Chapter 4

InkedImagination

@Queen0fDarkness

Chapter 4 - Veiled intentions

Maan arrived at the café a little earlier, outwardly, he seemed calm and composed but internally his heart was racing. There was just something that he couldn’t put his finger on, Geet intrigued him and captivated his attention. He had asked her out for a coffee which she had agreed to.

He settled at a table and waited for Geet to arrive. He looked up hearing the door open and his heart faltered as Geet walked in. She dressed in a blue blouse and a black pencil skirt that hugged her elegantly. Maan couldn’t take his eyes away from her, she was stunning. He watched as she scanned around the café and finally noticed him. She smiled and walked towards him, he stood to greet her.

“I hope I’m not late” she said with a smile placing her handbag down.

“Not at all, I just got here as well” he responded. “You look beautiful as always” he complimented.

“Thank you” she smiled warmly at him. Maan politely gestured to the waitress letting her know they were ready to order their drinks. Maan ordered an Americano and Geet ordered a cappuccino and declined getting something to eat as she was going to be going back to the office.

They exchanged pleasantries before settling into a comfortable conversation.

“I’ve just realised, I didn’t ask what you do?” he said.

Geet smiled. “I’m a data scientist at Ravenwood Financials”.

“Ravenwood Financials?” Maan arched his brows in surprise and he also impressed.

Geet laughed softly seeing his surprise. “Yes, that’s the one”.

“That’s one of the top firms to get into our country. I am really impressed”.

“It’s nothing really, they were looking for someone with a background in predictive analytics and machine learning. It just so happens to be an area of expertise” she responded shrugging nonchalantly.

“Just so happens?” he asked teasingly. “You make it sound like its easy”.

Geet chuckled. “Anyway, what about you? Where do you work?”

Maan hesitated for a moment, he hadn’t ever had to tell anyone what he did. They already knew him and about his family business. “I work with my dad in our family business – Khurana Group”. Usually hearing that, women’s eyes widened and he felt uneasy when he noticed how their eyes light up as if he was not a man but a money tree standing before them.

Here, Geet looked amused and she started laughing. “Sorry, sorry” she placed her cup down and picked up her napkin wiping her mouth. “I know who you are. You looked familiar at the gallery, and I went home and checked you out” she admitted with a chuckle.

Maan looked at her then laughed with her. “You’re the first to look at me like I was a stranger. It was nice doing an introduction to myself rather than the opposite party doing it for me”.

Geet nodded and took another sip of her drink. “Do you enjoy it?”

“It’s ok. I mean, it isn’t glamorous or fun. Its mainly meetings, spreadsheets, blueprints…” he shrugged. “And there’s the expected social events that I must attend. They’re the same, but meeting the same sort of people who only see £ signs when they look at me…” he shook his head with a sigh.

Geet kept a smile on her face, though internally she felt flickers of anger. The reason people looked at him with £ signs in their eyes was because he flaunted it. She recollected the night his father tried to throw money at them to forget Meera and move on. She subtly steered the conversation away from personal details about herself as they continued talking. She encouraged Maan to talk about his work, his experiences instead.

“You know Geet, you are very different from the type of women I meet”.

“Women, huh?” she teased. “How many have you invited out for coffee date?”

“None” he responded honestly. “You were the first, the women at these social events were… I mean its all surface level conversations with them. Some of them never really indulged in a deeper conversation, they just nodded along and gave their fake smile but with you… it’s different”.

“That’s because I am not a woman looking to impress you” she remarked.

Maan laughed. “Funny, I think I’m impressed without you making any efforts”.

Geet’s phone buzzed, she dug into her handbag and noted her parents were facetiming her. She dropped her phone back into her handbag. “It’s the office. I need to head back – we’ve got some deadlines to meet”.

“Oh okay” he said and started standing as she grabbed her things. Maan went to the counter and paid for their drinks and walked her outside.

“I’d like to see you again, Geet”

“I’d like that” she responded and he watched as she stepped outside and climbed into an uber.

Maan felt a lightness in his chest that he hadn’t felt in years. A part of him wanted to call her back, prolong their time together. It was shocking, he had only met her twice and she made him feel lighter. The burden on his shoulders seemed to reduce when she was present, almost like he found a way out of the dark shadows of his past. Maan shoved his hands in his pocket and exhaled heavily.

