Ripped Apart... (Maaneet) part 18 updated - Page 25

Originally posted by: sai22789

loved d way u r carrying d story
simply superb..
very well written..
pls do continue soon...
really cant wait to see what happens next

Originally posted by: trishap

just read all the parts.
plz pm me

Originally posted by: sakadafi

"He was always very possessive about her. And not only her, but about anything and everything that was related to her. He was hurting but he couldn't bring himself to share this pain with anyone because this was also given by her and he would bear it by himself."

 

Loved this part.

 

A beautiful update as usual!!

Originally posted by: sai22789

pls continue soon

Thanks everyone for all the support and encouragement. Hope you enjoy this update, it has to be one of my favorite updates of mine but i wish it lives up to your expectations . Do leave in your generous comments.

To say the least, Maan had a pathetic day. Something was amiss and to add to his already heightened aggravation, he couldn't put a finger on what was wrong. Many people at Khurana's had a tough day today with their boss being crabby the whole day. He didn't know why it bothered him so much that the small vase on the security guard's desk was empty. He didn't know why was it so difficult to not look at her desk when he walked through the office. He didn't know why every file he wanted during the day was kept somewhere by Geet or had something to do with her. Coming home had not helped too. He was restless and his dinner table conversations were monosyllabic; once in the room he found himself lost again. Tired, he shut the file he had been staring at and put the lights off as he settled himself inside the covers.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

On the other hand, oblivious to all the commotion she was causing in someone else's life, Geet had an eventful day. She secured excellent scores and visited Gurudwara with Rano and Mohinder to seek Babaji's blessings and then enjoyed a warm and quiet evening with her parents.

Next morning, while Geet was still sleeping and Mohinder was reading his newspaper, "Suniye, Hoshiarpur ki tickets aa gayi hai?" Rano asked as she placed his morning tea. However, the minute she asked that Mohinder's eyes immediately drifted towards the stairs and he removed his reading glasses, "Rano dimag toh nahi kharab ho gaya? Ahista bolo Geet ne sun liya toh saath aane ki zidd karegi?" Rano looks at the stairs before saying, "Isme problem kya hai? Hum toh rahenge na wahan?" firmly looking at her, "Rano main is bare main behas nahi karna chahta. Meri beti wahan kabhi nahi jayegi" He concluded it with finality before going back to his newspaper while Rano looked a little worried.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

In the Khurana mansion, like any other weekend Maan spend his morning doing Tai Chi but today he couldn't concentrate. He loved playing squash but somehow it was no fun this day. Something still lingered at the back of his head. He knew he needed to sort it out soon. But how? Especially when he didn't know what exactly was bothering him. It was strange and weird. Even though it was Saturday, he kept himself busy working the entire day in his home office.  Evening did get along a little distraction as Maan had accepted an invitation to go to disc from one of his close circuit of friends.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

"It's been a long time since we all came here together, isn't it Vishal?" commented Vikas as they took their respective glasses from the bartender. "Its all because of Maan" said Rahul. "Guys, its not my fault. I have been keeping really busy lately." Maan defended himself. "Why don't you go give this lame excuse to someone else? We know you far too better Maan." Said Vishal as he sipped through his drink. "Exactly Maan. You just need a reason to get away from the crowd. Anyways you need to get a life outside Khurana Estate buddy" said Vikas. But for Maan coming here was just a little escape from his already messed up thoughts. Also this was a rare opportunity as after they had resumed on their respective work, either of them would always be too busy to be a part of their usual boys' night out and Maan was the most often offender.

They were all having a hearty laugh when a sudden beam of bright light flashed in Maan's eye making him blink twice. He looked at the source of the light and realized it was the dance floor light reflecting from the watch dial of one of the girls on the dance floor. He shifted a little to spare his vision and then looked at the dance floor once again.

Geet was not one of the partying hard kinds, instead she loved the cozy and comfy get togethers with her friends. But the results had been announced and everyone had fared well so the interns at Khurana Group decided to chill out a little and celebrate their small success. Ritesh's brother was the manager at this elite class Delhi disc so he arranged for the passes for everyone. Geet didn't want to go but then turning it down would have been outright rude and she didn't want to be a spoil sport. This was the first time she was visiting a disc but Prachi had coaxed her hard making it impossible for her to refuse. So finally she had come and soon she found herself having a great time. Then out of the blue Sahil had asked for a dance and now they were on the dance floor. It was supposedly Sahil's favourite number and Geet loved to dance so they were both enjoying and swaying to the music.

