Devil’s Den – Epilogue

Savitri Devi smiled seeing the liberated look of her grandson. 

“I’m ready for your big lecture, Mr. Maan Singh Khurana”

Maan held Dadima by her shoulders, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then looked directly into the eyes of his Dadima

“I love you Dadima, I love you more than absolutely anything in this world. Butter comes after you and I know she doesn’t mind it.” He looked at Geet, who had tears glistering in her eyes.

***********

Geet lazily opened her tired eyes at the sound of her baby boy crying…, who was almost six months old now. But as her eyes fell on her baby boy, a smile formed on her face, beating up all the tiredness.

She lovingly picked him up in her arms for his morning feed

“You do not have to be exactly like your Dad… ummm.” she lovingly scolded him.

He giggled with happiness seeing his mother’s face

Now that he has started recognizing faces and touches, it has been hard for anyone to handle him. It has to be his mom.

Maan entered the room after his workout “hmm, the little one already woke up and took my wife’s attention” he moved forward, bent to place his lips to baby

“Maan…”

Maan moved back “Don’t worry, I am not bringing germs to this little germy…”

He said and pressed his lips to her cheek “But no one can stop me from this”

“Go, freshen up” she said with a smile.

Maan went to freshen up while Geet kept looking at him. He winked before closing the door, teasing her – “caught”

Little Maanav was done with the feed. Geet then freshened him up and placed him in the bed and kept watching how happily he was throwing his hands and legs with sweet giggles as she talked.

“Listen now…” Geet said in a fake stern voice to which the baby giggled

“I am not melting with these giggles of yours” she talked to baby

“enhhn ehnn..” little Maanav giggled more, threw his limbs more in excitement as his mother made faces talking to him

“Well, I am…” she talked to herself

“Good morning, new mom” Geet looked up at Dadima standing at the door

“Good morning, Dadima” Dadima settled on bed and looked at the baby.

“hmm… very happy after tiring your mom” said Dadima, playing with his nose. A little frown appeared on baby’s face. Obviously, he didn’t like his play time with his mother interrupted.

“I’ll take him with me. You need some rest”

Dadima picked up the little boy, which made him start crying. Geet got worried but Dadima assured her and took Maanav with her, letting Geet catch up with some rest.

******

Placing the pillow on the headboard, Geet rested her back there and peacefully looked around the room.

This is her home, her loving home. It is no more the Devil’s Den where she was forced to come four years back. It is a complete contrast. She does not even wish to think about those days because all those hardships have faded away with the love and respect that she has been showered with by her Devil.

It has been no going back since Maan had first openly expressed his love for her, in front of the whole family, three years back.

They have all witnessed, how much of a family man he is. He was just scared to keep people close to him, was living in a shell created by his own wall of rudeness and being a devil to the whole world.

Geet was lost in her thoughts of her Devil, when he appeared in front of her, all fresh.

“Thinking of the devil and your devil is here”

Geet looked up at him with a smile “delusional. I was lost in my son”

“liar” He bent down and captured her lips in a slow, claiming kiss.

“I know he is my big competitor in terms to needing your attention but it was me in your thoughts now”

“And what makes you claim this” he pulled her up, wrapped his arm around her waist and grabbed her to him

“That yearn in the kiss, said it all”

She pushed him and turned away “So that kiss was a test”

He hugged her from behind and pulling her closer to him, placed a soft kiss on her cheek

“You know, it can never be. But if it always tells me the story of your heart, it’s not my fault”

“Don’t miss you doctor’s appointment today” She changed the topic

In one swift move, he turned her towards him “You enjoy making me feel like a patient” he complained

“Seeing a doctor just twice a year does not make you a patient.”

“I would have never complained if I was your patient and your only patient. What’s the use of you working so hard for two years and set up your clinic, when another doctor in your clinic sees me”

“Yes, why not. What’s the point of all the hard work to update my certificates, establish the clinic so that I have only you as a patient”

He shrugged his shoulders “I believe it would have been very worth it. You would have been spared from lending your handsome and flirty husband, with histories, to another lady for three to four hours every six months”

“Is this the same old Devil?” she laughed

“You are behaving like a child.”

