Indebted – Part 59

Geet started closely examining each aspect of the firm: how the finances had been handled, how the project had been tracked, the approach to new projects, the progress reports of exiting projects, marketing strategy, etc.

The firm had been going in a downward trend since then; Maan had left, and Dad had a paralytic attack. The ditch from the business partner. Brij had left his job and stepped in but couldn’t help the downfall. Entrepreneurship was never Brij’s forte. It was Maan’s thing and then hers. Maan said she had it in her, but she thinks being with Maan and his teaching her about things from childhood had instilled it in her.

She was filled with anger towards herself. She had become so absorbed in her own world—first in her childishness when Maan was present, and later in her sorrow after he departed. Their financial situation worsened; they transitioned from a grand house to an ordinary four-bedroom apartment, yet she remained ensnared in her own thoughts. Why hadn’t she ever made an effort to help?

“Are you crazy, Geet? Why are you blaming yourself? Pagal ladki. You were so young, and then you were working hard to become capable. You were finishing your studies. You had to do that.”

“Maan has trusted me to bring the firm up. Will I be able to do it, Veerji? Will we be able to make Dad trust his kids with his firm?”

“If entrepreneurship is concerned, Dad has blind trust in only one person, and we cannot compete with that very person. However, that very person, whom Dad trusts blindly, has also entrusted you with all of this. If Maan has entrusted all of this in your hands, I have complete trust in you. Take the lead, and I will follow your lead..”

“Veerji, you will follow my lead?” Geet laughed.

“Why not. If my little sister is so talented then why not? And this is not my forte. Our focus is to bring this firm to its glory. Tell me how do you think we start with this”

“If you all are willing to trust me, I’ll give more than my hundred percent. I’m prepared to take the lead. I’ll conduct my analysis and arrange a discussion for the three of us. By the way, where’s Richa?”

“She is busy preparing the Marketing report you asked for.”

“Veerji, can you work with accounts? I would like to get a more detailed finance report. I will work with the project teams. Let’s collaborate on this after a week. I will set up some time.”

“Okay”

Geet then further immersed herself into the files and lined up meetings with project team leads.

On the other side, Maan had been catching up with all the board reports for a week. Sameera had minimal work as the boss was busy enough not to assign any tasks to her. She, in the meantime, interacted with the other office staff in the wing. This wing had most of the people who were friends with Geet, as Geet worked under Maan and so she had her cubicle in this wing.

Sameera was soft-spoken and sophisticated. Thus, she had good interactions with all, but to form that kind of bond that already existed among them would take time. She felt they were closely knit and each other secrets type relationship.

Sameera was at her desk when her desk phone rang

“Hello”

“Hello., Maan Khurana, this side. Can you come to my office now?”

“Sure, Maan. I will be right there.”

Maan kept the phone and for a moment, he got lost in the day Geet had joined. He couldn’t help but wonder how he had asked her to call him ‘Sir’. Oh, he was in a revenge mode, determined not to give her a single chance to get personal.

But she was personal, very personal – every day and every moment. A smile formed on his face, remembering his Jaan.

There was a knock on the door, and he was brought back into the reality of a pile of work.

“Come in.”

Sameera entered with a warm smile. “Good morning, Maan. Finally, you have time for me,” she said, taking her seat. Maan knitted his brows.

“Miss Sameera, why do I see no meetings on my calendar? I was expecting to meet J.R. Constructions and Libya Finance. There are other important meetings I was expecting, but I see none.” Maan came straight to point

“I prefer being called Sam, but we can settle on Sameera.” She tried to make it a little informal, but didn’t push much.

“Okay. Why are no meetings scheduled for me?” Maan rubbed off the discussion on names and brought focus to his question.

“That’s the reason I wanted to meet you. I want to know your working style so that I can efficiently schedule and arrange your meetings and office work.”

