Enduring Fragments – Part 8

“Can we get our privacy back? Wrap this up quickly” 

“Sure Sir” and she signaled Geet to follow her.

Maan watched Geet walking down in quick steps and closing the door or her single bed cabin.

**********

Geet, for the first time, was seated in the same car as Maan. She felt fortunate to be seated at the back seat with him.

After the airport, he had a long discussion with Divya. She stood far away, almost like a third person. However, after the conversation, Divya also got into another car. He signaled her from his hand to follow him.

She was happy to obey his commands. Anything, even small, that could please him. Her life over the past ten years had been humiliating and painful, while his had been glorious. Yet, he had been carrying the pain she had inflicted upon him by not trusting him. This journey is not about them; it’s about the heartbreak he has endured because of her. The pain he has endured is far greater than the challenges they have faced as they drifted apart.

He’s grown up, extremely successful man now. Ten years have passed, and why would he even remember her? But her own guilt drives her to do anything to make him happy and cherish the slightest moments they share.

Maan was deliberately occupied in his system, while Geet couldn’t take her eyes off him. She realized he was now beyond her reach. Her own Maan, her Maan, was now out of her league. The thought pained her, but it was all her own doing.

“Geet, believe me… I shouldn’t even have to ask you to. You know me, Jaan. Don’t break this bond like that—I won’t survive it, Geet.”

He had shed tears and joined hands in front of her, kneeling down.

However, she was filled with anger and fury. She had every right to Maan. Maan belonged to her alone and no one else. How could he be seen in pictures like that with that flashy Maya?

“Are these pictures a lie?”
“Geet, they’re not lies… but they’re not what they seem either. You are my world, Geet.”

“Maan, I’ve had more than enough of your reality checks. You can’t even deny a single one. I see you clearly now—a rich, spoiled brat. You’ve crossed every limit. You betrayed me emotionally, Maan. I don’t want to see you again.”

“Man, I’ve had enough reality checks about you, and you can’t even deny them. I understand what you are – a wealthy, spoiled brat. You’ve crossed all boundaries, man. You’ve emotionally cheated on me. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“Geet, main mar jaoonga,” he had cried. But her mind had already been poisoned. She had lost all hope in him and blindly believed every word of Sandeep—who she later discover ed was actually Ranjan.

“Go to hell, Maan. A pathetic womanizer like you—I won’t be your toy anymore. You think you can fool me? Not now. Tomorrow, I’m getting engaged to Sandeep. And in a week, we’re flying off to explore our relationship. Sandeep knows exactly how deeply you’ve hurt me. With this trip, I’m cutting every tie with you.”

“Sandeep bhai?” Maan had looked at Sandeep with painful eyes. Now, she was realizing how innocent her Maan was. That time, she had no idea about the poison that Sandeep was holding.

“You know Geet is mine. You know, I cannot breathe this air without Geet. How can you think of getting engaged with her?”

That cunning snake, Ranjan, disguised as Sandeep, who was pretending to be a saint at that time, gave Maan a disgusting look.

“No Maan. I cannot let Geet anywhere near a greedy and womanizer man like you. I have always seen Geet as your wife but not anymore. She loves you and you can anyway manipulate her. None of us can take that chance. Geet needs to be taken away from you sooner. After witnessing your acts, I have to take this hard decision”

“Geet – I did nothing. I am yours, only yours”

“Maan, don’t even dare talk to me. I feel ashamed of falling in love with a person like you. If you cannot be loyal to your parents, what loyalty do I expect from you. And after seeing these pictures in compromising position… Chih… I can’t bear your sight”

“Geet – someone framed me”

“Everyone who is caught so badly, will claim being framed. Per bhoot hogaya.” and in front of him, she had held Ranjan’s hand

“We are getting engaged tomorrow because, as Sandeep says, I do not want to be available for your manipulation.”