Hope. A feeling he had disassociated with that it had become foreign to him. Yet, hope creeped into his chest unsettling him in ways he couldn’t fathom.

Geet pulled out her phone as she arrived home and called her parents back.

Mohinder answered and grinned. “Sorry beta, were you at the office?”

“I’ve finished and came home now, papa. How are you and mama doing?”

“We’re both okay” he said as he settled beside Rano. “Here’s your mama with me” he gestured.

“How are you doing, Geet?” Rano asked.

“I’m doing good, mama. How are you doing? Are you enjoying India?”

“Yes, beta. We are” Rano said with a soft smile.

Geet kicked off her heels and sat down on the sofa tucking her legs beneath her. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. You both deserve this break” she said softly. She missed their warm presence and the comfort she felt whenever they were around, but this distance was going to be worth it in the end.

“Are you eating properly, Geet?” Mohinder asked. “I’ve called your Pammi aunty to drop off some food for you”.

“Papa, I can cook you know” she reminded.

“Geet, you will only cook noodles and eat that. I want you eat properly” he pointed out.

Geet chuckled. “I’m doing fine and I have been eating well. When I miss mama’s cooking, I will order an indian takeaway”.

“Yes, that’s filled with sugar. Good idea”.

“Very funny, papa” she said with a laugh.

“Geet beta” Rano intervened, her voice filled with concern. “Please take care of yourself. Eat properly and make sure you enjoy. Don’t keep hiding your face into that laptop of yours”.

“I will, mama. Don’t worry about me, please” she reassured.

“Your papa and I went to one of the oldest temples here” Rano informed. “We lit a diya for Meera and you. We prayed that she’s… at peace and hope that you will be too”.

Geet swallowed hard. “Thanks, mama” she whispered, her eyes stung with tears as she thought of her sister. “Di will want you both to relax and enjoy your trip so please make sure you do that”.

“And your di will have wanted you to find peace as well. Live life a little”.

“I will, papa. I am working on finding peace” she reassured with a promise.

After a few more minutes, they ended the call. Geet leaned her head back against the sofa and sighed heavily. The warmth she felt speaking to them dissipated quickly and was replaced by the dark ambition that fuelled her every step going forward. She found herself wrapped comfortably by the shadows of her vengeance, that was her companion in the loneliness. The first step had been successful, she has drawn the attention of Maan Singh Khurana and the game was well and truly underway.

It was two months into their relationship, Geet and Maan had settled into a comfortable rhythm. Meeting for coffee and dinner between their busy schedules. Maan had become attached to Geet, her presence was a warm balm to the dark shadows of guilt that consumed his life. His heart stirred whenever he thought of her. He was falling in love, and he was ready to take the next step tonight.

Geet was unlike anyone he’d ever met, she was intelligent, warm and so refreshingly grounded. He had booked a table at La Belle, one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city which required booking in advance – months ago. However, he had called in a favour with a his friend who owned the restaurant and secured a table on the rooftop.

Maan perused himself once more, he had dressed in a navy shirt pairing it with black trousers and a fitted blazer that hugged his perfectly chiselled body. He wanted to look the best for Geet.

He grabbed his wallet and keys heading downstairs.

“Where are you going?” Raj questioned looking up from his tablet.

“Our” he answered nonchalantly.

“Out where?” Veena questioned, her sharp eyes assessing her son curiously.

“Just out, maa” he repeated.

“We’re not blind, son” Veena remarked placing her book down and focused on her son. “Who is the girl?”

“What?”

“You heard me perfectly fine, son. Who is she?”

He sighed heavily. “You’ll see soon. I’m planning to introduce her to you soon”.

“What’s her background?” Raj inquired now. “We can’t just have anyone getting involved in your life”.

Maan groaned. “Dad, please”.

“She must be very important if you’re dressing like that. You’re not asking her to marry you, are you?” Veena said slowly and her eyes narrowed.

Maan hesitated for a second and she sat up straighter.

“Maan” she pressed.

“I don’t know yet. I just want to speak to her first about meeting you both”.

“Hmm, fine. You’re not marrying her without us doing a full background check on her” Veena responded.

“I’m getting late. Good night” he responded with a tinge of frustration and strode out.

