MG FF: Quantum of Solace -Updated Pt 46- Apr 28 - Page 10

Of the now ten days that Maan had been absent, Geet had spent only seven of them thinking of him. The other three were wasted in a NyQuil induced sleep wherein she dreamt of him. Along with excessive dreaming, Geet also took on the new activity of sleep talking. It was not a trait she had been known to do before but medications have been known to give ridiculous side effects. It was under one of these spells that Meera found her while bringing a bowl of steaming hot tomato soup.

Underneath the layers of blankets and surrounded by a mountain of tissues Geet lay incoherently grumbling and mumbling. Meera desperately tried to understand what she was saying but only could make out one word, Maan. She shook her head smiling and pulled the covers away. She nudged Geet a few times before finally getting her to open her eyes to where she was squinting. "Wake up Sleeping Beauty!"

Geet groaned in response because her throat was so sore. "Now I know you'd rather have Prince Charming Maan feed you but you'll have to settle with me." Meera winked.

She rolled her eyes since she lacked the energy to actually hit her with the pillow like she wanted too.

"Oh Geet, don't be like that. He'll be back before you know it." Meera said helping her sit up then taking a spoon towards Geet's mouth but she quickly turned away.

"Thanks Meera but I'm not Piyu. I think I can feed myself. And I don't need you or Maan!" Geet croaked angrily taking the bowl from her. Despite having a severe cold and being confined to her bed for days she was still the same adamant Geet.

Meera couldn't help but laugh. She folded her legs and rested her chin on the palm of her hand batting her eyes at Geet attempting to rile her more. "Dadi says he misses you too."

Geet only twisted her nose saying as if I care. But then curiosity got to her. "What? Dadi talked to him! Then why can he not…you know what I don't care! He can do whatever he wants."

A sudden soft knock at the doorway pulled their attention away from bickering. Geet was the one to gasp in disbelief while Meera giggled like a school girl seeing her reaction. There stood Maan leaning against the doorway with arms crossed against his chest and a slight upturn to his lips.

After so many instances of seeing him when in fact he really wasn't there made Geet be extra weary. That was the reason she was ready to wave this off as another medicinal and emotional effect. But that thought stopped instantaneously upon hearing him clear his throat.

Meera leaned over and shut her mouth before gleefully running towards doorway. "I'll let you two kiss and make up. But Maan, you better take care of my Geet!" She laughed waving a finger at him.

He winked at her then turned to Geet grinning wide. "Don't worry Meera, I'll take excellent care of her." Meera seeing Geet's face getting redder ran out before she got a lashing.

Geet finally snapped out of it. She was ready to burst at both of them, especially Meera for embarrassing her again but couldn't get past two words before she a coughing fit erupted.

Maan practically ran to her side and helped her drink some water. The coughing subsided only slightly so he fixed her pillows and sat down facing her. He gently rubbed her back in an attempt to soothe her while holding her firmly around the waist with the other hand because she kept fidgeting to move away from him. "Relax Geet. I'll let you be mad at me but later. Now you need to calm down and rest."

Geet stopped moving but grudgingly. It seemed like ages since Maan had the opportunity to gaze over a silent Geet sp he took advantage of it. Unfortunately, he could only frown upon observation because she had become so pale and weak. More disheartening was that she wasn't looking at him.

But slowly Geet's own heart took over her mind. For days she languished for even a tiny bit of the comfort and warmth that was now just an arm's reach away. With it so close and desire deeper than the amount of anger Geet gave in and dissolved. Hesitantly she rested her head on his shoulder but not long after was comfortably snuggled into the crook of his neck. Maan smiled and tightened his hold on her feeling her soft hands slowly move around his back to hug him completely.

Maan knew from everyone, especially Dadi who gave her own lashing, about how angry Geet was at him leaving without telling her. Eventually guilt took over and he called to speak with her two days prior only to find out she was sick. Without a second thought he had his plane readied to make the trip home.

He hadn't taken the time to tell anyone so when he arrived just a few hours ago everyone was happily surprised. But the main person he came all the way back for was resting and Dadi insisted could only see her when she was awake. Maan relented gloomily but smiled soon enough when Meera decided to hatch this plan to tease Geet. It was only then after seeing everyone, even Vicky despite still being mad at him, and with Geet so close did Maan realize what it felt like to be at home.

"Please don't do that again Maan." Geet sobbed causing Maan to snap out of his thoughts. He closed his eyes realizing just then how much he had hurt her.

He brushed a soft gentle kiss on her forehead before slowly releasing himself away to look at her. Cupping her face with both hands Maan wiped away her tears. "I'm sorry Geet…please forgive me."

She nodded then took hold of his wrists while peering at him with glistening eyes. "Just promise me you won't go without telling me. I know I made you mad but next time talk to me in person before you run away. You have no idea what I went through not being able to talk to you."

His guilt multiplied tenfold hearing how she ached because of his stupidity. Maan thought he was giving her time but it seemed she didn't need that much of it. "Don't worry Geet. I'm not going anywhere now. As for running away I thought to give you space to clear you mind because I was being too overbearing. I didn't expect to hurt you so much instead."

Geet shook her head at his reasoning. "From now on I'll tell you when I need space, agree?"

