Chapter 10

[Chapter 10]

Next morning, Geet was trying her hand at breakfast. Maan was doing everything for her, she wanted to say small thanks.

Maan got freshen up and saw Geet in the kitchen, he smiled and left.

She laid breakfast on the table. Geet quietly ate as Maan was busy with some calls. She stole glances all around her in between, including Maan. How different it felt and so nice. As if living life for the first time. Why did it suddenly feel that the people with whom she was living were just acquaintances? But she illusioned it as  her family till now, without which she could not have fathom to live.

Maan, Geet and Rick signed the project partnership. In between, Geet got many calls from Megha but she did not pick up. All she wanted was to focus her time with Maan and France as her break period.

Maan asked her to look around the town as he would be busy with other business stuff. 

“Geet, I will order dinner for you tonight as I won’t be back till early morning tomorrow”

“Ohh you have meetings till late” 

“Umm… no” he was hesitant and Geet felt like she was putting him on spot. She is not here to interfere in his life.

“Fine. You don’t worry.” she assured him.

But then  “Nothing much, just hanging around in a nightclub.Long time friend wanted a break and catch up”

Friend? Nightclub? Geet zeroed down to a girl for sure. Okay, why should she care? But she did

“Okay bye…Chill around the town” Maan turned

“Maan” “Hmmm..” 

“Do you mind if I come to nightclub with you today”

Maan laughed “I don’t mind. It’s your life but I doubt it’s the place for you” Geet smiled and let go. She should not push herself too much in his personal life. 

*******

Geet, after roaming around in the city on her own, exploring the city and doing some window shopping, entered the apartment in the evening around seven.

It was empty and it pricked. What was this, just two days and one night with Maan and his absence was felt to her. How till now, she always felt peaceful when she was left alone at home. Dev’s not being in the room always relieved her but Maan’s absence was felt, that too him spending time with a friend in Nightclub… hmmmm. She shied and then went to freshen up.

In the kitchen, she simply sauteed some veggies, placed them between multigrain bread for dinner.

Geet’s sleep broke at 1:00 am, she went to the washroom and then around the house to take a look. House looked quiet. Has Maan come and gone to sleep? Maybe or maybe not. 

She tried ignoring and went to sleep. But as the thought had seeped in, she was unable to sleep.

By 2:00 am, curiosity was killing her and she at last got up and peeped into his room. It was quiet. After a lot of hesitation, she at last switched on the lights and the scene pained her. The room was silent, the bed well made and cold, untouched. He has not returned. 

Geet mentally scolded herself. What was she thinking? He clearly said he was going to a nightclub to chill with his long time friend and won’t return till  morning. It was all so clear. And why is she worried, who is she to peep into his life. 

She scolded herself .

Next Morning:

Geet was working in the kitchen to make some light breakfast. But then dropped the idea. Why put so much effort into myself? She shied. That’s her life going to be now, stay alone, handle life and career, on her own, all alone. But, is it not better to live alone rather than with people who faked to be your own? As she poured milk in the bowl and then cut the fruits to put into it, she analyzed. She was alone between people earlier, she is alone now as well. But now she has freedom, earlier she did not have it.

She poured some corn flakes in the milk and sat on the table. If she compares, then friendship with Maan weighs way above that relation, the relation where she always felt suffocated but illusioned herself to be happy as a safe zone in the name of family. But then she should not burden Maan with her problems. He is helping her, which is good, but she has to learn to stand alone. Too much expectation will lead to pain, just like she experienced at night.

How strange, apart from Megha, it was only Maan whose actions were affecting her, be it sad or happy. Regarding Dev and Nina, she just interacted with them like  a machine.

With that, her thoughts went to Megha. Megha has been continuously calling but Geet was very upset with her words and so avoided picking any of her calls.

As she was done with breakfast, the doorbell rang. 

She opened the door to see Maan standing with smile written over his face. He was still in his night casual. Ohh they must have a lazy sensual morning. Again something pricked at that thought

“Can I come in?” he asked at last with the way she was blocking the door. She immediately moved aside

“Ohh yeah sure. It’s your house.”

He took his seat on the sofa, busy checking his phone “Anything for breakfast? Whatever you have will work. Am way too hungry”

“You didn’t have your breakfast?” “Nooo” he said as obvious

“I already woke up late from my regular, saw the watch and rushed to reach home. I won’t invite you to my house and leave you alone.”

A kind of involuntary relief ran through Geet. Okay so no morning session. She smiled at him.

But then argued in her mind, maybe they had done it all night.

“Gee-eet” he brought her back “What did you have for breakfast or you are gonna punish me ”

If there was a hidden girlish heart deep inside her, it definitely wished to punish him for leaving her alone at night but that heart was buried deep down and she has grown up at an early age. She only recognized and listened to her mature heart now.

