Her breathing became erratic as her chest laboured to suck in enough air.
PART 16
I'm not sure, I believe you,' she uttered…
'Geet… for the love once we had….. for Daksh… can't you give me one more chance…. Just once…' Her mind was in a turmoil… His nearness, his touch, intoxicating her senses…
The trilling of his phone a moment later startled her from her reverie. ... He felt her stiffen in his grip… She stepped away… He immediately removes his hands…
'Oh God….What the hell was she doing? She was shocked, looked as though she was going to faint. When she half staggered to her feet, he automatically reached out to steady her but she feverishly flung his hand aside and sat back down.
He sighed softly, cut the call even without looking the caller and sat down on the other chair. Maan called her…. but, she was in no state to respond…
'No,' she whispered, raising her eyes to his briefly… She supported her forehead with her trembling hands… 'It can't be? We can't?'
'It can and We can Geet,' Maan told her softly.
She rose from her chair, turned away and walked over to the window on shaky legs… Geet was in an emotional turmoil… Her whole body tingled as sudden, sharp memories flooded her mind and she closed her eyes briefly to clear the unwanted, intrusive images…
He waited out in silence…. Maan knew, what Geet is going through…. Still, he didn't know how to help her…. Could he ever prove to her he could be trusted? That if she gave him another chance, he wouldn't let her down again? Could he prove to Geet he was a man she could take a chance on? Yes! He have to...
'Why now Maan?' Her voice was soft, yet stern… 'I'm not the girl you knew.' Her sudden change and the sterness in her voice, again took him by surprise….
He knew, she has changed… but, to this extent…. He sighed deeply and thought ' It did not look like he was going to get that chance — at least not any time soon'.
Then he said, 'Nor am I that young man, you knew Geet…. Give me a chance. Get to know me today….'
Her heart raced. Why was he asking her to do that? She knew, when it comes to Maan Singh Khurana, she doesn't has any control over her mind.. Let alone, control, she forgets the world around her… today, its more than evident, even after 6 years, she hasn't gained any resistance to that pull… She is like moth to a flame… If staying away is simply not possible, getting near is highly impossible… She will only get burnt… It could only bring her heartbreak… She doesn't has it in her, to overcome another heartbreak… but, nor can she deny the fact, her life is a living hell, without him… Deep inside her heart, she always had a vague hope, one day he will come for her, knowing the truth… This is she wanted… Then, why is she turning her back now… Daksh needs his father… Should I give him a chance… But, what if he walks out of their life again… She doen't want, Daksh to go through the pain… No! Her son is who, matter her most… If Maan is worth, being a father, let him prove it.
'For what purpose? I have my life, you have yours. I am happy with what I have today— My son…. My work….' Not to mention the peace of mind she worked hard to achieve. Sometimes she was lonely, but it beat the sorrow of the past.
'Can't we look for a compromise?'
'No Maan…'
He decided not to push her too much, as it can only cause both of them agony. He can wait a life time, for her… In a way, he felt a little peace, with the advance of the affairs…
'I think, I should leave now.' He started to leave.
She was taken aback by his sudden withdrawal. Quiet unlikely of Maan… Still, she felt gratitude, for leaving the matter… She knew, she will have to face the inevitable one day, but atleast she be prepared and clear headed by the time… She turned to look at him. He was looking at her, with his hands crossed on his chest…
They both didn't moved or altered their gaze… Just stood in their spots, rooted looking each other in their eyes…. She felt, she is going all over weak again… Maan turned and walked to the patio door. She followed him. They went inside and she walked him through the house to the front door, where her turned to her.
'We haven't … decided anything, really.' His mouth kicked up at one corner in something that almost resembled a smile. 'Daksh will be mad at us.'
She didn't say anything for that, her eyes wandered in that dim lit room everywhere, but him..
'I will come tomorrow? We will go together, for Daksh's signing –up for soccer.'
'Hmm.'
'Good Night Geet… .' For a moment both said nothing, kept on looking….
Then, she wished him well, watched him hurry down the dark walk to his car.
Alone, she thought. He looks so alone.
That didn't seem right, somehow. He is, as well, under emotional turmoil, as her… Unexpected death of his brother… whom he considered like, a son, exposed to a web of lies and his own family's betrayal, he was so proud about and above all, suddenly knowing, an existence of a son… Its too much, even for a man of steel…. A man should have family around, Someone to lean on, if he needed it. Someone to talk to if talking might help.
'Oh, don't be a darn fool,' she said to the beveled glass in the top of her front door. 'You are not Maan Singh Khurana's family.'
But she had loved him once, with all her heart... And they did have a son together. It had been a tough enough day for him already, father seeing his son, when he is five years old. Maan doesn't have anyone side by him… who would stand beside him now, when he needed a loved one – or even a friend – the most?
This is not my problem, Geet told herself. It has nothing at all to do with me.
But no matter how much she lectured herself to the contrary, in her heart she knew that Maan needed someone at his side. And right then she was the only someone available.
************************************************
SATURDAY… Daksh's first day with his father.
Maan instantly made the most of his arrival, turning up in a red Volkswagen Beetle, presenting Geet with the car keys and announcing, much to Daksh's delight, that the car was for his Maa, so she could drive him to school, soccer training during the week and matches on the weekend.
An expensive German car, not a cheap runaround which would have been far more suitable. The villa they lived in, did not have a garage attached. The car had to be left parked in the street and a red Volkswagen Beetle would stick out like a sore thumb in this neighbourhood.
But did a Khurana think like that? No. And she hadn't thought to advise Maan sensibly when he'd insisted she needed her own transport for the activities his son would want to pursue.
