MG FF:Limitless -Thread 2- - Page 9

Chapter 19: Wounds, pain and healing

Dear Iman,

I miss you so much.

Every moment without you is torture.

Come back to me. Come back soon.

Yours forever,

Geet

PAST:

Belle watched in silence as Iman packed his suitcase. She didn't know what to say, instead she just wanted to soak up his image. She wanted to let him seep in to her very being so that a part of him would always stay with her.

He turned around to stare back at her and gave a load sigh. "Belle, again I am so sorry. But I'll be back as soon as I can. Before I leave there are things we need to talk about. We need tell each other who we really are."

"No." Belle murmured. "Not like this. I don't want you or me to feel pressured into revealing something because of circumstances."

"But we need to-" Iman tried to argue.

"Please Iman. If we confide in each other at this moment it'll feel like we are truly parting our paths forever. I don't want to make this separation worse than it is. I'll be waiting to for you and to find out who you are." Belle attempted to explain to him her insecurities.

Iman shook his head, not agreeing with her but he still conceded the point. "Fine..but remember the next time we meet, I'll want to know the name of the girl I am maddeningly in love with." He leaned down to rest his forehead against hers. "And next time we meet I am going to ask you a question." At her inquisitive look he clarified. "I am not going to say anything now. But it'll be another reason for you to wait for me. Only when I come back can you find out." He smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood.

"Then I shall wait breathlessly." She returned the smile, hiding the pain rippling through at the thought of him leaving.

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PRESENT:

She jumped to her feet, ready to fight him when she saw the blood dripping from his arm. The sight of the blood staining him caused her to freeze for a moment. She could see bits of glass on the cut, no doubt from the broken pieces on the floor.

At that moment she became Belle, the same Belle who had loved Iman beyond limits and would take his pain at whatever cost. Her heart clenched as she saw him wounded. She could feel a throbbing within her as she thought of his pain. This was unbearable.

She could feel two dueling emotions within her. The girl she had been telling her that she couldn't bear to see this man in pain while the woman she was rejoicing in giving him an infinitesimal amount of pain compared to what he had brought upon her.

But just as quickly years of training kicked in and suddenly she was no longer Geet or Belle, but Dr Handa. She let herself relax and let her instincts take over, pushing her personal feelings aside.

Maan didn't know what happened but suddenly Geet was pulling him along with her. He was too surprised to say anything to her and he didn't want to start another fight with her. After that kick she gave him, he had woken up from the jealous rage that had hit him. He felt embarrassed about the way he had treated her and was searching for the words to make it better. Mixture of guilt and anger concocted within him.

Why did I attack her like that?

SHE HAS A FIANCE! How am I meant to control myself when she gets engaged to someone else? She is mine!

No Maan that's no excuse for your behavior. You can't let someone come between the two of you. What use is it to antagonize her further? You need to find out more about this fiance of hers. Something seems out of place.

Geet dragged Maan into the guestroom, where she was staying. Pushing him onto the bed, she started to scavenge around her bag, searching for something.

"Geet..I am so-"

But before he could continue, she stopped him. "This cut looks like it's going to need stitches. Okay? I am going to give a local anesthetic, lignocaine, which will help with the pain while I do the stitches. You aren't allergic to anything are you?"

"No but-"

"Are you up to date with your tetanus vaccine? And are you feeling dizzy at the moment?" She continued to shoot the questions at him while he nodded and she put on gloves. "The injection is going to sting initially, but then the area will go numb. Tell me if it hurts too much."

Maan was so surprised at her calm tone. Gone was the woman who had moaned against his lips and then given him a kick, instead she coolly collected and composed. There was no hint of emotions, rather serenity.

"Ok so the anesthetic should start working in a few seconds. I'll also have to get rid of the pieces of glass in the cut and wash it away with some antiseptic." Maan was mesmerized by her. He watched her adept hands work away smoothly without the slightest hesitation or tremor. "You might feel a slight pulling sensation as I do the stitches." She warned. With deft hands she started to do the stich, quick and steady.

