Thank you friends for all the awesome comments. You made it really worth to try my hand at this sequence.
I also got a comment that I am dragging this FF too much. From my side I have tried to introduce different aspects and move the story forward. But I need your sincere opinion. I have already typed out next two tracks so nothing can be done for that. But if you feel the same, I can stop adding more things going forward and close this FF in a month's time or so. I don't mean it in a wrong way. Your sincere feedback will help as at the end I want to write only if you guys enjoy reading. Don't worry I will close this track properly as it is already typed out.
So do let me know your thoughts. Without further ado here is the next chapter.
Chapter 57 – Love and Pain
Maan had receded in his old shell again. He hadn't spoken another word since then to anyone in family. Geet had called him couple of times but he never picked up her phone. He was worried about her health and has asked Adi to take care and involve Dr Mathur if required. He spent almost his whole time in office and came home only to change.
Geet had tried talking to him but he would not pick up his phone. One day she went to hospital but he refused to meet her saying he was busy.
Two Days later
Geet got a call from Adi.
Adi – "Geet…please come quickly to my cabin in hospital urgently…I need to speak with you"
Geet – "But Adi…"
Adi – "It is about Maan Geet. Please come"
Geet agreed and reached hospital with a pounding heart. Lot of thoughts twirled in her brain. "Is something wrong…has he hurt himself…does he want to talk to me?"With all these questions she knocked and entered Adi's cabin to find Adi sitting alone with a brooding expression on his face.
Adi got up and hugged Geet.
Geet looked at him worryingly – "Kya hua Adi"
Adi said thoughtfully – "I don't know Geet that how you feel about what happened. I can understand your anger and I am thankful that you came"
Geet – "Aise mat bolo Adi…I love him and that is a fact. Off course I am hurt but that doesn't and can't alter the facts. I love him and somewhere I still trust him. I don't know what happened back there. But I am sure my Maan can not hurt me knowingly. I can not be wrong about the love I saw in his eyes all these days. And I can't be wrong about the pain I see in his eyes now."
"You give me too much credit Geet. I don't deserve it. It is better for you that you forget everything. Forget I even exist"
Geet and Adi were startled by Maan's voice but before they could react he walked away.
Geet sighed in defeat – "Why did you call me Adi?"
Adi – "I saw a bottle of cetrozone in Maan's pocket (Guys again it is a fictitious name as I have zero medical knowledge)."
Geet looked with a question on his face.
Adi continued – "I was trying to get a pen from his jacket's pocket. Cetrozone is used to slow down heart beats incase of a stroke. In a normal person, it can stop a person's heartbeat in less than 5 minutes"
Geet's eyes widened with fear – "What!!! What are you trying to say…He could have it for a patient?"
Adi shook his head – "I don't think so. You don't carry this type of a drug in your pocket as it is highly controlled. I asked him about it but he did not answer me. I am very worried Geet about his state of mind. He has gone back in a shell and hardly speaks. He is showing all classic signs of depression. I tried talking to him Geet. Only one who could drill some sense into him right now is you Geet. That's why I called you"
Geet was very worried – "But he is not even talking to me. He has been avoiding me like plague"
Adi replied trying to convince her – "I know Geet. He is ashamed and feeling very guilty of what happened. But you have to try."
Geet nodded her head. She thought for a while. "Only place he can not walk away without creating scene is his clinic. Can you get me access without an appointment?"
Adi nodded and they both went to his office. Adi spoke to Maan's secretary and then walked into his room along with Geet.
Maan presses his lips in a thin line as soon as he saw Geet. Tension was clearly visible on his face.
Maan – "Geet, please leave. There is nothing I have to say and there is nothing you can tell me"
Geet - "Adi can you please give us some privacy?"
Adi nodded and left them alone. Maan looked at her skeptically.
Geet – "Please Maan…why are you pushing me away? What is my fault?"
Maan – "Geet I don't deserve your attention"
Geet – "Don't I get to choose Maan…as a matter of fact there is nothing to choose…my heart has already made that choice"
She came close and cupped his face. "Maan, I love you. I trust you. Please don't do this to me Maan. I will die…maybe I can borrow that cetrozone from you"
Maan looked shockingly at the sobbing Geet. Tears rolled down her eyes. She hugged him and cried hard. All her pain and anguish just poured out of her soaking his shirt. Maan stood straight and did not hug her. But he didn't push her back either.
After her tears subsided, Maan spoke coldly – "You should leave Geet. That cetrozone was a weak moment. I can't take easy option after what I have done. I also know that you are brave and caring enough to not put your parents thru this. So nobody is dying Geet"
Saying this Maan opened his door and asked Mrs. Raashi to send the next patient in. Geet knew that was her sign to walk out.
A week passed as if time was suspended in eternity. Rishab did not even see face of his son let alone talk to him. Maan stopped coming home altogether.
Geet found out from Adi that Maan rented a studio apartment and spent few hours there in place of coming home. Maan had no strength left to face anyone. Luckily Dr Sood and other hospital staff did not get wind off his personal problems. Other than his seriousness and long hours at hospital there were no outward signs which were more to their liking if anything else.
Geet's resolve to get her Maan back strengthened as time passed.
A week later
Geet sat at caf with Adi and Pinky.
Adi – "I tried my best Geet to talk to him. All he said was that he had come home to find Naintara at home. He wanted to leave but she said you are going to come soon. He wanted to talk to Uncleji about you so he thought of waiting. He was nervous so he took one beer. Just one beer and that too bud light. But he felt dizzy after the drink and though he tried to go his body did not hear what his brain was telling. Last think he remembers is Naintara taking him inside the room as he told her to call uncleji. Her last words were – I am going to take care of you or something like that. That's it. He doesn't remember anything else…nothing."
"I have spoken to him couple of times. I don't think he is lying. Though it is very odd but maybe he got drunk with one beer as he was empty stomach. Maybe his mind is trying to suppress bad memories. I don't know Geet but I don't think he is hiding anything"
Precap – Spill the Beans
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