Devil's Innocent Bride ~ Book 2

 

Chapter 10

 

Geet couldn’t believe what happened or what he told her. She already had those intuitions about him. And now that’s what he told her, just on her face.

"Why?? Why??"  She slapped her own cheeks in anger. Why did I have to keep thinking that? That’s why it happen. "It was my fault... I was so scared and thought that someone else was in his life. And that's what happened."

“Why God!?” she looked up, blinking her eyes in the cascading rain. Then closed her eyes , and sat there in the rain for a while trying to absorb everything he said, “I hate you and despise your presence here.” Those words pierce her fragile heart like a needle. 

She cried out furiously, holding her chest, "ahhh..." She couldn’t even share her pain with anyone. If dad was alive, I would have complained to him about you! She pouted, thinking so, but he is no more, and I have no one to go to. She again cried, clutching her teeth.

Just then she heard the horn of the car and instantly got up, wondering who could be there at this hour.

She got up and rushed out to the parking lot, only to witness her mother getting out of the vehicle.

"Mom…" She instantly made a move to rush to her but suddenly stopped realising what she was doing. She looked at her wet clothes; her mother would get worried reading pain in her eyes, and that was the least she wanted.

But Misha saw her daughter in that state and asked, "Geet, is that you?" Misha saw her shadow in the dark.

Geet was stunned. She quickly wiped her tears, plastered a fake smile on her face, and approached her.

"Mom…you came? I was so waiting for you!" Her voice cracked as she engulfed her mother in a warm hug.

"Geet, what is this? "You are wet and drench me as well." Misha scolds her.

Geet let out a painful chuckle: "You know it was raining."

"And you got drenched in the rain; how many times have I told you that you catch colds?" That's why I always forbid you from getting drenched in the rain.

But today, you were not there to scold me. Geet pouted, trying hard to control her tears.

"Geet, don’t say that, dear; now this is your house."

"Yeah yeah… I know that now this is my family, and I have to stay here forever." Geet blabbered, trying to avoid her pain, lest she want to trouble her mother.

The driver took her stuff inside while Misha followed Geet, who took her mother to her guest room.

"Mom, you get changed soon; you will get sick because of me."

"Sure, dear, you too can go and change. Go to sleep; we'll talk tomorrow."

"And yes, how are Grandma and my son-in-law?"

Geet’s feet rooted when he heard about Maan. She turned to her mother; how would she react when she learned about her son-in-law?

"They are fine, and I am also happy here, like you said." She smiled cheekily inside, breaking bit by bit.

"So then I said no; they are a really nice family, I am sure, and they will always keep my doll happy." She cupped her cheek.

Geet was in tears by now; she blinked her eyes furiously, holding her hand, which was on her cheek.

"Your doll is completely broken, mother; today he really broke your doll. But I can’t blame him completely. It was my fault too. How must that girl be feeling? I can understand when you have been here so much, but then I cannot even think of her pain.

She took a warm shower and changed into her regular set of night dresses, which include a small shirt and pants. She was so tired after the whole adventure that she sat on the bed thinking about her life.

Suddenly the door opened with a bang, bringing the devil inside. He was not steady on his steps, probably drunk.

Maan couldn’t bear the fight going on inside his heart and mind. His heart was in so much pain for hurting her, while his mind had won the battle because his ego was satisfied with hurting the culprit of his nightmares.

Geet rushed to him, seeing him banging on the table.

‘Maan, what happened?’ She asked worriedly about him holding his arm, but instantly let go of him as the gush of alcohol smell engulfed her nostrils.

‘Yuck!! You are drunk so heavily. Why?’ She complained.

That’s enough to boost his anger; he pulled her in his arms harshly and smacked his lips on her.

Geet was stunned for a while, but seeing him kiss her mouth, she tried to wriggle. After a while, he left her with a devious smirk.

‘How could you?’ She wiped her lips furiously, smelling alcohol, and seeing his smirk only enlightened her anger.

"You are a liar, and your words are also a lie... and you claimed to love me; you don’t love me,” he mocked and walked up to bed.

Her eyes filled up. What did you say? She matched him in anger, pushing him on his chest so that he landed on his back, and she hovered over him.

"I love you, really." And she placed her lips on his, ignoring the smell; that doesn’t matter anymore; what matters to her at the moment is proving to him her truthfulness and her love.

"I am sorry; I shouldn't have done that... but you really stink..." She made a face, licking his lips. She parted to look at him, only to see his big, angry eyes.

She bit her lips. "Don’t be angry; I said only the truth." She pouted, and the next moment Maan pulled her roughly towards him, his arms round her back, and she felt the anger in his hold as he bent his head and his mouth fastened brutally on hers. Forcing her lips apart, he kissed her without tenderness or passion, bruising her lips with his teeth.

She panicked, twisting in his embrace to free herself, but her arms were trapped at her side, her body clamped to his, and she couldn’t escape.

She could feel the thud of his heartbeats, and then his lips suddenly lifted to kiss her, opening her mouth seductively, his tongue exploring deeply and intimately. Her whole body went strangely weak, and she relaxed against him as the heat rose in her body.

She pushed her hands around his neck, holding him against her. She felt the smooth skin under her fingers as she ran her hands up inside his shirt and felt him tremble at her touch.

She began to respond to the deepening demand of his kiss, and her eyes closed as she gave herself up to the pleasure of his touch.

And then the kiss was suddenly over. He pulled away, leaving her limp and shivering as the warmth of his body left her and reaction set in. She bit her lips hard and looked down at the bed.

None spoke a word; the silence seemed to stretch unbearably, and the only sound was their uneven breathing steadying back to normal.

He reached a hand to her hair and pulled her head towards him, bending slowly until he touched his lips to hers again.

 

His mouth was cool and dry, and the pressure was gentle and persuasive. Geet laid still in his hold, too exhausted to protest or pull away. She didn’t want to; only the thought of him loving someone was troubling her.

 

‘So you love me!?’ He murmured on her lips. She nodded, looking into his eyes with her teary hazel. Tears of weariness and depression spilled down her cheeks to his lips.

‘But you love someone else, not me.’ She pouted, whispering so on his lips.

At the touch of her tears and hearing her words, his hold tightened cruelly, and he pulled her hard against him, his arms closing around her, his kiss deepening as he opened her lips wide to exact punishment.

She felt the heat rise in his body, and a quiver of response trembled through her, shocking her into awareness. Her mouth moved under his, and she leaned towards him, yielding to the lethargy in her body. 

At her response, his hand moved down her back, fingers caressing her spine while his lips began a slow, sensual caress over hers. Geet shivered. 

She urged her body closer, lifting her breasts against him and raising her hands to his head, fingers threading through the crisp, thick hair.

Eyes closed, she was dimly aware that he had moved her down and laid on top of her, his hard body embedding itself into hers. Shuddering with excitement, her mouth opened to his, and she kissed him back compulsively and passionately.

Her hands moved to his shoulders, fingers feeling for the smooth skin through the silk of his shirt, her body arching against the heavy weight of muscled hips and thighs.

Lying back, eyes closed, sensations rushed through her as his lips left hers to move down her throat, searching for the roundness of her breasts.

She felt his breath against her skin as he tore apart her shirt to feel her nude body underneath. 

Don't… She tried to push him away: "When you don’t love me, why are you doing this?" 

She felt his breath hot against her skin as he tore apart her shirt to feel her bare body underneath.

 

‘Don’t…’ she tried to push him away, “when you don’t love me, why are you doing this?”

 

She cried out as a flare of desire raced through her and shook her into sudden panic. Pulling her arms from his shoulders, she pushed her fists into his chest, her breath coming in short gasps. He wasn’t expecting it and drew back instinctively as she dragged her legs from under him But he was too quick for her.

He had her pinned under him tightly, his hands either side of her, imprisoning her, barring her escape. 

 

Her body trembling uncontrollably, her mouth dry with fear, Geet stared at him, mesmerised by the stormy darkness of his eyes and the mouth released from its firm control, revealing the full sensuality of the lips. 

He had released some wildness in her, some emotion she didn’t understand and couldn’t control. She had wanted him to go on touching her, exciting her and bringing her to some kind of surrender to his demands and her own desires. 

 

But how was it possible for him to take her to such heights of passion, rousing needs and longings she had never dreamed she could feel? Was she going mad? 

 

When he doesn’t love her but hate her…why is he us doing this…Her thoughts whirled incoherently as she continued to gaze at him, confusion in her shadowed eyes, the tear-drenched cheeks pale with shock. 

 

And then he spoke, his breathing even, his voice harsh.  ‘Yes, I Hate you and don’t you forget it’ he taunted, reminding her. She made a face turning away from his angry gaze.

 

‘What happened? Do you remember your boyfriend?’ He smiled mockingly, his head bent to her face, his breath against her mouth. 

 

‘Why are you pushing me away? Did your boyfriend try it on?’ 

 

‘And this avalanche of emotion that erupts every time I touch you… does he enjoy that too?’  He murmured, his voice low and caressing her.

 

Geet looked confused and disgusted, how could he? ‘Why are you saying so? Which boyfriend? I don’t have any…’

 

‘Stop lying…’ he said coldly, and Geet watched his eyes harden, the smile leaving his face. 

 

He released her and turned away, ‘I am not interested in you…’ He muttered, before sleep overtook him.

 

Geet kept thinking on his words, ‘boyfriend..?’ She was so dazed to think more, her head would just bust out if she would think more about it. 

 

She looked at him, how baby-like he looked while sleeping…she smiled in between her tears, admiring her hubby. She bent on his back, kissing his side forehead, “I love you, why don’t you understand. I don’t have a boyfriend…why are you thinking so… I never even mention anything like that… Did anyone tell you..?” Her head was aching badly; she didn’t even have her dinner with the whole drama. She knew an empty stomach adding more to her misery. But she was now careless about it since her main concern was Maan and his thinking about her. 

 

Maan got disturbed in his sleep and turned around, making her fall on his chest. ‘Um…sleep…’ he muttered under his breath pulling her closer, she buried her face in the crook of his neck, his masculine scent engulfed her senses making her drowsy. 

 

‘How am I going to share you with others, why can’t you be mine, just mine?’  Warm tears fell on his chest making him stir. She cried hiding her face in his neck, while his hands wrapped around her back tightly rubbing her back unconsciously as if his heart recognized her pain.

 

 

 

Chapter 11

 

 

It was late morning, when Maan opened his eyes slowly. He held his head with one hand while his other felt something smooth under him.

 

He frowned once sleep began to deprive from his heavy eyes. He rubbed his hand on that smooth thing only to hear a soft moan and something so soft moved against him.

 

His eyes widened, and he looked down only to be stunned by the almost half-bare sight of his wife in his arms.

 

Geet had a sweet smile on her face while she snuggled in his arms. Her bosom rubbed against his bare chest, making havoc inside him. The next moment, he threw her on the floor, holding back his own desires and frustration.

 

She yelped in pain; her sleep was rudely broken by her devil husband.

 

‘Mamma...’ she cried in pain, and when her eyes opened fully, she saw him fuming on the bed. ‘How could you, monster, push me down?" she blabbered in anger. 

 

Maan turned his face away as her shirt was misplaced, almost torn by him at night, revealing her cleavage.

 

Geet fumed and pouted ready to get up when she saw her shirt, her mouth turn o shape while eyes widen in terror. ‘Mamma…’ she cried in frustration buttoning up her shirt hurriedly.

She got up and marched to him, why did you push me… She fumed, grabbing his collar, really forgetting yesterday's scolding.

 

Maan was really amused at her, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips seeing her cute pouting face. He somewhere liked her bossing over him but was not ready to accept.

 

‘Stay in your limits,’ he clutched her wrist next moment as his anger overpowers him, what were you doing on my bed? He asked in a dangerous husky voice that made her shudder and she stepped back in fear. 

 

Maan walked to her while she took each step back in fear.

 

‘What do we do on the bed other than sleeping, that’s what I was doing?’ She blabbered in a low voice, frustrated with his behaviour.

 

‘Don’t show me your attitude; answer my question correctly.’ He pointed a finger at her in rage. ‘Maan, I told the truth; I swear on you...’

 

‘To hell with your swearing or whatever... I don’t believe this!" By now, he was hovering over her. She put her palm on his mouth instantly and said, ‘Don't say that... Take back your words," she asked innocently.

He clutched her palm harshly, removing that from his mouth.

Really frustrated by now with her childish behaviour, she yelped in pain. "Leave me," she wriggled, pleading with him. 

‘I want a straight answer to my question.’ 

‘I am telling the truth; you only pulled me to bed, and then I slept beside you.’ 

‘I had warned you before as well; don’t dare to come to my bed. Your place is there on the floor, and you tried to seduce me again..." Geet winced at his words but was confused by his question. 

‘What!? I didn't do anything; you kissed me forcefully. 

His eyes widened hearing her as his hold loosen upon her; he tried to remember, but nothing was clear to him, only vague images roaming in his mind. On that, his head was busting, and he held his head.

‘What happened? Are you okay?’ She was still worried for him as she held his shoulder. He ignored her completely and dashed to the washroom, banging the door shut, making her jump in her place. 

‘Why does he have to be so loud?’ She pouted and pulled out her clothes to wear after the shower. 

She looked at the bed and blushed, seeing the crushed bed sheet. She took hold of his shirt and buried her face in it, inhaling his aroma. "God, why couldn’t he be mine?" She pouted and kissed his shirt uncontrollably. 

