Chapter 3
'I know I hadn't given it a thought that you may be with someone, but can you hear me out at least once of why I want you to be not only the biological but my child's legal father' she interceded with the hope that maybe he will still help her.
'Oh great' he thought rolling his eyes and his ears picked up her erratic breath and waited for her end of the story. This was turning out to be one sick of a prank, but realistically it wasn't a prank; at least now he believed it to be authentic nightmare. Something which movies and novels could be made of yet funnily enough his tender heart stopped in anticipation.
'I've been in a long-term relationship. I met him at 17 while doing an apprenticeship, then he was my line manager but soon become more during the ups and down of life. He suggested that I go University, and although my parents have requested the same but I only went to study Finance and Accounts for him, we grew close; very close and very soon. Funny thing is next month would have celebrated our 7th anniversary' Maan smiled seeing Geet's face sparkle with fond memories, he himself had never been in a steady relationship however could understand her emotions. Life with love becomes a pleasant place.
'So you can say like a mini-marriage, really we weren't any different. We work together, live together, share a bank account, house, everything. So I found it natural to take it the next step, unfortunately he couldn't have kids as he underwent a vasectomy, he told me that the very first time we tried' she stopped to see if Maan was paying attention and seeing the frown she knew he was. Maybe predicting the future of her tail already unlike herself?
'Logically we went for a sperm donor taking the IVF route. We hadn't really cared for the donor, other than him being healthy. I had thought he was as eager as I' she again stopped as her phone rang but she muted it, wanting to finish the story. It took every ounce of her energy to repeat her story for the second time that day, and that too to an unknown stranger however a familiarity ran between them with his every smile and gesture. She really wished Maan could help her!
'If anything, we shared a very honest relationship or at least I thought we did, well I was honest anyway maybe a little too honest' she stopped running out of breath as a sharp pain hit her, and Maan immediately pulled the glass of water to her lips seeing how she's struggling to breath.
'Then this morning I receive a call at home from a relative seeking him since his phone was out of reach. Though it's unusual no one ever called for him, but I hadn't thought much of it since he's been away on business for most parts of last week. That was common since he goes missing every weekend anyway, but it was what I heard that turned my world upside down. He was already married, with 3 children and he's wife called to inform him to return soon so they can name their new born baby. That was his 3rd child' she sucked in, trying to stop her heart from breaking into two as Maan gaped in astonishment. This wasn't a story he had expected, though it wasn't new however nevertheless still shocking.
'How can he, he only underwent vasectomy so I don't mother his child? I mean I invested all my time, my emotion, my money, absolutely everything on him; even forsaken my family for him' she cried
'He being 5 years older, my family disapproved of it, but I didn't care. I chose him over my parents, even after knowing I'm their only child. But all this time he was married with kids, kids that are his own while the one I carry is someone else's' her voice sounded hallow and distant even to even herself, a shaky hand again grazed her growing belly as disgust filled within. Was she not worthy of being a mother to his children, wait did she even want to now? The life within was better because it wasn't a part of her mistake, 'rather quite far from it' she thought as Maan held her hand in support.
'De...ev used me' she cried completely breaking down and Maan couldn't help but get up from his seat and sit beside her, a warm arm went around stroking her back as she cried over her ruined life. 7 years she spent with him, 7 years of lies and deceit. That was the first time Maan heard her say his name, broken and shattered much like what he did to her.
'Was Dev already married?' he asked despite the clot in his throat. Seeing her nod, he looked the other way in anger. The woman in his arms didn't deserve this, no woman did?
'Their eldest child is 10 now' she concluded moving away making him aware of their position to which he immediately moved to his one-seater. Geet then again sipped on the water and Maan pushed forward the box of tissue seeing her break into another sob. She then spoke of how she confronted the wife, Meera on the phone who immediately hung up in shock, somehow she knew the woman wasn't involved. However, Dev angrily walked in shortly after releasing all his hidden agendas. He had only wanted Geet because she was rich, with her savings he opened a law firm of his own although rightfully Geet should have been a partner however being a conniving lawyer he drove home his target. Nothing, absolutely nothing had Geet's name on it, be it: their firm, or their home. Their joint account had been cleared in the morning as soon as he realised Geet knew the truth through a questioning Meera. So now, she stood broken and a victim of fraud.
'He knew of my family lineage, I was just an investment; he said' she cried and Maan heated in irritation. How vile was this man saying such stuff to a pregnant lady?
'Where will you stay?' he asked once she settled a little, a feeling a fear settled over his heart with the thought her being abandoned in the streets
'Our family home is here, so I'll shift there. I am only thankful that my parents refused my want to name him as my joint partner on that house' he heaved in relief knowing she had a home to go to for now.
'Gosh now I understand why was he so desperate for that house?' she gasped suddenly angry at herself for remembering his change in avatar as soon as she was denied the house; she really couldn't see through his treachery. He had so efficiently hid away his reality, neither did their colleagues know of his wife and kids and nor did his wife know of her. Just how cunning was this man?
'All those business weekends where spent with his family, 300 miles away from his fake life. I was so stupid!' she cried tipping her head to the ground as her hand touched her forehead in distress; shame filled her foolish heart.
'So what do you need from me?' he asked after a long pause once she came back, Geet had walked away into the kitchen immediately after completing her story wanting to hide her tears and Maan paced the floor of the living once again. However sense prevailed, Geet needed him but for what and more important why?
'We signed a cohabitation contract, he told me it was similar to a marriage contract and I believed him blindly. That is why I hadn't bothered about my equal rights, I assumed we would automatically become partners of the firm and the flat. He was the lawyer and I, a financer so I really didn't care; trusting him completely. Anyway, right now he or I can only seek beneficiary interest which might zero out to nothing but Rana reckons he might go for civil partnership, which we applied for months ago. So once the different-sex reformation comes through, he might be back to seek out more. So really I need to void out those papers by putting in a new partner, preferably of yours and mine. Don't worry it'll be temporary thing, nothing long-lasting. Just until the baby is out' Geet quickly added seeing the clear refusal in Maan's body language
'Although I will hopefully gain what is mine through a fraud case however I have far more to lose, especially my inheritance from my parents including our family business. So this way I keep what mines and he can't ask for my child's custody since the baby isn't his, rather ours' she finished looking at Maan in keen request and regardless of what was going through his heart, he heard himself say 'I need time'. Because though they weren't getting married, however in the light of the law they would have been nothing less.
'You need to understand that' she started only to stop when he raised a poised hand, his face distorted into an unspeakable expression. 'I'll pay you' she was about to say but ate it down as she saw Maan again parade the living room. Maan noticed how her face fell suddenly breaking into a quiver and he heard himself say 'please' as a request to which she tried smiling.
'Oh shuck's' he thought seeing another tear travel down her angelic face and his heart leaping out in a YES, yes he would be the legal father and partner of Geet Handa feeling sorry but he had a girlfriend, and he was too faithful of a boyfriend to do anything without her consent. Hence thankfully he voiced none, rather sat again muted as he finally gathered the courage to ask for the full name of her ex-partner; 'Dev Singhania' she uttered in absolute hurt and he repeated in complete hate.
Note: I know some of you were expecting Geet's life in danger and all, but really this is what I had planned for her. Sorry if it's a disappointment, I generally go with what I intent unless some feedback shake the very foundation of the story implanted in my head lol, then I change to fit the new plot around the original storyline. This rarely happens but it does happen folk's lol. Cursed, Dadi and Forced have all been influenced by commenters lol.
Bigg Boss 19
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