Geet was dressed in light blue jeans topped with a black colour sequenced kurti. She was wearing high heels and had let her hair loose. The liner defined her mystifying eyes and the gloss over her lips shimmered in the dim lights on the dance floor. The long earrings she wore blended perfectly with her attire. Her simple, non-revealing dress-up was complimenting her figure further accentuating her beauty making her look far more beautiful than the masked beauties present around the place. Her graceful moves were fascinating. Sitting at one corner, this form of her was being intently absorbed by a pair of intense eyes. 

"Nice girl" commented Vishal pulling Maan out of his reverie. "Lucky chap I would say" said Rahul. Maan looked at them questioningly when Rahul gestured towards the couple on the dance floor... Geet and Sahil. Involuntarily Maan's grip tightened around the glass he was holding. He knew his friends came from decent background and were not those filthy perverts but he didn't like the way they commented about her. Moreover he didn't like the way they linked her to that another trainee. Just then Sahil bend forward to say something in her ear to which she immediately burst out laughing and he so badly felt like pulling her out of that guy's hold. It wasn't going down well with him at all but he knew a small reaction could create a scene. Whatever it was, he knew he was not approving of it at all. And then Sahil and Geet were joined in by Prachi and Ritesh and Maan instantly recognized them too. He found himself calming, not completely but still to some extent just to know that she was not here with him alone.

After that mentally Maan was never with his friends the whole evening. His eyes darted back and forth towards the group of students enjoying themselves oblivious of him. This feeling was new to him. He had never felt like this for anyone before. Initially it was her behavior he had so readily put up with. Much to his dismay, he had enjoyed her antics and provoked her further to gauge more responses from her. And now he was feeling all weird and angry and frustrated just because she was with some guy. What was this? Was he jealous? Heck No! Why would he be jealous?

Geet looked around once again. "What is it Geet? Kisi ko dhoond rahi ho toh bata do. Hum le aate hai usse" Prachi said teasing. "Nah... mujhe aisa laga ki koi hume dekh raha hai" Sahil chuckled and held her hand saying, "Ms. Geet Handa, hume nahi... jo bhi dekh raha hoga tumhe hi dekh raha hoga... you don't know how gorgeous you are looking" Ritesh and Prachi burst out laughing at sahil's flirtatious self but someone's blood boiled. Heck yes! He was jealous! Geet smacked lightly at his hand as she said, "haan, main pichle janam main Cleopatra jo thi" and started laughing herself. Then suddenly Geet realized it was 10:30 and her deadline was approaching. Her Bauji may be a very relaxed person but she was required to be home by 11 and so she quickly bid adieu to the rest of the gang and moved out.

Almost immediately, Maan excused himself and followed her but by the time he reached the gates, she had already gotten into a taxi and left. Maan didn't go inside again. What was the point? He had come here to put his wandering mind to rest but the subject of its fascination was here too and now after the evening, his anxiety had only increased. However, he knew it was quite late and so followed the taxi she had taken and once she went inside her building gates, he straightaway drove back home.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Once in his room, he was standing in front of his closet pulling out his clothes for the night when something fell.  It was the bracelet. Her bracelet. He carefully picked it up and looked at the intricate pattern once more. Still holding it, he went and sat on his bed while touching each bead on the delicate silver chain. And he remembered her laugh which brought a smile to his face as well. He closed his eyes, only to find himself staring in those beautiful brown eyes. Something was changing inside him, he knew that. What he had merely started as a small harmless entertaining repartee, was responsible for some serious alterations inside him. It was almost like a paradigm shift which was inexplicable for him. Those large brown eyes had struck a few notes ever so silently exactly when he had found himself captivated by them in the office corridors that night. He kept the bracelet on the bedside table and walked into the washroom.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Anu had been largely disappointed lately as it seemed that Dadima's words were coming true and the scope of anything beyond work was apparently becoming a distant possibility between Maan and Geet. It was more than a week and whenever she and Geet spoke, Geet would be non-stop bashing about  her CEO, Mr. Maan Singh Khurana. After one such conversation she said aloud, "Yeh Veerji kabhi nahi sudhrenge. Anu tu sochna chod de... inka kuch nahi hone wala". And her Veerji, the less she thought about him the better. She feared he would not consider marriage and relationship until his next birth!

