ALMOST LOVERS
Chapter Thirty Seven
Repair the broken
If I fix the broken pieces,
Will they join together?
If I sew the tears,
Will they stay together?
If we can be together,
Can be we be forever?
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Present:
Dear Maan,
I love you. I've been meaning to say these words to you for so long…….it seems that they are forever on my lips, ready to burst out but yet I waited till now. Why? I think its because I feel so unworthy of this love that you shower on me everyday...you married me when the world was against me...gave me comfort when there wasn't anyone to hold me...
So on our first anniversary I wanted to let the words out of my chest, to let you know that your love is reciprocated and then some.
Always yours,
Geet
Maan felt his world tilt as he read the letter, that she had written for that fateful day.
He understood the full extent of his betrayal, for she was going to express her love for him when everything had fallen apart. He then read the note that was attached to her letter.
Maan,
That letter is who I was...and this note is who I am now.
I am going to the unthinkable...I forgive you. Finally I can let you be, no longer shall I torment you and no longer shall you hurt me.
Today I am walking away, leaving behind this note and all my love.
Yes, I loved you even while I hated you but today no more hate and no more love.
So this is farewell from a stranger,
Geet.
There could have been no better way for her to make him realize his guilt but still he clutched the letter to his hands, a piece of hers to keep with him forever.
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Past:
Loving Maan was amazing and exhilarating. Geet didn't question her feelings for him, instead she accepted them as natural as breathing.
Why shouldn't I love him? She thought with fondness and appreciation for her husband. He was all that she could have ever wanted; honest, caring and more importantly hers.
Their honeymoon went by like a blur, yet some moments lasting for eternity. She would remember every detail but another part of her wanted to hold back time and soak in these precious moments that somehow would define their married life.
But it seemed that the honeymoon wouldn't end so soon. Life with Maan continued on in the same beautiful way, without any doubts or issues.
"Hey" He leaned in and kissed her right on the corner of her lips, which had broken into a small smile, "A penny for your thoughts"
"Only a penny?" She smirked even as she smoothed his hair. "They are far more expensive than that."
"Well, I'll pay whatever they cost" He reached forward to rub his thumb delicately across her neck. Even after months of being married it seemed that he had the power to melt her with his mere touch. "After all what could be more precious"
"Another day" She laughed, "No secrets today. You have to head off to work, while I have to work on one of the new projects"
"Fine" he chuckled and pressed a last kiss on her.
Geet knew that she should have said the words, I love you, but for some reason the words were stuck in her throat. Something was holding her back, something within her that was asking for a bit more time.
If only she knew what she was waiting for but there was a sense of anticipation, something that would change this relationship.
--------------------------------
Present
Days rolled by and he tried to find peace without her. There was a certain calmness in knowing that she was no around him to show her hatred but he knew that even her hatred was better than not having her near.
He tried to find solace in hoping that she would find some peace, the very calmness that he disrupted from her life.
Yet he wanted to earn her forgiveness rather than denial.
I guess this is my penance for the mistakes I've made. He thought with a sigh, To repent and to remain away from her. To be forever unworthy of being with her.
"Sir, the board is here" The nervous CFO of Handa Construction coughed to get his attention.
It was Maan's first board meeting as the head of Handa Constructions, so everyone was waiting with bated breath at how he would manage the company. They were worried that Handa Construction would be absorbed into the much larger Khurana Enterprise, losing its individual identity.
So there was also a sense of resentment as Maan walked into the room, they all missed their own CEO, Geet Handa and wanted her back but none had the courage to stand up against Maan Singh Khurana.
Without missing a beat Maan started the meeting in his usual confident and proud manner, "Welcome everyone. I know many of you are wondering how such a change is going to affect the company but there is no reason to worry. My desire is to keep the company true to its roots and the wishes of your former CEO, Ms Geet Handa-Khurana."
"Ms Handa," one of the more elder members cut in, purposefully using Geet's maiden name only as opposed to her hyphenated one, "was a big asset to our company. While you are known for your business acumen, we are hesitant with how much attention and care our company will receive amongst your large empire"
Maan raised an eyebrow and had the smallest of smirks on his face, "Interesting point. But no need to worry as Handa Constructions will always remain outside of Khurana Enterprise despite my ownership."
