MG FF: Quantum of Solace Thread 2 - Page 5

Thank you :)

Of course Meera didn't want to talk about itbecause it is indeed painful conversation but all things need to be talked through.

Continuing very soon.

Geet felt her heart soften as she stood in front of the full length mirror dressed in the gorgeous gown. She wasn't sure if she would ever wear something like it on her own. The shading arrangement was most appealing to her; they seemed to reflect her frame of mind so flawlessly. The way it gracefully draped over her body fitting to perfection made her wonder how he knew so much. She glanced over at the open card on the dressing table to read it again.

'Geet, I'm sorry for unexpectedly surprising you with this event. I assure you won't be bored though. Please wear this tonight, I'll pick you up at 7 o'clock.

–Maan

Gazing from the card to herself, Geet couldn't believe this was all from Maan. He really was changing she thought. She ran her fingers across the crisply written Maan. Geet smiled bitter sweetly realizing it was going to be harder than she thought being alone with him tonight.

Upon hearing the doorbell ring, Geet took a deep breath then made her way down. Meera met her halfway up the staircase admired how beautiful she looked and gave her a quick hug. "You look gorgeous Geet. Please enjoy yourself at least for one night." Geet gave her a sweet smile and nod before proceeding downstairs after Meera went in the opposite direction, most likely to give them privacy she concluded.

She was greeted by his back as his attention was glued outside towards the tranquil water and setting sun. From the reflection of the glass wall Geet could see he looked absolutely striking dressed in a sleek black suit. Maan saw Geet staring through the glass's reflection and turned around. He gave her a brilliant smile and walked towards Geet.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" She asked as he neared trying to maintain all normalcies she could possibly muster without giving away the emotional turmoil within her.

Maan grabbed her wrists afraid she'd walk away before he had a chance to fully look at her. He didn't know if she would wear the dress or not because of the design but was glad to see it on her. "Not as beautiful as you."

She smiled softly and was glad for the opportunity to get back to her jovial self. But little did she know it wouldn't last long. "Please Mr. Khurana, you're going to make me blush."

"Geet Handa and blush, I'd like to see that." Maan smirked.

She ignored that statement, "Thank you Maan for the dress. It's gorgeous and guaranteed a fortune given the name on the label."

"But from what I see, it was worth every penny." This time she did blush Maan saw but it wasn't enough to reach her eyes which harbored other emotions.

"Trying to butter me up are we?" Geet questioned.

"Geet are you saying I cannot compliment you without an ulterior motive?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

She laughed, "I'm just teasing Maan. I have to get you still for surprising this on me don't? you think?"

"You don't forget easily do you?"

Geet didn't have to ponder that question for long before replying. "For me it's easier to forgive than to forget."

"Well at least you've forgive me." And I hope you never forget me, Maan thought as he stood dazed by her beauty.

He knew she would look beautiful because she always did but was left speechless because she was breathtakingly radiant. He could have attributed that to the dress which exposed more than she normally would allowed but that'd be a complete lie. If there was anything that attracted him to her it was solely her and herself. And it was because of this he couldn't hold back anymore and had to tell her what was going on within him. Although he previously decided to wait and gather her feelings his logic wasn't with him. His behavior and actions towards her were proof enough of that.

"Geet I need to say something...about what happened after the hike." Geet really didn't want to bring it up especially not now when there was already so much internal chaos only because of this indefinable relationship they shared. More so, she suspected he was going to try and change that in the very moment. That he was going to do the unthinkable and make her silently suffer even more by forcing her to deny something her heart so thirsted for. Geet opened her mouth to cut him off but he placed a finger over her lips.

"Just hear me out Geet. I understand it wasn't right for me to ignore you for the past few days but I had to get my thoughts together…" He took a deep breath trying to find the right words to explain just exactly what he was going through.

"I know what I did wasn't appropriate that night but I don't regret it or anything that's happened to me because of you. Geet, I can't ignore it anymore….I can't pretend anymore that you are not evoking feelings in me that are unknown yet…undoubtedly natural." He paused to gauge a reaction from her but she stood silent suspecting he wasn't yet finished. Maan cupped her rosy cheek to make sure he saw her eyes when he told her, "Geet…I meant what I said that night…I meant every single word…I want you to give us a chance…."

Maan was so focused in her eyes that he didn't recognize Geet's failure to hide her emotions from the rest of her face this one time. A pained expression was clearly etched on it. She was fighting something that to a fraction of her felt so right yet the rest of her believed it was so wrong. So as much as Geet wanted to declare a similar change in her emotions towards him she couldn't.

Geet couldn't tell him that something deep stirred in her pit also and that it never dissipated because his thoughts were always with her. She couldn't do that simply because she couldn't forget her track record with people. It was her weakness in the ability to forget that held her back always. Not only in consigning to oblivion those bittersweet memories she went through but also the ones in her mind she caused and potentially could in the future. It made Geet wonder if she had ever been good for those that she cared about deeply. She thought of her father first then every other person's memory trickled in her mind and concluded the answer to be no. And with that Geet understood she had no other option. She bit the inside of her cheek in fear of letting out a whimper and silently asked Maan for forgiveness.

