Partner of Life – Chapter 18

It has been a couple of months, Geet has settled in Maan’s bungalow in Worli. All security was set up around the building. Her office was set as well. Maan was in New York where his company had a merger with a big infrastructure company there. Geet had finalized the workshop location. Client meeting area was set up in a separate end of the bungalow she stayed at.

Geet was not left alone though. Annie and Meera made constant visits to her. They did girls night out, some weekends they kidnapped Geet to have family time with all. On the other hand Megha would keep giving her surprise visit with Rimmi, sometimes Aakash would visit as well. All in all, Geet was experiencing family life more than what she had experienced so far in her married life. Anyways, now she does not even miss or prefers to remember those times.

But Nina on the other hand was going under high pressure and her frustration was increasing day by day.

Megha, whom she thought was of no use, has left her and now she could not find anyone good to fulfill Megha’s position as well. The salary asked was high enough when her projects were already going downfall. No new projects were being approved by investor’s as Geet has set high expectations for them by her designs. She had hired a high salaried designer. He took a high paycheck but was no match with Geet’s talent and passion.

On the other side, as promised Maan did meet her in between. He cleared her that his relation with the company was based on profit. If he keeps getting the return on his investment he will continue with it. If the returns decrease he will cut off the investment. He made it clear to her, if she brings Geet’s name in the middle for any reason, he will take back all the investment instantly. Thus withholding Nina from speaking ill about Geet.

Geet held Meera and made her settle on the comfort chair “Feeling any comfortable?”

“Nothing’s helping. I think this one really wants to come out now. It’s troubling me like anything these days”

Geet gave her chilled water “Thanks Geet. I don’t know why Vicky have to go out of town in these days”

“Meera we are here, you don’t trust us” spoke Annie faking to be hurt

“But I can’t shout at you guys. I want to yell and he is not there” Geet and Annie both laughed

“And that’s the reason he left” Geet laughed 

“Laugh as much as you can. I will see when your time comes. Only Veerji cares for me” and that brought Geet to Maan. Not that he was not always on top of her mind but she got an excuse

“When is Maan coming anyways” Geet asked, trying to be casual but Meera and Annie could clearly see her restlessness.

“I think one more month he is away” Meera said with hidden smile and asked Annie to stay quiet

“One more month?” Geet asked and her disappointment could be clearly seen

“But I had idea he would be back this week”

“I think you should give him a call and ask him” Annie prompted Geet

“No-no, why should I disturb him during his trip” Geet had a hundred times wished to call him but what could she say the reason for her call.

But that day when Meera and Annie had instigated her, she was being tempted to call him. She was pacing in her room, picking the phone, leaving the phone, again picking the phone. After an hour of thinking she at last dialed his number and it was picked at just two rings.

“Hi Maan, how are you”

“Hi. Sorry I have not been able to call you. It was really very busy Geet” Geet did not say anything. How could she complain but she was hurt that he had not checked on her. 

“The things have been so critical here and I got a bit relaxed that everyone there is keeping you engaged.”

“Hmm… all are there” with what right could she say, all are there but he makes a difference. But her silence was enough for Maan to understand the unsaid restlessness. How could he not when he was going through the same.

“I will be there next week.” “Next week!!” she confirmed, a little excitement in her voice.

“Hmmm…. I will be there for a month this time and Nyru is staying for a week.”

“A week, really?” Geet was excited. She wished Nyra was with her more. But with what right could she ask for it.

“There is a parent’s teacher meeting and that Shetty has some business party that very day and as per Sam her presence is more needed there. So I’m bringing her here. Can’t let my daughter miss out on things due to her parents’ differences.”

“But Nyra…how is she feeling”

“Was sad at first that her mom will miss her day but now she is all excited.”

“Hmmm…” and then there was a pause from her

“Geet you want to say something?”

“Umm No. Everyone is here and they don’t let me stay alone. And I have work too, We have made good progress. I wanted to show you the progress.” She paused

“I know you have so many bigger things to handle”

“Looks like someone is missing my charming personality” He teased to lightened their heart

“I am missing you” she confessed as she could not hold anymore. 

“I will be there next week” It was all unsaid but both, very well knew each other’s importance in their life and also were aware of their importance in the other’s life. Only hindrance was they could not openly say it. One didn’t want to be an opportunist, the other didn’t want to be a burden. But in all this they could not hold their heart for falling more and more for each other each day.

Geet had been badly busy setting up the workshop. The interior was in progress. Rick was in charge of infrastructure and Maan was funding. So all Angelina and Geet had to do was place their requirements and ideas.

