The Burnt – Chapter 11

Stressed Misty, under medication again went into sleep. 

Maan had been out, taking Advay for an outdoor ride with him. He convinced Advay that his Mumma is all good; just having some rest. Advay was too small to dwell on it. Seeing his Momma back in sense and talking to her has set him. 

He was enjoying the ice cream and outdoor trip with his Ice cream uncle. Maan in the meanwhile kept checking on Geet’s condition. He, anyways, was not in favor of keeping his four year old son in the hospital environment. But once she comes in sense, he will find out what she wishes and it will obviously go as per her wish.

Meanwhile, Dev and Annie were en route to meet Geet, both feeling deeply troubled by their partners’ actions in revealing Geet’s whereabouts to their brother. Despite the family dearly missing Geet’s wonderful presence, they found relief in the belief that she must be content and leading a respectable life far from their brother. They believed he didn’t deserve her, and now that he knew where she was, with his influence, Geet would have no means of escape.

“Maan, she is sleeping. You can come take a look at her” Dadima told him on the phone.

“No Dadima, my presence itself  sent her to the hospital. Incident clearly says, she cannot bear my presence near her. I will do nothing that  goes against her will or anything that harms her. She allowed my son to spend time with me, that is her greatness and I am obliged for that”

“Okay beta.”

“Dadima, when she wakes up, please ask her if she wants Advay in the hospital. I can keep him away from the hospital environment but only if she is okay with it.” and he disconnected, bringing his focus on his son.

After hours when Misty opened her eyes, she saw the whole room filled with people. Her whole family which loved her so much were there – Dadima, Annie, Dev

“Annie- Dev” she called out with a big smile. Their presence itself made her the warmth of home. She felt she had been living in the hostel, fighting her own battle with life like a lone warrior. Who will not like the warmth of home compared to the constant warrior life.

“Bhabhi” they said in unison and came closer. 

Misty felt uncomfortable with ‘Bhabhi’. It clearly connected her with him. Annie saw the confusion in her face

“No, we will not say anything that connects you with him. Can we call you Geet because you are our friend?” Annie requested

“I am fine with anything” Geet being a humble self, did not openly place the objection

“No, you are right Annie. We will call her Geet. She is our friend and we will not do or say anything that hurts her.”

Her eyes then went on Meera Kapoor and the other young man.

She knotted her brows not understanding what Meera Kapoor was doing here between the family. How did she know of her situation? Did Maan inform his team?

Dev understood her confusion and was ashamed

“Geet, Meera is my wife. I am sorry if she is anyway involved in bringing you in front of Bhai”

“Misty, I had no confirmation that you were Geet. Trust me, Veerji had been in years of penance and I just wanted him to know you are fine. He had been worried for you and was suffering not knowing if you are doing fine or not. I would have told him and ended it there had I been hundred percent sure you were Geet. I just wanted to give him one organic chance to see you. You too needed to know that he has changed and repenting or you would have thought bad of him all your life”

“Meera, do not give clarification of your acts. We, his siblings, do not believe he can change nor will Geet believe this. After all, she has borne the pain and insult at his hand, not you. Even if he has changed, why does she need to know?”

“Misty, I am sorry. My intentions were not bad. He just..”

“It’s okay Meera..” Misty diverted the topic away from Maan. She looked at Annie and Dev

“Sorry.. Missed you two so much”

Annie went forward and hugged her “No sorry from you. We are sorry that our house was such a hell that you had to run away from that. But for now, you just focus on getting better”

“Geet bete” Dadima took her attention. She didn’t know how to bring Maan’s name in front of Geet. 

“Ji..”

“Bete, Advay is with Maan. He has asked if you wish he will bring him here. He thought it was not good for a small kid to be in hospital environment”

“Geet you have a son, we have a nephew!!” Annie was excited. Misty nodded

“But why his your son with Bahi, Geet” Dev did not seem happy

“I didn’t give him birth on my own. Being his father he has rights over his son. Who am I to stop”

“But if you are not okay with it then…” Geet knew this was her real family who always thought of her above him. How badly has she missed their love and care

“I am okay with it. Advay needs father’s love. I cannot be selfish anymore to snatch father’s love from him when I can see he is so fond of his father” 

Misty was clear on that. She had always been in guilt of separating father and son. But the fear that her baby will be snatched from her has taken her to take this step.

