Chapter 9

Chapter 9

A couple of days passed. Maan said and was done with that instance as he had no expectation with their relation in any near future. He had decided to focus on his current priorities rather than wasting time thinking on something beyond his reach.

But Geet had been upset by her stupidity. What was the need to show attitude? Why can’t she accept the fact that he is not her employee and her husband with his own strong personality. Accept the fact that he has his own spine so strong that he did not need or wanted the support of her name and status. He was happy and proud the way he was. And that is what was pulling Geet towards him. Is this his true face or is he playing smart to grab the attention of Geet Handa.

No he was not playing around, that she was sure. He needed nothing from her. He stayed in this house and that too for her respect and comfort.

On the other hand, he is undeniably handsome and has a young friend, a girl to roam around on his bike behind him.

Okay she was Geet Handa, but that fact has nothing to do with her worrying about her handsome husband roaming with a girl behind him on his bike. Another matter of concern was, she has fallen badly for everything that he was. Somehow, his economic status difference did not matter as he had nothing to do with her money and power. Even the richest of riches will have interest in it but this man was made up of a whole different composition.

Not only this, his deadly well gymed physique flashed in front of her eyes, every now and then, tempting her to feel, for once at least to be held in his strong embrace, her body crushed to his. But Geet did not know what would be the state of her heart if she experienced it once.

Geet reached her office and called her Mom “Hi Mom”

“Hi, this early morning. I did not expect call from my workaholic daughter”

“If you call me workaholic, then what will you call your son in law, who is always busy, God knows in what”

“Okaaayyy!!! So early in the morning this is what made you call me. Go and talk to him directly, Geet. It is matter of heart, do not bring your ego, attitude and status in between”

“So what do I do? He walks with a hundred tons of attitude. He just makes sure my ego surfaces”

“Hmmm.. I can’t help in this case then. If he says anything wrong, call him out but otherwise, you have to keep your attitude aside” She paused and then added “...in case you are wanting to keep the marriage intact. Or else file the divorce”

Rano played along. Being her mother, she could sense something happening in her daughter’s heart

“Mumma, why are you talking about divorce every time? We did not marry to divorce. Please do not bring this topic up again. Has it ever happened in our family? Do you think I am here to break our family tradition”

“Okay, I am sorry. Won’t bring that up. Now tell me, what do you want from me”

“Mom, just tell me some more about him”

“No Geet. You have to talk to him and yourself get to know him”

Geet sighed and shook her head “Thanks, for not being much helpful” Rano laughed

“Well, just to let you know, tomorrow is Karwa Chauth.” she added

“Mom please. Do you expect me to keep fast? Wow, what a hypocrite. Even if I am a business woman and he is just a service man, I have to keep fast for him because I am a woman”

“Geet, are you not being hypocritical by bringing status in between. It’s between husband and wife. If you have a status thing on top of your head, you better stop thinking about making this marriage work.”

“Okay, fine. I will not bring the status in between but then why should I keep the fast and he can have his belly full”

“Geet, why would he keep a fast for a wife who treated him like an attendant and gave him a room in the corner of the house. It is so natural for him to not have any expectations from this marriage. If you have expectations and you want him in this marriage, I guess you will have to work. Well it’s all on you. I can only let you know the facts.”

Geet Handa, keeping a fast? Well, she can do it, but only for her family and someone so close to her heart. As of now, she could not fathom how to keep a fast for Maan. Was he that close to her heart?

Well it was evening time when Geet stepped in the house. By now, knowing very well that her busy husband must not be home at this hour. Though she wanted to talk to him, she peeped towards his room and surprisingly found his room open. She neared the room to see his back and he was seated on the table doing some work and busy on the phone in speaker so that his hands were free. She sighed and was about to turn when she heard a voice

“Maan, how do I send?”

“Sargahi!!! Mumma please. Do you expect that top industrialist Geet Handa to be on fast for this mediocre son of yours”

“My son is not mediocre. He is the best.”