Then, she brought a hint of sincerity to her face and said, “Maan, I know a bit too much about you. I won’t be the right doctor for you. And dare you call my husband a patient? You’re perfectly fine, with the ability to rule the business world. It’s just a routine check-up and some light medication.”

He lifted her chin to make her eyes meet his “Hey Butter, chill. I don’t mind this small flaw in me. It makes your perfect husband a human.”

“Khush fehmi ki dukan..” She pushed him a bit far

“I need to get ready for clinic and make sure you have no work meetings set up for a day. I don’t want you hurrying when you are with Dr. Manika”

“Fine. You can be as much in your clinic. I will have my family soon here”

“What!!! Mom and Papaji are coming again”

He gave her a smile “Tomorrow…”

Geet placed her hands on her waist “Maan, they just left a month back. At least let them settle….”

Maan gave her a smile “Go get ready for your clinic. I will get ready for beautiful Dr. Manika”

“Maan… dare you…” he winked and left.

JA sharp wave of jealousy swept through Geet before she could stop it. She had proposed Dr. Manika to Maan, but her possessiveness for her Devil made the jealousy unavoidable.

*********

Maan went to check on his little monkey, as he called the little one. The little one was getting full attention of dadima and other care takers.

Maanav looked at Maan and started crying

“Hmmm… I know you are looking for Mommy. She will soon be here.” he said picking up his son into his arms and lifted him up in the air.

Maanav giggled “See daddy also has ways to entertain you, Mr. attention seeker”

And thus, the morning routine went on with Geet feeding Maanav and leaving for clinic for couple of hours.

********

Geet entered the clinic and was heading straight to her office but then…. She couldn’t avoid her legs to turn and check Dr. Manika Awasthi

“Good morning Dr. Khurana”

“Good morning Dr. Awasthi. Just came to say ‘Hi’. I’ll catch up with my appointments.”

Geet left after checking Dr. Manika. Dr. Manika was a beautiful well maintained young doctor. And every time Maan has appointment with her, Geet found her to be more beautifully dressed and looking a little more beautiful.

It was not a question of trust. Geet blindly trusted Maan and she knew beyond anything for him. And also, dr. Manika was best to look into Maan’s case. As a doctor and as a wife she knew this was the best. But her possessive love for Maan… made her heart behave stupidly.

******

 Geet was done with few appointments when Maan entered the clinic. Geet obviously had her eyes outside Dr. Manika’s cabin today.

Damn!! He looked a little more handsome today.

“Why do both of them seem to dress particularly well on the days of Maan’s medical appointments” Geet thought, irritated.

Maan smiled to himself “You should always remember, Butter. You are still married to the devil. I have ways to get your full attention back, when you try to show me, you have so many other things in hands.”

******

Geet had to leave home after three hours in clinic for Maanav’s feed. From next month, he would start on baby foods rather than being completely on mother’s feed.

When Geet left the clinic, Maan was still with Dr. Manika. It will take couple of more hours as she ran all types of tests and had innumerous questions to go through with Maan and see his progress.

******

It was few minutes past 7 p.m. when Maan entered the house.

He first checked on Dadima, as a daily routine and then moved to his room.

He opened his shoes outside the room and tip toed inside. Maanav was sleeping deeply in his crib, with a sound monitor placed beside him.

He looked all around their huge bedroom; Geet was nowhere to be found. Well, Maan very well knew where she could be found after all the stunts that he has pulled today.

******

In the lavish grand kitchen of Khurana Mansion, the knife and cutting board had been in continuous talks for last one hour as Geet has already cut a week’s vegetables and was still on the go.

Chef and helpers stood at one corner, waiting for their master to arrive soon. Or else, they will have to find various recipes to get these cut vegetables in real use.

