DD – Chapter 43 – Change

Just like Maan had assured her, Geet was proved wrong in her fear. People actually genuinely welcomed her and appreciated her. She being a common lively girl by her original nature, soon forgot her fear and gelled well with the, Later Maan came and all employees who were having a gala fun time with Geet, turned back to straight face.

Maan wrapped his hand around his wife and led her out for a lavish lunch.

**************

They opted to dine at the sophisticated restaurant within a prestigious five-star hotel, which happened to be owned by her husband. As their car approached the hotel grounds, the movement could be felt. His designated parking spot had been cleared, allowing them easy access to the dining area. Accompanied by their bodyguard, they were greeted at the entrance by the hotel’s top executives, eager to impress the influential boss. It was no secret that he enjoyed the deference shown to his authority because it was his hard-earned power and these people led lavish lifestyles because they worked for him. After all, as the saying goes, the Devil doesn’t believe in humility.

As they welcomed the power couple in all ways, Maan just acknowledged with a curt nod  while Geet gave a much warmer, appreciative nod.

They were escorted to a gorgeously adorned private dining area. Geet glanced around, puzzled. Why bother coming to the restaurant if they were going to eat in a secluded room with no one else around? After all, the chefs at home were exceptionally skilled. But then again, that was her husband—unable to do anything like common folk.

Geet didn’t mind the idea of having lunch in private; in fact, she preferred avoiding crowds. However, she questioned whether she should set aside her inner conflict for Maan’s sake. He has blocked himself from the world, intentionally maintaining a distance from others by exerting control over those around him. Geet understood that the pain he had endured from humans in his youth had made him determined to keep his distance. Yet, this behavior had also caused emotional turmoil within him. Despite the medical support and her constant presence by his side, she longed to completely free him from this emotional imbalance.

Maan looked at his wife; he could sense, she looked skeptical about private dining.

“You don’t like the ambience?” 

“You wanted me to enjoy being between people. This is such an exclusive restaurant, would it not be great to experience the wonderful vibe that people experience here” she hinted indirectly

Maan looked at her, maybe not this one but the original Geet, who was a spontaneous girl, would have definitely loved to enjoy it with people. 

He pressed the button and instead of waiter, the manager himself was present for the service

“Get a nice table arranged for us in main dining area” he ordered

“But sir, you always prefer…”

“My wife prefers between people and that’s what I prefer”

“And can you just let the regular waiter serve us. You can continue with the work you are hired for” Geet added

“Sure ma’am” he bowed and then turned to Maan “Sir, give us ten minutes. table will be ready”

Maan nodded.

The lavish lunch was laid. Geet admired the exclusivity of the ambience and food. 

“You are the best” He bent to her “Because I keep the best near me” he winked hinting at her.

His husky druggy voice always did something to her. She blushed and changed the topic “I am happy you are comfortable being between the people”

“I am used to getting people’s attention but only special ones get my attention. I don’t mind sitting in the crowd as there is someone special capturing all my attention to even notice anyone around” he said, raising his eyebrows and deadly smile on his face

Geet smiled, a soft blush surfacing on her features “So, you very well know how to flirt”

“You very well know what I am wishing to do at this moment? But respect, only flirt in public”

“Hmmm hmm…. “ she laughed

“aise hansa karo na, achchi lagti ho” Maan said suddenly, his soft tone surprised Geet.

Geet looked at him. 

Coming  back to his normal form, he changed the tone “I mean, I hardly have seen you laugh this way. This is the real you, I guess”

“And the one I just saw is the hidden you”

He gave a small laugh and then nodded for no “That’s buried me. That was a weak young boy, it’s not me”

“It’s okay to be weak. Weakness gives you flexibility to not be the best, gives you space to be you”

“and give space to others to hurt you. I am happy being impregnable”

Geet remained silent. She had fallen in love with the Devil and accepted him as he was. However, she couldn’t ignore the toll it took on him. He was constantly vigilant, rigid, and maintained his guarded demeanor. She wished he could relax and simply enjoy life. She was certain he had seen and learned much about the world, but had he truly savored its offerings? she wondered.

As Maan elegantly lifted his spoon to his lips, his gaze drifted to his wife. She was stunning, her beauty transcendent and she was all his. Every piece of delicate jewelry she wore seemed more beautiful  as she adorned them. Her perfectly styled hair cascaded over her soft skin, tantalizing his senses as she took delicate bites. A sigh escaped him inwardly; she had refined herself to match his sophistication.

“You are a changed girl. The girl who took my attention initially was a completely different Geet. Where’s that girl, Butter?”

“Butter!!! here?” Geet gave him a  big eyes look, turned her head around, asking him to see the surroundings.

“What?? You do not expect me to place a filter on my words for these people. ”

Geet laughed but again with sophistication, Maan noticed.

