Dheere Dheere Se – Chapter 18

“No, first you promise, you won’t ask me to break the relationship, ever. You are free to do it, but don’t ever ask me”

“Fine, I won’t.” She got up

“But Geet, my question of why you said yes is still on.. Aaj nahi toh kal… jawab to tumhe dena padega”

Geet did not say anything.

By the time Maan dropped her home it was 9pm.

“Good night..”

“Good night”

“Take care”

“Ji… drive safe” “hmmm…” and he left after they wished bye like partners to be.

After he reversed, turned to find the way and then drove away, Geet rang the bell. As expected she was welcomed with a disgusting face. Titu, signaled her, to inform that danger lay ahead.

“Wow.. the princess is back”

“Sorry chachi, woohhh he wanted to have some talk”

“Talk?? What did you do that he had to talk about? I always knew, he is from such a high profile family, he must be doubting his decision. And look at you.. Other than this beautiful face, what do you have” Her Chanchi spoke in a breath. She felt relieved as her jealousy got a balm.

“No Chachi nothing to worry… he just took me for coffee as we got engaged so suddenly and we were not prepared.” That rose and Aunt’s anger. 

“Ohh so madam going for tea coffee with her fiancé and just dropping a message. You did not think that you should take permission”

“I was Chachi… but Maan sir said, as I was with him, informing should be good”

“In the name of your fiance… you did insult us.  And what is this, coming at 9 pm? Do you think, being married in an officer family, you are already an officer. Even your would-be just has value because he is from an officer family. Ek startup kohl lene se kya bahut bada businessman ho gaya… you know, he is the weakest in the family that is why that high profile family selected an orphan like you… ” It was okay till she spoke against Geet but Geet could not take a word against her Maan sir

“Chachi… he will be your son in law, please for that sake speak about him with respect. And he is not the weakest in the family. All are equal. You know he had cleared civil services with the highest rank but declined because he has to do his startup. And to let you know, it’s not just a startup. He has grabbed a fifty million dollar project by beating the multinational top bidder” Geet said in a go, her voice little higher as she could not take his insult.

But that earned her hard slap from her Uncle and Aunt, both. Uncle could not bear her raising voice to his wife and for her aunt, same and additionally jealousy of knowing his success. Geet is getting so much, she could not tolerate it.

“First, you leave with a one line message, coming back at 9 and now raising your voice. Remember, we are still your guardian.” warned her Uncle

“If he drops the idea of marrying you, remember, you will be still staying here with us. So do not fly high”

Other than Titu, who was a little boy, no one in this house was there to speak to her with love. To ask her, what all her fiance would say to her, love her as she would soon leave, tease her, talk to her about her wedding dress etc. Geet was a dreamer, she dreamt of all these small things as part of her marriage. But she knew this dream was far from coming true. 

“Now will you go make dinner or we all should sleep hungry…?”

“Dinner now? Chachi, it was just a day’s matter. It’s 9:30 at night…” Her aunt came closer and held her cheeks tightly in her palm and pressed her cheekbones

“So you expect me to keep dinner ready for you and you roam around with your fiance”

Geet was so hurt “Is it wrong if I expect this little.. Kal sagai hui hai meri, todha janne ke koshish kee unhe.. Apko to khush hona chahiye” and she got another slap from her uncle

“How dare you talk in such a tone with your Chachi. You are telling her what to do and what not to do… ek din me itne per nikal gayee…”

Geet at last left for the kitchen to make dinner for the family. Titu had been served by her aunt, the rest were waiting for her to make dinner.

Geet was quietly making dinner but their harsh words, and slaps were haunting her throughout. She could not even think of her talks with Maan’s sir and dwell on them. These people made sure to spoil her mood of meeting her fiance.

Geet had cried the whole night and went to the office without a word, fluffy eyes, a simple suit and minimal touch up.No earrings, no bracelet… she just left the house.

At the bus stop, she saw a bookstand and a book attracted her attention. She bought that book thinking it would help her divert from their harsh words and acts.

Geet has been in her cabin since morning. Luckily Maan sir was not available until 11 am. 

“Don’t you have work that you are reading, Miss Handa” came sharp words of Shasha

“Ma’am, I do not have much work as sir is not there and I am not able to focus.”

“Why?? You are not suppose to think of your fiance in office hours”

Geet was in no mood to get into another argument “Okay ma’am”

“Why are your eyes fluffy?? Wait, you are crying…” “Ma’am please” 

“Whatever… why do I care” and she left. Maan saw Shasha leaving Geet’s cabin.

