Narendra spotted Geet who was facing her back to him, unknown to her reappeared dismay of past. Narendra was sure she was same girl whom he had paid for once. She was the thing’ for him which, he hadn’t forgotten yet. Maan didn’t want Narendra to step inside and so, he stopped him on door and came out himself, closing door behind. Narendra did not notice the unusual act of Maan.
“Yes uncle’’ Maan asked
“Maan everyone is waiting for you in meeting.’’ Narendra spoke, letting his eyes wandering toward closed cabin. Maan nodded and they started walking to meeting room. “By the way Maan, who is that girl?’’ he inquired. Maan instantly glared him. He didn’t want anyone like him, ask for Geet. “My employee’’ Maan answered, excusing himself from any other random question from his uncle, whom he was very well aware of, what kind of man he was. They reached inside room and resumed meeting. Whole time Narendra had been thinking about Geet. “What is she doing here, with Maan. Khair achha hai, now at least I would not have to see her in dream’’ he smirked.
Meeting got over. Maan came back from place to see Geet. He was to enter inside when Mr. Chopra, his client called from back. They wanted to discuss on some project topic. “I think Maan we should sit in your cabin. Shouldn’t we? ‘’ Narendra suggested.
“I don’t think so uncle. We can talk in meeting room as everything is settled there only’’ Maan spoke politely. “No, it’s okay Mr. Khurana, we can discuss it later. We are in hurry now. I should take my leave now’’ He said and left. Maan went back in cabin leaving baffled Narendra behind, stood in corridor with amuse on Maans’ behaviour. He could see protectiveness and possessiveness on Maan face clearly. “I’m sure something is happening here. I have to know what is running in Maan life. Why that girl is here and why Maan didn’t want anyone to see her’’ He decided to get every possible information about her and so, he called his detective and talked.
##
Geet was on mission impossible. She had to study, study and study hardest, for assignment. She could not waste a second now from days, she had in her hand. She started to skip her food but always kept attention on Maans’ needs. She had resolution to get highest marks in assignment so it would be easy to crack main scholarship exam. It was night when Geet started yawning. Her neck was aching. Sleep had started singing lullaby in her mind. Her eyes dropped and forehead fell on table. “Thud’’
She jolted. Fumed, cursed herself for sleeping on study table like this and caressed her forehead. “Geet I will kill you. How can you sleep like this ha! ‘’ “But what to do. It’s impossible not to sleep, at this hour of night’’ “Hmm! Ye toh hai’’ She was self-talking, cribbing what to do. “Idea!’’ she jumped crisply. She took her books and went out, in garden. It was slight wind there and atmosphere was cold. Winter season was curling and showering its natural elements for showing its existence, surrounds. Geet shivered little, caressed her arms to keep it warm and took a suitable place for study. She switched on light above her and started studying.
Maan eyes fluttered, feeling sudden light coming on window glass. He frowned thinking what light is coming suddenly, from nowhere. He stood up keeping laptop aside, opened window and searched. Found her in garden, lost in books. He shook head on her stupidity. he noticed she was not wearing her shawl. Hurriedly he took a shawl and run to her.
“Geet!’ he almost shouted making her jump in shock. She turned back. “Maan aap yaha?’’
“Now same question for you Geet what the hell you are doing here?’’ he asked putting shawl around her. She stopped him. “Maan I don’t need it. Can’t you see I’m studying’’
“Ya I can see. But will you do trouble to tell me why you didn’t take any warm cloth or shawl with you? And what the need of being here in this cold, at this hour of night?’’ He was irritated
“Wo Maan, I was feeling sleepy so thought coming here. In this cold I don’t feel sleepy anymore you know’’ innocently she said
“Really!! And what if you catch cold’’
“Nahi na, actually I’m used to all of this. In orphanage we never had sufficient winter cloths and mostly I used to sleep on bare floor so I have habit of it. You don’t worry’’
Maan admired her simple innocent and tough life. He sat next her and asked what is she learning, if she had any problem. She denied first but with Maan repeatedly asks, she agreed and showed her book. She saw he also took off his shawl aside. “Maan, what are you doing. You will get cold. Wear this’’
“No Geet I’m fine. Don’t worry. I also workout daily you know!’’ he said with proud, showing his arm muscles. . She nodded chuckling softly. “Maan ye question nahi ho raha.. ‘’ they occupied in study.
It passed almost an hour when wind started blowing fast. Maan started shivering but how could have showed to her. He tolerated for big time but finally, his hand started massaging his own muscles, which he proudly had exhibited some time before. Geet saw his discomfort. “Maan I had said you should not be here. Now see! Please take shawl na’’ She feels bad. But he refused frustratingly. how could he when his Geet was not in comfort he knew.
“Maan!!!’’ she was angry now. She stood up, took shawl and tried to cover him but he was too stubborn. Snatched shawl from her hand and with a sudden pull, she fell on him, landed in his lap. In fear she clutched his collar tight closing her eyes tight, pressing more inside. He protectively held her from waist, now to get her hurt. “Are you ok?’’ concerned breath of him fell on her face. She bend more down her head, feeling nervous. “Geet’’ Maan held her chin making her to face him. He wanted to know if she all right!
“Tum thik ho’’
Geet nodded with closed eyes. He smiled looking her red flushed face. He admired her, observed her lines of face, soberly. His forefinger shifted to her chubby cheeks, from chin and started massaging over there, making invisible drawings, shapes patterns, without barriers of any flaws. Moment was quite, letting him do his work with concentration. Her every cell was responding strongly and strangely with his every creation. They were unconscious, senseless, lost in their warmth when a childish, naughty chilled wind disturbed Maan’s progression and he came back in his shivering exercise, back. Geet stood up instantly worrying for him. He was quivering badly. “ Maan chliye ander’’ Geet ordered him angrily and pulled inside.
“Maan you go in room I get haldi-milk for you’’ She said and left for kitchen. When she reached his room saw him shaking cuddled fully inside blanket. She get thermometer and medicine and sat beside. “ Maan apna sar bahar nikaaliye, mujhe thermometer daalna hai’’ She shook him over blanket.
“No Geet I can’t ‘’ a faded vibrating sound came out.
“Maan achha okay, take this pill at least’’
Maan shook head inside. “Maan aap toh daily exercise karte ho na, fir ye kya ‘’ She chuckled.
“Geet!!’’ Maan brought his head out to shout her when she put thermometer in his mouth. Maan glared.
“ Now take this medicine and milk and sleep, and ha don’t glare me’’ she made him take pills and milk, tucked blanket over nicely and left. Reaching on door she peers back.
“Maan ‘’
“umm’’
“ You should workout more from tomorrow . aap tph mujhse bhi jyada nazuk ho ’’
“Geettt!!!!!’’ Maan glared her shouting. She run away laughing.
