~ The Charade ~

InkedImagination

@Queen0fDarkness

Maan Singh Khurana and Geet Handa had known each other for several years. They were colleagues, strictly professional, or so it was meant to be. Beneath the polished veneer of boardroom discussions and formal handshakes, however, there simmered an unspoken chemistry that neither had dared to acknowledge. Maan, with his reserved demeanour and rigid self-discipline, never allowed the boundaries between his personal and professional lives to blur. Geet, in contrast, was vivacious and spirited, often lighting up the office with her playful nature.

Yet, even she couldn’t help but steal covert glances at him when his attention was elsewhere.

Life at the office ticked along uneventfully until one fateful evening when Geet’s exuberant friend, Pinky, burst into her office with a revelation that threatened to upend everything.

“Geet, you won’t believe what I’ve just overheard!” Pinky announced excitedly with a bag of crisps in her hand.

“What is it now, Pinky? Another one of your infamous gossip updates?” Geet barely spared her a glance as she was immersed in the report.

Pinky perched herself on the edge of Geet’s desk with a cheeky grin as she popped another crisp into her mouth. “Oh, this isn’t just gossip. This is gold. Guess what people are saying about you”.

Geet sighed heavily, she dropped her pen down and looked up. “Go on then, surprise me”.

With a sly smile and a theatrical pause, Pinky declared, “They think you and Maan sir are dating”.

Geet stared at her friend, utterly bewildered. “What? That’s absurd! Why on earth would anyone think that?”

“Well” Pinky began, savouring the moment, “someone overheard you and Maan talking in the corridor. Apparently, it sounded a bit… personal. You know how people are, always ready to concoct a story out of thin air. And honestly, Geet, can you blame them? You two do have this... undeniable spark”.

Geet’s cheeks flushed a deep pink. Pinky wasn’t entirely wrong. There was something between her and Maan, though neither of them had ever dared to address it. But dating? That was preposterous. Maan was her boss, and she respected him far too much to entertain such an idea. Besides, he seemed completely indifferent to her, maintaining an impeccable professional distance.

“Wait, you said people overheard us? Who, exactly?” Geet questioned pondering over Pinky’s words.

“Oh, it’s all over the office now. But the real sleazy part? Sasha is spreading it, she even told Rajiv who would not believe her”.

Geet groaned inwardly. Rajiv the office’s most obnoxious presence. He had a habit of ogling her in a way that made her skin crawl and had dropped more than one unwelcome hint about his interest in her.

But then, an idea began to form in her mind. It was risky, even audacious, but it might just work. “Pinky” Geet said slowly, her lips curling into a mischievous smile, “this rumour might actually come in handy”.

Pinky leaned forward, intrigued. “How do you mean?”

“Well, if people think I’m dating Maan, maybe Rajiv will finally back off. He can’t very well keep making his creepy advances if he believes I’m spoken for. If he’s not believing Sasha now, but if we show him, he will believe it and back off” she said excitedly.

Pinky chuckled and was impressed. “That’s genius, Geet. But there’s just one tiny issue”.

Geet’s smile faltered. “What now?”

“You’ll have to convince Maan sir to go along with it” Pinky pointed out, smirking.

Geet groaned, the enormity of the task hitting her. Convincing Maan Singh Khurana to play along with a fabricated romance? That was going to be a challenge of Herculean proportions. But as daunting as it seemed, Geet couldn’t deny that the plan had merit. Now, all she had to do was get Maan to agree, a feat that might just test her charm and ingenuity to their limits.

The next day, Geet sat in Maan’s office, nervously fiddling with the hem of her shirt. She hadn’t planned on being this nervous, but now that it was time to pitch her idea to him, she was second-guessing everything. It’s only Maan, she told herself.

“Is there something you need, Geet?” Maan asked, his tone as authoritative as ever. His deep voice held a calm intensity that always managed to make her heart skip a beat.

“Uh, yes” Geet stammered, suddenly regretting her decision to come here. She cleared her throat and straightened her posture, determined to see this through. “I need to talk to you about something. It’s… kind of important”.

Maan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “Go ahead”.

Taking a deep breath, Geet blurted out. “Okay, so, this might sound a bit mad, but I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend. Just for a little while”.

Maan’s eyebrows shot up, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his otherwise impassive face. “Excuse me?”

“Look, it’s a long story” Geet said hurriedly, wringing her hands. “But people in the office, especially Sasha and Rajiv have been gossiping about us. They think we’re dating”.

Maan tilted his head slightly, his brows furrowing in thought. “And you want me to… play along?”

