Chapter 12

The Burnt - Chapter 12

In the hospital, doctor was explaining Geet the same thing he has explained Maan.

“Mr. Khurana was extremely concerned. As he is such a well known reputed personality and his family’s care towards you as their own family, I took the liberty to explain to him about your health and care. But Ma’am, I want your consent to do so going further”

Though Geet didn’t understand Maan’s concern and care suddenly, still how can she deny any of his rights for her?

“It’s Ok. They are known and like a family”

Doctor was about to leave when Savitri Devi, along with Dev and Annie entered the room

“Savitri Devi, I have explained to Mrs. Misty Khurana of her health condition and related lifestyle change that is needed. I leave you people alone now”

Dadima went and sat near bed while Annie and Dev took the chairs for the attendants.

Dadima caressed her face and head “How are you feeling now”

“I am all good now Dadima” Geet hesitated. She knew Maan had handed Advay to Jenny but she also knew how restless he would be without his son, knowing Advay was his. She was completely confused with his new ways. Not a single time he showed anger on her, did not shout for hiding his son from him. It was a big thing. And now, only took Advay with him as per her permission. How could she digest this vast difference? Not shouting and showing anger was itself too much for her to understand and now he wanted her permission for his son. She knew how possessive he would be for his son but he was showing none. She could feel there was a major shift in his ways. Was Meera right? But whatever be, she did not have in her to talk to him, face him or stay stable near him. Stangly but luckily he was taking care of these facts.

Geet thought to do nothing to trigger his anger. He was showing decency but she was fully aware, if he came on his angry mode, he was powerful enough to snatch away Advay from her and she would be incapable of doing anything.

“Bete, how long does Jenny stay with Advay? I mean her hours. If you do not mind, can Advay stay with us, between family”

“Dadima.. I took him away, doesn’t mean you have no right on him. I am sorry for giving you that pain. You do not need to take permission from me, regarding Advay.” She looked at Ani and Dev and added

“He needs his family. Such a big family, why should he stay alone.” and again turning to Dadima

“Yes dear, but we need your permission with Advay”

“Dadima, I am also your child. I left you all, you are upset with me for that” Geet had tears in her eyes.

Savitri Devi, immediately wiped her face “Naa bachca.. You are my child as much as Maan, Annie and Dev..Meera and Arjun”

“Then why do you take my permission on everything?”

“Because someone is not ready to do anything without your permission” Geet gave a faint smile

“Now, dear, there is something for which I really need your permission. Maan is hell bent on not taking such a decision without your consent. Aap nahi manegi, but he is really ashamed of his deeds. Not that I am wanting you to ever forgive me, but I felt like speaking about it, so I did” Old lady could not be diplomatic. She felt life was too short to play hide and seek

Geet smiled at Dadima in return as she had no words for him.

“Dadima, now that Geet is here, the truth will not take time to come out. If he is really guilty or was just missing Geet’s attention, we will know” Dev said with no compassion for Maan’s penance

“Okay, leave it. We will not discuss Maan. You just focus on yourself, beta. So dear, the doctor does not recommend that you stay alone. Also, I want my daughter and grandchild to stay beside me. I want to shower all my love on both of you”

“We all will be very lucky if you decide to come stay with us Geet. But again, if you are not comfortable we will find other way to not leave you alone” added Annie

Geet was not the person to like this nuclear family with only her and Adhvay. More than her, Advay deserved his family, he deserved his Dad. She cannot be selfish enough to separate father and son due to her fear. She will stay in one corner, not come in front of him, be with other family members but for Adhvay, she has to stop running away. Adavay deserves to enjoy whatever was his by birth.

Or was it so plain and straightforward as she was pretending? Was there not a fear to see him there but the worst thing was it was not only fear but butterflies at the thought of being in his proximity.How shameless she is. The person who has openly shown how much he hated her, the one from whom she has run away, she was still having butterflies on thoughts of being near his proximity. But as always, Geet soon brought herself back to reality. No, she will have to keep her distance with him. She is only going there for Advay, now that she knows he will at least not snatch Advay from her. Advay needs his father, so she will go there and not be a sinner of father and son. On the other hand, Geet wanted to prevent Advay from seeing the worst side of his Dad, which she knew can surface anytime when he is with her. So she decided to try her best to keep as far away from him as she could.

“It was for Advay that you left and it is for Advay that you are returning. Only Advay and this family of yours. You are returning for them only. Rest all, good or bad, you were never part of his life nor you will be now. He will get his son, you are not important” she gave a pep talk to herself

“I want Advay to stay with his family. I am missing you all as well”

It took Geet a week to wrap things up and for Jenny to come and settle in her house with her family. This was Geet’s reward for Jenny’s being a support system to her all throughout. The house was Geet’s but Jenny will stay there with her family and the house will be taken care of.

