Chapter 33 – Between Us

Maan then settled Geet for rest “You rest now. I will prepare something”

“you? why? We will get something ordered”

“No regular ordering from outside. You are still recovering. I have hired a chef for you, she will do your regular cooking and all that you wish”

“But”

“No But. Your responsibility in the office is going to increase and rest time i will need you for my personal… you know what i mean” he winked and she blushed

Maan had hired a cook and cleaning lady for Geet. They will be staying in one apartment on the ground floor and will be at Geet’s service. Maan was strict on her, only focusing on Office and him. 

“What’s the use of all this” she complained. he lifted her chin from his finger

“Use is…. I need your time” she lowered her eyes and a smile crept on her face. She knew, now that he has decided he is not going to change.

Maan was in the kitchen trying to do some cooking for them. Geet closed her eyes due to the effects of medication and weakness.

****** 

Yash looked at the watch. It was evening in India and his family will arrive here after some 3 hours. He did not get time to talk to Geet. Family was so happy with Geet being saved and Maan taking responsibility that at that time he could not ask anything. What could it be between Maan and Geet, he could not fathom. Was Maan worried for her and took care of her as she was a family responsibility, but it seemed a bit different. Everyone just assumed Yash had understood and digested things. How can Maan and Geet be together, Geet would just have been a high schooler when he had left. And Geet was such a saint girl, he cannot imagine her having any level of feeling with anyone at that age. No, not possible at all. Maybe Maan had some feelings for her and family is happy about it. Of course he seems to be a perfect man for Geet. But how can Geet have feelings for him, no one is worried about her feelings. He needed to check Geet’s feelings. Is she accepting the burden of obligation, if that is the case he will stop it, even if he has to speak against Maan Khurana. Maan has nothing to do with her for the last 8 years, suddenly takes over her as if he is everything for her and that Geet belongs to him. Family may be under Maan’s obligation but not him. He had some relief that Geet was not staying in Mansion with him and back in her apartment.

Maan was almost done with his cooking and was wrapping up and Geet was resting when her cell buzzed. She lazily opened her eyes to see her Jiju’s number flashing

“Hi Jiju… now you got time to call me” Geet spoke lazily but Yash was surprised to feel the different life in her voice. She had never demanded him like that before.She sounded new.

“How are you Geet? You were surrounded by people and I was checking with Maan Khurana about your health. More than Brij and Meera, he has detail about your health”

“I am much better, Jiju and under Maan Sir’s care. He won’t rest and leave me in peace till he is satisfied I am all fine.” Now Geet went into world of Maan

“And Di and Veerji or even Mom Dad, they just forget about my care when Maan Sir is around.”

“Why? That’s not fair” Geet laughed on Yash’s statement

“He won’t let anyone interfere when it’s my matter.” Yash could feel the difference in the way Geet was talking. She was not a quiet and reserved girl he had been knowing till now.

“And what about your comfort? I mean he is a young man, Geet. If you feel not so comfortable, please let me know I will talk. i have known you from 8 years Geet, i know you will not be comfortable”

Geet was not liking the direction the talks were going. 

Yash had no idea that, more than Maan, it was Geet who was possessive of her relation with Maan. It was she who always demanded only Maan’s care. Questions were being raised on Maan, she could feel.

“Jiju leave it naa. How is Abhi and Dad”

“They are doing great. Missing you for sure.” By that time Maan reached the door but stopped with next sentence of Yash

“But Geet I am happy, you moved out to your apartment. I heard Maan was not ready to move you out from his mansion. That would have been uncomfortable to stay in his house. He is nice, which is good but taking on too much obligation is not good, in my opinion.” Geet’s eye went on Maan and she could sense his expressionless face. She smiled at him and turned to Yash on their video call

“Jiju, you know, I was so upset that Maan Sir agreed to bring me here. I wanted to stay in the Mansion, with him and family. Why on earth did he agree to Mom and Dadima to keep me separately here. Bolo paraya ker diya mujhe” Yash was shocked to hear this from Geet. Maan smiled, his Geet stood for him, openly accepting his right on her and her right on him. He came and settled in bed beside Geet, stretching his leg

“Hey Yash, how are you” saying so he wrapped one arm around Geet from behind, bringing himself even closer to Geet. Yash was shocked and caught off guard talking about Maan. But more shocked by their position.

“I am fine. How are you? You are here at this hour?” 

“Where else should I be Yash, when she is here. Did you listen to her complaint? Praya ker diya.”

“No, I was just thinking Geet would need some time of her own. I mean, just after the accident, she has been surrounded by too many people. Now she must just focus on resting” Now Maan knew he had to come straight.He respected Yash but no one, since childhood have come between them and he won’t allow that even now.

“Yash, you give medical advice man. Will be happy to take that. Geet is here with me, you don’t need to trouble yourself with anything else about her” Maan paused and then added

“I will be with her day and night. You can focus on taking care of our family in India. Meera and all will soon reach there in a couple of hours.”

“Day and Night?” 

“Hmm, I am moving in here. Can’t leave her to stay alone” Maan said casually, knowing very well nothing was casual at the other end. But he cannot let anyone dictate his relation with Geet. No one has done it yet. They have done earlier and seen the disaster.

Yash ignored Maan. This rich man had his rule. He turned to Geet “Geet are you Ok with this” Geet definitely did not like her Jiju questioning Maan’s word, ignoring him and asking her.

She laughed “Jiju, he knows, if he leaves me here alone and goes to the mansion, I am not gonna talk to him. He cannot take a chance upsetting his girl.” She laughed, shocking Yash again and again. She was exactly opposite of the Geet he had known. This double meaning talk, this no shyness and completely fine to stay with a man.

