Enduring Fragments – Part 6

“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. Go sit on the other side” he ended.

The car drove straight to the VVIP parking zone, escorted by four other vehicles—two in front and two behind.

As soon as they stopped, Maan’s commandos surrounded their car, stepping out swiftly from the other vehicles.

Maan walked ahead with Geet trailing slightly behind, the commandos forming a protective circle around them. Just before they entered the hotel, Maan slipped off his suit jacket and tossed it toward Geet. She caught it, still lost in thought, studying this new, distant, and unapproachable version of Maan.

She needed to talk to him, but she had no idea how. The Maan who once did everything to make her smile now felt unreachable—and she knew it was all her own doing.

“Cover yourself,” Maan ordered curtly. Geet obeyed without a word and followed him.

They stepped into the elevator, ascending to the 12th floor of the towering luxury hotel. As the doors slid open, a poised woman awaited their arrival.

“Take her to the room that I asked to arrange. I’ll join there soon,” Maan instructed.

“Sir, Miss Divya has been excited about the room. I mean…”

“I know what you mean. Take her there, I will be there soon”

Geet remained silent, her thoughts swirling. She knew her place here—she was a spectator, a possession. He would decide, and she would comply. That was the reality of this world and she had willingly stepped into it.

She had placed herself as the prize for the game and he had won her. Luckily her winner was Maan. Even if it was someone else, she had to do the same – Do as asked to. If she does not, then she will be finished, either by Ranjan because her winner will initiate war against him for her disloyalty or her new owner himself would finish her story. And these people were so powerful that no one will even know that she has been eliminated from this world. All her ties from the world had been cut so no one would come to find her or fight for her. Plus, no one will know in which part of the world her story ends.

She is truly thanking God that it is Maan who had won her and that no one else before him had been able to win over her. At least she will not have to invent new ways to keep another man away from her. 

“Follow her,” Maan instructed Geet before walking off in another direction.

As Geet followed the woman, passing room after room, she noticed Maan’s security stationed at regular intervals. After living in this world of danger for years, it didn’t take her long to conclude that Maan had booked the entire floor. 

For a decade, she had been confined to the shadows of the casino underworld, kept out of real-world dealings. But now, witnessing Maan’s reach and power, she could clearly sense that he had achieved something extraordinary. The name MK had sent Ranjan into fits of fear, and now she understood why.

Could she have ever imagined, back then, that her carefree, fun-loving Maan, who had once been stripped of everything, would rise to such heights? That incident, followed by her betrayal, had reshaped him entirely, turning the light-hearted boy she had known into the powerful man before her.

And this—this dominance and control—was the result.

Lady opened the door to the room and signaled Geet to get in. 

Geet entered the room and was shocked to see the decor. It was romantically decorated, with fancy velvety bedding, dim lights, fragrance candles in designer holders, red and white flowers and bouquets all around . Her heart skipped the beat – does Maan really want to go that way with her? 

No, Maan will never get his anger out on her this way.  Not that she has any qualms in doing anything he asks. She is his and only his, though he will never believe it now.

But as he has changed to such an extent, what if she actually was a trophy for him and he wanted to show how he deals with his trophy. Her heart started going uneven just at the thought of Maan coming to her with that intention, him sitting on bed and pulling her to him, if his perfectly shaped lips brush over her softly it will press himself harshly on her. 

The mere thought sent shivers down her spine, leaving her unsure whether it was fear or longing.

Her unfiltered thoughts were interrupted by the lady there

“You be settled here till you get next instruction “

“Yeah yeah…” she spoke, coming back to reality.

“Damn,” she muttered, forcing herself to rein in her thoughts. The lady left, leaving Geet alone in the room with nothing to do. She hadn’t even been allowed to pack her belongings; Maan’s men had taken care of everything, retrieving all her documents and possessions from Ranjan.

This is what her life was. She has been staying just as an object for the last ten years. Her documents were never hers to possess, her freedom dictated entirely by Ranjan. She was taken only to places where he needed to flaunt her presence or to dance performances for events he sponsored.

What has changed now? Well if one compares apples to apples then it will appear as if nothing has changed in her life. But with Maan being the new man, she strongly believes it will be anything but the same.

Tiredness took over Geet, she pulled the pillow on the headboard and supported her head on it, comforting herself but still sitting at the edge of the bed. She pulled his coat on her to cozy herself. Ironically, that was the only thing that made her feel at home after ten years.