She sat holding his shirt, not knowing for how long. That’s how Maan found her; she was just pecking his shirt again when he stormed to her and said, "What the hell are you doing with my shirt?" He was really amused. When she is acting, why is she doing this drama behind his back? She doesn’t need to act; her behaviour contrasts with his evil thoughts about her. He was really confused.

"Now you have a problem with this as well. I know I can’t have you; at least let me have your shirt... "But no, such a bitter gourd person you are." she pouted. 

‘I never saw a cheap woman like you.’ 

Geet was again hurt by his harsh words; she became teary and said, ‘I don’t know how I should behave that makes me nice before you! You find my every act cheap or dirty, don't you?’ She blasted.  

‘I don’t even know why I loved you enough to bear your tantrums and hatred.’

‘That’s what I said; you never loved me, but with my money and status, you are here just for that and for your desires,’ and he made a disgusting face.

‘Tell me; your boyfriend didn’t satisfy you that you are always seducing me...?’ 

Geet was stunned hearing his accusation; she thought he was over scolding her yesterday, but a few more came her way today. Although she doesn’t understand his last sentence.

"Is money everything...? I have no value in your eyes." She took his words completely differently.

 ‘You are just a servant to me, and about your price, why don't you ask your lover? Better ask your boyfriend.’ 

"How many times do I have to tell you I don't have a boyfriend? Why don’t you understand?" She blasted frustrated at hearing the same rant from his mouth.

He grabbed her hair, pulling her closer. "Don’t shout in my face. You cannot change the truth." He hissed, jerking her away.

Please believe me once I tell the truth. 

Enough!! He showed her his palm and moved to change his clothes. She rushed behind him, hugging his bare back. "Maan, I love you only; believe me, no one is there in my life apart from you. I swear to you, I am telling the truth." Her wet lips rubbing on his back, making him insane, and hearing her words, he got mad again.

He turned briskly, pushing her apart. "Shut the hell up now; I don’t want to hear anything from your mouth today.  

‘But...’ 

He showed her his furious eyes, shutting her thereby. She sobbed and rushed inside the washroom, turning the shower on as she sat below it, trying to drown herself completely in it.

She felt dizzy now with so much torture from him. Why can’t he believe me? 

Maan hurriedly got ready in fury, only to hear the knock on the door. He opened it to find John standing at the door. "Sir, Grandma has called you and Geet Maam down.'' He only informed me of this and moved away, not really interested in facing him after the night's fiasco. 

Maan darted an angry glare at his back and slammed the door shut.

Geet jerked back to reality after hearing the noise. She hurriedly got up to take a shower, but just then she remembered that she forgot to take her clothes; not even the towel was in the washroom.

Now what!?? He will again accuse her. What do I do? She will peek from the door; let him go out first, then I will quickly go and get my clothes.

‘Geet...’ Just then she heard him shout, and she slammed the door shut without much noise.

‘Come fast!’ ‘Did you sleep there in the bathroom?’ He asked angrily. 

Geet made a face but answered him, ‘I need a few minutes more, please.’

Maan sighed, frustrated, and for a while he thought to just walk out. He was mad with rage already and didn't want to lose his mood further because of her.

‘Do whatever you want; I am going. Keep in mind to make it fast because Grandma has been calling you.’ He warned her before rushing out, closing the door with a loud noise as always, making her jump on her place. 

‘Oh God!!’ She sighed loudly. She once gave a look to her wet sari on the floor. She couldn’t even wrap that around now.

Making a face, she peeked out, making sure the way was clear. She stepped out and quickly rushed to her cupboard to take her towel first. 

‘What the..!!!’ 

Geet had just pulled out her towel to wrap around her wet body when she heard his voice. 

No, this can’t happen, God! She made a crying face and quickly turned around to wrap the towel.

Maan had forgotten his phone, so to get it, he walked back in the room.

But he never thought he would get to see the heavenly sight of his wife again. 

And when she turned, his eyes gleamed more to see her treasure before she hid it under a towel. 

Geet was shunned, and she again made herself embarrassed before him and gave him the reason to accuse him.

Now she was just waiting for his more harsh words with close eyes.

Maan stood dumb, just gaping at her half-bare form. He slowly walked to her as if in a trance.

Geet opened her eyes, hearing no rash words from his mouth, only to gasp in shock at seeing his face so close. 

He had reached her and was just admiring her beauty. She looked at the way his gaze was stuck and turned red, pressing the towel on her half-open breast, but it was her wrong move; it bulged out more, making his thirst dry.

After a while, he smirked, eyeing her in disgust. "I have to agree; you don't leave a single chance to trap me in your trap." 

‘Hu??’ It took her a while to understand his mean words, and now her anger was intensifying. ‘You can’t always blame me. Why the hell did you walk back in the room?’ She blasted in pain and frustration; he couldn’t understand her and didn't have any right to accuse her always. 

‘This is my room, and you don’t dare tell me what to do or not!’ He grabbed her wrist, pinning her harshly to the cupboard. Her eyes widened, realising her towel was falling from her body, but Maan pressed his hard body on her soft, wet body, preventing its fall. 

"Leave me!! Look, I didn't do it on purpose. I don't know why it happens with me when you are around.

And it gives you reasons to accuse me further, but I really don’t do anything intentionally to hurt you or..." She was blabbering when Maan hissed in anger, "Shut up!"

His gaze darkened with passion and hunger, seeing her shivering pink petals. He bent further to lick her lips, and she shuddered unknowingly. Her body reacted to his touch, and her nipples poked into his shirt, making him hard instantly.

‘Listen," she said, becoming restless as she tried to pull apart, ‘something is poking me down."

She whispered breathlessly; it took a while for Maan to realise what she just said, and his eyes widened in shock. ‘What!?’  

"What did you say?" He thought he heard something weird. 

‘Something is poking me down! Here!!’ And she grabbed it without her knowledge.

‘Geet..." he gritted his teeth, groaning wildly.

‘This….it…what…the….’ Her eyes widen in terror. What is she holding in her hand? She instantly left him. 

‘God! Forgive me," she muttered under her breath, almost crying. Maan glared at her furiously, pinning her against the wall. "What were you doing?’ He muttered angrily, blanching her in fear.

‘What were you doing?’ He muttered angrily, blanching her in fear.

 

‘I…don’t… know…. I am….sorry…’

 

"Do you even know what the hell you are doing, or do you even have any sense?" He hissed, jerking her back, or you are just insane. He really wasn’t able to believe her innocence, and her behaviour only made him frustrated or threw him into a pit of confusion.

 

"I really don’t know. I really didn't know that it was your..."

 

‘SHUT UP!!’  He shouted hearing her ranting.

 

‘You are disgusting…’ he muttered before leaving her to shed tears in humiliation. ‘I am not…’ she shouted behind him, not ready to hear his harsh words without her fault.

 

"You are the one…always shouting at me." She cried kneeling on the floor.

 

Maan stopped on the door and turned back furiously to give her his piece of mind but seeing her like that something inside him stopped him.

 

But that's what he wanted, didn’t he? He thought ruefully before walking out of the room banging the door shut with loud noise which again made her flinch. ‘He deliberately does it!’ She cried cursing him. Somewhere now loving him began to hurt her.

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

A few days went by, but his behaviour didn’t change, nor did his hurtful words. Not even before his mother-in-law. 

On Geet’s insistence, Grandma forcefully made her live in an outhouse for a few more days.

Misha didn't agree, but before her stubbornness, she couldn’t do anything.

"You can’t leave me that soon, mom... I won’t let you go!" Geet had cried furiously, holding her mother’s hand, making the whole Khurana mansion sad with her. No one could see her sadness except her son and father, Khurana.

They had to agree with Grandma, who stopped Misha. 

"But mother, she is just a child, and you are also coming to her talks." Misha tried to make her understand.

"That’s what I say. She had some black magic," Maan muttered under his breath, glaring at his crying wife. 

"I can't stay at your in-law’s house, dear.  "It doesn't happen like this," Misha tried to make her daughter understand once again.

"I don’t know why all the rules are for girls. Maan can also stay at our home, and I am also staying in this house. "And who will take care of you alone? How will you stay alone?" She innocently blabbered, making everyone shut. up with her innocence. 

Maan had his eyes wide in shock. What the hell did you say? I am at your house. I am not a girl!"

 "Why not…? Then why should I stay here? We both are married. Why do I stay here, leaving my home back?" she counters innocently.

‘God, save me from this devil!’ He held his head.

Grandma had a hearty laugh while Misha scolded Geet silently. Rajveer rolled his eyes at hearing his daughter-in-law. She was sure of one thing. God let her stay away from her. He silently prayed to God and left for his room, letting his mother handle this storm alone. 

"Geet is absolutely right, and I will not let my daughter go anywhere from home. So Misha will also stay here only."

"But mother, it’s wrong." Misha tried to protest. 

"I don’t understand, mamma. What is wrong with this? Then it is also wrong for Maan to live with his family." She pouted.

‘You!’ Maan pointed his finger at her.

‘Maan...’ Grandma stopped the fight. 

"Misha, we will get the room ready for you in the outhouse. You can stay there for the time being."

"Why time being..." Geet caught her words.

"Grandma, you think of me as a baby," she said with a crying face. "I want my mother with me forever."

‘Geet!!’ Now Misha glares at her daughter.

"Misha, she is just a child; don’t be angry with her. She is innocent, Misha." Grandma cuddled her; she was really getting addicted to caring for her.

"Geet, dear, everything will happen as you wish. Now stop crying."

Geet had a bright smile on her face. ‘Really, grandma?"

‘Yes dear...’

"Swear on me," Geet said, holding her hand to her neck.

"Swear on you, dear. Your mother can stay in an outhouse near you. Now happy?!"

"Very happy, Grandma; you are the best grandma in the world." She chirped happily. 

"That I know!" Grandma hugged her back when fuming Maan, and she knew her grandson was jealous at the moment, as could be seen by his face. He fumed more and just stormed away from there.

…..

Misha thought he must be frustrated with his work, which is why he is taking it out on her daughter.

Also, her daughter is so foolish, who would bear her tantrums? She somehow consoles her motherly heart. It had only once happened before, but she couldn’t stop the ache in her heart seeing his anger on her daughter. She must have done something wrong.

"You don't even know how to make coffee; you know I only wanted your handmade black coffee!" He uttered it in irritation before his mother-in-law.

"Geet, how could you, dear? You should have learned by now."

Geet pouted; tears filled her eyes, seeing him scold her before her mother.

Grandma was also not there to save her from his wrath. He deliberately behaved sweetly before his grandma. She has now started to understand his behaviour and his two faces.

That day, Misha taught her to make his black coffee, which she took to his room. 

"Your Coffee..."

He pretended to talk on the phone and ignored her completely.

"Maan…"

 But he was nowhere to listen; his back was also turned to her.

She walked inside with the tray, making faces at him when her eyes widened, seeing and hearing his next act: "Yes, I love you too, honey." and he kissed his phone umpteen times. 

Geet couldn’t bear it; anger hurt, jealousy surged through her all together, and she banged the tray harshly on the table, making a loud voice, and coffee spilled out with that jerk.

He jerked back to see his angry wife fuming cutely. He smirked, seeing the desired reaction. 

But there were no tears; instead, her eyes filled with pure rage. Although he had confessed, hearing and seeing the reality before her eyes was something else. She felt immensely hurt by what he was doing. At one end, he claimed to love another girl, and on the other end, he got closer to her. That’s not constricting... She thought ruefully. 

"Where's my coffee?" He walked to her, locking the door behind her.

"Here..." she showed him a tray, making him furious.

“What the hell is it?”

"Your coffee! And it happened because of you, if you thought to scold me again." She showed her big, angry eyes.

"Because of me? You brought coffee inside, not me."

"Then who told you to ask me, Why didn't you bring it yourself, and why didn't you make it yourself?" 

She knew well how to argue with me, which angered him. "Don’t argue with me," he said, pinning her wrist behind her and pulling her closer.

‘Ahhh," she yelled, making him lose his hold. 

"Who gave you the right to manhandle me? What do you think about me?" She asked furiously with teary eyes as she pushed him, rubbing her wrist.

"You are my wife and stay within the same limits," he said, pointing a finger to her face. 

"Limits? What limits? If I am your wife, it does not mean that you give me such trouble." She winced, touching her wrist, which had turned bluish now.

Her painful eyes bore into him, and he turned his face, not able to take the intensity in her eyes.

"The pain I've already been through just knowing you love someone else isn't enough." She was on the verge of tears now. "I suffer every day with the same thought, but you don’t care." She accused him. "You now started talking to your girlfriend before me even."

"You know how much it hurts me, here... it hurts a lot," she showed to her chest, where her heart resided.

Maan was melting with her words, but he tried to hold himself together. "Now you know how it hurts, and when I saw you with Aryan... 

It took her a while to realise what he just said: "Aryan...!" She asked, confused. 

"Don’t try to show innocence... I know what you both are doing behind my back." He accused her. 

"I haven't done any such thing!" She again confessed innocently. 

"Don’t...!" He hissed angrily, making her blanch in fear when she saw his burning eyes. "Don’t ever dare to lie again." 

"I am not telling a lie. I don’t know what you're talking about." "Aryan and I...how did you even think like this?" She never thought in her wildest dream that he would think about them that way.

