Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Dadima looked down where Geet lain her head on her lap and cried herself to sleep, at the stroke of midnight she sighed heavily, and a tear slid down her cheek.

Guilt wrapped around her heart like vines and squeezed tightly. She had destroyed Geet’s life by partnering her up with Maan. She had really hoped, desperately so, that marriage will change her grandson and he would be living a fulfilling life that didn’t just surround his work. She had never expected her grandson to be so vicious.

She brushed her fingers through Geet’s soft hair offering a little comfort and trying to soothe her shattered dreams.

Dadima turned her head and looked dejectedly as Naintara walked in.

“She’s finally asleep?” Naintara asked softly.

“Yeah, finally” dadima agreed. “Has Maan returned yet?”

“No” Naintara shook her head.

Dadima nodded and looked down at Geet’s sleeping form. “What have I done?”

“Dadima, it isn't on you” Naintara reasoned. “Veerji is an adult and he should have been doing his duty towards Geet. We cannot force him into doing his part”.

“I put them both in this position…” she looked down at Geet and stroked her cheek gently. “Geet… I ruined her life”.

“Aise mat kahiye, dadima. We didn’t know veerji will be acting like this” she wrapped her arm around her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her head. “None of us knew” she whispered and stared at Geet sadly.

“It should have been a happy day today; their wedding anniversary is tomorrow” Dadima mused to herself.

Naintara hummed softly and then informed dadima to lie down and sleep as well. She gently coaxed Geet to shift and stretch out besides dadima. After they’d both stretched and closed their eyes, Naintara switched off the light and closed the door behind her.

She found Dev leaning against the railing staring down into the hall and his eyes flicking to the entrance every few seconds.

“Hasn’t veerji returned?” she inquired joining her husband and rested her head on his shoulder and linking her arm around his.

“Not yet” he answered pressing a kiss to her forehead. “How’s dadima and bhabhi?”

“Dejected, hurt and crying” she replied. “They’ve just managed to lie down to sleep now. What are we going to do, Dev?”

“I don’t know. Bhai has… I don’t know what he’s thinking or doing”.

“Has he said anything to you at all?”

“You know how bhai is. He’s always kept things to himself”.

Naintara sighed heavily wondering what was going to be happening to this family.

Maan returned early morning looking dishevelled and rough. He hadn’t slept all night being tied up and his mind consumed with the thoughts of Geet and her final words.

She hated him.

He had done that to her.

Maan paused when he glanced into the dining room, dadima was trying to coax Geet to eat and she’d numbly open her mouth chewing and seemed deep in thought.

Dadima noticed him and stiffened.

Geet turned her head and stilled as she noticed Maan as well.

She pushed away from the table and climbed up the stairs not wanting to even remain any place where she could see him. She had already called in sick at the office and Viren had been kind enough to cover her workload.

She closed the bedroom door and sat on the bed clutching at the edges. All she recollected was his words of finding someone else. How could he have said that? After she’d said she wanted a chance with him. After she told him she had a blind sense of loyalty to him. How could he even consider those words?

She stood upright when the door opened, and he stepped inside.

Maan looked at her dejectedly and swallowed hard.

Geet looked away and moved to pass him when he grasped her wrist stopping her.

“Geet…”

“Don’t” she yanked her hand away scowling at him. “If you’re not going to tell me the truth, then you have no right to speak to me or touch me. I hate you” she punctuated each word. Each word speared through his heart wounding him.

“I know” he nodded.

“How did you even find it in you to say those disgusting words?”

“You’re better off without me”.

“I should make that decision! Not you” she snapped. “Me!” she brushed away the tears that slid down her cheeks. “You didn’t even give me a chance”.

“I know” he agreed. He didn’t deny it. There was nothing here to deny. She was right. But he didn’t know where he starts or what he should even say.

Geet waited and watched if he would say anything further. Give her an explanation for distancing himself away from her. He didn’t say anything.

She looked away holding her head high and walked out of the room.

Geet had shifted into one of the guest bedrooms on the other side, so she could limit the number of times she’d see Maan. Unfortunately, she had seen him at work, but it was easy to duck into her office and keep herself occupied.

Maan was easily avoiding everyone, he’d leave the mansion early morning and return late at night. Geet considered quitting her job, but she was a trainee and didn’t have enough experience and qualifications to apply for such a role in another company.

If she had, there would have been a Geet shaped hole in the company doors because that is how fast she would have run out.

Dadima helplessly watched them both avoiding each other, even accidentally if they had come into the same room, one of them always quickly backtracked and walked away. She tried speaking to Maan, but he didn’t give anything away.

Geet spent more time during the weekends with her friends so she could be away from the mansion and not fall into depression seeing dadima and Naintara’s questioning eyes and worried expressions. She wanted to show them that she was happy as she is. She didn’t need Maan in her life. She wasn’t going to give him a piece of her anymore.

Armaan and the others wasted no time flirting with the girls in their friends’ group.

Armaan wasted no time asking Geet out again and again. She’d laughed and reminded she wasn’t looking to date anyone.

This time she didn’t say no because of Maan or her marriage. That chapter had ended in her life and soon it would be official when he hands her the divorce papers.

She had said no because she didn’t want to invest her time, her loyalty and trust only to be hurt again. She was past the hurt and crying stage. Geet was at the angry stage right now.

“Dadima, aapne bulaya?” Geet paused inside the bedroom and stilled seeing Maan sat on the edge of her bed.

“Haan Geet” Dadima nodded.

“Main baad mein aati hoon”.

“Maine aap dono ko bulaya hai” she responded. “Aaye” she gestured.

Geet reluctantly walked further inside and stood by the end of the bed unwilling to go further especially being in the sight of her husband.

“It’s going to be our first Diwali soon and… there will be lots of family and friends coming over. Some… relatives will also be coming to stay with us” Dadima informed slowly looking between them. “I don’t have any right after ruining both of your lives…”

“Dadima, don’t say that please” Maan squeezed her hand. “Dadima, you had nothing to do with it”.

“Dadima, please don’t blame yourself. There is only one person to blame here” Geet replied throwing Maan a look of hate.

Maan glanced over his shoulder. “Thanks, Geet. I know”.

“Good” she crossed her arms.

“Can you… both just whilst our relatives are here, just pretend?” Dadima asked softly. “Or there will be so much talks and taunts from everyone. It’s only been a year and you’re already…”

“It’s fine, dadima. We understand” Maan reassured.

“Are you sure? Geet?” Dadima looked at Geet.

“Teek hain, dadima. I can pretend, it’s the only thing we’ve been doing for the last year. What’s another week?” she shrugged.

Maan looked at her over his shoulder once again.

She scrunched her nose and turned around flipping her hair over her shoulder walking out. “You’re sleeping on the sofa or the floor” she told him before she closed the door behind her.

Maan shook his head and looked at dadima.

“At least she’s speaking to you” Dadima smiled.

He hummed sighing heavily.

“Bete…” Dadima cradled his cheek and caressed him. “Why don’t you just tell us all what’s bothering you?”

“I’m sorry, dadima” he apologised turning his head and pressed a kiss to her palm.

She sighed and closed her eyes as he pressed a kiss to her forehead and stood walking out.

Thank you for your patience and support.

If you like arranged marriage trope - I have another started. I couldn't resist.

Although this is mafia so beware there will be violence and darkness.

The Devil in the Dark