It hit Maan that he didn't know this side to her. He could picture Belle at Moe's Mocha waitressing but he hadn't seen this competent lady. She was no longer the emotional girl whose eyes showed her feelings to the whole world. Instead Geet was a woman who had built a barrier within her to keep the rest of the world out.

"The stitches are neat and small, so hopefully they won't leave a scar. Keep the bandage on for a few days until the wound dries and then you'll have to take the stiches out." She continued on in the same pleasant tone.

"Geet we need to talk. There are things I need to explain to you. I didn't leave-"

"Look I don't want to talk about this. I don't know what you want from me but there is no use in rehashing the past. You left me and I got over it. Now it's ancient history. I am going to be in this house for the next few days for the wedding. I don't want to mess this up for Naina and Dev."

With fluid movement Maan leaned forward so that they were face to face. "Ancient history? Do you really want to deny what we feel for each other? What happened just a few minutes ago and what always happens when we are together? It doesn't matter whether we are Iman and Belle, or Maan and Geet. Emotions don't change with names nor does avoiding feelings eradicate their presence. You can try to hide what you feel for me, but it shines through from your very presence."

"NO! Why can't you face facts?" Her voice was filled with frustration, showing the cracks in her facade of calmness. "I don't care about you. In fact I despise you! Hate you!"

"Fact? You want facts? From where I am standing I see a woman who is unable to see me in pain. So much so that she forgets her anger in a moment and comes to heal me. Tell me whether you didn't feel pain when you saw me wounded. Tell me that it doesn't hurt you! No fiance can change that."

"NO! I am doing my job..this is my job." She protested and tried to pull away from him, but Maan held her hands within his.

"You try convincing yourself that. But I know the truth. The truth that is unavoidable." He brought his face even closer to her, so close that their lips were brushing against each other. His hand went to her nape and stroked her neck. His fingers rejoiced in touching the soft skin as well as brushing against her silky hair.

As their breaths mingled, Geet's eyes fluttered closed. Maan watched as her cheeks were stained with pink color and he let his nose brush across them to inhale her scent. Ever so softly he gave a tender gentle kiss on her lips and waited for her to respond.

She let out a light sigh against his lips and with the smallest of movements pressed her lips closer to his. Rather than passion or anger this kiss spoke of intimacy and a strong bond. It was a reflection of their past; a kiss that belonged to Belle and Iman. For the moments that their lips touched the years of separation became significant, the entire world became immaterial.

Gently he pulled away from her, brushing his hands down her neck before he moved his hand away. He murmured to her "The day you stop responding to me with love and I no longer see it in your eyes I'll believe you. But till then I know what you feel for me. Maybe you don't want to listen to me now, but I'll wait for you. I'll wait forever for you, I promise." He used the same words she had said to him, to express his emotions, to show how much he cared.

And he left the room, with a parting glance at the girl who sat frozen.

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PAST:

As Maan reached Delhi he could feel a slight detachment from himself. The sound of cars, people and bustle had him unsettled. He had gotten used to the tranquility of the last few months. The comfort of anonymity had seduced him. Being inconspicuous in Delhi was not an option; Maan Singh Khurana couldn't and definitely didn't hide from anyone.

He knew that he was no longer the same man who had left Delhi. Belle had changed him into something else and he would like to believe it was something more. Priorities had changed; he could no longer think of his life as his business. He had understood the glamour of love and the lure of having someone he could trust forever.

But there was business to handle, after all Kapoor Alliance was one of his top priorities. He wasn't going to let the money grabbing man, who he had the misfortune of calling father, take it over. So he needed to sort things out and let his relationship with Belle take a backseat for a while. After all he was confident that their relationship could endure anything.

