Shackles of Love#6#MG - Page 61

Hey guys. Sorry for keeping you all hanging yesterday, but my net gave up on me.

Here is the next part of SOL.

This is specially for a sweet friend whose birthday happens to be today

HINA

Please join me in wishing her a very Happy Birthday on this

LINK.

Without further ado, let's proceed.

CHAPTER 27:

Geet was pacing the floor worriedly, glaring at the clock and muttering profanities under her breath. "Dusht danav! Pata nahi kaha hai! Mujhe inki fikar ho rahi hai, ek to unka ghussa upar se ye baarish!" She had seen hide nor hair of her husband since he had left in the morning and it was nearly midnight now.

More than worried, Geet was angry at his irresponsibility. "Maana ke wo ghussa hai, lekin ek phone to kar hi sakte hai na batane ke liye ke where he is! Babaji mehar karo! Upar se ye toofan thamne ka naam hi nahi le raha." She prayed for his well being.

The incessant rain had created some problems at the site and Maan was out there somewhere, Dev had informed her when she had as a last resort called him, when Maan's phone had come unreachable. Not that it made her worry any less, but at least she knew he was safe.

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Maan was cursing the weather with all his might! Now the work will be delayed due to the untimely rain! All his workers were thrilled at the thought of a surprise off, but he had taken sadistic pleasure in bursting their bubble by reminding them of the over time they will need to put up to get the work done before the deadline! If there was one thing he hated, it was tardiness! His curses rang in symphony with the crackle of the thunder which accompanied the pouring rain!

Already in a foul mood, he entered his pitch dark house, and felt a small tornado come and land against his chest with such a powerful impact that he lost his balance for a second. Managing to regain his footing he pried the arms clutching at him desperately, he drew her away from him and pushed her away. "Ye kya natak hai Geet! How many times do I need to tell you! Stay away from me. Don't you understand such simple language?"

"Nahi wo actually'Mai darr gayee thi'Mujhe zor ki awaazon se darr lagta hai'" she hesitantly tried to explain when the lightening boomed and a thunder crackled suddenly lighting up the room for an instant making her step closer to him instinctively again. But his look stopped her in her tracks.

"Is there anything in this world which doesn't scare u Geet? You females are all the same. Try to portray yourself as the ultimate feminists but still need a man to hold your hand at the end of the day!" he drawled sardonically.

"If you are so afraid of even your own shadow then stay in the room dammit! Don't look for excuses to come near me. I am not going to fall for your cheap seductive tactics!"

Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she looked at him glaring at her with barely concealed aversion.

"I am sorry...wo'actually I have neverrr'stayed alone'..aur fir light bhi chali gayee to''" she managed to whisper through the tears clogging her throat.

"Geet your phony tears have absolutely no effect on Maan Singh Khurrana. So don't waste your efforts on me. Save them for some poor sucker who can't see beyond those innocent eyes." Saying he turned away from the sight of her tears, which unwanted, managed to pull at something within him!

"I am here now! So stop your drama!" He muttered and left without a backward glance.

After some time, as he freshened up and came out, he saw her huddled up on the sofa, covered by a blanket from head to toe, closing her ears with her hands as if to drown out the noise of nature's destruction and wincing each time the thunder rumbled.

As he passed by without acknowledging her presence he heard her whisper "There is something I am not afraid of'"

He looked at her in confusion, while she met his gaze square on "I am not afraid to feel'..to dream'to live'to love'" her voice dropping to a mere whisper on the last word, but her eyes managed to convey the strength of her words making him look away.

Every single word made him stiffen his back until he was clenching his teeth hard in order to keep a check on himself. His hands were in fists and his knuckles showed white with the effort to control his raging emotions.

"Shut up Geet! Don't poke your nose in matters which don't concern you. You don't know anything about me or my life so I would thank you to keep yourself out of my affairs. This so called marriage means nothing to me. The sooner you accept this fact the better for all concerned." He muttered tonelessly before walking away into the darkness of the night uncaring that the rain drenched him within minutes, unheeding of the frightened voice pleading with him to stop.

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In all this there was one person who was angrier than Maan. And that was Sasha! Her foolproof plan had gone down the drain.

