Black & White Love ~ MG ~ Chapter 15, page 24, updated 24/07 - Page 6

Geet stood up at the sight of her brother. unable to help herself, she rushed forward and threw her arms around him. She bit her lip to prevent herself from crying.

"I'm okay," she whispered.

"What's going on?" he asked, pulling back and inspecting her face closely. "What have they done? And why is your dress torn?"

"We bought it from an antique shop last minute. They said it was pre loved, but I guess that's open to interpretation."

Vivek stepped forward, offering his hand to Pavan. "Officer Handa. I believe we've met before. Congratulations."

Pavan shook his hand reluctantly.

Maan came forward, his hands in his pockets but he feigned a smile as he welcomed his brother in law.

"Why don't I let you and my wife talk? Follow me through, you can sit in the kitchen." Maan looked past Pavan at the officers. "I don't think your friends will be needed."

The registrar took his leave, the rest of the family dispersed and Maan led Geet and Pavan to the kitchen. Maan passed Vivek, who shot him a warning look. He nodded back in response, assuring him silently that everything was covered.

He led them through to the kitchen, pulled out a chair for Geet and motioned for Pavan to sit across her. Once they were seated, he shot them his most charming smile and left.

Pavan waited until he was out of sight and then he leaned forward, reaching for Geet's hands. "Geet, please be honest with me. What is happening? I need to know the truth."

"The truth is what I told you, bhai. I'm ashamed but I was tired of living a lie."

"You are the most honest and truthful person I know. You would never lie to even protect your life. So I know that you are not telling me the truth."

"We're married now. It's what we wanted. I'm sorry it had to be this way. I really wanted you there."

"Geet, I can take you from here as soon as you say the word. I promise you, I will not let any harm come to you."

"Bhai, this is what I want. I promise."

She looked down at their hands, until Pavan pulled away and stood up.

"I can't force you. You're a grown woman, capable of making your own decisions. But I will not disappear. I'm coming to see you tomorrow morning, first thing. And I want you to keep me updated on what's going on. Turn your location on so I can track you. I'm always here for you."

"I know," she nodded, and gave him a teary smile. They hugged once more before he left, and Geet sat at the table with her head in the hands.

"Well, it seems like your brother is convinced that you were a runaway bride."

She looked up at Maan. "Haven't you tortured me enough already? Or is this why you married me, to taunt me for the rest of my life? When the only crime I committed was jumping into that god forsaken ambulance with you."

"Get changed. We're not staying here."

"Where are we going?"

"My apartment. I live there most of the time."

"I want to stay here." Although she couldn't stand it, living with his family was more tolerable and more safe than living with him alone.

"If I was going to give you a choice, I would have asked you. But if you recall, I didn't pose it as a question. So get changed, grab your things and let's go."

He waited until Geet got the signal and got up, holding her ridiculous dress, and stalked off upstairs, followed by Maan. They passed Manyata on their way to the bedroom, who stated she was going to get some water.

She was soon joined by Neil, who stood beside her as she poured water from the tap.

"Are you okay? You look unwell."

"I'm fine." She reached to close the tap, but his hand folded over hers.

"I worry about you and our baby all the time."

"It doesn't seem like it. You're still playing happy families."

"I told you, give me some time. I promise I will tell everyone the truth, and then we can be together."

"When?" Manyata whispered, her face contorted in frustration. "I have been suffering silently for the past 7 months. My mother is starting to notice I'm getting bigger. Are you going to wait until the baby is born? When everyone begins to question where the baby came from and who the father is? What the hell am I supposed to say then?!"

"It's not easy for me either-""Neil began, but he moved back swiftly when Priya appeared, her eyes flitting between the two.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, sitting down at the table.

"I was asking Manyata if she was feeling poorly."

"I'm absolutely fine." She finished her glass of water, avoided Neil's gaze and went back upstairs to her room.

...

"Is our bride not going to be staying with us?" Smriti asked the newly wed couple as she saw them descending the stairs, their belongings in their hands.

"You know I prefer to be at my apartment."