“I want that girl back, that raw, stubborn girl, who was crazy to get to her Devil.”

“But you are still the same Devil who have taken my heart away”

“But you are craving for something more from me. Let’s make a deal” she looked at him, he gave a deep look into her eyes

“You give me back that crazy girl, I give you the Maan you are looking for. Who knows that crazy girl can bring out the one you are looking for”

Geet observed his handsome face, ohh.. she can whole life just sit and admire him but now she was lost in observing him.

He tirelessly worked to take away all her pain, determined to erase every trace of her hurt. To an extent that today, for her, he was prepared to embrace that hidden side of himself she had hinted at. Geet yearned for his genuine happiness, to witness his smile brimming with joy and mischief, not for her or anyone else, but purely for himself. She had yet to see him truly happy. 

Initially, his harshness to her was the symbol of his pain, and now this gentleness and attentiveness of his towards her, was driven by the sole purpose of ensuring her happiness. For his true happiness, she knew she had to let go of all her inhibitions.

“What are you lost in, Butter?”

Geet brought a naughty smile on her face and bent too close to him “challenge!! bring her back. Let me see if you can”

“Is that so? Devil never loses”  They played along but internally, all they wanted  was, the other to be more healthy in their approach to life. Maan wanted to bring back the lost Geet while Geet wanted him to get his happiness back.

*****

As Maan became occupied with his responsibilities for a few days, Geet got busy spending time with Dadima. The elderly woman, who had witnessed her grandson’s journey through pain and anger, now deserved her own moments of happiness.

Geet knew that even Maan, who often maintained a stern demeanor in front of his grandmother, cherished seeing her enjoy life. Despite their occasional banter and arguments, he had internally taken pleasure in her spirited responses. This one woman had consistently provided him with a sense of being a normal human. How could Geet not spend time with Dadima, engaging in conversations and helping to transform the palace into a true home? Though he might hesitate to admit it, Maan found himself growing fond of the idea of his Den becoming a home, due to the presence of these two wonderful ladies in his life.

Geet was also working on herself, to leave behind all sadness and inhibition and fill the life of her love with love and happiness.

***** 

Dadima was lost looking into something when Geet knocked the door

“Aayee aayee bete”

“What’s this Dadima?”

“See this jewelry set. How does it look?”

“Very pretty. But you have so many, what’s so special about this one”

Savitri Devi looked at Geet and Geet saw a small tear in the corner of her eyes. Geet felt heavy, such a strong woman, who has faced so much but never let tears touch her, had tears seeing this set.

“app roo rahin hain?” she asked softly

“Bohut khus hoon. yeh khushi ke aansoon hain, bete. My first birthday gift from my grandson. Usse yaad rehta tha mera din hamesha se.. pehli baar dikhaya usne… kaise na khush hoon”

“He wished you!!!” Geet felt so happy

“Not directly.” she laughed “It is not his thing to wish birthdays. Ohh I could feel it was so hard for him as if he was lifting a ton of weight”

“How did he wish?” Geet was excited imagining Maan, a stone like man wishing his Granny 

“Sit, I will tell you… first he came and tried gaining my attention by his  ‘unnnh unnhh’ and when I turned my attention to him, he forwarded this beautiful box to me – ‘I thought this will look good on you’. I bet Geet he was about to run away after handing me the box. He never wanted to show me that he was feeling emotional. But I am his Granny and it instantly struck me that it was my birthday. I poked him ‘ Grandson, do I need to teach you that you say Happy Birthday while wishing’ He was as if caught off guard ‘hmmm Happy Birthday’. And before I could show my thanks to him, he rushed out as if fire had caught somewhere” She laughed telling Geet the incident, again a teardrop forming at the corner of her eyes. Geet smiled and wiped that drop

“He loves you more than anything in this world” Geet said feeling for Dadima

“Happy belated birthday Dadima. Sorry, I did not make a note of it. We will plan a celebration”

“No need dear. I am happy that you are in his life. He loves you and that love is changing him”

“Never said so” Geet complained, twisting her lips sideways

“As if he says that to me day and night. One happy birthday was so hard for him” she laughed

“I feel Dadima, he somewhere wishes to show his emotion, he is just scared of showing it. He still has his heart closed to himself.”

“But he should open up, at least to you.” She caressed Geet’s face. Geet smiled.

“Okay Dadima, this tea I brought for you. It’s cold now. I will ask Mrs. D’souza to get one for you. I will check on your grandson”

“Go” Geet smiled and turned to leave

“bete..” she called out again “Ji Dadima”

“bete, I am not a shrink but from my experience and as much as I know my grandson, I feel,  it is only you, the original Geet in you, who can bring him back.”

Geen nodded with a smile. Dadima walked towards her “Even I need that Geet in this house. The one that I met initially in your clinic”

Geet nodded, as if noting the words down and then excused herself.