Maan had a weird habit of doing something he had warned her just to scare her. Even if the deed would be against his own will, he would do it to prove his words to her, to prove his hatred towards her. 

Snatching her baby from her and placing his own kid in the hands of Sameera would have pained him more than her but she knew he could do it just to prove his point to her. 

“Geet, what do I say to Maan” asked Dadima gaining her attention

Misty could not give direction to him so she stated her wish

“Dadima, if it’s okay, I would want Advay to meet his family.”

“Everything that you wish is ok beta. I will inform” Savitri Devi also refrained from mentioning Maan’s name again and again as that was making her uncomfortable.

She left the room.

Maan was sitting on the bench in a public garden with his son. He was wiping Advay’s messed up face after having a pastry when he got Dadima’s call

“Ji Dadima…”

“Bete, Annie and Dev have arrived. She wants Advay to meet whole family”

“Okay Dadima. I am half an hour away from there. I will hand over Advay to you the moment I am there”

Maan waited in the lobby as Dadima took Advay from him. In the meanwhile, he decided to talk to doctors regarding her health.

Advay ran to his Mumma and jumped on the bed. Misty pulled him closer

“Mumma sick”

“Mumma is fine. How was your day” ohh he was the peace of her life. His innocent face had capability of taking all her stress away

“So much fun with ice cream Uncle”

“Dad” Misty corrected, surprising everyone

“Dad? Who?”

“Your ice cream uncle is your Dad” she confirmed

“Geet!!!” intervened Dev but she nodded to Dev. She knew what she was doing. Advay needed his Dad as well for his complete development.

“Ice cream uncle is my Dad!!!” exclaimed Advay

“Like, Sam uncle is Myra Dad!!! My Dad!!!…Ice cream Uncle .. Dad ” There was a different level of excitement, happiness and confidence on little Advay’s face. Misty’s eyes filled with tears. No.. for her own fear and saving herself, she cannot snatch this happiness from Advay.

“Yes” she nodded

“My Dad is the best.. Thank you Mumma” he hugged Misty. She kissed his forehead

“And meet other families. She is your Granny, Dev Uncle, Aunt Annie” she looked at Meera and hesitated before introducing. Meera dipped her head

“Aunt Meera and…”

“Uncle Arjun” Arjun happily introduced himself.

Little Advay shook his head sideways “No, only Dad and Mumma… my family”

“But your Dad loves them so won’t you?” Geet knew how to work with Advay. Advay thought for a while

“Okkaayyyy” Misty could see Advay’s love for his Dad. No, she cannot be sinful to snatch this love. Whatever Maan was, he loved his son and she has known this all the while.

“Dadima, it is right, Advay should not spend more time in hospital. It is not recommended for kids. I can call Jenny” she was hesitant

“If you don’t mind beta, can we take care of Advay till you are here”

“He is your grandchild Dadima. Aap logon ka pura haq hai. “ she paused

“And I can see, he is very fond of his Dad,” she said after a pause. Dadima smiled took Advay with her

Maan was in deep discussion with the doctor “See, Mr. Khurana, I think she should stay between the people she loves and those who can keep her happy. Like between her family. She is an independent woman but this sudden stress has left an impact. In such conditions, staying on her own and alone may cause the stress to take over and there can be sudden hype in BP. That time someone needs to be near her. Family can help keep the environment lively near her”

“Hmmm..” Maan was left in thought

“Mr. Khurana.. Just like your case. We cannot medically let you stay all on your own”

“Don’t worry about me Doc. I am fine” 

“No you are not, somewhat similar cause with entirely different symptoms though. Anyways, now we are talking for her.. She needs to stay between family, if possible”

Misty called Chetan and informed about her unwellness, which prompted him to immediately start his way towards the hospital

Maan called Dadima and asked for the family meeting. He asked them to reach the Manor as he would wait till Chetan Puri arrived. Dadima had informed him that her business partner was coming to meet her.