“Yes, exactly!” Geet said, her words spilling out in a rush. “He doesn’t believe it right now. But if we can convince Rajiv that we’re together, he’ll stop bothering me. You know how he always stares at me and makes those creepy comments which he thinks is funny and cute, but it is not. I’m sure you’ve noticed”.

Maan’s lips twitched, a fleeting hint of a smile breaking through his stoic exterior. “I have noticed”.

Geet’s heart fluttered at the admission, but she forced herself to focus on the task at hand. “So, what do you say? Can you pretend to be my boyfriend for a little while?”

Maan leaned back further in his chair, crossing his arms as he studied her with that piercing gaze of his. “And how long, exactly, do you expect this charade to last?”

“A week?” Geet suggested hesitantly, biting her lip as she gauged his reaction.

A long silence followed as he pondered. “And what’s in it for me?” he finally asked, a tiny curve on his lips which caught Geet off guard. Was he teasing her?

Geet blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I’m not going to pretend to date you just for fun, Geet” Maan responded, his eyes looking at her amused. “If I’m going to go along with this, there has to be something in it for me”.

Geet’s mind raced. What could Maan Singh Khurana possibly want out of this arrangement? “Uh… okay” she began hesitantly, scrambling for an idea. “How about this: you get to be the ‘perfect boyfriend.’ Show me how charming and attractive you are. You can even give me lessons on how to flirt properly” she added with a playful grin, hoping to lighten the mood.

To her surprise, Maan smirked, a rare expression that sent her heart into overdrive. “Is that so? Well, if I’m going to do this, I might as well do it right”. He stood up from his chair and took a step closer to her, his tall frame towering over her petite one. “You’d better be ready, Geet. I don’t do anything halfway”.

Geet swallowed hard, suddenly hyper-aware of how close he was. “Deal” she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

Maan’s smirk widened slightly, but then his expression shifted, becoming thoughtful. “Actually” he began, “there’s one more thing”.

Geet frowned. “What now?”

“My grandmother has been pestering me about settling down” Maan said, his tone dry but with a flicker of vulnerability she’d never seen before. “She’s desperate for me to get married and won’t let up. If we’re going to do this charade, I want you to play the part in front of her too. Maybe if she believes I’m already involved, she’ll stop with the endless matchmaking”.

Geet blinked, taken aback by the unexpected request. “You… want me to pretend to be your girlfriend in front of your grandmother?”

Maan shrugged, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. “It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, isn’t it? You get Rajiv off your back, and I get some peace from my grandmother”.

Geet hesitated, her brain scrambling to process this new layer of complexity. But as she looked up at Maan, his expression calm yet expectant, she realised there was no turning back now.

“Alright” she said finally, holding out her hand. “It’s a deal”.

Maan’s firm handshake sent an unexpected warmth coursing through her. “Good” he said, his voice low and confident. “Let’s get started”.

By lunchtime, the office was abuzz with murmurs and stolen glances in their direction. Geet and Maan stood side by side in the cafeteria queue, their closeness drawing attention. As she reached for a coffee cup, her hand brushed against his. A spark shot through her, and she pulled back instinctively, but not before Maan caught her wrist lightly.

“Careful” he murmured as he brushed his fingers across her wrist, his fingers lingered just a second too long, his touch firm yet gentle.

Geet looked up at him, her breath catching as their eyes met. His gaze was dark, intense, and unwavering. For a moment, the bustling noise of the cafeteria faded into the background. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the subtle tension in the way he held her gaze. He was good, she thought internally.

“Thanks” she responded quietly.

Maan released her hand, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles, but his eyes betrayed something deeper - something neither of them dared to name.

As they made their way to a table, Maan placed a hand on the back of her chair, pulling it out for her. “After you” he said smoothly, his tone laced with a teasing warmth.

Geet’s cheeks flushed. She could feel the stares from their colleagues, but it wasn’t their attention that had her flustered - it was his. The way he looked at her, if they were not pretending and he had looked at her like that, she would have thought it was real. Anyone looking at them would definitely believe that they were a couple now. She hoped Rajiv would see it and back off.

Later that afternoon, Geet found herself alone in the printer room, trying to focus on her work. The machine whirred as it spat out documents, but her mind was far from the task at hand. The memory of Maan’s touch lingered like a flame she couldn’t extinguish. His touch was fleeting but warm and ignited something within her.

Just as she began to collect her papers, the door opened, and Maan stepped in.

“Everything alright?” he asked.

Geet nodded, but her hands betrayed her, trembling slightly as she shuffled the papers. “Yes, just… finishing up”.

Maan moved closer, his tall frame looming over her. “You seem nervous” he remarked, his tone soft but edged with curiosity.

“I’m fine” she replied quickly, though her pulse quickened as he leaned over her, ostensibly to reach for a stapler. His arm brushed against hers, and the contact sent a shiver down her spine.