“Okay Bye Jiju,have fun with Di” she disconnected. Maan knew Yash was not yet convinced but he could do nothing about it. He was the Maan Singh Khuaran, he did not give explanations to anyone, esp. when it’s the case of Geet. 

Geet turned and hugged Maan “I am sorry, Jiju questioned you. How can he raise questions about you?, on you being with me? I am sorry, so sorry”

“It’s Ok Geet.” he separated “We gave people space to come between us, and now it’s hurting”

She took his face in her palm “No, there is no space between us, no one can come.” She then lower her voice

“Jiju always cared about me, he was always concerned but never knew the reason. You were so personal to me and I could not make you a topic of conversation.”

“You were missing me this much all these days Geet?” Maan asked all full of love

Geet looked at him in anger “Now what type of question is that? Do I need to ask that with you?”

Maan shied in pain “Why were we apart then. Whole eight years Geet.” He then pulled her closer to me

“I need to know each detail of your life. After I  left from there. I want to be part of those moments Geet” Geet hesitated, he will be hurt knowing how she was lost and how she has punished herself.

“I am so hungry and the food smells so yum” Maan did not say anything but he needed to go in depth. What all had happened. Malhotra’s he knew were one reason but how Geet lived without him. The hyper ness that she had for him, he was now scared to know how she survived these years. All Yash had seen was a calm Geet but Maan knew the calm Geet from outside was carrying tons of storm within. He has to know.

After their lunch, Maan Was leaving for the Mansion to check on Annie and Dadima and look into some work. He will then be back later in night

“Take complete rest. for any need, ring the helpers on the ground floor.”

“I want to meet Annie too. I have to talk so much with her”

“Do you want me to send her here tonight, you guys can catch up” he teased

“No. Not at night” she brought naughty smile on her face and hung herself on his neck by circling her arms 

“At night, i want to eat you” she said huskily and herself turned red

He pulled her to himself “Let me see, who eats who, that night will tell” and he left, leaving flushed Geet behind.

********* 

Meera, Brij and Rano landed at Mumbai airport. Yash and Abhi were there to receive them. As they settled on the car, Meera received Geet’s call.

“Hi Di, landed?”

“Yes, just landed dear. I wonder how you are calling us, Maan ne fursat de di” she teased her. 

“Di, I have to talk something to you, I hope you won’t mind”

“Crazy, does anyone mind any of your words? What’s the matter”

“Di, I respect Jiju a lot. I was not able to say anything to him” Meera looked at Yash

“Di, today Jiju almost insulted Maan. Di, I respect Jiju and I know he cares for me and was worried for me, so I will not be able to say anything to Jiju, but I cannot take anyone raising any finger on Maan.“ 

“Geet, calm down. I will talk to him.” 

******* 

After dinner at Yash Meera’s house. Meera played with Abji and later made him sleep. Yash was restlessly waiting for his wife. After she had settled Abhi she came to her room and Yash pulled her to him

“Kitna tarpati ho. Abhi’s dad missed Mom too” “I missed you so much” she hugged him

“I cannot imagine how these two survived 8 years of separation. Kitna tarpe honge na. I want them to cherish each moment of togetherness now”

“Who are you talking about Meera?” “Maan and Geet, Yash.”

“What are you hinting at Meera?”

“Nothing Yash, just that today you hurt Geet badly. If you react without knowing about their equation, you will end up hurting them.”

“You mean to say, Geet was hurt by my words. That can never happen, Meera. And them? What exactly is Maan to Geet?”

“Her entire world” Meera declared and Yash kept looking “What?”

“Maan is Geet’s entire world, Yash.” “Meera, I know Geet very well. In these 8 years she have not once mentioned Maan”

“Because she was in pain, the pain of being separated from Maan. All those 8 years that you have seen, was a Geet in penance”

“Penance?” 

“Yes, penance for hurting Maan. Yash, you were questioning Maan’s character today. Before raising such question you should know things Yash”

“I am protective of Geet. What should I know? ” 

“Yash, come let’s rest in bed. I have never shown you our childhood pics. You always complained that I did not include you in our family, that I never told you about my childhood. But today I want to share my childhood with you. You won’t be bored?”

“Are you crazy? I will love to see” 

Meera brought bundles of albums and placed them in the bed.

******** 

Maan had spent the whole day with Dadima and Annie. He checked all Annie’s activities as well. He took her for a long drive and gave her an Ice Cream treat. They were at the dinner table chatting. But Maan’s heart went to Geet, she must be having dinner all alone. He did not like that idea. It pained him. This was her family as well and she was now all alone. 

“Bhai, yesterday in office, people were asking about Geet. Few, including Adi Sir, wanted to meet her. I did not say she was staying with us. They don’t know she was staying here”

“Okay, I will talk to Adi”

After Annie has gone to bed and night was done, Dadima saw Maan going out with bag in his hand

“Maan, it’s 10 pm, son. Where are you going at this hour with a bag? Office tour?”

“Not any office tour Dadima.” he smiled and looked at Dadima. He did not know how to say it. It did not take time for Savitri Devi to understand where he was heading to. She did not find it decent to discuss it. He was a responsible and self made man. He was a big man and she did not find it correct to dictate his lifestyle. 

“Call me once you reach there. I will be worried, it’s pretty late”

“Sure Dadima” he came forward and hugged her.

Thanks to all my readers for their love to this story. I will try to keep up the momentum. Hope you all like the progress. As this is story telling, i cannot skip the feelings surrounded with it. Please let me know your views. There is lots of emotions and  moments yet to come. 

Enjoy!!!

-Anu