POL – Chapter 17

Geet was literally lost playing with Nyra. She had a poor childhood and had played mostly with make over toys or the cheap toys bought from the local shop. Having grown up with only grandfather, who had a small cottage outside the city, where he ran his art shop. She had to grow up before age to be understanding enough to not ask for more. She had always wished to enjoy her childhood but the more she wished the more life threw on her.  Her grandfather left the world, leaving his meager savings to Nina, wife of her Dad’s friend, for care of Geet. Geet was Megha’s best friend and Nina was in dire need of money to save the dripping business of her husband. Thus Geet came under the roof of Nina and started her new life in the house of her best friend Megha. Geet got shelter but she lost her childhood. Nina soon found Geet’s talent of designing clothes and from then started involving Geet and training her. Preparing Geet for her business. Geet had passion for designing so she became ardent follower of Nina, not knowing when she was completely trapped to dedicate her passion and life only to NIna

She started playing with Nyra to make Nyra have fun. But slowly got completely involved, reliving her own childhood with Nyra. Nyra was having a really fun time. None of the elders played with her this way, showing interest in each thing.

Maan had done Nyra’s room in an exclusive way. They first played in the shopping tent. Nyra sold and Geet paid from the toy credit card machine. They were busy dressing the doll and setting up her doll house when Annie came to call Geet. She smiled with the way Geet was involved with Nyra and Nyra was completely into Geet.

“Hey everyone, you must see how Geet  and Nyra are playing. They are so much into each other.”

Before anyone would say a word Maan stated “No one is disturbing them. I am going to go check on my girls” He said in flow and left. Everyone laughed and Sandhya repeated

“My girls” they all laughed “And he is not ready to bring her in his life” taunted Raj.

“Rest assured you two, these two are bound to come together. Now that Geet is here and they are partnering in business, the day is not far away when they will know they are partners for life as well.

“I heard Geet is Veerji’s best dance partner”  remarked Meera

“Now they are going to rock as business partner” added Vicky

“Imagine how beautiful it will be when they become partner for life”

Maan stood at the door lost in his girls busy making Barbie do shopping. 

“True?? You’ll make dresses for them”

“Yess darling, I will design myself” Geet promised 

“Of course, if you keep making such sweet promises to her, she is going to start missing you more than her Dadda” Maan intervened their dream world, taking their attention towards him

Nyra ran to Maan “Dadddaaaa” and she hung herself on Maan. Maan kissed her both cheeks and her forehead

“Dadda you know…” and she started with her stories of what she and Geet played. Maan was listening to her and in between looking at Geet, whose childish heart was exposed in front of him and shy Geet was looking down.

“Okay, now let’s come for lunch” 

“Nooo. Nyru-Geet play” Maan settled her in lap “So you don’t want Geet to visit you next time”

Nyra frowned “If you just keep her playing and not offer her lunch what is she going to think of us?”

Nyra turned to Geet, her soft silky hair flowing on her face 

“Don’t worry. I will come from anywhere to meet my darling. But your Dadda will stay hungry till Nyra doesn’t eat.”

Maan was having a quiet lunch as his family were busy talking with Geet.

“Geet, why are you staying so far dear” said Sandhya

“Yes Geet, it is so fun with you. And why to stay so far when you have a family here” Vicky added and Maan gave him a stern look, hiding from Geet. Vicky ignored him.

“This area is little out of pocket for me” Geet said at last

Raj laughed “Dear, now this family is not happy with you staying in a one bedroom apartment and that too Thane. So be prepared, they are only going to rest after making you move from there”

Geet was dumbfounded with the rights of love that they were showering on her.

“Yes, you guys force her so much that she will not dare to come here next time” Maan said at last

“No please. I don’t mind at all. Actually I don’t know how to express it. I am not habituated of this much love from people. So much concern for me.It’s only Megha…” she had slight tears in her eyes

After lunch, love showering and concern for Geet went on, making Geet emotional and Maan a little scared of too much love showering from them but still happy that now he can roam around peacefully knowing Geet will be taken care of. 

Nyra got bored with elder’s talking too much. She held Geet’s hand “Geet come”

Annie called Nyra and whispered in her ears “yeeehhh”

She ran to Maan  “Dadda, you taking us to wate pak tomorrow.” she hugged her whole small body to his leg. He bent and picked her up “Hmmmm” he pressed the tip of her nose from his index finger.

But her next sudden question came to Geet “Geet you coming?”

Geet hesitated and looked around by being placed in a spot. This was their family time, specially Maan with his daughter 

“Darling, I have some important work tomorrow.” Nyra made a face. Maan placed her down and she ran to Geet

“No, you coming” she declared

Geet sat on her knees to level Nyra and cupped her face “Dear, you will have fun enjoying with your family and specially your Dadda” Geet felt bad for Nyra but she cannot intervene in their family time. Nyra crossed her hands on her chest and turned to show her anger.