“Sameera, I didn’t hire a PS to spend my time letting him or her know or study me. I hired you so that my work goes smoothly. I would have been impressed if all my meetings had been scheduled and other office tasks had been taken care of. I am sorry if I sound rude, but I will not be in a position to confirm your role if I do not see results. Aditya has selected you, and I cannot doubt his choice. So I believe you can work efficiently.”

“Of course, you will get no complaints going forward.”

“I can give you a hint. The only way to get brownie points from me is your performance.”

“Sure, Maan. I am sorry, I was trying to work my way. Do not doubt my sincerity towards my work.”

“Alright. You’re new, and it will take some time to adjust to the environment. Just keep in mind that wherever you go and whatever your working style is, nothing should prevent you from staying committed to your tasks. You are the personal secretary to not just anyone; you have the opportunity to work directly with the President and CEO of Khurana Enterprise. So make sure you’re ready to give your best without slacking off anywhere.“

“I will keep a note,” Maan, on the other side, was also busy checking something

”Should I leave?”

“One sec,” He said, still looking into his system

“Did you sign the NDA? I do not see your signed papers for my review.” Maan asked, completely in a professional tone

“NDA?”

“Yes, non-disclosure agreement?”

“Ohhh that. I am just a personal secretary. I thought it was not that urgent for my job, so I could do it at leisure.”

“Leisure? Your paperwork was the only task you had. You are working directly with me, in my office; you cannot start your work officially before signing the NDA.”

Sameera gave a formal smile, “I will do it right away.”

“Understood. Following the Non-Disclosure Agreement, the initial task is to arrange my meetings. Please prioritize the two I referenced for today and additional ones throughout the week. Furthermore, I would like to schedule a meeting with all the Heads of Departments for tomorrow.”

And he gave further instructions.

“That’s it. You may leave. I will be at my desk in an hour and check my calendar.”

She got up to leave. “Should I bring a cup of coffee for you?”

“Umm, not now. I will be leaving my cabin for a while.”

Sameera departed and took her place at the desk. The very first meeting with her boss was not smooth. Her elegance, sophistication, and deliberate movements appeared to have no impact on him. It was as if he were entirely oblivious to her style and poise, concentrating solely on work.

“Hmmm, get back to work, Sam. Only work will give the brownie points – nice hint, Maan”

Seeing nothing scheduled on the calendar had blown up Maan’s mind, and he had poured it out on his new secretary. Now he wanted to cool off, and the only way he could think of was to hear the voice of his Jaan: her anger, her complaints, or her love.

Geet was immersed in her work. She had left her phone in the cabin while she was having meetings with all the different project leads.

Maan called thrice but Geet didn’t pick up the phone. It was completely unexpected. He can be the one who lets go of his phone to call back later when he is in meetings or many times on his tour. For Geet, however busy she is, she cannot let go of his phone.

“What’s this childish behavior, Geet? Is it for me that I have asked you to focus on work there? Why do you think our staying far only affects you? Just because I keep a strong face.”

Maan desperately wanted to speak with Geet, and her refusal to answer the phone irritated him. Upset that Geet was directing her anger towards him, he decided to take a drive to Annie’s Creation head office, where he met Annie and Pari.

He looked into how Annie was managing her work. Her dedication certainly left a strong impression on him. Annie had a significant meeting scheduled and considered canceling it to show her work to Bhai. However, Maan insisted that she proceed with her work. He then joined Pari for a conversation.

“What is the matter? You seem off.”

“I’m fine”

“I’m your childhood friend, Maan, and all your heart’s secret bearer.”

“Nothing,” Maan shook his head

“It’s Geet?” she asked

Maan shook his head. “Don’t know when she will grow up? She thinks it’s all easy for me. Pari, it’s all easy for her. She doesn’t have to be the bearer of hard decisions. She knows I will take those, and then all she has to do is show tantrums.”

“Maan, hold on. As a third person, as much as I have seen Geet, she is not that immature. Yes, she is sensitive about your matters, but she is mature.”

“Hmmm. very mature. Anyway, I came here to check on how Annie is doing. Is she taking it sincerely? “

“Very much and very targeted. I am surprised, but with the same blood, I can see the effect.”