She had lost the opportunity of dancing with her MK all thanks to her father! UGHHH!

"Dad bhi na! Always turns up when he is not required. Why doesn't he understand that I am a big girl now and don't need him!"

She recalled the big fight they had had last night. As always her father had treated her like a kid who doesn't understand anything. When she needed him, when she had cried for a father's love and care, he was not there. So why was he now trying to act like he cared, she thought wretchedly. Didn't he dump her in a hostel so that he could be free from the burden of a child? Didn't he keep her away so that his lifestyle would not be hampered? So why was he now interfering in her life?

She grabbed herself back from those painful memories and channeled her frustration towards her new enemy.

Geet.

"Don't think you have won. Sasha will get her man back!" she vowed.

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Angry at his lackadaisical attitude, Geet got ready all the while cursing her errant husband. She remembered the earlier conversation she had with Dev over the phone when she had called him to enquire about Maan's whereabouts, as she searched for an umbrella.

"So? Am I right in assuming that you have decided to fight back Geet?"

"Hmmm." Was all she could manage.

"I am glad. If you ever need me for anything remember I am always there for u. Err'.Do you want me to tell Maan the truth about what happened yesterday? That it was all Naintara's doing?" Dev asked her outright, embarrassing her to the core. "No...No'." She stuttered. "Mai hi bata doongi Veerji! Thanks for asking though."

"Veerji bhi kehti ho aur thanks bhi?" Dev said in mock anger making Geet smile despite her worries.

"Accha chal koi baat nahi. Next time remember, apne Veerji se koi thank you nahi bolta. Samjhi?" Geet nodded her head unable to speak as she felt her emotions choking her. The support she was receiving from Dev, was what she had always looked for from her Brij Veerji but had only been disappointed.

"Okay listen," Dev interrupted her painful thoughts. "Maan respects people who stand up for themselves. You have to stand up and fight with your head held high. Don't waste yourself just like that. He's taking you for granted, right? Show it to him that you are not letting him walk on you. Make it known to him that you are not surrendering. And remember you are not alone. Theek hai?"

Geet managed a grunt before disconnecting the call, determined that one day her husband was going to hold her in high regards just as he held Naintara and Annie today, if not more.

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Dev's words rang incessantly in her mind as Geet gingerly ventured out into the wild night, holding the umbrella tightly. The rain was still pouring and showed no sign of slowing down. "Ye Maan bhi na! Pata nahi kaha chale gaye! Khud ka to kuch dimaag hai nahi aur mujhe stupid kehte rahte hai!"

The shadows cast by the machines made her surroundings eerie and Geet started shaking from within, "Geet darr mat! Babaji ka naam le! Kuch nahi hona hai!"

She checked every place she could think of but couldn't find him. He wasn't at his office either. She was about to give up when she espied some lights moving near the end of the site, and then a tall man walking with typical MSK attitude. Glad at finally having found him, she made her way towards him

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Maan was just about ready to burst. He had given all the instructions to his workers before deciding to retire for the day. But he had found no solace at home and so decided that he might as well go back to supervise the laying of the foundations. But Geet's words rang incessantly in his ears, knocking against his cold heart, trying to gnaw through it. "Kyu mujhpe uski baton ka asar ho raha hai? Isse pehle to mujhe kabhi apni zindagi me koi kami nahi lagi. Then why suddenly am I feeling a sense of hollowness?" He ignored the voice which tried to reply to his questions.

He was trying to blank out his mind. He was tired, physically as well as emotionally. He just wanted to forget everything. But there was no respite, every time he closed his eyes; Geet's tearful face came to his mind.

The sight of the workers having a gala time was enough to strike the spark to his latent rage. After about an hour, every worker was quaking in his boots, wondering whether today would be his last day, while Maan looked on in satisfaction at having finally drilled the fear of God into them.

That was how Geet found him. All wet and fearful, clutching the umbrella tight and her anxious eyes searching him out. She had not noticed but her wet dress stuck to her body, outlining her perfect shape in the moonlight. Maan stared at her, unable to belive what he was seeing. "Lagta hai mai sach me pagal ho gaya hu! Abhi mujhe wo ladki sab jagah dikhne lagi hai!" he thought, turning around and pushing his hair behind, which were dripping water, wiping off the excess water from his face.