Like soccer. Daksh's friends at school were signing up for soccer today. Geet hadn't driven a car since her mother had died and the Beetle made her nervous, not to mention having Maan sitting beside her in the front passenger seat. Somehow she managed to get them to the football oval without doing anything stupid. Maan took care of the signing up. Geet gritted her teeth over the pride in Daksh's voice as he announced to his play-mates, 'This is my father.'
So far he'd been quite comfortable with Maan, wary of what this new intrusion in his life might mean, not quite understanding the background and sensing Geet's fearful reservations. But even a little boy could see that the other boys' fathers did not match up to Maan Singh Khuran, certainly not in looks, and not in authoritative and charismatic presence. He was wearing a maroon polo shirt that emphasized the width of his shoulders, front three buttons open showing his chiseled, tanned chest and perfect abs underneath, shirtsleeves rolled tight against strong forearms and black denim jeans – jeans that lovingly skimmed his taut narrow hips and his long powerful legs.
He saw her watching him... and he smiled. Slowly. It was a smile that started at his eyes – deep, mischievous, clever and good-humoured – and took its time reaching his mouth, that heart-stopping lopsided grin that had set her toes tingling when she was younger. Darn it all, it still did. With the same lack of haste he let his gaze linger on her and he didn't try to hide the fact that he liked what he saw.
Something about his eyes and the very male way he was checking her out now made her stomach feel ridiculously weightless – as if she'd suddenly toppled over the edge of a cliff. He started walking slowly to her.
Her heart was racing and her skin felt hot and sensitive. He just came and stood by her. Daksh was with his friends, saying good-byes. They were exchanging smiles now and then. With a sinking heart, Geet realised there'd be no stopping an attachment forming. Maan was intent on it and Daksh was responding.
He'd better not walk away, she thought fiercely. If he ever hurt Daksh as he'd hurt her…Geet took a deep breath and unclenched her hands. It was impossible to fight this. All she could do was watch over it, which she had insisted upon. No way would she agree to Maan taking Daksh anywhere without her, and nowhere, that didn't have her approval. To her intense relief he didn't argue on the matter.
For now, she added to herself, she didn't trust him to keep to them for long.
Next stop was a shopping mall where Maan had Daksh fitted with a proper pair of soccer boots, which he paid for. They proceeded to a toy shop where he also bought for Daksh a soccer ball and a goal structure complete with netting, so his son could practise shooting goals—which could have been done with simply setting up two sticks in the backyard. Geet could feel herself bristling at the money being spent without a second thought. Then it was lunch time. Maan asked them, where they want to go. Geet, didn't say anything, just passed a half smile.
'Dad where will you take us?' Daksh was in full intention to be his dad's son.
'Depends where you'd like to eat.'
'The Wharf' is fine.' He loved seafood.
'Then 'The Wharf' it is.'
Maan offered the drive, as they were inside the city. Once settled back in the car, she scooted nearer the opposite door, keeping as much space between them as she could. Daksh was playing with his new toys in the back seat.
'You're looking good,' Maan said, his eyes skimming over the bright blue suit she wore, complimenting her pearly skin.
She couldn't return the compliment. She dare not let herself look at him for long.
The car swooped to the curb and stopped.
He get down and before she could open, he held their doors. Daksh jumped off in excitement. Geet was about to get down, when her dupatta caught somewhere and the thin material slide down from her body, revealing her creamy swell of her chest… The motion of her breathing – breasts gently rising and falling – pulled the thin fabric more tightly around her, exposing her cleavage and more…
Her mouth falls open in horror and she grips the material, before it completely slides down. Maan swallowed hard, the silken skin enticing him to touch. Clinching his hands into fists, he looked around the bustling tourist area. He remembered every day he'd spent with Geet. They'd been crazy about each other and he'd been unable to keep his hands off her. Her skin had been so soft, so silky. Her hair had drifted through his fingers like gossamer. She'd liked his touching as much as he had. A lifetime ago.
When he looked back to see, she was still struggling with her dupatta. Its, moderately crowded area, and Maan couldn't let anyone see her like this. Without a second thought, he bend down to take it out. He slipped his arms under hers, and geet turned simultaneously. Accidentally, his arm brushed her breast, It took a moment for both of them, to understand what happened and shock froze the breath their lungs… He nearly faint from the tremors passing his body. Geet's eyes widened… Their breathing became laboured. They both flushed unable to deny the desire that now held them at ransom.
He looked sideways into Geet's beautiful face. Her fathomless eyes drew him down, into a deep pool of darkness… Geet held her breath as Maan turned toward her, their faces mere inches apart. His expression was dazed, uncertain. His eyes pierced her and she shivered. His gaze dropped to her full, sensuous lips, slightly parted... the air locked in her throat and she bit her lip, heat crawled up her neck, flaming her cheeks and ears… His gaze lingered in her lips for a while and trailed down still. His long dark lashes discreetely lowered to the creamy swell of her breasts… heat bossomed across her chest…
His heart begins to pound a bit faster… She quickly crossed her arm protectively over her chest. He lifted his gaze to hers… He looked her strained pallor, trembling of her soft mouth and he could see the quickened speed of her pulse beating at the side of her slender white neck. Tension throbbed between them. Her eyes dropped instinctively, avoiding his gaze. Somehow, he managed to get her dupatta without tearing it, pulled away and straightened back in a second…
He exhaled a pent up breath. He closed his eyes, slowly inhaled, trying to calm his frazzled nerves…
**************************************
Sooo, Yaaron... wot say???? Fast fast, tell me hw was it... and please click the like... dnt frget dears...
No Precap, still have to work on it... Till, then enjoy this part and make me happy with your COMMENT and LIKE. PLllsss...
41