Chapter 32

Chapter 32

On the weekend, Geet spent time with Naintara and Dadima. Geet told them her plans to go out for dinner, Naintara then suggested they should go shopping and have lunch outside together. Geet smiled and agreed as she wanted to choose something for tonight. Geet told Naintara whilst they were out that she’d be going to a night club as well so she needed something that would make her fit in.

Naintara dragged her to a series of different stores and had Geet trying on different dresses to find out which one suited Geet best. Geet purchased 4 new dresses after she’d finished for the day, and they walked into a local restaurant for lunch.

“Is everything okay between you and Veerji?” Naintara changed the topic after they’d placed their order.

Geet looked at her surprised. “Yeah, why do you ask?”

“I didn’t bring it up since Karwa Chauth, but something doesn’t feel right between you both” Naintara replied. “Veerji is gone in the morning before breakfast, and he comes very late. You’re in bed by the time he comes home. On weekends, he’s disappeared again, and you spend time with us or with your friends. When do you both find time for each other?” she inquired.

“Everything is fine” Geet responded.

“I’m a lawyer by profession, Geet. I can smell bullshit” she reminded. “Dev and I are equally busy with our case load, but we are making time for each other”.

Geet wanted to open her heart and tell her everything, but she was afraid of Naintara telling dadima. “We’re fine” she lied once again and smiled. She was thankful when the waiter arrived with their food. Geet focused on her plate grabbing her knife and fork trying to avoid further conversation.

“Geet…” Naintara reached across the table grasping onto her hand. “Look here”.

Geet kept her eyes down. She was afraid of looking up and noticing the pity in Naintara’s eyes and she’d end up crying in a restaurant full of people even if they were in a corner where they were mostly hidden.

“I’m here if you need to talk to anyone. None of your friends know you’re married so I’m guessing your options are limited. I promise you that if you tell me anything, it will stay between us” she promised. “Not even Dev”.

Geet raised her eyes and looked directly at her. “You won’t tell dadima?”

“No, whatever you tell me I won’t tell anyone”.

Geet contemplated over her words. Maan didn’t want anyone to know, but she needed to confide in someone. She couldn’t tell her friends as that would open a whole can of worms of who she married, when, how, and so many other questions that Geet did not have answers to. She couldn’t confide in her parents; they’ve always been supportive and encouraging but when it came to marriage – their views were that of the old age rules. Could she take a chance on Naintara? She had no one else in her corner. And since she’d settled here, Naintara has treated her like a young sister and a friend.

Naintara looked at her concerned noticing the unshed tears in Geet’s eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you and Veerji having any trouble?”

“He doesn’t want me” Geet murmured and swallowed hard. Geet then explained how they’d agreed to try, but Maan failed the first time and she’d considered asking for a divorce. However, that time dadima had overheard and she’d fallen severely ill. Maan then agreed to give them a chance and promised to try. Everything seemed to be going well, they spent time together and were getting to know each other. Geet had started liking him as she got to know there was more to her husband. She told Naintara how everything seemed to be going well until the party night when he’d disappeared inside to see a client. She’d waited in the car for some time, and he’d joined her disturbed.

Naintara learned about Maan asking Geet for space then disappearing for 3 months, she was stupefied learning that he had not reached out and called her in the 3 months. Geet explained she’d texted him in the beginning and her calls went to voicemail. He cited he was busy in his text messages each time she’d tried checking in on him.

Geet told her that he’s given nothing away to her and she’s just had enough of this. Naintara’s eyes softened and misted when she learned Maan had suggested they pretend everything is fine until dadima gets well and then he will speak to dadima about separating. She told her that Maan is sleeping in the guest room once everyone is in bed, and he leaves before everyone wakes up. Naintara pushed out of her chair and moved to the other side wrapping an arm around Geet embracing her tightly. Geet burrowed her face into her shoulder crying softly. She felt relieved being able to express herself and not worry about keeping up appearances of a perfect marriage.

“I’m so sorry, Geet. I hadn’t even realised it was this bad between you both” she murmured. “You shouldn’t be going through anything like this”.

Geet sniffed. “I… I’m only 20 years old, it shouldn’t be like this, right?”

“No, it shouldn’t be like that” Naintara shook her head and agreed with Geet. She sometimes forgot how old Geet was given that she acted more mature than her age. She had been 19 years old when she’d married Maan and turned 20 a couple of months into the marriage. She recollected that Maan was working until late when they’d celebrated her 20th together. Could it be that Maan hadn’t even known it was her birthday? “Geet, don’t cry” she stroked her back soothingly and said, “we can figure something out together”.

“There’s nothing to figure out” she mumbled lifting her head and wiped her tears. “He’s decided for us both”.

