Poles Apart – Chapter 20

Chapter 20 : Happy Birthday

It had been two busy months for both. It’s not that they have not met at all in these two months. But not more than a couple of meetings. And these meetings have come up as part of Geet’s effort. 

Her Prof likes her. No, she knows he loves her madly. But is getting too busy at work to miss meeting her or say, avoiding meeting her is worrying Geet. Thus she cannot let her love slip away from her. She knows she has to work hard to get him back into this relationship. She cannot give up because he has low trust in her. It is part of her love to build that trust. She has lost her trust and it is on her to bring it back. 

Was she being obsessive and forcing herself on him? No. She knew he needed her much more than her. He was much more in pain from their distance, but he was ready to bring that on himself. He had lived in pain and found that place comfortable to be in rather than build a false hope and get broken again and again.

But, whenever they have been close, he always has a smile on his face. She has closed the distance that he initially maintains but then once she comes in his arms, it has always been difficult for him to control his hands to hover all over her. The passion soon takes over and they lose themself to each other madly. Maan is aware, he will lose himself around Geet and may cross the line that he has created. And that is one of the reasons he has started to avoid meeting her. He cannot cross that line, esp. with Geet, knowing her view of him

Yes, she is attracted to him, very very attracted but why would she love him. Had she not told him that they are two different people, not to be thought of as life partners. Then what would change for her to fall in love with him. 

Momentarily, she may be infatuated by the fact that he is The Maan Singh Khurana. Everything about him looks so fancy to her now but will her liking for him be the same when she comes to the reality of his vulnerable personality. When she will realize, in the long run, that he is emotionally such a vulnerable person and he cannot be her protector but he needs her as his protecting shield. Will she not feel cheated when she will have to always deal with his emotional breakdown. 

No, he does not disrespect her change in feelings for him that came after knowing he is the owner of KE and that he had single handedly taken his company back in his hand. 

That is her and he respects her for that. She is a practical girl and there is nothing wrong with it. He respects her for her practical approach in life and that is why she is his inspiration. He is too emotional; love and hatred will be extreme for him. He sulks in his pain or he can destroy in anger. She will be perfect for him. But she had not approved of his weird personality. She had approved of a cunning businessman in him. He cannot cheat her by bringing her to the life she had not approved of. 

Just like his father got bored of his mother’s goodness, what if Geet gets bored of handling his emotional issues and his decisions based on his vulnerable mind. What if she regrets coming to his life and leaving him stranded just like his mother was left. 

No, No… Geet will never cheat on him. How can he even imagine so lowly about her. But, she was so straight forward. Once she realizes he is not for her, she will not wait. She will straightaway come and let him know. 

Everyone he has loved dearly has left him. He can’t take chances with Geet. This was a better arrangement. He will never lose her this way. If she is not bound to him, why would she leave him?

If she decides to marry one day, he will know she was never his. He will then only have beautiful memories of her.

And why is he even overthinking? Why is he assuming she wants to marry him? She never accepted his proposal. Even now, she doesn’t accept it. Then what is he overthinking ? His own inner wish.

Whatever he has planned for them is the best. He concluded, after rethinking their relationship over and over again, week over week.

Geet was busy looking over her Birthday arrangement. First time her Prof will come to her function where her family will be present. 

“Mumma, how does the arrangement look?”

“Geet, it’s your Birthday. You should let us do arrangements and surprise you”

“No, I want to do everything. I will surprise him. I want it to be perfect Mumma. Everything he does is so perfect”

“Itna pyar kerta hai agar, then should he not give you the Birthday surprise. He should be here seeing all the arrangements. Not that, you should be planning to surprise him on your own birthday”

Geet lovingly held her mom by her shoulder “Mumma, my Prof, he is altogether a different person and I love him for what he is. He is not at all a party person. It is only my birthday and my insistence that he is coming to this big gathering. You expect him to arrange the party?”

“Fine, if you want  to pamper his weirdness.” 

“Mumma, it’s my birthday and I am very happy he is coming. Be happy for me.”

“Okay. For you, I am fine” she kissed Geet’s forehead and got up to leave. But Geet held her wrist

“Mumma, accept him from the heart. There is no other option for you, he is the one, that;s sure.” Rano shook her head and left

Ranoo got scared by Geet’s madness. How her daughter did everything for Maan Khurana and that man was just not valuing her daughter. 

There will be a series of men in the party, who will be dying for the attention of her daughter. And here this Maan Singh Khurana was taking his daughter for granted. 

Why does he directly not deny her? That way Geet will be free of him. Fine, he must be owner of KE but they also have their reputation and Geet had earned her own name as well.

“What happened Rano”

“Nothing, I am scared for Geet” 

“You should not. Enjoy, your daughter has selected wonderful person as her partner”

“Is he her life partner?” 

