Dheere Dheere Se – Chapter 23

Geet felt a rush of heat and trembled as she was held tightly in his arms, his gaze fixed intently on her face and lingering on her lips.

“Siiirrr,” she whispered, but Maan silenced her by placing his index finger gently on her lips. “Shhh… you’ve already missed the warning,” he hissed, his breath warm against her skin. Geet’s eyes widened at his unexpected words.

She continued to gaze into his eyes, uncertain of what to do. It would be the most beautiful moment of her life if he acted on his words—something she had dreamt about almost every night recently. But she wondered, would it be as precious if it were just a result of a challenge?

“Sir please,”

“Why, Geet?” he asked, his eyes lost in hers as he drew her even closer. Geet’s heart raced; being in his arms felt incredibly beautiful, though she wished he truly meant it and felt this way—not just as the challenge of the moment.

“Sir, please,” she said softly, reluctantly pulling away. Maan felt a pang of hurt. Did she really not have any feelings for him? Could she not handle his closeness at all?

Maan held her arm and pulled her closer “you… ” he wanted to ask her why? But he paused. Maan realized he was here to make her happy and not start a new argument.

“Sir please. I know what you..”

“Hmmm, so much hesitation, I can understand why?” But Maan soon recovered from his hurt and tried neutralizing the situation.

“Now that you failed my warning, if you want to escape this situation” he pulled her a little more closer to him, slightly scaring her

“Sir… sir”

“You will have to listen to everything I say. Lead this one day as per my wish. If you lose this, I will break my promise” he gave her an intent look

“Si-irr” Geet pouted. Maan smiled within. At least this girl will not stop him from doing things for her that he had planned.

“Come”

“Where?” “No question, remember” he gave her hints. Geet pouted her face and turned other side in in anger

“Bank” “Baann..” he gave her a look and she again pouted and shut her mouth

In the bank “Sir for such expensive stuff, do you wish normal locker or premium”

“Of course, premium. We are going to keep my wife’s precious belongings there”

“No sir, normal is fine” Geet interrupted but Maan gave her a warning look

“We’ll opt for the premium locker. It will hold many important documents, as well as her precious ornaments and other valuables. We need the premium option.”

“Sir why but..” Geet try to intervene but Maan ignored her

“What is needed for the premium locker”

“Sir, we need a new account opened in Ma’am’s name or as a joint account of both of you”

“No, it will be only her account. What is needed?” Maan asked in his business tone

“Sir,, I don’t want “ Maan side bent towards her and whispered“ You are forgetting the challenge. I can really do it” he warned

Geet looked at him in anger but shut her mouth

“Sir, Ma’am will have to deposit ten lakhs in her new account”

“Ten lakhs!!!… no no”

“You prepare the document, we will get the account opened with decent amount in her name”

“Sir.. noo” Maan gave her a look “Yes please get the documents ready”

Geet’s account and locker got opened and Maan asked Geet to deposit all her jewelry there. Geet did as asked though she was cribbing inside.

While they were returning “Sir.. it was not needed… and why my single account. You deposited the money, it could’ve been a joint account”

“Kyun mere saath naam jorna itna pasand hain tumhen… mujhe pata nahi tha” he teased her

“And why did you deposit such a huge amount? What was the actual amount?”

“Geet, you are forgetting you are not allowed to interfere at all or else you know…”

“Sir you are not doing anything like that, I know, so stop warning me” Maan stopped the car suddenly on the side. He kept looking intently at Geet and then slowly neared her and then came even closer “Are you sure about that? Should I consider this as a challenge”

Geet looked at him, Placed her finger on his shoulder and pushed him away. Maan turned to the other side and a smile formed on his face. Damn, he simply wanted to pull her to him and press one hard kiss on her lips, the way she is pouting so cutely and tempting him.

Geet turned the other side and looked up in the sky from the car window

“Babaji, ek toh waise hi aise aise khyayal aate hain inhe lekar. Now if he does like this,…. this is not fair. Why are you torturing me like this”

“Well, you can talk to the person seated next to you, rather than talking to the sky. Wahan koi nahi sun raha” Maan interrupted her complaints to Babaji

“I am talking to my Babaji. I know he doesn’t listen to my wishes much but still it’s between him and me. And talking to him is better than talking to someone who gives you warning on each sentence. anyways, you asked me not to talk to you, right? So I am doing that. Abb babaji se bhi na baat karoon”

“I didn’t ask you to not talk to me. The condition is only to not interrupt me in doing what I am doing”

“Haan kyun nahi… manmani jo kerni hai” Geet turned to the other side in anger. Maan side bent and closed to her “bilkul” Ohh he was having so much fun. How can any girl look so cute and desirable at the same time? He really felt lucky that someone such a pure hearted and beautiful person will be his life partner. Only if she thought the same about him, he sighed.

