Hi Friends,
I have replied to some of you. Apologies for not responding to all due to time constraints but I read and loved every comment. Please see below the names and page number for ease of finding your response.
Page 125 – Kawaii_Geet, AbbyluvsMaan, hermoso
Page 126 – Speechless, Tammana_Maaneet,
Page 127 – LuvScooby, shruti_ms,
Page 136 - crazydevil87, anuandavi, ruchshah, love2_soma, maanmeet1,
Page 137 - Remya_Pillai, tushti-kiran, music_girl, uteem, tintinu, CiaMaaneet, mishti.muna
Page 138 - angelic_cute, spvd, Cyberlife, -Nilam-, ajenn, faria86, PrithviSanyo1, punam2712
Page 139 - poojdc87, NaimaMSK1
Page 140 - Mina420
Page 141 - minnie_tweetie, doublecross, maaneet5, mystique_girl
I had thought I will give this update on new thread but anyways. Just slightly disappointed at the number of likes and comments
But Ash asked me so sweetly for an update that I could not refuse. So here is the next installment.
This update is dedicated to Piya, my darling friend as it is her Birthday today.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please add ritzypm as buddy to gets PMs for this FF
Chapter 8
Geet heard the door open and then click shut. Her body tingled with anticipation and her toes curled as shyness engulfed her covered self. But slowly that shyness changed to curiosity when she did not hear any noise. She turned slightly to see Maan still leaning against the door. His face looked drawn and pale and for a moment it felt he was going to break down.
She hurriedly got off and ran to him. "Aap thik toh hain….kya hua?"
[Are you ok….what happened?]
Maan's heart squeezed to see concern and worry etched on her face.
He could just nod. Geet made him sit on the sofa and gave him some water. – "Kya baat hai, kahiye na. Sir mein dard hai….main dawaii lati hoon"
{What's the matter…please tell me? Are you having a headache….I will get the medicine]
Maan's voice sounded gruff to his own ears "I am ok"
But Geet was clearly tensed "Lagta hai bahut thak gaye hain….all these ceremonies can be so tiring. Aap thodi der let jaiye….Let me take out change of clothes for you"
[I think you are very tired…. all these ceremonies can be so tiring. You lie down for some time….Let me take out change of clothes for you
Maan could not help but wonder at the deep beauty of this girl's heart. Indeed she was a very nice person. She had thrown away all her expectations out of concern for him over his tiredness. "Why did she have to be so nice…why Lord? Only if I had married some one who was not that pure hearted…who could be happy with less. Or a girl who would not let me stray away but force her expectations on me. A brat or selfish. Anyone would have done. But such a beautiful person. How was he going to tell her the truth? But maybe it was her goodness which demanded nothing less than truth. He could not cheat her…not Geet"
Geet stopped in the middle of the room as his voice boomed – "I am sorry"
She turned back looking at him puzzled. But then she smiled – "Aap aisa kyon bol rahe ho. Shaadi ka ghar hai, everyone is tired"
[Why are you saying like this…it is a wedding house…everyone is tired]
Maan continued to gaze down not able to meet her eyes. – "I am sorry. I thought I had moved on. I truly believed I was ready for this marriage. But I was wrong. I still love her. I can't…I haven't moved on as I had thought."
Geet felt as if land slid away from under her feet. Her eyes widened in shock as words registered in her brain.
Maan felt an urge to explain – "At the time of those ceremonies I realized what a mistake I have made. I only love Poonam and I should have never married you. My intentions were not wrong. Only at the time of filling your maang I realized. I want to be honest with you because I know that truth matter a lot to you. Trust me I am trul…"
Words dried in his mouth as he looked up to see a fuming Geet standing very closely in front of him. Her cheeks were red and her eyes shone bright with unshed tears. Maan got up to stand in front of her. He was a man not only with a big ego but also high morals. He knew when he was wrong and never shied from his responsibilities.
But before he could continue, she held his collar and shook him
"How dare you…Don't you dare Mr. Maan Singh Khurana….Don't you dare. We can talk about, you, me, us but don't you dare profess your love to another woman in front of me. I know she is special to you and you need time to develop feelings for me. I know we needed to start with friendship but how dare you….you dare not talk about loving another woman in front of me….do you understand that!!!!…dare not!!!"
Maan was astounded at her words. He was rendered speechless for a moment.
He saw her walking towards bed and sliding down in a heap. He lurched forward - "Geet!!!" but she just sat like a statue.
Maan's heart went out seeing her shattered poise. He knew he had single handedly broken her dreams and expectations from life. "I never intended to hurt you. I am truly sorry"
Geet did not respond at all and Maan sighed in defeat knowing that she probably does not want to talk to him right now. He silently walked to the adjoining study giving her space.
Geet sat there staring at infinity. There were no tears as the hurt was much deeper than that. She was princess of her house and loved dearly by her family. Her whole life, men had flocked around her for her attention. Today she felt rejection, that too from one man she loved…from her own husband. Her entire being shook like a house of cards…just like her life.
Next Morning
Sunlight kissed his face and Maan woke up from a slight slumber he had leaned into after a restless night. He walked out to the room in his wrinkled Sherwani to find Geet still sitting in the same position he had left her yesterday night. His heart squeezed at her sight. He kept a hand on her shoulder thinking she was sleeping.
Geet jerked his hand away and stood straight. "I don't need your sympathy…I am not as weak as you think"
Maan looked at the woman in front of her. Her eyes were bare and dry. Her face devoid of any emotions. He hated himself in that moment to be responsible for her pain. He so wanted to hug her as a friend and let her know everything will be ok. If only he could believe so too.
Geet had spent entire night thinking. Maan's words rang in her ears like a worn out tape and she just sat thinking about her life…her heart…her love….her future and Maan.
"Geet, I understand if you do not trust me because what I have done is unforgivable. But if you can, please try to understand that I truly believed that this marriage will work out. Knowingly I can never have given you this pain.
Even today all I want is some time. Some time to accept this marriage and make it work. But I will accept upfront that today it is a challenge for me and there is always a possibility that I may never be able to forget. But at the same time I will never shy away from my responsibility.
I have lost the right and I leave the decision to you Geet. I will agree to whatever you decide and will not stop you from accepting me or leaving me. I can understand if you do not want to give this relationship a chance as I have no right to play with your dreams.
You will be going to your house today for pagphere. Let me know if you want me to come and pick you up. I will wait for your decision."
She looked up to face him sharply. Gazing directly in his eyes she responded - "My parent's house"
Maan looked at her quizzically.
Unwaveringly she answered - "You said your house. It is my parent's house now. This is supposed to be my house"
Precap – Geet-Mom talk
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