Partner of Life – Chapter 25

Nina and Dev were not having any easy days. Since Geet has left and the divorce has happened, it has only been a downfall for Nina and her company. And Dev, who had freed himself from Geet to explore into relationships could hardly have any time for personal preference as his mother wanted him to work hard and hard to bring the finance and make new marketing strategy every other day. The expectations that Geet had set for the company were nowhere met and thus the sales dropped, distributors backed off and investors, few backed off and few gave warning. Biggest investor, Maan Khurana backing off was the major setback and now other investors are backing off as well

Nina cursed Geet to have ditched them and Dev had to listen to her lectures regularly for being a foolish man to have let Geet go.

Nina had just returned from the meeting which as usual these days gave no positive output. She sat at a table and looked for the newspaper. Why had she not read the newspaper today?

“Bring today’s newspaper to me”

“Ma’am Dev sir…”

“Dev Sir… ?? do we have only one newspaper… Don’t be lazy and get me today’s newspaper.”

After ten minutes the newspaper arrived.

Nina turned the pages directly to business section, but something took her attention and she turned the pages to see the previous pages

On page 3 was the page filled with Maan Singh Khurana and Geet and the ring. Now she understands why Dev has hidden the newspaper from her.

“Spoiling my life, she is celebrating hers. So that is why she left Dev. Of course, he is Maan Khurana.” She threw the things on the table – “No… Geet no… ruining me you cannot make your life beautiful”

But she felt helpless. Geet had a strong backup of Maan Khurana. Touching Geet was like putting her hand in the fire. Had it been any other person, she would have ruined Geet.

“Mom…” Dev rushed in

“Shame Dev..shame. She ensured you leave her and you fool you left her and she got what she had wished. I remember how she had submitted herself in his arms every time… That is why she never let you come close to you. Maan Khurana ki jo hona tha usse”

“Fine Mom… whatever it is. She never wanted to be mine then why should I be with her? I don’t care if she is with Maan Khurana. At least I am off guilt that she has her life set after our divorce ”

“Why did you have to be with her? Fool… you are asking this when you see what her levaing us has done. You know what, even if you had known she wanted to be with Maan Khurana, you should have never let her go… She was our magic key and also the blank cheque from Maan Khurana … you lost both”

“For your business, you expect me to lead a ruined life. Mom.. do you even love me?”

“Stop Dev… cut this crap when the company is drowning… I am not in the mood to shower motherly love… “

“When have you ever showered Mom? When did you even think of me or say us? Megha left… you did not care… the losses due to her leaving is what you saw. You are all alone but you do not see this. All you see is the company loss. Companies are run by humans and for humans, Moms. If you do not care for humans, the company will be ruined… I am holding onto you. Don’t push me on the verge that I have to leave you one day, Mom… I will never be able to forgive myself.”

Nina simply ignored his impractical lectures

“She got Maan Khurana… Whole Maan Khurana.. Ohh gosh.. The whole treasure. Dev, go and talk to Geet, somehow convince her to convince this Khurana for some investment… Biwi thi tumhari… do some emotional blackmail… we badly need his help”

“I am not going to ask for any type of help from her. She is now looking for a life with Maan Khurana, I do not want to cross paths and make things complicated for her and me.. I was not even – her past. We were just acquaintances… always”

“I will talk…”

“No, you will not, Mom.” 

“This company will drown… I cannot let it Dev”

“Mom, I am trying. If nothing works out, I will talk directly to Maan not through Geet”

“Look at the proposal ring… it’s around $50k… she used her beauty and body to the best worth..”

“Mom please… if you think that way about her, MK will never help you. Instead he will ruin us further. So stop thinking any bad in her context” 

“And you see Megha… This girl is happy on Geet getting everything. Her own family business is drowning but she is all around dancing in someone else’ happiness…”

“Mom.. you will not understand.. Geet is her family and Geet’s happiness is very important to her. You will not understand … Her family business is this as well but don’t you forget that she has her family with Aaskash. You should, as a mother, think of your daughter and her happiness. Stop forcing our problem on her happiness…”

“You want the same…?”

“Mom please…” 

“Dev.. let’s connect with Megha to reach MK. I see she has made good terms with him.. I think he will not let her down”

“Okay Mom… I will see if Megha is Ok with it.. Or else I will try to talk to Maan Khurana directly.. Let’s see if he helps”

Maan had wanted to spend time with Geet but his business in London was caught with some chaos and he had to leave. Geet immersed herself in work and of course spending time with Nyra and family.

Geet had just dropped Nyra to KM after spending a day with her. Geet changed, got a coffee, lost looking at the ring. She was smiling, lost in those moments when she felt weight beside her and a soft kiss on her cheeks. Geet immediately placed coffee aside and hugged him tight.  Maan traveled his fingers from her forehead, tracing them down, he let them linger on her cheeks, then rubbing his thumb on her face, near her lips,

“I was expecting my girls in the airport”

“Your girls were busy in PTM”

He pulled her closer “Don’t make excuses. My heart’s aching to feel special”

“So that is why you proposed to me…” Geet said smiling, ran to stand near the window to not show him her flushed face which read aloud the story of her heart.