Khurana Enterprise central building looked the same as ever. The building was a testament to its owner; large, magnificent and dominant. The whole office was silent as the main man himself entered. They had all been shocked that he had been away for such a staggering amount of time. No one had the courage to ask why he had left for such a long duration. This was unheard of previously because they all knew that Maan Singh Khurana's life revolved around business, success and family. As far as they were concerned he didn't have time for what mere mortals would have considered essential.

Maan personally couldn't care less about what others thought of him or his impromptu trip. He had come for an important reason and he could not leave without finishing it.

Adi came rushing out to meet, anxious to explain everything. "Sir..sir the me-meeting is happ-happening in an hour."

"Fill me in on everything Adi." Maan commanded.

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Within an hour Maan, Maan's lawyer and Adi arrived at their meeting. Just as Maan took a seat in the conference room, another man entered. The tension in the room was so thick that it was suffocating for all spectators. Father and son stared at each other with blatant hatred and distrust.

There wasn't anyone else in the world Maan hated more than Virender Singh Khurana. And the worst part was the he knew he was a mirror image of his father. They looked alike; the same nose, eyes and height. This resemblance had always disturbed him; that he should look like the man who had destroyed his mother's life.

"Let's get this over and done with. I don't want to waste my time on useless matters." Maan said with authority. He wasn't going to let anyone take the upper hand.

His lawyer took the hint and jumped right in to the legal battle. "This whole issue is redundant. My client has spoken about this numerous times since the death of Gauri Khurana. The deceased clearly stated in her will that that Kapoor estate was to be split evenly between her children after her death and the Kapoor Alliance to which my client is the sole beneficiary. The will has been validated by witnesses as well as through judiciary proceedings."

Virender's lawyer quickly intervened to counter the arguments. "My client was the deceased spouse for 18 years, prior to her death. This should give him some rights to her estate. The prior will clearly had him as the sole claimant. We would like to re-contest the will, as we believe the deceased was pressured into signing over her estate while she was in a vulnerable state."

"Spouse? They had been separated for two years prior to her death and while they were married'this'this man cheated on her numerous times. He has no right over anything of hers." Maan bitterly spat out.

The two lawyers tried to cut into the argument that was brewing but neither could be successful.

"You have no idea about Gauri and my relationship! So don't talk about things you can't understand!" Virender shouted.

Maan signaled to everyone to leave the room in order to let the two of them let the venom and hatred in their hearts out. Everyone scampered out, scared that they would get burnt in the rage that exuded from the father and son. No one wanted to witness the ugly battle between these two that would never end. At the center of this battle was a dead lady, who had been both the victim and the cause of this animosity.

As soon as everyone had left the room, Maan leaned over the table facing Virender and told him a cold tone devoid of emotion, "Let's get this straight. No way am I letting you take my mother's legacy. Kapoor alliance is a part of the Kapoor family legacy, of which you have no part."

"Try and see if you can stop me" Virender snarled at Maan. "I am not going to let go of what should be mine."

But Maan was hardly moved by the threat. "I know that Kapoor alliance and the Kapoor wealth is the only reason you married my mother. My mother may have not seen through your plans, but you forget that I can. I always could see through you. So no matter what you try I am going to make sure that you don't even get single thing belonging to my mother."

Virender's face went red with anger. "Don't mess with me son. I'll bring you down and make sure that you regret it."

"I dare you to try. Just try and see what I'll do to you." Maan countered smoothly. And with that he got up and left without a single glance back.

But Virender Singh Khurana was not one to take such a challenge lightly.

I'll make you pay Maan. I'll make sure that you regret getting up against me.

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They say that time heals all wounds, but for Geet every moment without Iman worsened the pain of separation. The first few days went by fine and then became a week.

She had underestimated the effect and importance he had in her life. She had assumed that she would be able to bear the separation with a certain amount of pain. But nothing had prepared her for the feeling of isolation.

She tried to do all her usual activities; work, hospital and friends. But nothing could distract her from the longing she felt for him.

