Silent Whisper -Chapter 29

Rajendra turned to see Geet beside him.

“May I join you for a stroll?”

…………..

“hmmm… Alright, let’s consider another scenario. What if Maan welcomes you into his life on the condition that you will never assert any claim to his property or financial assets?”

Geet looked at him and smiled

“Can I give my answer on this tomorrow?”

“You do not need to answer me, but as you are giving your time here, I thought I would give you some scenarios to introspect.”

***************

Raj was in his room, looking at the company shares and market trends. This entire SDK empire was the result of hard work, dedication, and the brainpower of his son. Maan has endowed him with great powers and extremely talented advisors who can help him make the right decisions. While Maan was always there to give him insight.

In most business empires, it was the father who transferred the legacy to their children, and parents became guides to their kids. It was the opposite case here. Raj felt very proud of his son. He has not been able to make his mother proud, nor has he made his father proud. After a gap of two weak generations, Maan has shown himself to be the replica of his great-grandfather: sharp, focused, diligent, observant, and precise.

Raj was lost in his thoughts when there was a knock on the door of his study room.

“Geet??” He looked at her and then at his watch

“It’s 11 am. What has brought her to him at this hour?”

“May I come in, Dad?”

“You are already in. Come in”

Geet gave him a smile and entered.

“Dad, I would have come early, but getting the document notarized and legal took a couple of hours.” Raj narrowed his brows, trying to grip her words.

“Notarized and legal? What are you talking about?”

Geet moved closer to him and forwarded an envelope towards him

“Was trying to get this ready and give it to you before I leave for Delhi. We have a board meeting.”

“What’s this?” Raj asked as he opened the envelope.

He unfolded the document and began to read, his focus sharpening as he recognized it was a legal document.

He looked up at Geet, “What’s this?”

“Dad, this is no drama. I wanted to answer your question sincerely. This legal document I have signed ensures that I will never make any claim to any property of Maan or SDK Enterprise. This mega empire that Maan has built, he has done so after leaving me. So, I definitely do not hold any rights over a single penny of his. I am here only for Maan. I just want Maan in my life and to be a small part of his life, which includes him, this family, and everything close to him.”

“You do not need to go this extreme and get it legally done. Your sincere answer would have sufficed.”

“No, it would not. I have lost all trust and my words are of less value to you all.”

“Do you understand that this paper can also make it easy for Maan to get a divorce from you, as with this, he can get an alimony-free divorce, the amount of which can otherwise be very high? You are a businesswoman; I do not expect such legal documents from you. Did you discuss this with your family?”

“This is also my family, and I call you Dad, not just for the sake of it. I am a businesswoman, and I am fighting my monetary fight in my business. But here, I am only Maan’s wife. I just want that place here. Not a single penny, as I have always said. And, anyway, ” She paused, her breath faltering as she continued,

“If he ever decides on a divorce, I don’t even know if I would want to….” She took a deep breath, feeling heavy even at the mention of divorce.

“And Dad, this document is only to reassure you. I don’t expect you to share it with anyone. I do not want to get into Maan’s heart via such legal documents. I want to get there with all my efforts. It may take time, and I am ready for any length of time, be it months, years, or forever. Until he explicitly throws me out of his life, I will keep trying.”

Her voice cracked, and the sincerity in her words moved Raj, but he kept calm.

“You should leave for Delhi, or you will miss your flight.” She nodded and left.

At lunch hour, the whole family was seated for lunch except Geet. Maan was busy on the phone. Even though he had given himself a so-called week’s break, his work never stopped.

“Hmm… pass this news along to the eager young social influencers who thrive on such content. Let it spread smoothly, in layers. Even those circulating it shouldn’t know it originated from us.”

He paused for a moment, listening to the voice on the other end.

“Fine. Get it done—and don’t contact me about this again. I’ll handle the report in my own way.”

“Maan, will you pause your work at least for the lunch hour?” scolded Sandhya. Maan smiled, switched off the phone, and placed it towards his mother

“All yours,” he said with a smile

Maan turned around and, like others, noticed that Geet was not present. He didn’t give much attention to it.

But Savitri Devi was quick to point that out

“So now the princess will have to be invited for lunch. Chaya went twice to check on her”

Maan looked at Dadima, amused

“Dadima, today is Monday, it is the first working day of the week, why would you expect a working woman at home?”

