Maneet FF: Finally Found Ya, Epilogue (p102) Mar19,2015 - Page 11

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 7: In My Bed

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maan closed Rahul's bedroom door quietly and turned to gaze at the woman standing in the hallway. "You should have gone home by now, Miss Handa. Why are you still here?" he asked softly, leaning against the wall.

"I couldn't just l-leave before making sure that Rahul was okay," she protested, twisting a portion of her dupatta in her hands. She glanced at him and then quickly looked away, unable to gaze at him with these crazy thoughts running through her mind. There was a short pause, and Geet had to nerve herself to break it. "M-Maan Sir, you and Rahul will be okay now, right?" she asked hesitantly.

"Miss Handa," Maan said, straightening up, "You were able to do something that two psychiatrists and I couldn't do in the last five months. Ever since I noticed the change in Rahul, I have tried to find out what the problem exactly was. When I couldn't, I took Rahul to a psychiatrist. Two of them, in fact, but that only caused Rahul to retreat further into his shell. Dadi Ma counseled me to back off, and I reluctantly had to agree. But I didn't know that the reason for his withdrawal was living right under my roof. You helped us reach other, and I will never let anything happen to break that relationship again." He stopped and took a deep breath. Smiling slightly, he held out his hand.

Geet stared at it, and then held out her own hand to shake his. The moment his warmth touched hers, she felt a current running from their joined hands to the depths of her heart. She frowned slightly, the sensation entirely unwelcome. His warm clasp was inviting, making her want to keep holding on.

She quickly pulled away, a trembling hand going up to cover her mouth. This was wrong in so many ways.

"This reconciliation is also why I wish that I wasn't going on this trip," Maan said ruefully, glancing back at the closed door.

Geet looked at him, surprised.

"I am going abroad for a week, Miss Handa," he said, answering the silent question in her eyes. "That sudden trip was the reason for my bad mood this morning."

Geet raised her eyebrows at that proclamation.

"Yes, Miss Handa, I had a reason. I always have a particular reason for each of my bad moods," he responded dryly, noticing the raised eyebrows.

Geet laughed softly at that bit of humor.

"I found out this morning. Unfortunately, I have to leave tomorrow morning, before Rahul wakes up." He gazed at her quietly. "I won't be here to reaffirm the love I feel for him. I won't be here to make him feel secure. You'll have to do all of that. At least, until I come back . . . watch after my son, Miss Handa."

"I will," she said, slowly backing away from him. "I promise." Barely waiting for his nod of acknowledgement, she turned and raced away, trying to escape her unwelcome emotions.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Pinky squealed and landed beside Geet on the bed. "See, I told you it would be great to work with Maan Sir. He made my heart beat dangerously fast when I worked for him," she revealed, playfully nudging Geet with her shoulder.

"Are you sure you want Adi Jeeja Ji listening to you talk like that?" Geet asked, embarrassed for her friend. Pinky had come over tonight, since Adi Jeeja Ji had had to work late, as he had been doing since Maan Sir had left for his trip. The two friends had caught up on all else that had been going on in their lives, and now it was time to talk about Geet's job.

"Come on, admit it. You have a crush on him, right? Your heart beats frantically whenever he's around, right?" Pinky teased with a grin.

Geet blushed a fiery red. "When did I say anything about my heart?" Geet demanded, exhaling heavily.

"You said that he was an 'okay' boss, and that he trusted you with an important project," Pinky said. "I know when I said he was just 'okay', I had a huuuge crush on him." She clasped her hands together over her heart. "And he never trusted me with an important project."

"I wonder why," Geet murmured to herself. "Anyways, 'okay' just means okay in this case," Geet retorted hotly. "It doesn't mean that he stole my heart with his sexy looks, charisma, and loving ways with his son and grandmother." Tears welled up in her eyes due to the hopelessness of those emotions. He'd been gone for three days, and she was missing his presence so much. 'Who would've thought that I would miss that unsmiling face when it wasn't around anymore?' She sighed heavily.

Pinky's eyes widened in shock. "Geet?" she asked softly, staring at the tears welling up in her friend's eyes. "I was just kidding," she whispered, putting her arm around Geet's shoulders. "Don't fall in love with him, please," she said entreatingly.

"I said there was no love!" Geet practically shouted at Pinky. "There isn't even a crush."

"Geet, I can be an airhead most of the time," Pinky said. "I get nervous, and can't do the most basic of things when I'm confused, but that doesn't mean I'm blind. It doesn't mean that I'm stupid." She gazed at her friend, her face wearing a serious expression. "Maan Singh Khurana is a hard man. He could never give you the gentleness and understanding you need and deserve."

"What do you mean?" Geet asked, interested despite herself. The more she told herself to stay away from any mention of that man, the more her heart wanted to know.