She had told him that she would wait for his call and wait she did. Every few minutes she would check her phone to see if there were any calls from him but as always there were none. She started to get anxious for him. Thoughts of something happening to him became pervasive and unavoidable.

She started to write letters to him, letters that she would never send but they helped to make her feel closer to him. She wrote about what she did, about her friends and family. She wrote about how much she missed him and what life felt without him.

Five days after Iman had left, Geet went out for bowling with the gang. As usual everyone was loud, with the exception of Naintara who only raised her voice to scream at Seb, and they were all enjoying themselves. She watched her friends and for the first time she felt like a spectator. She couldn't connect with anyone because of her constant distraction.

"Hey short-stuff!" Rahul gave a small shove as he sat next to her. "Why are you all quite? Is everything alright? Our Geet is never this silent."

Geet was jerked back to reality with her brother's question. "Bhai I am ok. Kuch nahi hua. Bas'yuhi." She mumbled quietly, trying to cover up. She wasn't ready to tell anyone about Iman. After all what could she say to them? She didn't know his name or what he did. Her family and even her friends would not understand her.

Rahul now seemed even more worried. Her response had heightened his suspicion. "Geet are you sure? Tere koi problem hai kya? Tu mujhe batha sakti hai."

"Nahi bhai! You go and play with the others. I am just tired and it probably better if I sit out the game. Don't worry about me." She urged him.

With great reluctance Rahul got up and went to bowl again. But just then Seb jumped down on to the seat next to Geet.

"Gi why aren't you playing? Come!"

"No Seb. I am tired." She dissented while absent mindedly rubbing her neck. "Anyways have you managed to annoy the ice-queen? I saw you two fighting again." She joked as she turned towards him. But she was surprised to see Seb's eyes fixated at her neck in shock. She quickly looked down to see what he was staring and flushed red when she saw the love bite on her neck.

Oh no! Seb knows that I don't date and that I haven't really been with any guy. How am I going to explain this to him?

"Gi? What is-"

"Seb please not now." She pleaded. "I'll explain everything later. Please!" She stared at him, her eyes held a plea for him to hold back.

Seb gave a small nod, but his expression told her clearly that this matter wasn't over. He was her closest friend and he would want to know what was happening. Just like Rahul he was possessive over her.

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Present:

Naina barged into Seb's room, radiating of annoyance and anger. She slammed the door shut before she started ranting at him.

"YOU IDIOT!!!" She screamed while walking up to him. "I called you to come here to help me! Not to make things worse!"

"Geez you are going to make me deaf!" Seb pulled away from her, grimacing at her loud voice. "There is a reason for what I did."

"Reason? You are here to help me bring Maan and Geet together, not tell the whole world you are her fiance." She bit out in frustration. "Seriously, you saunter in and within two minutes announce to the world that you are engaged to her." She brought her face even closer to his, unaware of their proximity due to her irritation.

"Hmmm..Naintara if you wanted to get close to me you only have to give the word." Seb said with a gleam in his eyes.

That stopped Naintara short, she took a small step back as she realized how close she was standing to Seb. "Don't change the topic." She mumbled while still flustered. "Why did you tell Dadima that you are engaged to Geet?"

"First of all I am engaged to Geet." Seb replied.

"But...but you aren't going to marry her." Naina weakly protested. "You told me that you would help."

"I said I am engaged to her, not that I will marry her. It all depends on the guy, Maan. I've to be sure that he truly loves her." Seb tried to explain.

"I can assure you that he does."

"No I need to be confident that he will take care of Gi. If he doesn't love her the way he should than I will marry Geet. I have to because of Mel. I am not going to help him get together with her without being confident about him. So for that I need to do a few things."

"Do what?" Naintara asked cautiously, scared that Seb was going to start one of his crazy and obscene ideas.

This time Seb's face lit up with an evil grin. "Easy. The best way to tell whether a man loves someone is jealousy."

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AUTHOR's NOTE

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-SanjanA