“Sir, we are not going to the office?” Geet asked, suddenly realizing they were on different route

“No.. we are going shopping”

“Sir.. why, your meetings..?

“Check my calendar?”

Geet checked his calendar . Being his personal secretary, she managed his calendar, so she had full access to it. Geet checked his calendar in her office tab and her eyes widened

“You canceled all your meetings?? And we are shopping?? Why?”

Maan smiled, though a faint hurt lingered within him. She didn’t seem to share his excitement about escaping the office and enjoying a private shopping trip together. Lately, it felt like he was the only one trying to find reasons to spend alone time with her. But he was quick to get hold of his emotions.

“Because, today is the chance I can get things done my way. You cannot interrupt, remember?”

“What are you going to do that you do not want me to interfere with?” Geet knotted her brows sensing something brewing in his mind

“Now your talking time ends. No more questions” and she found him parking the car in the posh shopping complex parking lot

“Here?? Why??” Maan gave her a look “last warning… or else I have no problem doing in public as well”

“Hwww” Geet opened her mouth wide “Muh band karo. Or else flies will travel to your food pipe” Geet was extremely frustrated with his manmani. He is again going to spend hell lot on her, she sensed and he would not allow her to stop him.

Though she knew, he would not kiss without her consent, but who knows. He is behaving so out of his bossy character.

Maan first took her to the bridal showroom “Now don’t start imagining I am buying anything for you. So do not start cribbing. I have a very very close friend, he is abroad and he wants to surprise his GF with a Traditional Bridal collection. It is not in my capacity to shop for bridal clothes but I also cannot be rude to not help my friend”

“Really? Why would your friend ask you to select dresses for his GF? It is such a personal matter”

“Geet!!! Kitni sakkhi ho tum. He cannot visit at this moment but does not want to miss on surprising her. Friends are friends for a matter. Per tumhe to main abb jhutha bhi lagta hoon. “

“Nahi wohhh..”

“Anyways, are you helping me or not? But remember, if you don’t agree then….” he neared her

Geet brought her hand in front of him “Stop. Do you think it is a joke? These things should happen only when both feel for it”

Maan turned frustrated. Why does she remind him every time that she has no feelings for him?

Maan controlled and brought his focus on thinking about her and not him. She has led a tough life and it is his responsibility to keep her happy. Even if she doesn’t love him,

Maan turned to her “Chalen?” he signaled her to the shop.

Geet went inside the shop but still had some doubt of Maan making up things about bridal wear and Maan read her confusion. He quickly messaged Karan and went inside the shop.

After ten minutes Maan got call from Karan with his US number

“Ohh my friend’s call. You didn’t trust me,now talk to him. He is after me for his GF’s surprise”

Karan changed his voice and talked to Geet showing eagerness and requesting her to select some nice collection for his GF”

“Sure sure I will do it.”

“See, money is not a matter at all, select the best. And yes, from your voice, I can say you will select the best”

“Sure, I will try”

Thus, they roamed around and from the best and high range designer shops, selected various premium marriage collections.

Maan selected few, very exclusive ones and ask Geet to try them

“But sir, why should I”

“So that we know how it actually looks”

She wore different dresses and came out. Maan would get completely lost in her . How beautiful she was and she was his. No no, not his but will be his wife. Someday she may like him.

All the shopping was done, Maan dropped Geet at her home and took all the shopping bags with him.

Geet entered the home with mixed feelings. Maan sir got the new locker for her and then she didn’t know what amount of cheque he deposited in her account. She was so hesitant and uncomfortable but then deep within she felt cared. He was showing rights to caring for her. He had not an inch of doubt and hesitation of depositing such a hefty amount in her name. As if she was his, his family.