Chetan met Maan in the hospital lobby

“Thanks Mr. Khurana for taking such care of my partner, I mean business partner” he clarified

Maan smiled “It was my duty, Mr. Puri. You can go meet her”

“Yes, I will rush”

Maan left for his Manor to discuss the situation with his family. He was no more a decision maker, especially in the case of Geet. They have always been more caring to her when he was a monster. So he can only suggest, these people along with her will be the decision maker.

“Misty!!!” exclaimed Chetan in his usual way

“What made you land here? I am so sorry, I would have taken it seriously when you said you are not feeling well. Thanks to Mr. Khurana, he brought you here and his whole family was here to look after you. Such a big client…” Chetan was in flow 

“He is my husband” Misty interrupted his flow and spoke in one breath and closed her eyes, not being able to see an open mouth expression on Chetan’s shocked or surprised face.

“He is your…. He is your… husband”

“And you knew it all the while…” he asked not knowing what to ask and saw her mute face to realize the stupid question he has asked

“And Advay…??.” he asked hesitatingly

“…is his son” she completed.

Chetan did not know what to say. It was completely her personal matter but Chetan had been with Misty since her days of distress so it was now time, Misty thought to let him know.

“Now…?’

“Don’t know… literally don’t know anything Chetan. Just be my support as you have always been”

“Always there Misty. You don’t have to ask for it. Now rest, I will stay here with you. Can’t leave you alone, at least not now”

Chetan was that friend who had helped her without asking any question. It is she who has let him know as much as she has thought was necessary. Also, Geet had cleared him at the very start that he should never think of her more than a friend as she loves her husband and will till her last breath. Chetan was that friend who never asked her why she had left her husband when she so much loved him. 

At Khurana Mansion, Maan explained the situation to everyone

“I will shift to my office or buy an apartment for my living. She can shift here. She needs to be between family, now that we know, we can’t leave her alone, in this condition.”

His mind then traveled to Chetan

“Or, if she has someone whom she trusts more, she can move with them but she cannot stay alone” He felt a pinch of thousand arrows as he spoke about someone else but he has taken on him that he will think only for her.

“She has just Advay in her life.. still we will check. But if she is alone then we are her family.” cleared Dev.

“Dadima, please ask for her wish and convince her that she needs to be with the family. I will move out” Maan cleared

“Move out? Now what is this Bhai?” Annie asked in anger

“Annie.. Aram se. He is your elder brother and beyond that, had been in the role of your guardian as well. Don’t ever forget that” warned Dadima

“Main to inke liye apni jaan de doon Dadima but I have every right to be upset with him for his condition. The condition that he has put himself into, the condition that he has put us into and to our dear Geet”

“Dadima.. Annie and Dev can speak anyway and anything to me…” he turned to Annie 

“Annie, my coming in front  of her has landed her in hospital. She needs the family near her but not a person who causes her trauma”

“Trauma…. Do you realize what you have done to her Bhai.. the girl who has grown up between the family is staying all alone” came out Dev’s frustration

“Dev, do you think I do not realize? Anyways, let’s not divert the topic. Try to talk to her, if she agrees then I will move out from here”

This again angered Annie “Move out? And who will move out with you?”

“No one. Only me”

“We cannot let you live alone, you know right” Annie was speaking with him in anger but he could see her love and care for him.

“Annie.. I am all good now. Perfectly fine to handle myself alone and attendant will be there”

“You are not and you know that. Jab tabyat bigadti hai aapki… “ she turned to not let him see the slight tears forming in her eyes

“Bhai, you are not moving out. That is final. Now use your sharp brain to find the solution” Declared Dev.

Maan’s pathetic health condition and not at all caring about himself after Geet’s leaving had led his siblings to take the place of his guardian. They were extremely angry at him, did not talk properly but could not let him drain his life like that.