There were some relieved faces across the room, though some were still sceptic but again none had the courage to argue further.
"Anyways, time to get down to business. My first action as the CEO is to restart one of the older projects of the company, Dream Homes. To build residential houses that enable affordability as well as luxury for the middle class. It was abandoned due to external factors but the company is in the right situation to begin the project anew."
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the whole room was surprised to the hilt. Of all the actions they had expected from the domineering CEO, restarting a project that was more for emotional reasons as opposed to fiscal benefit, would be the last.
"But sir, the project isn't the most lucrative one" someone felt the need to voice out, despite the stunned looks on everyone's faces.
"Well, Handa Constructions, under the tutelage of my wife, has been flourishing. No longer due you have to worry about budgeting issues or any other PR factors." Maan gave credit to Geet, knowing that somewhere down the line this would have been one of her decisions.
"More importantly, Handa Constructions was initially renowned for their residential houses and it was only later on that the company had forayed into larger projects. With this initiative we are going back to the roots of the company and getting more in touch with the public, creating more sympathy with them"
Everyone then nodded, all impressed and humbled by the sincerity in his words and his vision.
"So we shall begin that as soon as possible. Thanks for your time" With that the CEO of the company strode off, ready to tackle another difficult hurdle.
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It was years since she had felt this peace, away from the torment of her own emotions. There was a certain serenity in distancing herself from her world but it wasn't without it's downside.
There was loneliness along with the peace, there was bleak feelings along with the serenity. For despite the distance, she couldn't deny the tug on her heart to go home and to be with the ones she loved.
She stared out into the coastline, letting the silence around her sooth the loneliness even as it echoed its existence.
For so long I've hunted for this peace, she thought silence, yet I need time to finish what I wanted to achieve, to do what is right,
Her plan was nearing its end, the actions of a long time coming to culmination. She knew what would happen but the ending…..well that depended on others.
"Ma'am" A voice broke her thoughts, "A call for you"
"Thanks" She smiled and took the phone. There was only one person who would call her here, only one person who knew her location. "Hey Rehan"
"Hey G" Rehan sounded excited, which in turn caused Geet to raise an eyebrow, "There are some changes. Maan's….been to Handa Construction"
"Has he….has done anything?" Geet asked with some hesitation. She had faith in her plan, so much so that she had given up her inheritance to him. But there was still a part of her that was waiting for everything to fall apart.
"Just what you expected" Rehan sounded surprised, almost bewildered by how accurate Geet had been. "He restarted the Dream Homes project"
And finally Geet's face broke into a wide grin, "Good. Keep me updated Rehan"
"Of course" Rehan agreed but then added hesitatingly, "Remember to look after yourself Geet"
"Same to you"
=================
Maan Singh Khurana hardly ever hesitated but there were moments when even his steps were faltering or doubtful.
And going to the Handa's house was one of those actions.
It had been ages since he had entered the place, not since….well not since everything went downhill. To say that he wasn't welcome here would be understatement.
But as always, Mrs Handa was always willing to let bygones be bygones.
"Maan beta" She smiled hesitatingly as Maan bent down to touch her feet to show respect. "It's been so long. How are you?"
"Good" He smiled at her, her face was so similar to Geet's that it brought a pang to his heart. "I know I should have come earlier…but.."
"No problem" She quickly spoke, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. "Geet….do you know where she is?"
"No" Maan's eyes shifted away from hers, unable to bear the disappointment he would see in them but he also missed their sympathy. "She didn't tell you anything?"
Rano shook her head, "No beta, you know how she is….she doesn't tell anyone anything anymore."
Maan just nodded and changed the topic, "Could I speak to Bauji?"
Rano nodded hesitantly but led him towards the room anyways.
With heavy heart, Maan followed Rano, knowing that this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation but one that he had avoided long enough.
"Mohinder, Maan beta is here" Rano spoke whilst looking directly at Mohinder, wanting him to treat their son-in-law fairly.
The two men stared at each other for a while before Maan folded and said, "Namaste Bauji"
Mohinder nodded from his seat and Rano discreetly walked out of the room, leaving them to sort out their mess.
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AUTHOR's NOTE:
Again I am sorry for the long wait...really sorry 😳...please be patient, as you all have been so far 😃
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-SanjanA
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