Anu was preparing for the test that she had to appear on Monday. A particular accounts problem was giving her a tough time and she decided to ask Maan about it. It was late so she went on to check whether he's still awake or had fallen asleep. But when she entered his room, he was not there. She kept her books on Maan's study and looked around for him. Just when she was about to leave her eyes fell on something kept near the bed. And the moment she saw it, her eyes almost popped out of its socket. "Bracelet?" Of course she knew that piece well and also the rightful owner to whom it belonged to. How wouldn't she?  She had gifted that to Geet on her last birthday. She instantly picked it up, wondering what it was doing in her brother's room. At that same moment, Maan stepped out of the washroom and saw Anu. "Anu?" he called out. "Veerji, I have a test on Monday... ek doubt tha so needed your help"

Maan gave her a warm smile as he went towards the study table where she had kept her books and opened her workbook to the last working page. He was going through the unsolved problem that she had been trying to solve when Anu came forward and watchfully asked him, "Veerji... Yeh bracelet yahan kaise? kiska hai?" Engrossed in the problem he looked at it once and almost immediately answered but then trailed off "Gee.. umm... kisika nahi... tera doubt kya hai?" Anu looked at her brother fumbling. From when did Maan Singh Khurana start fumbling? She was also sure that he was about to take Geet's name but then trailed off right in time. It was definitely a subject matter of her interest and she was curious to know all. "Veerji this is really so pretty. Agar kisi ka nahi hai toh aap mere liya laye honge na? Thank you" she said innocently. Maan quickly held Anu's hand and took the bracelet from her. "Nahi. Uhh.. umm.. woh office main kisi ka hai... gir gaya tha... I'll return it tomorrow... I mean on Monday." He said as he placed it in the drawer. Maan's behavior was certainly amusing and she was sure that he was lying. He knew whose bracelet was that so she tried a little harder, "Lekin Veerji... aapne toh abhi kaha ki yeh kisi ka nahi hai" Anu said trying to hide the smile. Maan looked at her annoyed, "Anu I don't think you were here for some interrogations. Its already too late, so can we get to the problem?" and as he finished he sat down on the desk. Anu understood that she had no chance here and so she got back to her problem.

Around half an later when Anu left, Maan was again in deep thought. He had realized that when Anu asked about that bracelet he was at loss of words. He groaned in frustration as he flipped over in bed. While on the other side, after the long and tiring day Geet had peacefully drifted off to her dreamland.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

It was just a little over 7 in the morning when the doorbell at Handa's rang and Rano answered the door to find Anu standing with a big smile on her face. "Anu Puttar? Puttar ghar pe sab theek hai na?" surprised Rano instinctively asked. "Ji Auntyji... ghar pe sab theek hai... Geet kahan hai?" Anu asked as she walked inside the house. "Aaj Sunday hai na... so rahi hai" Rano replied with a smile but before she could continue Anu thanked her and took a flight upstairs leaving a baffled Rano behind, "yeh bachche bhi na" saying she shook her head smiling and headed off to the kitchen.

Anu barged into Geet's room and called out to her, "GEET... Geet... uth na" saying she shook her a little. "Mumma thoda aur sone do na" Geet replied unfocusedly as she covered her face with the quilt. "Oye main aunty nahi Anu hu... Uth jaldi" Anu said pulling the covers off her. Geet slightly opened her eyes and then rubbed it to ensure she was seeing right. "Anu" she said as she sat upright on the bed. "What are you doing here so early?" she said as she looked at the watch. Anu pouted as crossed her legs saying, "See I knew it. Jab se tune Khurana group join kiya hai, tu mujhe bhool hi gayi". Geet yawned, "tu subah subah yahan complain karne aayi hai? Do ghante baad bhi aati toh bhi chalta tha... meri neend kyun kharab ki?" Anu huffed, "Oh yea... you went partying yesterday tab teri neend nahi kharab hui?" Geet blinked her eyes and stretched, "Anuu? Wait I'll be back" and then went towards her washroom to freshen up. After sometime they were both sitting on Geet's bed and sipping on the piping hot chocolate that Rano brought for the girls.

Geet tried to pacify Anu by explaining how busy she had been and all. She told him all about the projects, reiterated her and her boss's small fights, her friends in office, her boss's antics, etc. but it was nothing that would interest Anu except the fact that she spoke in circles. Circles revolving Maan Singh Khurana, Anu giggled to herself. "Geet tu sirf apne boss ke bare main baat kyun kar rahi hai... don't tell me you are falling for him?" Anu asked and widened her eyes. Geet looked at Anu as if suddenly she had grown an extra pair of ears, "Tera dimag kharab ho gaya hai... No wayz... I have no suicidal tendencies, you know?" and laughed. Anu tried coaxing her but soon realized her dumb friend was completely ignorant. She had not even known her bracelet was missing until Anu pretended to ask to borrow it for some party. Geet did look embarrass when she couldn't find it and apologised atleast  a 100 times. After a nice long gupshup and brunch Anu went back to her place as she realized probably once again her imagintion was working too fast.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

It was Monday and Maan felt much better. He was on his way to office and thankfully was not so irritable today. However, when he reached office, his expressions changed.