"Enought! Not another word!" He was burning with jealousy, hearing his name from her mouth continuously.

Geet shut her mouth instantly upon hearing him; she didn’t want to make him angry and bear it on her. 

She simply turned to move, still thinking about how to make him understand, because now she was more determined to prove her innocence before him.

But the next moment he jerked her back in his arms and said, "I haven't asked you to leave yet." 

She wriggled in his arms, turning her face away. 

"Look at me!" He pinned her chin harshly. 

"Now did you feel bad when I said something about your lover?" He taunted.

She closed her eyes in pain, feeling his fingers pressing on her soft waist, but his words gave her more pain. 

"No!" she snapped suddenly, "because I don’t have anyone like that."

"I told you for the umpteenth time, Maan, I just know the one man in my life after my father, and that is you." 

"Swear on you, Maan! I am saying the truth. I just love you." She cupped his nape, trying to make him understand, while her nose touched his.

He became lost in a moment and decreased the distance between them. His lips touched hers.

"Please believe me once." She whispered, trying to prove her innocence.

Maan was now in a dilemma: who to believe? Even Aryan said the same. If not his wife, then he must trust his friend... But then, as Rahul said, he is also his friend. 

"I won’t betray you, nor did I..." she whispered, gazing into his eyes, which showed turmoil.

His hands slowly wrapped around her back as she hid her face in the crook of his neck, sniffing there. 

"Trust whom...?" His heart felt calm at the moment he held her. The way she held him gave him peace of mind. His mind was not ready to believe anyone, yet his heart betrayed him. It wanted only her and her closeness, which soothed his burning heart.

Her fingers crushed his shirt while her lips kissed his throat, making him groan in pleasure.

"Geet..." he moaned, burying his face in the cloud of her hair. She realised what she was doing and became shy. She tried to pull apart, but he pulled her back.

"Where's my coffee?" He asked huskily: She jolted immediately, looking confused for a while.

"Coffe!!" He repeated, "If you have forgotten, let me remind you; I have asked you for black coffee."

"Yes, I brought it." She turned around with a big smile on her face as she took the tray in her hand, which contained his coffee mug, which was totally messed up.

"It's so cold..."

"All because of you!" she snapped, which made him show his big, angry eyes to her.

"Don’t show me your big eyes," she said, pointing a finger at him. "If you think I am scared of your anger, then..." her voice instantly mellowed down. "You thought absolutely right; I will make it again; give it..." She took the cup from his hand, rushing away out of his sight.

Maan stood amused about what had just happened. He smirked deviously, thinking about her reaction.

He had never thought to lose his anger like that on someone, but this girl does everything to make him lose his anger. Whatever, he now wanted to find out the truth. If she is saying the truth, but what if she is lying? This can’t happen, and his heart denied believing those words. 

That nightmare thing remains in the back of his mind now; he desperately wanted to find out the only truth about his wife. He won’t let her go that easily.

A few days passed by him ordering her around and she would ultimately obey him. Somewhere there was love, some fear, and some worry for the consequences. She didn’t want to make her mother suspicious or even Grandma suspicious by his biased behaviour towards her.

Maan, in those days, tried to find the solution for his one and only problem, Geet. Maan would have simply contacted his dad’s investigator about the matter.

But he better knew not to do so, hence making Rajveer aware of the whole fiasco. He never wanted to pull his father into this mess of his life.

In between this, Geet has never failed to make those small attempts to gain her father-in-law's affection for her, who seem least interested in her attempts.

She was craving fatherly love and care, which got multiplied after seeing Maan’s dad. His features and nature resemble so much Maan's that it took no attempt to attract him to her. More than all, she was getting desperate for his one loving, fatherly pat on the head. Seeing his repo with Maan, she couldn’t help but pout with sadness, craving the same.

‘Dad, your coffee!" Geet forwarded her hand to him.

Rajveer once looked at her, then again turned his attention to the files on which he was working. I told you umpteen times...

That there are servants doing this work! Geet finished his sentence as he took the cup from her hand and gave her a stern look.

"But I have also told you, Dad. I like it." Geet. 

"You mean you liked to work like a servant?" he taunted with the same smirk that reminded her of her devil husband.

"No, dad, you've got it wrong. I like to do all these things for my family. For you, are you not my dad, only Maan’s?"

Rajveer was shunned for a while; he had never had a girl child and had never experienced the connection with the baby girl, and suddenly her question stupefied him.

"No! You are my daughter-in-law and I expect you to stay in that line only." He answered rudely, trying to shove away the emotions that were stirring inside her with her simple sentence. 

Geet was taken aback, but she never knew to be rude with elders. But his words reminded her of her husband’s words. The same words he used to show her down

"I don't know what you both think of me, but dad, I am also a human; I know my limits and henceforth will remain in my line."

"And even if you don't consider me your daughter, I consider you no more than my father figure. I didn't realise when you filled that gap in my life." She thought about her own father and had tears in her eyes by now.

"If you think by your words I will stop doing things for you, then you are wrong, dad. You can be upset with your daughter; you have that right! But I also have the right to do things for you as your daughter." Saying so, she rushed away, leaving Rajveer in deep thought.

He sipped his coffee, relishing the taste. It’s been a few days; he has tasted her handmade coffee, and the taste lingers in his mouth, refreshing his mood.

It’s been a few days. Geet would walk into his study to ask him about his day, and only talk happened by her side. He chooses to ignore her, finding her behaviour irritating. She would talk to him about her own day; never once had she mentioned his son in those conversations.

Of course, he did notice a few incidents where his son was handling his wife. He had chosen to ignore her, although he did not know why his heart felt hurt after seeing her few tears.

Today, her words made him think about his son’s behaviour again. Has he been crossing his limits by hurting his daughter-in-law. 

It’s been a month since their marriage. Maan had somewhere mellowed down towards her. He was still acting angry and he was also pretending to have a girlfriend...

He decided to tap her phone to see if she was still in contact with Aryan. But to his astonishment, there were only a few calls that might be considered to be from her female friends... None even includes her affair or Aryan’s name. He was getting doubtful now.

Only a few conversations later, she did that too with her friends, which included him somewhere, not as his friend.

They asked about her married life and teased her about her husband. He felt her chirping and suddenly sad tone while telling about him and marriage.

He closed his eyes, trying to get his thoughts clear. His heart felt heavy suddenly with the thought of what if he was wrong and she was innocent.

He jerked his eyes open. "No! Maan Khurana cannot be wrong! He brushed his hair madly, getting irritated with this whole mess.

His life became a mess from the time he started having those nightmares. Why couldn’t he punish her when she tortured him so much in his nightmares? He thought ruefully, slamming the door shut with a bang as he stormed out of his car and reached the hill.

 

He looked at the horizon and slowly remembered that his nightmares had vanished since the time she stepped into his life. It only consists of her dreams now. Sweet dreams.

 

Why am I even connecting all those dreams to real life? There is a difference between dreaming and reality, Maan! He wanted to prove her innocence from all angles. Because somewhere he began to trust her innocence, his heart was falling for her, and no matter how badly his mind blurred his feelings, his heart only wanted her.

 

 

 

"Grandma, I want to do a job!" Geet suddenly raised the topic at the dinner table. She had thought the whole day; her one friend had asked her about her day, and she just remembered she just does nothing, sitting ideally at home, taking her husband's wrath, her father-in-law unpleasant looks at night, and her mother’s scolding a few times. 

Her mother has already gone to sleep after having dinner early, which she preferred to have most of the time at an outhouse, not wanting to meddle with her daughter’s marriage life. Geet had talked to her mother early that day, who suggested she talk with Maan and Grandma once. Henceforth, they are the ones to make decisions in her life. 

Geet had pouted with the thought of making an irritating face; why would anyone take the decision of her life? She is not a kid and has an individual life of her own. 

Everyone stopped eating and looked at her bewildered, like she had said something wrong.

"Grandma, please, I get bored, and I think I shall do something beneficial for me to keep my mind and body fit." She concluded, seeing Grandma silent.

"Of course, dear, you are right!" Grandma smiled, making her face brighten with her approval.

"You don’t have to do anything; if you are getting bored, join your mother in her social circle and work."

Geet pouted; she had not expected something like this coming from her father-in-law, whom she considered her own father. 

"Tell me what your qualifications are; you can join KC." Grandma suggested.

"Not at all!" Rajveer suddenly blasted, "You know, mother, I prefer highly qualified and experienced people as employees in my company." He was rude and harsh, which pinched Geet badly. Her eyes filled up with his low thoughts. "Dad, you don’t know me or my qualifications; how could you speak like that?" She dared to argue, considering him her own father.

‘Enough!’ Rajveer snapped the napkin from his hands, getting up. "Now you have begun arguing with me as well. I already know this girl has no manners or way to talk with people, and this girl is going to work in a corporation." 

Geet, by now so angry and upset, said, "I either do not want to work for any corporation." She cried, rushing away from the table, lest she want to argue with him more and hurt herself again. 

"What’s wrong with you, Raj?" You made the girl cry. " Grandma scolds.

"I don’t know what black magic she has done with you, Grandma!" This time, Maan got up to defend his father. He didn’t like her talking with his father like that.

She argued that he knew but never imagined her doing the same with his father.

All failed to notice her innocence behind her behaviour; she only considered it her own that made her argue with them. 

"How could you speak like that about your own wife!" Grandma scolded him as well.

"Whatever you both think, it doesn’t matter to me, but beware if you hurt her again. She is the daughter of this house. My life resides in her, so beware before hurting her." She was on the verge of a breakdown now. She really meant the words; she didn’t have a daughter. Her daughter-in-law also died early, leaving her craving a daughter.

When Geet came as her daughter-in-law to this mansion, she didn’t behave like the one but always showed her authority over everyone like her own; she considered everyone her own family. She became the dearest of the household; even the servants couldn’t see tears in her eyes.

Grandma and Mother simultaneously rushed to her, not before cursing Geet in mind.

"Look, she's a child; you could have told her in a nicer way, and she would have understood. But your way of talking was not good, son."

"Yes, I understand, mother. Henceforth, this won’t happen." Rajveer assured his mother.

"I believe it will not. Or else no one will be worse than me!" she darted a furious glare both ways.

Both shared a look at each other, then back at Grandma, leaving a sigh.

 

 

 

Chapter 13

"What’s that all? What was that drama at the dinner table?" Maan blasted her as soon as he spotted her in the room. She had until now calmed down, making herself understands that her husband and father-in-law needed time to accept her.  They will understand her one day.

"I didn't do any drama. How could you say so?" I was just asking about my job."

"Talk like this? and dad once told you to listen to him. How dare you argue with my dad?" Maan fumed.

"He is my father too; I have a right to him." Geet pointed.

"You are crossing your limit now."

"I have never done this. Don't know when you will understand me!" Her throat choked. "Yes, I argued a little, but wasn’t that my right as his daughter?"  She mumbled to herself.

"I don't even want to understand; I already understand the girl you are!" He turned his face, not able to bear her sadness.

"What do you think about me? If you know me well, then you would have understood my need to do something on my own.

My need to be loved and cared for, my need for my father and by the way, you wouldn’t have put bad allegations on me." She blasted having enough bearing.

"You cannot deny what is true." He pinned her suddenly to the wall, busting in anger.

"Yes, but I can deny the lie that you are telling!" She widened her red eyes in anger. She would not fear him today.

Whatever has to happen, let it happen. Let his grandma know about the misdeeds of her grandson. She thought ruefully.

"Am I lying?" Hu..?" He clutched her arms harshly,, making her cry in pain.

"Yes, you are lying because you don’t know the truth," she sobbed, seeing his behaviour. "But let me clear one thing: Have you ever tried to know the truth? I was accused without any reason."

Maan was speechless. She was right; it's only been a few days since he started his hunt for the truth; before that, he was only accusing her.

But I have seen the truth with my own eyes. He lost himself in his thoughts, leaving her, but she grabbed his collar, making him face her.

"And I also can put blame on you; why didn’t you tell me before marriage about your love?" She had pain in her heart when she talked about his love.

"Maybe you married me for Grandma, but I have the right to know this before our wedding. You also told me that you liked me. Why??" She banged her fist on his chest.

"You haven’t even told me anything about you and Aryan." Maan fumed.

"Still, you stick to the same... I am again repeating the same: there is nothing between us. You must have misunderstood something!"

"Yes, but my eyes cannot betray me," he blasted, turning his back to her. As he remembered taking her to her room, his fist tightened in anger.

Geet tried to think of his words: "What did you see, Maan? You know it, and so do I. I was always with you in town as well."

She was confused as she wiped her tears and tried to think about what her husband was saying.

She needs to clear this misunderstanding between them because she needs to know what is actually in Maan’s mind—what did he see that he is accusing her of something that she couldn’t even dream of?

"I saw you both at the colour festival."

"Color party...??" Geet tried to remember, and his next set of words cleared her mind further but he was silent and angry.

"How shameless you could get, you want to hear from my mouth."

"Maan, please..." she faced him, holding his arm, pleading with him, "Please clear my misunderstanding. Please tell me what you saw that caused you to be so upset with me. I want to know." 

"You still don’t know what I am talking about?" His anger was reaching its peak.

She nodded and said, "I really don’t know Maan. Please tell me. You must have had some misunderstanding." She tried to remember that day, and her eyes widened in terror thinking about what took place that day.

