Chapter 36 : Little Things

They were on their way to Dadima. But wait, the car is taking a different route, maybe she knew where they were heading to. But seeing the pissed off face of Maan, she could not muster courage to ask.

All she could say was “I will get them free once I visit India”

He gave a curt look to her “No need to take effort. They were my favorite, I will get them free” Geet stayed quiet for long and then

“I have hurt you in many ways, I know” Maan did not say anything, he was pissed off and knew he could blast on her if he spoke.

“Maan Sir, please do not keep in heart please. I will talk about it all. I want to talk about all the mistakes I made, please. I know you are still hurting.I know this accident of mine and you do not want to bring past”

Maan placed his Bluetooth and started talking to Adi, ignoring her

“Adi, Geet will be joining from tomorrow but she will be working from home till her full recovery. Please work with respective teams to get her setup by tomorrow end of the day”

“Sure Sir ” But Adi was confused as the tone did not match with what they had witnessed in the morning. But he let it go. IT’S A BOSS!! He shook his head.

After his call, Geet placed her hand on his but he removed.He was hurt and it pained Geet. This was just one thing that came up today. But things will keep on coming up. He wanted to forget and ignore all past, but till they do not talk it out, things will keep on coming and hurt him and as a ripple effect hurt Geet as well.

An hour back:

Geet got ready in her elegant Salwar Kameez. She had all the time kept Maan out in the hall as she wanted to surprise him. Today she wanted to present herself in traditional Indian attire to Dadima, nothing special but she just felt like doing so.

When she was out, Maan was mesmerized.She came to him and he pulled her to him “Cancel. We are not going, I am just spending my Sunday looking at my beauty”

She kissed him and then wiped her lipstick mark on his cheek. Maan looked keenly at her and  then lifted her hand in his.

“Why are these empty” he touched her ears, neck and wrist

“You know I love them on you” Geet’s face went blank. Maan was so lost in his union with Geet ,on top , her just being out of hospital and in loose casual dresses, these things did not catch his attention.

“Don’t I look beautiful without them?” Geet tried to divert him

“Geet you look good to me in all ways. You know I love them on you, I love playing them on you and in this Indian attire I want to see you with those on. Now go put them on quickly and come. I am waiting”

Geet left but did not know what to put on. She had no jewelry. And the reason was exactly what he had cited, he loved them on her so, him not being with her, she had stopped wearing any. 

But now, she did not want to hide anything from him. She gathered guts and went to him

“What’s taking so long?” he knew something was wrong. he knew her so well that slightest change in her activity and he could sense things

“wooo” 

“What’s the matter?”

“I don’t have any of my  jewelry” 

“Why? Where are they?”

Geet stayed quiet for a while and then “I mortgaged them” she said in low voice

“Mortgaged them? Why? You forgot how fond I was of them, on you?” Geet had no answer or her answer would raise more questions so instead of answering she held his cheeks in her palms and lovingly looked at him

“I will get them free. They will be on me soon.”

“I am asking why did you mortgage them? Who gave you rights on taking them away from you? Or you never cared that I was so fond of them on you?” 

Maan had always played with her earrings and bracelet, when they would talk. He had always preferred to keep his hand off her, knowing very well it was so easy to go out of boundaries. And playing with her things was his way to calm his raging heart beat, which always wanted to do more and free willed Geet was not any help in stopping him. Slowly it became his habit to play around with her things as they talked or when Geet would freely show her rights of her access to him. He had by time discovered this as a trick to control his raging heart.

She held his wrist and made him sit and then sat beside him

“I had to come here, to you. I did not have such good clothing as of your level here. You had gained such a high level, I felt so inferior. Was not even sure if you have moved on, that thought itself killed me and ”

“For clothing?” he repeated and then got up “Let’s go, I don’t want to make Dadima wait” and without looking at her he moved forward for her to follow.

*******

He kept driving without any expression or a single word and his eyes continuously focused on the street. 

Geet tried breaking the killing silence “I wanted to be at least presentable to you, not up to your level but somewhere bit near”

“So you mortgaged my favorites? Good” Geet did not say further. Anything she says in that direction is only going to raise his temper and she has no pleasing answer to any of the questions he posed. She knew, he knew that and thus he was totally trying to ignore the past. But it came and will.