Maan pulled Nyra to himself and straightened her hand “This behavior of stubbornness is not acceptable, kid. Geet will come only if you promise to behave” She immediately hugged Maan

“Sorry” he again brought her to face him. Geet felt bad that little Nyra had to say sorry and be repermided because of her. 

“Who should you say sorry to?” She turned and pointed to Geet

“Go say sorry to her and she will come to water park with us”

Nyra ran to Geet but Geet hugged her not letting her say sorry “No need to say sorry to me. We are friends, right? Tell your Dadda, it’s a thing between friends” Nyra gave her sweet smile to Geet, sweet dimples forming on her cheeks

“You will come?” Nyra asked to confirm. Geet looked at Maan and then at Nyra. How could she deny Maan’s word to Nyra

“Of course I will come. You Dadda said I will come, why do you have to ask me then?” Whole family was surprised to see the understanding level between the two. How Maan took the decision for Geet and how Geet could not deny his words.

Geet said bye to all and Maan left with Geet to drop her.

After they left, Meera sighed “It was so nice with Geet around. It felt like our family was complete.”

“Yeah, why did she leave so soon? Bhai could have asked her to stay more, she would have not denied”

Vicky pulled her ears “Idiot, they needed some time alone.Here she was surrounded by us or captured by Nyru.Bhai did not get a minute with her” 

“Oooo” said Annie and they all laughed at her.

Maan was driving and Geet was sitting, rubbing her hands and looking outside the window. Her heart was restless. Whole day with family and Nyra had been so fulfilling. It all was like a dream. They had made her feel so important. Everyone was so genuinely concerned for her, not liking that she is staying alone. Just like a family is worried for their child. 

But now her heart was beating fast as she got a lone time with Maan. His broad strong physique and his protective and authoritative acts towards her, made her heart yearn to run and hide herself in his safe arms. It was so tempting to want to feel loved by him. Let all her guards fall in front of him, let him see her bare heart and take control of it. 

Being around him, she wanted to let go of her fight of independence. She wanted to enjoy her career of designing as a passion and not do it as a need. But then, she should not take his friendship for granted. Keep her heart in control. She can in no case take the chance to lose his friendship.

“Are you sure to invite me to your family time in water park” he frowned at her sudden question

“We are all literally going for Nyra. Family gets 2-3 days with her and they want to do as much for their princess. You are a family Geet, don’t ever think you are intervening. Did my family make you feel that way”

“No, they are like dreams. It’s all like a dream for me.” She paused and looked intently at him

“You are like a dream” she blurted her overflowing emotion and then smiled with hesitation, what would he think? But he simply smiled 

“You are a wonderful person Geet. Don’t ever be obliged for this friendship. We both equally cherish and treasure it. I am so thankful that you decided to positively move on and not sulk in the situation. And you openly accepted my companionship”

She smiled “I treasure it”

Maan dropped her home, Geet called him in and he obliged. Geet went to make coffee for them and he took a tour of the house.

When she came with coffee, he took it from the tray while roaming around. Geet kept the tray and took the cup in hand. He turned to her

“Don’t unwrap whatever you have not yet”

“Means?” “Means you are not staying here and will be moving out from here soon”

“Maan, I am fine” “I am not” he said as matter of fact 

“sit” he singlaned her to take the seat as he took his.

“Now listen with an open mind. First, I think we have reached that level in our friendship where we do not need formality and be obliged and thankful for anything we do for each other. Am I right or wrong?”

“But it’s only you who does it for me. I am not in capacity to do anything for you”

“It’s friendship Geet and not a bargain. What we do for each other doesn’t have to be measured by material. Promise me, you will stop being obliged. We take and give to each other with right in this relationship”

“Hmmm” she nodded in yes “But the difference is so vast” “Gee-eet”

“Ok sorry. But you have to promise, you will not scold Nyra for how she behaves with me. It’s between her and me. You make me feel formal when you scold her for me”

He laughed “Okay. between you two, I won’t interfere.” ” he paused then took deep breath

“Geet, my house in Worli is empty. I want it to be lived by people, family. Now my family is not moving there and you need a nice place to live and set your office and personal workshop. You need a nice place where you can get creative and design. You can’t do it here. You need a place, and my house needs someone to make it home. And I am a partner in this business, you can think of it as part of my investing in business. You are looking for a nice office and workshop. What better than having one where you are living and then a separate one in the town where employees will work on design you think in your personal workshop. You will have big clients, you will need a place where you can even invite them.” he gave her tons of reasons why she should move to his Worli Bungalow.

Geet knew he had decided it. But taking such a big bungalow for free, she was hesitant and saying ‘No’ to Maan was not in her

“It’s part of investment. I will profit from your work. It’s not free, if that’s what is making you hesitant. You are key to this business, your increased efficiency and the nice workplace is needed” Geet agreed thinking she cannot deny him but she will have to work hard to pay him by giving him better profit.