Pinky jumped up and started pacing around the room. "The Khurana family has been hit by more scandals than you can imagine. And all of those just in the past decade," she finally blurted out, turning to look at Geet. "And due to all of that scandal, there is nothing more important to Maan Singh Khurana than his family name."

"What kind of scandals?" Geet asked.

"Maan Sir's father had a mistress and a second family," Pinky whispered, glancing around furtively before turning back to gaze at Geet.

Geet gasped, shocked by those words. She could never have imagined that Maan Singh Khurana had a skeleton like that in his closet.

"The truth came out after Maan Sir's father and mother died in an accident. The other woman came forward with her kids, demanding their share."

"Maan has siblings?" Geet asked, surprised by the mention of these siblings. She had seen no sign of them in the Khurana mansion.

"Maan Sir," Pinky said, emphasizing the 'sir', "Has two siblings, Vicky and Anvesha, and two half-siblings, Dev and Kamya. When Maan Sir's grandmother refused to accept that woman in her home, the mistress made a lot of noise in the media. Not to say that Maan Sir didn't have a good relationship with those other siblings. He ended up giving the half-siblings their share seven years ago."

"What happened seven years ago?" Geet asked.

"Seven years ago, Dev Singh Khurana ran away on his wedding day, leaving Maan Sir to take responsibility for everything."

"What do you mean?" Geet asked, startled by the sinking sensation in her stomach. A part of her could guess what would have happened.

"Maan Sir had to marry the jilted bride. She dragged the Khurana name through the mud. There are even rumors that Rahul isn't Maan Sir's son."

Geet sat back at those words. "Don't say that," she said sharply, frowning at the still pacing Pinky. "That adorable little boy doesn't deserve to have rumors flying around about him."

Pinky nodded, chastened by the reprimand. "But you can see why it wouldn't be a good idea to love him. Because of all that has happened in the past, his name and his family's reputation are really important to him, Geet," Pinky pointed out.

"How do you know all of this?" Geet demanded.

"Well, Adi's family has been working for Maan Sir's family for decades," Pinky said with a shrug.

"Adi Jeeja Ji?" Geet asked in surprise.

"Well, yeah. Adi's grandfather worked for Maan Sir's grandfather. Adi's father assisted Maan Sir's father and then Maan Sir. And now Adi assists Maan Sir."

"No wonder Adi Jeeja Ji works for him," Geet murmured thoughtfully. "I always wondered why he worked for a boss that made him so afraid."

"It's tradition," Pinky said with a shrug. "Plus which, even if he is a little scared of him, Adi does respect Maan Sir. When Maan Sir took over the company, he was only 20 years old. He had to go to school, take care of the company and take care of his siblings at the same time," Pinky said, counting the various tasks on her fingers. "That's why there is such a strong bond between grandmother and grandson. They've been through so much together. And there's so much more that I haven't told you! Did you know th'"

"Pinky!" Geet quickly interjected. "I don't want to know anymore," she said, putting her hands over her ears. She frowned at her friend. "I know that it would be stupid to fall in love with the man. Give me some credit. My feelings have just gotten a little confused. It's probably the adrenaline rush from being around a man who might shout at me at any given moment." She grinned impishly when Pinky giggled at that. "I just need time to sort it out."

There was a knock on the door, and the two friends turned to see Geet's father standing at the door. "Beta Ji, someone from the Khurana house is on the phone for you. I think something's happened."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Thank you for coming, Geet beta," Dadi Ma said, holding out her hand.

Geet came and sat down on the bed beside her, reaching out to squeeze the older woman's hand comfortingly. "Are you okay, Dadi Ma?" she asked. "I didn't know you had problems with your blood pressure." She stared in worry at the woman that she had come to like and respect.

When Nakul had called to ask Geet to come over and spend the next few days at the Khurana mansion, she had been uncertain of the consequences of such a request. She wasn't sure if she trusted herself to be in a place where that man's presence could be felt in every corner. But when Dadi Ma had explained her condition and that she needed someone she trusted to be with Rahul, Geet had readily complied. Getting her parents' permission, she had packed a bag and raced over to the Khurana mansion.

"It's just gone a little high," Savitri Devi said calmly. "But the doctors insist that I rest. I don't want Maan beta to cancel his trip for such a little thing, so I asked you to come instead. I hope that I haven't imposed too much on you, Geet. You're the only one that I could call; the only one that I trust after my grandson."

Geet's thought about that for a while, wondering where all of her other grandchildren were. She stared at the tired woman before her, and didn't have the nerve to ask. "I'll be happy to help out," she said softly, squeezing Dadi Ma's hand once more. "I love Rahul. School is starting in a couple of weeks, and, although I'll be taking care of him after my classes, I'm glad I get to spend a little extra time with him now." She smiled at Savitri Devi. "Please, rest for now. I'll take care of Rahul."