“Hmm, for you. I know”

“Even her father saw your qualities and wanted none other than my son for his daughter”

“Wow, that makes me so proud Maa. Married to the industrialist and to shift to her house and stay in a separate room like one of her attendants. Trust me, he made a fool of you all and I became an emotional fool in your love.”

It hit Geet. His pain was deeper and the insult that he is going through is way deeper. A man with such self respect does not deserve this.

She could understand how his attitude and taunts are so valid. He is protecting himself from getting insulted at the hand of his billionaire wife.

“You are upset with your Maa”

“No Maa… anything for you. This is nothing. I am not complaining. There is too much on my list to think about this. But the only thing is don’t expect the unexpected. You are being Quixotic. A little realistic you all have to be Maa.. She is Geet Handa. I can’t imagine her using my surname and you expect her to keep fast for me. Nahi hoga bas”

It again hit Geet. The memory of how he was protecting himself when she claimed he was the husband of Geet Handa and should behave like one.

Geet knew she was doing an eavesdropping act, but this was her chance to know about him and his thoughts on this relationship.

“But being married and no fasting and rituals, I don't like it. It’s not a good omen and does not give me good vibes. I will be thinking of your wellbeing if the ritual does not happen”

Maan sighed. “Okay, You want rituals to happen.I will keep the fast in her place for your peace of mind. Husband and wife can do things in place of each other, right?”

“But the fast won’t be of any worth if you keep it for yourself. That’s act of selfishness”

“Kahan kahan kee theory laate ho aap bhi.” He took a deep breath

“Okay fine, I will keep it for her wellbeing and mine too. Happy now?”

“Hmmm…” Geet’s heart was heavy enough and she could not listen any more.

Geet went to her room and his talk with his Mom circulated in her brain. How easily he said he will keep fast for her well being. There was no ego attached. How much she has been thinking of keeping fast for him or not. He showed her attitude but it was so simple for him to keep fast for her.

How she has argued with her mom, that she has to keep fast just because she was a woman. He didn’t even think such things. Geet looked at herself in the mirror and found her thoughts so small in front of his high level thoughts.

All her classy dressings were nothing in front of his high level of thinking.

Geet got up after a lot of thinking and for the first time took out their marriage photograph.

Smile formed on her face, they looked so beautiful together. Ohh as usual, he looked so damn handsome.

No, she just can’t delay learning about this wonderful man, her husband due to her status confined thoughts. She has made the mistake and she will fix it. She also now knew, he has no expectations from her and he will be the biggest hurdle in making this relationship work. But she will take it all and keep working on it. This man has silently swept inside her heart and made his permanent place in her heart, which silently only whispered his name.

Yes, she knew, she had silently, slowly but very strongly fallen in love with this man. And when the love has knocked the door and silently seeped in, is there any space for ego and attitude?. No!!

She has insulted him, so she will now take all his attitude and taunts and make her love win by making him equally fall in love

LOVE?? Ohh My GODD “Love!!! Yes….” The realization hit her. She has fallen in love with this Mr. Attitude. Geet gave a small laugh to herself and hid her face in her palm. She was simply Geet at this moment. Not a single sign of The Geet Handa.

“Geet Handa” she repeated her name and the recalled how he has stated his name “Maan, The Maan Singh Khurana”

She took a deep breath as she was slowly coming out of her hesitation

“Geet-Maan-Singh-Khurana” she spoke each with emphasis. “Not bad. Actually sounds good”

She threw herself in bed as the realization of falling in love started seeping deep inside her and filling her heart with unknown-unimaginable happiness.

Next morning at 4 am, Maan was awake, not for his jog but for having something as part of Sargaii.

He was wondering, actually, what all he has to do as part of this marriage.

He shook his head and checked the ‘Sargahii’ items on the instructions of his Mom.

Geet entered from behind when Maan was making his plate

“What’s all this you are having?”

He turned to her “Excuse me!! You are talking to me” Okay by now, Geet was somewhat getting used to his taunts and was actually enjoying it.

“Well, I don’t see anyone around”

“What made you bless this kitchen by your presence” came his next taunt. Geet smiled

“Well this early morning, I was getting some romantic dreams, so I thought to check on the only man in this house” she said seductively coming close to him and tracing her finger on his face

“Well there are two others, Sanjay and Jigar. If you don’t mind, I can wake them up”

“Shut up. What are you up to?”