He closed his eyes to dispel her image, but when he opened his eyes, he noticed that all work had stopped and everyone was staring at a spot behind him. He turned back to see what had caught everyone's attention and realized that Geet was really there. Maan's blood boiled when he saw that she was drawing attention and disrupting his work. The fierce glare he turned on them was enough to make them all look away. Without waiting for her to speak, he grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the lecherous eyes which followed them, turning back once to glare at any man who was brave enough to still eye Maan Singh Khurrana's wife!

The sudden moment caused Geet to loosen her hold on the umbrella, and a gust of wind blew it away. "Maan! Mera chata!" she screamed, but he shut her up with a look, dragging her forcefully, unheeding of the rain soaking them both. The heavens transpired against them further and the downpour increased, making sight near impossible. Their home being on the opposite side, he dragged her to his office which was nearby, deciding to wait out the storm there.

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"Why couldn't she just leave me in some peace!" Maan thought as he entered his office, switching on the lights. He banged his desk in frustration, cursing his fate for landing him in this pitiable situation. "Mera ghussa us bechare desk par kyu nikal rahe ho?" Geet's shivering voice startled him out of his thoughts.

"What the hell were you doing there? Tumhara dimaag to theek hai na? Itni raat ko ghar se nikalne ki kya zaroorat thi? Haven't I warned you against venturing out at night alone? Wo log tumhe kaisi kaisi nigaho se dekh rahe the. If you ever repeat this again Geet, then I won't be responsible for what I do and don't even think that I'll come behind looking for you, if you go missing."He thundered.

"Didn't you just say a few hours back that I can do what the hell I want and you don't give a damn? Then why are you showing concern?" she countered back with equal anger, shutting him up momentarily. "Waise to answer your question I had come there to take you home. Aur aapse kuch baat bhi karni thi." She said determined.

As Maan regained his equilibrium, he was surprised to see this changed Geet. Was she the same girl who was crying just an hour back? She was behaving now as if nothing had happened. "Mujhe tumhari kisi baat me koi dilchaspi nahi hai! Go back the way you came, see if I care." He shrugged off his concern under a deep layer of scorn.

But the sight of her shivering in her wet clothes caught his attention, adding to his anger. He pulled out a bag from behind his desk, and removing a towel threw it at her. "Dry yourself. Warna beemar padh jaogi!" When she was about to repeat herself, he immediately countered, "Not that I care, but then it will waste my time if I have to take care of you too in addition to my workload, which I can't afford. So don't argue and do as you are told." Geet shrugged of his words, smiling as she realized that he was doing it again. Turning his words to hide his actions.

"Aap bhi to gile ho gaye ho. Why don't you also do the same? Pehle aap kar lo, fir mai karti hu." Geet reasoned, knowing he had been out in the rain much longer.

Maan glared at her, "Jo bolunga uska ulta jawaab dena hi hai na tumhe?" He snarled and got off his chair threateningly but Geet hurriedly stepped forward to take the towel. As she was coming inside, the door which was a little loose, kept moving and making weird noises, scaring Geet. "Geet tu bhi na! Jhalli! Just lock it, and then it won't move and make those scary noises."

Proud of herself, for having achieved this feat by herself, she locked the door and silently stepped into the room, took the towel from him and started drying her hair and body. Maan who was glaring at his errant wife for her stupidity missed this part.

A sudden "Aachiii!" surprised both of them in their actions. Geet looked at Maan angrily while Maan looked put out.

Geet became angry seeing his state, "Dekha! Didn't I warn you, you will fall sick! But who listens to me! Mai to aevehi bolti rehti hu na!" She started cribbing all the while moving towards him till she was right in front of him, taking in his soaked form. "Akal khud me nahi hai aur mujhe bewakoof kehte hai!" She murmured loud enough for him to hear. His "Geettt!!" was interrupted by another sneeze worrying Geet further. She quickly took the towel and putting it over his head, started drying his hair vigorously, holding him tight, not letting him move.

