Chapter 10
'Good evening Maan' Mohinder wished opening the door wider so Maan would walk in with his Nike holdall. From the kitchen, they could hear Sam and Geet singing, somehow washing down all the negatives of the day. Maan had not only worked an 8 hour shift, but also was subjected to many nosing questions and a severely delayed journey from the hospital to his apartment and now to Geet's house; the buses could be one's worst nightmare. However regardless of how lethargic he felt, he still acted upon his words. Last night he had told Geet, he would be here and hence he was back to play the make-shift boyfriend even if he felt resentment towards the whole faade.
'Maan you look awful?' Geet called running over to him and then ushered into an awkward hug, as expected the rest of the members watched on in interest; particularly Rano, who was feeling a little perturbed with Geet's excuses throughout the day. This outplay relaxed a mother, seeing a common act of love silenced the raging questions. Maan having seen the eyes on him attempted a half smile and pat on Geet's back.
'Mummy I'll be back' she had took hold of Maan's hand and briefly walked to the passageway leading to the stairs, he was already too exhausted so just followed obediently without a single word or thought.
'Would you like to rest?' she whispered keeping an eye at the kitchen door while he nodded for a no and then walked back into the kitchen following an extremely nervous Geet, he himself was anxious.
'Have you watched the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Connoc McGregor fight?' Mohinder asked after several minutes of silence, the ladies remained in the kitchen while Maan and he sat in the living room in front of the huge TV watching a replay of the UFC 229 cage fight.
'No but heard it turned wild' Maan answered in little enthusiasm, there was an element of being forced to abide
'Surprising I thought all the young boys are into MMA' Mohinder snorted while Maan remained quiet very much in his own world. Mohinder was then forced to sit quietly secretly stealing a glance once in a while, Maan was a very closed and reserved person so judging him had become a little hard to the elderly man.
'Can I ask you something?' he prodded raising in his seat in a more uptight position as if trying to demonstrate the seriousness of what was to follow, when Maan nodded to carry on, Mohinder unsurely continued with what he wanted.
'I really do understand the current mentality, but we as in I and I'm sure your father too, were brought up with different morals and beliefs. What I am trying to say is, I know you and Geet love each other and I am proud you are starting a family but I would still prefer that the both of you enter the sacred bond of marriage' Mohinder treaded on glass blocks hoping Maan wasn't another Dev who would either turn the table on him by involving Geet who again would side the growing trend or be offended by his wise words.
'I understand what you saying uncle, I have always believed in marrying and then family planning' Maan ventured with caution, the last thing he needed was to make it more difficult for himself and Geet. However, he was under the obligation to voice out what he as a man respected and believed.
'Then I request you to take the next step, it doesn't need to be anything extravagant but a simple legal proceedings will do. Maybe you could invite your parents over so we can officially meet too' Monhinder earnestly requested as Maan grew comfortable and agitated. The concept of fooling was beyond his capacity, there was no chance in hell he wanted to involve his family in this mess.
'What followed was a very quiet dinner, Maan absorbed in a world of consciousness; this wasn't a simple case of helping a woman rather fooling her family. This exact deception was rubbing against the wrong side and Geet's state was no different, especially after having overheard their marriage talks. She had apologised when both were alone, when he briefly nodded before walking away, she was felt feeling extremely fidgety.
'Geet stop shuffling the food and eat' Rano reprimanded loudly jumping her up from her thoughts, the fork in her hands now flew onto the ground which Maan collected and washed before giving it back to her, the stare he directed seemed to point out her inefficiency to speak the truth making her immediately look away in guilt.
'Aunty have you met possessive Maya' Sameera all of a sudden asked noticing Geet's discomfort, changing the aura within the room
'No but I believe she's different, well that's what Rani thinks' Rano added briefly sharing what her sister feels about her potential daughter-in-law
'Not different, if you ask me she's possibly demented' Sam countered in her flamboyant way, Mohinder reprimanded strongly to which Sam blew off in a loud guffaw, 'Normally I wouldn't wish this on my enemy but I seriously wish uncle meets Heavy nose's petite madam' she hoped dumping the used plates in the sink as he was left with scratching his head in confusion, was that a jinx? Rano looked his way in mock, while Maan and Geet payed little if no attention to the surrounding.
'Uncle don't stress I'll protect you from Possessive certified' she laughed tapping his sulking shoulders, before bouncing forward and flashing her muscles making them laugh. Sam had always been like that, loud and cheery. As a father, he took both Geet and Sam as his daughter's especially more recently when her mum died from cancer and her father entered an elderly care facility due to dementia, Sameera was also an only child who not only was his child's best friend but also a friend's daughter. Hence he took it upon himself to take care and guide Sam.
'After the meal, all 5 members found themselves in front of the silently playing TV. Geet sat between Sam and Maan, who was constantly calling out baby daddy' when given the opportunity, Mohinder and Rano huddled to the further corner listening to them bicker once in a while.
