Silent Whisper – Chapter 27

He handed his belongings to Nakul, his favorite attendant, and turned towards the kitchen to get some chilled water, hoping to see his mother there.

Geet, who was not a kitchen girl, had stepped in. She was fully aware that these were not the things Maan had expected from her. However, after he left, she had imagined doing things for him and yearned to get back into his life. She wanted to be someone who could be everywhere around him, an integral part of him, and do things for him.

But it can’t all happen overnight. Just sitting in his grand mansion and expecting things to magically appear on her plate won’t work. They’ve given her physical space in this house, but in the real world, she has no space. She has to make her own way. It will be a gradual process.

All these thoughts have brought her to the kitchen today. At least she can begin by preparing her breakfast.

She prepared her plate with Greek yogurt, a bowl of oats, and a boiled egg. Since everyone else had already had breakfast, she decided to have hers on the balcony of her room.

Geet, engrossed in her tasks, was about to step out with her plate from the kitchen when someone collided with her with full force, causing her plate to fall to the floor and scatter its contents. Geet stumbled, trying to regain control of her plate, but was then firmly held by a strong arm.

Maan was rushing to the kitchen to get hold of his mom before anyone else saw him and informed her. He was walking fast while turning behind to give Nakul instructions. And thus, they collided.

His strongholds were so deeply ingrained in Geet’s heart that, even without seeing the holder, her heartbeat quickened.

Grasping her heart, she turned to look at him. Oh, so close. After so long, seeing his face made Geet unable to even blink. She wanted to absorb every feature of his face, every detail.

Man, on the other side, was looking at her in shock. He was still trying to comprehend how she had ended up in this house, let alone in the kitchen! Was this real? It had to be, because he never dreamed of such a nightmare.

Vicky, who was running, stopped on his way and saw Geet in his brother’s arms. They faced each other, and their eyes locked.

“Bhai” Vicky called out meekly, already nervous of the outcome.

Maan steadied her properly and then turned his attention to Vicky. She observed how level-headed he was, as always! He didn’t leave her to fall on the ground; instead, he steadied her. For the thousandth time, Geet fell in love with everything that he was.

But By now Maan’s focus was completely on Vicky

“Bhai, I will explain you this”

“You will explain me THIS!” his voice low, yet deep and dangerous. Geet could feel the coldness and it sent chill down her spine.

“THIS” – it was for her. Here she was an ‘incident’.

“Bhai, come and settle down. We’ll explain everything to you.”

“Explanations! It has happened, and now you expect me to listen to explanation?” What more needs to be explained? Maan completely disregarded her presence and let his discomfort with her be evident when he spoke to Vicky, revealing how unwelcome she was in his life.

The dagger pierced her heart, leaving tears glistening in her eyes. Maan left with Vicky without a glance.

The servants appeared soon after Maan left and started on their job of cleanup.

“Ma’am, would you like us to prepare your breakfast?”

“I am not hungry” Geet somehow spoke and left from there.

Geet quietly closed the door to her room and rushed to the balcony, her heart racing with anxiety. She couldn’t quite pinpoint what unsettled her more—seeing him again after three long years or his coldness. That coldness gave her a glimpse of the emotional distance that lay ahead. Maan seemed like a big, heavy rock impossible to move.

But then, seeing him after years, made her urge stronger to get back into his life.

********

In the grand family meeting hall, Maan stood with a question on his face, looking at everyone for an answer.

“Bhai, you do not know she is such a stubborn” Annie jumped in

“Annie, I am not here to get gossip about how she is, and I do not need your views on her. I want a straight answer as to why and how she is here.”

Annie shut up immediately.

“Blame it on your parents’ soft heart and ethics, and the stubbornness of that girl, which brought her here. In the end, it’s all your doing.” Declared Dadima.

Maan looked at her with a questioning look

“Hmmm.. had you sent a divorce notice to her, she would not have been here today. Because she legally still holds the status of your wife, it was not easy to send her off.”

“And Dadima, do you think the divorce process would have been easy or even possible? And had I been involved in that process of divorce, was this success even possible? The whole point was to cut off from the emotional family drama and not be involved in it. I was just a month away, and you all let her in.”

Maan was clearly irked. All he wanted to focus on now was getting to the top in the country and falling off The Chadhas.

“Maan, she positioned herself at the gate from morning until late evening. We ignored her presence for three days, but then it soon felt inappropriate. She is Geet Handa, after all. Her identity is recognized by many. Surprisingly, the Paparazzi overlooked or missed her presence. Had the situation come to light, the revelation of Geet Handa being the wife of Maan Singh Khurana would have become public. And the hassle related to her, that you are trying to avoid, would have been inevitable.”

His dad explained the scenario in detail.

“Also, Maan, on the fourth day it was raining, and she kept standing at the gate. She declined the offer of the umbrella as well. She is still legally your wife. This fact has bound our hands. This is all built by you; it’s yours, Maan. With what right can we keep your wife waiting at the gate? It is you who should take action in this matter,” his mother explained to him further.

