Falling For You||New Thread Link Pg 1|| - Page 14

Chapter 4

Maan parked up outside the mansion as he returned from the office around noon, he had a meeting to attend in 2hrs followed by a party he had to make an appearance to so he'd come home to get changed quickly. As he walked in his steps slowed down as he took in the sight of the servants decorating the hall, a frown marred his forehead as he looked around, Dadima wasn't here nor was Vikrant.

"Dadima" he called and moved towards the stairs climbing up 2 steps at a time. "Dadima"

"Yes?" Dadima walked out of his room and moved towards him meeting him half way.

"What's going on?" he questioned gesturing to the workers.

"We're keeping a muh dikhai for Geet" she replied.

"No you're not" he clipped out.

"Maan sab rishtedaar dekhna chahenge usko" Dadima scowled. "Woh hamare pariwaar ka hissa bhi hai"

"Where were they when you needed them Dadima?" he yelled back. "Where were they when you were ill?" he clipped out.

"Maan what could they do?" Dadima responded. "When the woman who was your mother left us all how could we expect anything from them?"

"Exactly!" he turned around and looked directly at her. "When we shouldn't expect anything then why are you doing this?" he questioned resting his hands on his hips. "Why are you bothering to call them over to see her? Unless..." he paused. "Did she ask you?" he clipped out, his eyes darkening at the thought of Geet demanding something from his Dadima.

"Geet ne kuch nahi kahan" Dadima defended.

"I'm sure she must've filled your head with something" he muttered and walked towards their room.

"Maan" Dadima called and followed trying to keep up with his long strides. "Maan"

Geet turned her head hearing their bedroom door being swung open, her eyes widened as she watched Maan stride inside towards her, her lips trembled and she shook within as he gripped her arm.

"Did you plan this?" he questioned angrily, tightening his grip.

She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Muh mein zabaan nahi hai kya?" he pushed her away turning his head when Dadima rushed inside.

"What are you doing?" She looked at Maan fiercely.

"Don't keep anything Dadima. Warna accha nahi hoga" he warned.

"Aaj muh dikhai hogi Maan. Kya karenge aap?" she countered.

"I swear Dadima..." he muttered quietly throwing an angry look over at Geet who cowered back afraid he might lunge for her. "If you keep this I will arrange divorce papers" he turned her head to Dadima. "No matter whatever pathetic excuse you come up with, that girl" he pointed to Geet. "Is going to go back to her village" he finished and walked out of the room.

The thought of going back home had Geet frozen in her place, however bad this place might be, it was better than her home, she already knew what her cousin will do as soon as he finds out she's coming, he'd probably bury her that night itself as she returns.

"Bete Maan aisa kuch nahi karenge" Dadima spoke trying to assure her that Maan's threat was baseless, he wouldn't do that.

Geet didn't speak; she couldn't bring words up, what could she say? She couldn't beg them to keep her especially when she wasn't wanted but going back? Death was facing her if she was sent back.

"Geet" Dadima touched her shoulders seeing so silent and unresponsive, seeing Geet like this Dadima only guessed that something was wrong with Geet, a normal 18yr old no matter how shy or nervous she is wouldn't be so afraid, Geet was scared to even speak, she shivered when she was questioned.

Geet looked away, she didn't say anything nor lift her gaze to look back at the elderly woman, for some reason she felt ashamed of having to be his wife, she was even a burden on him, she walked away into the washroom locking the door behind her, she just wanted to be alone right now, a part of her cried for her mother, she wanted to hide herself in her mother's embrace as she always did whenever she wanted to hide away and cry.

"Geet" Dadima knocked on the door but didn't get a response, she sighed heavily and decided to leave her alone, walking out the room she closed the door behind her and went down to look for Maan.

"Maan" she called as she stepped down into the hall. "Maan" her voice grew louder and angrier.

"Saab study mein hai Dadima" Nakul informed her walking into the hall.

She nodded and moved towards the study, Maan Singh Khurana needed a lesson today, treating a girl like that isn't acceptable at all, she slammed the door closed behind her and looked at him as he sat nonchalantly working on his laptop.

"What was all that?" she questioned crossing her arms.

"Something to get you thinking properly" he replied without sparing a glance her way.

"Aap apne aap ko samjhte kya hai Maan? Not everyone woman is your mother" she yelled angrily. "Can't you see the difference in your evil mother and Geet?" she questioned bitterly. "Your mother was evil from even her looks, have you taken a good look at your wife?"

"She's not my wife!" he replied sharply.