"Aryan and you were together; you were taking him to your room." Maan hissed in fury, saying so. He couldn’t imagine her being with anyone but him. He denied accepting, but he was already falling for his wife.

"Yes. I know…that day, he was with me." Geet confessed. 

Maan’s eyes widened upon hearing her accept it. All the while, he was trying to build his trust in her, but with one sentence, she broke it again.

"Now you accept it!" He smirked ruefully.

But her next set of words proved his thinking wrong. "Yes, Aryan was there with me, but don’t you know why?"

Maan stared at her confused, but soon his jaw tightened in rage thinking about the scenarios.

"Your other friend, Rahul...he…he…Rahul tried to…" She couldn’t utter the words, thinking only that she felt a shudder in her spine.

"What Rahul...?" He grabbed her arms, getting impatient to know the truth after hearing his other friend’s name being dragged into the conversation.

Her eyes had filled up by now, thinking about that day. "I was so happy and content after knowing you also liked me; I was happy to play with you the colours, but then after a while..." Geet gulped her saliva, trying to say out loud the things she wanted to tell him after a long time.

She stopped herself at that time, but she never knew that her hiding this would create this much misunderstanding between them. "He tried to..."

Tell me what you want to say. Why did you take Rahul's name? What has he tried? He shook her hard, getting frustrated with her pause. He was dying to know what she was revealing to him.

"When I felt tired, I decided to go to the room to rest, but at that time I didn’t know he was following me. He tried to force me. You heard…’ She gritted her teeth in sheer anger at Rahul, and he was also unknowingly responsible for that fiasco because he made friends with that type of guy.

Maan couldn’t take it; for him, his friends are his lifeline, which is why he was angry at both Aryan and her when this fiasco happened.

You are lying. How can Rahul do this? "He is my friend!" He left her instantly, turning his back and closing his eyes in frustration.

Geet was shunned; he couldn’t believe her words. Yeah, now she remembers that's the reason she didn’t tell anyone, even him, in the first place. Because she knew that’s what would happen. Anyone won’t believe her. 

She came face-to-face with him and said, "I am saying the truth, Maan. Trust me, why would I lie?" 

"To save your lie, you are dragging Rahul in between."

Geet gasped, clutching her mouth; she had not expected this many accusations coming her way from him. She had always trusted and loved him. I never expected he would think so lowly of her.

"First of all, I am not lying; did you hear?" She blasted, pointing her finger at him, "And secondly, when you believe Rahul so much, then why can’t you trust your other friend, Aryan? How can you say such a bad thing about your friend? Do you know this much about your friend?" Geet showed him the mirror, forcing each word clearly from her mouth.

"Leave me alone; I came later in your life, but you can at least trust your friend and know everyone's nature." She indicated Rahul at the end. 

Maan couldn’t say anything but just stared at her because she was saying the right thing. 

"Have you ever tried to know at once what the truth is before blaming me? You saw us together and assumed all things by yourself."

"Talked to me once?" Her voice is cracking now, reminding her of the way he behaves with her just because of this lie. When she was not at fault, everything was done by his friend. 

"Talked to Aryan once?" She asked again, trying to see his eyes, but he stole his gaze, thinking about his interaction with Aryan.

"Yeah, I talked with Aryan, but he..." He remembered his words and closed his eyes. Geet was watching his expression keenly, not able to fathom anything at the moment as she waited for him to speak.

"He didn’t tell me anything. He even fought with me for raising a finger at your character. Now what shall I take out of his behaviour? You tell me."

Geet smiled painfully. "Yes, I tell you, you assumed all things were wrong and blamed me and him also if I was not wrong." She looked keenly at him, and his expression told her she was right. 

"Tell me, you must have blamed him too." 

"Why do you care so much about him?" he snapped. 

"I care as a human being; I know how it feels to be blamed for no mistake. And that's your friend; I don’t care about him but you. I know you are angry, but with that, you might also be deeply hurt. I know Maan."

He looked at her astonished; she looked calm now, as she proceeded to cup his face. "Ask me how it feels when I know this truth that you love

Someone else." She closed her eyes, and a few tears dropped from her eyes. Maan felt caught in his own lie now. He couldn’t tell her the truth now, and he couldn't see her tears as well.

He silently wiped her tears. She slowly opened her eyes, and when Rahul tried to force me, he was the one who saved me that day. Maan clutched her closer, not able to bear the truth. 

"He was just helping me to my room. That’s it. He once asked me to take care, and I promised him not to tell anyone because I knew no one would believe me." He turned his eyes in shame, realising he had done the same. 

"I can’t even imagine what would have happened if Aryan had not come at the right time." She shuddered, thinking so.

"I would have died..." she muttered sadly, only to be shut by his palm, which rested immediately on her mouth. 

"I don’t know how to prove myself innocent, but believe me, I am telling the truth." She rolled down on her knees, holding his feet, pleading with him literally to believe her.

Maan clenched his fist at his side, burning in rage, thinking about Rahul. How dare he? If this is the truth, and I am sure this is, he somehow couldn’t doubt her tears or the pain in her eyes. He surely won’t leave him. He dared to lay his dirty hands on his beloved possession. He won’t escape from his wrath now. Thinking so, he madly rushed out of the room, banging the door harshly against the walls, which made a loud noise, bringing Geet back to his senses. 

Where did he go at this late hour of the night? She took her phone just to remember she doesn’t have his number. What kind of wife am I? I don't have his number.

Let him come home. First, I will store his number in my phone. She thought of wiping her tears, so she rushed to the bathroom to calm herself down.

Maan tried to reach Aryan, but his phone came out of coverage. He hit his feet rudely to the ground out of frustration. He drove madly to their usual hangout place and came out in a rush, taking high breaths. He stayed there for a while, thinking about everything from the time she entered his life. 

She was only a nightmare for me until she stepped into my life, becoming the reality of my life. I still don’t know why I had those dreams where she was abusing me. But I have to admit that since the time we got married, those nightmares have stopped replacing her dreams, where she only knows to love him.

Reality stuck with him again. Yes, she loves him; that’s what she's always confessed. But how much truth there is in that, I don’t know. 

One thing I know for sure today is that she didn’t betray me. I was so wrong in my assumption. He combed back his hair in frustration as he remembered Rahul again and what she told him about that bastard.

He now remembers the way Rahul walked in when he was making out with Geet in the trees. 

He closed his eyes in sheer rage. He got up and thought to confront him right now. 

But as he reached his mansion, he got to know Rahul had fled away, where he didn’t know.

He again cursed him, now correcting his doubts further. He remembers Geet’s words, 

You must know your friends and their nature. He was in your life before

Yes, I know he is a Casanova, like me. Why didn't I think of this earlier?" he thought ruefully. There was no reason to deny the truth now.

He was mad with rage, totally hurt and angry for his behaviour with his friend and for trusting Rahul’s words, which he told him to manipulate him. He was thinking of all this when his cell buzzed, and he looked at it to find Aryan's number on it.

He instantly answers the call: "Aryan, I need to talk to you. “

Aryan thought for a while. His voice told him that he was edgy to know something.

“Okay, meet me at the Max club,” he answered curtly before cutting the call. As he hung up, Aryan couldn't help but wonder what could be so urgent that his friend had to meet him at a club. He quickly got dressed and headed out, hoping for the best but fearing the worst. 

…..

Aryan was waiting for Maan after attending one of his late meetings; he had recently joined his dad in the business after going through turmoil because of Maan’s rudeness.  

Maan walked in after a while and spotted Aryan at one of the tables.

After a short span of silence, Maan decided to break the ice between them. “You here?”  

“I had come in concerned with business, Maan! You say, "After our last fight, how did you decide to meet me suddenly?” Aryan didn’t give him a chance to taunt him.  

“If you were so angry, then why did you agree to meet?” 

“It’s not because of you, but for Geet!” Seeing Maan’s red eyes, he added, “My innocent sister-in-law!” “To prove her innocence to you again.” 

“Is it? "How are you so sure I came for that only?” 

“What else could it be? Last I remember, you fought with me.” He turned his face and said, “I strongly guess it’s the only reason.” 

“Your guess is right, buddy; I want to talk with you regarding that only. Tell me all the truth, will you?” What happened that day at the party in town?”

Aryan nodded, still unsure, “but Geet... I think you should hear from her only; give her a chance to speak, and she will tell you the whole truth.”

“She told me; now I want to hear from you as well,” he said roughly. 

“Don't trust your wife?” Aryan was angry. 

"Frankly speaking, Aryan, yes, I was having my doubts; I talked to Geet. She had revealed to me the incident that took place at the colour party, but it also has your involvement, so please cooperate with me. I want to know the whole truth, what exactly happened. I still can’t believe Rahul could do something like that. "He was our friend after all." He banged his fist angrily on the table. 

"What is the use of being angry now? You were not there when Geet needed you, nor did you give her a chance to explain." 

"Look, Aryan, I agreed that it’s my fault, and I am guilty about that. "Now please tell me once." 

Seeing him finally ready to listen to him and narrate to him everything, Geet was completely broken; if I couldn’t have dragged her to the room, she would have fallen. And then she denied that I had told the truth to anyone. I don’t know why I still had to agree with her." He sighed, upset with the happenings.

Maan had to believe his words; he knew there was no conversation going on between Geet and him. She didn’t talk with anyone or any male species. And Aryan said the same thing.

"Then why did Rahul say that the other day?" He suddenly remembered, raising his curious gaze at Aryan. 

"What did he say?" Aryan was already assuming Rahul must have brainwashed him. 

"He told me something is going on between you two; you are interested in her, and both are backstabbing me. And at the same time, he said all this when I saw both of you." "What rubbish!" Aryan literally jumped from his seat. "How could he? Why did he say so?" 

"What else for, to get Geet? Bastard, he played well, making us fight. He created misunderstandings between me and Geet."

"But don’t you want to accept that you are the reason. You gave him the right to play with you." Aryan showed him the mirror.

"Yeah, I accept; I didn't read his intentions first." He was all the while eyeing my wife.

Aryan could see love burning in his eyes, and he smiled silently. 

"I am sorry for my behaviour also, Aryan. I believed in his dirty words, but not you." 

"It’s okay, ma'am; at least now you understand the truth, and I am happy. But how did you decide to suddenly contact me today?" 

"Geet told me..." He became silent, unable to tell him how he tortured his own wife. 

"Finally, she told you, I am really happy for you both.

She is a gem, Maan; don’t do this again under any lies or assumptions. Just trust her once; she will colour your life. You won’t know how your life will become."

Maan just silently nodes, unable to speak anything, lost in his own turmoil.

"Now I need to rush, buddy!" he said. 

"But Aryan, why are you so hurrying? Share one drink with me." Maan tried to stop him. 

"Sorry, ma'am, but I have recently joined my dad, sharing his work responsibilities." I need to get up early to join the office early in the morning. Bye. And you enjoy. Also, you don’t have to worry for anything right now…"So enjoy," he just said casually and rushed out from there. 

But Maan just kept thinking about his words. Unknowingly, Aryan’s words hit him hard. Where his friend has taken responsibility for his father’s business while he is still enjoying his own life without caring about anyone, not even after changing his lifestyle after marriage. 

His wife must be thinking about him as a loser. He doesn’t deserve anything, but he roamed out with his friends. The same so-called friend backstabbed him, and one showed him the mirror. 

Frustrated with the mess of his life, he ordered a hard drink for himself and gulped down the shots one after another.

Diving into the miseries of his life, he got heavily drunk.

It was late at night when Geet decided to talk to Rajveer and apologise for her behaviour.

She knocked on his bedroom door and waited for a while for his reply.

‘Come in…’

As soon as she stepped in, Rajveer just turned his face in anger.

‘Why are you here at this late hour of night?’ He asked rudely.

She gulped her saliva before beginning in her meek voice, ‘I am sorry, dad. Whatever happened at the dinner table...’

But he didn’t let her complete, ‘I think you should sleep; it's too late... I am also going to sleep. Goodnight. Saying so, he got up, showing her the door. Geet was teary now; he didn’t even give her a chance to apologise. ‘I know I shouldn't have argued..."

‘Did you not listen?" He raised his voice in anger, "Just leave!" He blasted her, scaring the poor soul out of her.

She jumped on his place with his loud voice, and the next moment he rushed out of his room. It took her a few minutes to calm herself down; she was indeed badly hurt but knew she had to be patient now.

Chapter 14

 

Geet had just made her bed on the floor, cursing Maan under her teeth, when all of a sudden he barged in the room, shutting the door loudly behind her like always.

Geet jerked up, putting her palm to her chest. "Why do you have to always be so loud...?’ She snorted, scrunching her nose in displeasure as soon as the foul smell of his alcohol again reached her nose.

‘Shhh." He dragged his feet inside, reaching towards her.

‘You stink...again. You are drunk.’ She complained, pinching her nose, trying to push him away, but instead his feet stuck in the bed sheet she had spread on the floor, making him land on her, and she fell back on the bed, taking him on her.

For a moment, none could speak, absorbing the moment and what happened.

‘What the f***, who spread that damn sheet on the floor?’ He shouted.

She stuck her finger in her ear, hearing his yelling.

"Don’t yell…oh God. First of all, let me clear you, you memory loser. You always seem to forget that you are the one to scold me for sharing the bed.

You asked me to sleep on the floor. Now if you would lift up your body from me, I want to sleep... I am very sleepy."

