Chapter 8

Chapter 8 - The wedding plans

Maan and Geet sat side by side at the Khurana dining table as they all ate dinner together.

Maan cleared his throat garnering their attention and smiled. “Geet and I have something to tell you”.

Veena raised her brow. “Go on”.

“We’re engaged” he announced proudly holding up Geet’s hand to show them the beautiful engagement ring he had made. It was a beautiful diamond that had 2 more smaller diamonds sitting on either side.

“Oh wow” Veena slowly smiled. “Congratulations and I see my son seems to have gotten my taste when it comes to jewellery” she remarked.

“Congratulations” Raj added further. “This is wonderful news”.

“Welcome to the Khurana family, Geet”.

Geet returned the smile, her exterior calm, though her mind churned with calculations. She knew the announcement was a significant step in her plan, but it also introduced complications—particularly the potential for this engagement to reach her parents. Her relatives, ever eager for gossip, would ensure the news reached her family in no time if it made the rounds in society magazines. She needed to act swiftly.

“This calls for a celebration” Veena continued, her sharp eyes already gleaming with ideas. “And I know just the person. My friend Prachi is an excellent wedding planner. She’s handled the weddings of the elite. It is always spectacular and the talk of the town”.

Geet’s stomach churned. She couldn’t allow an elaborate spectacle that would draw attention far and wide. It would reach her relatives and then her parents. No, she could not allow that to happen. She took a breath, her voice steady and calm. “That’s very kind of you, Veena, but… Maan and I have talked, and we’d like to do things a bit differently”.

Veena’s brow furrowed slightly, her smile faltering. “Differently? What do you mean?”

Geet exchanged a glance with Maan before turning back to Veena. “We were thinking of having a small, quiet wedding” she explained gently. “No grand celebrations, no multiple events. Just a single ceremony with close family and friends. Instead of spending on extravagant arrangements, we could donate that money to charities and local orphanages. It would mean a lot to me”.

Veena’s expression hardened subtly, though she kept her composure. “Geet, that’s a noble thought” she began, her tone measured, “but you must understand, we are the Khuranas. People look to us. They expect grandeur, tradition, and excellence. A simple wedding…” she paused for a moment and Geet could see that she was struggling to keep her disapproval and disgust at bay. “While it is admirable, it doesn’t align with the standards we’ve upheld”.

“Why should it matter what people expect?” Maan interjected, his voice calm but firm. “This is our wedding, Maa. Shouldn’t it reflect what we want, not what society dictates?”

Veena’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Maan, you’ve grown up in this world. You know appearances matter. A Khurana wedding is more than just a personal event. It is a statement. People will talk, and it’s not just about us. It’s about our legacy”.

“It’s also about what makes us happy” Maan countered. “Geet and I don’t want multiple ceremonies and endless rituals. We want something meaningful. We want it for us and not the world”.

Raj, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. “Let’s not forget, Maan, that traditions carry their own significance. They’re not just for show”.

Geet leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but resolute. “I understand that traditions are important, and I respect them. But surely there’s a way to balance tradition with simplicity? A single ceremony could still honour those values without unnecessary extravagance”.

Veena’s lips thinned; her disapproval evident. “A single ceremony is hardly reflective of our culture or status. Geet, I’m afraid you don’t fully understand the weight of what you’re asking”.

Maan sighed, frustration creeping into his tone. “Maa, this isn’t about status. It’s about us starting our lives together on our terms”.

The debate went back and forth, with Veena and Raj holding firm to their belief in the importance of tradition and appearances, while Maan and Geet advocated for simplicity. Geet could see she wasn’t going to win this battle outright, and the longer the discussion went on, the more she realised she needed to compromise—for now.

Finally, Veena relented, though her tone remained sharp. “Very well. One ceremony” she said, her words clipped. “But it will be impeccable, and it will uphold the dignity of this family”.

Geet nodded, feigning gratitude. “Thank you, Veena. I appreciate the compromise”.

Inside, Geet’s thoughts simmered. Veena’s insistence on appearances, her need to display power and perfection, was a glaring weakness. It would make her downfall all the more satisfying when the time came. For now, Geet would play along, pretending to acquiesce while she continued to lay the groundwork for her plan.

As they moved on to lighter topics, Maan reached for Geet’s hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She glanced at him, offering a small, genuine smile. He thought they had won this argument together, but only Geet knew how deeply the battle lines had truly been drawn.

Veena might have had her way with the single ceremony, but Geet silently vowed that when the time came, she would ensure this so-called pride and status they regarded so highly is shattered.

As the conversation flowed, Geet waited for the right moment to bring up her next point. She leaned forward slightly.

“There’s something else I’d like to discuss” she began softly, glancing at Veena and Raj before settling her gaze on Maan. “It’s about publicity. I’d prefer to keep my name and image out of any magazine or newspaper articles about the engagement or the wedding”.

Veena’s arched her brow, irritation and curiousity evident on her face. “Why would you want that, Geet? You do realise that being associated with our family comes with a certain level of public attention?”

Geet nodded, her tone steady and composed. “I understand that, Veena. But my reasons are personal and professional. I’m working hard to build a name for myself in IT and digital technology. My ambition is to become a leader in my field, to make an impact based on my own merit. If people start associating my success with my connection to the Khurana name, it could overshadow my achievements”.

Raj leaned back, his expression unreadable. “You’re saying you want to avoid the perception that you’re succeeding because of your association with us?”

“Precisely” Geet replied. “It’s not about dismissing the Khurana name. It’s about ensuring that my work stands on its own. I don’t want anyone to question whether I earned my place or if it was handed to me”.

