Chapter 13

Chapter 13

[NOCOPY]

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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Geet was strolling in the back lawn of the Manor. One week has passed since she arrived here. How is life? How has it changed? Had she ever expected this?

Tomorrow she will restart her office and before joining her office after her change in status, she wanted to quietly ponder how things have changed. Dev and Arjun had left for India only after promising her that they would soon be back. Annie will be staying here and Meera will be swinging between India and London.

Meera, she read, was a perfect Daughter in law of the house. Seeing the dedication of Meera for the family Geet felt low about herself. Meera was dedicated to the family business, to her husband, this family and especially so much concerned about her Veerji. Geet felt she had badly lacked there. For one person, she has left the whole family who cared for her more than even her husband, who was their own blood. She had not cared of her duty as Daughter in law of the house nor had she thought of Dev and Annie, who still loved her so dearly. She had run away from her family duty still they cared for her above him.

It has also been decided that all the festivals and functions will happen here going forward because they wanted her and Adhvay to be part of everything.

She had been treated as a queen. She cannot take it all from one side. She also now needs to come forward and fulfill all her duties of a daughter .

Except one they all loved her and liked her like a queen.The person due to whom, she was related to this family, she was not sure that if he even cared for her. But was she here because she was related to him, NO. She was here because she was related to this family, and Advay was related to him. She was here because Adhvay was his son. Family and she wanted to be with each other and Adhvay and he needed each other.

Phir iss baat se ek khalish si kyun thi uske dil me

But the most satisfactory thing was Adhvay’s happiness. He was cherishing each moment of having a father in his life. He was squeezing each feeling of being with Dad. Ohhh… how her little kid had missed that important link of his life. She would prevent from commenting on anything about Maan but one thing she knew was, he was a great father for Adhvay. That she had known in this one week. Not that she ever had doubt on that. But seeing Adhvay’s happiness gave relief to her.

Initial couple of days she had been worried when Adhvay used to run to the outhouse the moment he knew his Dad was back from office. She had been scared if Maan was trying to take away Adhvay from her. But then Dadima’s words calmed her a bit. Dadima assured her that Maan has promised her that he will not take away anything from her, and she can rest assured. Maan would not lie to Dadima. In fact he never lied. Why had she been scared that he would take Adhvay from her by trick. No, that was not Maan. Her fear had misled her judgment. If he had to take Advay away from her, he would not hide and play games. He will do it openly. Then her fear completely vanished when every night he would bring sleeping Adhvay back to Manor. She had heard that Maan brought Adhvay midway from the outhouse and Dev or Annie would get Adhvay from there to the Manor.

She wondered why he never stepped in the Manor. Was it because she was staying here? But why? Because he hated her so much or because he was taking care of her.

No, no Geet. Are you dreaming? He is a good father to Adhvay and he has just made a comfortable living for the mother of his son. He knows hurting her will hurt his son as well. So many years of distance, why would a man who hated her while she was with him feel anything for her after years. He must be hating her for taking his son away from him. But for his son, he has facilitated her with all comfort.

But this was her new life and most probably forever. For Advay, they both are doing it for Adhvay.

But coming here has given her the family back, her family.

Geet while walking alone reached near the grand swimming pool. Swimming pool, right, it had to be. Two things he needs even to breathe, his Gym and Swimming. She remembers how she used to keep watching him from their room’s window, while he used to take lapse after lapse in water. His toned body shone as water dripped from them. His wet hair, dripping water from it, raising her desire to high every time she saw him getting out of the pool, wrapping a towel around him. So mesmerized she used to be and he knew it very well because he always caught her ogling him by the end of it. As if he always knew she cannot stop herself from taking a peak of him in those moments. And he never missed to tease her senses, ignoring her like anything, leaving her high and dry so that at night she was completely the slave of his wish.

Geet’s throat went dry and she felt wetness between her thighs even remembering those days. Geet quickly moved away from there and settled on the bench

How pathetic and shameless she could be, she thought. He had made fun of her love, made a joke of it, punished her for loving him, still her heart raises thinking of their moments together.

Why is her heart still holding onto a few instances when she had felt his emotions for her, the pool of attachments in his eyes. Why does she want to forget his anger over those weak moments of his? The anger that he showed to negate his weak moments. Why does her heart deep down feel ashamed of her running away from the man who she knew, deep deep down her heart, will break if she is not with him. But it’s all so deep. She has seen the worst of him which always told her that he would have not even cared of her missing from his life.

Maan dipped his head between his palms when he was done seeing her near the pool. He clearly remembered how torturous he had been. Would she be remembering those days? No, why would she. It is not that important that she should remember anything related to him. And that is how it should be. Nice things, beautiful moments are something that one remembers, not horrendous like him.

In this whole week since she has come to stay here, this is the first time he is seeing her. Even from far he could feel her beauty. Did she look sad, or was she lonely? Ohh his heart ached to hold her tight in his embrace, tell her he was always there for her.

“And what makes you think that she will even wish for your company and comfort. It is exactly opposite Maan and rightly so”

“Maybe she already has someone to comfort her , who is definitely more compassionate than you, Maan. Why would she in that case not want distance from you? She had allowed you to be Adhvay father, take it as her generosity and be grateful”

Maan poured whiskey in the glass and got up to move away from there. His eyes could not hold up from cheating and take just one look at her before moving away. He was relieved to see Annie with her. He remembers how Annie had missed her and was angry with him for losing her bestie bhabhi due to his arrogance.

