Silent Whisper -Chapter 33

“Geet, we know how crazy you can go, show us around”

“No…” tears just streamed through her eyes

“Geet, you are far away from us among people who don’t want you there. We need to know. Show us around”

Geet showed around “I was just trying to celebrate his birthday”

“It’s over. Stop this victim game. I am coming tomorrow to take you back. Stay with us and keep loving him. That is final.” and he disconnected.

######

Maan had tried his best to enjoy the event. His friends and Vicky had put in a lot of effort to make it special for him. It wasn’t that he didn’t recognize it—but the thought of her absence, more precisely, her absence because she wasn’t invited, sat uneasily within him.

Back then, Geet had tried, in her own way, to make him feel special—although, within the understanding of the relationship she carried. It had felt superficial to him at the time. He came from deeply rooted middle-class values, while she had been raised like a princess, a single child who had always been the center of her world. And that is what she carried into their relationship – herself, at the center, by default.

Yet, even in those times, though often only when it suited her, she had made him feel special. She had confessed it too… that he mattered to her, that she loved him. He never did. The difference was stark – she confessed, but stepped back when needed; he never confessed, but was always there when she needed him.

Yes, her final blow had hurt him deeply. The pain had piled up over time until he lost his patience in the end.

But there had been moments, even the public ones, where she had shown him respect, affection, love. She had clearly told him she needed him.

Leaving her back then had been the right decision. Maan never regretted it. But even as he walked away, he knew they loved each other. His ambitions were massive, and the imbalance in their relationship, the one-sided effort from his side, was pulling him away from his goals.

The past and present didn’t need to be compared. The truth was, today her absence didn’t feel right. More than that, her deliberate effort to keep distance from him, the pain she was enduring every day, the quiet humiliation she was going through – it all felt wrong.

His parents and grandmother had left after the grand cake cutting and a few performances. Maan stayed back with his friends, trying to be part of the celebration. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even pretend to enjoy it.

There was a strange panic within him. An urgency. As if something was calling him and he needed to see her. Immediately.

When he reached the mansion, his parents were still in the sitting area.

“You haven’t gone to bed yet?” he asked.

“Maan, come sit,” his mother said. Her calm tone should have always steadied him, but it didn’t this time.

“Why? What happened?” he asked, taking a seat.

“Maan, what happened today was not right. We felt very helpless… and we don’t want to be in such a situation again,” his father said. Hearing this felt unsettling.

“Dad, what exactly hurt you so much? Just tell me. I’ll fix it. No one has the right to hurt my parents, anywhere, in any way.”

“Maan, why did you leave the party early?” his mother asked instead.

“It’s already midnight. They can party all night, but I was done. Mom, can you tell me what Dad is talking about?”

“Maan, we know you have nothing to do with her. But the way Geet wasn’t invited to the party, even when she is staying in this house… it didn’t feel right to us. Especially when she is trying so hard to win back this family—and you,” his mother explained, as calmly as ever.

Maan opened his mouth to respond, but his father continued.

“It was your birthday, so we didn’t bring it up then. We didn’t want to spoil your day. But it felt completely wrong to us. And I don’t want this to happen again. I know you’ll say you don’t care—but that’s exactly why we need to resolve this.”

A familiar panic began to rise in Maan again.

“Did you check on her?” he asked suddenly.

“You shouldn’t be concerned about that.” For the first time, he heard frustration in his mother’s voice.

“And what are we supposed to say to her? ‘You weren’t invited, but we came to check how you feel about it? It doesn’t make sense. So, leave it. I’ll check on her in the morning.”

But Maan himself wanted to check on her. After years, he was worried for her—truly, deeply.

“If it’s bothering you this much, we should check on her,” he pressed. “You won’t be able to sleep otherwise, Mom.”

“No. That would insult her further. Let it be.”

He stood up. “I’ll go check on her.”

“Not for us,” his grandmother said firmly. “Do it if you want to.”

“Think whatever you want. You all are worried—I’m just checking on her.”

Maan walked away.

“When will this boy let his heart lead?” his mother sighed.

“I won’t let this uncertainty drag on forever,” Raj said decisively.

####

Maan knocked at the door of her room, his hands shaking. The fact was, after their first night, when he was told off, this was probably the first time he had knocked at her door. Back then, after her four months of ignoring him, it had always been her at his door or in his room.

Maan knocked; one knock – no response

“Thak-Thak.” Two knocks, no response.

“Thak-Thak-Thak” three, a little louder knocks, no response. She must be in deep sleep by now. But his heart wanted him to take one look. Just one look and ensure she was fine.

