Silent Whisper – Chapter 14

Geet narrowed her eyes to him “Can you smile a bit, at least when you are openly flirting with me…”

“It can be tough for anyone to handle themself with an enigma beside them… you expect me to know how I am behaving”

She felt a little change in him. Not so negating. Did that night make changes in his heart as well just like it took away her heart?

Geet was smiling like a smitten girl all through the way. She wondered, with such huge baseless allegations thrown at him, how can he be so calm? How did he handle such allegations with confidence? Him being a normal civilian, she knew he was not used to the media but then how could he handle them so smoothly? Instead, he shut them all. He definitely has all the qualities of a great businessman to handle things. Though she did not know his business acumen. Well how much does she know about him

He has his lab inaugurated. Ohhh… that was news to her. She felt a bit sad, he didn’t think she was close enough to let her know. Yes, why would he? Has she shared anything with him? It’s him who keeps track of her and then whenever he tries to talk about her work, she pushes him away. She was realizing how far she has to go. No, she will do it. She has to win him, this man is precious for her in all ways. How lucky she felt to have him as her life partner. 

Now Geet wanted to be his partner in all ways, in thick and thin. The feeling to be his wife in all ways brought excitement in her. How it will feel when he will take her in his arms, not only because she will be needing him but also because he wants her to fill him in her arms. He can trust her so much one day that he can demand his wish from her in their relationship.

“You started a lab?” she asked subtly

He looked at her and returned a formal smile “Hmm.. a small effort to get on my own feet. It’s very nominal” he rubbed off the matter,not trying to show her how excited he was for it. Just a lab – what will it mean for her, she runs a whole empire.

“But it must be special to you,” she said with a smile. She cannot complain he did not invite her because she can see today, how her name has ruined his hard work.

“Yes, a first step”

“First step to what. You are planning something big it seems”

“All middle class men and women dream of making it big. It’s part of that dream” He again rubbed off his act as anything just like that.

“You are being modest. You are not among all that, I know by now…”

He just shook his head, slightly negating.

As they reached home, Maan went to his room and Geet hers. As she took first step up her room, the reality hit her

“Is this how you are planning to get into his life Geet?”

Maan changed to his casuals and settled down to analyze the report for his lab. Before he could start focusing the door opened behind him taking his attention

“You promised to give your entire day to me today”

“Sure. I thought my job was done” he said with a smile

Geet came closer to him and took the file from him  and settled herself on his lap “I want us to  spend some time together just casually. We can know about each other” she said circling her hands around her nape

“Toh kya baten kerni hai woh bhi aap he bata den” he said with a flirty smile

“Hayyyy… ispe pe toh dil fida hai…” she said, openly flirting. Maan could not hold but smile on her acts 

“I am really lucky, The great Geet Handa flirting with me” he circled his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. 

“Who can deny the temptation of being in strong arms of this hot, angry young man” she returned the compliment

“And this is the direction in which you want us to know more about each other” he brought her back in reality

“How unromantic… hmm. Okay leave it… tell me something about you”

“Me? I am a middle class, service man. I have a grand mom, Mom-Dad,younger brother and sister. My status is committed, parentheses, married. And just like all middle class, I dream of flying high one day”

“You are really Mr. attitude” she commented, narrowing her eyes and shaking her head.

“Now what did I do?” he said, faking innocence.

“Maan…” Geet paused, bringing seriousness on her face, 

“situations around me, I am feeling very bare and helpless. You being so strong, I need you”

“I am not strong….” 

“Shhhh….” she placed fingers on his lips

“Bohut bolte ho”

“Okay… today I am all for you… tell me” Geet traced her fingers on his perfectly shaped jawline 

“Offer is very tempting .. but I really feel I can discuss my failed project with you..  Will you guide me Maan…”

“How can I…” she again placed a finger on his lips.

“I am lost, can you guide me please? I feel it’s you who can help me”

He looked at her, scanning her worried face

“Can we get off this intimate position and settle in you office space”

Geet smiled.. “ it’s so hard for me to let go this position.. but okay.. let’s go to my office “

Geet led him to office.

She forwarded him the file and explained to him the project..

