MG FF: The Innocent - Chapters 20-27 on p. 41 - Complete - Page 24

Thank you for the great update! It’s obvious that Maan is smitten with Geet. Him saying thank you, making her coffee and happy to take Geet and Neil out, shows another side to Maan. It’s obviously the life he would love to live, someone he truly loves and a family life. And now after such a lovely day, I guess he is back to reality and has to deal with his good for nothing fiancé. I’m looking forward to what he is going to say and I hope he shreds her to bits.

He’s still sweet with her whether he remembers his confession or not 😃

They did seem like a couple with Neil being their kid on an outing 😉

I hope he breaks up with Sameera right here and now! Can’t stand her 😡

welcome back :)

starting to read.

thank you for the update....

Chapter 15

Fantastic update.... excellently written

glad that Geet took care of Maan

of cos Geet is hoping Sameera does not come esp after Maan's confession

Geet's thoughts and confusion are justified

hmm she is wondering what it would be like if Maan kissed her?

well she berates herself for her thinking

at least Maan also gave Geet a cup of coffee

great that she asked Maan if he remembered what happened.

oh no he did not.....? really?

while she feels its a good thing but she cannot help but be disappointed

she indeed had some hope when he stops her

alas he remembered that Geet took care of him

liked that he thanked her.

aww she is indeed happy and seized the opportunity

pleased that Maan, Geet and Neil went out

at least Geet asked about how Maan is feeling and how his man feeling?

as expected Geet questions Maan about Neil

Geet's concern for Neil is reasonable

Why does Maan not like being around Monty....

My heart goes out to Neil

wow Neil made a new friend

loved seeing Maan interact with Neil....

Geet cannot help but think in that direction

so Maan forget about the engagement photo shoot

This Sameera.... 😡

she is furious seeing Maan with Geet

I think that Maan is going break the engagement

update soon

Chapter 15

Yaasss.....😛 she didn't show up... What... 😳 wait a second there's a hallway closet... Jeez stop thinking about the house and focus on the comments... 😵

Wow 😳 it's really gotten heavy on Geet's brain to process what all Maan said and she concluded it all to be his drunken rambling...? 😑 Owh he's very much honest for a drunken man thank you.... I believe they share a little moment there.... 😳 at last Maan found his safe heaven where he could be his little self... So Neil is always in her mind... And I really appreciate the gentleman gesture while ordering the food... Wow 😲 she cares about everyone. She's really a thoughtful person... They are slowly becoming friends with all the playfulness and teasing... And finally she brought up the topic to discussion.... Whoa 😮 Maan's family is really...... Uhh 🤔 dysfunctional...? I guess...? I really don't know how to put it... Wait a minute what does he meant she should see how Monty is with Neil...? Of course she's planning to reunite the mother and son who else would know the pain of not having a mother better than her... Awww they are looking like a perfect happy family. He looks handsome, shrewd and arrogant. She looks beautiful sweet and innocent and Neil looks cute and curious.. surely anyone would think they're a sweet family out for a dining... 😉. Yep it's definitely dangerous if you're falling for a Mafia King who owns a castle 🏰... 🤣 argh 😤 focus...

Awww who wouldn't want to be friends with a cutie sweetie pie who loves dinosaurs and he's really intelligent for his age... I would definitely be friends with him... I love dinosaurs... Omg 😱 NAHI......... Yeh Sameera phir se aagai... Kis muh pe yahan aai thi woh... Actually her side of the familia couldn't hold up to their truce it seems... Then kis hak se aai thi Maan ke ghar.. she didn't bother show up last night when Maan was having a mental break down.... 😡 Then why now...? Engagement photoshoot my foot... She still had the guts to stand there and demand they had a wedding around the corner... And is he being modest or he's planning to kill Sam in a worst way that he doesn't want Geet to see it... I'm really hoping it to be the later one please... HELLOW CRAZY WOMAN....? You can't just prance in like nothing happened the night before and claim your engaged... Like Owh Hi Maan I don't care who dies or who lives let's just get married....😵 is she being serious... Hoping Maan would kick her out of both his life and castle now the truce is no more there... Thats a flavorful update... 🤗

❤️

Chapter 15

I’m enjoying this very much 👍🏼

So maan admits to remembering some things ...... hmmm I think he remembers more than he admits

& so cute how geet asks that he take Neil & her to the museum ♥️

Loving geet’s thought process 😆

Uh oh Sam is back

Thank you for the update 🤗

@ coderlady - Thank you for reading and giving feedback! Great insights into the characters and so true about only showing up for the pictures!

@ maanmeet1 - Aww, so glad you felt that way about Neil! Thanks so much for reading and posting your thoughts. :)

@ Niharika.Nair - Lol! So glad you liked that conversation and thank you for reading and commenting!

@ maangeet.gmmg - Thanks very much for reading and posting! A different side for sure!