"She is, whether you accept it or not. She is your wife. Shadi ki hai, saat phere li hai aapne, uske mang mein sindoor bhara hai aapne, uske gale mein manglsutr dala hai" she reminded him.

"She's not my wife" he shouted standing to his feet slamming his hands flat against his desk with his chair falling back. "I don't accept her! I won't ever accept her! You play house as much as you want but mark my words she'll make you regret ever loving her!"

Dadima shook her head sighing heavily, her eyes welling up seeing how Maan has blocked out any emotion, he can't even see right or wrong anymore and he doesn't see his wrongs any longer because to him all women deserve whatever they get and somewhere Maan is taking out his anger on Geet, and Geet's only fault is being a woman.

"Sab ek jaise nahi hai" she whispered. "If you can't be nice to Geet since you won't even see her properly at least try to be a little civil and human around her. She's new here and if you'd open your eyes Maan you'll see how fragile that girl is"

He scoffed looking away from Dadima, he didn't say a word nor did Dadima, Maan turned his head only when he heard Dadima close the door behind her as she left.

Geet changed back into her saree she was wearing before Dadima helped her get ready, she walked out of the washroom after she'd wrapped her head around the situation accepting her fate, whatever came her way she'd accept it since this is what she's been doing all her life, trying to fight back got her nowhere except starvation and being used as a punch bag, she couldn't go down and didn't want to in case Maan was around so instead she looked around the spacious room, her eyes drew to the screen doors, she could do with a little fresh air right now, she stepped outside nearing the rails, she looked at the beautiful garden admiring it, it'd only be a day before she'd ever see such beauty.

She thought back to Maan's words, she wondered why he hated her so much? He'd cleared that he doesn't accept this marriage nor her then why is he so affected by her presence? Why was he so callous towards her? She hadn't said anything to him and hardly went in front of him. She turned around hearing the door open and saw Dadima walking along side with a few other servants.

"Move the bed a little here and put the other there" Dadima ordered the servants, not once she looked at Geet instead she was busy ordering the servants.

Geet frowned in confusion as she watched the servants pushing the large bed, her eyes widened in surprise as the servants carried another bed inside, she walked over towards Dadima.

"Y.. Yeh aap..." her voice hoarse and quiet, she cleared her throat and tried to speak once again whilst Dadima waited patiently looking at her. "Yeh sab kya hai Dadima?"

"Aap ke nayi bed" Dadima replied. "Main Maan ko janti hoon, woh aapko sofa pe sula rahe hai isi liye aapke liye ek alag sa bed" she smiled gently. "Geet Maan ke baaton ka bura mat maaniye beta, Maan aisa hi hai"

Geet shook her head trying to assure Dadima she didn't take his words to heart smiling uncomfortably, she didn't want to speak of her new husband, she learned quite a little about him, and one thing she learned and understood clearly, he hates her with a passion.

"Dadima yeh kahan rakku?" One of the servants questioned holding the vase of white roses he'd bought up.

"Um woh nightstand pe rak do, Geet ke bed ke side" she responded then turned to Geet. "Aap araam karna chahte hai ya phir humare saat neeche aana chahenge?" Dadima asked.

"Aapke saat chalu" she said softly, she'd like to come out of her room, she hadn't left in case her husband was out there still like raging lion ready to pounce on her. She followed Dadima downstairs and they both headed into the kitchen together.

Maan gathered himself and headed upstairs to change, he stopped at the door seeing the servants changing everything around.

"What is going on?" he bellowed angrily.

All of the stilled seeing their angry boss and didn't dare lift their heads to meet the fury filled eyes.

"Will someone speak up? Or you want me to fire you right now?" he clipped out.

"Sir Dadima ne order kiya hai. Geet madam ke liye bed mangwaya" Nakul replied quietly.

Maan cursed beneath his breath shaking his head, he simply strode over to the dressing room taking out his change of clothes and walked into the washroom.

Once he was changed, he ordered one of the servants to take his change of clothes to the car, Maan finished up slipping into his blazer then walked out of his room, as he passed the hall he suddenly turned heading in the direction of the kitchen.

Dadima had taken some items out ready to make some snacks and Geet being brought up the way she did offered to help, so both women were working on savouries and snacks. Geet had prepared a vegetable filling with Dadima's help for the home made samosas they were going to make together, so she kneaded the dough and rolled, once done she filled with the vegetable filling sealing it then she passed it to Dadima who fried.

Geet stopped kneading as she heard the footsteps, she looked up and saw Maan walk in, he didn't spare her a glance which she appreciated but Maan, he couldn't simply stand her sight without getting angry, he turned his head to Dadima instead.