He immediately rushed to see Geet and his doubt got confirmed when he saw Geet whipping her tears

“What did Shasha say?” his sudden question took Geet’s attention. She immediately wiped her tears, which were randomly coming out today

“No sir Nothing. I will bring coffee for you” Maan entered in and slightly closed the door of her cabin and held her by her arm

“What did she say that brought tears to your eyes. Muh me juban nahi hai tumhare” His concern filled anger was like a balm to her broken heart

“Sir, Shasha ma’am said nothing to bring tears in my eyes”

Tears in her eyes were making him restless and her denying angered him. He held both her arms and pulled her to him in jerk. Geet’s heart felt at peace seeing his anger for her. Any other girl would think otherwise of being held like that but for Geet, who has never seen her family being angry with her for her, this looked like a dream. 

“Then what’s the matter, tell me”

“Sir, nothing serious. You don’t worry”

“Nothing serious, really? See your swollen eyes, they are red and these..” his eyes went on marks on her face. Geet tried to turn and hide but Maan held her straight

“And these marks…someone hit youuu..” his face was filled with anger.  Geet was quiet, looking here and there. He pulled her towards him

“Bologiiii?”

Geet stayed mum for a while “sir you should not worry”

“I should not worry… yes… your eyes are red, you were crying.. These marks on your face.. I should not worry…”

“Yes sir, you should not worry. You should not bother with these things”

“Fine.. mat batao. I will make Mom or Bhabhs call you. Maybe you can tell them” he turned in anger but Geet held his wrist from behind

“Geet stopping me won’t work” he said not looking at her

“Sir, idhar dekhiye na…” she requested so softly, Maan turned and saw fresh layers of tears in her eyes. He immediately took handkerchief from his pocket and very softly wiped her tears

“Geet…” 

“Sir, I was reading today, few tips for good relationship”

Maan looked at her confused, “That’s making you cry… these books are rubbish..”

“No Sir… one of the main tips was that we should not hide things from our partners..” Maan sighed. Of course this girl was one of her own kind, she followed books for her job role of personal secretary and now she is reading books for their relationship. From where does she get such unique ideas? As of now the book was in his favor so he stayed mum

“So, you know you should tell me..”

She nodded “As per this book, I should tell you but not sure if I should…”

“Geet, follow the book and tell me..” Maan said hurriedly before she changes her mind

“Sir…” and she hesitantly but genuinely told him what happened. Maan’s anger rose that they hit her not once but multiple times

“It’s not done… Do you get that?” 

“I don’t know why they were so harsh.. They wished for me to get married soon and now they were irritated “

“I do not care what they wish or not.. you are engaged to me and part of my family.. we do not allow anyone to raise a hand on our family.. especially girls … “

“Sir don’t worry it won’t happen again.. I will try to not react.. but what could I do.. had they said anything to me I would have been quite but they started speaking wrong about you”

“First, you need to react when they speak anything against you.. such people are not your guardians. Second, why have you reacted to them for saying anything to me? I don’t care”

“I do care” he looked at her intently and then softly pulled her to him, “Why?”

Geet did not know what to answer and stayed silent

“Why do you care Geet?”

“Why can’t I, if you can worry about my tears” Maan kept looking at her

“You cannot escape my question by placing another on top of it. For now go to Sam, she will help you fix your crying face”

Geet pouted “Main buri lag rahi hoon”

“Right, roti hui bilkul acchi nahi lagti…  fight but don’t cry… and if Dad knows you cried for any reason with me being around, you don’t know the long lectures that I will get… for my sake, fight but don’t let anyone make you cry… get that”

“Ji” he left and a smile formed on her face…

His concerned and care filled scoldings made up for all the misbehavior she had to bear from her so called family

Sam took Geet with her. While fixing Geet with her makeup touch “Darling… this office does not only hold your boss but also your fiance, just a couple of days old. You are beautiful, but getting ready for them makes men feel special.. And you did exactly opposite”

“Nahi .. I didn’t mean to. Woooh…”

“No worries… he was more worried about your tears but these are elder sisterly tips. Did he say how much he likes you…”

“Woo mujhe kahan pasand kerte hain…” Sam hit her head mentally… 

“Whole world can see and she is saying… perfect partner…” Sam thought in her mind

Sam got an earring and handed it to Geet “wear them for today.. Tomorrow, wear yours.. Don’t keep your ears empty”

“Ji… it’s ok. I am fine” 

“You are fine, someone else is not. I don’t know about his feelings but one thing I know is he does not like your ears without your jhumka…”

“Does he care?..” Geet said in a low voice but Sam heard it.

“That is for you to understand. He was rumbling.. Bura haal bana rakha hai.. Jhumka bhi nahi dala… so dear, at least wear these for today” and Sam made her wear the earrings

Pari and Pinky also came there to take care of Geet. Maan sent all the girls to his fiance.

