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Chapter 18
“Watch your step.” Maan gripped Geet’s hips as he helped her board onto the deck of his yacht the next day. Geet shivered under his touch -- only the fabric of her maxi dress and cardigan provided a barrier against his strong hands.
Geet gasped at Maan’s setup on the deck: A red-and-white checkered tablecloth covered a round table, upon which sat a picnic basket with a loaf of bread peeking from it.
“Shall we?” Maan said, pulling out Geet’s chair. She sat down obediently, breathing in the fresh air. It was late afternoon, and a cool breeze was coming off the water.
Never, in all of her years, had Geet expected that she would step foot on a *yacht.* The girl who had been lucky enough to find a place to sleep at night? The scene was so surreal that Geet almost pinched her arm to ensure she wasn’t dreaming.
“This is really, really nice, Maan,” said Geet, observing the gleaming floor of the deck.
Maan opened up the picnic basket, pulling out the bread and slicing it into portions. “Well, this is actually one of my smaller vessels.”
Geet looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“I mean, I *do* own a shipping company.”
Geet could only laugh at that. She watched as Maan buttered a thick slab of bread and set it down on the china plate in front of her. The bread was still warm, impossibly fluffy, and melted on Geet’s tongue. She closed her eyes, listening to the gentle lap of waves. “I could definitely get used to this,” she joked.
“You will.”
Geet’s eyes flew open. “What?”
“I said, ‘you will.’ As in, you will get used to it.” Maan opened a bottle of wine and poured himself a glass, then poured apple cider for Geet. “I plan on taking you on many more sailing trips.”
At that, Geet set down the rest of her bread and felt the need to change the subject. “Any luck on convincing Monty to let Neil see Asha again?” Geet had asked Maan to advocate for Neil visiting Asha once more, but she knew it was going to be an uphill battle.
Predictably, Maan shook his head. “I’ve talked to Monty, but he’s been adamant about keeping them apart. He’s not feeling very charitable toward me since I shoved him. I still can't believe he has been wanting to head the organization this entire time.”
“Is that why he and Asha separated?" Geet asked. "Was she against him taking it over?"
"Maybe," replied Maan. "Or maybe my father didn't think Monty would be mature enough for the role. Or perhaps my father didn't want to swamp him with all of this when Monty was busy adjusting to marital life." Maan pulled from the basket a tray with a variety of cheeses.
“Asha can't see her own son because of Monty's ridiculous hang-ups? Can they somehow re-open the custody case?” Geet asked desperately. The breeze had kicked up, and she tugged her sweater tightly around her. “I hope that the non-profit calls me back. I would know how to better help Asha.”
Maan cocked his head slightly to one side. “What non-profit?”
“Oh, um . . . .” To buy time, Geet plucked a slice of cheese from the tray and chewed slowly. Maan didn’t know she had been applying for jobs, much less one in a legal organization. She had not planned to let this slip, especially today.
“Geet?” Maan prompted.
She was cornered. With a sigh, Geet explained that she was looking for work and that she had applied as a secretary to the non-profit organization that helped women who couldn’t afford an attorney.
Maan sat back in his chair, looking wounded.
“I know it’s not exactly ideal for me to have applied for a legal job,” Geet said in a hurry. “I mean, considering your, um, *activities,* but --”
“Why did you apply for a job at all?”
Geet blinked. “Why not?”
“You don’t need to work.” Maan spread his arms wide, a seagull flying overhead. “Can’t you see I can afford anything you could ever want?”
Geet looked down in her lap. “We’ve only known each other a few weeks,” she said quietly. “How can you be so sure about me?”
Reaching across the table, Maan touched Geet’s cheek. “Okay. Okay, Geet. That’s a fair question on your part. But I can tell you definitively that I have never been so sure about anything. And I’m always right.”
“Really now?” Geet was unable to contain her giggle. “‘Always right’?”
“Yes,” Maan said seriously. “Why else would I have asked you to watch Neil when I had barely even met you? I knew you would be the perfect babysitter for him. I have good intuition about everything.”
“Well, even if that’s the case,” Geet began, “getting this job is still important to me. I could learn so much working for a place that is trying to make a difference in women’s lives, Maan. Imagine if Asha had known about this organization before the custody hearing?”
Maan touched the tip of Geet’s nose. “You continue to amaze me with how compassionate you are, Geet.”
Geet couldn’t help but blush at that. Maan rose from his chair, holding out a hand and leading her to the rail of the deck. Late afternoon had turned into early evening, and the sun was beginning to set. Geet gripped the railing, and Maan stood behind her, placing his palms on top of her hands.
“It’s beautiful,” Geet said with awe. The water, streaked with fiery orange and red, seemed endless. It was thanks to Maan that she was experiencing this view. Without turning to face him, she said, “I can’t even say this is a dream come true, since I never even allowed myself to dream something like this. Thank you for this. Thank you for everything. For making this homeless girl feel like she actually means something to someone.” She felt tears spill from her eyes, glad that Maan couldn’t see them.
That is, Maan couldn’t see her tears until he turned Geet around in his grasp. “You will never be without a place to call home, Geet,” he murmured. He moved his thumbs over her wet cheeks, then kissed her eyelids. “Your home is with me.” He pulled Geet into his embrace, threading his fingers through her hair as the sun slipped below the horizon.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Edited by kumari3 - 3 years ago
Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
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