Maan was fixing his tie in the mirror, working to make it look perfect when Geet entered the room. Before Maan could realize her entry, she ran and hugged him tight from behind. A lopsided smile formed on his face “Butter, I have an important meeting to attend” he reminded her

But Geet was so overflowing with emotion; without realizing that he had just put on a new striking crisp white shirt, planted a kiss on his back. But soon realizing what she had done, she separated to check the result of her deed.

She closed her eyes tight, bit her lips “sorry”. But Devil was unfazed with what she had done. Her spontaneous kiss took his attention above anything else.  He turned, wrapped his hands around her waist

“Butter, you need to give proper sorry for what you did but I am in hurry now”

“Sorry” she squeezed her features and held her ears “i will get you a new one”

“Nope, I am going on this one”

“Maan!! this has red mark”

“Your mark. Now I am going in this only” he said leisurely sliding his hand under her shirt and playing his fingers on her skin. As usual, his touches filled her with sensations

“you have important meeting” her voice was low as she was melting by the way his hands were playing around with her soft skin

“Bring my waist coat. I will wear it on top of this. But do not forget to give me a proper apology once I am back” Geet smiled, looked at him, Placed a soft kiss on his cheek “sorry” and ran away.

Maan looked at her lips mark on his cheek in the mirror “Now how do I hide this?” but to his answer, Geet came with wet cloth and wiped the mark before he could react, made him wear his waist coat and was about to run away when he got hold of her by her arm

“Now, who allowed you to do it?”

Geet smiled. he had very important meeting but here he was being flirtatious

“Breakfast is ready and you have a very very urgent meeting” Maan narrowed his eyes, giving her a warning look

“Now, two apologies are due on you, one for placing that mark and other for getting this out, without permission”

“Okay” she smiled

That day’s meeting obviously went too well and Maan was very well able to get most on his terms due to his bright mood of carrying her marks with him all day. Who can deny the charm of Devil’s good mood. The day went busy with all the high profile meetings.

That evening he reached home eagerly, not forgetting about getting her apologies. But only to increase his anxiety, Geet had was out with Dadima when he reached home

“One more apology added, Butter” he muttered and gritted his teeth.

Maan was relaxed with the deal today at the business front, sipping his drink and planning how to get an apology from Butter when there was a knock on the door.

He turned to find Mrs D’Souza on the gate

“Baba – ma’am has sent these for you”

“hmmm… How are you Mrs. D’Souza?” 

“I am fine. Thanks for asking” she observed a change in him. It is very rare for him to ask about anyone else. How they are doing and what they are doing, he never cared. Maybe he cared for some old timers like her but never showed concern by words.

“Do you want anything else?” she enquired

“No. Why do I feel you want to say something”

“Ummm..” she hesitated but then said “I wanted a month off. My daughter is all set to take vows”

“Angel?” he enquired. She looked at him. Yes, he had always, behind the scene, kept note of people who were loyal and always around him. Yes, there were very few but she was one of them.Though, on the front,  he had always shown as being ignorant of their personal matters. 

Mrs. D’souza  had not expected that he would remember her daughter’s name

“Yes” she answered

“Well, regarding the off time, should you not ask the lady of the house?”

She nodded “Sure”

 “My concern Mrs D’Souza is,  are you not planning to invite me? Or do you think I will be a mannerless man even in your events? ” He looked hurt though tried well to not show it.

“No way I can think that way Baba. You know me better. Of course it would be an honor to have you there. But the venue and preparation won’t be up to mark for you to be present there”

“That’s all what you think about me?” Mrs D’Souza could see how he had started voicing his pain, though very little but yes. She always knew how emotionally attached he gets to few but if he does, he really does. All the while he had mastered keeping a hard immutable mask. That mask was falling now. Fearing to not bring him into emotional phase, she thought to speak something that he would love to hear

“How can I imagine not inviting you, is that possible? Invitation I thought should be given to the Lady of the house”

“ohh yeah. She is the boss of the house. Happy you remember that”

“Of course I do. Okay I will take my leave now” Mrs D’Souza turned

“Mrs D’Souza, The event should be lavish. People should know the perk of being loyal to The Devil. You need not think of expenditure, Geet will take care of it.” 

“Sir…” 

“Will you now let me see the package from my wife?” he shooed her before she could talk blah blah on how she  could manage. It was the Devil’s decision, if he wanted to help no one could stop him. It was not people who decided if they needed his help or not, it was him.

PART 2

Maan looked at the packet, wondering what she was up to. He leisurely took his seat and opened the packet to find a black silk ribbon and a letter – her handwritten. Anything about her these days brought a smile on his face. This was not him. But he pushed that observation behind and brought his focus on the letter

Click here for Part 2 – Devil and Devil’s Girl

Do watch The VM and Let me know – Anu: DD – Chapter 43 – Change