Enchanted – Chapter 57

Malini ji asked Geet to rest while she went to fetch Maanveer. But someone met her halfway and offered to call him instead.

Maan only knew that he was going to meet Malini ji. He had no idea why he was being called.

“Malini ji is here,” said Prakash.

“Thanks, I’ll meet her.” Prakash left.

Maan knocked on the door.
“Malini ji?” he called out.

Geet heard his voice—and her heartbeat started racing.

“Come in, Maanveer”

Maan entered the room to meet Malini ji but stopped in his place upon seeing Geet there. Geet, who was seated, involuntarily got up upon seeing Maan. Malini ji silently observed the change in the atmosphere, but she was not the person to come to any judgment so soon.

Maan was, though, quick to bring the situation under control. He knew his Geet very well. With him around, she would not be able to keep her resolve. So, he had to do it for her. He was not there to break her resolve by his presence. He had to take her fear away. She had to truly believe that he was nothing without her, know how lifeless he was without her, and understand that together they could fight any battle and that he needed her in his life to win even the smallest battle of life.

“I thought you called me for some work. I will leave if I intervened in some private conversation,” he said with a neutral expression, looking at Malini ji. Maan, the Raja Saheb, knew how to deal with people.

“No, you are not intervening. I called you to meet her – Geet”

“Geet, as you have noticed this morning, he is a new member of ‘Humara Ghar’. He wants to keep his identity as Maanveer here.”

Maan turned to Geet, placed his one hand on his heart, and slightly bowed to give her a formal greeting

“Hi,” Geet responded with a nod. They both knew that her voice would crack with emotion if she spoke even a word.

“Maanveer, as you can see Geet’s condition. She is in the eighth month of her pregnancy.” Maan nodded, his eyes focused on Malini ji. Looking at Geet was risky; she might cry with overwhelming emotions.

“She has a doctor’s appointment today.” Informed Malini ji.

Maan had a sudden shift in expression and could not help but look at her. – Is all good?

“It’s all good, just a regular ultrasound and report checking,” Geet spoke, knowing how protective and concerned he is about her every small matter.

Maan nodded, showing a casual air, but Geet knew he was relieved.

“Maanveer, I was thinking if you could drive us to the hospital. This will help you understand how things really work here and get involved. Will you be okay to drive us to the hospital?”

Maan felt as if God heard his prayers. The first task he is getting is to take Geet to the hospital. Be with her, take care of her.

“I am ready for all and any task assigned to me here.”

“You have your driving license with you?”

Maan hesitated, “Yes, I have… but..”

“Don’t worry, I do not want you to reveal your identity until you are ready. Just that you cannot drive without a license.”

Maan nodded in agreement. Geet felt bad. Maan, an exemplary man who runs his life by rules, and here he is being told about it.

“I will make sure to not do anything that breaks the rule or question the ethics of ‘Humara Ghar'”

“I trust that. My duty is to make sure that things run properly here.”

“I understand”

“So, have you met people here?”

“Yes, I have been talking to them, learning from them about their lives and life here.”

“Nice. I also wanted you to meet Geet. She is our darling here, the youngest of all and the first mother-to-be of ‘Humara Ghar’, and above all, the sweetness and innocence that she carries have won all hearts.”

“The only thing is, she stays in her shell, in her own little world, as if she is only physically present here.”

Maan looked at Geet, his heart bled. She was in so much pain. He wanted to scream, let it out – What a failure he was.

“Malini ji, I am fine here. Everyone is so good to me; why would I be in a shell?” Geet said promptly, knowing how much Maan would be in pain hearing this.

“Hmm.. nice, then talk to Maanveer. Get to know about him and let him know about you. We are all helping each other; who knows, you two can also help each other. We will start in half an hour; meanwhile, you two talk and get acquainted. I have a small task and will be back in half an hour.”

She left the two to talk.

The atmosphere completely changed the moment Malini ji. The silence filled the room. Maan’s gaze was fixed on Geet, and she was looking down, everywhere except at him.