All the while, Maan's attention was only on her pink, swollen lips movements as she was talking nonstop. It took him a moment to realise what she said.

"Don’t blame me always," he stuttered, heavily drunk, as he grabbed her arm, looking into her eyes.

"You don't see your own actions, right?" Maan snorted.

"What did I do...?" She was so upset hearing him blame her. Rather, since the time I came, it has always been you who tortured me.

‘Torture you?’ He let out a small chuckle, giggling without stopping, then somehow stopping, "And what about you? "You've been bothering me always!"

‘When...How?’ She frowned.

"Look who is asking. Innocent devil!" He pressed her jaw, shaking her.

"Ouch...leave me!"

"You are acting innocent, or you are really innocent, my darling wife?"

She turned her face away from the foul smell of his mouth.

"You torture me in my nightmares every night. Suddenly he began crying, "You beat me... here...here..." He made a crying face and showed her the places.

‘Hu..?’ She was so confused—what the hell is he saying?

"What are you talking about? I do not understand anything." She pouted.

"That's the problem, Geet; you don't want to understand anything!" He sighed painfully, getting up but not being able to sit before he landed back on the bed.

Geet hovered over him, checking to see if he had gone to sleep, but to her horror, the next moment he jerked open his eyes with a loud voice and said, "You don’t understand me, my pain, my love, nothing... Why do I get so angry? Have you ever tried to know?" He blamed her again.

"You never care for me!" He grabbed her arm, and she landed on him.

"All you care about is your mom and grandma." How is Maan? What does he want? No one asks." He pouted as if ready to cry at any moment.

Geet felt so bad for him. Her heart almost melted. "Why are you talking like this?" She was on the verge of breaking down seeing him like that. "I am there for you!" she said, cupping his jaw.

He chuckled, eyeing her with his droopy eyes.

"You are there, but you don’t love me... How can anyone love someone like me? I don't think it's worth it. "Don't go away from here." He tried to push her, but she didn’t budge.

"Don’t say this," she pecked his forehead sweetly, making him bowl with her touch. He kept staring at her while she kissed his cheeks one by one, saying, "I love you!

"Really!!" She looked into his eyes and kissed them one by one, saying, "I love you so much!’ Then she followed his nose; at the end, she pecked his lips with shyness before jerking up to leave the bed, realising what she had done.

Maan caught her wrist, jerking her back into his arms. He nailed her down to the bed before putting his hungry mouth on her. He kissed her like a man possessed.

She did not know what was happening. His tongue pushed between her teeth; his hands had roamed caressingly up and down her spine. She was drowning in a million sensations.

Her hands had fluttered to his shoulders and clung. Her heart had pounded, with fear mingling with an aching excitement.

Then his one hand slides down from her shoulder to slip loose a button of her shirt, his thumb brushing the swell of her breasts. She gasped and inhaled sharply at the contact, her hand reaching to cover his. ‘Don’t!’

‘Why not? Deliberately, his fingers played with the fastening of her shirt, teasingly brushing her breasts. "Because you love someone else...’ she rasped out, trying to catch her breath.

‘I don’t…’ His dark eyes glittered black with an intensity of desire, and his face was taut with the effort to control some emotion.

His mouth caressed hers warmly and sensuously, without haste or urgency, then moved lower, pushing the shirt aside as his tongue explored the hollow at the base of her throat. And slid his hand into the shirt, his thumb stroking softly along her shoulder.

His lips followed the same caressing path, and his hand moved downward, cupping her rounded breast in his palm while his fingers stroked gently across her swollen nipple.

Geet stifled a gasp, and her body tensed. "You don’t what..." "You don’t love anyone?"

‘I don’t,’ Maan said huskily against her skin.

He doesn’t…. His words seemed to quiver along her nerve endings.

It was torture to deny the response she yearned to give.

It was misery to lie unyielding when what she wanted was to twine herself around him, giving him kiss after kiss and so much more. But what did he just say? He doesn't love anyone. She doesn’t know what to feel at the moment—happy or angry because he lied to her.

"You lied to me," she whispered, unable to take his sweet torture and bitter words at the same time.

‘You lied to me that you have a girlfriend?’ she again asked, trying to pull him apart to face him.

He stopped, irritated with her abruptness, as she stared at him with his heated eyes. ‘It isn't a lie...I have girlfriends...not one but many, but before you came...from the time you came into my life, my life became a mess...I don’t have time to go to anyone but argue with you." he grunted, making her stupefied.

He was kissing her breasts now, his mouth touching the soft flesh with lazy sensuality, the flicker of his tongue re-creating the pleasure his questing fingers had begun.

Geet thought ruefully, "He has girlfriends. He lied to me.

His wickedly experienced hands were travelling again, stroking down her body in total mastery, and she said hoarsely, ‘Maan—no..."

But he continued his torture on her as his strong hand cupped her breast, his fingers teasing the tight nipple with devastating effect, while his lips covered the other one, drawing the hard nub into the hot, dark warmth of his mouth.

Her breath stopped in her throat as an ache of longing, so basic and primitive, swept through her. The dark eyes were intensely brilliant as they watched her. He whispered, "I want you."

There was an odd note in his voice. Something like diffidence, the corner of her mind that was still working, registered incredulously, "What the hell was he doing?" and he lied to her. 

She heard herself moan, "No—oh, no... And then she twisted away from him, striking his hands away from her body, levering herself desperately across the bed, and burying her flushed, unhappy face in the pillow.

Maan said her name with a shaken breath, and his hands came down on her shoulders to lift her back into his embrace, and she almost wailed, ‘Don’t touch me! You lied to me. You have many girlfriends. "And you said you don’t love anyone," she cried in one breath.

There was a long silence and then he said, "What hypocrisy is this? I told you I don’t love anyone... What is the connection between having girlfriends and not loving any? Simply put, I don’t feel for anyone but you."

‘Oh, yes,’ she said dully, still keeping her face averted. You have many girlfriends, and you just said you feel for me. What kind of feel does that have? She blasted.

‘I don’ know…’

 

"And why did you lie?" she pouted angrily, trying to wriggle out, but his eyes darkened seeing her mounts swinging with her wriggling.

She stopped instantly, trying to pull her shirt together to cover her, but he wouldn’t let her; instead, he stuck her closer to his chest, making both groan together.

"I lied just to torture you! I heard you as you tormented me by coming into my dreams. I wanted to make you suffer the same way."

Finally, the truth was out, and Geet couldn’t do anything but gasp in utter disbelief at hearing him.

"You did all this just to make me suffer." She asked in an unbelievable voice, "You did all this just because of your dreams...?" She again asked, still trying to comprehend everything he said. He nodded, making an innocent face as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. 

‘Enough!!’ She blasted, holding his fist of hair in her palm as she pulled him apart to face him.

"You are stupid, Maan, or what!" I thought myself stupid till now, but you are just dumb." She blabbered, making him angry.

He pushed her down, "what you know about my dreams…you don’t..you know, how I used to keep awake just be spare from those dreams, you don’t know anything..."

"Maan..." she tried to calm him down as she wanted to know more about it and why he is being so rebellious connecting the dreams to reality. 

"You don’t know... anything," he stuttered; his eyes felt so heavy that he just put his face on her chest, and the next moment he dozed off, giving her a sleepless night.

Geet was lost in her thoughts, caressing his hair. I am still not able to believe what he just blurted. Is that the truth? She wondered when, all of a sudden, he rubbed his face in her softness, making her giggle.

"Maan…stop it…" She tried pulling him away, but he wouldn’t budge. His arms wrapped around her strongly, keeping her intact in his arms. She let go of her futile attempt and closed her eyes to sleep, deciding to talk with him the very next morning.

The next day, the same scene was followed as previously when he came drunk home.

Geet found herself on the floor. She glared at him, cutely rubbing her bump. He always does this, God. She looked up, complaining cutely.

The only difference was that he pushed her by mistake in his sleep.

Geet somehow got up, but her eyes widen in shock, feeling herself bare. She instantly covered herself first. Then, wrapping her bed from the floor, she went to the washroom, leaving her sleeping husband behind.

Chapter 15

 

After a while, Maan woke up hearing some sound. He groggily opened his eyes, his head bouncing lightly. Although he was habitual, he still couldn’t escape from the hangover.

‘God!! Save me!!’ 

He heard the loud gasp of someone; rather that someone might be his wife. He thought he snapped, opening his eyes as he looked at the sound.

His eyes remained wide open, seeing her in the same tinny towel wrapped around her gorgeous little body.

It took him a minute to calm down his raging desires after seeing her like that. He controlled himself and then gave her a mocking smile, "You again forgot your clothes?"

Geet pouted, "Um...I... I am not used to carrying clothes inside." She said with pouting lips, although back at home she was used to it until her

mother changed her habit some two years ago. Still, Geet couldn’t completely change it. 

‘What!!’ He gave her a ridiculous look. "You meant to say, you have this weird habit of roaming in a room all bare?"

‘When did I say this...?’ She scrunched her nose in anger, giving him baby glares. "And mind your words."

"You better mind your own business... because now you are not alone; we are both sharing the room. At least have some sense; one man is staying with you in the same room."

He tried to put some sense into her empty head. He doesn’t know how much he will control seeing her not-so-innocent antics.

And the girl never seems to understand him. "That man is not some stranger but my husband; I know that," she snapped back. "I trust you, hubby darling." She giggled at the end, seeing his blank face.

"Now please don’t come to this side; I need to change my clothes," she said before rushing to the dressing room which was only a small partition.

It took him a while to realise what she just said, and he groaned inwardly, but at the end, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Something definitely seems to have changed between them after last night. Both concluded with a sweet smile on their faces.

But soon a smile vanished from Geet’s face, reminding about his lie. She decided to comfort him in her own way. Thinking so, she stormed out covering herself properly in her dress. 

"Listen… What is your girlfriend’s name? "You never told me?" Her sudden question left him startled: "Um...it’s..." He fumbled for a while, but seeing her curious gaze, he composed himself.

"Why are you suddenly asking about my girlfriend?" He tried to read her expression, but there was only curiosity he could see.

"Just like that, tell me..." She waited, cursing him in her mind for lying to her. You lied to me, and how much that little lie hurt me. Now, see, my hubby, darling, how I take sweet revenge from you. She thought about it. 

"It’s nita… "No...Nisha...um...yes...that’s it." He confirmed that he had won some battles. 

"Nisha…!? Sure?? Or are you remembering another name or have you finished having the naming ceremony of your nonexistent girlfriend?" She ended up with an angry pout. 

It took him a moment to realise that his lie was caught by the devil’s wife but the question is how…he gave her a blank look, what are you talking about?

"I am talking about last night hubby darling," she got little courage seeing him baffle.  

"What last night...?"" He tried to remember as his eyes widen in shock at seeing her show different colours altogether. 

You always seem to forget about the night. Have you got amnesia? Yes. Now I get it, you forgot because you got heavily drunk. Why did you drink so much Maan?" She became concerned when she suddenly sat beside him on the bed. 

You know it's injurious to our health, haven't you heard? You don't care about your health. If you don't care, at least think about Grandma. Think about me at least. What will I do without you? If something happened to you, God! How will I survive without you? I didn't marry you to lose you the next moment; I want you alive, fit, and fine with me for a hundred years. She was nowhere to stop her blabbering. 

Having no option, Maan just pulled her into his arms, and the next moment he kissed her furiously on her lips, shutting her blabbering thereby.

‘Maan...’ she moaned, pushing apart and going breathless. He smirked, seeing her flushed face. "You stink still." She made a face, making him angry again as he pulled her again for a long lip lock. 

"You said that again, and I am going to kiss you breathless." He warned her in his husky voice, tucking the soft tendrils of her hair behind her ear. Her cheeks burned a shed of red, making him roam his fingers over her. 

‘Maan..." she moaned, taking his attention. ‘You stink,"

she said loudly before he knew she had gotten up, showing him her tongue, and was ready to run out of the room.

But in a moment, he catches her at the door. What did you say? He whispered on her lips. 

"Look, please forgive me... I am sorry1" she made a baby face.

He instantly melted, although her next set of words left him shunned: "Although I like your kisses, hubby, darling," she was totally shy looking

down, but look, my lips are swollen. She shows him her plump lips. They looked really bruised. "You didn't leave me yesterday as well; you bit me also." She pouted, making him go mad with her innocence. 

"You are really innocent or act like one?" He asked, still unsure about her behaviour, while caressing her lips.

She shuddered. "I don’t know why you ask me the same question... And what does it mean to be innocent...?" She tilted her head like an innocent child, giving him no room to doubt further. He took a step back, handling her scarf while wrapping it around her neck. He saw the marks of passion or a cruel act he didn’t know about. Maybe last night he did. She was saying the truth. "Wear some other full-sleeve and full-neck dresses." 

"Why…?"

"Urgh… "You don't see it..." He touches the bruise in the crook of her neck.

"Ahh… I don’t know... I didn’t see any as I just walked out of the washroom." She touched the wound.

He sighed, and walking back, he pulled out the ointment from the drawer, handling her tube. "Apply this, and you will get relief." 

She smiled cutely, snatching it from his hand. "Thank you, hubby!" 

"Always welcome, wifey darling!" he whispered with a smug smile, eyeing her lips. 

She didn’t get his intentions at first, but seeing his gaze not leaving her lips, she pushed him back, saying, "Let me go."

"When I hold you?" he argued at her back, seeing her rushing past him.