But soon she felt his whole body glued to her back. Geet’s heart did a somersault. This new way of him, openly showing rights to her, telling her she was his, only his. Next she felt his fingers intertwined with hers, and Maan could hear her heavy breath and Geet was fully aware of his warmth against her body. Geet closed her eyes as his hands started traveling up her arms, his fingers playing with her skin all the while. Maan pushed himself closer to her and Geet closed her eyes tight as she could feel his hard manhood against her back. Her heart was beating so fast, she felt the warm blood was running with speed inside her. It was intentional from him, she knew. He wanted to show her how he feels towards her, kind of training her of what all she could expect from their relationship further to the friendly bond that they share. 

And Geet’s life as if left her body when he tightened his grip on her shoulder and pulled her even closer to him, in the jerk, making every inch of their body glue to each other and let them know what was running inside their blood. Maan slowly turned her to face him.

Geet kept looking down , her lips shivering. He slowly lifted her hand, placing it on his heart. Maan traced the back of his one hand on her face and slowly went down through her arm length, while his other secured her close to him, clearly showing his restlessness for her

“Now you are mine, completely mine” he jerked pulled her closer

“When was I not?”  He looked at her lips , pulled her even closer, lifted her to make her come to his level, molded her in his hand to perfectly position her for a passionate kiss.

Geet was making coffee for him when Maan entered the kitchen “Well I do not understand mother’s obsession with PTM. It is just a talk with teachers. You can anytime set up call with them”

Geet handed him the coffee “It does not work that way Mr. Khurana. Teachers do hard work for PTM, they place kids’ work on display, have everything set up, the agenda is there. Have Mom and Dad ever missed any of your PTMs”

“Hardly,” he laughed

“So you do not know how it feels when your parents can never attend your PTM..” Her voice got heavy. 

“I won’t let Nyra miss anything because she stays with us.”

Maan took the coffee from her “Just because you are around her, I am taking her stuff easily. I know you will handle and not let her miss on anything”

“That doesn’t mean you are taking things casually. She looks up to her dadda… You have to be her role model, I will be the support”

“We both can be her role models in our own way.. She looks up to you as well. But where is she? I thought I would meet my girls here. For keeping the surprise I didn’t even call you. At home they made sure to push me here. My family, you know”

“I dropped her there as I thought you will rush home the first thing and you should find her there”

Maan kept looking at Geet for some time as he sipped his coffee. “Geet, I am busy these days as I am in the process of completely shifting to India. Roamed around the world a lot, now more than my company needing others,  others need us more. I will  make sure to fully operate from here and minimize my business trips. I want to be there for Nyra and You, at each step”

Geet came closer and hugged Maan and then looked at his face, kept looking into his eyes

“How far we have come Maan. I came to you when my world got disrupted and see now you are my world. It starts and ends at you”

Maan separated her a bit and cupped her face between his palms, cupping it with al love

“I am so looking forward to start my journey with you as partner of my life”

The days passed by Maan being busy in making his proper establishment in the country. Not that Khurana Mansion did not have a grand head office in the country and many big offices all over the country but Maan had never properly set up here. He had been crazily working on his toes to keep the company on top and ensure that it was way ahead of its competitor. So now he is getting all setup done so that he can operate from the country flawlessly. Geet was working hard but also learning perfection and many things from him. She many times went awed by his business acumen.

Geet on the other hand was busy setting up their next exclusive outlet in Delhi. She did not travel much but kept coordinating with video conferences, hired agents and Maan doing a couple of visits to Delhi for her. He wanted Geet to enjoy life, career, family, love and friends. She has taken too much already on her shoulder, now he was there to take such headaches for her.  Along with this, the demand for their brands increased exponentially in the shops at high end Malls and posh area markets of metros.

It was evening time. All Khurana clan and Geet were seated in the beautiful lawn of Khurana Mansion. They were chatting and discussing the marriage preparation as the date has been finalized. 

Maan was giving meaningful looks to Geet who was trying to focus on Nyra’s homework. 

“Nyra, you need to finish these spellings, I will take test”

“Geet, not now. I want to play.. Come with me”

“Tomorrow is your test, right? Lets get done with it and then you can play”

“But then you will be gone” Nyra made a cute pout

“You will have your Dadda and I will be back again tomorrow”

“Dadda… no. he just does hmmm… hmmm… and only knows to be horsey for me. “

Maan took a seat near them

“Nyru… I have to go”

“Why Geet..” pouted Nyra

“Why Geet” repeated Maan. Geet looked at Maan in horror, suddenly he was becoming too naughty these days.