They finished their coffee and Maan got up to leave. Geet held his wrist, he turned and she hugged him. He hugged her back “That’s like my girl. I will be very upset if you bring any formality between us” and Geet, overflowing with different levels of emotion, stayed like that, feeling his closeness.

They separated after a while, he placed a kiss over her head and left.

Maan was lost all the way back home. He was satisfied that he had been able to convince Geet to move to his Bungalow in Worli. He had houses all over the world and Geet staying in a one bedroom rented suit in Thane was completely unacceptable to him. Not only houses, he had big chains of unique and exclusive resorts in the country and abroad. And she thought he would let her live in that apartment.

After driving some distance, Maan parked the car on the side, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was getting so hard to control himself around Geet. Letting her stay away and on her own was getting hard for him. If it was in his control, he would make her stay with his family, make her part of his family in real sense, open his eyes to find her in the house, close his eyes at night knowing she was there, close to him. He let out a deep breath, why was he thinking of something that is not possible. He himself was the biggest hurdle in this beautiful dream of his. His wishes and dreams cannot be above her. He has Nyra and the custody of her needed attention, especially with the way Ashish was behaving. He cannot drag Geet in this dirty game. Also anyone who comes to his life will get a secondary position. Nyra will always precede his priority. And he did not wish that for Geet. She should be with a man who makes her the priority.

Maan, Geet, Vicky and Annie entered the water park with Nyra who was running ahead of all in her excitement. Maan always brought her somewhere like this but everytime her excitement was equally high. Her mother was pregnant now and would be busy attending  parties with Ashish uncle. They would send her with an attendant when she would crib for an outing. So her excitement with her Dadda was different.

Maan didn’t even need to show a ticket, he just had to make a call; they were all set for VIP entry. The water park belonged to his friend with whom he was partnering in a Hotel chain in the South. Every ride would have been booked for their VIP entry with no lines and crowd cleared but Maan wanted Nyra to give the feel and upbringing that any normal child would have. What’s the fun of coming to a water park with no one around and getting entry without staying in the line? That would also spoil her with the feeling of superiority and he didn’t want it. 

Nyra had full fun the whole day, along with rides she had unlimited access to jump in the artificial water puddle and do what not. Getting  as much wet as she wanted. In most rides she would be sitting on turns with her Bui, Geet, Chachu and Dadda. And when tired on Maan’s or Vicky’s shoulder. Pull Geet when she had to buy candies, knowing very well Dadda will lecture on that. 

On a water slide, Annie and Vicky took Nyra with them , leaving Maan and Geet together. When they were back, they had found the duo missing and then they found them on the boat ride in a long made up pond. Both were sitting on the boat facing each other, the boat moving slowly as Maan moved the oars. Annie and Vicky just stood admiring them as the two were lost in each other.

“Dadda-Geet” Nyra pointed in excitement and jumped. They were surprised with Nyra’s excitement of seeing them together.

Maan was rowing the boat slowly as the boat went to the less crowded part. His eyes fixed on Geet, Geet looking at him with a smile. The feeling was so special. Both just let the silence overtake the beautiful moment.

Maan went to drop Geet home. Vicky-Annie took Nyra back home.

As Geet and Maan entered together, Megha who was already there, was elated to see the two together. 

She hugged Geet and forwarded her hand to Maan “Hi”

“Hi. Nice you are here. I will take my leave now” “Sure”

He left and Megha turned to Geet “How was the day. Silly me, obviously great” Geet hit megha on her shoulder.

“Did he say something?’ Megha asked straight

“What will he say? What are you even expecting” Megha hit her shoulder to shoulder

“I am expecting him to say something that your heart is wishing from deep within”

“In your dreamland” Geet shook her head.

“By the way, I will be leaving this apartment. Maan does not approve of it. He has a new bungalow in Worli and wants me to move there. “

“Wow, he does not approve of this one and ma’am cannot deny him.. Hayeee”

“Shut up. It’s such a huge and elegant Megha and I am so hesitant. But Maan started stating a hundred reasons to move there to benefit our business. How could I say no to him” 

Megha was extremely excited for Geet. Of course when Geet had to work on a big business venture, it would be so tough from this apartment. 

“I will come to see you Worli Bungalow” She teased Geet

On the other side Vicky and Annie after sending Nyra to her room, stated their observations on Maan and Geet.

“I am telling you Dad. just a little cupid playing from us and these two will get together”

Raj patted his shoulder “Vicky, my son. With what I have seen yesterday and with what you are stating, No cupid is needed between these two. Just give them some more time, I can confidently say, either of them will lose hold of their heart and confess”

“Yes, Raj is right. Only thing we have to do is keep bringing them together like this” added Savitri Devi

“I so wish Bhai proposes” added Annie

“I can tell, your wish will be fulfilled Annie” said Raj. And then Maan entered and they settled talking about something else.

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