They didn’t need to ask. – how are you? It was obvious both were in pain, deep pain. The tight, cozy hug was badly needed, cocooning her in his embrace. But he maintained distance – the decorum of this place and her decision. He needed to respect both.

“Thank you, Geet.” Maan’s unexpected words made Geet look at him.

“Thank you for keeping yourself safe. Thank you for finding yourself this wonderful home. Thank you for choosing this place filled with positivity for our… unhh hnn,” he coughed.

“For your child,” he corrected.

“our” she corrected him. Just one word from her.

“I deserve no rights. I have failed to keep my wife and my child safe from the shrewd world. Failed to keep my wife away from the world’s toxicity. A failed husband — and that is my story, nothing more. Tum bolo – why have you locked yourself in a shell?”

Geet ignored his question, “App chale jaiye yahan se. This is not the place for you. This is not your world.”

“My world is only where you are, Geet. Any place other than that, my existence is meaningless. I am meaningless.”

“Then, what do you want?” she asked. Tears were already rolling down her cheeks – seeing him near her, almost an impossible dream in this new world; the pain in his eyes and the distance that he had maintained were all hitting her. He quietly took out his handkerchief and moved forward to pass it to her.

“This one thing hurts me most, you know” he said, pointing at her tears. And then moved away to settle in his chair again. Geet wiped her tears from his handkerchief, inhaling him from that small piece. Taking it as a comfort hug from him.

“Geet, it’s not about what I want. It is about what you want. I am not here to make you change your decision. I am here to be with your decision. You have chosen a life path for yourself; I am here to create my own parallel path. We both will have our own journey here. I am ready to walk on this parallel journey until the day you gain full trust in me and decide to merge these parallel journeys into one journey, your and mine, to be ours. And if it takes forever, so be it.”

“Yahan kyunn” she pleaded

“Sansen kaise loon phir?” he simply asked.

Geet stayed quiet. It was foolish to even imagine that he would leave her alone and go.

They were again quiet for a few moments, but their hearts were racing. Racing to run to each other. Maan was aching to pull her into his embrace and tell her

“Give me just one chance, and I will take all your pain away.” Give her a tight her, cocooning her, sooth all her pain. But his hands were tied by her decision.

Geet, on the other side, was dying to be in his arms. She knew he had the power to take all her pain away. Just being with him was heaven on earth for her. But she could not be selfish.

“How is everything health-wise? What does the doctor’s report say? Would you like to share?”

“Aapka haq hai”

“Nahi, haq nahi hai. Only if you think it’s fine to share.”

Geet, without a word, got up and brought the entire report from the cupboard, and gave it to him.

Maan took the file and went through it. He was quick to scan through the reports and relieved that there were no complications.

Maan still had her doctor’s report file in hand when Malini ji made her entry.

“That’s Geet’s doctor’s report, right?” she asked

“Yeah, we had little to talk about. I asked about her health; she gave me the report.”

“Hmmm,” Malini ji smiled.

“let’s go”

“How far is the hospital?” asked Maan

“About an hour of drive” informed Malini ji

He looked at Geet. “You can take the pillow.” And then turned to Malini ji

“It’s an hour drive, and just three of us are there. Geet looks tired, so I thought she could relax in the back seat, and you can accompany me in the front.”

Malini ji was experienced, and it did not take her long to judge that Maanveer was a confident, sharp-minded man who could assess the situation, calculate the scenario, and express his views. Career-wise, she could easily say he must have been a successful man.

But the way he thought about Geet, just in a meeting, impressed her. Everyone here cared about everyone, especially Geet. But this minute care, felt special.

They were on their way to the hospital. The road was curvy and narrow. But Maanveer was driving extremely carefully. The smallest bump would make him instantly turn to check on Geet. The natural concern on his face as he navigated the difficult hilly road can not be missed.

