Partner of Life – Chapter 24

“Yes Mom. I promise I will never let my past come into the memory. I will belong to this family and Maan wholly”

“Good… and that means you are not shying away from what this family of yours give you just like we will not shy away from showing our rights on you”

Geet laughed “I promise”

“And that means, you are showing your tantrums to our great Maan Singh Khurana and demand his time and attention with full authority”

Geet laughed “I will”

With that Sandhya was done laying innumerable exclusive sets on the grand dresser in front of Geet. Geet wondered what they were for?

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“How do you like these jewels, Geet? You are a great fashion designer, so I am scared if you will like them. They are all designed as per my taste?”

“Beautiful and Elegant!!! Just like you”

“You really like the design?”

“Yes Mom.. OMG they are so beautiful and classy.” she picked one on her hand

“The gems in this one and the pearls in that one.. So wonderfully done. You designed them!!!” Sandhya smiled

“I like designing jewels. I design and then send it to our exclusive manufacturer, who makes them for us. They cannot make another copy of them”

“That’s why, they are so unique and beautiful”

“There are others locked inside the box and bank lockers, but these I exclusive got out to show them to you”

“Thanks for showing me your art work and such exclusive and expensive jewels. I can keep looking at them for hours”

“Then try them on and show me…”

“Me???” 

“Wear them and show me”

She made Geet wear a beautiful heavy jarao set, which gave the Royal look to Geet. Sandhya fixed her mangtika, “It looks like they are made for you, so beautiful they look on your face”

“Mom… “ Geet blushed. Sandhya lifted her chin but by that time she was called by Nakul 

“Madam ji, Dadima is calling you”

Sandhya left but Maan reached the room while looking for his Mom. 

“Mom…” Geet turned and their eyes met and stayed locked. Geet could not move her gaze away due to shyness covering her. What would Maan think, she was all decked up in the exclusive jewelry. Maan on the other hand was mesmerized by the glimpse of the bridal look of Geet. He had always seen her in her professional avatar or in her casuals in her bungalow. The beauty radiating from her new look was making his heartbeat race, raising a new desire of seeing her as his bride.

Geet could not take that intense look of his and went to the dresser to get those jewels off her. She settled on the dresser, looked up in the mirror to find him standing behind her, his eyes fixed on her image in the mirror. Nervous with his intense gaze, Geet looked down and placed her shaky hands on left earring. The earrings were heavy and her hand shaky, she fumbled getting them off knowing his eyes were fixed on her face. Geet was still fumbling when she saw him bending and his hands on her earing, softly removing her hand from there

“May I?” Geet removed her hand and lowered her gaze in answer.

Maan took his own good time to get the earrings off her as he was himself lost in her beauty. She looked out of the world and she was his. After removing one earring he moved to another and Geet turned slightly to give him better access. 

Maan placed his hands on another earring, bending little, fanning his heavy warm breath on the bare part of her shoulder, sending sensations all through her. Geet tightened her fist to control her overflowing emotions.

Maan was lost thinking, when had he ever imagined that he would even have the guts to propose to her and that further she will accept it. Even with his baggage of problems, he has been helpless from his heart and proposed to her and she has accepted his most unromantic proposal. Now she will be his, she is his, he could not believe it.

Maan placed his hands on the thread of the heavy necklace, his fingers automatically played there as he loosened the thread, Geet tightened her fists further and closed her eyes to control the urge to be held tightly by him.

Thankfully Maan was done removing all her jewelries by the time his mom entered the room “Geet”

 She called out, making Maan straighten himself and Geet quickly standing up. Matured Sandhya smiled at them, somewhat understanding their plight.

“Geet, Nyru is looking for her best friend”

“Yes Mom, I will go check on her”

“Maan, I guess you called us all in your room for something” Reminded Maan of his own call.

“Yes mom, let’s go”

He looked at Geet, smiled and left.