Maan was shocked by her actions initially and tried to free himself, he was about to shout when she silenced him with a look. "Chup! Bilkul chup! You have said and done enough for today. Not a word more. Ghussa to aapse control nahi hota. Pata nahi kya kya kar lete hai!" She said angrily and went back to wiping the water droplets of his face and hands, drying him as much as possible.

Maan on the other hand was slightly lost in her scent. She was all around him, engulfing him in her aura, making him loose his senses. She stopped her ministrations and holding his hand pulled him up. "Let's go home now. You are soaked through and through! Warna aapki tabiyat aur kharab ho jaayegi."

But the door refused to open.

Geet tried opening it, fiddling with the knob, but it did not budge. When Maan realized that she had locked the door, he started swearing as usual. "I always knew you were stupid, but I didn't know the limits! Who told you to lock the door? Iska lock atak jaata hai, isliye isiliye maine ise lock nahi kiya tha!"

Geet, who a minute ago was feeling guilty, got annoyed at his accusations, "Mai kya koi antaryami hu ke mujhe pata chalega iska lock kharab hai? How was I supposed to know that? Aap mujhe chillane ke bajai isko kholne ki koshish kyu nahi karte?" She answered back.

Maan glared at her to shut up and tried to break down the door, but gave it up as it refused to budge. A sudden fit of sneezing caught both of them off guard and Geet looked around again to see if she could open the door. "Babaji please open this door! I am sorry Babaji. Aisa next time nahi karungi!" she chanted when another bout of sneezing made her worriedly look at her husband, cursing herself for her over smartness. Leaving the door as a lost cause, she hurried over to Maan and again started wiping his head with the towel, trying to infuse some warmth into him. But his sneezing still persisted.

"Aap ko change kar lena chahiye, warna aap aur beemar padh jaoge! Darwaza to khulne se raha." she said worriedly. "Do you have some spare clothes here?" she asked him but strted blabbering without waiting for an answer, "Leave it! Mai hi dhoond leti hu! Why am I expecting sanity from you? If you had any sense, you wouldn't have ventured out in this stormy night. Aur aapke peeche peeche mujhe bhi nahi aana padhta. We could have been cocooned in the warmth of a blanket at home right now." She shouted while searching the office for any clothes, ignoring his sulking, "Mai ne nahi kaha tha tumhe mere peeche aane ko!"

Geet was about to give up when she hit the jackpot. She emerged with a pair of tracks and a T shirt, which looked clean. Triumphantly brandishing it like she had won a lottery, she thrust it in his hand. "Take this and go change." She ordered forcefully.

Maan, realizing that she was correct and there was no way out till someone came in the morning to open it, grudgingly took the clothes and turned around to look for a place to change.

Geet was glaring at him, "What are you doing now? Why don't you change fast?"

"Yahi change karu? Tumhare saamne? Free show dekhna hai tumhe?" he jeered raising his eyebrow, embarrassing Geet. She unwittingly immediately covered her eyes and turned around, cursing her errant tongue and rogue husband. "Chi chi Babaji! Inko sharam haya naam ki cheez hai ke nahi?"

"Tum sharam-haya ke bare me na hi bolo to theek hoga Geet!" he taunted, piercing her soul. She wanted to protest, but knew now was not the time.

She turned back; schooling her features to indifference and spoke calmly. "Wo hum baad me discuss kar lenge. Puri raat baki hai. Kahi nahi jaana humne, yahi bandh hai. First you go and change." She went over to the switchboard to shut off the lights, saying "Mai waha khadi hu, aankhein band karke. Aapki izzat safe hai mujhse!"

As Geet stood in front of the window looking out, she tried to calm her wayward emotions. Gripping her mangalsutra, she prayed to her Babaji to give her strength to go on the path she had chosen for herself.

She could hear him changing, the silence between them exaggerating each moment. She gripped her dupatta, which was slightly damp. She tugged it off and called out, "Maan! Take this and dry yourself before wearing the tracks, towel to pura gila ho gaya hai!" Without looking back she threw it in his direction and it fell over him, ensconcing him into her warmth. He did her bidding without any protest, as he himself was feeling the chill now, drying himself off as much as he could. He was about to wear the shirt, when he realized that Geet was dripping wet too

"Geet'" he called out to her, "Ye lo shirt, ise tum pehan lo. You need to be out of those wet clothes too."