"It's Geet's first day as a Khurana. She should be here, with her family."

Geet turned to Smriti. "I am not a Khurana. And this is not my family."

"You married my son. You are by law, girl, whether you like it or not."

"I can see where your son gets his dictatorship from."

"Let's go," said Maan, growing impatient at the war of words between his mother and his wife.

They left the house and drove off to the apartment, which was on the other side of the city. He pulled up outside a large and luxurious complex. Geet wondered whose blood had been stained on his hands for him to afford the finer things in life.

A chill ran down her spine at the very thought.

She followed him into the building and onto the elevator, before they reached the fourth floor. He keyed at the door and it beeped open to a surprisingly open, airy space which had a skyline view of the city.

A four legged animal came running from one of the rooms and leapt at Maan's leg.

"Ustuna, my darling," he said affectionately as he patted at her head. Geet almost stepped back in surprise at the first term of endearment and human emotion that had left his mouth.

Maan glared at her. "What?"

She shook her head and set her jacket aside.

He took a quick look around and then went towards the door.

"Are you going to tell me where you're going? Or am I going to be imprisoned here?"

"There's food in the fridge. I have business to tend to."

"Can I go out?"

"Absolutely not. You're not to go anywhere without my permission or presence. I'll be back in the evening."

He shut the door behind him and locked it.

Geet didn't want to touch any of his tainted furniture, but unless she was willing to develop some serious medical issues, she would have to rest her body. She had hardly slept for the past few nights, and the mental exhaustion of events was taking its toll on her as well.

She laid on the sofa and remembered a life she once led, a mere week ago. Her profession, which she had worked her entire life for and adored. Her dearest friend Meera, with whom she spent days at work gossiping during their breaks in the canteen. Her oldest friend Kinza, with whom she had made dinner plans with yesterday. No doubt she would have left several texts on her phone, worried and concerned.

Her brother. Pavan. He had looked so confused, so worried, so aware that things were out of the ordinary but helpless to do anything. She prayed that God forgave her for the sins she was committing in lying to the one man who had been a constant in her life. He was dearer to her than her own life, and always would be.

Ayaan. Her love. The man who made her laugh, who wiped her tears when she cried. They had plans to get married next year. They had just returned from a two week holiday in the Seychelles, where they wanted their destination wedding. Pavan had mentioned how worried he had been. No doubt the news of her impromptu wedding would have reached back to him.

The thought that he would have, of her cheating on him, killed her inside.

Ustuna trotted up to her, her ears raised in habit. She couldn't help but smile at the Labrador, and tickled behind her ear lovingly.

"You're unusually happy for someone who has to put up with darkness itself," she said. Ustuna licked her hand in approval.

...

"Mr Khurana, please!"

The man pleaded as he was shoved against the wall. Maan tightened the grip on his collar, causing him to almost choke.

"Satish almost died. Almost. We saved his life, because we needed him to speak. And miraculously, that he did. He said you were the one who leaked the documents. The documents which threatened Vivek Khurana's plans to run for office. Now why would you do that, Ali, if you were a loyal employee? If we fed you for all these years that you worked for us? If we provided food, shelter, clothes for you and your family when you came to us with nothing?!" Maan spat at his mouth, the veins in his head ready to explode.

"Mr Khurana, he's lying to save his skin! Please! I wouldn't do that to you or Vivek sir!"

Maan smirked. "The funny thing is, he was held at gunpoint when we interrogated him. And his skin was most certainly not saved. He's dead. So now, Ali, you have two choices. You own up to your betrayal, or you face the same fate."

He let go of his collar, sending Ali tumbling to the floor.

"24 hours," Maan remarked as he walked away, leaving trembles in the wake of his terror.

...

She must have drifted off, because when she woke up, it was late evening and Maan was stood at the window. His arm was above his head, and he was deep in thought as he stared out into the night sky.

"I bought something for you."

Geet sat up, running a hand through her hair. "I don't want anything."

"You don't have a choice." He pulled out a box from the inside pocket of his blazer and held it out to her. "A wedding band. You need to wear it."