He kept looking at the way she was struggling to put the cream in the exact place as it was almost hidden, which made her struggle to look at it in the mirror.

He shook his head, seeing her antics, and dragged his feet towards her. Without a word, he pulled the tube out of her hand. 

‘God! You scared me... She was startled. She looked at him, turning towards him as he gestured at her.

He slowly blew on the bruised area, making her shudder. She clutched his arms, giving him immense pleasure with her soft touch. 

‘Maan," she moaned, feeling his tongue swapping on her neck. He licked the area before blowing again, soothing her there by. He pulled apart, putting the cream on the sound, before blowing again softly.

Geet was awestruck by his care; she remembers the same man she met the first time in town. Who saved him from those goons, but what happened to him suddenly? He lied to her and blamed her only to torture her. 

‘Why??’ She asked out of the blue, giving him a teary gaze. 

He realised the meaning of those stares but didn’t have the right answer to her questions. 

"What did you punish me for? I only loved you, no one else; swear on you, Maan!" She again whispered painfully. 

I told you the truth, ma'am. Don’t you trust me now? She asked longingly.

I know what you said is the truth. I know… he said, grabbing her both arms. Somehow, I can’t mistrust you! He stared into her mirror eyes, which showed her pure soul. Somehow, he knew.

"I can't lie like that; he really tried to..." Her words hang in the middle as he possessively jerked closer: "hey.. I told you I trusted your words. You will not lie like this; I have already known. Don’t take his name. I know I made a mistake in reading people." He said he was lost in his thought.

‘But now I know the true colour of people. He declared angrily that he was facing her now. And Maan Khurana won’t forgive the people who backstabbed him.’ He was getting furious again, thinking about Rahul. But he was out of country right now; there was no information about his whereabouts, so Maan had to wait for his appearance. 

"Why did you lie to me about girlfriends?" 

Maan looked at her, hearing her, and realised maybe yesterday he spilled the beans. He just wants to know to what extent he will expose himself to her. "What more did I say...?" he demanded. 

"Tell me first, why did you lie to me?" 

"First, tell me, Geet, and what did I say?"

"You said you don’t love anyone... "Not any girlfriend." She innocently replied, "You have many girlfriends..." That’s when she realised what she had missed until now. Yes, she should be angry at him, but here she is standing in his arms, making him love her. But he doesn’t love her.

Maan gulped hearing her questions, but wait, why he is afraid and what for. I am like this, everyone knows... and Maan Khurana doesn’t care for anyone. 

"You didn’t tell me you have many girlfriends, and how can there be so many girlfriends at once?" She again threw the question at him innocently, having no knowledge of these things.

Maan gave her a weird look, like, what the hell is she asking, "You don’t know me...about me?" 

"What kind of question is this?" I know about you! You are Maan; this is your house; and I am your wife. You roam always with your friends, and your dad works... I mean, handle the big Khurana constructions," she ended, like narrating some essay. 

Now that he wanted to bang his head somewhere, she did not hold back from doing his insult as well. Before he could say anything, she reminded him, "Now tell me how many girlfriends you have." They are only friends, aren’t they? There will be only friends; how can you love everyone at the same time?" She asked in one breath. 

‘Love everyone." Her words buzzed in his mind...popping up his own Casanova image; yes, he did make s** with everyone. Now he couldn’t think of her reaction if she got to know about his life.

That day, somehow Maan managed to escape from her question. It’s not like he was afraid to let her know about his Casanova life; it was more about her reaction and how she would take it. He was afraid to explain her because he didn’t know how to do that, seeing her nave nature. He knew she wouldn't be able to understand; her reaction would be extensive. 

Chapter 16

 

"Grandma, please forgive me; I behave so irrationally that sometimes I don’t know." Geet sincerely apologises for yesterday’s behaviour at the dinner table.

It’s just that I couldn’t see dad upset with me, and see, I have offended him again." Geet pouted. 

Grandma, who was listening to her silently with a smile on her face, assured her, "Relax, dear. It's not your fault. He was the one who was not ready to understand." 

"Nevertheless, Grandma, I should not have answered him back." Geet was really sad.

"Okay, okay, when he comes from the office, then apologise."

No one can stay angry at my sweet child for long." Grandma said it lovingly, bringing a full smile to her face. 

"Grandma, don't you think nowadays you are loving someone too much and doing nothing to them?" Maan walked in, sitting on the other side of his grandma.

Geet frowned hearing his confusing talks. Maan, who is this someone...?" She cutely asked while crunching her nose. 

Grandma let out a chuckle before answering, "Dear, I tell you. My grandson is very possessive of me. He is just getting jealous, dear." 

"What is there to be jealous about, Grandma? Just as you are his grandmother, you are mine as well, right?" She hugged her, finally getting the meaning of Maan’s words. 

"Absolutely dear..." Grandma kissed her head. 

Maan just gave an angry glare to her first, then darted his look at his grandma, saying, "How I regret getting married to you." He snorted.

"Now I really understand why men get scared to marry." 

"Grandma..." Geet whined. 

Maan. Grandma glared at him.

‘Yes, I have all ears, ladies; I know no one to love me here, so I better walk out.’

He was about to get up when both hands got hold of his hand, pulling him back. He landed back on the couch. 

"Grandma…" 

Who said no one loves you? You have brought Geet just like that after marrying her?!?" She teased, making her Geet red. "Grandma..." she whined and hid her face in her chest. 

Maan was dumbstruck; he couldn’t speak anything and just rushed out of the place to be saved from further teasing.

 

….

 

Now tell me, Geet, what you have studied. Tell me all your academic history." Grandma asked.

"Grandma, I have done my graduation in the arts faculty. But why are you asking?" 

"Because we need to get you a job, but first I need to ask you again, darling, why do you want to do it?" You can learn more if you want to study further." 

"Really, Grandma, I didn't even think about it!" Geet chirped happily.

"Then, still, you want to do the job?" Grandma asked.

Geet thought for a while; she wanted to do a job just to keep her mind busy, keep her working, and maybe she could help her mother financially. She still didn’t understand the meaning of relationships and marriage.

"Yes, Grandma, I want to become financially independent also. Who will bear my expenses then?" she innocently blabbed. 

Grandma let out a hearty laugh, "Dear, I knew you were innocent but did not know that you were stupid too... or you're playing some prank." 

"Grandma!" Geet whined. You called me an idiot; go; I will never talk to you again." She turned her face. 

"Then what can we say, dear? Husband and wife are one after marriage; everything is one... Everything is yours, even in terms of respect: this home, property, money, everything." Grandma tried to make him understand.

"Grandma I really don’t understand this marriage thing very well. But if you are saying so, then it is true. Still Grandma I too want to do something of my own. I want to become financially independent myself. "And really, I am getting very bored at home right now."

Grandma listened to her calmly and totally understood her point of view; she had also not thought of her as her granddaughter-in-law. When she said Geet was her daughter, she really meant it. 

"I am really proud of your thinking, dear. Now show me your certificates and everything." Grandma patted her head.

Geet excitedly rushed to her room to fetch the same. She was happy that Grandma understood her so well. 

"Did you try anywhere before, dear?  "For what job you tried and in what you are interested," Grandma asked casually, but that took her to the bad memories of her past. "Grandma, I've given interviews in many places, but every time..." she tried to control her tears.

"Geet what happened, dear!" Grandma asked anxiously, seeing her go pale. 

"Every time, I go... They misbehave with me. Told me such things and demanded to She couldn’t stop shuddering to remember all those events.

"Enough, I understand what you want to say." Grandma held her hand. 

After a while, she made her drink the glass of water. "Now calm down and tell me, you don't want to study anything further. 

"Means Grandma?" Geet asked, confused.

Means what is your hobbies, first tell me..."

"Hobbies!?"  Geet became excited: "My hobbies...I like to read novels...romantic ones." She  blushed.

"Is it? My Geet is Dark Horse." 

Grandma, look, no teasing, or else I won’t tell you!" 

"Okay, dear, now tell me more..."

"And I do a little bit of painting... I am more interested in writing and reading." Geet revealed.

"Ok, dear, then why didn't you do anything in English literature?" asked Grandma.

Grandma, I wanted to do a lot more, but..." she suddenly stopped realising what she was going to blabber. 

"What dear? Why did you stop? "Why did not you pursue what you wanted to do?" 

"Grandma, you didn't get a chance after dad left us. Everything scattered, grandma." She cried, "I really missed him. Someone tried to take over our business...his company... I don't know who or why. I just know that because of that, someone lost my dad." 

‘Enough!’ She engulfed her in her arms. "I lost my dad, my father, everything." 

"You know, Grandma, my mom loves... my dad so much... "Don't know...how is she...living... without him...!" Geet blabbered in a babyish voice, crying her eyes out. She just wanted to share her pain with someone for losing her father, reasoning that because of her mother’s health, she couldn’t with her, but now she got the chance with Grandma. Her damn patience broke after getting Grandma's soothing embrace. 

I can't even think of living without Maan. I love him very much, but I don’t know... how my mother is surviving... Now I know that’s why she got this heart disease." Geet was crying.

"Can this happen, Grandma?" She asked her innocently, making her gasp in shock. 

She revealed so much in her flow of emotions and her innocence that even she didn’t realise herself, but all three Khuranas shunned hearing the whole truth of her life. 

Maan, who had come back to take his phone, which he forgot, was now totally shocked to hear her. She had been suffering this much for so long, he never imagined... He was definitely lost in his nightmare drama; he did not try to see the reality of how ashamed he felt at the moment. He saw her crying, and his heart dipped in pain, and he just rushed away from there, leaving his father alone to stand at the door, thinking on his daughter-in-law’s words.

 

Chapter 17

 

Geet looked at the way he rushed out of her sight again. This has been happening for the last two days. He is ignoring her; it could be clearly seen as whenever she came into his sight, he just moved away from her, not even giving her a chance to utter a word. 

She was confused, frustrated, or whatnot. Now why this strange behaviour again? What did she do now? No, Geet, I think you never did anything wrong. Not even the last time. Not even now. She pouted, thinking so. 

Yes, it must be again his own assuming and weird thoughts.

Although she was getting impatient to talk with him—to tell him about her new college—the adventure Grandma and she had been doing in the last two days 

Geet had finally, after much thought, chosen the arts faculty to study further. Grandma had also encouraged her to go further with her decision. Not only this, she had made a few calls to set up everything for her granddaughter-in-law or, as she could say, granddaughter. Then both Grandma and Granddaughter went to the best college in the city to get her admission.

Geet was so delighted with the thought of going to college again. She missed her school, her friends, her studies, and exams.

Now she would be living again, although differently.

But the thought thrilled her; now she would be doing something useful at least... She would do her best, try her best, and work hard to earn money for her mother’s treatment. 

Geet knew she had Grandma with her, who would do anything for her and her mother. Still, the thought of doing something on her own pleased her heart. It brought satisfaction to her whole system.

 

"Son, I have one work for you." 

"Tell me, Grandma, what I have to do for you." Maan sat beside his grandmother on the bed.

"Not for me, but for your wife, son. Don’t you know?" Grandma revealed. 

"What!? What I don’t know "What did she do...?"

"She did nothing, but I have gotten her admission to *** college in the city.

His expression changed from surprise to blank. He didn’t know how to react, for he knew nothing about his wife. "Yeah, she did tell me that," he lied, giving her a small smile. 

"Maan, is there any problem? You seem somewhat troubled." Asked Grandma. 

"Not at all, Grandma. You are worrying unnecessarily." He again lied.

Is everything all right with you, son?" Grandma was somewhat worried.

"Grandma, I am alright." He assured her. 

"Then you don’t go out much these days?" she asked. 

"And you get upset when I'm not home; now that I am at home, you are troubled." He rolled his eyes. 

"Not like that son!" Then after a while, she patted his cheek affectionately, "I just want your happiness and that I could see from the time you married Geet."

Maan couldn’t say anything much as still her crying and each word hammering in his mind. She was already upset and what I did, i couldn’t make her happy at least I did have right to give her pain. But I did the same without thinking about her condition. But still he was also frustrated by his nightmares and betrayal. 

“Maan…”

Before both could continue, Geet barged in like a storm. Grandma, you are here? I am searching for you everywhere." She pouted and sat on her knees beside Grandma. 

"Why were you looking for me...?" She asked affectionately, patting her head. 

"I was wondering which sari I should wear at the upcoming festival of women, and you know I don't know how to wear a sari... It was Maan who...” she was blabbering like her habit, but before she continued further, Maan interrupted, knowing where she was going now in her talks. "Grandma, you must be tired; did you take your medicine now? Go to your room and rest." Maan said, getting up and holding her hand. 

Yes, I took my medicine. Geet is here. My daughter takes full care of me."

 "Grandma I was saying…" Geet. 

My dear, that is what I came to Maan for. He is taking you shopping tomorrow for your festival and college. You have to do all the shopping." Grandma said. 

"But Grandma, I have clothes."

"Those are old and only a few," said Grandma sternly as Geet showed her cupboard the other day. 

"And I don't want any more debate on this. You are going; Maan is taking you out; that's final." She didn't allow either of them to argue against her decision.

Next day, Both went shopping as per Grandma’s order. Maan took her to one of the best boutiques in the city. Grandma had already called the owner of it, who happened to be his friend's daughter. 

It made their shopping easier, as they got all the desired dresses for Geet.