“Well, she is here to impress you, and you are back after a month, the man she had been waiting for. Her husband, as she calls him. And the next day, she is gone. This is her effort.”

“Yes, Bhai. She clearly has her business as her priority.”

“And what’s wrong with that? And more importantly, why are we so invested in her priorities? She’s staying here out of her own choice—so why are we suddenly monitoring her and setting expectations? I don’t want any involvement in this, is that clear? You’re free to be involved if you wish, but not in front of me—that’s my only request.”

“We’re not involving you, Bhai. But if she’s staying here, then at the very least, out of respect, she could inform us whether she’ll be available or not.”

Maan shot Annie a hard, warning look. “Annie, this is your last warning—stay out of these matters.”

“She has informed me in the morning. They have a board meeting today. She was a bit stressed as well.”

Maan closed his eyes and murmured, “Geet Handa. Now what is she up to?”

“Switch on the TV,” he said to the attendant, and asked for the remote

“Bhai, Handa Group board room will not be telecast on the news.”

“Speak less if you know less.” Maan switched on the news. And there it was on the dot, breaking news

The news anchor’s voice echoed through the broadcast:

“Geet Handa has made an unexpected announcement today. Will it prove beneficial for Handa Group—or turn into a risky move? The market will decide, as the shares will speak.”

Geet Handa has resigned from her position as a director and transferred all authority of the company to Mr. Mohinder Handa. Does this signify the end of the empire’s lineage or place Mr. Mohinder Handa in a vulnerable position?

“Geet Handa!!! Damn!!” Maan closed his eyes tightly in frustration.

“Does she still affect you, Bhai?” Annie poked

“Annie, not now,” Sandhya stopped Annie

“Buy all the Handa Shares in the market immediately. At whatever price they are. Play it around, the market rate should not go sharply down or up.”

“Bhai, why are you helping her. It’s their matter. You had been helping her. Why?”

“She is not my enemy, Vicky. She just doesn’t matter to me. Plus, it’s not for Handa’s, but I cannot let Chadha’s jump and capitalize on this situation. Dev Chadha is waiting for a chance from her with eagle eyes.”

“She does matter, Bhai,” emphasized Vicky

“Well, whether she matters to me or not is my personal concern, and I don’t owe either of you two an explanation. And I have said this before—I don’t want this discussion brought up again at the table.”

“Everyone, silence,” Raj called out.

Maan looked at Annie. “Annie, I want to go through the progress report today. Make sure it’s ready by 6.”

“Today? Bhai, can I get a week? There were some hiccups.”

“No excuses, Anwesha Khurana. I want to see whatever progress you’ve made today by six. I gave you the timeline a month ago, and I don’t forget my deadlines.”

“Bhai,” Annie gave him a pleading look

“Nope. No easy way to work. So better stay focused on your work rather than poking your nose in my matters and getting insecure from someone, you guys let in the house.”

Maan left for his room.

“Annie and Vicky – You two are not allowed to interfere in anyone’s matter if they don’t want to. Get that clear or be ready for repurcurssion.” Scolded Raj.

“Yes, stay away, you two. When we elders, have left it all on Maan, who are you both to poke your nose in his personal matters? It’s his fight, let him figure it out,” added Savitri Devi

“I know, and I do not interfere,” added Vicky in a low voice

“Yeh Annie hi bakwaas kerti hai, and I just… I am sorry.”

Sandhya looked at Annie, “And you?”

“I do not want that girl in this house,” Annie said, frustrated

“Well, Annie, be clear on one thing. Here we follow Maan’s decision. His life will not be governed by anyone else’s personal preferences.” Annie left

Maan was in his room, his brain busy working on strategies, when his cell buzzed.

“Mohinder Handa?” Maan had an initial instinct to cancel the call, but then he couldn’t and picked it up.

“Thanks, beta, for all that you did?”

“First, let’s not try to create any relationship here. You can call me Maan Khurana. And I do not remember doing any favor to you, so do not give me free Thanks and try to connect what is broken.”

“Tod toh tum bhi nahi paa rahe ho. You very well know how you have saved Handa Group today. Geet, I don’t know, took such a decision – so emotionally driven this girl has become.”