But when shopping, he made her select and try on so many dresses for his friend’s girlfriend and didn’t think of getting even a single piece for her. But why is it hurting? Is that not what she had wanted? For him to not spend like that for her? Why did she feel jealous of the love that his friend has for his girlfriend? The surprise that he was planning? Just one single piece, not a very expensive one, but had Maan sir thought of it, that would have meant so much, she would have treasured it. The gesture.

“Nice, he didn’t force me to get the clothes. I would have anyways declined” she talked aloud in order to shut her deep inner wish.

The locker and account, was it a care or part of his responsibility towards his wife? She was trying to evaluate when her eyes went on the bracelet and a smile formed on her face. Is it only responsibility? Why does it seem something more, something beautiful, the moments yesternight.

Geet entered the house. The family was watching television. Her brother came to talk to his sister, asking about her day and sharing about his. Her Aunt and Uncle just looked at her and gave a cold smile and turned back to watch the show. How coming home could be so cold, only she knew. For some reason they have stopped ranting on her coming late or going out daily with her fiance` but still the coldness told her that they were irritated. She yearned for warmth.

She talked with Titu for some while “Okay Titu, Good Night”

“But Di, will you not have dinner?” Titu asked his sister. He felt bad his parents never gave warmth to her, the one that he gets. He wished so much, his Di got more love from his parents so that like his other friends he could also crib about his parents loving their siblings more. Here it was only him getting all love. Di got none.

“Titu, don’t worry, your Di must have her dinner. She is having fun of her life”

Geet gave a tight smile and caressed Titu’s cheek

“Titu, I had dinner. Sir won’t listen and only drops me home after I eat something. “ and Geet left for her room

Jealousy ran through them. They were not able to absorb the fact that Geet was getting such a respected family and a husband who was making it really really big. But they could do nothing. They were looking for a chance to fill them with something about Geet that they break this relation. They could not bear Geet getting so much love, affluence and attention.

“Leave it. Once she is married, we will benefit, you know, right?” her uncle tried to explain

“I know but for that she could have been married to any boy, average clerical job, or some teacher in school. That would not have been a bad match but exactly what she deserves. This, she is getting more than what she deserves. Her status will be way above us and then she will not even give us a look back”

“Think positive Nanda, she will never come to ask for her rights on this property after she is in such affluence. Had she been married to a lower income man, her in-laws would have prompted her to get this house. It is not that Geet does not know that this house was built by her father and she is the heir, if she decides to claim it”

“In that case, this family is even risky. They are all bureaucrats, they know all rules”

“But their being such good people is also in our favor. They will never make Geet’s uncle Aunt and cousin homeless”

As usual, Geet lay down on the bed after freshening up. The entire day spent with Maan Sir replayed in her mind like a movie. She remembered, him doing things for her, their shared drive, her moments of frustration, his teasing, the lunch they had together, the shopping trip, and finally, the dinner before he dropped her off.

Maan entered home and handed all the packets to his Bhabhs and Mom

“Take it. It’s perfect for you all. All the shopping is for girls, and boys are just here to carry the bags,” Maan said, pretending to be annoyed. But inside, his heart was soaring. Shopping for her, alone with her, choosing things for her, and watching her try them on—she looked breathtakingly beautiful in everything. His heart raced uncontrollably, and he felt an urgent desire to rush to his room..

Naintara came and pushed him aside from her shoulder “unn hnnn… dil me laddo phut rahe honge. All your wishful shopping for your would-be” Maan gave her an angry look

She ignored “Did she try them? How did she look?”

Maan tried to control his heart, remembering how beautiful she looked. “Now, she is naturally beautiful. So in these bridal collections obviously… Mom I am tired leaving for my room” and he ran away.

Maan had wanted to get her clothes designed from the nation’s top listed designer, the ones that Pari and Sam had suggested. But his family being government officials, chances were high of many questions being raised on them so Maan decided to go the traditional way. But he had something in mind which he can work in the background. He wanted the best for Geet. Why? He didn’t want to divulge deep into it. She would be his wife and she has seen hardship so far, he wanted to give her the best experience of life, make it up for her pain all throughout.

It was Saturday, Geet had plans to spend time with her bestie Sheetal and Maan had plans with his friend group.

Sheetal and Geet gave a tight hug to each other and on the other side Maan had a blast meeting with friends with the beer bottles raised.