Knowing her new situation, Chetan asked Misty to not worry about the office and take her time to settle into her new situation. He himself was coping with the reality that Misty was Mrs. Maan Singh Khurana and he is partnering with Mrs. Maan Singh Khurana. There was a very small pang hidden very deep in his heart with this information but he explained himself that it was her life and he need not interfere in it. Why was it so easy for him when she was just Mrs. Khurana. Now knowing she is Mrs. Maan Khuarna, why does he feel all doors are closed. But Chetan knows she has trusted him as her good friend and he will never let her down, always be by her side as a very good supportive friend.

In the meanwhile Maan moved out to the outhouse. Advay was admitted to the new school in his city, Maan's room was re-done and arranged to be transformed to Geet’s room. Meera and Annie took the initiative.

It was Sunday morning and The Khurana Manor was full of life. Annie and Arjun were busy with Dadima to see if all was set for Geet and Advay’s arrival. Ohh .. the happiness had no bound and Maan had promised to completely keep away from the Manor. Once satisfied that there would be no issue for Geet he had left the Manor.They wanted to celebrate and enjoy her return to family along with the boy of the family..

Annie and Meera were with Geet. Maan had made arrangements for an exclusive luxury model of Mercedes to get Geet which he bought in the name of Geet but Geet had shown her preference to use her car instead. The two cars entered the premises, one with Geet and Advay and other with Meera and Annie. Advay was excited to see his Dad’s house, be with both Dad and Mom together and have his Dad with him all the time. Geet admired his excitement and realized she can exchange any level of awkwardness and emotional discomfort for this.

On the entrance stood, nervous Geet and an excited Advay. Meera and Annie went inside ahead of Geet to welcome her.

Then Dadima came smiling, aarti in her hand. After her, came Dev and Arjun. Geet’s nervousness was increasing. The more time it was taking for Maan to appear, the anticipation of his appearance was making her hands wet with sweat

“Where is my Daddy?” Advya’s words broke her trance

“He will come dear” Geet tried to calm her excited son

Annie bend down to reach Advay’s level “No Dear, your Dad does not stay in this house”

Advay looked confused and disappointed at his mother, who herself was confused. Yes, it was true, his distance would make her life hassle free but then she was here for Advay to be with his Dad. That was her sole purpose of moving here.

“No, Mumma and Advay, we stay with Dad, like Myra with Jenny and Sam uncle” he said with his arms tightly crossed on his chest. So much like his Dad, Geet thought but then felt the pain. ohh poor boy had missed the normal family life. What has she done?

“Darling, you can play and have as much time with your Dad. He is not in this house but on the same campus. You can run to him anytime” Annie tried to sooth his anger

“I wanna go tho him noow. Mumma come we go tho Dad”

Geet sat down on her knees and cupped his face “Let’s come inside and then you can go play with your Dad as Annie said… hmmm” Advay, brought up by a single mother, had learnt to not argue a lot. So he nodded and agreed.

Dadima did aarti for her granddaughter in law and her great grandson and led them in. Having the feel of Maan’s son in the house was unimaginable. Old lady has lost the hope of seeing any child of Maan in her life and then life gives her this surprise.

She saw confusion on Geet’s face. “Maan, you know, is so workaholic. He has set up his office in an outhouse and stays there. Unhe kaam me kisi ki fikar kahan rehti hai… aab aap aagayin hain, I will at least have someone to speak too”

“Dadima, Geet is a busy woman now. She has her company to care about” Dev cleared, not to Dadima but to Geet that she is expected to lead her life the way she is. Because she is here, she does not have to change her life in any way. Maan had requested Dev to indirectly convey this to Geet.

“I am busy but I am so eager to also spend time with my family. Dadima we are going to talk so much, so much to catch up”

Annie and Meera held Advay - “ Do you want to see your room”

“I wanna go tho Dad”

Annie looked at Geet “so much focused on what he wants”

“He is a complete copy of his Dad” Geet accepted without any hesitation. Advay being so much like Maan had somewhere given her solace. She had been finding Maan in Advay when she was lost, leading a lonely life.

“So you don’t want to see your room which you dad did for you with soooo muchhh love” Meera played the Dad card

“Dad did my room” he was so excited “Hmmm.. you don’t want to see it. He may be sad”

“No I wanna see…” Annie and Meera left Geet with Dadima as they took Advay to his room.

Maan has set up his room in an outhouse. He was sure that Geet would not come here ever, why would she? The reason for her coming to the Manor was not him, not at all. So being very clear about this, he made this his new abode. So the room and outhouse was set up as per his choice. First being Geet’s wall size photo on his wall, and rest was his simple bedding set up, library, study.