The sudden attacks in his health was an additional reason for them being angry at him. The girl that took care of all his needs, he had pushed that very girl far away from him.

As of now, their main focus is to give Geet back, her happiness and family. But his health condition cannot be ignored

Maan thought and then looked out of the window to see the outhouse which he had got done for his working, a home office and client meetings or making formal guest stay there. It was in the same premise but a building not attached to the main Manor

“I will move out to an outhouse” he declared.

Everyone was in agreement with that idea. Maan would be away from geet, Geet will be between family and Maan will be close enough for them to regularly check on him.

“Fine, we will check with Geet for her wish and consent ” 

They left and Maan was wondering nervously if she would agree to come here or not. He promised himself that he would not come in front of her but at least she will be with the family that she loves so much and the family that loves her so much.

If she denies, he will make another arrangement so that his family will be around her. That is something she will not deny.

Maan laughed at his condition and then remembered her condition years back when he had to say ‘Yes’ to the alliance, He had said ‘Yes’ but on what condition. And that silly girl had so much faith in her love that she decided to burn herself in his hatred .

6 years back:

Between all commotion happening and villagers angry – Sukhwinder Handa announce

“This is a matter of the Handa Family. We will sort this out”

“How is it family matter now? If we leave her today, all girls will start doing the same. Hamari puri beradri badnam nahi hone denge hum”

“Just because she is my granddaughter, she will not escape. Trust me, if things are not sorted, I will hand over Geet to you all”

Maan looked surprised at the old man- He will hand over his granddaughter to this crazy angry mob??

Then the same old man came to him “Maan ji, sorry for all confusion. Come to Haveli with us” Maan was confused. Did this old man realize his power? Yes, maybe. That is why he is suddenly so sweet to him.

“No, I am fine. Now that this drama is finished, I will take the leave”

“If you leave now without any decision, this mob will kill this Geet” He looked at the girl whose eyes were fixed on the ground and her hands continuously fiddling with her stoll. Nice, she was not looking into his eyes and kept them grounded. Her expressive hazels had different black magic in them or else why would he do so much for anyone, especially a girl. All that he did for her, lading himself in this mess.

Maan thought it was better to end this drama with a few people around rather than this crazy crowd.

In the haveli, he was not sure what information they got about him, the attitude was completely changed. Half an hour back, these people were all over him and now he was made to sit with all due respect. The snacks and juices were served in their best crockeries. That crowd was weird and now this was even more weird. He spent the night with their girl and here they are showering the respect like any villagers or middle class people would to their son-in-law.

Wait – are they imagining he will marry this girl. Ohh.. so now they know who he is and thus all their anger is gone and they are planning to fix their daughter with him. So they think it is that easy to trap Maan Singh Khurana. Big actresses, models are doing everything to get his attention. Industrialists are trying to get their daughters hitched with him and these people think that this stupid trick will make him marry their daughter. He, anyway, hates  to be bound by women, bitten by them in so many ways, they are the last being on earth who he will grace, by giving them position in his life. And these villagers, see their guts.

“Listen…” he was about to speak  when his cell buzzed. It was his grandmother.

“Maan stay there. Do not be disrespectful. I am just reaching there in an hour”

“Dadima, I am Maan Khurana. If you need a reminder, let me tell you, I am the man of the house, the decision maker. I do not need you to solve my issues” Dadima ignored the sourness in him. The sourness which was the result of a painful situation that life has thrown at him. But now this sourness had become part of him

“I know and I am not coming to tell you what to do but to tell you the truth I had never thought would ever be needed”

“What??”

“For my respect, can you stay there till I come? Please Maan, there is a reason I am requesting you”

And Maan took the excuse to wait in the lounge till his grandma arrived. The complete family vibe was making him uncomfortable and people were too colorful for him to digest.

After an hour when Dadima has arrived Maan had jumped on her with questions

“You, grandmother of the Maan Singh Khurana, had to come all the way down here for this minor issue?”

“Maan, before you grandmother, I am mother of your father, don’t forget that”

She led him in.