"Can we speak?" he questioned.

Dadima looked away from him concentrating on frying and ignoring Maan.

"Dadima" he called.

"Hume aapse baat nahi karna" she replied.

"Well I want to talk Dadima" he responded tightly.

"Kya hai?" Dadima looked up impatiently. "Kya chahte hai ab? Mujhe daatne aaye hai?" she questioned angrily. He pinched the bridge of his nose taking deep breaths, sighing out deeply he looked ahead.

"I'm sorry okay?" he blurted out. One thing he couldn't stand was his Dadima being angry at him especially with her not talking to him is torturing. And he guessed he was wrong in shouting at her because it wasn't her fault his so called new wife pretends to be so innocent that Dadima is blinded. "I shouldn't have shouted" he continued.

"Humse nahi Geet se maafi mangiye" Dadima replied. "You hurt her, you mistreated with her Maan, not me" she finished.

The little guilt he felt for Dadima washed away, he turned around and walked out without another word. He'd do anything but apologizing to a woman who isn't his Dadima is something he'd never do, he has never apologized to anyone but the elderly woman and he would never apologize to anyone but his Dadima.

Dadima rolled her eyes at Maan's attitude as he'd walked away, she turned to Geet.

"Maan fell on his head when he was young, that's why he's not so normal" she told Geet who couldn't help but chuckle in amusement, despite Dadima being quite old she certainly didn't act her age, she wasn't like the cranky old women in her village who do nothing but complain about back aches and leg aches, here she was a healthy elderly woman who has got quite a bit of energy, she helps prepare food at times, she has quite a good sense of humour and what Geet admired was her genuine care and love she showered, no one had been so kind to her but her mother.

"Geet apne kahan tak padha?" Dadima asked as she started on frying the last batch of samosas Geet made.

"11^th standard tak" she replied tentatively, with the questions Dadima asked her made Geet curious with what was Dadima thinking, no had ever questioned her about herself as much as Dadima asked over the past day, she couldn't remember the last time someone actually converse with her other than her mother.

Dadima nodded getting the fried samosas out and placing them on the tray, she wondered what made Geet stop her studies, she was going to question her on that but seeing how uncomfortable and nervous Geet becomes, now wasn't the right time. Geet out of habit started putting the dirty dishes in the sink and cleaned up the counter, Dadima turned the gas off and started to help. "Kyun na aap apne padhai khatm kare?" she suggested instead. "Ghar pe rahenge toh bore ho jaoge" she held onto Geet's forearm as she tried to busy herself, hearing Dadima's words must be some kind of trick or something she thought to herself, how many times had she been tricked like that and when she'd gotten excited she was thrown back into reality harshly.

Chapter 5

"Kyun na aap apne padhai khatm kare?" she suggested instead. "Ghar pe rahenge toh bore ho jaoge" she held onto Geet's forearm as she tried to busy herself, hearing Dadima's words must be some kind of trick or something she thought to herself, how many times had she been tricked like that and when she'd gotten excited she was thrown back into reality harshly.

"Geet bete..." Dadima frowned seeing her so indifferent and she seemed quite uncomfortable.

"Please Dadima" she whispered shaking her head, her eyes filled with tears slipping down her cheek. "Mujhe yeh sab nahi chahiye" she mumbled swiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.

Dreaming and weaving hopes wasn't in her fate, she'd been refused them when she was young and she knew all too well how it feels to be disappointed, she didn't want to hope for anything, she was pleased with what she's gotten with this wedding. She might not have wanted to be married here or to that husband of hers but she was safe here. Safer than she'd ever be.

"Bete hum aapke balai chahte hai" Dadima responded confused as to why she was crying suddenly, that too when she'd suggested a good thing unless Geet really didn't want to continue her studies. She decided to divert the topic to something else since Geet was obviously getting upset right now, she smiled gently and brushed Geet's wet cheeks with her thumb wiping away her tears. "Roye mat" she told her. "Accha yeh sab tidy karke hum jaake araam se chai aur nashta karenge" she finished off, Geet only nodded and started on her task of helping Dadima clear up the kitchen. Despite the servants and help around the house, Dadima wasn't one to depend on them for everything; they had enough work and simple chores like washing up is something she could do.