Any level of curse for him was less. In his arrogance he had hurt all his closed ones. He turned away gulping the whiskey in one go and was about to pour next when he was reminded of Adhvay. He does not have the luxury to ruin himself anymore. It belonged to others, especially his son, Geet and Dadima. How can he decide for himself? This guilt was his and only his, he will keep it to himself only and burn bearing this guilt for whole life.

Geet was lost in thoughts when she found Annie approaching her with smile on her face

“So office starts from tomorrow” she said settling beside her

“Hmmm… How are you feeling now? Missing Arjun”

“A little morning nausea, sometimes moody but enjoying my stay in Myka and especially spending time with you after so long, that makes up for it. And Arjun will keep making rounds here and making regular calls. Myka ki baat hi kuch aur hoti hai, especially with you being around”

“I can’t say the same for myka. Especially when your mother also does not understand you. For me,thi family is my biggest support”

“Geet, you are your biggest support. But yes, being family we are there in all ways to ensure you are happy”

“Now enough about me,I am fine. It’s now your time to be talked about and be pampered. Nice thing, Arjun gave us a chance to take care of you”

“You are back with us after such a long period and he knows what importance you hold in our life. And he cannot say No to that obstinate brother of mine, especially when he joined his hand requesting for my stay here. He wants to ensure I am fully pampered in this period. Jiska khyal rakhna tha uska to rakha nahi, now he is trying to rinse his sins”

Geet was surprised to hear Maan actually requesting for his sister’s stay. Annie’s in-laws, even though very well to do, does not hold power to say ‘No’ to Maan Khurana. But him requesting and joining hands, did sound unfamiliar to the man she had known. Anyways, she shed off her thoughts about him and brought her focus on Annie

“Annie, care for you has always been his priority. He has always loved his family and you are always his baby sister”

“Still supporting him? How could you do that? How could you not hate him still? Yes, he genuinely and genuinely cares for me a lot. But I do not want care from the man who has hurt his wife so badly”

“Let’s talk about us” Geet did not wish to bring him in between their talks. Till now she has just kept him hidden in her own mind and heart and that’s how she would like to do it. She will never make him a thing of their talks where they curse him and she listens. She doesn’t like it when people say things about him. She cannot support him as he had not given her any reason to support him but she also would not encourage anyone saying left and right about him. This would be an insult to her love.

“So, you ready for office tomorrow”

Geet actually was nervous for the first time. Though she knew Chetan would not expose the news in office, she knows her status has changed drastically. This was a fact of her life and she has now resigned on deciding the path. She will do the right thing and let life take its path.

“Yeah. My office, that’s my comfort zone”

“How far have you come Geet. I feel so proud of you. I mean from a girl running around the house, trying to do things correctly so that her husband is impressed. All your acts were driven to be accepted by him and now you see, you are the partner owner of a company and the best Ad campaign creative. And how well you carry yourself with confidence. Woh ladki jo bhai ke samne aatte ke ladkhada jati thi, she is a confident business woman of today and raising her son alone, so proudly”

Geet was listening to Annie’s comparison and observation regarding her, all she was talking of chance was the facade that Geet has put on. Yes, the only difference is now she is able to put the facade on smartly. Yes , she became independent and has been single handedly raising her son, but that was not by wish, it was her need. As far as her comments regarding doing all to impress him earlier, who knows that was her try all these years, deep within. To make herself worthy of him, to make herself up to his standard so that she can raise their son as per his standard. And as for her confidence, it all was good till he was not in front of her. She knew, even now if he comes and stands in front of her, seeking answer on her acts, she will stumble and not be able to stand properly.

“I will go and check on Advay”

“He is having his Sunday pampering from his great granny. She offered to tell him stories and he is bugging her with several questions on his Dad.His only topic of interests”

Geet laughed. That is one thing she was very happy about. Father-son union and Advay having a proper family. Now he won’t have to wait till late night to get a glimpse of his mother.

That’s the beauty of family.

**********

“Okay dear, when she is back, I will ask her”

“ and do not mention that I have asked for it. She would not like my interference in her life.”

“Rest assured, I will ask from my side”

Geet entered the hall after leveling up her mind

“ Geet dear”

“Ji Dadima”

“How are you feeling, dear? I hope you are not feeling any discomfort here”

“Dadima, am I so distant that you have to be so formal to me. If not in my house, I am with my family and who feels discomfort between their own. Advay has got his family back, why would I not be happy”

“Everything is not that straight, I know dear. You had your life and suddenly you moved in with us”

“I got my family back. I am really happy, Advay got his father. I never ran away from you all. Missed you all each moment, had been dreaming of again life with you all” Dadima caressed her cheeks

“Okay dear, just wanted to check one more thing. Jenny used to take care of Advay, if you think she is needed or if he would miss her, you can call her here. We can arrange for her living here as well”

“No, Advay is too busy to miss anyone. Jenny was a good substitute for family, yes she had been with me like my family, but this is my family. This is Advay’s family. If he misses her, I will invite her or will visit her myself. It won’t be possible for her to come this side to work”

“Okay dear. just wanted to confirm your life does not get affected because you moved with us”

Geet held Dadima’s palm in hers ``Dadima, bilkul apana nahi samajhti na mujhe. Haan Kyun nahi, Sab meri hee galti hai''

“Nahi nahi bete. Once you have left us because it was so uncomfortable for you to live. Don’t want to take any chance”

“Dadima, I didn't leave for any discomfort. And if I left my house because of the discomfort, I really feel I have failed as Daughter in law of the house. I left for…” Geet paused, not wanting to bring that topic

“You don’t need to say dear. Go check on Advay”

ENJOY!!!

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