She turned to face him, only to realise just how close he was. His face was inches from hers, his dark eyes searching hers for a moment. The air between them crackled with an unspoken intensity, their breaths mingling in the confined space.

“Maan…” she began, her voice faltering.

“Yes?” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze dropping briefly to her lips before meeting her eyes again.

Geet’s heart pounded in her chest. She could feel the pull between them, the magnetic force that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. But before she could say anything more, the door opened abruptly, and a colleague stepped in, breaking the spell.

Both of them stepped back quickly, pretending nothing had happened, though the flush on Geet’s cheeks and the subtle clench of Maan’s jaw spoke volumes.

As the day wound down, Maan offered to walk Geet to her car. The parking lot was quiet, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows. They walked in silence for a while, the tension between them growing with every step.

When they reached her car, Geet turned to him. “Thank you… for everything today. I didn’t think it would be this… intense”.

Maan chuckled lightly, his gaze softening. “You’re welcome. Though I must admit, you’re making it rather easy to play the part. The way your cheeks get warm, you’d think you were not acting”.

“Yeah, acting hmm…” Geet plastered a smile thankful that he took it as acting and didn’t know she was getting affected by his closeness. “You’re not too bad yourself” she commented.

For a moment, they stood there, the night air cool against their skin. Maan reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered against her cheek, and she felt herself leaning into his touch, her breath hitching.

“Geet” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide and searching. “Yes?”

He seemed to hesitate, his jaw tightening as if waging an internal battle. But instead of stepping back, he leaned closer, his lips hovering just above hers. The world seemed to stand still, the weight of the moment pressing down on them both.

But just as their lips were about to meet, Maan pulled back, his hand dropping to his side. “Goodnight, Geet” he whispered.

Geet watched him walk away, her heart pounding and her mind racing. This wasn’t just pretend, it surely can’t be. He was not acting, was he?

Geet was looking over some documents at her desk when Maan’s voice broke her concentration.

“Geet” he called from the doorway of her office.

She looked up, startled to find him leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, his usual air of authority softened by something that almost looked like… nervousness?

“Yes?” she asked, setting her pen down.

“I need you to come to lunch with me tomorrow” he said plainly, as though he were asking her to attend a standard meeting.

Geet blinked. “Lunch? Tomorrow? Why?”

“You’ll meet my grandmother” he said, his expression unreadable. “She’s… eager to meet you”.

Geet stared at him, her mind racing. “Eager to meet me?” she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Maan, are you serious?”

“Dead serious” he replied, stepping further into the room. “She’s been on my case about getting married for years. I told her I’d bring you to lunch tomorrow so she’d finally stop hounding me”.

Geet stood up, hands on her hips. “And you didn’t think to ask if I was okay with this plan?”

Maan arched an eyebrow. “You agreed to play the part of my girlfriend. This is part of the deal”.

Geet groaned, throwing her hands in the air. “You’re impossible, Maan Singh Khurana”.

“And yet, you’ll come” he said with a faint smirk.

The next day, Geet found herself seated at an elegantly set dining table in the Khurana mansion, feeling completely out of place. Opposite her sat Savitri Devi, Maan’s grandmother, a regal, sharp-eyed woman who radiated warmth and authority in equal measure. Maan, of course, looked perfectly composed, sitting beside Geet as if this were an everyday occurrence.

“So, Geet” Savitri Devi began, her smile bright and genuine. “I must say, I’m thrilled to finally meet the woman who’s stolen my Maan’s heart. I thought this day would never come”.

“It’s lovely to meet you too, Mrs Khurana” Geet responded with a nervous chuckle.

“Oh, please, call me Dadima” she insisted, waving a hand dismissively. “You know, Maan has been so stubborn about settling down. I was beginning to think he’d take this secret to the grave”.

Geet glanced at Maan, whose expression remained frustratingly neutral, and then back at Dadima. “I suppose he just needed time” she replied.

“Well, his younger brother, Dev, certainly didn’t waste any time” Dadima said with a chuckle. “Dev and Naintara were married in a heartbeat, and now they’ve blessed me with two adorable great-grandchildren. You should see them; they are absolute angels”.

Geet smiled politely, but before she could respond, Dadima leaned forward, her tone turning teasing. “I keep telling Maan that at this rate, I won’t live long enough to see him settle down. But at least now, I can die in peace knowing I’ve met his girlfriend”.

Geet’s eyes widened at the unexpected dark humour, and she shot a glance at Maan, who appeared entirely unfazed. She couldn’t decide whether to laugh or panic.