Geet stepped outside into the garden admiring the cool breeze of the late afternoon, Dadima was busy on the phone talking to someone so she'd decided to let Dadima finish up the call and walked outside. She smiled faintly walking along the stony path admiring the view, her eyes drew to the pool and she wondered whether it'd be anything like what she'd seen only on tv. There was a small child within her that was curious to find out what the water felt like in the pool, was it cold or warm? Especially with the pool being outside would be comfortably lukewarm? As much as she'd like she didn't move towards the pool in case she were to get into any kind of trouble, she didn't want to upset anyone, nothing here was hers so really doing anything without permission will not only get her into trouble, if her new husband learns of her antics he may just send her off like he'd threatened.

Geet turned heading back inside and noticed Dadima sat in the hall with Vikrant who returned from college.

"Hi bhabhi" he greeted smiling warmly in her direction, despite being left by his mother he held no grudge against women, may be it'd been because he was young and didn't understand why his mother left and his brother had never talked about their mother, he refused to acknowledge that a woman named Gayatri was ever in his life. Where Maan refused to acknowledge the female species, Vikrant acknowledged them, he didn't compare them with anyone, he believed every woman was different and it was the upbringing his grandmother had given him, Maan was busy trying to keep their house running so Dadima looked after him and brought him up with the right beliefs, he also knew no matter how much Dadima tried to instil the same into his brother, he wouldn't ever believe her or listen to her.

Geet tentatively approached them with a small smile in Vikrant's direction as he stared at her for some response, Dadima patted the space beside her gesturing Geet over, and she complied sitting herself down.

"Bhabhi Dadima was saying you don't want to study" Vikrant mentioned, Dadima had asked him to speak to her, may be Geet may be able to relate since Vikrant was only a year older than her. "Why?" he questioned gently.

Geet looked at him in surprise and turned her head to Dadima who smiled warmly.

"Geet like I wanted the best for Maan and Vikrant, I want you to have the same" Dadima spoke reaching for Geet's hand and held onto them.

"Bhabhi you're younger than me and playing housewife isn't really something exciting" he chuckled. "I'm sure you'd like it once you go to college"

Though Geet listened she was uncomfortable, she didn't know how to react when someone was being so nice, she didn't how to even respond.

"Take your time bete" Dadima told her. "Lekin humare baat ka khayal rakhiye, hum chahte hai ke aap apne padhai phir se shuru kare" she finished to which Geet nodded subtly.

Dadima turned to Vikrant and asked him of his day to which he gladly talked about, from his lessons to his pranks.

Maan returned home after a hectic day, from going from a meeting to a party, he was frustrated and quite tired, he walked inside to see Dadima sat in the hall talking on the phone, he remembered leaving the mansion angrily after she'd mentioned to apologize to that wife of his, he looked around and wondered where that woman might be. The thought of she might be in their room made him groan inwardly, he could've done without seeing her, he sighed heavily and moved towards the stairs.

"Maan" Dadima called him after she finished her call.

"Yes Dadima" he stopped looking at her over his shoulder.

"Geet is in the room, I don't want you scaring her or even shouting at her" she told him firmly, he mentally rolled his eyes at her but nodded in her direction.

He then headed upstairs, he stepped inside and his eyes drew to her standing outside on the balcony, he looked away trying to ignore her presence and dropped his briefcase onto his bed, he saw her bed a few feet away from him and shook his head. Dadima and her great ideas He thought to himself. The woman didn't complain about her bed so why was Dadima concerned for? She wasn't the one sleeping on the sofa.

He removed his watch placing it on the nightstand, then shuck out of his jacket unbuttoning his waist coast, placing them on his bed he walked over to the closet grabbing a towel and his night clothes he headed over into the washroom.

Geet hadn't once realized Maan was back, she had been lost in her thoughts and still registering Dadima's words about studying to acknowledge anything else. She wondered could Dadima be really serious about her studies.

She seemed serious but could Geet believe her? How many times was her cousin serious and asked her about going back to school but in the end he rattled on her getting her in trouble.

She turned around heading back inside their room closing the screen doors behind and noticed the clothes on his bed, she looked around then turned her head to the direction of the washroom, her husband was back, she stared at the washroom door for a moment somewhere expecting him getting out and shouting at her but he didn't and she didn't want him to so she walked out the bedroom closing the door behind her leaving him to his privacy.

"Maan ne kuch kahan?" Dadima asked as Geet walked into the kitchen joining her.

"N... nahi" Geet shook her head in response.

Dadima smiled nodding and continued her task of making Maan something to eat, they'd all eaten by 9 and Maan returned late as usual missing dinner.

Geet chewed on her lip looking around, she seemed like a lost child right now. "Hum kuch kare?" she questioned softly not wanting to feel useless stood here.

