SS: A Bend in the Road [Wattpad link-P.126] - Page 82

The red henna adorned her hands had a name engraved in it. His.

She was teased mercilessly how he should find it, and when.

The teasing was getting out of hand and when she found Dadima walking around at the entrance of the mansion, deeply engrossed in her phone, she excused herself from the teasing gang with an excuse of Dadima beckoning her for something.

She did follow Dadi suite for a while and was meaning to go back but she already was inside the mansion and since she was the bride, she was getting all attention, from Maan's relatives, friends and servants also. It seemed silly now to walk back without a prelude.

So, Geet decided she would talk to Dadi after all. Maybe she would ask about something. The caterers? Yeah, that should do.

She was walking towards the study, in search of Dadi whom she could no longer see, when she heard Dadi's voice and stopped, wanting to go inside.

"Is this the way Maan? Going out of contact on your wedding day? Are you even aware that there's a girl here waiting for you? All these days I've been thinking you're just obsessed with your work. But it can't be. There's something else that is keeping you apart. What is it Maan?"

She remained quiet for a while, making Geet uneasy.

"Fine. At least tell me, where are you?"

Geet didn't go inside, stopping right outside the study, something in her telling to not intrude.

"Hospital?" There was panic in her voice, which made Geet's pulse quicken.

"What happened? Are you alright?"

"Not you, then who? Maan please tell me what's going on."

Another set of painful moments passed.

"Fine. I want you here within the next hour" said the older woman's stern voice, even as Geet felt the voice coming closer.

In her panic of not wanting to be seen, she went into the next room, not realizing it was the store room.

The hubbub outside fell into a sudden silence as darkness engulfed her.

She tried to wave off the dust that rose as she walked towards the window and turned the lights on.

She tried not to ponder much on the phone call. She was sure Maan was fine. She hoped.

She would just wait here for a moment before going out so that it wouldn't be awkward.

She will just call Maan once out of here...

The thought died midway as she saw an old picture hung on the wall.

Of three men.

Maan, Vikram and Dev.

Geet had figured, Maan and his two brothers.

Maan sat with his face in his palms waiting at the hospital, when he had opened his eyes suddenly, everything right before his eyes falling into place suddenly.

He called up Saabir, the detective and sent him a picture of Dev to tally with the localities if him and the guy who enquired about Geet were the same.

Minutes sped, and Maan sat there, his knuckles turning white when he had received the call, confirming his suspicions. It was Dev all along, who was the perpetrator of Geet.

Anger coursed in his veins and if a deep slash of disappointment sliced through his heart, he chose to ignore it.

He had bolted from his seat to barge into the room, to confront Tara if need be. As long as his brother had committed mistakes that ruined just him, it was fine. But Dev crossed a line, involving an innocent's life. He can't spare him this time.

He opened the door to find her asleep.

"Nainatara?"

She stirred but couldn't open her eyes.

"Nainata--" he was cut mid word at the doctor entering.

"Maan?" Said the elderly doctor who had been the family doctor for years.

"I have seen her records and a Mr. Khurana coming to admit her and thought it was Dev" said Dr. Kirti. "Where's he?"

Maan bit on to the anger rising.

"He isn't around"

"That's kind of unfair on her. Where is he roaming around leaving his pregnant wife?"

It was his turn to go blank. "What?"

"Is that why..." he trailed off.

"No no. She is just weak. Her BP is down. I'm surprised you don't know about her condition"

"Does she know?"

Dr. Kriti looked at the now grown up man, whom she had always admired ever since he were a child.

"You ask all the right questions Maan. I'll check with her but please ensure she doesn't skip meals and takes medicine and gets enough rest. You can take her home by evening"

"I'm taking her home now"

"A true blue Khurana attitude." Dr. Kirti remarked with a smile. "Do not forget I still am your family doctor and won't spare you if any of you dare compromise on Tara's health now. Am I clear?"

After a moment when he didn't give anything, he gave a tiny nod, that it was almost imperceptible.

When they did reach home along with Tara, he met with anxious faces.