'Baby daddy if you don't need that cushion, then can you please pass it to me' she purred eyeing his forearm that contracted in reach, Geet known to her advances pulled the cushion out of his grip and threw it to her lap
'Wait take this also' she threw pulling the one behind him rather rudely
'Gosh pregnant woman are rude' Sam muttered looking down at the two cushion in her lap
'SAM' Geet screeched reaching her ends, Sam was annoying but it was more of the guilt and Maan's undemanding presence that affected her. Everyone in their right mind would have ran away, however he stuck around making her feel all the more guilty, so Sameera's advances pushed all the wrong button especially when she felt indebted towards him.
'See aunty, I'm like a punching bag now even yesterday...' Sam ran to the parents and started a full on complaining session. Apparently she was deeply hurt by Geet who sent her to her bedroom last evening when Maya and Adeel visited; this of course set the ball rolling for a tittle-tattle session.
'It's nothing like that Mum' Geet answered getting up to place the now employ cup on the coffee table, she had then taken Maan's too even when he kindly refused her help. Of course she was too agitated to pay any real attention.
'Baby daddy you were there, tell aunty how she forced me upstairs' Sam jumped from her seat in defence, the parents giggled while Maan looked uncomfortable looking at the reaction of a grown woman
'Fine I'm sorry' Geet screamed growing red in the face
'Girls is it over?' Rano interrupted after a while, making both the girls smile despite the frown; as if calling it truce.
'OK I think we should call it a night' Mohinder instructed taking both his girls in a bear hug before exiting the room and ascending up the stairs, Rano and Sam followed shortly after leaving behind Geet and Maan in a rather awkward silence.
'I'm sorry' she muttered playing with her hand, he hadn't said it was ok but placed a comforting hand on top of her's seeing how she was breaking into tears.
'Can I ask why you... erm you know...' Geet asked him while they walked upstairs, she had quietly pointed towards her growing belly not wanting to refer to the sperm donation, her parent's room was within hearing range.
'My girlfriend had cheated on me, Adi and a few of my friends arranged a hangout since I took the news not so well. The donation was what came out of a drunk night out and a stupid game of truth and dare' he laughed dryly remembering what happened after the Christmas party episode. He was consciously hiding away' until Sasha had come and explained herself, after which they had gone back to being girlfriend and boyfriend but maybe with subtle changes; the changes now seemed drastic and maybe to big that both he and Sasha grew apart.
'I'm sorry' she apologised again but this time of hearing his story; she was on the verge of asking more question but stopped noticing his tired eyes
'It's life' he answered following her into a bedroom, from the pictures and the set up; it was very clear this was Geet's bedroom.
'It seems like you haven't slept in ages?' Geet questioned pushing away the duvet and looking at him, as if expecting him to dive right in and sleep. However he looked jumbled between her and the offered bed.
'Where is this going Geet?' he questioned falling at the foot of the bed, his hands covering his tired and worn face.
'I don't know but for now you need rest' she charged again completely ignoring the internal battle; right vs wrong.
'This is not needed' he whispered feeling a small bang in his head, was it consciousness or sleep
'It is, if you are doing so much for me; the least I can do is look after you while you are at my home' she smiled placing a slow hand to his shoulder, by then she had carefully sat beside him on the bed
'You do know that it's pretend, right?' he spoke without any hesitation, the last thing he needed was to be coaxed into anything else. Geet stared at his pointed stare, slightly angled in mock and distrust.
'Of course I know, it's as pretend as your snore' she laughed heaving up from the bed, one hand to the belly while another lay on the bed in contraction, stabilising her push. 'She was such a careful woman' Maan thought looking at her now standing a little away in wait which finally made him get up and walk towards the opening in the bed.
'I already told mum of your loud snore and as it is the baby's kicks keep me up all night, so that's why Sam moved here with me. So don't worry, you can have my bedroom for the meantime while I share with her' she smiled walking towards the door as he went about taking off his trainers.
'Unless you have other plans, if you like you can leave for your flat. I'm sure I can come up with some other excuse' she jested with a cheeky grin looking so childlike despite the pregnant stomach and worry lines
'No that's actually what I wanted to talk about, it'll save time and effort to go to work from here instead of home, work and then here. I've brought some things with me, hopefully soon your parents will leave' Maan smiled in good humour as she stood against the door, again one hand held on her belly and the other wrapped around the door knob. She too smiled his way in understanding.
'You love the baby, don't you?' he asked before she could fully close the door behind her
'More than anything' she had answered with a proud smile, again a hand firmly held the being within her and he couldn't help but admire the woman who left him in her mess. But unlike himself, he hadn't felt an ounce of regret rather relieved to be helping a woman in such a situation. So unlike the frustration he felt several minutes ago grinding against him. Instead he lay in bed, breathing in Geet's feminine fragrance. Something about her made the activities of the day dull into nothing, now all he could think of was her and the smile she wore. Such a bright and radiate beam. That was the last thought he held, as the comforting aroma lulled him into a blissful sleep.
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