Maan entered the kitchen without making a sound. His one look and everyone was out.

Geet has just grabbed an onion to butcher it, when she felt his hands slipped in her waist

“Leave me!” she said, relief and anger mixed in her voice. And as if Maan would listen to her.

He took away the onion and lifted her in his arms, carrying her.

“Maan leave me. People are around”

“Don’t forget, I am still the same Devil. No one can dare to be present when my wife is in my arms”

“Same Devil. I am not scared of you”

“I know that.” He admitted with a smile.

Maan rolled her on bed, slipped beside her, pulling the cover over them, grabbing her hands in his palm above her head “leave me” she warnmed

“It had not been an easy task to get you in my life. Cannot afford to leave you”

He said, pressing his lips on hers and that was it. Geet hungrily and angrily took his lips in hers.

And then there was nothing stopping the passionate moments which was later interrupted by the cries of Maanav

Geet covered herself with the cape and rushed to pick her little boy.

“Wow… I was missing this anger” he commented from behind

Geet gave him an angry look before positioning herself for the feed

“But what were you angry at?’ He asked, feigning innocence

“You do not know?”  “How would I know; I was at doctor’s appointment”

“hmm… till seven” she commented. Anger clear in her voice.

He gave her a silly smile “You missed me… aww baby…” he teased her further

By now Geet had tears falling down her cheeks. Maan immediately wiped it off.

“Butter, you know how much I love you and you know I was putting up acts, you still react”

“You enjoy this…’ she grabbed a pillow and threw on him

“I love this…”

“And whenever you try giving anything other than this little monkey, more importance than me, you’ll get this” he winked

“Devil”

“Only yours…” He placed the pillow under his head and lay down, while Geet fed Maanav.

*******

Next day, Geet’s parents arrived. Geet was of course happy but the secret happiness could be seen in Maan.

He has been missing parent’s love since childhood. Have been talking and crying to them in the dark room. Now, he does not want to miss any chance of genuine affection. Also, it was his family. And once Maan consider anything his, it was difficult to keep them far away from him.

And how can Rano and Mohinder deny him? They know, he wants them here, not only for Geet and Maanav, but fill his own missing peace.  

The Devil’s Den, which was once the dark place of sadness, ruthlessness and hopelessness, was now brimming with life, happiness and family laughter.

For the outside business world, he was still the ruthless Devil, showing no mercy in business dealings and punishing the ones who tried to bypass or play dirty with him. No one dared!

*******

A year later –

It was a beautiful summer evening. It was a beautiful summer evening. The sharpness of the sun’s rays had softened, but the lawn was still bathed in light. Geet was seated with Dadima, in round table with chairs, set beneath a large patio umbrella on the lawn. They were enjoying watching her Mom and Dad play with Maanav, motivating him to take a few steps.

Maan came from nowhere like a wind, picked his son in his arms and threw him in the air.

Maanav loved it. Geet could feel his giggles in the air.

“Why don’t you go join them” Dadima suggested Geet. She was getting old and was having tough time with more movement. Geet didn’t like leaving her alone to be the watcher all alone.

“Don’t worry Dadima, Maan will soon join us here”

And there he was, next to his wife, Maanav monkey sitting on his shoulders

“So howz the prep looking?” he asked pulling a chair, handling Maanav to Geet

“Way too grand than what Brij Veerji will be expecting for his wedding reception”

“Really? I thought he will expect it to be grand if I have taken ownership of it”

“Okay, I will go, have some walk” Dadima left the two with their kid

Geet turned to Maan “Maan, I love you” she said, looking emotionally

“I know. And this is just a small gift to a man who made me speak the most beautiful words of my life”

“Really? And what was that” Geet playfully asked with a smile

Maan made Maanav sit on the table, pulled his chair close to Geet’s, moved his face close to her – she could feel the warmth of his breath. He looked deeply into her eyes – “I Love You”