“Geet, are you okay” came from worried Pari

“What happened dear..” came Pinky and cupped her face

“I am okay.. Do not pay so much attention.. I feel awkward. I am used to it”

“Geet, no you should not be used to it. And next time if you cry… your fiancé is going to send all the girls in the office to check and care for his fiancé… isliye… hum sab per daya karo and don’t let anyone make you cry…”

“You all love me so much… I can’t believe”

“You see our love.. Aur kisi ka nahi dikhta..” asked Pari, obviously hinting at Maan

“Ji… I am his responsibility….  He told me. I am going to be his wife…bas isliye..”

“Bas isliye..” all girls repeated and shook their head

***********

Nanda was cribbing and cleaning the kitchen.

“At least till she gets married, she can stay in the house and help with chores. The company she works in, is her would-be’s, why does she then need to do the job… see her luck, this orphan girl got such a family and her husband owns the company… kitne ka project bata rahi thi” she asked her husband

“Fifty million dollars…”

“She needs to give all her salary to us… “ the bell rings and Nanda goes to open the door. She finds Maan standing on the gate. Fifty million dollar runs in her head

“Maan puttar… come.. come in”

“I am not here to sit… just to let you all know and remember that Geet will now be my wife and daughter in law of our house. Once the alliance is fixed, she is already the member of my family”

“Haan ji… bilkul bilkul… now all her duty is for your family… you can ask her to take care of your family from now… hume kya… seekhna chahiye ghar kaise sambhalna hai”

“I am not here to tell you about her duty.. I am here to tell you that now it is my duty that she is always happy and no one even dares to make her sad or cry or trouble her. We do not give rights to anyone to raise their voice, eyes or hands at girls of our family”

Nanda and Sudhir immediately understood

“She complained??? This type of girl she is. You should also be careful of such girl” Maan’s anger rose and his hands were shaking with their talks

“Listen, let me come straight… “ He forwarded the envelop to Nanda

“This is a 2 lakh cheque on top of what Geet is paying you each month from her salary but remember after this, I don’t want a single drop of tears from her eyes. After marriage we will take care of her, till then this cheque should be enough for you to make sure she enjoys her days here. Give her the feel of her mother’s house which pampers their girl before marriage.”

Nanda’s hands itched to take the cheque, “No… no.. you are our son-in law, how can I take money from you. Though expenditure of marriage is upcoming but we will manage”

“Take this, I will not let anyone know nor will you. Geet should not know of this. And you should not worry about marriage expenditure, we will handle that. You just make sure, Geet is pampered here till marriage”

He handed her the cheque and Nanda immediately took it. “Not a single drop of tears in her eyes from now on or else you know the position my family is in and what all complaints can be filed against you both…”

Sudhir immediately got scared “We are your in-laws beta.. And it’s a family matter.. Apni bachchi ko toh dante hain na … agar late hojaye toh ghabrahat hoti hai… she is a child so didn’t understand our love and made complaints to you”

“Mr. Sudhir Handa, I very well know how much of a family you are for her. But this is just the matter of two months, so keep this money as the price to keep her happy and make her feel like a bride-to-be. She should enjoy this phase and not keep crying all the time”

“Heen-heen” came Nanda forward

“We will keep her happy.. I will not make her do any work at home… I will have to hire someone to do household work… itne paise me khush bhi rakh loongi and hire someone as well… You don’t want her Chachi to do all the work while she only rests… right beta… Aapka waise bata rahi this bohut bada project mila hai… she was very proud of you… we just said few words against you and she poured all this”

Man keenly looked at the leech these people were “You can hire the person for household work till she is here, I will transfer the money to that person’s account directly”

“Humen de dijiyega.. We will pay directly…”

“No… you hire, I will pay..”

“Okay ji.. And do you want us to get some shopping done for her as well… I mean to make her feel like a bride-to-be..”

Maan could now feel the condition in which Geet was staying. He is not able to bear them for a few minutes and she has to bear them all the while she is at home. Still that girl is so positive, keeps doing silly stuff around him and is able to say no to him. She cannot say no to these people. At least she feels freedom to say her wishes and point of view to him.

“Okay… I will send three lakhs of additional cheque. For your and hers shopping. I may ask for the receipt so be aware of how you spend them..” he gave them false warning

“Thank-you ji… it does not feel nice to take money from you but what to do… we do not have money to pamper you fiancé…” said his uncle

“Cut the crap and focus on what I have said. Anyways, we will do the major marriage preparations and Geet will mostly be late. I will drop her whenever she is late. She may be busy shopping with my family or me, I do not want any hindrance in that… is that clear”

“Jahan le jana hai le jaiye… aapke hai woh…”

“And one last time – if she knows of this you both are gone”

Maan returned from there after buying her happiness. He knew, the ethical type that she was, she will be very upset with him if she comes to know of it. But does that matter, she anyways does not like him. Businessman that he was, he did the deal. Practical that he was, he knew the only way to deal with these people was money. His ethical family and sensitive Geet will not understand this.