It was evening, and Maan was so tired that he didn’t even have breakfast because overexcited Geet had dragged him out early in the morning.

Are you finished? He asked in a low voice, having no energy left as they reached the counter. 

"Yes...that one dress…" but she stopped looking at his face. He looked famished, she felt bad now. "Um yes Maan. Let’s hurry...” Both paid the bill walking out.

"I am sorry, hubby."  Geet apologies sincerely as both walked into the lonely parking. She wiped his sweaty tired face with her soft scarf making him sigh.

"If it wasn’t for Grandma, Geet I swear I wouldn’t have been roaming the whole day with you." He hissed angrily and began walking ahead.

"Yes I Know!" She pouted but couldn’t stop admiring him… 

“At least for Grandma, you agreed to come with me…thank you…" she shouted behind trying to match his angry strides. But he was so fast, she was left behind. Maan, "it’s my first festival after marriage, and you…." suddenly her words stopped.

There was complete silence in the atmosphere. Maan stopped walking and realised she stopped suddenly speaking. He looked behind to see her nowhere. She has suddenly disappeared… 

"Geet…." he was startled, there was no voice he rushed to the place where he could see one bag which she was carrying had been lying on the floor. 

"Geet…" he again called and waited for her response, this time he could hear soft bangles. He knew she wore bangles in her wrist. He quickly moved to the sound and watched her feet dragging away behind the cars. His eyes widened in rage, he curled his fingers in a fist assuming what must have happened. Without waiting further he ran behind her and caught her sight which boiled his blood to no extent. 

Geet was captivated by a few goons by either side; her mouth was clasped by one goon tightly so that she couldn’t scream, while the other three were dragging her away mercilessly. She was whimpering and struggling meekly in their strong hold. 

Geet felt her life coming back seeing him standing there glaring at those goons.

Before anyone would react, Maan stormed angrily towards them and a strong punch landed on the goon’s face. But his movements halted when the other two goons held him back from behind.

‘Maan…’ she screamed seeing one guy was ready to punch him but before that faced his touch Maan dodged it cleverly and pushed them back. He freed himself from their clutches, and fought with those ruffians furiously; he rescued her from the goons clutched and broke his arm harshly making him scream in pain. 

He bashed everyone ruthlessly until all spite blood…Geet couldn’t handle much violence, ‘Maan enough…’ she tried stopping him, her voice was meek, and she was going to fall any movement. 

However, she walked up to him, ‘please Maan stop…’ Her meek voice reached him and he stopped, throwing the almost dead guy away mercilessly.  ‘Geet, you okay?’ He cupped her face, seeing her worn out…. 

"I am not feeling good, Please take me home." She held his arm.

Maan lifts her in his arms carrying her to the car.  "You are not doing any fasting... that too for me, and that’s final." He blasted her, telling her again. 

"But Maan, I am totally fine now, and it’s my first festival after marriage. How could you take this right from me...?" She was on the verge of tears now. She had tried to make him understand, but he was not understanding her point of view at all. From the time they had been back from the mall, "You are worrying unnecessarily, Maan." 

"You are not completely fine. If something happens tomorrow by fasting, then...?" he raised his worry.

"Nothing will happen; I am not so delicate."

"Yeah, I saw that today," he taunted. 

She sighed, "I was just scared of those goons. Nothing else." 

"Whatever! You are not doing anything of that sort, and anyway, I don't believe in these things."

"But I believe… I believe in Grandma's words and my mother, who told me to do this." 

"Fine! You are doing this crap for them; do it. I don't have a problem." He finally said it angrily, but didn't expect my participation in this. He was frustrated; she couldn’t obey him, but she could listen to her mother or grandma. 

‘Maan," she gasped, "you are the one to break my fast at the end of the day." She mentioned her worry. 

‘I won’t," he snapped.

"How could you... "How will I break my fast then?" she pouted. 

"That’s what I am saying; don't do this thing then." He was adamant.

"Maan…" 

"Enough! I have had enough arguments on this." Saying so, he stormed out of the door, leaving her broken. However, she had decided to keep this fast for his well-being. He may think whatever he wants, but she \ loves him, and her love is her worship, so why couldn’t she believe this thing? She is keeping this fast for her love.

 

 

 

Chapter 18

 

Why can’t she understand that this fast means nothing to us? Not to me at least; after all the torture he bestowed upon her, she still managed to bring up things like this between them. 

He clearly told her he didn't have the same feelings as her. If, at any time, she came to know about his Casanova life, how would she react? 

Will the same love she claims for him stay intact? He knew about girls and their possessiveness towards their boyfriends or husbands. 

Upon everything, he doesn’t deserve this special treatment or respect on this auspicious day from the one whom he tortured beyond 

He is not some god, but all his life he has behaved like a devil. He threw the stone angrily down in the valley from the hill he stood on.

He doesn’t deserve it. He didn’t have anything to give her, nor did he have any identity of himself. The thought dawned on him, making his insides churn with pain. Everyone knew him just as Casanova. Maan Khurana is a spoiled brat.

What would he give her on this special day when he has nothing of his own?

At night, he came late, when she was sleeping peacefully on the floor. His heart skips a beat in pain, remembering it’s him to bring her to the floor.

He silently lifted her in his arms, carrying her to their bed. He put her softly on the bed, and she cuddled into his warmth.

 

‘Um... Maan..." she looked up with droopy eyes.

 

'Shh… "Go to sleep,’ he whispered softly in her ear. She snuggled more in his arms and slept off. He tried to pull apart, but she didn’t let go. Don’t go. She whined in her sleep like a baby.

‘Okay…I am not going…’ he agreed and soon she drifted to sleep. 

After she drifted into a deep slumber, he got up and slept on the couch in an uncomfortable position.

Early morning,  

Her alarm buzzed, waking Maan first; he hardly slept... He got up and saw her twisting on the bed, getting irritated with the sound of the alarm.

He chuckled and nodded his head at her antics. He decided to switch off the alarm, but then suddenly remembered her reaction.

"You did it on purpose; you never wanted me to fast for you, hai na Maan."

No. He shook his head, shoving away his thoughts. He never wanted to see her in a pool of tears and cursing him. Fearing the consequences of his act, he decided to wake her up.

"Geet… "Get up!" He patted her arm. She turned away. "Um… I am so sleepy; please put this alarm off."

"Geet..." He shakes her now, but she can't budge. 

"Today is the Karvachauth (women’s festival), darling." He used his last weapon, and as he thought, she got up in a jerk when she heard that word. 

‘Maan, you...?’ She was so shocked to see his face before her.

‘Yes, me. Who do you expect then, wifey?’ He pinched her nose.

"Whom will I expect? Only you." She twisted her lips. "I mean to say, what are you doing waking up early...?"

"Obviously, your alarm woke me up, and now I have to wake you up."

 She gave him a silly smile and said, "You know I was so tired.’ 

"Yeah, that I could see, but you don’t listen to me." 

"Urgh, let go of me; I have to have some eatables also with Grandma before I keep the fast."

She immediately diverted the topic and climbed down from the bed, pushing him away. He sighed sadly; there was no use in making her understand now. And he fell onto the bed, sleeping in no time.

Geet walked out, as always, forgetting her clothes. She sneaked out slowly, walked to the cupboard, and pulled out the sari she had to wear the whole day. How will I manage? And this man is also sleeping; how will I wear this? She pouted, lost in her thoughts. 

Maan woke up hearing sounds around him. He turned towards the dressing room to his right, from where some blabbering and banging sounds were coming. He got up curiously and walked into the room. From the partition, he caught his wife’s sight. ‘Now, how to make these pleats..." 

He chuckled, mumbled, and struggled with the sari. ‘Need some help, wifey?’  

‘Ahhh…who’s it…?’ She was so lost that, suddenly hearing his voice, she got scared, and her immediate reaction was to scream in fear.

‘Geet…’ He walked in, grabbing her by the waist. 

‘You….?’ 

"Who else has the guts to take my wife in his arms like this?" he whispered huskily. "Yes, no one scares me like you do," she pouted, turning her face. 

"Also, no one helps you wear a sari; isn’t that also true?" He teased her. 

"Yes," she chirped up, suddenly giving him a childish smile.

And like that, he draped her in a sari very beautifully while teaching her, but she wasn’t in the mood. 

"No… I don’t know how to do it, you only do this." She made a face.                                                                            

"Okay, shall I be your personal servant?" Maan huffed. 

"When did I say this... "Now helping the wife a little means it is not a task." She twisted her lips.

"Whatever…." He rolled his eyes in irritation.

 

…..

 

Grandma placed all the fruits, eatables, and essential items on the table before Geet. 

Her eyes lit up. "Grandma, all this for me?" Geet exclaimed in excitement... Her mouth is already watering.

"Yes dear… Now let’s start." She fed her one bite when Geet’s eyes fell on Maan, who stood at the entrance of the kitchen, admiring her silently. He had got ready himself, having no sleep in his eyes.

‘Maan," she called out. He tried to escape, but Grandma called him "Maan dear..." 

Now he couldn’t ignore it, so he walked up to them. 

"Have a seat, son; today you will feed Geet." 

"What!?" 

"Why this reaction, son? She is your wife; it’s her first festival after marriage, and you have to feed her so that she can keep fast the whole day for you." Grandma explains.

"But Grandma…" He stopped and didn't know how to tell her; he didn’t want his wife to keep waiting for a guy like him.

"Son, I told you she would be fine. I am there to take care of her, and she is fine... "It was just a small accident. Forget it." 

"I know Grandma; I believe you, but she..."

"Maan, please, make it fast; time is going by." Grandma asked him to hurry. And he began feeding her. Geet happily eats from his hand, giving him a cheesy smile in between.

Grandma silently admired the couple and blessed both of them.  Geet pulled out the dress; both had chosen it for today's festival.

She smiled with the memories, but then tears stung her eyes, soon reminding her of his harsh words about not keeping the fast. 

She pushed away the thoughts quickly and decided to get ready in the dress. She had totally forgotten about it, thinking that she had to wear a sari again. She was tense with the thought; Maan had also not been in sight since morning, after he fed her today.

"Keep my beautiful moon away from any bad eyes," Grandma said, praising her blessing. Geet blushed, giving her a sweet hug out of shyness. 

"Where is Maan, dear?" 

Geet pulled back, having no clue herself: ‘I don't know Grandma; I don't have his number.’ She innocently confessed, ‘I was thinking of saving it on my phone, but I always forget.’

 

‘What are you saying? It's been a month since your marriage.’ Grandma was startled to hear her.

 

‘I am sorry, Grandma...’ Geet looked down, really embarrassed.

 

"Not your fault, dear; Maan should also take care of this."

 

"Yes, Grandma, he also didn’t give me..." She twisted her lips, putting all the blame on him.

Her mother walked in, looking at the decorated mansion all around. Geet chirpily rushed to her: "Mother, how am I looking?"

 

‘Just like an angel, my angel.’ Misha patted her cheek, admiring her daughter, who looks like a true married woman today. She was happy for her. She has the right family who will keep her happy her whole life. "Where is Maan...?" 

 

‘He is….’ Geet was about to spill the bean, but Grandma stopped her: "He is on the way; he has gone out for some work.’ 

Geet looked confused, like she didn’t tell her that, whatever, she is happy now that he is coming back to break her fast, probably.  Grandma then introduced her to her few guests, who already knew her and her chirpy nature, and everyone surrounded her like bees to keep entertaining themselves till the moon arrived.

 

….

 

Everyone came fast, the moon appeared. The girl screamed, taking all the ladies' attention. Geet ran to watch the magnificent view of the full moon on this special day. She admired it for a while, giggling along with everyone. 

Then, as men walked into the scene to perform the puja with the ladies to break their fast, reality dawned upon her. Maan isn’t there; she looked everywhere to see if she caught his glimpse, but he wasn’t there.

"Grandma, where is Maan? He hasn't come yet." Geet rushed to her. 

No dear...’

‘But you said he was on the way. How much time does it take to reach him home?’ She asked innocently. Grandma realised Geet didn't lie to her mother: "Dear, I said that to not hurt your mother; she must be expecting to see her son-in-law on this special day of her daughter.’ 

‘Why would she be hurt?’ Geet asked, clueless. 

"Making you understand means..." Grandma sighed; sometimes her innocence was too much to handle. I tried calling him, but he didn’t receive the call.  Geet became sad hearing her say, "Grandma, give me his number; I will also try.’ She suddenly said that and stored his number in her phone before calling it. 

Maan wasn’t in the mood to receive any calls; he simply put his phone on silent. Seeing an unknown number, he decided to check it. The ring ended, and he checked the list. Seeing Grandma's numerous missed calls, he became tense. No matter what, he couldn’t ignore his grandma ever, so he took a turn to go to Khurana Mansion just when his phone rang, showing his father’s number now.

Chapter 19

 

Earlier that day, at Khurana Constructions,

 

Rajveer couldn’t stop thinking about his daughter-in-law’s words. He was thinking about his behaviour with her, from the day she walked into his mansion as his son's wife.

 

She has always been sweet and naive towards everyone and her surroundings. But being the ruthless businessman he was, he never knew about emotions. The only emotions he felt were for two people: his mother and son.

 

He had admired his wife silently, however, and felt something, but had never had time to indulge more in his growing feelings towards her.

 

He couldn’t be thanked enough for giving him a son, the heir to Khurana. But before he could show his appreciation to her properly, she had left this world, leaving their son and him alone with his aged mother.

