The Burnt – Chapter 24

“Geet!! How can you say that? No one can ever take your place in Advay’s life.”

“And in your life?” she asked even before he could take a pause

“Not in this life, not in any life”

“You got your answer,” and she left, in pain, hurt, and angry. And he was to be blamed.

*********

Maan ran to her room but the door was closed

“Geet open the door. Please Geet”

“Geet”

“Geet,” he called, knocking on the door, but she had already shut it behind him. She was hurt—and this time, he was the reason. He had hurt her again.

Maan stood lost in thought outside Geet’s room—the room that had once been his. Though that was the last thing he wanted to think about, the truth remained: everything that is his now belongs more to her. She held power over it all—everything, everyone, even him.

Maan felt a tiny, soft hand slip into his. He turned at once, already knowing exactly who it could be.

“What happened, Dad? You are here?. Why is the door closed? What happened to Mumma?” Advay bombarded his dad with a series of questions that Maan had no answers for.

Savitri Devi reached there – “Did you say something to her?” she asked Maan

“Dadima…” Maan said, threading his hair from his fingers. His expression said it all.

“Can we talk, Maan?”

Maan nodded in agreement and looked at Advay, “Dear, be with Mumma.”

Maan walked with Dadima

“What happened, Maan? Did you hurt her? Again? I cannot believe you can do it again and again.”

“I was thinking of her good, to get her settled. I couldn’t beleive, how could she love me. I understood that she sympathizes with me for my health; that she cares for me as I am Advay’s father. I thought it was not fair to her. I thought someone could be better for her.”

“And, you suggested that to her?” Maan closed his eyes, realizing what he had done

“You got your answer? How could you, Maan? You are beyond anyone’s understanding. Bechari pe kya beet rahi hogi. How crazily the poor girl still loves you… chhh”

“Dadima, my heart feel so unsettled. She is again deeply hurt.”

“And every time you do it. Last time, you didn’t believe she loved you and was faking it for your money and fame; this time again, you do not believe she loves you, for whatever idiotic reason you have. Why do you always decide for her and her feelings? Who has given you the right to become the judge in this relationship? I doubt if you even love”

“Apni jaan se jyada.”

“I don’t think so. People whom they love so deeply, you go to any length to be with that person. Not that, you try to push that person away from you. If you think you do not deserve her, you will go to great lengths to be deserving of her. Not run away like a coward and let her go. “

“I just wanted her happiness.”

“Yes, that is why, when she forgets her past and tries to find happiness, you do not miss a chance to ruin it. Do you now understand where her happiness lies?”

“Unfortunately, it’s with me.”

“You have again made her feel unwanted, for whatever stupid reason you had. Now, don’t you think she deserves to be treated and made to feel special and not unwanted?”

“Unwanted? She is something that I feel is unreachable to me. So pure, I fear I will dent her. These deep feelings for her, if I let them loose, I fear, if she can handle that flood of emotions inside me, if it unveils”

“But if her happiness lies in that, who are you to decide? Your pure love for her, along with her undying love for you and Advay, will make everything incredibly beautiful. All you need to do is keep her love above your guilt.”

“Her happiness and wishes are above all,” he said, and left

Geet, on the other hand, was feeling a palpitation in her heart.

How could she shout at Maan? How can she hold his collar? No, she cannot be this violent and disrespectful.

Advay watched his mother pace restlessly around the room, moving from one corner to another and then back again.

He could sense there was tension, and the child had tears in his eyes as he started crying.

Geet ran to him. “Why are you crying, baby?”

“You and Dad fought. Now you will stay in a different house. I want you both. hnnn hnnn” and tears poured from his eyes, making his cute face all wet.

Geet embraced him warmly and wiped his tears. “Mumma-dad will always be together with their precious Advay,” she lovingly ruffled her hair.

“Then why are you upset?”

“Because your Dad talks silly. You know Mumma does not like silly talk.”

Here’s a smoother, childlike version that still sounds like a 4-year-old:

“I’ll scold Dadda, promise… but you promise you’ll never leave him, okay?” Geet could see how their little baby loved both his parents and was cherishing life with them.

She covered his face with kisses. “Mumma will get you ready, and then you can play in the garden with Nakul uncle. You have your music class in the afternoon—do you want to practice for that?”

“Daddy’s takin’ me t’ the water park!”

“Hmmm… excited?” Geet gently redirected him to his daily routine. Whatever was happening was between husband and wife; little Advay needed to be kept away from it. All he really wanted was simple—his parents together under the same roof.

Advay ran out to play with Nakul.

