[NOCOPY]
[Chapter 2]
As everyone had settled and most had met people of their interest, the light was dimmed and Dance floor was all set, with the DJ starting the mood for the dance floor.
As per tradition of every year, Dev asked his wife’s hand for his first dance. Geet smiled and gave her hand on his. Everyone, including Maan, enjoyed the sight. He had a smile on his face.
Dev and Geet started their dance - Everyone present in the party were mesmerized with the ten minute long dance of the star couple of the evening. It started slow and then both went into flow, Dev and Geet were wonderful dancers and they were creating the magic on the floor. Everyone was awed with the chemistry between husband and wife, even after five years of their marriage. The ones who could see through the performance were the couple themselves and Maan Singh Khurana. Dev and Geet have mastered the art to showcase themself as a perfect happy couple. Geet would also try hard to convince Dev, she was so much into the relationship and it was all coming as flow. But being her husband, he knew it better.
Dev very well knew how much effort his wife was putting to give a nice dance to showcase their bond..
“Geet, relax. We will soon be done.”
“I am a relaxed Dev. You are such a great dancer, flow comes naturally with you.” He just smiled but said nothing. Dev was always calm with her. They never ever fought. Okay, fighting means you are invested in relation, which did not exist here. They just co-existed.
Dev knew Geet was the best and star employee for her mother and his firm. She was an awesome family member to everyone. She loved this family and was invested in both company and family. All her energy went in these two. He respected her for all these. He cannot say, she was not a good wife. She did take care of him in all ways, except one. One thing that is the core of a husband and wife relationship. He could not blame her as it is not that she has not tried, she tried but it failed everytime between them.
Geet respected Dev for everything. As Maan has always explained to her, it is tough for most girls to find a calm and patient man like Dev. But Maan had also warned her she had to stop testing her husband’s patience. She has to give in and invest in a relationship, not just as a partner but as a wife. She did try, many times but ….
Dev and Geet elegantly finished their dance and came down. There was shower of claps for them. Geet’s eye went on to the man standing at the corner, clapping and smiling on his face. She knew he had read through and he was disappointed in her.
Later there was a dance of Megha and Aakash, then Nina and Dev - Mother son dance and later Dev danced with other girls in the party who asked him out.
At last while Dev was standing beside Geet, explaining to her - “Geet are you Ok. It will all be back to normal once party ends”
“I am fine Dev” he smiled, knowing very well she was not. They were then intervened By Maan Khurana
“Hi Dev, can i steal your wife for a dance and end my party”
“Sure. It’s been a tradition for the last five years. And as much as people here wait for Mine and Geet’s dance to start with, they equally wait for you two to end it.”
Maan respectfully forwarded his hand to Geet, who smiled and placed her hand in his. She could never deny him.
On the Dance floor, Maan swirled Geet and then their talks started
“So How have you been? All good?”
“Hmm” he swirled her again “Geet, you know you can talk to me.”
“I am sorry, I know i disappointed you”
“Not for me Geet, you should be sorry for yourself and your husband Dev. Why would it matter to me if you have not proceeded in relation with him or not. I only wish your happiness”
“I tried” he kept making her dance as they kept on talking
“So?
“I become stiff. You know that”
“Geet, think from Dev’s point of view. Really salute to him for keeping patience with you for 5 years.”
“I know i am not capable” there were slight tears in her eyes.
Mechanical Geet, who worked day night with no expression, or fake smile on her face, became all vulnerable in talks with Maan.
“Geet not again on this. You have the power to arouse me or any man here. You are not trying with Dev”
They were continuing with Dance as they were talking
“Maan, you are scaring me. Will this really have any bad effect on my life? Dev will never think of leaving me, right?”
“Geet, what gives you such a horrible idea? Gosh No. Nina will kill him, even if he thinks in that direction. But ”
“But what Maan? Is there any chance? I can’t imagine my life without this family. Those thoughts scare me. How will i sustain” She was all hyper even by thought of it.