“Dadima, don’t say such things” Geet said, trying to keep her tone light. “You’ll be around long enough to see Maan married, and hopefully, those great-grandchildren too”.

Dadima sighed dramatically. “Oh, I don’t know, my dear. Maan has been making me wait so long, I might not have any patience left. But now that I’ve met you, I’m hopeful. You seem like just the sort of woman who could knock some sense into him”.

Geet’s gaze snapped to Maan, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You have been making her wait, Maan” she said, her tone sharp. “How could you torture your poor grandmother like this? Honestly, just get married already!”

Maan’s eyebrows rose slightly, amused by her sudden indignation. “I’ll keep that in mind” he said dryly.

Dadima clapped her hands together, clearly delighted by the exchange. “Oh, I like her, Maan. She’s feisty, she is exactly what you need”.

Geet flushed under the praise, but before she could respond, Maan leaned back in his chair, his smirk firmly in place. “You see, Dadima? She’s already giving me orders”.

“Well, someone has to” Geet quipped, folding her arms. “You clearly need it”.

Dadima burst into laughter, her joy lighting up the room. “Oh, this is going to be fun. Geet, you’re a breath of fresh air. Don’t let him off the hook too easily”.

As the lunch continued, Geet found herself warming to Dadima’s wit and charm. Despite the initial awkwardness, she realised she genuinely liked the older woman. And as much as she hated to admit it, playing Maan’s girlfriend in front of his grandmother didn’t feel as forced as she’d feared.

But as they left the Khurana mansion, she couldn’t help but glance at Maan, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “You really owe me for this” she muttered.

He glanced down at her, the corners of his lips quirking into a rare smile. “I think you enjoyed yourself more than you’re letting on”.

Geet scowled, but her cheeks betrayed her, flushing a faint pink. “Just don’t push your luck”.

Maan chuckled softly and opened the car door for her. She climbed in settling in her seat and drove away leaving Maan standing there and watching her.

Geet sat in the cafeteria a couple of days later picking at her salad, when her least favourite person in the office strolled in, Rajiv. She tried to look busy, but her heart sank as he made a beeline straight for her table, his smug grin firmly in place.

“Hello, Geet” he drawled, sliding into the seat opposite her without so much as an invitation. “So, is it true? You’re dating the boss?” His tone was dripping with scepticism and amusement.

Geet looked up, feigning calm, though her irritation simmered beneath the surface. “Yes, Rajiv. I’m dating Maan Singh Khurana. Surprised?”

Rajiv let out a disbelieving laugh, leaning forward on the table. “Really? I don’t buy it. You expect us to believe a guy like him is dating a girl like you?”

Sasha snickered from the other table and covered her mouth when Geet shot her a glare in her direction. Geet’s grip on her fork tightened but she kept her expression composed. “Well, whether you believe it or not doesn’t really concern me”.

Rajiv smirked, undeterred. “You know” he said, leaning in further, his voice dropping to what he clearly thought was a seductive tone, “if he’s not showing you a good time, I could. I’m more than capable of treating a woman like you properly”. He ended with a wink that made Geet’s stomach churn.

Her appetite vanished entirely. She set down her fork, meeting his gaze with a sharp glare. “Wow, Rajiv” she said dryly. “That was so nauseating, I think I just vomited in my mouth a little”.

The smirk disappeared from his face. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?” he shot back, his voice rising slightly. “Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?”

Geet straightened in her seat, her voice firm and loud enough for others in the cafeteria to hear. “Who do you think you are, Rajiv? Walking around like a creep, making women uncomfortable with your disgusting comments? I’ve tried to ignore you, but enough is enough. Do you think winking and leering makes you irresistible? Newsflash! It doesn’t. It’s pathetic. You might be good looking, but you are a creep and that already makes us women swipe LEFT on you”

Heads turned as her voice rang out across the room, and the usual hum of conversation fell silent. Rajiv’s face flushed crimson, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. “Watch it, Geet” he growled, clearly livid. “You’re just an office girl who is fu-”

Geet cut him off, her tone sharper than a blade. “I’m just a woman who’s tired of being harassed by someone who doesn’t understand the meaning of decency. You want respect, Rajiv? Start earning it by treating people with respect first”.

A murmur spread through the cafeteria, and Rajiv’s glare hardened as he realised the attention of the entire room was now on him. His fists clenched, but he said nothing further, instead storming off with a huff.

Geet exhaled sharply, her pulse racing, but relief washed over her as the tension in the room eased. She could feel the eyes of her colleagues on her, but instead of feeling self-conscious, she felt a flicker of pride. She had put him in his place.

From the back of the room, Maan stood silently, his arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold. His usually stoic face was soft, his lips curling into the faintest smile as he thought, That’s my girl.