“I just had fruit and corn flakes in milk” “What?”  he then brought his attention properly at her

“Wait, If I am not guessing wrong, even at night you just had something random”

“No, I was good.” she defended. He rubbed his temple

“It’s all my fault. I am a really bad host. Inviting you here and myself going for an outing.” He went near her

“I am really sorry Geet. This friend of mine, he is a real jerk when it comes to drinking and Nightclub. Even I swallowed a good amount under my throat. Didn’t think it was decent to show up in front of you in that state. I am sorry. At least should have ordered something nice for you”

Geet was blankly looking at him. Only thing that resonated with her was ‘he is a jerk’. He, so his friend was a He. So it was that kind of hanging out. 

“Geet” he brought her back but Maan soon got a surprise as she moved forward and hugged him and then hugged him tight

“Hey, what’s the matter” 

“I am sorry, really really sorry” she said, still hugging him “Now, what are you sorry for?” He separated her and looked at her face. Geet had no answer but she quickly made up

“For not even preparing breakfast for you, when you are so hungry”

“Chill. I am a lone traveling man. I am so used to not having anyone around to do things for me. Come let’s make something together. I also want to make something special for Nyra. Do you want to do her room decor” Geet followed him in the kitchen. She was pondering on his words. He had said it all so casually but she felt how lonely he was in life.

“I will do all Decor of her room, my way. If you don’t mind”

“Mind it. No way. I am not good at such stuff and thus always had professionals do her room, every time she visits me. Your personal touch will make it so special for her.”

“Does she always visit you in Paris?”

“No, this is her first time here. Sam and that bas***d are going on some Europe tours. Obviously, Nyra is a hurdle for him in such trips so she is coming to me. And it is shown to me as an obligation. But I am Ok” he shrugged his shoulder

“My daughter will stay with me for four days. I want to cherish it without complaints. All my meetings, canceled for my princess” 

Geet felt choked. She could feel his pain but he made everything sound casual. That’s what she was learning from him. Why cry for things that were never hers, she should be happy and embrace the second chance that life has given her, to lead a new life.

“Maan, can I ask you? I mean something personal”

He looked at her and smiled “You have shared with me those secrets of your life Geet, any girl will even hesitate to share with her bestie.Shoot”

“Your life, other than having huge funds everywhere, is a struggle itself. Your wife cheated on you, you have very limited access to your own daughter, you roam around alone, how do you handle it so calmly and on top help me with my issue. Taking a case like me under your wing, it’s like adding one more feather of trouble on your hat. How do you manage all this, with such calmness”

He held her hand and made her sit on the sofa and settled beside her

“First, never ever say a case to yourself. Second, Geet, trust me, you are much stronger than me. The situation that you are in and the way you are handling yourself with positivity and the way you are accepting my interference to help you, this is all incredible. And handling all this at age of 27 in such manner” he shook his head “Incredible”

“The maturity that you see in me has come from experience. I was a real mess when it all started with me. I sulked in sadness and made myself look like a victim. I had my whole family around me, but I just shut them all out. You have none but you held the hand of a friend for help. It took me a good couple of years to get my head straight and come out of revenge and victim mode. I have a big family for support and you, see how well you are handling yourself, all alone” she had tears in her eyes

“I have no family” he held her palms in his and pulled her closer

“Don’t say that. That’s why I am with you, don’t ever feel you’re alone in this world. I got this wonderful family by birth, you will earn it. You will have a wonderful life Geet, you deserve it. ”

“And I am not alone as you think. I just keep roaming around to run away with my nose poking family. Ohh that whole lot is after my life” She laughed. The way he was irritated, she could feel he had a loving family.

******* 

It was evening, almost night and Maan would anytime come with Nyra. Geet had made all arrangements of decorating the third room in princess style, she got trending play stuff for a six year old girl. Maan had transferred money to her wallet for all preparations. 

Geet was pacing in the house, checking her arrangements several times. But why is she so nervous? She would never have been this nervous sharing her design but being nervous for a small child, six years old. Why is she scared if Nyra would not like her presence here? Why is she scared if Nyra would not be impressed by her? Nothing made sense but Geet wanted Nyra to be happy with her presence. She wanted Nyra to enjoy her company.

Nyra was clutching to her Dad “Nyra-Dadda time”

“How is that uncle Nyro”

“Uncle with Mamma….ewww…Nyro not like him” 

Maan felt a lump in his throat. His daughter had to stay with that bas***d.

He gathered himself, pulled Nyra more into his lap and asked in a composed way “Why don’t you like him… he is bad to you?”

“Mumma goes with him always… ” “And you?”

