PHCS – Part 48

Maan’s taste was simplicity at its core surrounded by elegance. Does it mean, he loved her core simple nature and also found her to be elegant. Geet looked at her, from her eyes, she did not know what was elegant about her but if he loved her so much, he must be seeing some elegance in her which she is unable to see. Yes, his love is unconditional but it was the result of these two values that he must have found on her.  

With that it comes to her act of DNA test of her own child. That act defies the two core values that pulled him. He loves her unconditionally but Geet knows she has to win him back.

**********

Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi Hairan hoon Main, 

Tere Masoom sawaloon se pareshan hoon main

Pareshan hoon main

Geet, after having rested for a couple of hours in the exclusive bedroom, came out to check on Maan.

Maan had been busy. He had to launch his new company and soon take it to the top.  He didn’t have the bandwidth to relax, chill and enjoy the new setup. Things needed to be ready for him before he asked, this was not part of luxury but his needs. And thus he was in continuous call directing people and demanding extreme efficiency. 

Though Geet always knew how demanding Maan was when his work was related, still this Maan was different. He looked so unapproachable and burdened. She blamed herself for bringing this side of him. 

She still thought of giving it a try

“Maan” she called out softly. He muted the video call, switching off the camera and turned to her

“Do you need anything Geet”

“Nahi, woo aap abhi tak…”

“Geet will talk to you after an hour, am in mid of a very important meeting “ and without listening to her further he turned back his focus on the call.

“ Sorry everyone, I had a personal call to take. Let’s proceed with the presentation “

Tujhse naaraz nahiin zindagi

Hairaan hoon main

O hairaan huun main

Tere masum sawaalon se

Pareshaan hoon main

O pareshaan hoon main

Tujhse naaraz nahiin zindagi

Hairaan hoon main

O hairaan huun main

Tere masum sawaalon se

pareshaan hoon main

O pareshaan hoon main

Geet decided to leave quietly. She knew she couldn’t disturb him, especially with how immersed he was in his work—he wouldn’t even notice if she did. Maan needed to excel, and he was starting from scratch to achieve that. She being the reason for him  to this fresh start, it was her responsibility to support him in reaching his goals. Her first step was to avoid interrupting him for her minor needs and to not add to his stress by highlighting her own loneliness.

The hour dragged on as Maan moved from one departmental call to another—covering infrastructure, investment, production, factory setup, site location, head office, organizational structure, human resources, supplies, and funds. By the time it was nearly evening, Maan hadn’t had a single bite to eat. His lack of appetite affected Geet as well, but being in her first trimester, she knew she couldn’t skip meals and risk harming her baby. She worried that if Maan found out she hadn’t eaten, he would not only be angry but also hurt. So, she managed to eat some fresh fruits and a special dish the cook prepared that she could tolerate without feeling nauseous.

But it was now evening and Maan had been seated in his home office since morning. 

Geet prepared the plate for him and quietly made entrance to the room. She found that he was not in any call but dug into his system. 

She quietly placed the plate on his table, Maan turned to look at her. It then struck him that she had come for him in the morning hours

“Ohh, I got stuck..”

“It’s okay. I understand. Kuch Khaya bhi  nahi aapne”

“ You are not still hungry, right?”He immediately got worried .

“I had my food. The head cook is very professional, she knows what I could eat. “

Maan held her hand and made her sit on the chair nearby “Sit”

“Geet, I may be busy these days. But I am here around you and all arrangements are done to fit your needs. You don’t have to worry much, don’t overthink over things. Just do me one favor, will you?”

Geet nodded. He was so different, a no nonsense man and on top her guilt made him more unapproachable.

“Just do me one favor. I want you to stay stress free, be rested, take complete care of yourself and speak your wish. If you want to be my support, one thing that I want you to do is give yourself the priority.”

“I promise I will. You see, I rested today and had my food and medicine on time.”

“hmm.. now go take the tour of the your house, know your house and staff or take rest”

Geet looked at him for a while, placed her hand on top of his “Maan,Can I feed you?” she asked blinking her eyes

Maan was too held up with his work and without realizing her intentions 

“No, you go. I will have it after a while” Maan said instantly. Geet nodded and turned to leave. She must have reached the door when Maan realized what he did

“Geet” he called out. Geet paused and turned “ Actually my hands are busy on the system, can you feed me?”