@ Alamelu - Such great observations, loved your line about the truth! Thank you for checking out this chapter and posting!

@ priya_21 - Thank you so much for continuing with the story and giving your thoughts! Let's see how the scene continues...

@ ferdouz - So glad you found it cute lol! Many thanks for continuing with the story and for posting such insightful feedback. :)

@ sanum23 - Thank you very much for reading and taking the time to post a comment! So true about how she didn't show up at night!

@ MA1970 - I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts, thank you! Let's see how Geet's investigation goes...

@ kabslocks - Many thanks for your sweet comment on this update! Geet is definitely having some feelings!

@ simranDi - I appreciate your wonderful comment so much, thank you! So true about getting back to reality!

@ anmirza - They definitely could've been mistaken as being on a family outing! Many thanks for following along with the story and for sharing your thoughts. :)

@ Flame_of_Forest - Aww, thank you so much for the welcome and for checking out the story!

@ khwaishfan - Such beautiful feedback, many thanks! Love how you observed so many details like him thanking her! :)

@ UmaDevi97 - Lol! Love reading your thoughts about the house and the story in general, thank you so much! Great insight on Geet’s empathy and more! I also love how you love dinosaurs hehehe! <3

@ Creampuff - Yay, so happy you are enjoying and especially Geet’s thought process! Many thanks for reading and commenting. :)

Hi guys! Loving how you are following along with the story and leaving such great feedback, it means a lot! Chapter 16 is live below. :)

(Link to chapter index)

Chapter 16

As Geet quickly made her way into the house, she could hear Sameera behind her. “What’s going on here, Maan?” Sameera demanded. “The photographer and I have been waiting for at least a half hour! How could you forget this photo shoot?”

“Probably as easily as you forgot me last night,” Maan said dryly.

Their voices faded as Geet entered the front door. She thought about how Maan had made time to take both her and Neil out, and how he had made sure she ate at the cafe. Would he have done that if he really was committed to the charade of his engagement with Sameera?

*You’re kidding yourself, Geet,* she told herself. Still, she found herself wandering back to the den, as if drawn to the place where Maan had spoken so freely with her last night -- even though he had been drunk and couldn’t remember what he had said.

Upon entering the den, Geet saw that Maan’s trench coat was draped over the arm of the sectional sofa. She vaguely remembered that he had fallen asleep in it. Geet grabbed for his coat, intending to take it back to the foyer, when a sheaf of paper fell out of the pocket and her own name caught her eye.

As if on autopilot, Geet read the entire document. Along with Geet’s name, the names of her parents and brother were noted. The document also listed her various foster homes, schools attended, and even the addresses of the shelters where she had lived. It appeared to be the background check Maan had wanted on her. Next to the name of the shelter she had been kicked out of was printed “evicted by headmistress due to Miss Handa’s wrongdoing.”

Geet bit her lip, stung by the unfairness of it all. She hadn’t done *anything* wrong. She could still remember that man’s hand gripping her shoulder, how she had forced him away from her. What did Maan think of this notation on her background check? Geet sat down on the loveseat, slightly dazed.

---

Eventually, Geet tucked her own background check back into Maan’s pocket and forced herself to walk to the foyer to hang up Maan’s coat. When she turned around from the closet, she saw Maan in the sitting room, a glass with amber liquid on the coffee table. Whiskey?

“You already got drunk *last* night!” Geet squealed, rushing into the room.

Maan dragged his eyes to her, looking both weary and slightly amused. “Well, I think a broken engagement is a good excuse to consume even more alcohol.”

A beat passed as Geet took in his statement. “Wait, you mean . . . you and Sameera --”

“It’s over and done,” said Maan, leaning back against the sofa.

Instead of allowing herself to feel even an iota of joy, Geet crossed her arms nervously. “What about her father? Isn’t he a gang leader like you? Are you safe now that you’ve broken the engagement off with his daughter? What if he comes after you?”

“I don’t care,” he said flatly. “I couldn’t be with Sameera anymore under any circumstances.”

“Why not?” Geet asked, her voice just above a whisper.

Maan lifted his head and stared at her for a long while. Finally, he said, “Why do you think, Geet?”

Geet’s throat grew dry as Maan lifted himself off the couch and walked toward her. “What do you think a man should do,” he asked, “when he’s engaged to someone he has never even liked, let alone loved, and who only agreed to the arrangement to stop the violence between two crime syndicates?”

“And the violence continued anyway,” said Geet, her heart dropping. “So you saw no point in keeping the engagement going.”

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“Oh?”

“What do you think that man should do,” Maan continued lowly, “when a woman, who is smart and sweet and beautiful, enters his life? Do you think it would be right for him to stay engaged?” He lifted his hand to hover near her cheek, then swallowed and tucked his hand in his pocket. “What do you think?”

Geet’s heart was racing so fast she could hardly hear her own thoughts.