Geet turned back to her salad, though she knew she wouldn’t be eating another bite. She had agreed to this fake relationship with Maan Singh Khurana thinking it would scare Rajiv off, but clearly, it hadn’t. Now, she was more determined than ever to show the likes of Rajiv that she wasn’t someone to be trifled with and she’d do it on her own terms.

Maan approached her table then, his towering presence causing the few remaining onlookers to hastily avert their gazes. He slid into the chair Rajiv had vacated, his calm gaze meeting hers.

“You alright?” he asked quietly, his deep voice steady but laced with concern.

Geet sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “I’m fine. Just needed to say what’s been building up for a while”.

Maan nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “You handled it well”.

“Well enough to convince him to back off?” she asked with a wry smile.

Maan’s lips twitched into a smirk. “If he has any sense, he’ll stay far away. But if he doesn’t…” His voice trailed off, his expression darkening slightly. “He’ll wish he had”.

Geet couldn’t help but smile, her earlier frustration easing. For all the chaos of their pretend relationship, Maan Singh Khurana certainly had her back. And for now, that was enough.

Later that day, Rajiv found himself summoned to Maan’s office. He entered with a swagger, though the sweat on his brow betrayed his unease. Maan sat behind his desk, his imposing presence amplified by the silence in the room. His dark eyes were cold, piercing through Rajiv as if he could see right through every defence the man had prepared.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Rajiv began, attempting a casual tone.

Maan didn’t bother with pleasantries. He leaned forward, his voice calm but laced with authority. “I’ve tolerated you long enough, Rajiv. Your behaviour with Geet today crossed the line actually, you’ve been crossing lines for quite some time now”.

Rajiv straightened, feigning indignation. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Geet overreacted”

“Stop” Maan cut him off, his tone sharp. “We both know exactly what you’ve been doing. Making inappropriate comments, staring, making women in this office uncomfortable. And today, you not only disrespected Geet but also insulted her publicly when she stood up to you. That is harassment, Rajiv, and it’s unacceptable”.

Rajiv scoffed, though his voice wavered. “You can’t prove anything. And even if you could, you can’t just fire me over one incident”.

Maan rose from his chair, towering over Rajiv, his gaze like steel. “I can, and I will. But I’m giving you a chance. Resign. Find a job elsewhere. Quietly. If you don’t…” He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, “I’ll fire you for harassment, blacklist you in this industry, and make sure you don’t find a job in this city, or any city by the time I’m done with you”.

Rajiv’s face paled. “You can’t do that. That’s illegal” he said defensively but in a weak tone.

Maan smirked, his eyes cold and challenging. “Try me, Rajiv. Just push me, and you’ll find out just how much influence I have. By the time I’m done, no company will touch you with a ten-foot pole”.

The silence that followed was deafening. Rajiv swallowed hard, his bravado crumbling under Maan’s unwavering gaze. “Fine” he muttered finally, his voice barely audible. “I’ll resign”.

“Good choice” Maan replied coldly. “And Rajiv? If I hear about you pulling this kind of behaviour elsewhere, don’t think for a second that I won’t follow through on my promise”.

Rajiv nodded stiffly and left the office, his shoulders slumped. Maan watched him go, his expression hard. He had made a mistake allowing someone like Rajiv to linger in the company for so long, but he would ensure it didn’t happen again.

Meanwhile, Geet was in the break room, sipping on a cup of chai when her friend Pinky plopped into the chair opposite her, grinning from ear to ear.

“Well, look at you” Pinky teased, her tone light and playful. “You didn’t need Maan Singh Khurana to scare off Rajiv. You handled him like a pro”.

Geet smiled faintly. “It was long overdue”.

Pinky leaned forward, wagging a finger. “So, does this mean you can stop ‘dating’ the boss now? I mean, the mission’s accomplished. Rajiv won’t dare bother you again after that dressing down you gave him”.

Geet chuckled but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stared down at her chai, her mind wandering. Pinky’s words echoed in her head: Stop dating the boss.

Should she call it quits? The whole arrangement had been to deal with Rajiv, and that problem seemed solved now. But as she considered it, a strange unease settled in her chest. Maan had gone above and beyond to protect her. Their fake relationship had blurred so many lines that lines she wasn’t sure she wanted to redraw. The way he had looked at her, the quiet support he had given her… it had all felt too real.

“Well?” Pinky pressed, snapping her fingers in front of Geet’s face. “What are you thinking?”

Geet shook herself out of her thoughts, offering a distracted smile. “I’m not sure yet. Let’s see how things go”.

Pinky raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further. “Alright, but just remember that you’re the boss of this situation, not him. Don’t let those dreamy eyes of his confuse you”.

