Chapter 7

InkedImagination

@Queen0fDarkness

Chapter 7 - Surprise

Geet smiled inwardly as her fingers danced across the keyboard, each tap a deliberate step in her intricate plan. The Khuranas were as predictable as she had anticipated, and she relished their predictability. The alert she had set up weeks ago had pinged earlier in the day, confirming her suspicions. Their private investigator was already at work, digging into her fabricated past.

Over the past few weeks, Geet had crafted a seamless narrative of a life that didn’t exist—a timeline of a childhood spent in various orphanages, with supportive mentors and scholarships paving her way to success. Every detail had been considered, from the names of fictitious caretakers to the fabricated records of schools she had “attended”. She had even created digital footprints—social media profiles with sparse but believable content that hinted at her orphaned background and a hardworking, determined personality.

She glanced at the second tab on her laptop, where the virtual tour of her rented one-bedroom flat was still open. Anticipating that Maan might eventually want to drop her off or visit her, she had taken the precaution of signing a short-term six-month lease. It was a modest space, carefully curated to match the persona she had crafted. She had also added her own personal touches - a few framed photos of generic landscapes, a worn but cosy throw draped over the sofa, and a bookshelf filled with classic novels and a few books on data science.

Every detail in the flat was deliberate. The kitchen cupboards were stocked with a mix of essentials and a few indulgences, like a half-empty jar of Nutella to suggest a guilty pleasure. Her wardrobe, neatly organised, featured professional attire alongside casual wear, hinting at a balanced life. On the desk in the corner of the living room, she had placed a small stack of papers and a notebook, giving the impression of someone who often worked from home.

She had even gone as far as to leave a pair of slightly scuffed trainers by the door, suggesting she was someone who occasionally went for a jog. Every element of the apartment had been meticulously curated to reflect the hardworking, independent woman she had presented to Maan and his family.

Everything was going according to plan. The Khuranas believed they were the ones in control, pulling the strings and dictating the terms. Little did they know, they were merely pawns in her carefully orchestrated game.

Geet’s eyes drifted to a framed picture on her desk, one of the few genuine relics from her past. It was a photo of her and Meera, taken years ago on a rare family outing. Meera’s smile was as radiant as the sun, her arm slung around Geet’s shoulders. Geet reached out, running her fingers lightly over the glass.

It was all going as she predicted or so she thought.

It was a couple of weeks later, Geet had met Maan’s parents a couple of times by now, she had been to lunch at their farmhouse during one of the rare weekends breaks away, she had been to dinners and attended 2 evening parties they hosted.

Geet stood in front of the mirror perusing herself. She had dressed in a classy navy A-line dress and a belt cinched perfectly around her waist accentuating her curves elegantly. She had her hair in loose curls framing her face. She had slicked on red lipstick and finished off with smoky eye makeup. She turned slightly, examining herself from different angles. Every detail was deliberate, from her understated diamond earrings to the delicate gold bracelet adorning her wrist.

Geet glanced at the clock, the sound of a car slowing down outside catching her attention. She moved to the window, parting the blinds slightly to confirm it was Maan. His sleek black car idled at the curb, the figure inside already stepping out. She exhaled slowly, tamping down the storm of emotions swirling within her.

Her thoughts drifted momentarily to the kisses they had shared. Each one had been a test of her resolve, stirring a toxic mixture of disgust and anger that she had to bury deep. But Maan didn’t see it—he only saw the woman who smiled warmly, laughed lightly, and seemed just as besotted as he was.

She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and forced herself to let go of the fury simmering beneath the surface. The time for revenge would come, but not yet. She cast one last glance in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance, before grabbing her clutch and stepping outside.

Maan’s reaction was always the same, his eyes widened slightly and a slow smile spread across his face. “You look… breathtaking” he breathed out.

“A different adjective this time, huh?”

“I think the dictionary may run out of words soon because there aren’t enough words to describe you, beautiful” he said with a laugh opening the car door for her.

“Where are we going tonight?” she questioned curiously as he settled in.

“You’ll see” he responded with a playful grin.

As they drove, the conversation turned casual, the kind that had become second nature between them. Maan glanced at her briefly and said with a soft chuckle. “You know, my parents were really impressed with you last week at the party”.

“Oh?” Geet feigned surprise and arched her brows curiously.

“Yes” Maan replied, his tone almost excited. “When the men started talking about business and market stocks, most of the guests, hell even their wives that were hanging around were visibly bored, but not you. And then, when one of them posed a question no one could answer, you stepped in”.

“I didn’t mean to steal the spotlight”.

“Steal it? Geet, you were incredible” Maan said earnestly. “Even my dad’s associates were singing your praises. They couldn’t stop talking about how insightful your answer was”.

He glanced at her, his eyes filled with pride. “And my parents, of course, took the opportunity to boast. Maa told them you’re a data scientist at Ravenwood, and Dad just sat there smiling like he’d won a prize”.

Geet chuckled. “I’m glad they were happy”.

“Happy? They were over the moon. Maa even said it was nice to have someone at the table who wasn’t a sycophant or completely clueless”.

Geet smiled; her thoughts carefully concealed behind her composed exterior. She had played her part perfectly at that party, and it had paid off.

After a while, Maan turned down a quiet road, and the car slowed as they approached his farmhouse. Geet glanced at him, a hint of curiosity in her voice. “Why are we here?”

“You’ll see” he said, echoing his earlier response.

He parked and led her through the house, his excitement palpable. As they stepped into the back garden, Geet’s eyes widened. The space was illuminated by dozens of string lights draped elegantly across trees and posts. Under a canopy, a table was set for two, complete with candles and an arrangement of flowers.

“Maan, what’s all this?” Geet asked glancing around with a small smile.

He took her hand into his. “Come with me” he said, leading her further into the garden.

They walked down a narrow path until he stopped suddenly. He turned to her, his expression unreadable in the shadows. “Wait here” he said softly.

Geet nodded, watching as he disappeared further into the darkness. Moments later, a clap echoed through the still night, and suddenly, a large board lit up in the distance. The words blazed brightly against the darkness: Will you marry me?

Geet froze, her breath caught in her throat. Her mind raced as she processed what was happening. She had expected many things from this evening, but not this. The bold declaration, the sheer earnestness in Maan’s actions - it threw her off balance.

Maan stepped back into the light, his face illuminated with a mix of nervousness and hope. “I know, I know it seems too quick” he began, his voice trembling slightly, “but Geet, I love you, and I want to make you my wife. You don’t realise what light you’ve brought into my life”.

He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers with a vulnerability that made her stomach churn. “I was living in the shadows, and it was threatening to consume me. But you… changed everything”.

He let out a soft laugh, dropping to one knee. “Geet, just Geet” he said with a playful smile, repeating the words from their first meeting. “Will you do me the honour and marry me?”

Geet’s heart pounded, not with love or joy, but with the weight of the moment. She forced her lips into a trembling smile, her eyes glistening as though with emotion. “Maan” she whispered, her voice soft and filled with feigned surprise. “I… I don’t know what to say”.

Inside, her mind was a storm. This was sooner than she had anticipated, a development that threw her carefully laid plans into disarray. But she couldn’t falter. She had to stay in control, even as the man she despised gazed up at her with hope and adoration.

She placed her hand on her chest, feigning disbelief, before reaching out to touch his cheek gently. “Yes, Maan” she said, her voice trembling just the right amount. “Yes, I’ll marry you”.

Maan’s face broke into a radiant smile as he stood, pulling her into his arms. Geet clung to him, her head resting on his shoulder, her expression hidden as a single thought echoed. For you, di. I’m nearly there.