Veena studied her for a moment, her earlier annoyance softening into something closer to admiration. “That’s a commendable approach” she said thoughtfully. “It’s rare to meet someone with that level of ambition and self-awareness. Most people would be eager to bask in the spotlight a name like ours brings”.

Geet offered a faint smile, her exterior poised even as her thoughts churned beneath the surface. It’s not about self-awareness, she thought, it’s about proving something to the world that ignored my family’s suffering. It’s about ensuring that the same people who shunned us will one day crave our recognition.

Her mind flickered back to those days after Meera’s death, the whispered condolences that faded quickly, the neighbours and relatives who turned their backs when her parents fought for justice. They had been dismissed, deemed insignificant in the face of the Khuranas’ wealth and power. The pain of those memories was a quiet fire that fuelled her every decision.

Geet’s voice broke her own train of thought, steady and measured. “For me, this isn’t just about my career. It’s about creating something meaningful, something that lasts. I want my work to define me, not my connections”.

Raj tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharpening. “And where do you see yourself in the future, Geet? What’s your ultimate goal?”

Geet paused briefly, choosing her words carefully. “I want to lead the way in innovation, to create systems and platforms that become benchmarks in the industry. I want to shape the future of IT and digital technology”. And to bring you to down to your knees, she added internally. Oh, how she would love to wipe the prideful smiles from their faces.

“That’s an ambitious vision. And you believe anonymity will help you achieve it?” Veena inquired arching her brows and a hint of approval was evident in her small smile.

“I do” Geet replied confidently. “At least for now. I want the focus to be on my work, not on who I’m engaged to or married to. If the spotlight shifts to my personal life, it could detract from what I’m trying to build”.

Maan, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his voice filled with quiet pride. “I support her. This is important to Geet, and I think it’s a wise decision. She’s incredibly talented, and she doesn’t need the Khurana name to prove it”.

Veena nodded slowly, her sharp gaze softening. “I can respect that. It’s rare to see someone with the courage to stand apart, even when they don’t have to”.

Raj added, “If this is what you want, Geet, we’ll respect your wishes. We can ensure your privacy is maintained in any media coverage”.

“Thank you” Geet said, her tone warm but composed. Inside, her resolve only grew stronger. Veena and Raj saw her as an ambitious woman carving out her path, but they had no idea of the deeper reasons driving her.

As Maan reached over to squeeze her hand, Geet forced a small, appreciative smile. He thought her ambition was something to be celebrated, and for now, she let him believe that. But in her heart, she wasn’t striving for personal glory alone. She was building something far greater—something that would remind the world of the injustice her family had faced and ensure their name was never forgotten.

Veena’s earlier irritation had all but disappeared, replaced by a genuine respect for Geet’s determination. “You’re an impressive woman, Geet” she said, her voice tinged with admiration. “And I admire your resolve. It’s refreshing to see someone who isn’t afraid to stand on her own”.

Geet inclined her head slightly, hiding the satisfaction she felt. Veena’s respect was just another tool she could use in her plan.

Later that evening, Geet settled comfortably on the sofa as she dialled her parents.

“Geet Beta!” Mohinder greeted cheerfully, happy to see his daughter. “How are you, meri jaan?”

“I’m fine, papa. How are you and mama doing?”

“We’re doing well, beta. Your mama went exploring yesterday, some local craft fair. I think she got scammed” he said jokingly.

Geet laughed softly. “Mama, please tell it is not true. Your daughter works for a big company and helps in stopping these scammers and here you are getting scammed”.

“Don’t believe anything your papa says” Rano said taking the phone. “I think your papa is upset because he carried all the shopping bags. Geet, I brought you the loveliest outfits” she added excitedly.

“Oh thanks mama! You didn’t need to do that” she replied. “I miss you both. When are you coming back?”

Mohinder this time hesitated as he took the phone and held it between them so Geet could see both of them together.

“We were talking about that earlier today, actually. We’re thinking of staying another three months, maybe four at most. The time here has been… good for us”.

Geet smiled. “I understand, papa. I’m happy it’s been helping you both. As long as you’re both healing and happy then I want nothing else”.

“What about you, beta?” Rano asked. “Are you taking care of yourself? Are you doing what I told you? Living and enjoying?”

“Mama, I am doing fine. I am happy” she smoothly lied.

Three to four months. That was all the time she had to execute her plan and bring the Khuranas to their knees. It had to be perfect - a downfall so thorough and undeniable that it would be a fitting welcome home present for her parents. Her resolve hardened as she realised how close she was to achieving her goal.

“Are you sure? You look like you’ve lost more weight” Rano remarked.

“I promise, I have not. I gained like 7 pounds when I checked yesterday”.

“It’s the takeaways isn’t it?”

“Sometimes it is just easier, papa. I have a long day at the office and just pick up something on the way home rather than coming and getting my face burned over a hot cooker”.

“Lazy, I tell you” Mohinder said playfully.

They talked for a while longer, Rano sharing stories of their adventures, and Mohinder occasionally chiming in with his own dry humour. Geet let their voices wash over her, allowing herself to feel the comfort of their presence, even if it was only over the phone.

As the call ended, Geet sat back, her phone resting in her lap. The warmth of speaking to her parents lingered, but so did the weight of her resolve. Three to four months. That was all the time she had to dismantle the Khurana empire and deliver justice for her family.

She glanced at the photo of Meera she kept on her desk, her sister’s smile frozen in time. “Just a little longer, Di” she murmured. “I’m going to make them pay. And when Mama and Papa come home, they’ll finally see the justice you deserved”.

Geet stood, her mind already turning to the next steps in her plan. The clock was ticking, and she was determined not to waste a second.