She stood up to face him. "You need to stop telling me what to do."

"You're my wife."

"Our marriage is a sham. You know that as well as I do."

"I can force the ring on your finger, or you can willingly wear it. The choice is yours."

He held out the box and watched her as she snatched it out of his hand. She wore the band, her fingers coiling at the feel of the cold metal against her skin.

"I have one too, in case you're wondering." He held his hand up to show her.

"I could care less."

"Have you made anything to eat?"

"Are you deluded?"

"I'll take that as a no."

She glanced toward the kitchen and an idea crept into her head.

"I'll make something."

"What?"

"I'll prepare something. Freshen up."

"Are you going to add poison to it?"

"Tempting. Don't make me reconsider my decision."

Surprised but willing to comply, he went into the bathroom. Geet waited until she heard the lock, and then she grabbed the nearest knife she could find.

She rushed into the bedroom, placed the knife under the pillow, and then went back to the kitchen, busying herself with pots and pans.

Maan came out of the bathroom, inspecting the kitchen and its occupant. She was mechanically moving the cutlery around.

"Why don't we go out for dinner instead?"

"Nice try. You're not leaving the apartment."

"You'll be with me."

"I'm not hungry. Go to bed."

"I'm not sleepy."

"I said, go to bed."

He sank onto the couch and turned the TV on, his eyes fixed on the screen. She walked past him and into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Geet turned the light on and sat on the bed, contemplating her options when she heard a tap against her window.

She ignored it until the noise came again. She moved the curtain aside to see Ayaan stood on the path of the complex, looking up at her.

He gestured for her to open the window, which she tried to but was unable to do so; it was locked. She had to come up with an excuse to leave the apartment and fast.

Geet gestured to Ayaan to wait, which he nodded to in agreement.

Pacing the floor, an idea came to her mind.

She crept out of the bedroom slowly, and peeked around the corner.

To her surprise, Maan lay sprawled across the sofa, asleep.

She began to tip toe when Ustuna sat up, ready to run to her. Geet motioned with her hand and the dog complied, sitting back down in its position.

She held her breath as she held the door handle, her eyes trained on Maan.

He didn't move.

She turned the lock.

He didn't move.

She turned the handle.

He didn't move.

The door opened ever so slightly.

He didn't move.

She ran.

She ran as fast as her legs would allow her, down the corridor, towards the stairs. She stumbled down the steps, almost tripping but none of that mattered. Ayaan was here, she was going to explain everything, he would save her and take her away from this never ending nightmare.

She ran past the lobby, out the doors and called his name. He appeared from the corner of the building and she ran into his arms, bursting into tears as soon as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm here now," he said, stroking her hair.

"You have to save me, please, let's go."

"What happened? Your brother told me you're married, I am so confused. Please tell me what's happening. Who is this man, and what has he done to you? I'll kill him."

"I'll tell you everything, please let's go."

Before she realised, a hand pushed her out of the way and then a fist collided with Ayaan's nose.

"Ayaan!" she yelled as he fell to the floor, his face covered in blood, but Maan held her back.

"She is my wife!" he bellowed. "Don't you dare come near her again or I'll make sure you're six feet under!"

"Ayaan!" Geet cried as Maan dragged her away. The anger rolled off him in waves as he pulled her through the lobby, back up the very stairs she had ran down, and into the apartment.

He led her into the bedroom and threw her onto the bed before covering her body with his own, grabbing her face.

"You didn't listen to me when I said that you are not to go anywhere without my permission or presence," he spat, his veins showing through his forehead and his neck. "You didn't listen!"

"Let me go! You're sick, you're insane, you can't imprison me forever!" she cried.

"I can do whatever the hell I want!" he yelled. "I always have and I always will! And no one, no one is going to stop me. Do you hear me? Don't ever push the limits of my patience."

He squeezed her face tighter, his eyes raging red. In a swift movement, Geet pulled the knife she had hidden earlier from her pillow and pierced it through his left abdomen.

His grip loosened and his eyes widened, but they remained fixed on her.

The knife tightened in her hand.