Knock, Knock! Who's there? Pt 21/22 pg 80, 82 23/04 - Page 51

Chapter 19

It was 10 in the night by the time Maan's family left, while he went to see them off downstairs, Geet stayed near the window waiting to wave them off. She wasn't as nervous now, although most of the day was spent in a haze, marriage and Maan crawling pitifully within her. However his family were sweet enough to give her space, even if at times Anita had to be reminded by Maan and Vicky, therefore she was restrained. In the end, it was planned she would call Geet's parents and come to an arrangement in terms of marriage yet not once were Maan and Geet asked for their opinion, of course it wasn't his family's fault either, since they all believed he and she love one another immensely, yet funnily enough they hadn't even known each other for 2 months. Will a rushed marriage work? Could a marriage based on lies and deceit survive? Can a mother and father marry for the sake of their baby, more so should they get married?

'Geet would you like to stay here or go back home?' Maan asked from beside making her jump up in a fright, Gosh Maan' she complained clutching her chest in reflex, he had lightly smiled and folded his hands around her shoulder. 'So?' he asked waiting for her reaction, as she turned to look out the window, it was dark and gloomy, and looked like it would rain. 'The weather doesn't look great' just as she finished, a thunder cracked and rain pelted furiously. 'We'll stay here' she reaffirmed with a small smile as Maan redirected them to the sofa, on the way he grab a stool and placed it before her swollen legs, allowing some relief.

'So how do you like my family?' he asked flippantly, watching her from the corner of his eyes

'You have a really big family' she smiled twisting to him in excitement, as an only child she had a very boring childhood, if there was no Sameera, then it would have been impossible to live through the different phases of loneliness when her parents worked long hours even in the wee hours of the morning.

'Hmm dad and mum are only children so I suppose when they married, they mutually agreed on a big family. Although 6 children is a little too much' he joked remembering the crazy times he had with his siblings, the older lot were way more civilised compared to the younger lot.

'Maan what do you think we should do?' Geet asked slowly looking at him for answers, she then witnessed how he stared between her and the growing belly. Placing a hand on the protruding belly he said 'I think we should get married!' very clearly and soft stopping her heart midway. Did he seriously think they should get married? Seeing her halted expression he stopped allowing her time to think through, after all marriage was a huge step.

'You want to get married?' Geet repeated sceptically, for someone who was out rightly told not to think of marriage, this was shocking. Previously, Dev had made it clear he didn't believe in marriages and rendered her powerless in front of her love, but now after such a brutal deception, she's asked to marry but to a different man, the father of her baby, whom she knows for a month or two. He was someone she respected, she liked but could those emotions be enough for a worthwhile marriage.

'Geet I know what you are thinking, if you ask me even I am scared and unsure but there's no other option, I will not tell my parents the truth and nor do I think Rano maa and Mohinder uncle should find out. It would break their heart, so this is the best solution' Maan earnestly pulled her suddenly cold hands into his warm ones, there was an internal struggle between the two, cold and warm, but Maan realised this was the best for their child, for her and for him.

'Marriage is based on care, respect and love' he stated his belief in 3 simple words, each resounding a part of her heart. 'We already respect and care for one another, and love well it'll happen or probably already has' the last 3 words were whispered for his ears only yet her eyes popped open as if she heard him admit his love for her and she shied the next, looking to the ground and he also grew red in embarrassment, their hands still intertwined but fiery hot compared to the mildly warm atmosphere.

'Geet marry me!' he asked in a daze, her beautiful face sparkled with a rosy blush looking breathtakingly beautiful, this wasn't a woman he wanted to lose and in the moment it seems his mouth was warranted a free to talk license. 'Shall we approach it as an arranged marriage, but of course with a difference? Here you fall pregnant before we know each other, then we start living together prior to any proper introduction, following on we marry, you have our beautiful cute baby, then we fall in love, eventually we'll starting dating too if you like, but after we sort out childcare that is, because let's just be clear I am not leaving my baby in Sam's care' He listed in humour and she laughed openly falling to his chest, his hands pulling her closer by the waist, the air around them was tranquil and amusing.

'So we can't ask Adi then?' Geet joined in still giggling, there was definitely some bad blood between Sam and Maan, 'No we can get him' he corrected in deep thought, 'No if my best friend can't be a babysitter than yours cant either' Geet fought equally looking like deep in thought, 'Fine if they last until the baby is 6 months then they can but together because craziness is apparently contagious' Maan noted is bemused seriousness and she laughed order pulling his cheeks, probably the first ever conversation were both focused on their future and not only the baby's.

'So you agree to marry me?' he asked moving away a little so her full face could be reflected from his orbs; where light, kindness and love awaited. 'Yes after such a proposal, how can one say no!' she giggled looking at him with equal care and gentleness. Long prolonged silence followed, both smiling warmly until Maan got up and ran towards his bedroom confusing Geet all the more. He then returned with a small velvet box making her gasp in shock.

'This is my dadima's, after she passed away she wanted me to have it. I was supposed to give it to the woman I loved, but up until I met you I thought I'd never be able to use it, I was even contemplating to give it to Vicky but now I don't have to' he revealed with restrain, his smile faltering once in a while, as if really nervous of how she'd react. But when she put forward her hand with a serene smile, calm and collected, he had no other thought other than bending on one knee and placing the vintage styled ring on her wedding finger, finally marking the mother of his baby as his.

Next: Visiting the Khuranna's and the weddings lol. Oh that Dev will also make an entry somewhere🤢

BTW formally Geet and Maan are now engaged🥳You can call her Maan's fiancee now😆