The most surprising was Geet, in the back seat. She has always been scared on this road, not for herself but of the life within her. She had always been so alert whenever they took the road for a hospital checkup. Actually, she had even wanted to avoid the visits and they had to convince her that the drive would be okay.

And today, she simply took the pillow as Maanveer suggested, without a word and quietly followed to the car. Not worried about the difficult road.

And even if she always finally agreed to come, she would be alert all the way to the hospital. And today, for the first time, she has fallen asleep in the back seat. As if giving up all her worries, and Maanveer, on the other han,d was overly careful.

But, what better can they ask for? Geet is relaxing and has fallen asleep like a baby. How can she ignore this and not be content with it?

They reached the hospital, and Maan pulled the car into the parking lot. Malini ji and Maan got down and saw that Geet was still sleeping. The whole day of crying had taken a toll on her.

Malini ji woke Geet and gave the file to Maan.

“Maanveer, please join the queue to get the ultrasound number.”

“But she has an appointment, right?”

“Yes, but we still need the number. Don’t you know how the city hospital works and how many people come here?”

“Okay, I will leave then,” he said before stepping into the queue. The less time Geet spends in the hospital environment, the better.

Malini and Geet arrived at the hospital, where Maan was already waiting in line.

“He is standing in the queue to get the number?” Geet asked instantly

“Then who else will?”

“No, I mean, how long has he been standing there?” Raja Saheb, the owner of several super-specialty hospitals, was here in line just like everyone else. The one whose simple press of a button on his phone could gain immediate access to any hospital facility, yet here he was waiting in line patiently.

“Let’s take our seats and you can start sipping the water for ultrasound,” instructed Malini Ji

Geet nodded and took her seat. Seeing Maan standing in the rushed-filled queue, Geet’s heart ached. Every minute seemed like an eternity to her.

“The line is a bit too long today. He has been standing in line for fifteen minutes.”

“What’s the matter, Geet? It takes a similar amount of time every time.”

Geet smiled and nodded.

Maan finally got the number and handed the sheet to Geet

“Your number is 106. They say approx. 20 minutes to get your turn. Also, they asked to keep drinking water”

“Thanks, Maanveer” said Malini ji.

“Don’t thank me Malini ji. We are all family here. Just like she is your family, she is my family as well” Maan said and looked at Geet at the end of his sentence, their eyes met momentarily.

“Malini ji, I’ll be nearby. Please sit down. I’ll return in ten minutes.”

Maan stepped out from the lobby into the small balcony, his hands resting gently on the rim as he tilted his head back, seeking solace in the open air.

What is the use of his immense wealth if it cannot provide her with comfort in such a condition? But did that wealth and comfort save their child? No. It was merely a golden cage where schemes were plotted against her. His immense power, authority, and money could do nothing to change that.

He should be grateful that Geet is bringing their child into such a wonderful environment. Although there may not be superficial luxuries, everyone here is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her baby. This is a place filled with mental peace and a positive atmosphere all around her.

When Malini ji tapped his shoulder from behind, there were small tear droplets at the corner of his eyes.

“Remembering family?” she asked

“No. My family is here. Just thinking of the difference in everything here”

“Difference of what type?”

“Nothing, just like that. Did her turn come?” He changed the topic

“No, ten more minutes. Eighth month, it gets tough to sit for so long”

Maan quickly said, “Let’s go check.”

When they reached the waiting area for patients, he could feel how uncomfortable she was.

“There is a seat on the sofa; why don’t you sit there?”

“No, it becomes difficult for her to get up from the cushioned seat,” said Malini ji, while Geet felt too uncomfortable to answer any questions. She simply wanted to finish the Ultrasound task.

“I…”

“I mean, we can help her get up from the couch,” Maan said and looked at Geet.

“Come, I will get you a seat there”

“I am fine. It’s just ten more minutes.”

“Ten?I can see you are not comfortable even for a minute here”

“Geet, Maanveer is correct. Please go and rest over there.”

Maan reached out his hand for support but pulled it back, remembering her words.