Geet’s face brightened and she rushed “aaram se”

Maan pushed all his stuff aside  and pushed the plate towards her.

Geet got excited to get his little time. She was tempted to give him so many suggestions, like he can relax and not take it too hard on himself. But she feared he would then send her off so she quietly fed him. Geet, just being in his proximity, soothed Maan’s stress. 

Maan got free very late at night. When he entered the room, Geet was already in deep sleep. Maan changed, got fresh and settled beside Geet. She was in deep sleep, like a baby.

Jeene ke liye sochaa hi nahi

Dard sambhaalane honge

Jeene ke liye sochaa hi nahi

Dard sambhalane honge

Muskuraaye to muskuraane ke

Karz utarne honge

Ho muskurauun kabhii to lagataa hai

Jaise honthon pe karz rakha hai

Tujhse naaraaz nahiin zindagi

Hairaan hoon main

O hairaan huun main

He caressed his hand on her forehead with a sigh. This was their second night after their marriage and here she was again sleeping alone in bed. They had so many beautiful thoughts of their time together after their marriage. She had so many dreams of love and what is he giving her? Loneliness. 

This new country and place he has got her into and announced to her that this is her home now. She has accepted it all without a complaint. 

What can he do? Once the owner of KE, he has given up all and left with just 10 percent of it. Ten percent of KE will be a fortune for others, but Maan did not get those ten percent just to sit idle and lead a luxurious life with that money. He has definitely taken that money with pride so that he will make ten-twenty folds of it.  Geet will be the queen of the empire that he will make and  the world will look up to her with respect and not questions towards her. But achieving all this called for sacrifices.

Additionally, he was incapable of giving an open arms love to her. Her not trusting him in such a big matter of their child and going ahead with DNA has deeply hurt him. But he has to come out of his pain and be her home in this foreign land keeping his own hurt aside.

Maan changed and slipped inside the cover next to her and wrapped his hand around her. Involuntarily Geet turned and cozied herself within his arms. Jolted with the feel of her need for him, he pulled her in a tight embrace.

Due to the starting month of pregnancy, Geet woke up late. By the time she woke up, Maan’s half day was over. It was 9 am and he had been awake since 4 am. After his rigorous workout routine and jog, he had worked with the security manager to ensure that the security setup in house was right and without flaws. He then worked with the security head to ensure further security. 

Following that, he took the round of his house and garden to make his own observations and mental notes. Checked with all the people employed to work in the different departments of the house. He has to do this everyday. Ensure the loyalty of the people Geet will be staying all day with. She is the queen of his world, this palace and the empire that he will build. Her orders will run in this house but in the background he has to work to test people’s loyalty, their efficiency and attitude. Not only this, every early morning the superintendent of all these workers will plan the training for these people.

After finishing up these tasks, he was in his study, going through the day’s file and list of things so that he would get going with all preparation.

“Knock Knock” Maan turned his focus to find his newly wedded wife there

“Geet, come”

“When did you come to sleep and when did you wake up? The only relief is you at least came to sleep”

“Really how do you know I came to sleep. Yeh bhi toh ho sakta hai, main soya hee nahi”

“Unn hnn. Had I not been in your arms in the night, I would not have woke up with such peace at heart”

Maan kept looking at her. Her love for him was way beyond words. Maan smiled and caressed her cheeks, tucking her messy curl behind her ears 

“Do you feel rested now”

Geet took his hand in hers and softly pressed it “Since we have come, all I am doing is resting and all you are doing is work. Can we not have some balance?”

“Geet..”

“Hnnn hnnn.. I know I know, you have lots to do and achieve. And I will never ever tell you not to do it. Because I know that it is your life and keeps you going. How can I ask you to not do something that you love so much? But we have just arrived, can we not take it easy, very little but ..”

Maan thought for a while. “Just kicking off the things. Give me a couple of days, Sunday I will not take up anything. My all time will be yours”

“Not me but I want you to give time to yourself” She cupped his face. Her love was just spilling from her eyes. No complaints at all. That deep was her love for him. Then why did she not share that one thing from him, it pinched him. They were one, how could she separate him in that decision or her worry for deciding to do so.  