 But more than Geet, Maan was angry with himself. How could he just keep out of touch and not care to know if the family was fine or not. His anger on Geet, made him blind. Yes, he was following Uncle and Aunt’s order to not see them, but that is not the excuse that he did not even secretly, check on their well being. They had really gone through a very tough phase. What all had happened, how and how much, he still knew very little. But whatever little he knew, pained him. Why did he get so obsessed with his anger that he refused to check if she was even happy or not. He, at least knew that Rohan was a spoiled brat. But mere Rohan’s thoughts and Maan would lose his temper. He could not, in these eight years muster courage to check on them , fearing to see Geet with Rohan. Why did he not once try to find out if Geet had broken up with Rohan, did he not know she loved him and only him. But those last incidents have shaken his confidence in her love. Fear of finding out she was well settled with Rohan was so deep, he totally avoided it. 

He was deeply regretting his avoidance due to his fear. Geet had to mortgage her jewelry, his favorite once, it pained. How tough it would have been for her. And thus he was pouring his frustration in the form of anger on her. 

Anyways, the drive was completed by both feeling guilty on their own deed.

Maan stopped at Boodles – Famous exclusive jewelry shop on Bond Street. He went and opened the door for her and she got down to see the exclusive shopping area for Riches. Okay, she has forgotten long back that once upon a time she was a Richie, but it was long back and even then not as much to shop regularly in such an area.

“Why are we here?” she asked in a low voice still scared of how much upset he still was. This was one thing common in both. Both had high tempers and had their own way to shower it. Mostly it would be at different times. Catastrophe came when both would show it at same time.

He looked at her “I would have loved to take you to Dadima with your original ones. We had stories with those, but now” he shrugged his shoulder and showed her Boodles

Geet quietly followed him. He asked the employees, who looked highly professional and heavily paid, to show bracelets first. He gave his specification and looked at her “Do you have more specification”

“The one that you like most” was her answer. The bracelets were placed on a tray. Geet picked one and her eyes went to the price tag , popping them out in return.

“They are so costly” he frowned and looked at her. Obviously, he is top listed riches in the country, where else will he take his girl for Jewelries. 

“Is it necessary to get jewelry? I mean we are just going for lunch invite to Dadima” He got up

“Fine let’s go” he turned to the employee “Sorry for taking your time for no reason” Ohh his anger was at its peak. 

She ran behind him and caught him at the door.

“It’s your hard earned money, aise mujhpe”

“Who do I earn for?” “You family” “and you are?” was his immediate back question. Geet looked at him, came forward and hugged him

“Okay, whatever you wish. But don’t be this angry, please” she pleaded in his ears

“Don’t ever bring this again. If money is differentiating us, I am writing everything to Annie and we will be equal.” Geet held her ears and that at last brought a smile on Maan’s face. They went inside and Maan got his choice of bracelet and solitaire diamond earrings for her. There were bigger solitaire earrings as well but Maan did not like those on Geet, he selected the one that looked cute and the design was sophisticated, just for him to like it and not for the world to know what it costs.

******** 

Maan was calm by the time they reached Mansion. Geet has pleased him by all means. She was prepared to take all his anger and tantrums now, with all patience. She wanted to just spoil him, somewhat more than what he had done, though she doubted her own capabilities above him.

Geet hugged Dadima and Annie. 

“Is this the time to come?” Savitri Devi lovingly scolded them.

“If this is it now, what’s gonna happen after marriage Bhai and Geet” Annie added to the tease. Maan lovingly gave her a soft hit on the side of her head. 

“Ohh hoo, howz our new couple doing?” they all turned to Pari’s excited sound. Pari was accompanied by Dr. Armaan

“So you answer, howz our new couple?” Maan gave back to Pari and as they reached closer, Maan and Armaan shared a side hug. Annie hugged Pari and then Pari pulled Geet’s cheek “Who is troubling who” she raised her eyebrows, Geet blushed hard.