The hall had its standard setup that his team thought would be ideal for the class of Maan Khurana. He did not participate much in that part as he would use it either for a drink or television for news and sports, newspaper or sometimes to work there. Rest decor and paintings were done by team as Maan was least interested in any fancy stuff. His life was plain, just plain. Now even more, after witnessing Geet’s deteriorating condition due to his presence. It had hit him hard.

But this made him more determined to remind himself each morning and night, that his life was hers, dedicated to hers. Though his heart ached and itched to spend time with his son, play with Advay all the time, pamper him, but he had to hold on. Only if she wishes and allows it. He had no right.

He has revisited the past just like Geet had and he knows why she had left when she came to know about Advay within her. That girl who loved him no matter what, left him when she got pregnant. How painful that was. The times when a girl would love to be with her husband, be with her family, get care and pampered. Because of him, the poor girl had to leave all that luxury and the whole family’s love. Just because of him and he hates himself even more now. She had to suffer the whole pregnancy without a family and build herself strong and capable because she was taking away his son. Earlier when his mind was filled with anger and revenge, he would have not understood all these things but now, being a man in penance, he could co-relate it. He felt more of a sinner now. Thus he cut on his comforts even more. He will just live and breathe for her, for any day if she needs him for anything . Till then he will just keep working, building fortune for his family - his siblings, his son and above all, her.

“Daaad…” Maan heard the sweetest word coming from the sweetest voice.

He quickly got out of his room and pushed the door to close the room view. Geet and Advay should not see that room. It had his heart and he did not deserve to show that heart to them. What he feels and what he wishes makes no sense anymore. The way he has ruined the life of the girl who has been loving him from her childhood and pushed her to the life of loneliness. His heart ached as he thought of her pains, endless they were. Not her but he deserves all loneliness.

“Daaaadddd” came Advay running to Maan. Heart beating fast seeing his son running to him calling Dad. Was it a dream? He knelt down and Advay hugged him tight and crashed into him in momentum that made Maan stumble, letting him know it was real.

Maan hugged him tight, his heart was beating so fast “son.. My son” But soon reality hit him.

He cupped Advay’s face between his palms “Who asked you to call me Dad” Advay looked at him confused and next the little boy had tear in his eyes

“You not my Dad…” came his broken voice “but Mumma won’t lie…”

Maan immediately held him in a tight reassuring hug “I am your Dad son.. I am your Dad. Momma told you so?” he asked very softly, not wanting to scare Advay

Advay nodded “Mumma said… mumma don lie”

“No son, Mumma never lies” Maan again hugged his son, this time to get hold of his ragging heart. Geet told Advay that he is the father. But why would Geet do it? Why does he even deserve to be given that title? But now that she has given him that title for Advay he will do anything, simply anything to be the best Dad. Not to prove his worth but because his son deserves the best and because Geet gave him that title

“Just like Sam uncle to Myra, you to me?” Advay confirmed again

“Yes son… your dad and all for you. Whenever and however you need” Maan was feeling an exploding emotion within him.

Maan spent hours with his son, making him explore each part of the outhouse other than that one room. Advay was in no mood to go anywhere leaving his ice cream uncle and now his Dad. The little boy was craving to feel Dad’s love and thus just wanted to hold on to it.

There was an almost empty room on the ground floor, Maan promised Advay that he would set up a playroom for him there. Advay jumped in excitement and Maan had the best moment of his life seeing his son’s happiness. What a beautiful feeling it was, the feeling of being a father. When his life was all barren, life gave him the gift like Advay. Guilt again enveloped him. How Geet should have been with family through all phases but she was alone, all because of him. His heart again ached, feeling the worthlessness of his.

Now he was wishing how it would have felt to pamper her in those days. His heart ached to go to her, bend on his knees, his head bowed down and ask for punishment. But alas! He cannot go in front of her. He cannot risk her health to get rid of his own guilt. Well, this was it, his punishment. He has to live with the load of it. He cannot even go and ask for punishment

Maan later made pasta with lots of cheese and cream for his son. The feeling that he was doing it for his son was beyond words or imagination. Advay loved it and that result was more satisfying than grabbing a multi million project

Geet was lost, looking blankly outside the window. How does life change at the snap of the finger? She had made her own world with Advay; settled in her career to give Advay his well deserved life and all she knew was, that was her life now and nothing would change. But a couple of days ago, she saw him after so many years and now she is standing in the room of Khurana Manor and this room is now hers and she will be staying here. They brought her here for her health but she is here for Advay. Advay will get full family’s love here. What about her? Nothing.

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