Enduring Fragments – Part 5

As they walked out of the casino, Geet noticed the professional commandos surrounding them, forming an invisible wall of protection. Yet, her gaze remained locked on the masked Maan. He strode forward with unwavering confidence, his expression neutral and his demeanor devoid of hesitation. It was as if her presence meant nothing to him, yet she knew the truth—he was there for her and her alone. Even if he claimed otherwise, she couldn’t shake the belief that his presence was specifically for her.

“Maan, for once show me your face. I am dying to see you, please Maan” she pleaded in her mind.

The long limousine stopped and Maan entered without giving a look at Geet. Neither did he ask her to get in.  The commando opened the door for her and she stepped inside the lavish vehicle. And then she and Maan were the only inside the custom designed interior luxury vehicle. The seats were long running on two sides. Geet settled on the opposite side of the one on which Maan was seated. His mask still on and he, busy on his laptop.

“Maan, please get the mask off. It’s been ten years, I want to see your face, please Maan” she finally pleaded. 

Without even looking at her, he removed his mask but completely ignoring her

“Hello everyone” she looked around but soon figured out he was on call, bluetooth in his ear

“So, my apologies for canceling the previous meeting. I hope everyone needed for this meeting is present”

“Sandy – please initiate the presentation,” he instructed, then directing his attention to the call for the next thirty minutes, while Geet remained intently focused on him.

How the ten years have transformed him. Beyond his undeniable good looks and improved physique, it was the confidence that was giving her butterflies. She realized, now he was no longer that boy next door who performed silly stunts to win her over. He had evolved from the boy who followed the typical Bollywood romance tropes—bringing her flowers each morning, crafting hearts in the sand with “Maan and Geet” written between them, baking cakes and eagerly awaiting her approval, and filling her room with teddy bears, roses, and heartfelt greeting cards on special occasions. The one who was proud and and enjoyed other’s jealousy not even considering that even girls were getting jealous of Geet. This was a boy who would always be there for her, regardless of the time or place. The boy who effortlessly did things for her without hesitation or expectation.

But the man in front of her seemed like a stranger, utterly different from the person she once knew. He was so unreachable with complete formal demure. More unreachable to her considering the events that had unfolded between them a decade ago. Geet was dying to break this ice between them. Had she ever imagined 10 years back that she had to even think twice to say anything to Maan. Even her anger or frustration on anything , she used to pour it on him and he never minded

“Okay baby, you are upset now, you can pour it all on me. Later I am gonna get a tight hug from you. My gain..” This is how he always had his ways to cheer her up. But this Maan was so oppositr and unapproachable.

After he was done with the call, he poured a drink for himself and sipped looking outside the window

“Maan, ek baar dekh lo meri taraf” But Maan as if did not hear and kept looking outside the window, while supporting his back on the comfortable seat, adding cushion on his back, making himself more relaxed. He again took out his lappy and directed his focus there.

Geet tried another way to initiate the conversation. She did not know where he was taking her and what he had decided for her nor did she care. However angry he was, what ever he has decided for her, it can hurt her , give her pain but it will never be unsafe for her and her dignity. She had that level of trust on him, even though he had won her in casino. She once again regretted her words and acts – How had she not trusted him that time. Her biggest mistake of life. The mistake that caused her the punishment of serving in casino and living there caged for 10 years.

Not knowing what fate he has decided for her, she can not lose this time that she has got with him, she will try her best.

“Nice to see, you have moved so far ahead in life”

Maan gave a very slight look at her with questing frown and he soon turned away

Phir se milne ki jahaan pe

De gaye the tum qasam

Dekh lo aa kar, wahin pe

Aaj bhi baithe huye hain hum

Tumhare the, tumhare hain

Tumhare hi rahenge hum

Tumhare the, tumhare hain

Tumhare hi rahenge hum

She knew she had no right to ask him to talk, no right to demand anything from him, she had lost any say ten years back.

“Maan, I know you are upset, angry, ….” 

“WILL YOU JUST SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!! Damn, I am trying to seriously focus here” He said it so loud and the chillness of no emotion in his face, scared Geet to core, shutting her up and drinking her words in mid. 

For Maan, sitting in the same confined space as her was suffocating him. Her words to him 10 years back were hitting him. But in these 10 years, Maan has made himself strong as a rock – Mentally, financially and emotionally and he was prepared to not be affected by her presence.He was not that 23 year old young lively boy of rich parents, who felt life is bed of roses for him. 

Still, why her presence felt like he was emotionally back to where he was a decade ago.

Muddatein bhi chand lamhon

Jaisi lagti hain, sanam

Baat hi aisi tumhare

Ishq mein kuchh hai, mere humdum

Tumhare the, tumhare hain

Tumhare hi rahenge hum

Tumhare the, tumhare hain

Tumhare hi rahenge hum

Even if he tells himself everyday that she is none to him, he knows very well he is lying to himself. Any number of girlfriends in his life cannot replace her. But even if he knows deep within that he is hers, he very well knew she was never his. The day she gave her hand in hands of Ranjan aka Sandeep, for him it was clear, she was never his. It doesn’t matter that she was fooled by the false proof against him. If she did not believe him more than the proof, she was never his.

To his relief, he got a very urgent message regarding his project in South Africa and it took his complete attention, saving him from his suffocation to be seated in confined space with her.

Geet kept looking at him while he got busy with his calls. She knew she was at fault and deserves any worst treatment that he has planned for her, but sitting this far away was not possible for her at this moment. 

Geet got up and went beside him. Maan was busy in his work when he felt weight beside him. Shuddered by the realization of her being by his side, Maan tried moving away but Geet held his arm “Maan please”

“Excuse me?” he said completely unaffected

Geet raised her hand and placed it softly on his cheek. Shivered from inside, keeping stone face, Maan held her wrist and removed it away 

“Don’t mistake yourself for anything special. You are just the winning trophy. Stay in your limits. The closeness should only come when your owner wishes. Are you not used to doing things as per your owner’s wishes? Did your previous owner not train you properly” he poured as much hatred as he could. 

Geet had tears in her eyes “Right, my owner you are. I must know my limits” 

“Right. You got it right. Not go on the other side and take your seat there”