“hmmm… so she used the situation,” Maan observed the whole conversation

“And why did none of you inform me about this?”

“We didn’t find her important enough to disturb your important business trip.”

“Then let’s do the same, make sure I am not disturbed by her presence. I do not want any topic related to her discussed in this house, at least not in front of me. Also, do not bother yourself with her presence. Let her just be.”

“But you have the right to throw her out,” shot Dadima

“Dadima, do you realize how much blown-up drama that will be? I just don’t want to be involved.” And Maan left from there.

**********

After the first jolt of receiving his coldness at first hand, Geet stabilized herself.

“I love you, Maan. I truly love you. More than anything, I want to be a part of your life, to be near you, to hold you close, and to share my nights with you. It’s the little things that matter, Maan. I know that you’ve moved on, but give me just one chance, I promise to fill your life with love and happiness. I might seem like a very selfish and opportunistic person to you all and others, but I’m okay with that because all my previous actions direct to that thought. All that I want is for you to know that you are my world. You are my world now.”

All the Khuranas were in the dining area for lunch. Sandhya had prepared Maan’s favorite dish because he had been back after a long time. Along with that, she knew how disturbed he was by this unexpected change in the mansion. They had hardly moved here and this! She wanted to please her son.

Maan had heard the news, grasped the situation, and then let it pass through him like a water stream passes over smooth marble without disturbing it. Maan has reached this height in such a short period, and his foresight about situations has been a key tool in this. When he had made plans to move back to the country, he had never completely ignored that Geet would once again try to make her presence in his life. He always kept a five percent chance open for such unexpected situations. Only that it would come so soon was a little more than expected. So, he was not completely unprepared to handle such situations. He gave himself an hour to think about the situation and came to the decision – let her be. She can use this space to live here. He has more important goals to focus on. And after that, he was done with the topic.

Maan had complete composure on his face when he approached the dining hall. Dadima and his dad took the head seats. Maan settled beside his dad and smiled at his mom.

“I can smell my favorite,” He said, looking at his mother with a smile on his face. Sandhya breathed in relief, seeing a smile on his face. She knew he was back in control.

Geet, in her room, was nervous

“It’s lunch time, Geet, and just like a family, you need to be there with all.”

Geet approached the dining hall; all were busy listening to Maan. Maan had already taken the easy seat beside his dad. There was one empty seat in a dangerous spot – near Dadima. Geet tied her fist tight by her side, gathered herself, and pulled the chair to take her seat.

“Good afternoon Dadima,” Geet gave Dadima a smile

“We thought you had decided to make your own food going forward”. Insult, indifference – it was all worth it if she got back her place in his life. He will all her respect back to her once he accepts her back into his life.

“I wanted to learn…”

“Dadima, I have some special news for you.” Geet was interrupted by Annie’s words to Dadima even before she started

“Really, that one?” Dadima’s eyes lit up

“What’s going on?” Maan asked in a stern voice

“Nothing of your interest. It’s our girly thing,” Said Dadima. Maan widened his eyes

“Girly? You?” he shook his head. Geet silently observed his family vibe.

Geet kept eating quietly and was waiting for a small, silent moment. But Maan being back from the tour, people have a lot to talk and listen to him.

There was a small moment of silence, but it went away as quickly as it came, with Geet trying to gather her courage to talk to him.

Finally, almost at the end of the lunch, there was again a moment of silence. Geet gathered all her mental strength

“Maan, how was your tour?” she finally asked, her voice cracking with hesitation. Maan paused for a second and then looked at her

“It was a business tour. Can not share the details with an outsider.”

Ooopps, it hit deep.

And he again turned his focus toward his mom and asked her to pass the bowl of boiled lentils. He didn’t even wait to see her reaction or her defeated face. He simply didn’t care.

Geet did not say a word after that and silently finished her lunch. She rather focused on his talks to his family. Even his voice, reaching her ears, felt like a treasure

“Mom, I am tired from the travel and too much has happened,” Maan told his Mom as he wiped his hands.

“You go rest, no one will disturb you”

It was Sunday, and people were either relaxing or finishing their personal work. It was silent.

Geet was in her room, not knowing how to crack this situation. All she knew was she wanted to be part of Maan’s life, and now, after seeing his family, she wanted to be part of this family.

Geet got a call from her dad

“Geet, it’s been one month now. What’s your plan?”

“Dad, Maan is just back today”

“And he must have been happily surprised to see you there, right?” Mohinder scolded her

“Dad, I always knew it was not going to be easy. But I cannot just give up on my love”

“And this forcefully entering his house and pushing yourself into their life will help?”

“Dad, you won’t help me, so let me help myself.”

“You are not helping yourself, but you are bringing complications into your life and in Maan’s life, whom you claim to love. Geet, come back and set him free.”

“Dad, I will be back, but only if you are ready to see a soulless Geet.”

“Geet, yeh kya pagalpan hai. Now that he is successful, he will take it in the wrong way.” Mohinder said worryingly.