Geet laughed, though her mind was far from settled. As she watched Pinky walk away, her thoughts lingered on Maan. Calling it quits might be the logical thing to do, but her heart wasn’t so sure anymore. And that uncertainty scared her more than Rajiv ever had.

Geet was typing away at her desk when Maan appeared at the door, his imposing frame silhouetted against the bright hallway lights. She looked up, immediately suspicious of the slight smirk on his face.

“What now?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Dinner” Maan said simply, stepping inside her office.

Geet frowned. “Dinner?”

“Yes, dinner” he repeated, his tone calm as he leaned against the doorframe. “At my place tonight”.

Her fingers froze on the keyboard, and she blinked at him. “You’re inviting me to dinner? With your family?”

Maan nodded, his expression neutral. “My brother Dev, his wife Naintara, and their two children are visiting. Dadima insisted on a family dinner. And since you’re my…” He hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing, “...girlfriend, she expects you to be there”.

Geet’s eyes widened, panic setting in. “Maan, no! I can’t do this. I don’t even know them”.

“They’re friendly” Maan assured her, shrugging as if it were the simplest thing in the world. “You’ll get on with them just fine”.

“I’ll embarrass myself!” Geet protested, standing up. “What if they start asking questions? What if I say something wrong? What if your niece or nephew decides I’m the worst fake girlfriend in the world and tells Dadima?”

Maan rolled his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. “They’re children, Geet, not undercover investigators. Relax. Dev and Naintara aren’t the interrogating type”.

She shook her head vehemently. “Maan, this is a terrible idea. Just tell Dadima I can’t come. Make up an excuse!”

Maan raised a brow. “You want me to say no to Dadima?”

“Yes!” Geet said, as if it were obvious.

Maan gave her a flat look. “Geet, I can rule an entire business empire, negotiate with the most stubborn CEOs, and manage a thousand employees. But saying no to Dadima?” He scoffed, straightening his posture. “Even I’m not that brave”.

Geet stared at him, her jaw dropping slightly. “You’re scared of your grandmother?”

“I’m not scared” Maan replied, though his tone lacked conviction. “I just… respect her authority”.

“Right” Geet said, crossing her arms and arching a brow. “The mighty Maan Singh Khurana, brought to his knees by a sweet, old lady”.

Maan rolled his eyes, exasperation flickering across his face. “Are you done?”

“No” Geet shot back. “This is priceless. You’re terrified of Dadima, admit it”.

“I’m not terrified” Maan said firmly, though the way he avoided her gaze said otherwise.

Geet couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “Unbelievable. You intimidate half the business world, but one stern look from Dadima, and you crumble”.

Maan’s lips twitched, though he quickly suppressed the smile. “Are you finished making fun of me? Because you’re still coming to dinner”.

Her grin instantly faded and she groaned placing her hand on her forehead. “Maan, I really don’t think this is a good idea”.

“It’s not up for debate” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Dadima invited you. She’s looking forward to seeing you again. And trust me, saying no isn’t an option”.

Geet sighed, slumping back into her chair. “Fine. But if I make a fool of myself, I’m blaming you”.

Maan smirked, a rare softness in his expression. “I’ll take full responsibility”.

“Good” she muttered, glaring at him half-heartedly. “Because this is all your fault”.

Maan chuckled as he turned to leave. “Relax, Geet. It’s just dinner”.

“Just dinner” Geet repeated to herself once he was gone, shaking her head. “Right. What could possibly go wrong?”

Geet was sat beside Maan, nibbling at her food trying to keep up with the lively conversation.

“Oh, it’s so wonderful to have everyone here” Dadima said, her radiant smile lighting up the room. “This is exactly what I’ve always wanted a full, happy family”.

The children giggled as Naintara gently scolded them for playing with their food, while Dev added a humorous comment about their mischief, earning a laugh from everyone. Dadima’s eyes sparkled as she soaked in the joyous atmosphere, but then her gaze fell on Maan and Geet, her expression softening with purpose.

“Geet” Dadima began, her voice carrying an unmistakable emotional weight, “this is exactly how I imagine you and Maan. A happy home, laughter, children running about… You’ll make such a wonderful elder daughter-in-law”.

What? Geet froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. Her heart sank at the loaded statement, and she glanced at Maan for help. He arched a brow at her with mild amusement, as if to say, Your move, Geet. She glared at him in response, but Dadima seemed oblivious, carried away by her enthusiasm.

“All I’ve ever wished for” Dadima continued, her voice growing wistful, “is to see my two grandsons settled. Dev and Naintara have made me so happy, and these little ones are my greatest joy”. She gestured fondly to the children, who were now happily munching on dessert. “But Maan…” She sighed dramatically, turning her gaze to him. “He’s always been so focused on work, so distant from these joys. Now that he has you, Geet, I feel like I can finally hope again”.