Geet pulled away her wrist from his hold and gently held his hand. She still didn't look in his eyes while questioning, "Do you trust me Maan?"

Maan clenched his jaw seeing so much turmoil in her eyes all because of him. He realized then that he should have waited, gave Geet some time before bringing this all on her. "More than you can imagine Geet." But little did Maan know then that no amount of time would be enough for Geet. In fact, she would need something much more.

"Then trust me when I say it won't work and when I say I'm not good for you." She turned away afraid he'd see the hurt she felt while saying that. But Maan already felt it from her voice. It sealed the fact that a part of him suspected that she wasn't ready. Not ready for them but ready to completely trust him with herself.

Maan walked around the sofa and stood in front of her. Lifting her head up with one hand by her chin he saw just what he expected, a look of pure ruefulness in her eyes and an expression of heartache plastered on her face. "Just because I trust you does not mean I do not deserve a proper answer to those statements Geet...but I won't force you to explain because I know you'll do that on your own. I can clearly see from your eyes that those words are fighting your true feelings. You are trying to mask something again which just tells me that you are the one that still doesn't trust me."

Geet could see she had hurt him. She wanted to assure him otherwise that in fact if she trusted anyone right there then it was him. If there was anyone she didn't trust it was herself. But that would only raise more questions. She'd have to explain things of her past that were best left locked away because they would reassure the fact that she shouldn't be trusted with any one's love.

Maan knew exactly how Geet felt because he spent years in the same state and it frustrated him that he couldn't do anything for her. He didn't blame her for not trusting him with her all of her troubles. Instead he blamed himself, thinking maybe he wasn't able to clearly let her know that she could. He glanced at his watch and realized they were past fashionably late. Seeing Geet visibly stressed he felt horrible bringing all this upon her. "I'm sorry Geet. I didn't mean to upset you. Maybe instead of joining me would you like to rest?"

Guilt set into her as she looked at Maan's apologetic eyes. She couldn't realize why he was still thinking about her wellbeing after all that she just put him through. I completely ruined the most of the night for him, I should at least go and try to salvage what's left for him she thought.

"No, Maan I can't let you go alone. You also spent a fortune on this gown which can't go to waste either." She smiled a little trying to lighten the heavy air. Maan returned a soft smile and led her to the car. The drive was quiet and uneventful which would have normally made Maan a bit uneasy but today neither of them minded. They welcomed the silence to gather their thoughts.

Once Maan and Geet reached the venue they handed the keys to the valet then proceeded inside. Geet felt a little out of place after taking the surroundings and its people it. It caused her to unconsciously wrap her arm around Maan's tightly. He pretended not to notice but smiled inwardly.?

From the outside the building looked industrial but within the space was elegant with massive columns making it feel regal and airy, the soft lights that illuminated around them gave off warmth.

"I don't think you actually ever told me what kind of party this was going to be Maan." Geet questioned looking around uncomfortably because of all the attention they were garnering.

He placed his hand over hers in order to ease the apprehension. "Nothing big, it's only a party thrown by a client of mine to celebrate a deal we signed together."

Geet's eyes widened in shock, "You're kidding me right Maan? What in the world will I talk about with anyone here?"

"Don't worry Geet, I will be with you." Maan replied.

"And you think that makes me feel better? Maan you probably talk the least out of everyone here!" She teased. Maan smiled at her glad that they were getting somewhat back to normal.

"Forgive me Geet for not being a chatterbox like some people." Geet squinted her eyes and pursued her lips before starting to say something but stopped midway hearing someone call out to Maan. He looked away from her towards the source and saw his two of his clients walking in their directions.

"Mr. Khurana you are here at last. We were about to call you."

"I'm sorry Mr. Winston. We were running a bit late." Maan said while shaking the elder gentleman's hand.

"I will understand completely if this beautiful lady is the reason you were late." The old man smiled and shook Geet's hand intending his comment to be a compliment.

Maan looked at Geet thinking of what happened and felt bad. "Let me introduce you to her, this is my friend Geet. And Geet, this is Mr. Winston, his son, John but I don't see..."

"Mr. Chopra is around somewhere, most likely enjoying himself." The old man chuckled. Maan agreed to catch up with him later and went towards the bar to get them drinks. He returned to a lost Geet. "What are you thinking about?"

Geet nervously bit her lip hoping her worst fears weren't about to come true. "Maan, what is the name of the company you are working with on this deal?"

"Hartman Group, why?"

She nearly dropped her glass, "You mean the Hartman Group from London?"

"Of course Geet, it's the one and only. What's the matter though? You seem startled." Startled isn't what she felt. It was more like the feeling of the walls closing in and the floor caving into the ground all at once. There was no place to run. It seemed from all ends her past was determined to come out.

Hope you enjoyed! Pix of Geet's dress below...