“Whatever it is, Dad, I want to win his trust back. I want to be part of his life, at any price he asks for it. I loved him even then, but I broke his trust. I have to give him happiness and take his sourness away.”

“I wish I could help you with this. Whenever you feel your limit has been reached, do not hesitate to come home.”

“How is Mom?”

“How will she be, very well knowing her daughter is hurting each day?”

“I know she is very angry at me, give my love to her. Tell her I am all good.”

“You are not, I know it.”

“Dad, I will soon be resuming my work from here. I have got a small office space booked.”

“Hmm… fine. Good for you, but do not worry about work as of now.”

Talking to her father, Geet felt somewhat better.

After catching up with some work, Geet went for a run, which would give her some clarity.

After an hour of running, when she returned, she realized that people must have gotten over the Sunday afternoon siesta mood and were now active. In the huge mansion, though, it seemed quiet on the ground floor, other than a few servants doing some work.

She needed to talk to Maan, but in this six-story building with four large wings, she didn’t know where his room was.

Dadima, his parents, and now her room were on the ground floor. Though all were in different wings and had enough privacy, of course, with fitness freak Maan, the first floor was designed for workouts – one wing had a lavish swimming pool area with an indoor-outdoor pool and all ultra-modern facilities, while the other had an extremely fully-fledged gym – it was huge, equipped with all types of equipment and setups. Another wing had a yoga room, meditation space, and calming zone with a beautiful flower garden. Geet herself had sat in that garden while feeling anxiety, and it had all the beauty and fragrance to calm her down. The butterflies and birds continued to hop from one flower to another. The last wing was a relaxing zone, featuring a luxurious and comfortable sitting arrangement in the glass room, which included a massage chair, massage beds, sauna and steam rooms, hot and cold plunges, and whatnot.

On the next floor lived his siblings, each with two wings. They didn’t entertain her, so she was unaware of how Maan designed their stay. It was obviously unique and classy.

Maan owned the entire fifth floor. She was curious about how he had it designed.

Knowing him, she guessed that one wing was his workspace and the other was his living area. This reminded her of his stay in the guest room of her flat, how grounded and low-key he had kept it. His current space reflected his futuristic vision. If she had invested more in their relationship, she would have understood him better instead of just seeing herself as ‘The Geet Handa’ and him only as her husband.

Above was a penthouse with a party and game area accessible from outside, allowing friends to gather without disturbing the family.

Geet went to freshen up, already feeling butterflies in her belly. She got ready in a light summer dress that danced around her knees, its fabric soft against her skin, and applied light make-up that enhanced her natural beauty without overwhelming it. She looked at herself in the mirror, feeling content with her appearance. She looked decent and pleasant. Maan would like it this way, not more, not less; and it made her heart race with anticipation of meeting him.

Though she looked calm from the outside, her heartbeat was erratic.

“Why are you nervous Geet. He is the same Maan. No, he is not the same Maan but still, eventually he the same. And what is making you nervous, his rejections? He will reject and you know that. But you have start from somewhere” she explained herself.

Geet was near the glass elevator when she saw Sandhya coming out from her wing. Their eyes met and Geet walked towards her

“Mom” she called out.

“You can call me Mrs. Khurana. You should not say something when it does not come from the heart,” Sandhya said. The politest woman ever. If she is not accepting her, imagining Maan believes or accepts her right away will be foolish.

“Mom, I was going to talk to Maan, can I go?”

“Maan is back, and his floor is open for all.” Geet gave her a smile. Sandhya nodded but did not return a smile.

Sandhya turned to leave “One more small question, Mom” Came from Geet. Sandhya turned to look at her

“In which wing of the floor should I look for him?”

“Whole floor is his, he can be anywhere.” Geet nodded and returned a smile again. Sandhya nodded and turned.

Geet took the lift to Maan’s floor. As she ascended the beautifully designed glass elevator, she could see the grandeur and the beauty of the whole mansion. Modern yet classy, palatial look.

Geet stepped on Maan’s floor – His floor, it all belongs to him, his personal space; the feeling itself gave a jitter in her belly.

The whole wing was quiet. Geet checked one wing – it was his personal living space – a whole lavish apartment in its own. She crossed the rooms and finally reached his exclusive beyond grand bedroom suite. Geet stopped at the door. Somehow, she could not gather the courage to go in there. Their bedroom story was a whole different thing. But she realized the stillness there and understood he was not there.

Geet reached another wing. It was his work wing. Geet could feel he was there, somewhere in this wing. She stepped in to see a full-fledged office setup there. She kept moving in, and then the door opened from the cabin, and there appeared Maan.

He gazed at her, rooted to the spot. Geet, captivated, absorbed him within her. Before words could shatter the intensity of the moment, she wanted to sink in his presence. He had always been handsome, but it has now been enhanced with affluence and style.

“You? Here?” He broke her moment, a frown clear on his face

“Maa-aan” Geet spoke, so lost in him that her voice merely reached his ears, but words reached him.