Yet again, she felt anxious about her own behavior. She was upset and angry with Maan, but still disapproved of her actions.

Maan decided to give Geet some time to settle down. He freshened up and glanced at the tray with two cups of coffee. It sat there, cold and untouched. She had made it with so much love and enthusiasm, and he felt he had ruined it all. He pressed a button on the landline, and the attendant quickly appeared.

“Get this warmed up”

“Sir, this has gone completely cold. I will get a fresh one for you,” the attendant said casually, trying to be more efficient.

“Do as much as asked,” came Maan’s crisp response. The attendant bowed and left.

Maan sat lost in thought. Geet loved him—she still did. But why? He never understood. Once, he had thought too highly of himself and doubted her love, making her suffer for it. Now, he believed he wasn’t worthy of her, unable to accept that she could still love him—and ended up doing the same thing again – hurting her. Dadima was right—he had always imposed his own thoughts on Geet, and in doing so, he kept wounding her. Did she really deserve that?

He is holding his love for her in his heart, fearing that it may come out like a flood. His emotions for her are so deep and wide that he fears he will ruin her again. But due to his fear and his guilt, he is snatching the one thing that she has been waiting for all her life – His love.

Why has he not been able to see things from this perspective? “She is right; I have been too focused on myself—my pride or my guilt—that I continually overlook what she has been craving.”

He knew she understood him so well; she knows he longs to give her his love, yet he has been ignoring both of their needs and holding back.

Maan paced in his room, pushing his hair back and rubbing his chin, lost in thought. He had made a decision: he would now live his life for her. It would no longer be about him, but solely about her and everything she desires. She longs to see his love for her, and he will shower it on her.

Then the thought of actually initiating a new life with her filled him with sensations and anxiety. This was his most beautiful dream. He had locked it away, and it was time to unlock it.

Sanjay, the attendant, warmed up the coffee and placed the tray in the room before leaving. Maan signaled for him to leave.

After Sanjay left, Maan took the tray with two cups of warm coffee and some morning snacks and left his room.

He stood outside Geet’s room with a tray. Attendants around couldn’t imagine seeing him like this. They couldn’t help but let their curious eyes linger on the scene, even though they pretended to focus on their tasks.

Geet was occupied with rearranging clothes that were already neatly organized. She had intended to give him a wonderful weekend, but who could predict Maan? Her thoughts about her behavior also kept replaying in her mind, not letting her from finding any peace.

“Unn hnnn.” Maan cleared his throat to get her attention as he parked the tray on the side.

Geet turned to see Maan there with a rolling tray of coffee and snacks. Her eyes widened, realizing he was here with their morning coffee. But she quickly gathered herself and turned to the other side.

“Coffee,” he called out—his voice thick with emotion and hesitation, coming out rough and hoarse.

Geet turned her back to him and squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by embarrassment and the whole situation. She had never imagined Maan standing there with a coffee tray.

He can be quiet, reserved, and respectful, but anything to do with the kitchen was unimaginable for Maan.

But aside from this, she was distraught with what he had proposed and her own violent reaction, making her not be able to see him in the eye

“Geet, can we sit and have morning coffee?” That again blew her mind, reminding her of the morning incident

Geet took a deep breath and turned to face him. “Really? Why would you want to have coffee with me? You should go to the office; your efficient secretary is there and knows exactly how to cheer you up with her coffee.”

“Office? Today is Saturday,” Maan blurted before he could grasp her satire. But he soon realized his blunder and closed his eyes tight

Geet shook her head and left.

Maan kept staring at her, guilt weighing heavily on him. Today, he had truly hurt her—the suggestion he made had disrespected her, her feelings, and the love she had for him.

Geet, has lost her cool. She is not the person to lose her cool, espeially with him. She has always come around with so much respect. Her anger was enough to tell him, how wrong he had been.

He will work tirelessly to give her back what he has taken from her so far. However, as he reflected on the situation, he felt relieved that she had finally taken him down from the pedestal. Now, she could shout at him and express her anger, and he was ready to accept it all from her.

This girl has always kept her feelings bottled up, absorbing all the pain and insults, not only from him but also from her ignorant, rustic family. He felt relieved that she had the confidence to express her anger toward him without hesitation; he would handle the rest.

Lost in thought, he dragged himself to the window, and what a beautiful scene he witnessed.

Geet was trying to feed Advay, who was making her chase him around. A smile slowly spread across Maan’s face—he didn’t even realize how wide it had grown. This was her simple dream: a loving family and his love.