He held her tight and close to him, calming her down. “He will not divorce you. Rest assured. But Geet, I did see him with girls a couple of times. I am not saying he is bedding with them, no. He is a very gentleman. But he has started looking for small happiness elsewhere. Its high time Geet, work on your relation”
“Kya karoon?” she felt so helpless
“Become a mother”
“How?” instantaneously came from her lips. Maan smiled and turned to the other side.
“Now you don’t want me to explain that” he teased. She gave him small hit on his shoulder
“Shut up. Stop teasing me. You know what i mean”
“Take a deep breath, think about your child and let dev do all the things. Just bear for once. Once you are a mother, your feelings for Dev will come up and your child will bring the glow on your face.”
“As if Nyra could save your relation”
“Didn’t work on mine, but works most of time”
“Okay Grandfather” she laughed
“Dare you say that to the hot and handsome Maan Singh Khurana.” They were about to end their Annual Dance, when she asked “You again didn’t bring Nyra’s pic for me” she complained
“I have” and he slid his six years old daughter’s pic in her hand.
“How is your custody fight going on?”
He made a face “Nothing in my favor yet. Only meeting her once a month.”
“Should we finish now?” he asked
She looked at his face “Five minutes, just pure dance. I want to forget all my turmoil in your arms” He smiled and obliged.
Maan took her to his world of dance. Where his fingers touched her here and there, it was unintentional but rather than making her uncomfortable, his touch worked like life giving herbs for her. It always did.
They ended their dance and Maan respectfully handed Geet to Dev.
This was the fifth time in life, Maan and Geet were seeing each other face to face. They only met every year at this party.
5 Years Back
******************
First time Maan had seen Geet in this Annual Diwali party, five years back as 22 yrs. old, newly wed wife of Dev Sharma. He had already been impressed by her work and her name and work was a buzz but that day when he saw her innocent beautiful face he was not able to hold and went ahead and congratulated Dev. Though he had never expected her to get married so soon, at the peak of her budding career.
Later in the same party, by the end of it, he had a feeling that the young bride was not glowing as she should. That time, 30 years old Maan, could feel her, unlike others, as he himself was going through a messy divorce process. Okay, he could handle his problem but this girl was way too young.
By the end of the dance that day, he could not hold seeing the hidden sadness in her face and he had the urge to check on her. He somewhere felt protective for the young girl, bound in marriage and asked her hand for Dance. Somehow she didn’t hesitate and gave her hand for dance to the chief guest of the party.
When on the dance floor, all he wanted was to bring glow to this talented girl, who was also a new bride. His five minutes of dance and his long fingers touch here and there, a smile was there on Geet’s face. She felt alive in his arms like never before. He swung her all the way, as he could see she was drowned and happy.
He had then made her stand straight “I want to dance more” was her innocent demand. He smiled at her. None in the party could imagine demanding such to him. “More?”
“Hmm.. I thought I could only go stiff with a man's touch but it’s not true. In your arms I felt I am melting. I was all afraid, there is some problem with me, that I am incomplete.”
Then she asked further, “Do you feel I am a girl when I am dancing with you?” he twisted and turned her, making their dance in flow for watchers
“You are the most beautiful and desirable girl in this party. What gave you such a horrible idea about you?”
“I get stiff whenever Dev places his hand on me. We have seen each other since childhood, but I can't imagine myself in the role of his wife and him as my husband. I thought there is a problem with me”
“There is no problem with you. You are just fine. Start thinking of Dev as your husband, accept this relation, things will fall in its place” and in that first dance they became friends and compatible in a way that even if they met after a year, once on the dance floor, they would become carefree with each other.
Every year hence after, in their ten to fifteen minutes of dance, they caught on the whole year and they shared those secrets with each other which they would not even share with their own self.
*********
Present-back from party:
Geet changed, she took a warm shower. She was taking a long shower, lost in her dance with Maan. In the whole one year when she starts feeling there is some problem with her own body, dancing with him brings life back to her.His long finger’s unintentional touches, here and there on her skin, made her believe she is normal. It is only that she is not comfortable getting intimate with Dev. How could she?