A month passed by, Geet being busy working with Angelina and her team for the dresses to be supplied to their main store. All ranges of clothes had to be there but very few pieces of each design, to make it exclusive. 

Maan’s great marketing team were set up for promoting the product and the effect did work as the first week’s response was beyond Geet’s expectation. Maan got busy with his other projects and high level monitoring of his own company. Of course, most of his time went on leadership meetings of different projects and investments and to set up leaders on their toes.

Other than this, he made sure to steal time from his busy schedule and spend time with his princess. 

Nyra was definitely loving it as she was getting love and utmost care attention from the whole family. With her mother, she always had to wait for her mother to give her attention and the little kid has even stopped expecting attention from another family member. Here the whole family not only pampered her but she was their princess. 

Meera was on break with her little one and Nyra. But Geet has taken on herself to look after Nyra’s all needs. Nyra has left her mother and come here. Geet never wanted to take her mother’s place but decided to ensure Nyra did not miss anything  because she was staying with one parent. So she would go every evening to check on Nyra and spend a couple of hours with her and family. Not knowing, Nyra was getting immensely close to her as even her mother did not give her this much attention. 

In between,  Megha  as well visited her with Simmi when sometime Geet brought Nyra with her to her bunglow. Geet would work and chat with Megha, while the two little girls would play. 

It was Friday and Geet had been called by Sandhya to visit Khurana Mansion. When Geet entered the hall, she found it unusually dark. The panic ran down her, is all good? Why has mom called her like this and why was it all dark? Is everything all good? Uncertain and with fear, Geet stepped inside and before she could realize that the hall was decorated, the lights went on and party Confetti Poppers blown filling the air with sparkly bits

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!” came in loud unison. It was then Geet observed everyone around and the wonderfully decorated hall and a huge light banner that said

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY – GEET’

Whole of Maan’s family, Megha with her family and Angelina and Rick – all of them dressed for a wonderful birthday party thrown for her.

Geet could not believe this. Tears appeared in her eyes as she closed her mouth with her palms

She looked at Maan, knowing it must be him “Thank-You” she mouthed to him. Before tears could fall off her eyes, he came and hugged her tight

“Happy Birthday Dear” he whispered to her

“Hey hey.. We are all involved in organizing this for you.. You can’t be partial” complained Megha.

Geet laughed and thanked everyone. This was the first time she was celebrating her birthday, this grand.

Annie pulled Geet “Now it’s time for birthday girl to get ready”

“Nooo….”

“Yeeessss….” and Annie pulled her up.

In half an hour Annie got the Birthday girl ready and down in the party hall.

Everyone wished the birthday girl and presented her with the gifts. Everyone presented her with a special gift. Sandhya presented her one of her exclusive designed jewelries. 

While Nyra was sticking herself with Geet. She was a birthday girl’s bestie and everyone should know that. As the gifts came on she looked at the gift boxes in excitement.

Geet bent to her “We will open the gifts together, whichever you like will be yours”  She cutely hugged Geet and placed a kiss on her cheek.

Everyone waited for Maan’s gift.

“Maan what is your gift?” Maan smiled and went to Geet and asked for the mic from the DJ.

Annie quietly took Nyra aside in pretext of her favorite icecream.

Maan went in front of Geet, “Geet, on your birthday, I present myself to you. If you can bear me please accept me in your life and brighten my life by becoming part of my life.”

Geet was blushing hard when Maan surprised her further and sat down in front of her on his one knee

He opened a box which had a beautiful diamond ring, Geet’s eyes widened when she looked at the ring. The ring had a 5 carat center diamond piece surrounded by Triple Row Diamond Rollover of 1.5 carat diamonds on outer row and approx 2.5 carat diamond throughout in center row.

“Maan!!!” 

“Please allow me”

Everyone, family and friends hooted. Maan looked at them with his stern eyes. This was his family, the high class Khurana Family unreachable to others but this crazy with each other

Geet did not know what has she done to get such special proposal and this gran ring from Maan

“Maan…” she was still stunned. Not able to believe that she is so special to get all this. All her life, she has never felt she could be special to anyone other than Megha but this…..