“I am not interested in what your daughter has become – emotionally driven or trying to make others emotionally driven. And I do not care because I have other important matters to look into.”

“Okay. Still, thanks for saving the market shares.”

“What market shares? I have no idea what you’re talking about. And even if I had done something with them, it would’ve been for my own benefit. I don’t do business that brings losses.”

“You do not know about market shares?” Mohinder gave a soft laugh

“You’re a far better businessman than I am, but my years of experience still count for something. Anyway, do whatever you want with them—I won’t complain.”

“I would appreciate it if we could just be strangers. I have more important matters to focus on than revisiting things I have already moved on from.”

“Okay. I won’t talk to you again against your will,” he said softly. “But if ever you need to talk, I will be here to listen.”

And with that, the call disconnected.

Maan was trying hard to distance himself from everything related to Geet, but somehow, it wasn’t working. He told himself it was only to keep the Chadhas from getting what they were after—but deep down, he couldn’t deny there was something more to it.

And now, when all was going fine, no one could question her marriage; he had set it up all, what was the use for her to step down and create this buzz? Especially when she knows how Chadha’s are waiting for her to falter.

Maan argued with himself silently—it would be wrong for Mohinder Handa to think he had acquired those shares for the sake of Handa Group. The truth was, bringing down the Chadhas stood at the top of his list—second only to safeguarding his own empire.

On the other side, Geet was in Delhi.

“At least, you should have discussed with me before announcing your step down. Do you have any idea how you have placed both the company and me in a vulnerable position?”

“Dad, the position that I was holding and our stable scenario in the market were just because Maan was providing the supporting document. I do not want him to be burdened by something he does not believe in. He is not at all recognizing me in his life; being a life partner is a faraway thing.”

“Such big business decisions are not taken emotionally. At least we could have discussed, we could have done the background work.”

“You would have never agreed to my step down. And I want to start with Maan on a completely personal, emotional level. I do not want to use him or burden him any further for my business position.”

“Hnnn… and yet again, it’s Maan who’s saved us. Had he delayed even a bit, the Chadhas—or anyone else—would’ve had a clear shot at taking us over. Now it’s out in the open that SDK Enterprise bought all the shares, and that’s the only news that’s restored confidence in the market and among investors. He saved us from collapsing, and that means he’s far more involved than just providing the documentation.”

“It’s completely his call. I was only trying to free him from any obligation. And now that he holds the shares, he has control over our board meetings. I am happy about that, but I wouldn’t call it a burden. And Dad, we are finally free from all those legal battles. If Maan accepts me back into his life, then all the legal complications will automatically dissolve, and you can hand over the position to me with your head held high. But if not, I wouldn’t even want it—because in that state of mind, I wouldn’t be able to do justice to our company.”

Rano, placed hand on Mohinder’s shoulder and slightly pressed it, indicating him to let go.

After Geet left, Rano and Mohinder were talking

“I know Geet has hurt Maan. But we also know now that even back then, she was certain of her love for him. She’s already in such a vulnerable place—living every day where she’s constantly reminded she isn’t wanted. Yet, she’s trying her best. If Maan truly means more to her than anything else in this world, then I will let her make her own decision. I only hope Maan doesn’t assume she’s coming back to him now because of his success.”

“Maan might say that to her face, but deep down, he knows Geet better. Still, he clearly wants to maintain his distance—after all, Geet once insulted him, dismissed his love, and tangled his life in complications. Right now, his mission is clear, and he doesn’t want any new emotional dynamics to distract him.”

It was around 7 in the evening when Geet arrived in Mumbai. The house was unusually quiet; everyone seemed absorbed in their own work. Without saying a word to anyone, Geet went straight to her room, collapsed onto the bed, and closed her eyes, letting the exhaustion of the day sink in.

She felt a strange sense of relief after freeing Maan from all obligations. Now, she could finally focus—both on her work and her personal life. The weight of legal battles was off her shoulders, giving her room to channel her energy into real work. And if ever Maan chose to accept her again, at least he wouldn’t have to bear the burden of her legal struggles.

She had always loved her work, but now, if her relationship needed more of her time, she was willing to give it—wholeheartedly—to Maan and the family. She wanted to be that family girl, not the sharp, calculating businesswoman he saw in her. She wanted Maan to see her simply as a woman madly in love with him—vulnerable, sincere, and his.