When Geet turned around, the sight which met her eyes was enough to make any woman hyperventilate. Her husband stood before her, half naked. His bare chest covered only by a towel, glistening with dampness, the skin gleaming in the moonlight, beckoning her to touch it to see for herself if it was as perfect as it looked. His hair, still slightly damp, was falling in disarray across his forehead. His muscles bulged as he moved, the perfect curve of his spine, dimpling as he moved towards her breaking her stupor.

He came to her and gave her the towel and shirt, motioning her to change while he went to stand near the window, his back facing her.

"Magar Maan, aapko thand lag jayegi! Aap ise bhi pehan lo. Mai theek hu." Geet protested, but was ignored.

"Pehan lo, warna pehna dunga!" His threat was enough to make her scamper to change. Now it was Maan's turn to visualize her changing, going by the sounds. The snap of her dori snapping, the sliding of the zip, her bangles gave away her every movement, and Maan was having a tough time to remain unaffected as visions of her as she has been yesterday morning, splashed across his mind, heating up his blood. He clenched his fists, and tried to think of the project details to divert his mind, but only Geet came to his mind, her wet and sexy form seemingly branded in his minds vision.

Geet changed into the shirt, but decided to leave her salwar on, too shy to remove it. She took the towel to wipe her hair, and Maan turned around to look at her and got lost again, her pure profile, without any artifice, made him stare. She was without doubt a very beautiful woman. The simple innocence oozing out of each pore transfixed him, until her questioning eyes met his. He cleared his throat to act unaffected, when he noticed that her salwar was still on. After a lot of hassle, he got her to discard it grudgingly. She wrapped her dupatta around her lower half to achieve a semblance of modesty.

They both looked at the other, the cozy intimacy of their surroundings adding to the allure of the other. Their half naked state did nothing to alleviate the awareness they were feeling. The heaviness of the air heated their blood and the moonlight added its magical mystery to the air.

A sudden crackling broke their stare, and Geet was thankful to Babaji for a change! "Warna pata nahi kya ho jata! Jo bhi hota, baadme blame mujhpe hi hota!" She thought. Geet looked around and decided that now was as good a time as any to clear the air.

Maan was lounging back in his chair, his eyes closed, pretending to sleep, the intense moment a few minutes back scaring him in its intensity. "Kya ho jata hai mujhe jabh wo mere samne aati hai! Why do I lose myself in her!" he cursed, when her melodious voice broke into his thoughts.

"Hum tum ek kamre me bandh ho'Aur chaabi kho jaaye..."

"Ye kya naya drama hai Geet? Tum chup chap nahi baith sakti" Maan asked resignedly.

"Nahi!" She returned sotto voiced. "Waise bhi humpe kafi suit karta hai na ye gana? Abhi aapko meri baat sunni hi hogi. I want to clarify a few things with you." She said in a determined voice moving towards him till she stood in front of his chair. He swiveled around to avoid looking at her, lest he lose his senses again, "I am not interested in your stories any more Geet"

She caught his chair and turned him back to face her holding onto the arms of the chair, staring into his eyes willing him to hear her out.

"But you will have to listen. Mujhe lagta hai Babaji ki bhi yehi marzi hai Maan! Isliye to ye sab hua, taki aap meri baat sune." She continued before he could interrupt. "Aapko pata hai Maan, I lost my parents at a very early age. I was very small when I realized that the mother's love and father's indulgences which I used to take for granted were not meant for me. Lekin jab bhi unko yaad karti hu, their love comes before my eyes. The unshakeable bond of love which bound them together was visible to anyone who cared to look. But beneath that love, lay the basis of their relationship. And that was their trust and respect for each other. A relationship cannot survive without either."