She has seen Dev in the same house since childhood, since she was 15. She stayed here as a friend of Megha. Even Dev had his own lifestyle and friend circle. They very seldom interacted or talked. In the same house, but never looked at each other in any way. It had always been formal talks between them with least interaction.
Suddenly when Geet had turned 21, Nina had announced Geet’s and Dev’s marriage. Both have been shocked like hell. It was beyond their imagination to think of being husband and wife. But Nina knew, if Geet leaves the firm, they will be doomed. From where will she bring such a level of Designer. Any designer of her caliber would cost huge, copyright etc etc. The girl knew about her talent but was unaware of her original worth. So before Geet would know her worth, Nina planned to get her married to Dev to keep her tied to firm. On top, she was so beautiful, elegant and humble. From where will Dev get such a combination? Dev will get a wonderful wife and She will get Geet tied with her firm forever.
************
Geet was lost looking at the picture of Nyra - how beautiful the little girl was. She had her features from her Dad, maybe the face cut was from mother. She never dug into how Sameera looked, but Maan had told, she was a beautiful lady, by looks, he had added.
Dev entered and she hid the pic. Dev settled on the bed. Geet had been thinking about Maan's suggestions. Even Dev was lost in some thought. Geet was getting scared as Dev was getting lost these days.
“Are you tired Dev. Need some head massage”
“I am ok Geet. You are much more tired.”
After lot of thinking she came to Dev “Dev.. woo”
“Yeah Geet, anything going inside you. Come sit” Geet took her seat
“Yes. But first I need a week’s leave. I need to refresh my brian”
“Sure. Do you have to even ask? You deserve break Geet”
“But Mom”
“You don’t worry, I will handle her. You enjoy your much needed break.. Hmm”
“Thanks Dev. You have been such a support.” He smiled
*******
Next day, Nina was roaming like crazy in her office hall “Who allowed you to give leave to Geet”
“Mom.. only claiming her as your favorite does not work. You have to be human as well. She has been working like crazy, she needs a break.”
“Dev, you can live in a bookish world. This new project is all set to get investment approved from Maan Khurana. And your wife decided to take the leave, so unusual of her”
“Whatever you may think. Geet never asks for leave, if she has asked, i am more than happy to provide her. To tell you the fact Mom, She should not ask for leave, she should just declare it. You know your firm runs success due to her”
“Yeah, everyone makes me feel so. Here Mr. Khurana is adamant, he will only approve funds for this project from his side, if Geet approves the design concept. Now what do I do? He doesn’t have all the time for us. He was here for party and obliged to visit office today”
“I will talk to him. You calm down”
“Calm down… huuh.. Go talk to him.”
********
Maan Khurana looked at his watch. He was a busy man and each minute mattered for him. Ten minutes more and he will leave. But he didn’t want to be arrogant.
Dev entered the conference room “Sorry Mr. Khurana for making you wait.”
“It’s okay. Hope the document is ready and signed. I will go thru and ask my team to release the fund”
“Mr. Khurana” Dev hesitated “What’s the matted Mr. Sharma”
“Mr. Khurana, actually Geet is on leave. I can send the document home for her to look into, if you insist but”
“But?”
“She rarely asks for leave,”
Maan smiled. “I am very well aware of her hard work. She definitely needs rest. But I cannot wait. What we can do is, once she is back, get the document checked from her. If she signs and approves, you consider it as my approval as well. My team will release funds for this project. I personally feel, this is a great concept, but she is a master in this area.” and he left.
Author's Note: Thanks to my readers for 60+ likes in first chapter.
I hope I keep up to your expectations. Also, i know i have started this story on scary note but if you want to experience Maaneet beyond the physical, please stay tuned and trust me. It is a Maaneet story but will be very slow build. So be patient, all flavors will come but in its own pace.
Be with the story and Keep liking, commenting and motivating.
Also, I am not well so could not type Poles Apart. This one was already typed so posted this one.
-Anu
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