“Go ahead Bhai…” hooted Vicky

“Yes Bhai… do it” Added Annie

“Veerji Veerji” Meera shouted

“Maan, man do it” added Rick

Maan looked at them

“Geet…” He looked into her eyes

“Maan”

Maan took a deep breath. This man who had never been slightest of nervous to launch millions and billions of project, his heart was beating fast

“Will you marry me Geet” he did it, at last. Geet had tears in her eyes. Maan the man she adored and the only man she has desired but could never believe he could be hers. He cared for her most, was her best friend, she also had feelings of possessiveness regarding him, he had indirectly proposed to her,  still she believed he was way beyond her league. And today he was on his knees proposing to her.

“Geet, do not scare me… bolo na, will you marry me? Will you be my partner for life?” Maan broke her thought process

Geet’s eyes were twinkling with tears and she nodded in yes 

“Of course Yes, I will. Can’t believe…” before she could say more he slid the ring in her finger and the entire hall echoed with the sound of claps.

Maan got up and Geet without caring of the whole crowd cocooned herself in his embrace while Maan pulled her closer

After Geet was composed, they stood side by side, Maan held Geet’s hand to show everyone the ring on her finger and beautiful pictures were clicked.

Then the party continued, with Maan and Geet officially sharing time together. Family decided to not spoil their wonderful time by teasing and gave the couple their time. Meera and Annie kept Nyra busy with Simmi and Veer.

Maan and Geet took their seats around the decorated table. They got their plate filled with little food and settled. Their eyes met, blush covered Geet’s face and she looked down.

Maan moved his hand forward and placed on Geet’s and pressed it

“Maan” she spoke all shy

“Don’t stop me now Geet because now I won’t. I will now not stop to show you how this heart goes restless in your presence. You now cannot stop me from reading these beautiful eyes of yours, the innumerable stories behind them. I will unravel them all” 

Redness on her face only increased as her heartbeat was high. Never having experienced those feelings, her desire rose to peak. How she wished, Maan would not be that decent when he is unraveling her. A forbidden desire covered her, making the red hue cover her face

Maan looked all over her red face “Gosh Geet.. You are mine… you were mine.. Always”

She looked up at him “Always.. It’s only in your embrace that I have found peace and warmth”

Maan smiled and raised his eyebrows. A new naughtiness in his eyes “don’t blame me when this embrace becomes your reason of restlessness”

“Unnn  hunn… Ayye hyee… why I have to be the culprit to disturb the love birds” Annie broke in

“Annie…” Maan looked at her with stern eyes

“Bhai all are gone, media and guests. Rick and Angelina left as well and your other friends”

“Annie… ask our family to wait in the hall. I have to make an announcement”

“Abb aur kya Bhai… shadi ki date bhi nikalwa li kya”

“Annie… do as much as said”

Maan stood in center with Geet by his side and Nyra between them

“I have one more announcement to make… actually another gift for Geet and request her to accept it as it is very special to me”

Everyone including Geet stood confused 

“Geet, with you being my partner for life, I want you to be my equal partner in parenting my princess. I hand over my princess in your care. You can take any decision in her best interest. Though we will take decisions for her together but in any of our absence, you can take decisions for her with full rights. Will you consider Nyru as your daughter?”

Geet’s eyes were again glittery with emotions “You trust me with Nyra”

“Of course. I know you will take care of her more than me. I will roam around and you two can complain each other about me” he said making Geet laugh

Geet was again quiet for a while and then spoke again “Her mother…??” she asked uncertain

“Her mother is her mother and will always be but she is staying with us not and with her mother and my daughter deserves the motherly love that you can offer. Also, I have cleared it with Sameera, she has agreed that she would not interfere in Nyra’s upbringing. Trust me, she internally wants to be free from Nyru’s responsibilities”

Geet sat down and hugged Nyra tightly