Chapter 6

Maan was there by 4pm. 

Geet was impatiently waiting for him. She never took this pressure for any party. It definitely was not a party but she was eager to meet him, know him more. 

“Hi” she forwarded her hand “Hi”. He looked at her hand. Geet immediately backed off.What is she doing? He is her husband. It felt so odd. The man in his simplest form, jeans and T-shirt, average by dressing, but his looks and confidence, It was not average by any chance.

“Thanks for coming” 

“No need for thanks. We are married, you need to make a presence with your partner. I can’t ask you to loan a partner when you have one already arranged by your Dad”

“I have a range of clothings for you. You can try and select one for party”

“Excuse me?” He was clearly confused.

“I have a couple formal sets for parties and that is what I will wear” He declared.She gave a faint smile

“See, the party…” 

“No, you listen and get it very clear. I am what I am and you married me knowing what I am. And I think your circle knows what I am. You need to be present with your husband, the way he is. If you have idea of decorating a showpiece to take to the party, you married wrong person”

Geet looked at him surprised by his thinking, clarity and confidence. He was so clear on everything. He did not have a little hesitation or inferiority complex that he was the husband of Geet Handa.  He very well knew their difference and accepted it with grace. But then he doesn’t know her cousins were waiting for a chance to show him down

“I am going to get ready if you are still interested  that I accompany you in  the party, being me”

She smiled “We will leave by 6”

Maan had three formal party sets. His marriage suit had been used in Annie’s birthday party. There were a couple that he had kept for seminars. He got one from those out.

Maan had no intention to make Geet feel odd and he knew how to look smart. He just didn’t spend money on him as he had his dreams and responsibility to fulfill . He showered and freshened up, shaved to give good shape to his stubble and got ready in his suit. He recalled Vicky had playfully placed hair gel in his suitcase.

“Bhabhi ki nak mat katana bhai. Use these when needed” He smiled thinking of his silly brother. Took the hair gel and placed in his hair to give it a shape that Vicky had suggested will look good on him

“Most men will bring their wife as a showpiece, what’s harm in you being a showpiece for your wife. 

You are the  chosen one Maan. You have to pay the debt of all men’s deeds' ' he teased himself, smiled and left his room. 

Maan had a completely different ideology and accompanying his wife if she needed did not hit his ego like it would hurt most men. If a man needs his wife to accompany him, why can’t a wife need her husband the same way? He didn’t say these explicitly but it was inbuilt and he took it casually and that surprised the normal people of society.

Geet’s eyes widened as it landed on his handsome personality. His clothes may not be branded but it was purely formal for an evening party. But his persona, extremely fit physique and the confidence that he carried with him surpassed everything. It was so unlike Geet to be impressed by anyone but today the same Geet Handa, deep within, felt proud of him. And his looks definitely gave her that jitter in belly that no one has been capable of stirring till date.

Maan looked at his strikingly beautiful and elegant wife. Her flawless white skin, her curly yet silky hair, her shapes coming out wonderfully in the exclusive evening gown that she adorned. Her jewelry, her makeup, everything about her was flawless and apart. Maan was not the person to check out girls, but he was also not the saint to not check out the beautiful woman who was his wife. Though he knew, the vast difference did not qualify him as her husband but now that he was, he had full rights to check her out.

“Let’s go” she tried to break her own trance “Hmm” he nodded, getting a grip of himself and followed her.

The party had started and people were moving in but few eagerly waited for Geet to make entry. They knew very well she will be alone and they will grab their chance at her. 

Both were quietly seated in the back seat as the elegant exported model of porsche sedan moved in the traffic of Bangalore.

Maan kept looking out the window, knowing she would snap at him like their first night if she found him stealing glances at her. Geet could not help but kept checking on him. She wondered why he did not even once look at her. Is he not at all interested in her? Did he have a girlfriend and he was forced to marry her? There was so much she wanted to know about him. His simplicity has caught her attention the most.

The car stopped at the venue and her cousin  Jatin knew it was Geet’s. Ohh today was their chance and they could leisurely expose her marriage in front of their friends and also Geet’s friend who supported her lie.