"Nahi bete, hamara hogaya" Dadima replied turning the cooker off, she plated up the pasta she'd made for Maan and looked at Geet. "Aap khana chahenge?" she asked.

Geet shook her head in response and followed Dadima out the kitchen as she walked into the dining room, Geet stilled seeing Maan walk over towards them, he barely looked in her direction and took his seat. Nakul walked out with a glass of water and placed it on the table then left. Maan ignored the women's presence in the dining room; he sat down and started eating without glancing at any of them.

Dadima rolled her eyes pulling out a chair and sat down on the chair next to his, she turned her head to Geet who stood there with her eyes dipped down.

"Geet baitiye" she pointed.

Geet didn't look up, instead she shook her head and walked away, her heart racing as she passed by him, she closed her eyes expecting to be stopped by him so he'd shout at her or something but Maan did neither, she took her chance and headed upstairs.

Dadima frowned seeing Geet leave suddenly, she was hoping to speak to Geet about her studies hoping she'd take her advice and would start college.

"Hume ignore kar rahe hai?" Dadima asked seeing Maan hadn't looked at her direction.

"No, should I be?" he looked at her wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"Did you look at Geet properly Maan?" Dadima responded with another question.

"Who?" he lifted his brow.

"Maan!" Dadima hissed. "Aap andhe ho kya? Woh aapke aate hi bhaag gayi, aap ko dikhai nahi diya?" she questioned.

"Dadima" Maan sighed heavily pushing his empty plate away leaning against the chair. "Why don't you see she's pretending? Women excluding you that is. Women are vicious stupid creations who are like nets trying to capture someone in their net"

"You're so funny" she shook her head. "I want Geet to study" she directed their conversation away.

"And what am I supposed to do? And what exactly is the point? She's going to leave in a few months or so, once she's had her fill of our money"

"Agar aapke pita yahan hote unko sharam aa raha hoga aap unke bete hai" Dadima replied. "Arhaan ne toh yeh nahi sikhaya"

"Dad's probably wishing he taught us to treat women like objects because he treated one like a queen and look what happened" he responded.

Dadima reached over touching his hand. "Please Maan. Aap Gayatri ke waje ek masoom aurat ke upar gussa nikaal rahe hai" she pleaded softly.

"Don't Dadima" Maan removed his hand away. "What do I have to do to make you open your eyes and see the vicious manipulating witch that girl really is?"

"Someone is afraid of even standing in your presence isn't vicious or manipulating" Dadima replied back sharply. "She rushed away as soon as you came down"

"She's pretending"
"She isn't!" Dadima hissed angrily smacking the table. "One day you're going to open your eyes and see her for what she truly is. Vikrant bhi Geet ko dekha hai, ussne mujhe pucha bhi ki ek atara saal ki ladki itni dari huyi aur chup kyun hai?"

"Oh please" Maan groaned. "Don't be dragging my brother into these matters. I don't want him anywhere near that girl"

"I don't want you anywhere near him" she replied sharply. "Aapka dimag toh corrupt hi hai, hum nahi chahte ke mere dusre pote ke dimag aap corrupt kar de" she stood to her feet and walked away.

"Dadima" Maan sighed standing to his feet. "Dadima" he called jogging over to her.

"Hum aapse baat nahi karna chahte" she replied tightly.

"Please stop" he held onto her hand.

Dadima refused to look at him so she turned her head away.

"Look" he closed his eyes mentally cursing Geet for being the problem between them both. "I won't interfere in her matters, you obviously won't see anything wrong with her and I won't ever accept her... wait" he stopped her before she started. "That girl lives here, she does as she wishes but you won't get anything from me, no commitment no nothing. Okay?"

"Just be a little civil towards her" Dadima added. Getting Maan to agree to act civil will be a big accomplishment in itself, later bringing them to commit and work together to make this marriage work will be something for later. Both wouldn't even be able to think of working on this marriage just yet, there's far too much to do before she requests them to try working this relationship out. Both had pasts that made them both they both are today and getting rid of such pasts will take time.

"As long as she doesn't intervene in my life and keeps her nose out of my business"

"She's still going to be staying in your room" Dadima responded.

"Why not the guest room?" he questioned.

"Because I want you to get used to the idea of having women around you, since you won't let anyone other than me, you'll have get used to this"

Maan stared at Dadima for a moment wondering whether the woman has asked the girl to seduce him or something, he'd probably strangle the girl if she attempted to do such thing.

"Fine" he responded nodding.

"Now goodnight" Dadima smiled gently though she was beaming brightly within, just having him agree to something was worth the trouble she'd be going through over the next few weeks or months trying to bring them two closer.