“I'll pour it out,” said Maan, nodding toward the tumbler of whiskey. “It was supposed to be a drink out of *celebration,* just so you know. But I have a dinner meeting with Adi, anyway. I had more books delivered to your room, by the way. I’ll see you tomorrow, Geet.”

---

“Are you sure this is the right place?” Geet furrowed her brow as Maan’s driver pulled up to a small, one-story house.

“This is it!” Neil cried. “This is Mama’s house!”

It was the next afternoon. Instead of allowing herself to tortuously dissect Maan’s comments from the day before, Geet focused on reuniting Neil with his mother. As young as Neil was, Geet had doubted whether Neil would remember his mother’s address. He hadn’t, but he did remember a few landmarks -- a large grocery store with a green roof, a park with a broken swing set -- and Maan’s driver had been able to identify the neighborhood after a few wrong turns. It was a run-down area on the other side of town. Neil’s father was uber-rich but apparently hadn’t given any funds to his ex.

As Neil flung open the car door and raced to the house, Geet tried to not think of how she was probably violating some kind of custody order by bringing Neil here. Geet hurried behind Neil, observing the small yet neat garden out front.

Neil knocked on the front door with vigor, his small knuckles turning red, until the door finally opened.

A petite, thin woman stood on the threshold. She wore a faded house dress, her hair in a messy bun. She had a round, childlike face, which lit up at seeing Neil. “My boy!” She scooped up her son, showering him with kisses. “Mama!” Neil cried.

Geet’s heart swelled at the reunion. Neil’s mother looked up with tears in her eyes and said, gratitude apparent in her voice, “You must be an angel for bringing him to me.”

---

“It’s just so unfair, Maan,” Geet said that night at dinner. She and Maan were sitting outside on the terrace, stars appearing in the sky as she relayed her afternoon. “Neil’s mother, Asha, told me today that Monty kicked her out of the house after the separation and refused to let her see Neil. Asha became so depressed that by the time of the official custody hearing, she didn’t make a favorable impression on the judge. Tell me, is that really her fault? Asha couldn’t even afford to hire an attorney to advocate for her.”

“Of course it's not her fault,” said Maan, shaking his head in disgust. “I can’t believe all of this happened right under my nose. But Geet, I have to add that you absolutely should have asked me first before taking Neil to see his mom. I’m his caretaker when he’s over here, and yours, too, frankly. I need to know where you both are.”

Slumping in her chair, Geet said, “I understand, but I just couldn’t stand to watch Neil hurting.”

To her surprise, Maan smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone whose heart is as pure as yours.”

“Well, I -- I mean, I think anyone --” Geet stammered. She wondered fleetingly if Maan would sooner or later bring up the background check noting her supposed “wrongdoing."

“No,” Maan interrupted, “I don’t think just anyone would have felt as driven to reunite a little boy with his mother. Especially since you’ve only known Neil for a short amount of time.”

Her cheeks burning from both delight and embarrassment, Geet merely looked down at her salad.

Maan tilted her chin up with his index finger. “Geet, we need to talk,” he said quietly. "Really talk."

“Of course,” she whispered.

Suddenly, both Maan and Geet heard a loud banging. Since they were outside on the terrace, Geet could tell it was coming from the front of the house. Was someone trying to break down the front door?

A deep crease appeared on Maan’s forehead. “Stay here,” he ordered as he stood up.

“What’s going on?” Panicked, Geet rose from her seat as well. “I have to come with you.”

“No,” Maan said sharply. “I don’t know who it is and it could be dangerous. Stay here. I’m serious, Geet.”

“But you don’t have anyone to protect you,” Geet blurted out.

A look of tenderness crossed Maan’s face. “I can take care of myself, sweetheart,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. Maan hesitated for a moment, then caressed her cheek with his palm. “If you want to do something for me, sit tight here so I don’t have to worry about you. Okay?”

The banging continued and now Geet could hear shouting as well. She was so terrified that she couldn’t even soak up the sweet moment the two had just shared. Geet watched, nerve-wracked, as Maan walked back through the house and toward the front door.

---

Thanks so much for reading this chapter!

At this point I am extremely worried about their safety and can’t even rejoice at Maan and Sameera’s breakup.

I am glad that Geet reunited Neil with his mom ❤️

Maan has conveyed his feelings towards Geet and though Geet maybe a little wary of everything but she is just as much affected!

I just hope that they stay safe 😳

Maan broke up with sameera geet get concerned about him Maan like it but he assured her he can take care of him

Maan confess y he broke up he is not sad but feeling free but geet didn't understand

Geet make Neil meet her mom Maan just object that she should have told him bz Neil is in his care

Who was in mansion banging the door geet worries about maan safety but maan assure her he will safe if she just stay and sit so he doesn't worry about her

I think his brother he mad 😡 bz Neil met his mom