“Not with Mumma… with other uncle Aunty”

Maan had an idea, Sam left Nyra on servants and accompanied Shetty wherever he went. Shetty had a long revenge with Maan. He had first laid hands on his wife, who was eager to leave him. And then he had instigated Sam to get custody of Nyra. He was least interested in Nyra, but he knew Nyra was Maan’s heartbeat and thus keeping Nyra far from him, he felt like a winner. Shetty would never take Nyra with them on any vacation or occasion but only when Maan would be present on occasion, he would take Sam with Nyra, just to prick his heart.

Sam, who had shown him so much attitude, when he had just asked a few years to establish himself, was now puppet in hand of Shetty. 

“Nyro happy now” she hugged Maan, with her small hands all around his neck “Yyyyy… Nyro Dadda” Maan embraced his daughter so close as if nothing could separate them. Only he did not know how he could make that happen. He will figure out some way but for now, he is going to pamper his princess.

Then after a while of thinking “Nyro…” he kissed her forehead and she placed sticky long kiss on his cheek

“Nyro, Dadda’s friend is also staying with us.” Nyra nodded no in crook of his neck

“Nyro-Dadda”

“Okay, only Nyro-Dadda. But she is staying, don’t be a bad girl to her” He knew Nyra was scared, just like Shetty took his mother away from her, if this friend would also take her Dad away.

Doorbell rang and Geet immediately opened it. As Nyra entered the hall, she was excited to see, hall was filled with balloons. Nyra jumped in excitement. Even Maan was surprised to see Geet’s arrangement. He had been away the whole day after breakfast giving charge to Geet.

But when her eyes went on Geet, Nyra looked up at Maan, he bent down and picked her in his arms, she snuggled in his arms “Did you like so many balloons” Shy seeing Geet, she nodded in his shoulder for yes.

“You see this Aunty” he made her turn and see Geet. Geet gave soft smile at Nyra

“She is Geet, Dadda’s friend. She did all the decorations for Nyra. Say Thank-you”

“Thank-you” Nyra said quickly and again hid her face in Maan’s shoulder.

He then placed her down and showed her the room that Geet had decorated for Nyra “Go see your room, tell me how you like everything.”

Nyra ran and went to the room. She was excited to see everything. Bed, toys, playing arrangement etc. It was perfect for her age, she was bound to love it. She got lost playing for some while

“Thanks Geet for giving it all such a personal touch”

Geet smiled but there was a small tear at the side of her eyes, she felt overwhelmed seeing Maan with Nyra. Maan pulled Geet  by her hand and gave her side hug

“We are all going to have a great time. You are going to become her favorite, I know” Geet nodded at the side of his chest, acknowledging his words.

And this is how Nyra saw them when she came out to take her Dad with her. She lowered her head and turned back to her room.

Maan immediately ran to her and picked her up in his arms “Nyro won’t take Dadda with her” and there was a smile on her face.

Geet went to the kitchen to warm the food. She felt overwhelmed by the way Maan loved his daughter. The way she hung herself to Maan. She was not part of them, it pained somewhere deep. She had no one in the name of family. Her closest  person as of now was Maan, who has his own family, own daughter. She then chided herself   – “It’s not always about you Geet. See how happy Maan is.”

She paused and looked at Maan becoming a kid and playing with Nyra as she was riding on his back. Smile formed on her face seeing this side of Maan. 

Geet turned and placed food on the stove for warming.

Maan placed Nyra down “Okay now Dadda is tired.” “Nooo, Nyro wanna  play”

He then pulled her and made her sit on his lap “Okay Nyro, tell me how did you like your room and toys and everything here” “Nyro love it” and she hugged him, her small body disappearing in his strong embrace

“You know who did this” she brought her face in front of him and nodded for no.

He pointed his finger towards Geet. “Geet did it. Will you go and say thank you to her” Nyra got down from his lap and Maan was seated on the kid printed carpet on the ground. Even while standing, she was shorter than Maan. She looked at Geet and then at Maan 

“Go. Show you are a good girl, Dadda’s girl” Nyra smiled and ran to Geet. Geet was working in the kitchen with her back to Nyra who stood at the door, waiting for Geet to turn back. But then slowly went to Geet “Thank-you” Geet turned to see Nyra standing shy. Geet smiled and sat down “You want to say something” The softness and warmth of Geet’s voice comforted Nyra. 

“Thank-you” Geet pulled her closer and pinched her nose, shaking her face, making Nyra chuckle “Will you be my friend?” Geet asked, lifting Nyra’s face. Nyra was a child but the child sensed things. She sensed the positive vibe of Geet, she sensed that she will not take her Dadda away from her, she liked Geet’s soft smile and her bright eyes

“Friends” she forwarded her hand to Geet. Geet took her hand in hers and shook it “Friends.”

Maan had a big smile on his face as two of his favorite females, along with his Mom, Cahchi and Dadima, were friends now. What? Favorite? Did he admit to himself that Geet was his Favorite. He shook his head, just a few meetings, just started to know each other as a friend but he cannot deny, she was one of his favorites.

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-Anu