Brij Veerji, holding Maan’s wrists, dragged him out of the house and threw him onto the road. She had just witnessed him being dragged in that manner, in front of everyone, without uttering a single word, still enraged with him. That was the last image she saw of him in her eyes for ten long years until he came and rescued her from Ranjan’s grasp.

But how can she convince him that every moment of her life has haunted her and made her feel guilty for making him endure that humiliation and the feeling of not being trustworthy? Her love and devotion for him have only grown to an unbearable extent, while her hatred for herself has grown at the same time.

Very well knowing there was no way out, getting humiliated in exchange of witnessing his humiliation is the way of salvation that she found. 

Snapping out of her trance, she looked at him. He was immersed in his work, unbothered. How easy life seemed for him—no regrets, no remorse.

“Maan” lost in him, she called out his name, taking his attention. 

Well – was his attention not on her anyways. He had been trying hard to ignore her, dipping himself

“Excuse me?” he said, with knot forming between his eyebrows, the voice sounding so distance.

“Maan” she repeated, gathering herself to bring familiarity.

“Listen – we are not sitting here for a chit chat. This is hopefully our last journey together, after which we will be back to our different world, become strangers, that we truly are. You are just with me in same vehicle because of security region.”

“For once, just listen to me” she said in a pleading voice. 

“I have works to look into. If you have nothing to do, close your eyes and wait to reach your destination” he then placed his earplugs on and dipped himself in his laptop.

Geet waited a few moments, hoping for some sort of reaction from him. But when he remained completely distant, she finally turned her face to the window, choosing silence over expectation.

Maan exhaled deeply the moment she looked away. Why was it so hard to keep up this façade of indifference around her? Ten years had passed—why did she still have this hold over him?

He had built an empire from the ground up, risen to become one of the richest and most powerful business tycoons. And she… she was just a casino girl now. Yet somehow, in her presence, all of it seemed to shrink into insignificance.

He hated that. He hated that she could still make everything else feel like it didn’t matter. No, she didn’t deserve that kind of power over him—not anymore.

So finally, he will drop her to her destination and rub his hands off this unpleasant responsibility.

As Geet gazed out the window, she suddenly realized—they were on the road leading to her childhood home. A wave of nostalgia swept over her, warm and overwhelming.

She had run through these lanes, played endless games under the sun, laughed with friends… and most of all, shared countless moments with Maan. That open ground they just passed—it used to be their world.

Every corner held a memory, every turn a story. It wasn’t just a neighborhood; it was the heart of her childhood. A life full of innocence, joy, and love—wrapped in the simplicity of being with her family, her friends, and Maan.

That evening, as they were returning from her college, Maan, as usual, picked her up after her late class. The sky was a beautiful canvas of colors, and he had stopped his bike at the picturesque botanical garden.

The look in his eyes had told her, he was in a romantic mood.

“Maan, where are you taking me” But Maan kept running, making her run behind him, her wrist on his hold

He thrust her against the sturdy trunk of an old tree, its bark rough beneath her back. The golden light of the setting sun poured over her face, casting a warm glow that danced with the shadows.

“Sona” He gazed deeply into her eyes, a charming smile adorning his handsome face. She felt her cheeks flush from within. Maan was her Deewana, she ruled his heart. He was always by her side. Yet, whenever he approached her in this way, his eyes filled with romantic naughtiness, she felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach.

“Now, what is about this new name?” She asked faking anger, while smile on her face clearly told the story of her heart

Maan leaned in, enveloping her as he gently rested his forehead against hers. “This sunlight… the golden hue lighting up your face—it makes you glow like gold. My real gold… meri Sona,” he whispered.

She burst out laughing, her eyes twinkling with mischief, and gave him a playful push. Caught off guard, Maan stumbled and landed on the soft, sun-drenched grass.

“Flirty,” she teased, her voice light with laughter, as she looked down at him.

Maan had quickly gotten up and vanished without a word, leaving Geet puzzled about where he had gone.

Within five minutes, he returned, holding a vibrant, colorful bouquet in his hands. A soft smile tugged at her lips—she knew exactly where he had gotten it from, the little flower shop at the corner.