All then moved to the grand garden of Khurana Mansion. Geet saw the beautiful garden for the first time. It was bordered with long eucalyptus trees, followed by a series white and pink big rose plants, loaded with roses. There were then a series of packed small flower plants of various colors in patterns. The cute walking path with small cute pebbles bordered by well shaped bordering bushes. The path leads to the deck type area with classic tea tables and chairs. Just next was a beautiful European style statue with a small fountain, falling down to another series of small flowers. Geet was mesmerized with the cuteness and elegance of the garden. Maan was stealing glances at his Jaan. He could feel she liked it and that made him happy. It was all hers, if she wants to change anything, he was all in for it.

Later Geet was with Savitri Devi in the kitchen. They were talking casually “Maan will now be all busy, this whole month” spoke Dadima passing her the big bowl of casserole

“Anything special.” “Very. It’s Annie’s birthday next month.”

“Wow.. that’s great!”  “He goes all crazy to make it perfect.” Geet went into past

“I know. How he did the same for all my birthdays. After he left, I denied celebrating” Geet choked, Dadima hugged her “Now he is with you.” Geet nodded, gathering herself. Then Dadima suddenly asked

“Maan’s Birthday. I am sure you had ways to celebrate it, the way you are crazy for him” She asked casually but it was again a big hit for Geet. Did she do anything to make him feel special on his birthday? Mom-dad never celebrated it. Di and Veerji did try their best to make him feel special and what did she do? First would not attend the one that Di and Veerji arranged as she wanted to celebrate it her own way alone with him. Which in fact would just be her idea of being cozy with him. Maan would keep watching his watch all the while he was with Di and Veerji, as he would be tensed of her anger at him being late. But being with all his friends, he always got a bit late. He would somehow leave his own party for her, rush and make it to her by ten or ten thirty or sometimes even eleven. But by then she would have lost her temper, and instead of her making him feel special, he would spend all the time to please her.

“Geet” he would plead, she would turn her back to him

“Princess” she would push him far. He would hold his ears “Sorry” and she would smile doing all this his birthday would end. This is all she had done to celebrate his birthday

“Geet, where are you lost dear. I really wanted to see some pictures of his childhood birthdays.He said very less about his childhood and i don’t want to force him to say what he does not want to. You can tell me how you celebrated his birthday. He is so fond of birthdays for all of us. You must have pictures, can you share with me dear”

Geet was thinking of what to say when she was saved by one who’s culprit she was

“Dadima, Geet is great at organizing birthdays, ask me.” he turned at Geet

“Geet, Annie’s birthday is coming up and I want you to give her a surprise this time. Dadima, when you see her arrangement, you will get an idea of how great she did on my birthdays. You don’t need any picture” 

Geet looked at Maan, surprised. How smartly he saved her but how painful the fact was. He was hiding her truth, it was so filthy, she was so filthy. Dadima’s words ‘he is so fond of Birthdays’ rang in Geet’s head followed by her acts on that very day.

“So we will see Geet’s arrangement on Annie’s birthday this time” Dadima broke revere of her thought and guilt

“I will do Dadima. I will do my best to make it special” she looked at Dadima and then at Maan, as if confirming him. “Dadima, everyone one is out in garden, I am in my room” he left

After he left, Geet looked at Dadima. Dadima caressed her cheek “Go. Upstairs, two rooms straight and then left” 

Geet was rushing out “Geet slow, you are still recovering” and Geet slowed down for a while to again speed up.

Maan was standing by the window and checking some documents when Geet came and hugged him from behind. Maan soon felt his shirt wet with tears. He turned and she hugged him on his chest. He embraced her tight and she held his shirt tight

“Why do you even love me? What have I ever done to get love from you? You should hate me”

He separated her  a bit to look at her beautiful face “And then who will I trouble in the morning and who will I wake up late in night” she hit his chest 

“Okay, so it’s for that you love me?” she complained. He pulled her to him “No, for afternoons and evenings too” She hugged him tight

“I am sorry” 

“Don’t be. Those memories only bring a smile to my face. All those tempers were your love for me.” “Don’t try to cover up my mistake”

“I am not. The things that really hurt me, I will not hesitate to show my anger, I can’t you know. You saw it today.”

They had lunch and then Geet found out that Annie is going to India for a month as Adi has assigned her some study on current Indian Finance pattern. She will be back exactly on her birthday next month. Maan also has lots of trips piled up.