Maan smiled slightly "Agreed Dr. Handa. Now will you be a good patient and let me feed you?" She sweetly nodded and let him take care of her. Once Geet finished eating Maan was determined to have her rest again but she still wanted to talk about the one thing they had conveniently put aside. Maan, however, wasn't willing to stress her out while she was so sick.

"We'll talk about all that tomorrow Geet. Right now you need to rest." He fixed her covers and stood up to get her medicine but she pulled him back. "No Maan, I don't want to keep stretching this, let's get it over with."

Maan sighed realizing she wasn't going to give up. He sat right next to her against the headboard this time expecting it to be a while. Geet wrapped her hand around his and squeezed tightly. "I know you don't understand my reasoning neither like it but what else can I do Maan? I don't like the attention and attacks against those I love. And as long as this case continues the more it's going to happen. I just want it all to end once and for all."

"You're wrong Geet. I do understand your reasoning but the reason I don't like it is because it's one sided. Have you realized what's going to happen when it ends once and for all Walters way? Your career, the one you've spent so much time and love building, is also going to be over. Have you thought about what you'll do in that aftermath?"

Seeing her face fall Maan knew she hadn't thought about it to that extent. Probably because it hurt inside to realize something you love so dearly is going to be taken away. She knew that pain too well and was suppressing it as always. Probably with the hope within to find something later on to replace this heartbreak. It was all a cycle that despite being so obvious she failed to see. But how much longer could she continue like this Maan wondered.

"Truthfully, I haven't thought about what I will do afterwards but I'm going to be optimistic. Besides, I can handle being on probation and the monetary settlement." Geet said soberly.

"And what if they want more? What if they manipulate the medical board and have them revoke your license? Can you handle that?" Maan knew he was pushing her too much but she needed to realize the reality wherein Walters wasn't going to settle for anything but everything.

Geet swallowed hard trying to hold back the floodgates. Maan shifted his arm to half hug her while she rested her head sideways on his shoulder. "I want you to be selfish Geet."

He could feel her shaking her head. "Why not? The whole world is self-serving so what will you get by being a martyr?"

She released a breath of frustration, "You make it sound as if I enjoy going through this."

"I know you don't but quite honestly for some reason I get the feeling that you want to. I see this notion floating in your eyes that maybe giving up everything will bring you happiness. But Geet there are other ways to achieve the same goal."

Feeling her slightly shake he hugged her closer and kissed the top her head that was snuggled under his chin. "Why do I get the feeling you won't let me be until I agree to your way Maan?"

"My intention is not to force you into anything I just want you to realize something. There are two types of selfish Geet. One type is the narcissistic example we see everyday. Then there's the selfish that means having to look out for yourself to survive."

She chewed her lip not wanting to accept his words despite recognizing he had a point. Maan could see her internal battle and realized fighting her to the death wasn't going to work. Knowing it was only a matter of days until he got word from Rohan he decided to compromise with Geet or at least make her think so. "Let's agree to a deal Geet. If Walters's first isn't fair, we are going to court and continuing the case."

"But Maan…" She protested but quickly was shut down. "No Geet…you're going to have to meet me half way. I can't see you throw away everything you've worked for."

Geet realized she wasn't going to win with him. It was a false hope that she expected Maan to bow to her reasoning. She should have known better than that but there was time and somehow or another she'd make him come around. Until then she decided to go along with him. "Fine Maan, we'll do things your way."

He let out a deep sigh of relief hearing her agree. It wasn't going to be easy but certainly not impossible either to make her realize in the end what was for the best. For the time being though he realized it was best to let her sleep.

"Alright Geet, it's late I will see you in the morning." He said trying to sit up but Geet didn't want him to go. She held his wrist with her free hand disrupting his movements. "I'm not tired plus I still want to talk to you."

Maan couldn't pass the opportunity to tease her, "Oh really? Is this the same Geet that only a few minutes ago said she didn't need me around but now wants me to talk to her?"

Geet pouted and hit his chest, "Stop being mean Maan! You can't blame me for being mad and I really did miss you."

Maan only smiled at the sweet face she made and bent down closer to see her. "I don't think you missed me as much as I missed you."

He inched closer and closer ready to seal the minute distance between them until Geet abruptly moved away. Coyly smiling Geet laid down on her own pillow. "I'm sick Maan and don't want you to get it either."

Maan ran a hand through his hair and gave her a frustrated but amused look before lying down next to her on the adjacent pillow. He stared at her eyes and saw a playful light dancing in them, how he wished to always see that.

Geet smiled mirthfully, "So how much did you miss me?"

Thinking of all the incidents, one in particular kept replaying in his mind because it happened more than once causing the embarrassment to multiply each time. He knew Geet would get a kick out of it and decided to amuse her. "I missed you so much that every time I called my secretary for something I would call her Geet instead of Pinky."

He grazed his hand over her rosy cheek before gliding it up through her silky tresses. As he watched the glow dance over her features he softly whispered into her ear. "I wish I could describe what you do to me Geet, even in your absence you manage to invade my senses. Truth be told though, I wouldn't have it any other way." Geet closed her eyes enjoying the warmth that radiated with not only his touch but also his words.

Geet gradually opened her eyes to gaze at him with pure adoration. She tenderly kissed his hand whose fingers were now grazing her lips. After that confession there was no way Geet could be angry at him. Maan had proved time and again just how important he was to her and even more heartwarming was the fact that she was equally important to him.

It's Maaneet like I promised! :)