 Deep sleep that overtook Geet was broken by the loud knock on the door, then steps of someone entering. She woke up with a jerk to see Maan standing there and a skinny girl with micro dress beside him. Well her own dress was nothing more. Maan’s suit is covering her. If felt as is she has slept for hours but then her eyes went on the clock to realize it was half an hour of power nap

Maan had shock on his face seeing the decor of the room decor

“Who the hell…” 

“MK, Miss Divya did it..” the assistant lady interrupted. Maan turned away from the skinny girl to take a deep breath. 

The skinny girl stepped forward, almost leaning into Maan, her arms draping around him. Geet watched the scene unfold before her, a pang of discomfort rising in her chest ..

“MK, I made this room for us. Why is this girl here?” Maan looked at Geet who was blankly looking at them. Something struck him, he gave a stern look at Geet and then turned to Divya with a smile and pulled her close to her in a jerk, gluing her to him. His one hand wrapped around Divya’s petite waist and the other on her bare thigh, just below her bottom bulge which was almost popping out due to the shortness of her mini skirt.  

Maan very cunningly glanced at Geet who was looking at him like an spector. He quickly moved his focus back on Divya. His fingers elegantly played on Divya’s thigh while his other hand wrapped even tighter on her waist. Divya felt like never before, she was flying high of pride to be held by him possessively while other girls could just keep looking. Not only high that way, she was getting triggered from inside as well. But Maan did not care, he was used to taking girls high for his needs and left them dry.

“You did this room for us” he said looking deep into her eyes

“Mk, you asked me to get the room ready, you forgot?”

“Ohh, how can I? It’s so sweet of you. But I have a better plan”

“You didn’t like my arrangement Mk” 

Maan glanced at Divya, cunningness in his eyes that Divya didn’t have capability to understand. “Of course, I had something special in mind for us, something more elegant,” he said with a smirk, his eyes scanning the room. “But this… this is a bit too tacky for my taste. I suppose it’s better suited for someone like her.” His words were sharp, deliberately aimed at making Geet feel small. 

He intended to show her, if she has moved on, he has very well moved on. But Maan had no idea, he pinched her by thousand sharp thorns in her heart

Divya’s gaze shifted to Geet, and a sense of rivalry flickered within her witnessing Geet’s striking beauty  which ignited a pang of jealousy in her chest, she couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of pride being in Maan’s arms. To her, it was a victory, a confirmation that she had captured his attention—something Geet, no matter how beautiful, could not claim.

“Of course you are right MK” 

“Can we talk later now?” Maan said with a smile but the cunningness that sent shrill through her.

“Sure. Bye for now” and she soon disappeared.

He looked around the room and then briefly turned to Geet. Gave sharp stoic look to her before shifting his focus to his assistant

“Stella, get this decor cleaned and show her the wardrobe. “

“Sure sir”

“And make sure she if ready by 8 in the morning”

“Sure Sir”

And Maan left. Not giving Geet even a single chance to talk to him.

Geet was shown the wardrobe “here’s the night clothing and there are day  wear. Select as per your choice. And tomorrow, wake up early. Breakfast will be here by 7 am”

“7 am”

“This is not a casino. In MK’s world, people sleep early and their day starts early.” 

Geet changed and dinner arrived for her.

“”No, I need to talk to you, Maan. At least once. I don’t know what your plans are for me, but if you’re planning to send me far away from you, I can’t let this chance slip away. I have to speak to you today. I know you might not believe me, but I still need to say it—there is no one but you who is my world.” She decided.

Maan stripped himself of all the clothings and dipped himself into the jacuzzi at the center of the bathroom. He threw his head back on the rim and closed his eyes. 

It had been a straining task since he had found out that she was here with Ranjan and further seeing her dance on the table of each man, clearly alluring them of her skin show. He cannot fool himself to think she was untouched, the way she had been with Ranjan for ten years and in the environment and job to allure men, the way she did. Was it not clear that she must have been used to warming men’s beds? But then, he was not part of her life and he has no right to judge her. It was her decision, how she takes on with her life. He got strong information that she was caged by Ranjan, so he rescued her. Now he has to just confirm from her, if she wants to go back to Ranjan, she has to prove to him that he is keeping her well and that she is really happy to be there. Who is he to decide on her behalf? But he can’t stay still if he is not clear that danger is lurking over her or not.