“This braceletHe gifted it? It’s exclusive and so beautiful”

“Pasand bohut achci hai unki” Geet was red

“Oyyyee, madly in lovveee”

Geet pouted “Only one sided” She complained

“You mean to say, the one who has no feelings for you gifted this special one to you?”

“He is the most upcoming businessman of the year. I have seen how big projects he has won.”

“Geet, you really think this is just the money thrown for his fiance`”

“No, I don’t mean that. But then why else would he give such a gift to me?”

“Now you answer me?”

“Don’t know”

“So, you’re spending a lot of time together lately? He gives you so much attention—why’s that? Oh, right, it must be because he has a lot of money, isn’t it, Geet?” she taunted.

“You know, the other day we went shopping and we did lots of shopping. We shopped for bridal dressings. Some dresses I liked and some he liked. He asked me to try them all. It would have been such a blissful and memorable day, had it been for my marriage. Though it’s true, I would have not let him buy such expensive ones for me, but still shopping for my marriage with him…. But…”

“Geet he is doing all those beautiful things, just like you dreamt, still you have ‘But’ in your mind?” Sheetal scolded

“But, all those four hours of shopping was for his friend’s Girlfriend. Our marriage is approaching but we did all the shopping for his friend’s GF”

Sheetal looked at Geet and kept looking at her “Kya huaaa” Geet asked

Sheetal still kept looking at her and then burst out laughing. She kept holding her stomach to control her laughter

“Joke nahi mara maine” Geet scolded her

“Joke nahi mara.. Really? I mean Geet, you really think, your fiance, took his fiance for four hours of shopping, in between the office hours, to shop for the dresses for his friend’s GF and also made you try all the dresses and checked them on you, for his friend’s GF. Jhalli hai tu, puri Jhalli”

“Haan aisa hi hua hai”

“You know, you just do one thing. Daily sleep peacefully with your beautiful dreams because you are going to get ten times more than whatever you will dream.” She then hugged a confused Geet “I am so so happy for you. Can you make me talk to Jiju”

“Hmm, I will ask him. Waise bhi mere alawa kisi ko mana nahi kerte woh”

Maan was drunk, they all were. It was their typical Saturday with friends were, they get drunk and talked all their heart

“Maan, kya yaar. You have still not conveyed your heart to her. Damn convey her your heart yaar, make her enjoy this courtship period”

Came from Karan

“There is no heart involved in our matter. Shadi ho rahi hai humar, bas. She has no interest in me otherwise . She will get a great family and they will get beautiful and well mannered daughter in law for their ill mannered son”

“You really think she has nothing to do with you. Are you really so unaware Maan?” Asked Pari

“Okay, not her but what about your heart, what you feel?” Asked Sam

“What I feel… hnnn..How does it matter? It does not matter to her. She has no interest in me”

“Now, how can you be so sure of that? Don’t make your actions based on assumptions, Maan?” Suggested Adi

Maan reminisced how Geet was scared and repulsive when he had hinted at a kiss.

Maan was already frustrated with Geet not being interested in him and further frustrated that why did it mean so much to him. Why doesn’t he take it just as an arranged marriage.

He took a bear bottle and gulped from it

“What do you mean?”

“Means , why are you taking her not expressing her heart as no, it can also be yes. In fact we know it is yes, Maan. “ explained Sam. Maan shook his head in denial

“Where are our old college days Maan, who knew all the girls around him were crazy about him?”

“Nikita very well broke that illusion” Maan cribbed

“Maan, Geet is very very different from Nikita. You are misjudging and ignoring all Geet’s hints due to your bad experience with Nikita. “ added Adi

“Doing that you are cheating Geet. “

“ I am not cheating on her, I don’t even remember or miss Nikita. It about Geet, Yaar” he gulped his beer again

“Maan, be our old confidentMaan.” came from Sam

“Yes,Challenge, show Geet the original Maan, the one that we know. Not the family boy but that college one, the one that we see in our weekend party ” added Karan

“Really? So now you want me to lose even the respect she has for me? It’s not enough that there’s no love—now you want me to lose her respect too?”

“Maan, anyways you want her to know the real you, right?”

“Hmm.. Boss boss… sir sir… I am so done yaar”

“Then next weekend.. Just show her your real world. “

“We are throwing you a birthday party on a Jazz disc.Bring her on”

“Well, Lose it or never gain it. Deal done”