“Well these are food items and I am planning to fill my belly with them. Any more enquiries?”

“Well, I want to have them too”

“You can’t have them”

“Why? Because you bought them with your money” Maan sighed. Will this girl ever come out of money matters

“These are from the local market, won’t suit your sophisticated appetite” He went to the fridge and got some fruits. Washed then, cut them and placed them in the plate

“Have these”

She took a bite and he took the bite from his plate

“Well I will be on the fasting today” Maan choked for a second “What??”

“Why are you so surprised? I am truly on fasting today” He turned and looked at her from top to bottom

“Well, you have a good slim perfect body. You don’t need to diet”

Geet smiled “Nice trick to flirt indirectly”

“I can do it directly, if I have that intent. But seriously you don’t need to be on diet”

“ I am doing it as part of Married woman. Women do it for the wellbeing for their partner”

“What??”

“You mean, you are doing it for my well being” Geet nodded in yes.

Maan immediately went to open the kitchen door and looked up at the sky. Geet was confused, what was he doing.

He was soon back. “What was that?”

“Well I went to see if all the stars have moved from their correct places. But they seem to be in the correct places.”

“Maan, I am trying to make our relationship work. You are not co-operating”

“Ohh wow… I can’t believe my stars. The great Geet Handa is planning to keep fast for me.” He acted as if blushing and then changed his expression

“Do I even exist in your world ‘Your Highness’?”

“Maan, we are married. So obviously I wish for your good health and well being”

“What’s the matter, iss nacheez ke itni khidmat ho rahee hai. Seedha bolo na, you need my puppet presence in one of your high profile gatherings. ”

“Maan, that’s not the matter”

“Really? Then let me think.. ummm " he again acted, to be in a deep thought.

"Maa-aan!!!”

“Ohh, I got it.”

He came closer to her in his slow stride. Ohh damn that was so sexy and the hovered so close to her, fanning his warm breath on her face, sending several sensation through her

“Geet Handa hui toh kya hua.” He gave a devilish smile… “Everyone has hormones which can go up and down,” he winked.

“You want me for that purpose. No problem, I can serve.”

Geet, without a word, came even closer and held his collar in her fists

“Ohh badtameezee ho gaye.. Sorry.” he raised his hand in surrender

“I should be in limits, right?”

And soon he changed his facial expression “But I can go limitless so better stay away from me”

Holding his collar still in her hand, she nodded for no “Naa… badtameezee nahi hui. But I was just wondering” she traced her finger on his face again

“Why, your hormones don't go up and down with a beautiful wife in the house, so near yet so far. Or, must I say, is there any problem in your system? Don’t tell me, this body is just for a show” she intentionally poked him

Maan looked intently into her eyes, came closer and surprised her by wrapping his hand around her waist and pushed his hand inside her shirt and looking directly into her eyes, moved his hands up to feel her globe above the thin material, pressed it hard, and hard and hard, till she winced. And he immediately released her

“Hope you got your answer. Think before you speak. And now don’t come with that status thing of yours because I don’t give a damn about it. I know you need this marriage to stay more than me, not because of any heart and hormone thing that you are trying to show but because of your stake in the empire.”

“This sourness Maan.. Why?” Geet was pained by his pain due the insult he is bearing in this marriage.

“Why? You do not know why?”

“I know you care for me,” she argued. Maan sighed in frustration

“Listen, do not do this act of fast and all. Do not use the rituals at least for showing your marriage status to your enemies”

He made an imaginary poster from his hand.

“A big headline - Geet Handa, observed a fast for the longevity of her husband.”

He then threw his hands in the air “And boom, no one can claim that this marriage is fake… Umm”

“Listen… Whenever you need, your puppet husband will be present for the show. So rest assured and stop this drama.”