Kieran opened the door for Maan as he walked towards the car. He climbed in and Kieran settled into the driver’s seat starting the car. Since that night, Maan had never driven in the night again and preferred having a driver for wherever he needed to go. He only drove occasionally now and then and that too during the day. Maan pondered over the conversation with his parents. For years, he had resented them for forcing him to stay silent about the accident, they had wanted to protect their name and legacy. However, as he grew, he had started understanding the complexities of their actions. They had acted selfishly; however, it was not only just to protect their name but save him as well. They loved him and wanted him to succeed in life. He brushed off the thoughts of the past and glanced out as Kieran turned into the street where the restaurant was. As the car stopped, he saw Geet waiting wearing a beautiful emerald dress that flowed gracefully.

He stepped out of the car closing the distance between them. “You look stunning” he murmured leaning down to kiss her cheeks.

“You’re looking quite dashing as well” she responded with her a soft laugh, though her skin crawled internally with his touch.

“Let’s go” he said sliding his arm around her waist and leading her inside.

“Something on your mind?” Geet questioned midway through their dinner. They had indulged in a delicious starter of peri prawns and truffle risotto which they both shared. The waiter then brought out their respective mains. Geet ordered a ribeye steak with a side of asparagus, truffle flavoured mash with a spicy and sweet pineapple salsa. Maan opted for the roast duck with blackberry orange sauce, a side of garlic herb rice and roasted fingerling potatoes. They had dug into their dinner when it arrived, Geet noted however that Maan kept pausing every moments watching her before he’d smile and dig back into his dinner.

Maan hesitated for a brief second with her question and set his fork down. Geet picked up her glass of wine and sipped.

“There is” he admitted and smiled softly. “I’ve been thinking about us... and how much these past two months have meant to me”.

Geet’s expression softened, though her mind was already racing. She knew what was coming, and she prepared herself, her smile never faltering. Another step closer to her goal.

“These past few weeks with you has been incredible, Geet. I… I never thought I’d find someone who could make me feel as you do” he said and reached for her hand. Geet continued to smile and placed her hand into his, he squeezed gently and leaned forward. “I didn’t know I was looking for you… You complete me, Geet. I… I’d like you to meet my parents” he added further.

Geet didn’t falter, she knew it was coming. She allowed a flicker of hesitation. “Your parents?”

“Yes, my parents” he responded. “Geet… you have to know what I feel for you isn’t just… it isn’t just infatuation, it’s something more. I know it’s only been a couple of months and one day, I… I hope…” he paused and ran a hand through his hair. A habit she observed he did when he was quite nervous.

“Maan, calm down” she said with a chuckle. “Don’t be nervous. It’s me”.

He chuckled softly. “I’d like for you to meet my parents, Geet. They’d like to meet you too”.

“You told them about me?” she inquired curiously.

“My mother is a sharp woman, nothing passes by her. She teased me about dressing up and realised it was for a woman” he replied.

Geet smiled coyly showing him that his words affected her. “If you’re sure, Maan?”

“Of course” he squeezed her hand. “I want them to meet the incredible woman who’s stolen my heart”.

Geet deliberately gasped and looked at him surprised.

“I love you” he admitted and chuckled. “It’s so weird that its only been a couple of months, but…”

“I love you, too Maan” she intervened and felt her heart skip a beat seeing the intensity in his eyes. She had him where she wanted him. She had anticipated a moment like this, prepared herself for it and it was here. The next step of meeting his family didn’t just bring her forward in their relationship, it was a step closer to the lion’s den.

Maan’s heart exploded internally with the love and affection he felt for the woman before him. How had he gotten so lucky? He leaned closer cradling her cheek, their meals forgotten as he dipped his head. “I love you, Geet” he whispered into her ear.

Geet closed her eyes, masking her true emotions and smiled. She looked at him like a woman in love. He believed her. She momentarily tensed when his eyes drifted to her lips and he inched closer. She withdrew looking at him shyly making him chuckle.

“We’re in a restaurant and our food is getting cold” she mockingly admonished picking up her fork.

Maan laughed and nodded in agreement.

Geet grinned at him digging into her food, her outward expressions were calm and composed, she was smiling and saying all the right things, inwardly she was sharpening her focus and preparing for the next stage of her plan.

Meeting the parents of her sister’s killer.

Hope you have enjoyed this chapter. Please do hit the like and comment. It is a short story so is moving quicker than my others. I will be trying to complete it by Sunday as I am back in work from next week.

And finally happy new year. Wishing you all a successful and joyful year ahead.