Maan pushed the door open, but the moment the sight before him registered, he quickly shut it behind him.

Geet was sprawled across the bed, half on it, half hanging off. Her hair cascaded down, covering her face. One arm lay across the bed, the other dangled loosely. One small turn and she would fall.

His eyes shifted to the center table, and his heart clenched.

Rose petals. Disturbed, but still telling a story. Candle stands were placed carefully at the corners. A small cake—with a piece cut out. He moved closer.

His name was on it.

A half-empty bottle of champagne. A whisky bottle—used. Two glasses. One untouched. The other was empty with her lipstick mark.

“What is this madness…” he muttered, though inside, he wanted to shout—at her, at himself, at everything.

Maan didn’t want anyone to see her like this—so vulnerable, so unguarded. Not even the servants. To the world, Geet Handa was strong. Fierce. Proud.

Not this.

He quietly cleaned up—put the cake in the fridge, disposed of the bottles, cleared the evidence of her lonely celebration.

Then he moved toward her.

Carefully, he lifted her arm and placed her properly on the bed.

“Geet… Geet…” he called softly.

She stirred, eyes half-open. “Maa…an…” she smiled faintly.

“Geet, wake up.”

“Ummm…” she pouted.

“Nashe mein toh pyar se baat karo…”

“Geet!” he snapped.

“No… you’re not allowed to be this khadoos in my dreams…” she mumbled, turning over.

Something pierced deep within him.

He softened. “Geet, wake up. Change and sleep properly.”

She turned back, smiling lazily. “This is my sweet Maan… the real one will be like this someday… I know…”

She was dreaming. Talking to him—like she always did.

Effortlessly. Habitually.

It hit him harder than anything else.

“Umm… go change.”

“I can’t… my legs are tied… too heavy with chains…” she murmured, turning again. In her drunken haze, she couldn’t even lift her legs, her mind weaving the illusion of being bound.

He stood up and walked to the wardrobe, searching for something comfortable. Soon, he pulled out a soft satin night suit.

“Geet, change into this. Geet, wake up… I need to leave, it’s quite late,” he said, helping her sit up.

Geet struggled to open her eyes, lids heavy. “Why will you go…? You’re my dream Maan… you stay with me… all day… all night…”

Maan drew in a deep breath, steadying the ache rising within him.

“Okay… I won’t go. But you have to change.”

“You help me change,” she said, an innocent smile playing on her lips.

“Geet…” There was a quiet warning in his tone.

She pouted. “My hands are tied… they feel so heavy…” she mumbled. Completely drunk, she lay limp.

Maan thought of tucking her in properly and leaving. But what if his concerned mother walked in and saw her like this—in a party gown, so undone? She would feel guilty, and worse, they would all pity her. Geet could deserve anger, even hatred—but not pity. Geet Handa had always held her head high. She did not deserve to be looked at with sympathy.

“If you don’t change, I’m leaving.”

“Don’t behave like that, khadoos… help me change. See, my hands are tied…”

Maan knew there was no point in insisting; she wasn’t in any condition to change on her own.

He pressed a button on his phone and switched off the lights.

“Okay… I’ll help you. You change.”

His hands trembled—should he… or shouldn’t he? Twice, he lifted them, reaching toward her shoulders, his fingers brushing the thin strap… only to pull back.

He gently tried to wake her a little more. “See, I’ve freed your hands… now please, change.”

“Okay… switch on the light,” she murmured at last.

Maan switched on the lights, and Geet could see Maan. But still heavy enough to be in her dreamland

She looked at him with a naughty smile. Maan turned to the other side

“Please change,” he requested

“Why are you so shy… as if you’re the real one? You make love to me every night… what’s this shyness today?”

Maan shut his eyes tightly. He had no right to hear her speak of her desires for him like this. It felt like a betrayal.

“Geet, change… or I will leave,” he warned, wanting to finish this—make her comfortable and go.

“Okay…”

Somehow, after fumbling and struggling, Geet managed to change.

“Ummm… done…” she murmured.

When Maan finally turned back, she had changed—but was once again sprawled on the bed, limp and still.

A quiet sigh of relief escaped him. He covered her properly, tucked her in, hung her party gown back in the closet… and then, without a word, left.

######

The mansion was silent.

But inside him, a storm raged.

Guilt. Longing. Restraint. Desire.

Where was this all heading?

Sleep was far from him that night.

#######

Next morning, Raj called for a formal meeting.

And by the time Maan stepped into the study…

Everything was about to change.