“You do not want to stay near me?” Nyra lowered her sad face

“You do not want to be near me?” Maan made a fake sad face copying Nyra

“You two…” she sighed and looked at Maan “Okay fine… go play”

“Yeee…” Nyra jumped, clapping her hands and ran to play. Geet looked at Maan and his naughty smile said it all

Maan sneakily placed his hands on hers “That’s not fair” Geet complained

“Everything is fair in love and war” Geet looked at him keenly. The confidence of being loved was working on Geet, bringing that hidden side of hers which even she didn’t know existed

“Hmmm… love? And when did that happen”

Maan pulled her closer and whispered “If you allow, I can make it formally happen”

“Maan!!!” Geet was red and turned her face

Later, as usual, the family pulled them to the group, lots of crazy teasing and crazy demands were placed in front of Maan.

Knowing his family, he had to agree to all of their demands. Also most were related to Geet, how could he deny that? All the while Nyra on his shoulder, playing with her Dad’s fluffy hair and Maan’s eyes every now and then on Geet

Maan was in Delhi to overlook the grand Brand showroom opening preparation of Geet-Angelina’s Synthesis. 

Nina, from her agent, got the information of Maan Khurana being in the town. The reason was not pleasant to her ears. He was working for Geet’s Brand showroom opening. What luck this girl has. Maan Khurana, who’s presence in any event itself is the show of success, is himself looking to set up her showroom. But then she soon realizes her situation. She  anyhow needed his hand to save her situation. His tiniest of help will be much bigger than running after ten investors. She has to go meet him, please him, whatever it would need. Hatred for Geet was not bigger than her own company.

Maan was busy in the showroom set up with his team when the guard came in 

“Sir, there is Mrs Nina Sharma on the gate. She wants to meet you” Maan thought for a while

“Hmm.. send her in”

In next couple of minutes Nina entered with big a smile on her face as if she is meeting her long lost friend

“Mr. Khurana.. You are so special for me”

“Thanks but sorry can’t revert the same”

“Ohh I miss our old collaboration”

“I am sure you do, but I don’t. Well Mrs. Sharma, I do not accept these sudden meetings without appointment. But I am in a good mood today so you get this chance”

“And I am so grateful for your mood.”

“Won’t you ask what makes my mood so up which led to you getting chance of meeting me”

“Of course.. Of course..” Nina flashed an over enthusiastic smile.

“Come let’s take a seat”

They settled and he ordered coffee and snacks. Nina was overwhelmed with the welcome. Things can be positive after all.

“Hmm… So the reason for my super good mood is one and only one… I proposed to the love of my life, one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ladies of my life, Geet Handa and she accepted my proposal. There is no reason that my mood can be off these days”

That was an indirect warning for Nina to not say a word against Geet.

“Hee hee… Mr. Khurana which fool would decline proposal from the Great Maan Singh Khurana”

“Not anyone. But this is about Geet. She is so special and I was so nervous while proposing to her, you know. But the moment she said yes, I, as if, got my life back. I am happy she feels I deserve her in my life. I was so not sure about it”

Nina was listening to Geet’s praises with a pinch of salt. But she maintained her smile. What was so special about Geet.

“She is very lucky to have found you”

“I am very lucky to have her in my life. Lucky that she let me be part of her life” Nina was so done with his Geet jaap and Maan very well knew it. He was enjoying it. What did Nina think that Maan Khurana would meet her without an appointment for her? Ohh he wanted to let her know what Geet meant to him, how special Geet was. 

Nina smiled “sure sure. I am happy for both of you” she said, keeping intact her big smile

“Really?? Well, thanks if you are. Okay now you can let me know your reason for this visit” Nina sighed – at last!! But she knew she has to change the direction of her talks. 

“Mr. Khurana, we had cherished the collaboration with you. Can it not be established now”

“Mrs Sharma.. Now that we have our own designing firm, it does not make sense for me to invest and support the competitor”

Nina thought for a while, she had to accept openly that she needed his help. This man was too cunning to budge otherwise

“Need you help Mr. Khurana. Geet has left and the investors has left”

“See, I told you, she is a treasure” Maan teased, very well knowing this was irking her. He was loving playing with the ego of this lady who has hurt Geet so badly

“Yes sure, she is. Am I in any position to deny..”

“Hmm.. so”

“I need your help for my company Mr. Khurana”

“In business there is no help, just dealings. If you agree to my business condition, I can think”

Nina looked at the man in front of her. He was overloaded with wealth and he used that factor fully to his benefit

“What’s your condition”

“The condition is, your company will come under the wing of Synthesis. You will be sub brand of Synthesis and your standards have to be approved by Synthesis”

“What?”

“Yes.. that is the only small condition that I have. Take a month, think about it and get back to me…. With an appointment” he added and emphasized the last part

“Mr. Khurana….”

“I am sorry, Mrs Sharma. I have a busy schedule. I squeezed in this meeting somehow for you. If you can excuse me now” and he got up and Nina had to leave.