“Of course. Do you think Geet will give up on this relationship, the way she is serious about him.”

“That’s my problem. She is putting all her energy in him” 

“Rano, chill now. Geet knows what she wants. Open your heart to Maan”

“Not before I know what he wants. He is playing with my daughter’s feeling”

“Hey Di..” “hey Rocky”

“Di, excited to meet your BF for the first time” Geet smiled and pulled his cheeks

“You will love him”

“eeeww, I don’t want to love your BF” Geet laughed out loud 

It was evening, The whole big garden of Handa Villa was glowing with glitters of lights.  Geet was ready in black A Line party gown, well fitted on her and loosely frilled at the bottom with sequins beaded beautifully all over. The gown held one of her shoulders with a thin transparent strap and the other side was off shoulder. There was a beautiful oval cut on both sides around her waist, perfectly highlighting her beauty in all ways. Her curls were dancing on her bare back as the gown started pretty low on her back. Her makeup perfectly done, only enhanced her original out of the world beautiful face. All the boys’ hearts were beating fast. Geet Handa was the dream package to be in arms to flaunt whole night and whole life. Everyone just dreamt her in their arms and so others can be jealous.

Rocky, who was smart in his own ways, was busy with his friends group. He was young, vibrant and smart. He had a big group of boys and Girls as his friends. Few girls had teenager flames for him and vice versa was for him, for few girls. He was a busy man at such parties, busy in his own fun world.

Party has started in full swing, Snacks and drinks started and the DJ started the music. People were just warming up and tapping their feet on the ground, preparing to rock the dance floor later.

“How happy our Geet is. I just want her to always be this happy. ” 

“I want that to Mohi… but the one for whom she is this happy has not made his great entry yet”

Mohinder pulled Rano closer “Since when have you changed into a cribbing Mom. Enjoy” 

“Cribbing? me? you really are missing what your wife is Mr. Handa” she gave him a meaningful look. He laughed and shook his head. 

Geet, after talking with a few people in the party, turned her face to the main entrance and what a timing, Maan set his foot inside.

Geet could not run super fast with those pencil heels but took a long stride towards him. Smile formed on his face as he looked at her approaching figure.

He opened his arms for her and she went there “Happy Birthday, Inspiration.” She looked up at his face “Thank you”

“Sorry for the delay. This was not intended. Some heated arguments at home. I am sorry” 

Geet placed her finger on his lips “Shhh… No sorry. You are here, I already got my birthday gift” 

He then smiled and pulled her to him behind one of the bushes. He pulled her towards him in  a jerk. She looked dreamingly at him 

“Ohh Prof, I missed this so much”

“If you look so ravishing, what am I supposed to do”

“I am waiting for your move, Mr. most handsome man of the evening and my life”

He closed the distance to press his lips on hers, his hand on her bare back, bending her backward as he moved forward. His one hand supported her waist as with the other he positioned her to take her lips and push his tongue inside his mouth. Ohh… Geet forgot all about her perfect makeup. She wrapped her hand around his neck and submitted herself to his demand. Maan poured his piled up passion. 

They were smiling at each other as they approached the party crowd. Everyone looked as Geet walked with a tall man, hand in hand. But as light hit his face, “Maan Singh Khurana!!!”

“He is the owner of KE, right?” They asked each other

“Yes, he is all over the news for his taking over the company”

“Company share already started spiking since his dramatic entry”

“Wow, what a handsome, yaar” came from girls

“Okay, so Mr. Maan Singh Khurana gets to be in hand in hand with Geet Handa” came from boys

“Ohh, so practical that she is” came from more out of jealousy. They fitted no where near to the man, who held her to him with authority they could not even dream of. 

“Yeah, she very well knows in whose arms to place her hand into”

Men and young ladies were awed and jealous for their own reason. Geet and Maan directly reached to her parents

“Good evening Mr. & Mrs Handa”

“Good Evening” Rano said as she looked at both standing together. She could not deny, they looked beautiful together. But that was her fear, what did Maan want in actuality. Fear that this may break.

“Good evening Maan. Thanks for coming. Someone had turned hundred times towards the entrance” Maana nd Mohinder looked at Geet

“It is all my pleasure to be here and wish the ravishing lady on her special day”

Rano pulled Geet aside “Darling, fix your lipstick. It’s all messed up”

Geet smiled and bit her lips “Okay Mom I will fix it” Geet looked at men “Excuse me. Wil be right back”

It did not take long for Rano to understand. She would have been so happy with the beautiful love story of her daughter had she known what’s going on inside Maan’s brain. Will he leave his daughter after all this?