On the other hand, now that she has been taken away, Maan knows Ranjan will not let her live. He has to ensure that Ranjan is not able to reach her at any cost.

Rest, she should not matter to him. He has his family, his business and his life to focus on.

Maan was relaxing, letting his thoughts validate his act as nothing related to heart .

He heard commotion on the small voice monitor. The monitor was placed for him hear any single word spoken outside his door

“Just for once, let me meet him” He heard her voice but kept lying the way he was.

“This is not possible, go to your room”

“Listen, I promise, after this I will not ask for a single favor. I will do as I am asked. I just want to meet him once”

“It’s his time to relax and no one is allowed in. If you do not listen, the lady guards will drag you away from here”

“Send her in” the head commando got his instruction “Sir”

The head commando signalled the guards “let her in. It’s boss’s instruction”

The door opened for Geet and she rushed in. The suit hall was empty. She moved in to take a peek into the bedroom, it was empty. Her heart beat fast as she saw an open arc pillar having a heavy curtain on it as a partition. She went close to realize it was an open bathroom simply partitioned and covered by the curtain on the arc.

“Come in” came his strong voice. Geet straightened herself. She thanked god that she was dressed decently now –  a loose top and a long skirt.

There was no other way than to go inside. If not now then she may never  get a chance to even speak to him

Geet removed the curtain to see Maan soaked inside jacuzzi, jet doing it’s hard work giving him the needed massage

“Maan,” her voice was soft, velvety, and laced with emotion.

“You have ten minutes to say whatever you need to,” came his harsh, cutting words. His eyes remained closed, clearly indifferent, as he refused to acknowledge her presence.

Geet could not stop herself and went to sit on the ground , on her knees, near his head. Maan could sense her closeness. His heartbeat uneven but his face showed none. Eyes still closed.

Geet lifted her hand to cradle his face and whispered, “Maan”

Maan’s voice was cold, sharp, and distant as he spoke, “Get your hand off. If you have nothing to say, you may leave. I know my name, and only my family is allowed to call me by it. For the rest of the world, I am MK.”

Geet didn’t pull her hand away; she continued to gently trace his face, feeling the hardness of his features, knowing this might only be her moment to feel him.

“Bohut naraz ho, hona bhi chahiye. Haq hai tumhara sab,” she whispered softly, her voice filled with regret and longing.

He lifted his hand and pushed hers away. “Stay in your limit,” he ordered coldly, finally opening his eyes. But as his gaze met her, her raw, beautiful face, so close to his, tugged at his heart. He turned away quickly, his chest tightening.

“Naraz? Huunnn…” he scoffed, a small, bitter laugh escaping his lips.

“You are almost a stranger to me. I am seeing you after how many years, well I have no tabs off exactly how long. I keep such feelings only for my very close ones. I don’t think you are anywhere near that list.”

“Why did you let me in here then?” Geet was not buying his aloofness. He can keep playing along.

“I guess you are done with whatever you have to say. You may leave now”

“No-no Maan” she held his arm “Few minutes”

“MK” he corrected her “What do you have to say, be fast”

“Maan, I understand, I do not matter to you. You have moved on with life and are doing great. And it is so valid from your side to move on from a person like me. But for me it has been the opposite. I have never been able to move ahead from you, itne khas jo ho tum. You do not need to believe me, Maan but you are my world, my precious memories are only with you.” 

He gave her an intent look

“And what should I do with this information?”

“I just wanted to express this to you”

“I am a businessman and I do not need any news, fake or real, which is of no use to me. Now listen and answer me straight”

“What?”

“Do you love Ranjan” came his sharp question, shocking Geet

“Maan, no, never” 

“You can just answer yes or no. Don’t waste your energy in adding tons of expression to your words. It’s going to be of no use”

“Would you want to return to your casino life?” he again asked, as if talking about normal business. It was so straight, no feelings attached. It gave pangs into her heart.

“No Maan, never”

“Are you sure? I witnessed you enjoyed that life”

“I just want to be where you want me to be. You took me out of that hell, I owe my life to you for that”

“Fine. You may leave now” and he closed his eyes to completely ignore her presence. Geet left at last, absorbing him for one last time.