Naintara was not what to say here. She worked cases and was able to advise her clients quickly but when it comes to this relationship – she was uncertain. She considered Geet’s side and said, “Veerji has already decided what’s going to happen, right?”

Geet nodded silently, her nose red and her lips in a pout.

“Then move on” she suggested.

“What?”

“Move on and forward” Naintara told her. “Don’t mourn for this relationship, Geet if there is nothing there. You’re still so young and beautiful. If there’s one thing, I’ve learned in my years here is that Veerji rarely ever changes his decisions. The only time he’s changed it is in exceptional circumstances when dadima’s health had been at risk” she explained.

“Who does that?” she questioned shaking her head.

“Dadima always said he was different when he returned from London. Papaji sent him abroad to complete his studies and when he’d finished his university degree and returned. He was apparently different, just more serious and closed off” she explained. “But that doesn’t excuse his behaviour” she quickly added not wanting to give Geet the impression she was justifying Maan’s behaviour. Naintara would not have accepted such behaviour from Dev, she’d have put her foot down within the first few weeks if she sensed such behaviour from him. Thankfully, that was not the case with her marriage. She sympathised with Geet and saluted her patience, for almost a year she had put up with Maan’s conflicting hot and cold emotions.

Geet shrugged sniffing and sighed. “Our food is probably cold by now” she looked at the plates of food they had not yet touched.

“I’ll ask them to heat it” Naintara informed and waved over to the waiter who’d arrived. Naintara asked them to reheat the Mexican chicken rice they’d ordered and assured it was not their fault when the waiter looked concerned about getting a complaint. Naintara moved back to her chair and dug through her purse for tissues and handed it to Geet. Geet thanked her, patting her cheeks, and swiped it underneath her eyes to wipe off the smudged mascara.

Geet returned home feeling spirited now that she had confided in Naintara. She felt slight unburdened that she was able to express her first years’ worth of struggles with Maan’s indifference. Naintara reassured Geet that she wouldn’t break her trust and tell anyone until Geet is ready to speak to them. Geet was grateful for that. She and Naintara went to dadima after they returned home and sat with her for a couple of hours. At around 6pm, Geet excused herself to shower and start getting ready.

Geet showered and pulled out her new dresses, she selected the black dress that cinched around her hips before flaring out to her knees. She slicked on a layer of mascara and finished her lips with a shade of ruby red. She created bouncy big curls with her curling iron and set it with her spray. She chose a pair of black heels to finish off her look. She grabbed her phone, debit card and the remaining cash from her purse and placed it into her clutch. Satisfied with her look, she turned to leave and stopped when the door opened and Maan entered.

It felt like she’d seen him after so long, even though she’d caught a glimpse of him here and there in the office. She didn’t see him much at home though. She looked away from him and walked past him ignoring the heat of his body as he remained in that position.

Maan turned and glanced over at her retreating back and closed his eyes. He shook his thoughts away and walked into the washroom to freshen up.

“Is it date night?” Dev winked at Geet as she walked down the stairs.

“Nothing like that” she shook her head. “I’m just going to dinner with some friends”.

“Bete, Maan kahan hai?” Dadima asked. “He should be taking you out to dinner. My pyari bahu is looking so beautiful” she smiled sweetly.

Geet shifted uncomfortably, “Dadima, maine doston ke saat pehle plan banayi hai. Unko mana nahi karna chahti”.

“Koi nahi, lekin Maan ko kaho ke woh bhi aap ko dinner pe le jaye”.

She nodded with a weak smile.

“Bhabhi, how are you getting there? Is one of your friends coming to pick you up?”

“No, I’m going to take taxi. Main jao, dadima?”

“Bete, Mohan ko kaho ke woh aapko drop kardein” she answered.

“Nahi, main taxi call kardungi”

“Bete, nahi. Main aaram se nahi bait paungi. Meri koi chinta nahi hogi agar Mohan aapko drop kar dete hain”.

“Teek hain” she agreed reluctantly and called Mohan. He arrived a few minutes after with the car and Geet bid bye to Dev and dadima. As soon as she had left, Maan had come downstairs and joined dadima and Dev.

“Maan, what are you doing right now?” Dadima asked.

“I’m going to relax before I have to head out and meet someone” he replied.

“Aap na… Sirf kaam aur kaam. Aaj weekend hain, Maan”.

“Janta hoon”.

“Aap ko nahi lagta ke aap meri bahu ko bahar leke ghoomna hai?”

“Dadima, Geet understands that I am really busy”.

“That does not mean you use that same excuse all the time” Dadima countered angrily. “You need to make time for Geet”.

“Okay, I will” he replied in exasperation.

Dadima calmed down and smiled pleased with his answer. Little did she know that had just been a lie that escaped his lips so that he didn’t tell just blurt out that he and Geet are going to be separating soon.

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