“Ah, here we go” Dev interjected with a grin, setting down his glass. “This is classic Dadima emotional blackmail. Geet, I hope you’re ready”.

Naintara chuckled, patting Geet’s hand reassuringly. “He’s not wrong. She did the same thing to us. But in fairness, I didn’t mind. I loved Dev and was thrilled to marry him”.

“See? She didn’t stand a chance” Dev added, smirking. “What could I do? I had to give in. Dadima’s guilt trips are legendary”.

“Dev” Dadima said with mock exasperation. “It wasn’t blackmail. It was encouragement”.

“Encouragement with a side of ‘you’ll break my heart if you don’t” Dev teased, earning a round of laughter from everyone but Geet smiled faintly, still pondering over her comments.

Dadima turned her attention back to Geet, her tone growing softer, more earnest. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I would have loved to live long enough to see Maan married, to see him pass on the responsibilities of this family to someone capable, like you. But knowing he has you in his life already brings me so much peace”.

Geet swallowed hard and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She glanced at Maan again, silently pleading for him to say something. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, looking amused at her discomfort.

“Careful, Dadima” Maan said dryly. “You’ll scare her off before we even get to the wedding”.

Geet’s head snapped towards him, her glare sharper than a dagger. “Wedding? Don’t you dare…”

“Relax, Geet” Maan interrupted smoothly, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “It’s just a hypothetical”.

“Hypothetical, my foot” Geet muttered under her breath, earning a chuckle from Dev.

“Ah, bro” Dev said, shaking his head in mock pity. “You’re in trouble already. And she’s not even married to you yet”.

Naintara nudged Dev playfully. “Leave them alone. Geet’s got enough on her plate dealing with Dadima’s dreams”.

“I heard that” Dadima said with a laugh, though her eyes were still focused on Geet with a warmth that made Geet’s heart twist. The room filled with more laughter and conversation, but Geet’s thoughts churned.

As the evening came to an end, Maan walked Geet to her car. The cool night air did little to soothe her frazzled nerves, and she hesitated by the car door, fiddling with her keys.

“Maan” she began, her voice quiet but determined. “I can’t do this anymore”.

Maan frowned. “Do what?”

“This” she said, gesturing between them. “Pretending to be your girlfriend. Your Dadima… she’s so hopeful, so happy. And I can’t keep lying to her. It’s cruel”.

Maan’s brows furrowed. “Geet, you’re overthinking this. Dadima’s fine”.

“No, she’s not” Geet countered, her voice rising slightly. “She’s imagining weddings and grandchildren and…”

“Geet…”

“…she’s talking about passing on responsibilities and how she doesn’t have much time left...”

“Geet, listen to me….”

“…and I can’t be the reason her hopes get shattered when…”

“Geet, shut up” Maan said, his voice low but commanding.

She stopped mid-sentence, blinking at him in shock. “Excuse me?”

Maan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Geet, shut up”.

Her jaw dropped, her eyes wide with indignation. “Excuse me? Did you just te…”

“Shut up” he repeated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If you would stop talking for just a second and listen to me…”

Geet scowled, cutting him off. “I can’t believe you’re telling me to shut up! You mongrel! Here I am helping you and you are telling me to shut up! How dare you? I didn’t want to hurt your dadima and you…” She turned on her heel, ready to walk away, when she felt his hand close around her wrist. Before she could protest, Maan tugged her towards him with enough force to make her stumble slightly. His arm circled around her waist, anchoring her firmly in place.

“You’re not leaving” he said, his voice low and steady, “until you listen to what I have to say”.

Geet blinked up at him, her chest heaving with a mix of anger and confusion. “Fine” she said, her voice sharp. “What do you have to say?”

Maan’s intense gaze softened slightly as he held her there. “I said I don’t want to pretend anymore”.

His words hung in the air, sinking into her mind slowly. She stared at him, her mouth slightly agape. He loosened his arm around her, giving her the chance to step back if she wanted to. But she didn’t. Instead, she stayed where she was, blinking up at him in surprise.

“You… don’t want…to pretend?” she repeated, her voice quieter now.

“No” he said simply, his voice raw with honesty. “I don’t. I like you, Geet. And this pretending… it’s been driving me mad because none of it felt fake to me”.

Geet’s heart skipped a beat at his admission. She considered his words for a long moment, her mind racing. Then, as if a switch flipped, she frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. “Alright then” she said coolly. “Ask me out properly”.

