Chapter 47

Geet has finally come to my house, and from today onwards, the journey begins to turn this accidental amore into permanent amore. Have you seen her eyes? They'll kill me!

My mom is so happy. her special mission is to cook good food. My dad is currently in silent mode. My life is no less than a TV serial, right? And here I am, overthinking again. Finally, Geet Malhotra is in my room, with me, to become my life.

Geet asked, "Where should I keep my clothes?"

"I'll throw my clothes out," I replied in overexcitement.

"Was that a joke?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"No, seriously," I said, trying to tone down my overexcitement. "For now, keep them in your bag. I'll expand the wardrobe tomorrow."

"Wouldn't it be better if you moved to my house instead? Why did you call me here? My room is bigger."

"Do whatever you want. Get the changes done. I'll buy a bungalow."

"Are you showing off your money?"

"Whatever I do, it seems to anger you. Go ahead, place your anger on my head too," I said as I stormed out.

Outside, the chill was intense, and my heart felt heavy. But today, I feel like I won't be able to handle Geet's anger. When Mom asked why I was outside, I replied, "Nothing."

"Then go inside and talk to Geet," she suggested.

"Mom, she's still angry."

"So? Won't you make up with her?"

"She won't forgive me. After all, it's my fault for misunderstanding her."

"What fault? You just wanted to stand by what's right."

"Whatever you say, the truth is the truth. I was wrong, and I will remain wrong. It bothers me, Geet is here, but is she happy? I insisted on her staying with me, but does she want to?"

"Don't think too much! Leave it to Rab (God)," Mom said as she went back inside.

She's right. I'll leave it to Rab (God). When I returned to the room, Geet was waiting there, wearing a red nightie.

"So, Payal, shall I play you?" she said, with a cringy line. What's gotten into her? She was just fighting with me! She stood up, and as I looked into her eyes, she glanced back. Then she untied my ponytail, her lips brushing past my ear. Her warm breath relaxed me.

"Let's go for a drive?"

"Geet, why are you acting? I know you're doing all this for the contract. I want the real Geet, not this drama." She had no expression.

I sat on the bed and eventually fell asleep.

When morning came, my mood improved. After taking a bath, I playfully flicked water droplets onto her face with my wet hair. Geet woke up, annoyed.

"Who's doing this?" she sat up with a start. "What childishness is this? The water is cold! Was there a need to splash it on my face?"

"Grumpy!" I said.

"Looks like your mood has improved," Geet smiled.

Pretending to stay annoyed, I replied, "Who said so? Don't you have to go to the office?"

We both got ready for work. When we reached the cars, Geet said, "You drive my car. Forgot that ? you're my secretary starting today?" I got angry.

At the office, everyone greeted me with "Good morning, ma'am." Though I was walking behind, and Geet was in front, it was clear to everyone that the company had been sold. Geet announced:

"Listen up, from today, I'm your new boss." (There was applause, and as I tried to leave, Geet stopped me.) "And this is... what's your name, Payal? My new secretary."

Everyone stared at me in shock, wondering how my position had changed. I stood there with my head down. "If you have any important work to discuss with me, let my secretary know," Geet said and walked away.

The HR manager approached me.

"Ma'am, Geet has given your place near to that girl."

"Hmm," I replied and went to see the girl. She looked scared and had a packet of chips on her laptop.

"Sorry, ma'am," she stammered. It felt good that people were still respect of me, but my wife had ruined my reputation.

"Ma'am, my name is Konkona."

"Hi, Konkona. No need to be scared of me. You can call me Payal."

Smiling nervously, she said, "No, ma'am, I'll call you ma'am."

"Fine, whatever you're comfortable with."

They gave me a laptop and told me to convert some files into Excel. At lunch, Konkona asked, "Ma'am, will you have lunch? Would you like to join me?"

Just then, a guy I'd insulted earlier came over. "Why call her ma'am now? She's just an employee. What a joke Geet ma'am played."

"Don't say that! Payal ma'am made this company grow. She doesn't need anyone. If she's working under Geet ma'am, there must be a reason."

The guy replied, "You're too kind. Geet ma'am brought Payal to the streets."

I said, "Thanks, Konkona. I'm not hungry."

As I was leaving, Konkona said, "Ma'am, there's a place nearby that serves excellent shukto."

"What's that?" I asked.

"A mildly bitter, creamy vegetable medley with ingredients like bitter gourd, raw banana, drumsticks, and milk. It's often the first course in Bengali meals."

"Are you Bengoli?"

"Half Bengoli, half Punjabi."

"Interesting family," I said.

I sat with her in a small shop that didn't even have a fan. But when the shukto was served, I felt like I'd embarked on a heavenly journey. My mood lifted instantly.

"This is amazing, I cannot believe it I am eating bitter gourd. Konkona," I said.

"I'm glad you liked it."

When she tried to pay, I stopped her. "Don't pay. I'll do it."

"No, ma'am, please. You can treat me next time."

"Fine," I agreed. I realized I'd missed out on this simple world. being happy over little things.

Geet called me, and I picked up.

"Where are you? I didn't hire you to have fun."

Annoyed, I replied, "Don't forget that I'm Payal. It's fine if you give me work, but don't talk to me like that."

"What's not fine? You're going to tell me that?"

I retorted, "When are you going to propose to me? Do it in front of the entire office or better yet, the media, with a ring."

"I'm not doing that!"

"It's a marriage tradition, Geet," I said and hung up.

"What happened? Geet ma'am...... is your girlfriend?" Konkona asked.

I smiled. "Yeah, just dealing with the tantrums of a girlfriend."

She laughed, and as I enjoyed the Shukto, I thought to myself, Geet Malhotra, what's going to happen to you now?