He straightened his hands and forwarded the flowers to her – “I love you”

“Liar” she said, playfully turned and moved away, very well knowing he will come behind her.

“I love you” he threw the petals of a yellow flower. She moved faster, he increased his speed

“I loovee youuuu” he blew more colorful flowers on her. She kept increasing her speed, he kept running behind and he kept showering her from flowers. Geet enjoyed making him run behind her. She knew he loved pampering her, making her feel special in all ways.

Later, he caught her wrist and turned her to me – “Tell me you love me”

She nodded for no, naughty smile on her face

“Bolo naa” he pleaded with a pout”

“Umm hmm”

“Fine. I am walking away. Only your love me can stop me now”

An then he, being Maan, started walking backward. 

“Maan stop” she shouted but he kept walking backward, reaching the curb of the road , the car was coming

“Maan stop, the car his coming from the other end”

“Nooo”

“Maan stop” The car was approaching and Geet panicked

“Maan, I love you. Stop please” and he immediately ran towards her and hugged her tight.

“Idiot” 

The vehicle bumped into a pot hole, jerked, bringing her back to reality.

And then seeing the location, the reality hit her. She had for long been lost in the road so much that she missed to analyze where they were heading

Why has he brought her here? She wondered, shocked and surprised.

In next five minutes, the car stopped at the patio on her bungalow. Not her anymore, her family’s bungalow.

Maan had his sunglass on and she knew he was not available to see her curious eye, nor answer her question.

The driver rushed ahead and rang the doorbell, sparing his boss the need to wait at the gate. Geet’s heart pounded in her chest. She had always handled strangers with practiced ease—cold, indifferent, playing the part of the bad girl who didn’t care what anyone said. For ten years, she had buried her emotions deep, living like a machine. But Maan—on his own was the one force strong enough to crack that seal. Her emotions, once locked away, already erupting, overflowing. And now, he had brought her to confront her family.

Thankfully, it was the housemaid who opened the door—someone who didn’t recognize her. She took the message without question and vanished inside. But how long could Geet remain hidden? Her worst fear unfolded right before her eyes when the entire family appeared… led by Daarji himself.

“Maan puttar,” Daarji said warmly. Geet quickly stepped aside, hiding herself as Maan walked in. Daarji moved toward him, and Maan respectfully bent to touch his feet, then those of Tayaji-Tayiji and Mumma-Papaji— but his face stoic. While his face remained composed, Geet’s heart was a storm of emotions, threatening to spill over. She couldn’t gather courage to meet their eyes.

Brij came to hug him, but Maan distant posture held him. Along with her, they had all wronged him.

“Maaf kerde puttar” Daarji said with his head held low

“You are much elder to me, please do not do that” he said, seeing all elders joining hands in front of him

 It didn’t look like they are meeting after that long a gap. The gap was there but they didn’t seem surprised to see him

Then her mother’s words made everything clear.

“How are you, son? Seeing you after two years,” Rano said, her voice laced with guilt and sorrow. Beneath it all was a quiet self-pity—for losing a son-in-law as rare and precious as a diamond.

“I have lots of work responsibilities” he said, not with disrespect but detachment was there.

Though distant, they felt like his own—people he had been sad or upset with, but never to the point of disrespecting or belittling them, as he had done to her. Why? She had done the same. They hadn’t believed him, just like her. But then, they didn’t dance for countless rich men, didn’t gamble in casinos, or draw men in with their beauty, exposing their bodies for attention. Unlike her, who had to be available to Ranjan—who had held her roughly to release his desires and frustrations.

“I have someone here with me” his words brought her back to reality.

“Come in” his tone changed as he ordered her

Geet slowly appeared from behind the door

“Geet” “Geet” Geet” came from their lips, shocked and surprised.