She broke off to gather her thoughts, lost in the world of her childhood, a hauntingly painful smile adorning her lips. "Aaj jab aapne mujhpe itna bada ilzaam lagaya, tab mujhe ye ehsaas hua, ke hum to ek doosre ko jaante hi nahi hai. To ye rishta jise mai jode rakhne ki koshish kar rahi thi wo kaisa hai?"

As Maan was about to interrupt her monologue, Geet stopped him by showing her hand, "Aaj nahi Maan. Aaj mujhe jo kehna hai bol dene dijiye. Pata nahi fir himmat juta pau ya nahi." She pleaded. And the vulnerability in her eyes more than her words made Maan unable to speak out.

She looked at him tearfully and said in a choked voice, "I don't know whether you will believe me or not, but what I am saying is the truth. I did not mix THAT in your food knowingly. It was Naina Di's idea. She told me to mix it in yours', Dev Veerji's and Arjun Jijaji's food. I didn't even know what it was. She being your sister I didn't give it a second thought. And to my regret I never asked her what it was. She and Annie wanted to take revenge from you guys for the Holi fiasco you guys pulled last year. Aur mai aapse ghussa thi, isliye bina soche maine unka saath de diya. Mera yakeen maniye, maine jaan ke aisa nahi kiya tha." She started sobbing, but managed to control herself. "You don't have to believe me, you can ask anyone, they will confirm my story, lekin agar aap mujhpe vishwas kare to mujhe accha lagega. Aage aapki marzi."

"Agar ye sach hai to ye tumne mujhe pehle kyu nahi bataya Geet?"

"Aapne mauka hi kab diya Maan? Aap to jo ji me aaye bol dete ho. Saamne walo ko aapki baton se kitna dukh hota hai usse aapko kya farak padhta hai?" she questioned him.

He just looked away, unable to meet her eyes which reflected sincerity and truth.

"Tum ye sab kya kar rahi ho Geet? Aur kyu? Humare rishte ki koi manzil nahi hai, ye tum bhi jaanti ho aur mai bhi! Fir tum aisi baatein kyu karti ho jo possible hi nahi hai?" he asked her outright.

"Don't think I am telling you all this because I am expecting something from u. I just don't want any misunderstandings to cloud our already hazy relationship. Humari shaadi jin halaton me hui, usse accept karne me aapko hichkichahat ho rahi hai. Theek hai. I will accept that. But it doesn't mean ke aap apna sara ghussa mujhpe nikale." Saying so she went over to the couch at one end and turning away from him closed her eyes, "I could have asked Naina Di or Dev Veerji to tell you all this, but I don't want a third person between us. Pehle hi humare beech bahoot faasle hai. Kisi teesre ko humare beech lakar unhe badhana nahi chahti. Mujhe jo kehna tha maine keh diya. Aage aap ki marzi."

Maan looked in awe at this child woman who had just put her feelings across with so much dignity.

Had he really misread her so badly? He knew his temper was something which he should control. But as they say, old habits die hard.

He realized that he was the one at fault. He hadn't given her a chance to defend herself, his anger having blinded his reasoning. Even after he had done so much, said a lot of things he shouldn't have said, she wasn't blaming him. His conscience was gnawing at him as he remembered what he had tried to do. "Kya kuch nahi kaha maine tumhe, par fir bhi she is trying to rebuild the bridges I burnt in my anger. Kis mitti ki bani ho Geet?" he whispered as he moved towards her to observe her.

She was sleeping fitfully, a frown marring the perfection of her features, turning around trying to get a comfortable place, rubbing her hands on herself in an effort to generate warmth. He could also feel the slight chill in the air, the temperature having dropped down further. Without thinking too much, Maan sat down beside her and gathered her in his arms. Geet protested at first in her sleep, but then burrowed into his warmth, her hands going around him, hugging him tightly as she went back to her dreamland, but this time with a beautiful smile adorning her face.

Maan glanced at the woman in his arms, refusing to let his mind think, he kissed her forehead and settled down to sleep, peace reigning in both their hearts after a harried storm.

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Okies...now let me tell you...there is one MAJOR goof up in the update😉 Can anyone point out what it is?😆

Its a fun goof up...see if u can find it😉

Comment karo aur mujhe batao ke kaisa hai!

KaminisKult