But, were both not doing so? To take care of each other they were hiding their concern and worries from each other. Maan had tons of worry for setting up in empire, Making Geet the queen of his empire. Providing their child and his wife the most respected position. They had been questioned and it had gone deep within his heart. Also, his own self, he cannot live with not leading the business world. These were all his worries he did not want to load on her.

Geet, on the other hand, had just one worry but it was a big one. Maan. She knew in all this he was going to forget about him and his wishes. He is going to squeeze every ounce of his to achieve his goal and to make her life a luxury. It is her who has to be there for him and not show him her own worry which may pressurize him further.

“Did you have breakfast” she asked

“I was waiting for you to wake up. Come let’s go for breakfast then I will make you meet with people who will help you run this house and who all will be there for you whenever you need them. Then I will leave for the day”

The breakfast was served and again Geet was surprised to see the items of hers and Maan’s preference already there.

“If I wish, can I make breakfast for you someday. I feel like a guest” Geet asked innocently

Maan looked at her and smiled “This is your house, no one has authority to stop you from doing anything. But I will say, do not exert yourself to do things for me. Your resting and feeling good will be my priority. If you feel good enough, do whatever you feel like.”

After the breakfast 

“Come, I will make you meet the key staff working here”

 They went to another room, which looked like a mix of study and living area. Kind of a place for informal meeting space.

They settled in the comfortable sofa and Maan rang the bell

Around ten staff entered  the room. 

“Geet, these ten are key staff, who will be responsible for different departments of the house.”

“Just two of us and so many staff?” she whispered. Maan smiled and nodded. She knew he would explain to her later.  She had not been part of running the house in KM. Dadima and Mom did that so she has no idea of how many people were actually needed to run and maintain such a grand setup.

Maan got up from the chair and straightened himself, turned to Geet and gave his hand for her to gracefully get off her seat

“Mr D’Souza, would you mind making Geet familiar with the staff”

“Sure.” 

“Mrs. Khurana, these are the supervisors of different departments and they all have their team working under them – Mr. Ranjeet Chaddha- handles the internal and external security of the whole Manor. Mrs Sheetal Sharma, is the head chef, Mr Mathew Jhonson, heads the maintenance team of the house, Mr  Samuel Martin and his team handles the landscaping of the manor, Mrs Reema Basu, supervises the upkeep of the Manor,…. “ and so on

The Geet nodded to all of them internally thinking she has to manage them all. These people are experts in their departments.

“And Mrs Khurana, I am Mrs Samantha D’Souza. I am the head manager and they all will report to me. Till you know them better, feel free to let me know your needs. I will ensure your needs are fulfilled on priority”

Geet was confused, if this was her house or if she was staying in a hotel where they will take care of each customer.

“Mrs. D’Souza. Geet will definitely know them all soon. It’s not only for her needs but she being the lady of the house, it is her duty to know all the people working here. She will definitely need to meet them. You can arrange for it sooner”

Mr. D’Souza gave the smile “Of course Of course”

Mrs D’Souza was the old timer of Khurana’s and mostly managed their property in Australia. She had been the keeper of their old property here. But managing the old property does not give one that feel of authority. Maan had asked his Dad to give Mrs D’Souza to him as she had been an old loyal. Rest all were a fresh lot. Maan wanted to build his own man power, in Office front and also at home. But as Geet would have to handle it all alone, he wanted to give her someone familiar with their ways. Also, he had been little attached to Mrs D’Souza since his childhood. Mrs D’Souza had been very excited to serve Maan and supervise the house where Maan will actually live with his family and she will get to run the Manor in real sense, not a dummy empty house. Seeing simpleton Mrs Khurana, who had no idea of running the big palace, she  knew he would be the showrunner of the house. 

Maan signaled all the staff to leave. Mrs D’Souza turned as well

“Mrs. D’Souza, please stay” Came Maan’s authoritative voice and she stopped immediately

“Yes Sir”

“Mrs. D’Souza, it’s not only Geet’s need that you have to ensure but it will be her way that this manor will run on. I want you to help her run the place. I expect you to be Geet’s comfort zone. ”

“Sure Sir” “You may leave now”

After she left, Geet looked at Maan “Why were you so strict with her?” 