The top floor was designed for office purposes and would hold office staff other than workshop workers and designers . 

This floor held a separate office for four partners, plus two fully equipped conference rooms, a few general meeting rooms, office for Account head, Finance head, marketing head and cubicles for other office related staff.

Geet was in a room on the top floor of the building, talking with the contractor when she felt a tap on her shoulder. The masculine rich exclusive fragrance and aurafull closeness, she knew who it was.

“I will be back later” said contractor as Maan signaled him to leave 

“Sure”

She answered and turned to see Maan standing tall and broad close to her with a soft smile on his face.

She hugged him without a thought and he encapsulated her in the wide bear hug “Missed you” he said pulling her closer to him. 

She wanted to pour out, how she missed him, wanted to fight with him, how he could be so busy, wanted to tell him, it was so awesome with the whole family around her but still how she looked for him everywhere.

“How was your tour” “Busy like anything but we did make some breakthrough” 

“Great!!! It’s so amazing how you manage business all around the world. I have just entered into it and it’s so overwhelming”

“You are so strong. You are doing it all alone and so wonderfully” he appreciated her but it triggered her frustration

“I hate trying to be strong and prove I can do it all alone. Why do I need to prove myself? I am strong and can do it all alone. All through life, I have been doing it and it doesn’t stop” 

Maan placed finger on her lips and pulled her to him

“Shhhh… you are not alone, you know right? You can loosen and be weak, at least with me.” 

He pulled her in a hug for a long time, not wanting to separate, hold her, calm her, assure her, he was there. 

Maan then made her sit on the sofa there and sat beside her. He held her hand in his

“I am there, all for you Geet. Don’t for a second feel you are fighting life alone. That will be my failure then.” Geet turned and tears slipped down her cheeks. It was getting so unbearable to hold. He was so more than good for her, so desirable. But why was it sin for her to imagine him as her reality?

Maan placed his finger on her face and placed the curls on her face behind her ears. Geet let him do it. He wiped her tears from his thumbs

“Don’t hold Geet. Anything in your heart troubling you then just tell me.”

“It’s all my fault” she jerked his hand. His soft closeness, his submissions were only making her weak to hold.

“Nothing is your fault. It’s my fault I am not understanding” he again wiped her tears “Don’t bring them please” Geet had no idea how restless Maan was getting seeing the tears in her eyes.

“I am being greedy, is that not my fault? My wishes and expectations are rising, it is all my fault. You gave me your friendship, family…” Before she could speak further Maan placed finger on her lips

“Bas” he cupped her face in his palms as she held his shirt to push him away but he was not leaving her.

“Geet, several times I have told you, this friendship is equally important for me.I cherish each moment with you.”

“But I am being greedy, greedy for something more. I simply don’t know.” Tears slipped her cheeks. His two months away and being busy in his work, not being able to call her has made her feel his absence. She had ached for his presence. Long time in her life she has not experienced such emotional pull and now when she was feeling it strongly each day and she knew it was not the reality of her life, she felt frustrated, suffocated.

Maan made her look up “It’s same here” he kept looking at her face, her hazel eyes kept looking at his face. Maan brought her closer and placed his lips on hers. She shivered with new closeness but opened her lips. Maan pushed his tongue inside, Geet just let him. Maan was not thinking of consequences. He just needed to calm her and himself. Geet came closer as Maan sucked deeper into her mouth. He brought her closer, indicating participation. Geet slowly moved her tongue inside his mouth as her hold on his shirt tightened. It was such a different feeling of ownness. His tongue ravished her and she has her tongue inside his. The kiss deepened and tears kept flowing down her cheeks as she poured her heart out in that kiss. After long, Maan separated, looked at her face and simply wiped her face. She smiled and looked down. He again cupped her face and lifted it

“We knew what we did.. Hmmm” “Hmmm…” she nodded

Maan could not let her go in guilt when all he had done was pour out his held feelings seeing her tears.

“Don’t ever feel you are alone, or think you don’t have the option to take it easy. It hurts deep. Whatever you feel, whatever you want, you will let me know. Promise me” She said nothing, simply had her eyes fixed on his handsome face.

“Promise me.” she nodded yes. 

He held her hands in his “My life is complex but if….. “ He moved one hand on her cheeks and caressed her “Just take it easy dear and know I am there, whatever way is needed… I am there for you”

She again nodded and moved to hug him and Maan ofcourse pulled her in his embrace soothing their hearts again.

“Okay now, I have so much to talk to you but first I need your help” 

“Just tell me whatever you want from me.”