Maan kept looking into all the details without a word. He looked at her after long hours of looking into the file without a word..

“I am sorry to say but you implemented many strategies in this project to make it vulnerable to failure “

“ Can you be less raw” 

“ sorry if you want my input, I cannot sugar coat “ Geet smiled

“ How many time you want me to give this heart to you” she said, acting smitten, cupping her chin on her palms and blinking her eyes.

“really?? You gave it to me before as well? I had no idea” Maan said with a cunning smile. He was enjoying the banter, being playful but definitely not taking her words seriously.. He thought this was easy and less painful to handle, if she changes later.

Geet made a face “ you enjoy playing with my little innocent heart..” she complained 

“ innocent?? Wow.. “ he taunted and teased 

“ you!!!..” Geet threw cushion at him 

“If you have no objection,  can I get more access to the project details.. “ he changed the topic back to business. It was so evident, this was his subject of interest.

Geet unlocked her system and turned the double monitor on his side, giving him the folder access to all internal details of the project.

“Are you sure, you are okay for me to go inside the content”

“I am sure. You are my husband Maan” Maan raised his brows. Geet knew these were her chance to shed her inhibition and win his trust. Any project should not be bigger than winning his heart. 

“If you are fine..” he said before clicking the folder to get inside.

Maan kept clicking the folders inside folders and kept reading the files, sheets and documents. Geet was wondering what he was looking into so intently. Maybe these projects were much bigger than his understanding. But she could understand, any man’s ego will hurt to not be able to understand his wife’s work.

“I will get coffee for us..” she said not wanting to embarrass him

“Hmmmm…” he said, engrossed.

Geet came back after half an hour “Coffee!!” she looked at him. He was done looking. No, she will not probe him.

He took the coffee  and sipped it “I looked into the files… are you interested to know my take” 

Geet did not understand how he had any view at looking into the documents for just an hour. But she decided to not ignore his words. She cannot show him down.

“Of course”

“What I have found, there have been few major flaws in how this project was launched…” He said calmly, making Geet alert, he was not that ignorant after all. But still, did he already found flaws, so soon, she wondered 

He turned the monitor, so they could both look at it

“Look at this doc I created, I have referenced the issue of concern and my comments on them” and he fully gave the monitor to her. The confidence with which he spoke, clearly showed, he was an expert and knew what he was talking about. Curious Geet looked at the document.

“I will be back, it will take you half an hour to grasp what I have put in there. Read them with an open mind” 

Maan left for a quick job in the society, leaving geet to absorb the document. 

Geet started reading the document to see his knowledge but slowly her intensity increased as she realized the types of things that he had pointed out, how valid and minute they were yet how effective they were if taken into consideration. It showed his depth of business understanding. Now she clearly knew the reason for the failure of her project. She, in real, needed to learn things from him.

She also realized how her Dad took care of these things and thus his undertakings were successful. Geet had been great but it was the first time she had initiated the project from start to end, not taking any guidance from Dad. 

Maan was back after an hour of jogging and showering. He had put on a blue round neck tee and shorts. The clothes were not that branded but anything he wore looked great on his toned body and thus never missed to take her attention

“All done” he asked casually, taking his seat. Showing her number of faults, this man was so casual

“Hmmm… and very smartly you told me that I need to brush up my skills”

“You are great. You took over a whole project on your own shoulder, not a  child’s play. But at this age, how can you think you know it all? So did you see where you have missed the nerves of business.”

“I can see the pointers I missed but how does it affect the overall failure”

“Your project failed because the common people thought it was not for them and it did not attract the very high profile public as they could get a higher range product. The marketing failure being the main cause”

“How do I fix it now… “

“I can see ways… there are two options that come to my mind… do you want to discuss now”

She nodded for No. “Too much for today… Can I take you for a dinner date? I want to talk about my husband now, know more about you”

“If you want to know me then you should come to dinner with me, where I take you.”

Maan wanted to respect his mother’s wishes to work on this relationship. He can give it a try, as long as he keeps the matter of his heart separate from all this engagement. But who knows when the heart changes its course and goes against your own will and plan.