“She is good and loyal. But you are new to this system. Such warnings are needed to keep her loyalty intact with you. I sensed her flying high, a little warning was needed”

“I didn’t understand”

“You will slowly understand. But don’t worry, just run this house as per your wish. The moment you think it’s not what you prefer, do not hesitate to change the system.” Geet nodded.

“Don’t worry, I know this is my house, I will make it a home for us”

Maan nodded “Okay, now I will take your leave. I may be late, do not stay awake for me and stay rested”

Maan left, and Geet spent the entire day familiarizing herself with her new home. As she explored the grandness of the house, she couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that everything belonged to her husband. And he has declared, it was all hers. To her, there was no distinction between his possessions and hers; they were one, and everything in the house was theirs between them. She absorbed the realization that she was the queen of this manor. The property was stunning, along with its grand interior and exterior, she admired the beautifully landscaped grounds.

Later Geet called Mrs D’Souza. She wanted to update her styling. Maan had his class and she will update her styling to be presentable as his wife. Not that he will ever mind and will be any less proud of her. But Geet wanted his head held high even with her presentation. It was her duty as well to do things for him.

“Yes Ma’am”

“Mrs. D’Souza, I need one of the best dress designers. Can you arrange one for me”

“Sure Ma’am.”

So one of the top designers was with her for long hours discussing her wardrobe. Geet was giving her best be with Maan in his decision but the feeling that he has left his family and generations of legacy business, caused an itch in her heart. She could feel his pain and she knew it was much deeper than what she was feeling for him. She cannot ask him to reverse his decision, he won’t listen and it will hurt him more. He has brought her here, made such a big decision for her. Now it was her duty to fill his life with happiness and further also work on making things normal with family. 

Geet had done all sorts of things the whole day and waited for Maan to be back. Maan had called her from the middle of his meeting and asked about her health and day. Instructed her to have her dinner and retire to bed on time. She should not wait for him, he had insisted.

Geet had looked at her phone several times in a day. Hers and Maan’s were new numbers from Australia and she did not remember family members’ numbers. Numbers were saved in her old phone, which was in Maan’s capture. He had ensured she did not contact anyone.  She will respect his decision. No more going against his wish. She has gone once and has to pay heavily. Actually he was paying for her deed, she felt. Later, due to her health and loneliness, she retired to bed.

Geet felt thirsty in her sleep. Lazily she got up, switched on the  side lamp only to find Maan was still not there. She poured the wanted in the glass, sipped the water and checked the cell phone to see the time.

2 am?? Maan was still not here. Worried, she called him but he did not pick. Panicked Geet called him again and again which was not answered

“Maan where are you?” In a state of panic and worry, Geet quickly rose and went to the window. Her eyes scanned the area below and were met with the stunning view of the private pool that was solely for their use. The swift movement in the water could only be her husband. She watched intently as he swam, causing splashes in the pool. Next, she was treated with a sublime sight: he emerged from the water in the center of the pool, his physique resembling that of a Greek god, shining under the lights. As he shook his head, droplets of water scattered like blue pearls, highlighting his chiseled features. Impatient to meet him, Geet was about to rush out but suddenly stopped.

“Jhalli, this is your chance to surprise him, bring happiness in his and your life.“ Yes, determined to bring happiness in his life, a smile formed on her face as a bold idea struck her.

Maan was again under water and was taking his lapses after lapses. In the process,he popped his head out  of water to breathe in and relax when his eyes went on his beautiful wife, standing wrapped in the robe, her hair falling on her back. She looked so serene and unbelievably beautiful with the moonlight falling on her flawless skin of her beautiful face

Their eyes met, Geet was smiling and he could sense the boldness in her eyes. What was she up to?

Maan was submerged underwater, swimming lap after lap. When he surfaced to catch his breath and relax, his gaze fell upon his stunning wife, wrapped in a robe with her hair cascading down her back. She looked so serene and unbelievably beautiful with the moonlight falling on her flawless skin of her beautiful face.

Their eyes locked, and Geet’s smile, coupled with the boldness in her eyes, intrigued him. What could she be planning?