“So, there’s parent’s teacher’s Meeting in Nyru’s school. I have no idea what to talk to a kindergarten teacher. And what does little one studies that I need to talk to her teachers”

Geet laughed “Maan Singh Khurana, a business Tycoon, cracking big deals is scared of talking to Kindergarten teacher” Maan got lost in her laugh, smiled and turned to save his happiness.

“Shut up now. Stop making fun of me.” Did he actually mind it,No. Anything that can bring laugh on her face

“Listen, you are coming with me to her school”

“Okay, let me know the time and day” “Day after tomorrow Morning”

“Hmmm… when is Nyru coming?”

“Today evening. I want you to come with me to pick her. Will you?”

“You don’t need to ask but do you think it will be right for me to be there”

“Why what’s the problem” 

“No, I mean, if Sameera takes it otherwise” 

“Why do I care, whatever way she takes?”

“Won’t it affect if you will try for Nyru’s custody”

“Not try but I am going to fight for her custody now. I cannot let my princess be a second class citizen there. I left her with Sam so that my daughter does not miss mother ‘s love but now that Shetty is hell bent on showing his class and when Sam cannot stand for her own daughter, I am done. You just be ready, I will pick you up in evening”

“Okay” 

Geet and Maan were seated in the cafe sipping their coffee as they waited for Sameera to make her presence with Nyra.

Geet was wearing a high neck body hugging sleeveless black top which ended three inches below her curves, leaving her petite waist to sneak a little and a long A-Line side slit printed skirt ,starting just below her navel and reaching an inch below her knee, four inches high belly. She had a long semi precious stone one line necklace and a big round earring. She had a low ponytail. 

Great amalgamation of style, grace and simplicity.

Maan was seated in his casual, round neck body fitting black Tee and tight fitted black jeans. Dressed to kill any girl there.

Sameera entered with Nyra followed by Ashish. Maan’s blood boiled as his eyes went on Ashish and he tightened the fist to get in control. Geet placed her hand on his, calming him down.

Sameera did not miss Maan’s calming in expression with the girl’s touch on him. Ashish burned seeing immense beauty with Maan. He had snatched his wife and daughter from Maan Khurana. Left him to wander in the world and keep yearning for his daughter. He intentionally let him know his daughter was a second hand citizen in his house so that Maan Khurana can suffer and do nothing. Court will not grant  him custody of his daughter as he was not a married family man and he was sure Maan would never marry. But today seeing an extremely angelic beauty of class seated with him, burned him.

Sameera on other hand could not believe Maan could come close enough to any girl so as to bring her with him to pick his daughter.

Till now everything was as per Sameera’s wish. They got divorce as she moved on with Ashish but Maan would never move on because his daughter was his priority. She was leading a life with Ashish, moving ahead with Ashish’s baby inside her. Ashish was never as good in bed, looks, mannerism and respect as Maan but he had lured her in the start and she had found everything fancy. Maan had asked her for a year of support and patience from her, till he established his own foot but Sameera has lost patience. She had hated it when she had to just be a mother to Nyra and spend her youth just being a mother and Maan roamed around for business. Ashish took the opportunity to allure her and she left Maan taking an year old Nyra with her. Maan had taken all the rudeness of hers but cheating is something he could not bear.

Seeing a girl with Maan made a jealousy run through her and she could now see what she has lost. But things have gone beyond her reach now as she has come too far and Ashish was no gentleman like Maan, in case she even thinks otherwise. Nor was Maan any interested in her. He had completely detached himself from her. Only Nyra between them mattered to him. 

Anyways, she was going to be a mother and Ashish was way demanding on her keeping focus on him and his baby to come. But the realization fell clear on her today.

“Dadda” Nyra ran to her daddy and Maan got up and bent to pick her in his arms. She kissed her Dadda’s face all over and then saw Geet with smile on her face

“Gee-eet” she shouted in excitement and Maan handed Nyra to Geet.

“Girlfriend?” Sameera asked, looking at Geet. She did not miss Nyra’s comfort with Geet. It was clear, Geet was close enough.

“Nothing of your concern. You can go enjoy your husband’s party”

Ashish who was running with jealousy could not stop himself “Jealous, your ex wife enjoying life with her husband”

“I do not comment on something that doesn’t matter to me or to someone who doesn’t matter to me. Looks like you are too eager and interested in my thoughts” Maan taunted with his devilish smirk

“Ashish come let’s go” Sameera dragged him knowing other than his cunning game, Ashish nowhere stood against Maan.