Maan blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“You heard me” she said, tilting her chin up defiantly. “You want me to be your girlfriend for real, right?” He nodded slowly, still processing her sudden shift in tone. “Then ask me out properly”.

Maan sighed, running a hand through his hair, but a small smile tugged at his lips. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”

“Properly” she repeated, her tone insistent, though the corners of her mouth twitched with a smile.

Maan straightened, squaring his shoulders and taking a dramatic step back, as if preparing for a formal speech. He placed a hand over his heart, mock seriousness painting his expression. “Geet Handa” he began, his voice overly dramatic, “would you do me the extraordinary honour of being my girlfriend? Not my fake girlfriend, not my pretend partner, but my actual girlfriend”.

Geet bit her lip, clearly amused, and pretended to consider it. “Hmm… I don’t know. That was a bit much”.

“Geet” he growled, his patience wearing thin.

She burst out laughing, unable to hold back anymore. “Alright, alright! Yes, Maan Singh Khurana, I will date you”.

Maan let out a relieved laugh, stepping forward to close the gap between them. “Finally” he muttered, pulling her towards him and capturing her lips in a kiss that was anything but dramatic. It was firm, warm, and real, everything that had been building between them finally spilling over.

Geet tiptoed, sliding her arms around his neck, her laughter fading as she melted into the kiss. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and she reciprocated with equal fervour, her earlier nerves forgotten.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Geet looked up at him with a teasing smile. “See? Was that so hard?”

Maan chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. “You have no idea”.

Geet laughed softly, her arms still looped around his neck. “Well, now you’re stuck with me, Khurana”.

“Stuck?” he repeated, a smirk playing on his lips. “I think I can live with that” he leaned down once again brushing his lips against hers.

Geet leaned back in her chair, watching Pinky munch on her packet of crisps with the same enthusiasm as someone uncovering a life-altering secret. She decided it was now or never.

“So” Geet began, crossing her arms and smirking slightly, “it’s no longer a charade”.

Pinky paused mid-chew, her eyes widening. “What?” she asked, her voice muffled by a mouthful of crisps. She swallowed quickly and sat forward, her curiosity piqued. “What do you mean it’s no longer a charade? You mean… you and…”

Geet nodded, her smirk growing. “Maan and I are… dating. For real”.

The packet of crisps dropped onto the table with a loud rustle as Pinky gasped dramatically, clasping her hands over her chest. “No! You’re serious?”

“Dead serious” Geet replied, trying to sound casual, though the faint blush on her cheeks gave her away.

Pinky stared at her, her mouth agape, before breaking into a wide grin. “Oh my God! Geet, that’s amazing!” She practically squealed, clapping her hands together. “I knew it! I knew there was something real between you two. All that tension? Come on, it was obvious!”

Geet laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, well, it took us long enough to figure it out”.

Pinky leaned back, grabbing another handful of crisps as she sighed wistfully. “You’re so lucky, yaar. Pretend to date, realise you’re mad for each other, and then… bam! It’s real. Where do I sign up for a story like that?”

Geet rolled her eyes at her friend’s theatrics, but she couldn’t help the amused smile on her face. “You want a romance like that? Then maybe stop pouring all your love into snacks”.

Pinky froze mid-bite, her brow furrowing. “Excuse me?”

“I’m serious” Geet teased, leaning forward with a mock-serious expression. “What if there’s someone out there right now, watching you, wanting to be with you, but you’re too busy devouring your snacks to notice?”

Pinky blinked, her lips twitching as she fought back a smile. “That’s ridiculous”.

“Oh, it’s not” Geet said, her tone growing even more dramatic. “What if this poor guy—let’s call him Mr. Mystery—is out there, gathering the courage to talk to you, only to see you tearing into a packet of crisps like your life depends on it? What if he thinks, ‘If she’s this passionate about food, what if she decides to eat me?’”

Pinky finally burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she tried to compose herself. “Geet! That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard”.

“But not impossible” Geet replied, wagging a finger at her. “Mark my words, Pinky. Focus less on crisps and more on the people around you. Mr. Mystery might be closer than you think”.

Pinky wiped a tear of laughter from her eye, shaking her head. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

“And you love me for it” Geet shot back, grinning.

Pinky sighed, her laughter fading into a fond smile. “I’m really happy for you, Geet. Maan’s a lucky guy”.

Geet’s expression softened, her smile turning shy. “Thanks, Pinky”.

“And” Pinky added, grabbing another crisp, “if Mr. Mystery is out there, he’ll just have to accept that snacks and I are a package deal”.

Geet laughed, shaking her head. “Poor guy doesn’t stand a chance”.

It started with the two friends and ended with the two friends. I hope you enjoyed this one. Please do hit the like and comment. Devil in the Dark has been updated.