Geet finally looked up at her mother. Her eyes were filled with tears, and Geet felt hesitant, stepping forward would ruin the purity of the house. But Rano couldn’t hold back anymore. She ran to Geet and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Geet, puttar”

But Geet was numb. She has forgotten if there was any relationship in this world that she deserved to be associated with. She wanted to speak out to her mother, but something inside her held her. She could not gather herself to speak up, not knowing if she belonged there anymore or not.

“How are you dear? Ten years, you did not remember us? Where were you” Rano bombarded her with question and same did everyone else.

But she could see a little hesitation in eyes of Daarji and Brij Veerji

“She was with that Sandeep all these years, don’t you all know” Came from Brij

Brij Veerji, who loved her deeply and knew the truth of how she was tricked into being kidnapped, was now questioning her as if she had gone willingly. This entire family had made the decision to send her away, yet Brij Veerji had been with her halfway, before she was deceived and taken.

But in this world, none of the details mattered. The simple fact that she had spent the last ten years with Ranjan on an isolated island was enough to label her as tainted. It didn’t matter if she had been caged and forced—just being there was enough for her family and for Maan to see her as stained.

“I’ve freed her from the grip of that snake. She’s back, and she’s here to stay. I’ve spoken to her—she doesn’t want to return to that world.

I promise, I will make sure he never lays a hand on her again. Now, I’m handing her over to her family. My responsibility ends here.”

He delivered the update matter-of-factly, as though he were ticking off tasks on a checklist, each one marked complete.

“Geet, come inside. This is your house dear” said her Tayiji

“Hold on Geet, stop” Came strong voice of Daarji

“Geet, we’ve faced a great deal of humiliation since your disappearance. It took us years to rebuild our reputation. People have a clear idea of what your life must have been like with that Sandeep. No one knows where he is now, but it’s not hidden from anyone about the kind of business he runs. After living that life, you cannot be a part of this family,” Brij said, echoing Daarji’s perspective.

“Daarji, what is Brij speaking? You are educated man Brij, how can you say so” interrupted Mohinder

“Rano-Mohinder try to understand.” Daarji then turned to Geet

“Geet, will you tell us what your status was with Sandeep?” Daarji asked.

Geet’s gaze fell to Maan’s hand, his fist clenched so tightly that the veins stood out.

He must be feeling humiliated because of her. He had to endure all of this again, all because of her.

“I was a casino girl there, dancing in bars to lure rich men to the tables,” Geet said without hesitation. She felt numb—without any sense of feeling or shame. Her family was questioning her, and she had become like stone, accepting the humiliation without flinching.

“With all her profile of ten years and now returning at 32 years – what will be her status here. Are you all again ready to be questioned about her in society. And what will we answer. Rajji, is pregnant, what will her In-laws say, what will this neighborhood ……”

“She will not stay here. I will see into her arrangement” Maan cut Daarji’s excuses in between.

Rano and Tayiji continued to cry, while the men stood by, watching as Maan grabbed Geet by the arm and dragged her along.

Geet felt nothing more than a burden to him. He had tried to leave her here and be done with her. They had sugar-coated their refusal to let her stay, and now, he would make the next decision for her.

“I will find my own place,” Geet finally spoke.

“Did anyone ask your view?” he gave her a sharp look.

“I am a burden for you. That is very clear and I don’t intend to be one. You can be free from me; I will find my own living”

“Why not? You must be itching to return to that glamorous world, filled with lights, smoke, and men. I already asked you if you wanted out of that cage, and you told me you’d never want to go back. Had you given me the right answer, I wouldn’t have gone through the effort of bringing you this far.”

“I will never go back to that world”

“Really. And you think, by finding your own living, staying on your own, that bas***d will not find you? You think, he must have not already started hunting for you and waiting for me to just leave you on your own? You think that?”

Geet was speechless. He was absolutely right, Ranjan will not top hunting for her.

“So, stop using your brain. This brain has lost all it’s capability. It only knows how to allure men.”

Maan took a deep breath—he hated the thought of taking her there, but it was the only place left where she would be safe. The only place where Ranjan could never reach her.