The driver got down and opened the gate for Geet. She smiled at her cousin brother who was so eager to welcome her and gave her a wide smile as if he had won a battle. Driver moved to open the gate for Maan but he helped himself and got out of the car. Jatin’s jaw dropped as he saw Geet’s handsome husband making his appearance. Jatin went inside, obviously to inform others about Maan beside Geet 

“let’s go inside” and Maan walked beside her. Geet walked inside with her head held high as her husband accompanied her. Geet’s cousin sister and all girl friends could not move their eyes from Maan. Middle class simple Maan, decked up for the party, with his handsome look and out of world physique beat all the handsome rich hunk in the party.

Geet proudly introduced Maan. Maan knew it was Geet’s need to respectfully introduce him to everyone. That was his purpose of accompanying her. Or else, why would his wife, who barely knew him, introduce him this respectfully. Anyways, till she behaves well he will cooperate.

Party had already taken form and just like girls were jealous of Geet capable of finding a handsome husband even though middle class , she always manages to get the best. While the boys and men were completely irked by the middle class man getting Geet Handa as a wife.

Maan then took a glass of juice and sat at the corner on the stool, letting his wife do the socializing with her circle, foes or enemy, it was her world. 

He tried talking with a few men but as their talks were only limited to him, a middle class man, being lucky to have Geet Handa as his wife and not finding the mental level match he preferred to take a seat at the corner. Most were definitely highly educated, provided the immense wealth that they had but the mental blockage of status was the same as his wife’s, stopping them to have healthy conversations with him.

Few ladies and girls were checking on him but did not approach him initially as he was not of their status but then their heart kept swinging and few approached - what’s the harm to enjoy dancing in his strong arms. But Maan softly declined. 

They got irked ‘We just thought you were getting bored. Your loss.  Anyways, you must not be in habit of handling rich classy ladies”

“You are right. This is not my world”  he ended, not trying to gain any attention.

Geet had a couple of drinks and was also checking on her husband, who now had his eyes fixed on her. What else could he do? He was observing how Geet Handa acted in the party.

“Hi” Geet reached him. Couple of drinks inside her, she felt a bit relaxed approaching him. 

“You are drunk” “a little. You don’t drink?” she smiled

“No, I do. Very seldom, when with friends”

“So, you didn’t take any here?”

“No, I want to be in control, new place, new world” Geet looked at his sharp well chiseled face 

How casual he was while talking to her. Even rich and famous, talked to impress her. Well he didn’t need to, she was already impressed. In her little drunken state she could accept that openly to herself.

“I like your confidence” 

“Thanks. But what did I do to look confident to you?”

“Leave it. You wanna dance?” “I don’t dance”

“You don’t know to dance” she brought her brows together

He laughed, “I never tried. I think I don’t know”

“I think you will do good. Come with me on stage and give it a try. We will just swing. Show me how you hold your wife in your arm”

“I think you are a little out of sense. Don’t do something you will regret later” All he knew was, once she is back in sense and realized she has danced in his arms, she will be very upset. He knew she definitely did not approve of their status difference or else why would this be their first time even talking.

“You are declining? No one declines Geet Handa”

“If you are forgetting, I am your husband and not any man here to impress you. I am not comfortable dancing, you can go enjoy”

“Fine, you will regret declining this offer” She shrugged her shoulder and turned in attitude

“In limits” he warned. Geet looked at him in surprise. He warned her? No one other than her parents have the guts to warn her. Her ego hit a little and she decided to do the opposite of what he had warned.

Geet went on stage and started swinging. Men jealous of Maan’s luck got a chance to show him his status. As if that mattered to him.  They took their chance and started dancing with Geet. Geet, to show Maan his status and with hurt ego, swung in their arms. Maan kept his cool but the color of his face started changing as she started increasing the intensity of intimacy. 

Geet danced more closely and men got a chance and tried getting closer enough. After some while, their increasing closeness started making her uncomfortable. She was used to enjoying the party with dance and drink but always maintained her distance to some limit. Today she gave them the leeway and Sahil, who she knew had a bad crush on her, was taking his chance. He pressed her waist while dancing, Geet felt uncomfortable but how did she back off when she herself gave the hint to show her hubby his status.

Maan clenched his fist, she must be Geet Handa but she was his wife as well. It was a direct insult to him who was here just on her request. If she had to do all this, she could have avoided bringing him here. He is not a prop that she can use as per her need. 

