle the stick and other stuff. Pritam, Sanjeev and other guys were so irritated. Geet was in their group still Maan did not let them help her.

“Still suggesting, don’t go if you are not comfortable.”

“So that all think I am so dumb.” This was old Geet that was coming out only for him. Maan sighed and shook his head.

“kya hoga, jyade se jyada Jaan hee jayegee na.” she added all irritated on herself. Falling badly for each gesture of his. Why was he not hers?

Maan angrily looked up to her, which scared her “Will you shut up or if you don’t like my presence here, just let me know. I will go.”

She simply turned other side. He angrily left her stating “Do whatever you want”

Maan left frustrated and by chance stopped near Pari and Pari seeing him all disturbed

“What happened? You fought with her?”

“What? I fought with her? Yes why not, it’s always me, I fought with her. Happy now” Pari shook her head and left him alone, no use talking between the two mad.

But Geet saw all this with different perspective – Angry with her and he ran to Pari. His ultimate solace. If her being here is so troubling for him, she better stay far from him. She scolded herself, why did speak in that tone to him, he is not her Maan, he is Pari’s Maan. She should behave good with him as she had decided. In their life she was at all fault and not him, what right does she have to show anger and irritation on him.

But these logics and thoughts sometimes went in air when he was near.

Do Like and Comment my dear readers.

-Anu