He still remembers how her whole family had welcomed his grandma with all respect. She had requested to talk with the girl and ladies of the house separately.

She had come out and then told him the truth which was beyond his acceptance

“Maan, your father had requested Mohinder ji, years back when you were just 11 years old and Geet was 5 years old”

“What? Why will dad know these people? And why would Dad need to request anything from these people? You know these people are invisible from where we are standing” Maan was as rude as ever. He didn’t care if these people thought he was full of pride. He didn’t care what the world thought of him. He had worked hard to regain their position in the society and he deserved all bit of pride.

“Maan, Rajendra and Mohinder were childhood friends. When you were small , Raj frequently visited here for vacation with his family. You were very fond of Geet and little Geet had been very fond of you. Raj thought that your alliance with Geet will bring the two families into a new bond. Thus he requested Geet’s hand for you. The roka was done then and there, meaning of which you too did not understand. It was just like getting bonded with your good friend. Later Raj never reminded you or detailed you about this because he thought of telling it to you when the right time comes. I was not there but I knew it. This was then never mentioned later in our house when Raj and Sandhya left this world as I had more priorities on my shoulder than to remember  something which was just once mentioned to me. And the sourness that had gotten inside you, I have been busy with that rather than remembering that something like this ever happened. But it was. Though it was never part of your life, Geet had been reminded of this from that very day. She has grown up dreaming of only you day and night. She has already submitted herself to you. Her whole existence revolves around you. I have talked to her and I could feel the love that she has for you. Marry her, Maan”

“Okayy now I get it. It was all planted to trap me. These people tricked Dad and when Dad left this world and we did not approach them they planted this trap. Who would miss the chance to get married to Maan Singh Khurana”

“Maan…in your pride and sourness, don’t lead yourself to the pit from where it is impossible for you to come out”

“Geet sachi hai Maan ji” pleaded her mother

“Sachi hai…” he turned to Geet “Girl then tell the truth, did anything happen yesterday?”

Geet nodded for no “Zor se bolo” came the equally rude loud demand from Brij and Maan. Geet sucked her breath

“Ji.. kuch bhi nahi hua.. Inhone khayal rakha mera”

“See, then I am not bound to marry her”

“For your Dad’s word Maan…”

“Maan ji… only if you were there Geet stayed in that room the whole night. Now if you don’t marry her, you will get some news for this girl and you don’t know what” warned Brij. Maan held his collar

“Dare you play games with me and try to blackmail me. No one does that to Maan Khurana”

“Brij … shant ho ja”

“Maan ji, this girl loves you. If you do not marry her, she will give her life or say the villagers will not let her live… you understand”

“Maan, it was your dad’s initiative. This girl fell in love with you because of your Dad’s promise. Isme iski kya galti hai…Do you want to break his promise? For your Dad Maan..”

“I won’t break Dad’s promise but if this girl agrees then…”

Maan went to Geet “Pyar toh nahi tha… can’t happen without even seeing me. If you are genuine, tell them you do not want this marriage”

“Kal kuch bhi nahi hua…” Geet said and looked up at him “but I have only loved you my whole life, how can I deny marriage from you. You can deny…”

“And her life will be ended” added Brij…

“I can see the trap… “

“Maan.. for your Dad, maan jaiye” requested Dadima

Maan looked at Geet and her expectant eyes made him hate her because those eyes led him to say “yes” to the marriage

 But soon his ego fired back, he went to Geet “You trapped me into this marriage in your fake love. You will never get my love but only hatred. You will regret this, I promise”

“Maan… Maan” Dadima’s words pulled Maan back from the heavy memories of the past

“Yes Dadima”

“We are going to talk to Geet and check on her. Do you want to come?”

“No Dadima, I am not needed anywhere near her. Aaplog jaiye.”

“You would have brought Advay here. Why did you gave him to Jenny”

“I can’t bring him here without her permission”

“Aapka bhi beta hai wooh and I can say she would have no objection” 

“No.. Dadima, playing outside with him is different, bringing him here, I will only do with her clear permission”