As usual Mohinder had dropped Geet to office but since he was in a hurry Geet insisted that he drop her off the lane and she would walk down the remaining distance. It wouldn't take her more than 10 minutes anyways. But when she got down, Sahil, on his bike, rode past her and stopped a little distance ahead. He looked back at her and came back to ask if there was any problem. He greeted Mohinder and offered to drop her as he was also on his way to office. Geet declined but Mohinder encouraged her and wishing them good day drove away. So when Maan saw Geet getting off from Sahil's bike involuntarily his forehead creased. As Sahil went to park his bike, Geet went inside. Maan too got off his car and went inside, this was the first time he saw her putting flowers on the security desk. The Security man smiled at her and then placed a hand on her head as if blessing her and she smiled back before continuing her stride. In no time Sahil jogged inside and joined her as they continued to talk and laugh. Maan strode past them to his cabin surprising both of them.

Once in his cabin Maan tried to calm himself. He didn't want to loose his temper on his people again today. It was not their fault if he couldn't identify with himself. Ten minutes later, Geet walked in to check her day's agenda. Geet was taken aback when he didn't look at her once and replied only in monosyllables. This wasn't usually how he spoke to her. He always got irritated at her and today when he didn't, Geet wondered if all was well with him. She tried to stress on a couple of things which she thought would make him retort but none. But when none came, she turned on her heels to get back to her work. It was then that Maan looked up at her back and called out, "Geet"and she immediately turned back to face him. He looked very serious and sternly asked her, "Where were you on Friday?" Geet fumbled at his tone of speech, "Sir, umm... woh we had our results... so we all were on leave" Maan looked at her straight in her eyes when he said, "I'm not asking about everyone. I'm asking about you". At that moment what she saw in his eyes she didn't understand but it scared her. She felt a knot in her stomach and not understanding wat he meant, all she could mutter was, "ji?" Maan got up from his chair and slowly walked towards taking calculated steps and when he neared her he said, "You report to me. So henceforth, if you are taking a leave or a half-day or going somewhere in office hours you would be informing me about it." Saying so he went back to his desk and she quietly left his cabin a little dazed over his strange behaviour.

As his cabin door shut, Maan looked at it and wondered what he was doing. He knew he was rude to her and he didn't like that himself. He knew the sight of her being with Sahil had triggered the sudden change in his conduct towards her. He knew it was not usual for the CEO of any compnay to insist on keeping a track on the employee leave alone a trainee. He was used to the adulations hurled over him by the most beautiful girls but he had been unaffected by them. But this girl was affecting him. He called Sapna to cancel all his appointments for the day and headed straight towards the lakeside where he usually visited when he needed solace.

He knew he needed some serious introspection when he sensed his anxiety recurring. Perhaps it was time to identify and accpet the thing that he already knew but never paid heed to. All the more after today morning, when he had ended up behaving nosy for no good reason. As he sat by the lake, he went over all the conversations that they had had so far. Had he been blind or ignorant, he couldn't say but all those moments held an underlying spark. He had seen her talking to everyone with ease. But it wasn't the same when it came to him. She kept on her guards around him and perhaps that was the reason he provoked her. Even though if they were meant to retort or fight, those were his private moments with her, those moments when she spoke to him, those moments that he enjoyed. In just a couple of weeks he was so used to her constant nagging that he terribly missed it when she wasn't there around him. Introspecting, he was now able to put his finger on what was bothering him so much over the weekend. It was the realization of the fact that she was not here to stay. She was not even an employee but a trainee who would finish her three-month term and might never look back. It bothered him that it was Sapna who came and told him about her and not she herself. And when he saw her with that guy, things all of a sudden became apparent. What was he suppose to make of that jealousy that he felt or of his protective instinct when he followed her home late night on Saturday just to ensure she reached home safely? He could fool someone else but not himself.

At that very moment, he had his epiphany, he was falling for her or had already fallen for her. Emotions were extreme for him and he was aware of that. He knew there would be no turning back for him now. Looking at the sky, he opened his arms as if asking to be granted the sole desire of his being now and then on an impulse, clasped his arms around himself as the need to hold her close in his arms overpowered him. 

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