Chapter 8

5 months ago

Anushkaa

@nushhkiee

Chapter 8 -

The days seemed to blur together as Maan’s investigation wore on. The air in the mansion was thick with uncertainty, and everyone was under the weight of the same question: who had killed Ranjit Khurana?

Maan’s thoughts often drifted to Geet. She had been a pillar of strength for him since the night of the murder, always there when he needed her, never wavering in her support. Though their marriage was still new, and their bond was still evolving, Maan couldn’t ignore the way his heart seemed to soften when she was near. He had never imagined that amidst the chaos of tragedy, he would find solace in someone’s arms, but with Geet, everything felt right.

Her presence in his life had started to feel like a safe haven. A place to retreat to when the weight of the investigation and the family drama became unbearable. And more than anything, Geet's unwavering faith in him and in the truth kept him going.

That evening, Maan was sitting in the study, his mind once again wrestling with the puzzle that was Ranjit's death, when Geet entered, bringing a sense of calm with her.

“Maan Ji?” Her soft voice broke his concentration, and Maan looked up, his gaze momentarily softening as he saw her standing in the doorway.

"Geet," he said, his voice rough from days of little rest. "What’s wrong?"

“I was worried about you,” Geet replied, crossing the room to stand beside his desk. Her gaze lingered on the papers scattered in front of him...the case files, the letters, the police reports. It was a heavy burden to carry, and it showed on Maan’s face. “You’ve been at this for hours. You need to rest.”

Maan’s expression hardened again, though there was a touch of gratitude in his eyes. “I can’t, Geet. Not until I know who did this. It doesn’t feel right... something’s off.”

Geet sat down beside him, her presence a quiet reassurance. “I know. But you can’t carry all of this alone. I’m here with you. I’ll help however I can.”

Maan glanced at her, his eyes searching her face. She was beautiful, of course, but it was more than that...there was a strength in her that pulled at his heart. He had always been a solitary person, keeping people at arm’s length, but with her, it felt different. He didn’t want to push her away. He didn’t want to keep her in the dark.

He had always been a solitary person, keeping people at arm’s length, unwilling to let anyone get too close. But with Geet, it felt different. There was something in her presence that made him want to lower his guard, something that made him not want to push her away. In the midst of all the chaos, she was his calm. She made him feel like he wasn’t alone in this fight.

Maan’s heart began to beat faster as their gazes locked, a silent understanding passing between them. He could feel the pull, the quiet yearning that neither of them had voiced but both felt.

He reached out without thinking, his hand brushing against hers. Her skin was warm under his touch, her fingers gentle, yet strong. For a moment, neither of them moved. The world outside seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of them in their shared space, their shared silence.

Geet’s breath caught, her gaze flickering to his lips, then back to his eyes, the quiet tension between them palpable. Maan’s heart was pounding in his chest, the words he wanted to say stuck somewhere between his heart and his throat. But he didn’t need to speak.

He leaned in, his hand cupping her cheek, as if asking for permission. Geet's eyes closed slowly, a soft breath escaping her lips. There was a moment of hesitation...just a fleeting second...before she leaned in too, the distance between them disappearing.

Their lips met in a kiss that was slow at first, tentative, as if they were both unsure but willing to take the leap. The kiss deepened, the urgency building between them as the world around them ceased to exist. Maan’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, as if he couldn’t get close enough. Geet’s hands found their way to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her fingertips.

Everything outside of them...the murder, the investigation, the secrets...faded into nothingness as they both surrendered to the moment. It was a kiss filled with emotion, tenderness, and an unspoken promise that no matter what happened, they would face it together.

“You’ve been so patient with me, Geet,” Maan said releasing her, his voice softer now, betraying a hint of vulnerability. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”

Geet shook her head, blushing and her hand brushing his gently. “You don’t need to say that. We’re partners, Maan. In everything. In this, too. We’re in this together.”

For a moment, their eyes met, and Maan found himself lost in her gaze again. The weight of the case, the endless questions, the suffocating uncertainty...suddenly it all seemed so distant. Here, in this moment, with her hand on his, he felt a quiet peace.

“Maan,” Geet’s voice was a whisper now, a small smile on her lips. “You know, I never imagined that our wedding would start this way.” Her tone was light, but there was an underlying sadness that couldn’t be hidden.

Maan chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “I don’t think anyone imagines their honeymoon turning into a murder investigation.”

She laughed then, a soft, melodic sound that made Maan’s chest tighten. For the first time in days, he felt the weight of the world lift, if only for a brief moment. The connection between them was undeniable, and Maan realized that no matter what happened with the investigation, he had found something worth holding on to.

--

As the evening passed, the conversation shifted back to Ranjit’s death, and Maan felt the pull of duty once again. The warmth between him and Geet was undeniable, but the investigation couldn’t be put on hold.

“There’s something else,” Maan said suddenly, his gaze sharpening as he remembered a detail from the previous day. “I found a letter from Chachi Ji.”

Geet raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “A letter?”

Maan nodded, reaching into his desk drawer to pull it out. “It’s a threat. Something Chacha Ji received from Chachi a few months ago.”

Geet took the letter from him, reading it carefully. Her face remained calm, but Maan could tell she was processing it all. The letter painted a picture of a woman who had grown desperate, someone trapped in a marriage and willing to make extreme decisions to break free.

“Do you think she killed him?” Geet asked, her voice thoughtful.

“I don’t know yet,” Maan replied, leaning back in his chair. “But Chachi Ji and Dev both have reasons to want him dead. Chahci Ji for the power, Dev for the money. They’re both hiding something. I just don’t know what yet.”

Geet nodded slowly, looking back at Maan. “I trust you, Maan Ji. But don’t let your anger blind you. You’re close, I can feel it.”

Maan exhaled sharply. “I just wish it were clearer.”

Geet leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. “It will be. One way or another, the truth will come out.”

Maan closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of her touch soothe him. This was what he had been missing all along...someone who understood, someone who believed in him, even when the world seemed against him.

He turned his head slightly, brushing his lips against her forehead, the gesture soft and tender. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice low.

Geet smiled, her heart swelling with affection. “Always, Maan Ji. You don’t have to do this alone.”

---

The next morning, after a night of little sleep, Maan’s routine was interrupted when the doorbell rang, followed by a firm knock. When he opened the door, he found Naina standing there, her face pale, her eyes shadowed with grief...or was it something else?

She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, her heels clicking against the floor with a determined rhythm. “Maan,” she said, her voice soft but insistent, “We need to talk.”

Maan crossed his arms, eyeing her carefully. “What about?”

Naina’s gaze flickered toward Geet, who stood nearby, sensing the tension. “I need to clear something up. I didn’t kill him.”

Maan raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “I never said you did.”

Naina’s eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of vulnerability behind her cool exterior. “Then why are you looking at me like I did?”

Maan didn’t respond immediately, his thoughts spinning. Naina had been far too composed since Ranjit’s death. Was this just another part of her act, or was she truly innocent?

Geet stepped forward, her eyes meeting Naina’s with a quiet strength. “We’re not accusing you, Chachi Ji. We just want the truth.”

Naina shifted, her fingers twitching slightly. “I’m not hiding anything,” she said, though her tone betrayed her unease. “But I will not be blamed for something I didn’t do.”

As Naina left, the air in the house grew even heavier.

Was she lying, or was she simply being manipulated by someone else?

Maan didn’t know yet, but he felt like he was getting closer to the truth.