“Fine, think whatever you have to” she took her plate and left

Geet was in her room. Geet has never bowed or pleased anyone till date. She may have been wrong or right, Geet had a habit of proving herself right. But everything failed in front of this man, Maan, her husband. And the more she interacted with him, the more she could see his spin and confidence, the more her ego or status was fading away. Of course only for him. If she thinks only as his wife, she has failed badly. She has insulted him a lot.

Yes he was very sour, anyone can think he was unreasonably sour. But this sourness has a reason. This marriage gives him nothing but daily shows that he has been put down by his wife.

But the smile formed on her face, with the interesting character that he was, caring for her from behind yet saving himself by being rude with her, she knew that life with him will be very interesting. Geet was ready to take his attitudes till his anger calmed down but she will make sure to bring him fully into this relationship.

******

In the evening while Maan was busy working on his blueprint, his mother called and asked him to have some food. Maan was already irritated by the attendants in the house who were busy preparing festive food which was hitting his nostril and teasing his senses.

“Maa, you really make me do the weirdest of weird things.”

“Because I have faith in what my son is. Doing a fast for his wife and staying in her house for everyone's comfort, doesn’t devalue my son who is way beyond these things. I am so proud I got a son like you”

“And you are not proud of me” complained Vicky from other side

“I am proud of all my kids. Everyone does not have to be the same.”

“Hmm… that is enough. I can’t be as ‘mahan’ as Bhai. Biwi ke liye fast and that too the one who doesn’t consider you…”

“Vicky.. Be in limit. I do not allow you to comment on my personal life.”

“Okay sorry Bhai. I am leaving”

“Maan go and see the moon and eat something”

“Ok… you can make me do anything” he shook his head and went outside, saw the Moon, dropped the water and had some apples and oranges. He was not a sweet person but took a small bite of sweet.

“Hogaya.. Bas… ”

Sandhya felt bad for making her son do all this that his wife should do. But her motherly heart was concerned for his well being which believed it was not auspicious if not done.

Maan did it simply for her peace of mind.

“I am sorry dear”

“Mom, please. Doing a fast and praying to God doesn’t make me less of a man. Now you go, spend time with Papaji. Bye”

Maan disconnected the phone and turned to see Mina pacing restlessly in front of his door

“Sir..” she almost cried

“Don’t scare me, what happened” He asked with all concern

“Sir… ma’am… sir”

“What.. What happened to her?”

“She fainted…sir please”

“Where is she?”

“Sir.. on terrace”

Maan without a second thought ran towards the terrace “What the hell was she doing on the terrace?’ he wondered as he took long strides, skipping the steps of stairs to reach her

Geet was laying on the ground and attendants did not have the guts to touch her even in her fainted state

Maan ran to her, got hold of her and placed her head on his lap

“Stupid people” he murmured to all attendants who were just waiting for him to help her

“Water” he asked and Jigar handed him the water. Maan sprinkled the water on her face

“Geet… Geet… get up” He said still sprinkling water on her face, making her lay on his lap and intermittently rubbing her hands

“What happened?” he asked still rubbing her palm

“Sir she was on fast the whole day”

“What??” he then soon turned his attention to Geet “Geet wake up

Geet blinked her eyes and Maan took the glass and made her drink a sip or two of water. He checked her pulses

He saw the sweet on the plate and made her eat a bite of it as an immediate source of energy. Geet was coming to senses and seeing Maan feeding her the sweet, she opened her mouth to take a bite. He made her drink another sip and then again small bites. Slowly bringing her to senses

Maan took Geet in his arms and carried her down through the decorated stairs. Ohh even in her low sense and weakness, Geet could feel the pleasure and protection of his strong arms around her.

But as Maan reached the first floor, he stopped.

“Mina.. Charu.. Her room is nearby. You two help her to get to her room”

“Sir.. app hee..” Mina didn’t have guts to speak further

“You two can do this much” he softly placed Geet on her foot. Mina and Charu helped her to reach her room.

As he left, Geet in her half senses kept looking at him.

[NOCOPY]

Thanks for your motivation and support to this story so far.

Lots to come in this story as this is all just a start. Please continue to shower your love to the story

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-Anu

tellyme2024-04-11 15:55:25