Maan was deep in thought when he felt a gentle touch at the corner of his left eye. He turned to find Dadima standing beside him, a tear of his resting on her fingertip.

“I know you love her and she’s still waiting to witness it, for her dream to come true. Every day when she sees you, she dreams not just for herself but for you as well. She doesn’t only want your love—she longs for the right to give you hers. Don’t take that dream away from her.”

“If that’s her dream, Maan Singh Khurana will make it happen. Per filhaal bohut naraz hai”

“She loves you madly—so it shouldn’t be difficult. But honestly, I hope she doesn’t make it too easy for you.”

“I’ve said something far too big… It’s not going to be that easy.”

Dadima left. Maan took a look around the room she now occupied. It was her room, and it felt happy to belong to her. Every corner of the room held her flavor.

Maan knew he had to let go of his guilt and think of life with her. The thought itself brought a kind of anxiety to him. Life with her – the thought gave him a tignling happiness. The happiness from which he was trying to run away because he did not deserve that happiness. But now he has to embrace that happiness.

Geet walked in with Advay after an hour. Spending time with him was her therapy, her little escape. Yet even then, two thoughts wouldn’t leave her. How could Maan suggest she consider Chetan—and how could she herself react the way she did afterward? She was upset with both of them.

She then got Advay ready as Maan had planned to take Advay to the water world. Maan got ready and stepped down.

Dadima gently pulled Advay close and began listening to his adorable chatter, keeping him entertained—and safely away from the tension simmering between his parents.

Geet was setting the breakfast table, yet she could already sense him coming down the stairs. Both their hearts were beating fast.

Maan took a seat beside her. “Did you have coffee this morning?” he asked her

Nakul, in the meantime, set their coffees beside their plates. Geet glanced at Maan, her eyes widening in sudden realization—he hadn’t had his yet. Oh no… he needed his morning coffee first thing. She remembered how he’d get a headache otherwise, or turn downright cranky.

But she kept her feelings under control and set down his plate—sourdough toast with guacamole, a poached egg, and a bowl of fruit.

They sipped their coffee and had their breakfast silently. Geet didn’t want to speak because her anger would burst again while Maan was trying to find words to talk.

Advay and Dadima were busy in their own world.

“Why don’t you come with us to the park? Advay will love it,” he finally spoke

Geet gave him a sharp look. “Don’t play on Advay.”

“I will really appreciate if you come” Geet shook her head on his official like invitation. Why is she still waiting for this Maan to be any romantic?

Maan waited near his sports car for Advay, silently hoping Geet would accept his invitation and come along with their son.

He spotted Advay sprinting toward him, full of excitement. Maan bent down just in time as Advay practically launched himself into his arms, crashing against him with all his momentum.

Advay’s security came rushing after him.

“You can’t keep up with the speed of a child? What if he gets into an accident running like that?” Maan scolded, his tone sharp with concern.

“Sir, he prefers that we don’t stay too close,” the guard replied carefully.

“That doesn’t mean you let his security slip.”

“Sorry, sir.”

“He’s a child—I don’t expect him to worry about his own safety. But that doesn’t mean his safety should be compromised.”

“Sure, sir.”

“Get him settled in the child seat. I’ll be back soon,” Maan instructed before walking away.

Geet stood by the window, staring outside. Now that she had sent Advay with Maan and finally had a moment alone, her guard slipped—and the tears she’d been holding back began to spill freely down her cheeks.

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was triggering this sudden rush of emotions, but she let the tears flow anyway, hoping they might somehow lighten the weight inside her.

She was staring blankly outside when she suddenly felt the cool touch of his long fingers against her cheek. Geet turned, and Maan gently wiped her tears—one by one—from both sides of her face.

“Please don’t cry. You know I can’t bear to see tears in your eyes.”

“No, I don’t know. How would I? What have you done to make me believe that?”

Maan stayed silent. He knew he had a long road ahead if he wanted to win his wife back—the woman who he knew loved him madly. The irony stung: despite that love, he still had to earn her again… and it wouldn’t be easy.

“I was expecting you to come with us.”

“Why today? Anyway, I have work to finish. You can take Advay. He must be waiting impatiently”.

Maan nodded and left. He could feel she wanted to avoid him and he prefered to give her space, at least today.

Author’s Note:
I hope you’re enjoying the flow of the story. I know things are moving a bit slowly right now, but we’ll be picking up the pace soon. Maan will gradually come out of his guilt, and you’ll get to see his other side as well. Stay patient—and keep liking and commenting. Your support means so much!

❤️ Anu