The DJ raised the momentum of music and snacks and drinks all around, people were talking and dancing and enjoying themselves. Mr. & Mrs Handa, were busy meeting everyone. Rocky and his friends took the stage with their silly dance moves. But that setup the mood of the party. 

Geet was walking around with Maan, with Maan’s arm around her petite waist 

“Can this party end soon, so I elope with this tempting beauty.” Geet looked at him and laughed

“Prof, I am always all yours, what’s the hurry”

He pressed her waist with his palms “Do you have an inch idea inspiration, what you are doing to my poor heart at this moment. You took all this effort to test my patience, right?” Geet blushed. He didn’t have to do anything with her, just his words brought the perfect effect of sensation all through her.

They were lost in each other when Rocky made his sudden appearance

“Hi Di… this is you BF? Hi MSK” Geet hit him in head while Maan laughed

“Hi…How are you handsome?”

“I am great, MSK. Your presence was eagerly awaited” he looked at his sis. Geet twisted his ears

 MSK?” 

“You don’t know you are getting viral as MSK since you dramatically took over KE” he gave the update on current affairs of social media

“Really? ohh I am not that social media person. Nice to know how I am known” he laughed

Rocky was then pulled by his friends “Famous?” Maan commented

“Ohhh… he loves to enjoy his teenage years. Typical teenager” 

Party went on with full swing, as Maan let Geet meet others in the party as he stood and admired her. Girls and young ladies approached him. It is rare for him to be seen in such gatherings. Since he had made his public appearance, girls have been wishing to meet him in person. Today, they cannot miss the chance to impress him. 

Who knows, they can click with him. Ohh their life will change totally and on top, he was handsome beyond their thought. His sharp features, his physique and casual dressing, they wanted to be the lucky one, to be in his arms.

Maan talked casually with them even though they gave many hints. 

Later, Geet requested  her parents for a couple dance 

“I invite most romantic couples, my Mom and Dad, on stage.” Rano showed Geet big eyes, Geet laughed and Mohinder pulled Rano on stage.

“hoo oooo” crowd screamed and shouted

Maan watched the family and was lost seeing how beautiful family she had. How her father pampered her mother. How lucky Mrs Handa was to have such a loving husband.     

Maan was lost and didn’t know there was small teardrop at the corner of his eyes until Geet wiped it with her finger tip

“This is your family as well Prof.” he looked at her and smiled and nodded.

“They dance beautifully together,” he complimented. “They are lovely,” Geet said with all love.

“Can I have a dance with the man of my life” He thought for a while, he was not a stage person. He was not shy but he preferred to be in his private space. Moreover, now all would see him not as any person but a mega personality of Maan Singh Khurana.

“So you are denying the wish of a birthday girl” Geet poked him

“How can I ever deny you. Let’s go, but not an exclusive dance show for us” he didn’t want to grab too much attention. He had his own reason.

Geet thought he didn’t want to be too much acknowledged with her. But she shrugged , held his hand and led him to the floor.

More people joined the floor and they danced together, in between exchanging the partners and then getting back to each other.

Later, they were dancing, lost in each other’s arms. He relaxed with her smiling face in front of his eyes, everytime she was in his arms. Geet did not miss the change in him. He had been very stiff at the start, but her being with him patiently, the way he wanted, calmed him and he was naturally dancing now.

Along with others, Rano and Mohinder could also see how the two were dancing slowly, in rhythm, lost in each other’s eyes.

Mohinder was enjoying it. He knew Geet and Maan were each other’s. Only Maan was going through some emotional conflict, which he was confident his daughter would bring Maan out of. 

Rano was confused with the way Maan was looking and dancing at Geet. The way he did not deny Geet’s wish. She could see and feel, he was here only and only for Geet. The whole crowd meant nothing to him. Then what was the problem? What did Maan actually want? 

With the way he was with Geet, she could see, there was no way out for Geet from this relationship. She has to know where this was leading to. 

Geet cut the cake and a uniquely composed birthday song filled the whole garden. She fed her Mom, Dad, Rocky and they fed her back. Geet signaled Maan, they went a bit aside and fed each other. Both were badly tempted for a kiss but that was not possible now. They looked at each other, smiled and merged back with the crowd.

Later all left, only Geet’s family and Maan were left

“Well”  Maan hesitated

“Come inside Maan. You are not a guest for us.Let’s sit for a while and then leave.”

“Some other day for sure.” he looked at Geet and handed her a beautifully designed envelop

“Your birthday Gift. Hope you accept this gift.” Geet looked at him confused “What’s this?”

“You can see later. Your acceptance will be my return gift” He gave her a side hug, joined hands to her parents, gave fist bump to Rocky and left.

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Very long update, so expect more comments and long comments. Do let me know your view.

-Anu