“Good. I want her to focus on her career and mature. I don’t want her to even give a single second of thought to that undeserving man.”

“All are growing up, Maan. Geet and Annie. Just because you had to mature quickly doesn’t mean others won’t also grow. Sometimes it’s about your perspective. Because you are overly protective, you might not notice that. Annie is doing well, and for Geet, she is very sincere and committed to the tasks you give her. Trust her and allow her some time.”

“Hmmm… okay, let’s get on your love story. Mine is way too old now. When are you two getting engaged? Grand wali party chahiye humen”

“Your old is gold. Still shining like new. “

“Don’t skip the matter. How soon is the engagement coming up?”

“Soon, you will be the first one to know. But we want Geet here.”

“Sure, she will be there.”

And he left and later got busy in the meeting that Sameera finally scheduled. She actually scheduled his whole week’s calendar and some future calendar very efficiently. Updated the documents that he had asked. Maan was impressed by her organized work.

It was evening, and Geet thought to close the day’s work in the office. She planned to look over further files and reports from home.

She picked up her phone and saw three missed calls from Maan.

“Maan called me? In the middle of his office time” Geet was elated.

“But I missed it,” she pouted, disappointed in herself.

She was about to dial Maan’s number but soon dropped the idea realizing it must be his peak office hour.

Brij, Richa, and Geet then had an informal talk about business. After dinner and spending some time together, they retired to their rooms.

Geet looked at the files she had brought to look at home. She has to put three to four times her normal effort to achieve what Dad is looking for and what Maan is expecting from her.

But she thought to give Maan a call first. 

Maan had just come from the gym. The day had not been as favorable. First, his PS did not set up any meetings, then Geet did not pick up his call, and then the meetings went a little rough. Though by the end of it, he got things into his favor, but with some conditions.

His cell rang with ‘Jaan’ flashing on the screen.

“Hmmm… bohut jaldi gussa thanda ho gaya tumhara,” he poured his whole day’s frustration on her before she could even say hello

“Jaan, you’re upset? You asked me to work hard and sincerely. I am trying to do that. I missed your calls, I am sorry.”

“Yeah, and decided to not call me till now. From when did you get so much patience? Geet, I have too much to take care of and you need to grow up. Too much is going on, so do not expect me to take your childish tantrums. I can’t talk now as per your convenience” and he disconnected

“Maan ka gussa bhi na. Everyone thinks I am stubborn because achcha beta hai woh sabka. Chaddo.” But soon, Geet got worried about Maan

“Maan seemed stressed,” and that thought started troubling her.

 She decided to drop a sweet text to him before getting back into work

“Jaan, sorry I missed your call. I should have dropped the message. Ek smile bhej do please.”

After pressing send, she peacefully dug herself into the files. But every now and then her eyes glanced at her phone.

Maan, on the other hand, got busy carving the plan for this challenging project, pouring his focus into every detail. He meticulously mapped out timelines, assigned tasks, and envisioned the final outcome. As he immersed himself in the work, he lost track of time and found that he did not get a chance to see Geet’s message for long hours.

Geet tried hard to focus; she also did some good studying and made some reports, but she could not give as much as she had planned. Maan did not respond yet, and that was making her uneasy. Maan was upset with her; how can she be at peace with that?

She finally changed and went to bed. A beep with a message. She immediately took a peek at the phone screen

Smiley, hugs, and kisses emoji on her screen, and next, the text

“Had a rough day, sorry for pouring it all on you. All good now. Sweet Dreams, we will talk later.” Geet slept with a smile, finally finding some relief.

A touch of sadness lay in Geet’s heart as she realized that Maan mistook her busy schedule for indifference, interpreting her inability to answer his call as her show of anger. Maan believed she was less sincere in her commitments.

Geet once again decided to strive harder – for her dad, her family, and to ensure Maan’s faith in her sincerity.

But then, she looked at his love-filled emojis. Kissed them and closed her eyes.