Maan escorted Geet to her outhouse and before leaving said in a caring tone, "I'll ask Nakul to bring dinner for you. You needn't cook. I know today has been a very difficult day for you. I'm sorry for reopening old wounds with my questions about your past. Please try to forget everything and sleep peacefully. Right now that is very important for the baby."
Geet nodded her head understandingly. "Good night then," Maan wished her before walking to his house.
"Good night," she responded and watched his retreating back till he was out of sight.
After dinner, Maan went looking for Dev and found him in the pool, swimming leisurely. He waited till he came up for air and gestured to him to come out. Dev gave one of his broad smiles at seeing his brother and swimming to the side of the pool, he heaved himself up. He quickly walked up to the nearby chair and snatching the bathrobe slung on it, he slipped into it. Picking up the towel lying on the seat of the chair, he vigorously rubbed his wet hair as he threw an enquiring look at his brother.
Maan answered his look with a question of his own."Dev, from where did you get the money to pay off your debts? I know I asked you this question before but you did not give me a straight answer. Now I need to know just how you managed to settled such huge debts in a matter of weeks."
Dev's facial expression changed immediately and he looked nervous and fidgety. "I...my...my friends lent me the money."
"So you have such rich and generous friends, do you? Then why did you approach me for money?" Maan tried to keep his anger in check while interrogating his brother, although it was becoming increasingly difficult.
"I....uh..actually my friends were out of town at the time and I could not meet them."
Maan's eyes narrowed and he growled between clenched teeth, "Dev, I want the truth now. Did someone give you the money or did you just take it, or should I say swindle it?"
Hearing this, Dev's nervousness increased as he wondered if Maan had got any inkling of what he had done. Shrugging away the thought he stuck to his story.
"No, bro. I'm telling you the truth. I was given the money by my friends."
Maan couldn't hold down his anger any longer and he swung his arm, punching Dev squarely on his left jaw.
Dev swayed backwards in the impact and staggered to stand up straight. Holding his jaw with one hand, he looked stunned at his brother.
"What was that for?" he whispered. He could not recollect an occasion since their adulthood when Maan raised his hand on him.
"For lying, Dev. You know how I cannot stand liars."
"Bb...but...I wasn't... ly..."
Before he could finish, Maan's hand came swinging towards him and he handed him another punch, this time on his right jaw.
"How many friends helped you, Dev? Where are they from, Dev? Could it be Hoshiarpur?" Maan continued, his voice raising progressively with every question.
Dev was visibly trembling now. His brother apparently knew something about his deed. Just how much, he did not know for sure.
"Hosh...Hoshiarpur?" stuttered Dev, trying hard to find an excuse.
"Yes, Hoshiarpur. Young innocent girl. Plot of land. Jewellery. Ring a bell, Dev?" asked Maan bitingly.
"Nnno... Yyyes....," Dev continued to stutter.
Maan punched his nose this time. Blood started oozing from Dev's nose and mouth by now.
"That is for duping an innocent girl into a fake marriage."
Dev wiped the blood from his face and looked at it in shock.
Maan's fury was rising by the minute and he slapped Dev hard across his left cheek. Dev slipped and fell down under the impact. Maan pulled him up by the collar and swung his hand to land a stinging slap on Dev's right cheek.
"That is for selling her property without her knowledge."
He then balled his hand into a tight fist and hit Dev under his chin.
"That is for stealing her jewellery."
Dev was reeling under the brutal force exerted by Maan. Maan got ready to punch him again.
"And that is for con..."
Before he could finish, he heard Dadi's loud scream.
"Maan! What are you doing? Why are you whacking your younger brother?"
Maan turned to see his Dadi whose eyes had widened in shock at what was happening before her eyes.
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