“Sahil, dance properly” warned Geet “Of course, Geet Handa” and he suddenly held her waist and lifted her. Geet’s eyes widened on his act. Sahil brought her down and then she felt someone grab her arm and she looked to find fire filled eyes of Maan, his face was stoned. Somehow she felt relieved. He looked at Sahil

“It’s getting late, we will be leaving” and he looked at Geet “let’s go” . It was almost an order. But Geet felt relief with this authority or else things were going out of her hand. Her heart also felt a kind of giggling that it had never experienced before. First time someone was bold enough to stop her when she was going wrong, and that someone was her husband. He definitely holds some power to his personality.

Geet thought, in anger, he would drag her out, but Maan left her hand and walked ahead, knowing very well she would follow behind. 

Maan, after going out of control in his anger, soon realized she was Geet Handa and had her reputation in public. He cannot just show his husbandly rights and tarnish her reputation.

He calmed himself down and settled inside the car. Geet settled from the other side. She looked at him, he was looking out of the window. She pressed the remote for the partition to fall that separated them from the driver.

“I am sorry” she said in a low voice to gain his attention. Geet was a high headed girl but she was not an unreasonable person. She has clearly insulted him in her attitude. It was a clear case of inviting and insulting. On top, he has left his family visit, in mid for her.

He turned to her. He was seething in anger, pointed his finger on her face

“Let me be very clear, don’t even think of doing it again, in my presence or even behind my back, in my absence. You can decide to not come close to your husband, I am still Ok with that but that does not give right to you to get any close to any other man. Get divorced and do whatever you want. Not till you are my wife, Geet Handa” he was breathing heavy in anger

“See, I didn’t mean to”  

“I don’t want to discuss,” he ended. Geet tried to speak but he was so upset. It didn’t matter at that moment if he was a middle class man and she was the top business woman. They were married, he was her husband and this was clear anger of a husband on his wife dancing shamelessly with another man.

They reached home and Maan left for his room without looking at her.  

Geet left for her room, sat on her bed and a smile formed on her face. It was a whole different feeling for Geet. What a different person he was, she wondered. The pride and persona that he carried was taking away her heart. His anger on her, the right that he showed and the way he took her away from there with all rights, she felt protected. No one other than her parents has the guts to show her the mirror, tell her what is right or wrong, but here he was. It really didn’t matter to him that she was heir to such a big business Empire and  wealth. When she was wrong he intervened, stopped her and without the public show of his rights on her as husband, took her from there.

Maan, a man who generally kept his temper cool, has lost it today. He threw his suit on the bed, loosened his tie.

“Why did she marry when she cannot even respect the relationship?  I know there is a vast difference, I am nowhere worthy of her but then did I beg to marry her? I was happy in my own space, my own life. I have tons to do than to tag behind a rich wife”

He changed, still in anger “Did I beg her to take me to her high class shameless party? No. “ Maan was confused with his own thoughts. Why was he even being so protective or possessive for her when they have not even interacted. But so what, he argued, she is his wife.

It was Sunday morning and Geet woke up by the ringing of her cell. She lazily saw, it was her mother 

“Mumma, Good morning”

“Good morning. What’s your plan today”

“I am home. Lazy Sunday. Not doing any business today even if the empire drowns” 

“Shut up. I know you. Geet, I heard you went to a party with Maan. How did it go”

“Mumma, we are adults, we will manage our relation”

“Yes, just like you have been doing for the last four months. Geet, you have accepted and married him in all your senses, so don’t even think otherwise”

“I am not thinking any differently, mom. We are so different from different worlds.”

“Geet, divorce is not at all an option in our family. And for you specially, you divorce, you lose your property unless you remarry within the next six months. Are you ready for this cycle to happen and ruin the whole image of the family and to tell you the fact, that will also lead share prices to go down” Rano talked to Geet in Geet’s language to make her understand.

“Mumma, hold on. Where are you leading the talk? When did I say about divorce? Why will I?”

“Not you but two more months and Maan will definitely file for divorce. Six months and he can easily file. And why would he not Geet. If you are confident that any middle class man will not divorce Geet Handa, then let me tell you, Maan is not one of them” Well Geet knows that now.