“Bardasht nahi ker paoongi main”

Geet looked up at him and extended her hand, asking for support. Maan didn’t wait to jump to help her up.

He requested some space on the couch for her and helped her settle there.

“I am fine” she informed him so that he can relax

“Hmm,” he smiled and walked away. Geet knew he was hurting to see her like this. He must be blaming himself for all her hardships.

He would have pampered her during these days, but his hands are tied, and he is hurting. This is the reason she does not want him here. He blames himself for her hardship.

After fifteen minutes, when it was Geet’s turn, Maan hurried to get her. Malini ji stood at a distance, observing how Maanveer held Geet protectively as he helped her up. While everyone here was supportive and caring toward one another, this felt different. It was as if he was helping her not just for her sake, but for his own.

Perhaps she is overthinking things from her own perspective. He feels guilty about his wife and is seeking penance. This might be part of his penance to support everyone and genuinely consider them his family.

In either case, Maanveer seemed like the perfect person to be around Geet. She appeared worried and a bit uncomfortable in his presence, but she seemed noticeably less gloomy. She looked more alive.

Perhaps it was Maanveer’s authoritative way of speaking, but for the first time in a long while, there was someone whose words she felt unable to decline.

Geet was in the ultrasound room, lying on the examination couch.

“Geet, are you ready to see your baby? This is your last ultrasound,” asked the nurse sweetly.

“This is the last ultrasound?” Geet asked, as the realization dawned on her. So many feelings were swirling inside her. He was here; how could she let him miss the precious moment of their baby moving within her? Maan wore a strong face, yet she knew he must be going through a whirlwind of emotions within himself.

“Malini ji”

“yes, Geet”

“I was considering letting Maanveer see the baby’s movements.”

“Why would you want him to see your baby movement?”

“I think he is feeling remorseful and sad. Seeing the baby might bring him some happiness and a sense of family. He has done so much for me since we met. We should do what we can to bring some joy to him.”

“I am very proud of your thoughtfulness, Geet. I will ask him if he would like to. You won’t feel uncomfortable, right?”

“No, he can see it on the screen through the glass window. The nurse can cover me.”

When Malini ji asked Maanveer if he wanted to see the baby’s movement, Maan had his head pushed against the wall, with his face towards the ceiling and his eyes closed.

Malini ji could read that he was going through much inner turmoil than he was showing. She mentally patted him on the back for keeping a strong face in such a condition and being there to help Geet.

Maan knew he didn’t have the right to see the baby. He had no right to her. The baby is actually growing safely because she has left his shallow, luxurious palace filled with danger, where he had been unable to protect her.

When Malini ji reached him, she again saw a tear drop at the corner of his closed eyes, threatening to fall down.

“Maanveer, are you okay?”

“I do not lie. No, I am not”

“Hmmm… do you want to experience the innocence we miss while growing in this world? It may bring you momentary happiness. Every moment of happiness counts, I beleive”

“What do you mean?”

“Geet wanted to thank you for all that you have done for her today. She wishes that you could see the baby’s movements from outside. Maybe that vision may soothe your pain for at least some time.”

“Really?” Maan had immediate excitement on his face

“Come,” Malini ji said, but she was confused with the way Maan had been with Geet all along, and now, how did Geet think this would bring a smile to his face?

No one gets such a unique idea of showing her baby to another man to bring a smile to his face.

Maan stood outside and saw the ultrasound screen from the glass window. Their baby had grown and was moving inside her womb. He was so lost in the screen, absorbing his baby that he had no idea that tears were streaming down his cheeks.

Geet was oscillating her face from the screen to Maan. Thank God she had been able to show him their baby.

Malini ji could not help but observe the three visuals in front of her. Baby, yes, of course. But then seeing Maanveer so absorbed in the baby, tears falling down, and he cared less; and Geet, she was continuously looking at the baby but equally at Maanveer.

Why? How can her experienced eyes overlook all this?