######

Sandhya, Savitri Devi, Raj, and Geet sat together, waiting for Maan. Annie and Vicky had been firmly sent off to the office.

Geet, however, was lost in her own thoughts, trying to piece together the fragments of the night before. She remembered drinking… one glass after another after that call—and then, nothing.

When had she woken up? When had she changed? When had she cleared everything—the cake, the empty bottles? And why on earth would she throw Maan’s birthday cake in the bin? No… she couldn’t have done that. Not in any universe.

Did someone come to check on her?

Oh God… that would be so embarrassing.

She had subtly asked Dadima and Mom—neither of them had come. Which meant… no one had been there.

And Maan? That was impossible.

Yes, she remembered him—but that was nothing new. He visited her dreams every night. Last night, in her drunken state, how could he not?

So… she had done all the cleaning herself.

That had to be it—she concluded.

Also, she was relieved that Dad had not come yet. He was just warning her. Damn – it seemed almost real and scary.

But then there was security in charge. “Sir, may I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”  Said Raj

He went close to Raj, bent down, and spoke in a low voice

“Sir, Mr.  and Mrs. Mohinder Handa are here”

“Bring them in here with all due respect.”

He nodded and left.

#####

When Maan stepped into his dad’s study, it felt less like a room and more like a board meeting—only, this time, with family.

And then his gaze landed on Mr. and Mrs. Handa.

What were they doing here?

A flicker of panic rose within him.

What has been happening to him since yesterday? Every small thing connected to her was unsettling him, making his heart restless. Things had gone wrong yesterday, and even if he wasn’t directly at fault, the guilt sat heavily within him.

“Maan, come, take a seat,” his dad instructed.

Maan quietly settled down.

“Good morning, Maan,” greeted Mohinder Handa.

“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Handa.”

Once the formal greetings were exchanged, Raj drew everyone’s attention.

“Everyone, you might have already guessed, but I still want to make it clear—this meeting has been called regarding Maan and Geet. And yes, you must be surprised to see Mr. Handa here. I received a call from him late last night. He sounded concerned for his daughter and wished to visit. I invited him with due respect.”

There was a pause for a moment. Geet was nervous. Maan was trying to calculate.

“As a parent, Mr. Handa and I have our decisions. Whatever is going on is hurting everyone and needs to stop.”

“Dad, I am fine. Is my stay hurting you?” Geet interrupted, her nervousness evident.

“Dear, you know you have won our hearts. And that is why I am compelled to take a decision today. Your father, too, has something to say. I will speak to my son first… and then your father will speak to you.”

He then glanced around at everyone. “I want everyone’s complete attention—no interruptions.”

His eyes shifted to Nakul, and he signaled him.

Nakul stepped forward, placed a file on the table, and quietly left, closing the door behind him.

Raj set the file in front of him and then looked at Maan.

“Maan…” he called, drawing his attention.

“We understand that you do not want Geet in your life anymore… that you’ve moved on. And we are not here to force any decision on you. The choice will be yours—and we will stand by whatever you decide. But a decision has to be made now. In this house, we cannot watch a girl lose her self-respect every single day. That is not acceptable. So today—you will decide.”

“What decision?” Maan asked, his voice steady but edged.

“Look into the file. It contains the divorce papers.”

“Dad!!” Geet’s voice broke in, laced with panic.

“Geet, I said—no interference.”

“No, Dad… please, no—”

“Geet,” Raj softened slightly, “let me speak to Maan, dear. It is for your good. You need clarity. You deserve it. Please… I request you not to interfere.”

He turned back to Maan. “Maan, the decision will be yours. But let me make one thing very clear—you have only two choices. If you choose to sign those papers, Geet will leave this house immediately. But if you choose otherwise… then you will accept Geet as your wife. Publicly. Wholeheartedly. She will move in with you—starting today.”

A stunned silence filled the room.

No one had expected it to come to this—so final, so immediate.

“Dad, I’m on the verge of finishing the situation with Chadha’s… and you’re bringing this up now?”

“Yes,” Raj replied firmly. “Because it needs to be done now. It’s not a big decision, is it? Just a yes… or a no.”

He pushed the document toward Maan.

Maan’s eyes remained fixed on the papers. His father wasn’t wrong—he knew that. Still, the weight of the moment pressed heavily on him.

He drew in a deep breath.

Raj extended the pen.

Maan took it.

Geet’s gaze locked onto him—on the pen in his hand, on the paper before him. Her lips parted, as if to speak… but Mohinder’s silent gesture stopped her.

NEXT:- The Final decision