“For him this is just an arrange marriage which he has done on his parents insistence, why would he continue, if you don’t want it to work”

“Mumma, stop worrying about my marriage. Him and I are married forever, just like it is our family tradition it will be forever. Now calm down” Geet disconnected. Her Mom made sure to lecture her on marriage everytime she was on holiday. But today was the first such day, she was giving it a thought. She learned yesterday, Maan respected relations so much. He will survive this relationship in any case. Sp, not out of the fear of divorce but she was intrigued to know about him otherwise.

He must be knowing a lot about her, she was Geet Handa. But she knew nothing about him. But what Geet did not know is Maan has learnt about her beyond her being Geet Handa. He knew about her more intimately because he had observed her. He has observed when she had been elated, when she had been upset and how she behaved in each situation. And what she needed in different moods.

Mina came with tea and cookies for Geet. Geet took a sip 

“Ma’am, you are home for a whole day after so long. It feels nice.” Geet smiled

“Mina, can you make me that tea”

“Which tea ma’am”

“The one you made when I was so stressed the other day, a month or two back. It was different. You never made that again”

“Ohh.. that one. Hmm I remember but ma’am, I do not know how to make it”

Geet frowned in confusion

Mina hesitated but then this was her chance to say about Sir

“Ma'am, that tea was prepared by sir. He, that day saw you very stressed and prepared it for you and sent it through me” Mina surprised Geet by her words. But Geet kept her calm on her face.

“Okay you go”

“Interesting… very interesting” Geet was now getting more eager to know about her husband, who had capability to cloud her mind. Ohh.. he had been keeping tabs on her while she had been completely aloof. 

She got ready in her casual Sunday outfit and knocked on his door. No sound.

She found Mina “Where’s your sir. He does not have a holiday on Sundays?”

“Sunday is his holiday ma’am. He must be in the society community center” and she left. But Geet was not comfortable going to the community center. As the name suggests,  it must have all people from society. Though it was a high class society, Geet was still apart and knew everyone’s attention would immediately focus on her.

So she decided to wait for him to return. Maan entered after a couple of hours and Geet was surprised that he entered from the back door. He was so used to it, it was now as if the front door for him.

He entered the hall and their eyes met for the first time in that penthouse hall. He came closer and Geet could see he was all sweaty. Maan had taught the kids and then went for his jogging.

But before she could say anything, he came closer . He was looking at her, calmness written all over yet no expression. And then came his controlled deep voice

“Sorry for losing my cool yesterday. I realized later, there is actually nothing between us for me to react that way, trying to act husbandly”

He said without expression but it pained Geet. It was the first time that Geet felt pain for someone other than her parents. He turned his back

“I am sorry” he stopped by her words and turned to look at her surprised. He knotted his brows “for what?”

She shrugged her shoulder “I did go off limit last night”

He looked down and smiled to himself and looked at her “There is actually nothing between us that you should be sorry to me. I took my role a little too seriously. Let’s end that topic and return to our place in this house as strangers” he left for his room.

Geet was not naive to not understand that she had let him down badly. He was keeping himself in a safe zone to not be a victim of her name, fame and attitude. 

He was a very simple man but now, for Geet Handa, this simple man was the most interesting project. And why not, he was her husband and she was bound to him for life.

She settled on the sofa and smiled to herself - Won’t it be interesting to learn this new side of the world that life has thrown at her. And why not, when the one she had was not just anyone but a unique piece of his own kind. 

She was bewildered, how can he handle it so casually, accepting that they are far apart in status yet being unmoved by her grand aura. Instead pulling her to him.

Chapter 6

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Author's Note: - I had this written and readers here have welcomed this story with open heart so I cannot disappoint readers here and thus this new chapter for you all here.

I am keeping this story password free as I want most of you to enjoy. But then it become your responsibility to not promote any story which will copy concept or scene of this story. 🙏🙏

Also, It is a long 3750+ words update. I just kept writing and it came out this big. Now, for this, please come up with long, nice summarizes, analyzed comments and more comments. I want more of you to comment. Trust me it motivates. Let me know how did you like the progress... was it something you expected or was it a surprise... Please let me know.

tellyme2024-04-11 15:38:20