Geet made her way to Rahul's bedroom, dragging her bag along. "Rahul! Rahul, where are you?" Geet called out, walking into the room. She looked around, but it didn't take her long to realize that the room was empty. "Rahul! Stop hiding. It's almost bed time, and you have to be in bed."

"Geet didi!" a voice called out through a half-open door.

Geet's eyes widened. She'd never been through this door. A part of her had always assumed that it was another closet. She peeked through the door, and saw Rahul on the other side, sitting on his father's bed. It was Maan Singh Khurana's bedroom.

"What are you doing in here?" Geet asked, smiling at the excited boy.

"Geet didi, are we really going to have a slumber party?" Rahul asked. "Dadi Ma said that she needed to rest because she is getting too old, and that she was going to call you over for a slumber party."

Geet nodded, and came to sit down by Rahul. "Yep. We can watch a movie. Eat popcorn. Anything you want, within reason," she said, knowing that she had to add that caveat for her own peace of mind. "But what are you doing on Maan Sir's bed?" she asked, going to pick up Rahul.

He quickly shot out of reach and frowned at her. "We're going to have a slumber party here," he said mulishly, staring around the room. A smile appeared on his face when he saw his pictures on every surface. "Daddy said that if I missed him too much, I could sleep on his bed whenever I wanted. I've been sleeping in here for the last two nights."

"But surely it's not okay when he's not here?" Geet asked, worried by the direction this conversation was going.

"Even when he wasn't here," Rahul said, pouting at her. "I want to sleep here tonight, too. Why isn't daddy home? Dadi Ma is sick, and he's not here." His small face took on a worried look, as he gazed up at her.

"Well, okay," Geet said, thinking frantically. She did not want Rahul focusing on how sick Maan's grandmother might or might not be. "Let me go put my bag in the guest bedroom, and then I'll come back and we can have our slumber party here."

"No, Geet didi," Rahul said insistently. "We have to sleep in the same place for it to be a slumber party. You have to sleep here, next to me. It'll be fun!"

Geet sighed, knowing that she couldn't give this child grief over such a thing, when it was her own discomfort causing the problem. She nodded and forced herself to smile. Besides, what could it hurt? She would be spending tonight in Maan Singh Khurana's bedroom. She would be spending the night in his bed. She could only thank Babaji that she wouldn't be spending it in his arms.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

She was thanking Babaji for that, right?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Geet stretched lightly, enjoying the whole waking up process. Yawning, she sleepily stared to her left and saw Rahul snuggling close. She smilingly hugged him close, worried about the lack of flesh on those bones. She nodded to herself. Her next project would be to make sure that this little boy started eating more; no more eating like a bird for him.

She blinked her eyes, as they moved over the room. Her eyes fall on the stack of DVDs on the floor in front of the television, and the empty bucket of popcorn lying on its side. She patted her stomach. They'd spent a couple of hours watching the latest cartoon flick and gorging on lots of popcorn. Rahul had fallen asleep first, and Geet had lugged him to the bed. While she had been tempted to go sleep elsewhere, she did not want to disappoint this little boy by ruining his idea of a slumber party.

Stretching once more, she realized that she was surprisingly well-rested. She hadn't had such a peaceful night's sleep for so long; she couldn't even remember the last time she had slept through the entire night. Closing her eyes, she turned over and hugged a pillow close to her. She wanted to rest a little bit more before facing the new day.

She jumped when she felt the pillow moved beneath her. Gasping in fright, she pulled back slightly, staring incredulously. Her eyes traveled over a naked torso, over strong male shoulders, and over a face that looked so innocent in sleep.

'What is he doing in my bed?! Okay, so it's his bed, but does that mean he'll just hop in, even if there is an innocent, young woman already sleeping in it? What is wrong with him? When did this happen? When? When?' Her brain had stopped working.

She scrunched her eyes closed and opened them again, hoping that she was dreaming. But she wasn't that lucky. Her hand was placed over his heart, her cheek once again resting against his shoulder. What the hell was she doing? She quickly pulled back and yelped, as she now realized that her hair was trapped beneath that same muscular shoulder. She cursed her long hair, desperately trying to pull it out from under that all too naked torso.

As she watched him warily, those incredible eyes popped open and his eyes were suddenly trained on her.

She gasped once more and stopped breathing. She tried to speak, but could only squawk like a chicken. She quickly shut her mouth, slapping a hand over it for good measure.

His eyes narrowed.

Gulping, she sat up slowly, not wanting to startled him into any actions that she might come to regret later.

"What are you doing in my bed, Miss Handa?" he asked angrily.

"Oh." There was a sleepy, little boy murmur. "Daddy, you're home!" Rahul cried out, jumping up to sit by Geet's side. "Did you sleep with us all night?"

Chapter 8: In His Arms

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