“Come with youuu… mean where you take meee???” she asked thinking

He raised his eyebrows, tilting his head sideways

“Hmmm.. if you want to know me, it should be my way.. That will be the natural way of knowing me” 

Geet was thinking, she cannot risk denying him but her landing in just any local restaurant….. 

What was more important for her, Geet thought – Him or her society or media. She smiled to herself, getting her answer clear – It was him above all.

“Sure… what would you prefer me to put on, Indian or western?”

“Be yourself.. anyways,I am not in position to advice Geet Handa”

Geet went closer to him “But I would prefer to wear what my husband wishes for”

He smiled and got up “Be ready, I will make a reservation. I will not take Geet Handa on a dinner date without reservation… itna toh mujhe phi pata hai”

They reached the restaurant by 7.  Maan was avoiding looking at his wife all through the way, she was looking too gorgeous in white churidar with slight golden lace. After marriage, it was the first time he was seeing his wife in traditional dressing and it definitely was increasing his heart beat. 

“Maan Khurana, table for two” he informed at the reception. The restaurant was decent, not that Geet would on her own ever come to a restaurant in this area. Hers would by default be way more posh. But this was decent. 

There was somewhere a ticklish girly feeling of coming to dinner with her husband. She was somehow loving the feeling of just being his wife in this moment. She was enjoying him taking the lead, the way he spoke, the authority that he carried even in his calm voice, his casual dressing in tight jeans and half sleeves slightly checked shirt with top three buttons opened. Man!!! Does he have any idea how he could increase the room’s temperature by his laziness of not buttoning up?

“Yes sir- ma’am” came the waiter

“Come with me”

Not very private but Maan had requested for the seats which were a bit secluded from the crowd. 

“I hope the place is not that bad, if not up to your standard” he enquired taking the seat

“With you around me, do I care what the surroundings are..” He gave a tight smile, lowering his lips and shaking his head

“Hmmm… you are good at flirting. How many boyfriends did you have”

“None.. till date”

“None… hmmm.. And you think I am a fool to agree… such beauty with money and brain and flair of flirting… you had no boyfriend.. Don’t tell me boys were not in line with their proposals”

“Proposals.. Hmmm. I was used to receiving and declining.” she paused and the looked at him sensually “tumhare jaisa koi mila hi nahi…” she said the last words with sensuality

By that time waiter came “Order sir”

Geet ordered “Grilled chicken with baked vegetable and salad”

Waiter looked at Maan for him to order “Grilled fish with cesar salad” and the waiter left. Both being health freaks, their taste for food matched.

“Okay, now we are not talking about me. I am curious to know my husband”

“First tell me, I am talking to my wife or Geet Handa…”

“Your wife, completely” she spread her hands, emphasizing her words

“Fine then I will take liberty to talk to my wife” He paused, took a deep breath

“Geet, I am appreciating that you are trying for this relationship but I am sorry, I feel a big void there. A big amiss. We are in a relationship where we should know each other by just knowing each other. I mean our relationship is for a lifetime. We are not some neighbors that we know about each other by interviewing them… and I see such a big gap between us”

Geet placed her hand on his palm “Maan, I know, I do not know how to handle relationships or how to show you that I want to try very sincerely for us. Okay, I agree my efforts are not enough to give you confidence, then why don’t you take a step ahead and teach me the meaning of this relationship.”

The server came and served their food. For a few minutes they silently focused on their food.

“Let’s not try very hard. I am there for you when you need me”

“Are you sure..Maan” 

“I have married you, so as a husband I will be by your side whenever you need me”

“Fine, remember your words” Geet gave a smile to herself. Now she was even more determined to pull him into it. 

Maan paid the bill and unknown to them as they came out cameras were already there, clicking them. Instead of hiding from camera, Geet slid her hand withing her husband’s arm and came closer for the pose

“I am a businesswoman and not a screen star. But now that you have clicked us, please do send some nice ones to me too. I will frame them to preserve memory of this beautiful dinner night with my husband” she said with a smile

Maan was smiling as they settled in the car “What..”

“Impressive.. You handled them very maturely”

She smiled at him “It emerged as confidence, knowing you were by my side.”

Unknown to them, the silent whispers of acceptance were seeping in.