 

That time, he felt the pain of losing the woman who was everything to him. That day snatched whatever emotions he carried. Again, ruthless Rajveer Khurana had emerged from the ashes of his pain.

 

Now, again, he was feeling the same emotions for this young girl.  

He remembers her smiling face, their argument on the dining table, how she pouted, their small talks, or only her blabbering with her brewing coffee.

 

He sighed as her teary words buzzed in his head yet again.

 

I don’t know who took over our company. That was the one who snatched my father from me.

 

Then something clicked in his mind, and he made a few calls. He has somewhere known his answers, but he still wanted to make sure.

The knock on the door disturbed him. He called the person in; it was one of his employees asking for early leave today as it's a women's festival.

 

"Sir, my wife had fasted for me... and just asked today to reach early to break her fast."

 

Any other day, he wouldn’t have granted permission that easily, but today already, he was drenched in his emotions and thought of his DIL, whom he asked to go.

 

My daughter-in-law must have kept a fast for my son. He remembers, but he knew his son and his nature.

 

Thinking something through, he called him and asked him to meet him at the office.

 

….

Maan was surprised to hear the reason for his father’s urgent call. He wanted to leave early to buy a gift for his wife. ‘I know you must have forgotten, son. You must give something to your wife on this auspicious day.’

‘Yeah, I don’t know that," said Maan, a little guilty. 

‘Alright, let’s go and shop for something for your wife.’ 

‘But dad, you...’ 

‘Maan, let’s go; we are already late; my daughter-in-law must be waiting at home for her husband.’

‘You know about today, how?’ Maan was taken back by his strange behaviour today. ‘Don’t waste time on this question, son. let's move.’ Maan just nodded, following his order, still wondering about the sudden change in his father.

"Please, Maan, come soon..." Geet became restless now seeing everyone performing the prayers.

Geet dear, you start your prayers; Maan must be on his way." Grandma urged her to see her on the verge of tears.

 

Already, she has been emptying her stomach the whole day. It was the first fast she had ever done in her life.

 

Geet has been a pampered kid, brought with a golden spoon in his mouth, and does not even have this knowledge of any traditions or prayers.

 

Although Misha tried to teach her many times before her husband’s angry stare, she couldn’t do much.

 

Ranbeer had strictly ordered Misha to keep her away from any such fasting. His daughter was like a delicate flower and wouldn't be able to be hungry for long.

 

One day even Misha made her fast on such an auspicious day. That day was the last she kept fast because her mother had gotten a great scolding from her father for keeping her hungry. Geet would always crib for food; such a foodie she was.

 

Grandma came to know the whole thing from Misha and couldn’t help but feel a little bad for her daughter-in-law for the loss of her father, who kept her like a true princess her whole life. Now she could clearly understand where innocence and childishness came from.

  

"Grandma, I am feeling..." She couldn’t complete it and sat on the sofa.

 

"Geet dear…" Grandma and her mother rushed to her.

 

"It's my fault for pampering her so much... If you were habitual of it from before... Misha scolded her with a worried face.

 

Grandma interrupted her, saying, "What are you talking about, Misha?"" First look after the child; she is not feeling well."

 

‘Water….’ Geet mumbled, licking her dried lips. ‘I want water." She closed her eyes, resting her head on the couch.

 

‘How would I give you, dear? Your fast will be broken.’ Grandma said sadly that, although she got up to fetch the glass of water for her, nothing else matters at the moment other than quenching her thirst with water. 

 ‘I am thirsty." 

Just then, one glass of water appeared before them. 

‘Maan...," Misha said with happy tears. 

‘Maan…’

Hearing his name, Geet opened her eyes slowly. "Maan," she moaned as he pushed the glass of water near her mouth. 

She turned her face, holding the glass, but Grandma said first we have to do the ritual. She mumbled in a meek voice, making him frustrated now.

 

Before he could bust upon her, Grandma said, "Take it dear; ritual can happen later on; first drink this water now from Maan's hand." Grandma explained to her that she only drank water from his hand.

 

Feeling a little better, she got up and snatched the glass from his hand, drinking the whole glass in one go.

 

"Be careful, dear..."

 

Maan rolled his eyes at her antics. "Stupid girl, you didn’t listen to me." He thought that looking at her as she gave him a cheeky smile Everyone breathes a sigh of relief seeing her back to herself.

 

‘Let’s go and do the prayers now,’ said Grandma, and everyone followed her. Geet stopped and bent to touch Raj’s feet.

 

‘Leave it, dear!’ He held her arms, stopping her, saying, "You are not well.’

 

Geet smiled, and he gave her a warm smile, making her smile widen.

 

…. 

Geet did the prayers for the festival, following Grandma’s instructions, making everyone chuckle at her antics. "Grandma, why do we have to see the moon from this sieve? And why can't the husband do the ritual? Why only the wife? Many such questions, which Grandma patiently asked. 

But Maan was losing his patience already. He was frustrated with so many things that she was taking time and not doing the rituals quickly. 

He fed her sweets after the ritual, and she bit his finger by mistake. "Ouch, Geet," he said, shaking his hand, giving her a glare. 

‘Sorry...," she pouted so innocently, his anger melting, ‘let me see...it’s worse?’  She demanded. 

'No… "It’s nothing. Nothing happened," he said softly. 

‘Then why did you shout...?’ She twisted her lips. 

Maan now wanted to bang his head somewhere. To his rescue, Grandma interrupted, "Now Maan, take out the gift for my daughter.’ 

‘Yes, show me what you got me." She became excited like a little girl. 

Everyone giggled behind her as well, seeing her jump literally for the gift.

‘Here…take this...’ He handed her the packet, which contained the gift his father had chosen for her. 

‘Yippee!! So big...!?' She took it and hugged it close to her chest, like someone was going to snatch it from her.

He smiled automatically, seeing her happiness overflowing and her face also glowing, adding charm to her beauty.

That’s when he saw his wife clearly; she looked breathtaking in the maroon dress she wore for the day. 

He was interrupted from his staring session when he saw her reaching near him. She came into his arms and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, hubby," she said. She blushed while doing so and quickly ran away, hearing everyone hooting and cheering.

Maan stood dumbstruck. Did she just kiss him? That too before everyone. He gritted his teeth with the thought and rushed away as well, really embarrassed to hear everyone’s teasing.

Later, he broke her fast with a guilty mind. ‘Now I will eat by myself; you too must be hungry.’ Geet said sweetly, and before everyone else, she began eating. 

‘Geet..." Misha tried to scold her, but Grandma stopped her. "Dear, let her have her dinner; already she fainted because of the fast.’ 

Grandma’s word dipped Maan in more guilt; he couldn’t have more. ‘I am done. Please excuse me," he said, getting up. 

‘But son…’ 

But he was already walking away to his room. 

"Grandma, what happened to him?" Geet pouted, giving her a worried look.

"Don’t know, you have your dinner; I will send something for him in the room." Grandma assured him. "Okay," and everyone finished the dinner. 

Maan was in his room, thinking about his messed-up life. He hit his fist against the wall, bruising it.

Just then Geet walked in with his dinner plate and said, "Look, whether you're angry or whatever, it's not a good thing to be angry about food; it's an insult to food, and then it will curse you." Geet explained innocently.

 

"Curse… "My life has become a curse, and I pulled you into this mess too." He said his thoughts aloud.

 

"What are you talking about?" She was puzzled. "Leave those things aside; first have something; Grandma has sent the meal.'' She uncovered the plate. ‘At least for her..." she thought he would agree after listening to her name.

 

‘My stomach is already full,’ he said in a resentful tone.

 

"What!! You had something out! I sat here hungry for you all day long; do you know how hungry I was? "But you don’t care," she pouted.

 

"When did I say I had it outside? My stomach is full, which means I am not hungry; don’t assume other meanings."

 

Geet bites her lips, embarrassed. ‘I am sorry… "Please have something. Do not sleep on an empty stomach; you will not be able to sleep."

 

I won't be able to sleep anyway, he thought, turning away from the window.

 

Geet finally thought to confront him; he was really too disturbed. "What's the matter? What happened to you suddenly? You were alright till now." She walked behind him.

 

"Nothing. Leave me alone for sometime, please." "But dinner…"

 

"You had yours, then why are you behind my back now? Didn't you hear what I said? Leave me alone now!" He blasted at her, making her jerk back a little. Her eyes filled up. "You are so bad...very bad. She cried and turned around to go.

Maan was even more frustrated hearing her as he grabbed her wrist, turning her into a jerk, saying, "Yes, I am very bad, then why did you even marry me or claim to love me?" Why just leave me alone?"

Geet looked at him startled. "How could you say so...?"

"Why can’t…? I have given you nothing but pain; from the first night ever, I am telling you to stay away from me." He snarled.

"You know it’s not in my hand; my heart just doesn’t listen to me." She put her palm on her chest with tears in her eyes.  

Maan was speechless. He didn’t know how to react, as he knew nothing about hearts or love stories. He simply let her go and turned around.

Geet composed herself and walked up to him, asking, "What's the matter? Why are you so upset?" She held his shoulder.

"Nothing… "You go and take rest; you must be exhausted from the whole day's fast." He spoke softly this time, turning his face sideways.

"I will, but at least have one bite; I will not be peaceful, knowing you slept on an empty stomach."

Maan sighed. "She is so stubborn, he thought, and he nodded. Geet jumped, literally, and took the plate near him. He sat on the bed; she occupied the place near him and offered him one bite, leaving him surprised.

He tried to have himself say, "I'll eat, you go to sleep..."

"No, I said, didn’t I? "I won't be able to sleep; I will feed you today; might you get hungry by then?" She smiled cheekily, forgetting the moment before they just fought.

Maan looked at her innocence and was bowled over by it. He simply opened his mouth, and she fed him. "When I don’t feel like eating, mom did this." She said she was feeding him; she was talking, and he was just admiring her silently. His heart filled with warmth; he didn’t remember the last time someone fed him so lovingly.

"Let's finish it soon; she fed him the last bite, and I want to open the gifts." She spoke excitedly, and he nodded his head at her antics.

After a while, she opened a few gifts she got from her mother, Grandma, her husband, etc.

"What is this, so big... She, with so much enthusiasm, opened the wrap and found a book inside. She frowned and looked at the cover, saying, "This is a novel, a new release of Mills and Boons." "Wow, hubby, darling, you know I loved them." She smiled, showing her full tooth, really happy that her husband knew what she liked now. 

Maan just nodded with a smile, remembering her words to Grandma about her hobbies and everything. "Are you sure, son, that this is the gift you want to give her on this occasion?" his father had asked.

"Yes, dad, she has everything... cloths and jewellery, beside she loved reading them." And Rajveer had nodded in affirmative before buying the new release set of novels.

 ‘Wow!! I am so lucky," she screamed in happiness, ‘you brought the whole set for me... I so love you.’ and she pushed herself towards him, planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek. "Although I haven’t read yet from this production, now I will... as mummy was so particular about what I read because of my small age... Non the less, I was so fascinated by this romance novel. I always wanted to read them." She was blabbering, and he was lost in her.

Maan held her closer by her waist, and she sat on his lap, blushing and smiling. "You should thank dad. He bought this for you. He was honest. "But you... so that means you didn’t buy anything for me?" She pouted, turning away.

Maan was again sulking with guilt. "Don’t say it like this; I just didn’t know a man has to gift his wife on this day. Dad just reminded me, and we both selected the gift for you." He had really paid with his pocket money. Although it was given only by his father, he was still not satisfied with the thing.

"Then say it; you both bought it." Geet repeated his words and was going to crawl down, but he grabbed her bare waist, sending shivers down her spine.

‘Maan…’

He controlled his emotions and let her go; she, with a sweet blush, climbed down the bed before rushing to the dressing room to change into her nightdress.

After a while, she walked out of the bathroom, all fresh and ready for bed. She pulled out the blanket and cushion for her floor bed. Maan, who was waiting for her, was surprised to see her making her bed on the floor.

He stopped her immediately and said, "You don’t have to sleep there, Geet." His words stopped her movement instantly: "But I always sleep here. Look, I don't want to sleep alone outside. I am very scared. I can't even disturb mom or grandmother now. Please let me sleep here.

Do I bother you...?" She continued to blabber, not even listening to him completely, really scared by his sudden stopping. 

His heart felt heavy hearing her... "You misunderstood me, Geet... I didn't mean that; now the cold has also increased a lot."

"Yeah, it feels very cold," she again interrupted him. 

"Will you listen to me now fully or not?" He gritted his teeth, giving a furious glare. She pouted and nodded yes. 

"You can sleep on the bed with me; you don’t have to sleep on the floor anymore, and I am sorry about the trouble you faced before because of me." He apologised and feels better now. 

Geet smiled wholeheartedly and jumped on the bed. "You won't push me to the floor to sleep again, will you?" She asked unsurely with her pouting face.

‘No," he softly said, giving her space, and she slept comfortably beside him, facing him. Seeing her innocent smile, he didn’t know when his eyes turned droopy, and he slept peacefully, feeling light in his heart.

‘You are not that bad, and I too trouble you; it is your right to be angry." She softly caressed his face and felt jittery. ‘God, please let him fall in love with me too. Please, I can't wait more." She was desperate because now seeing him so close, how will her heart stop beating and yearning for his closeness, his care, his love? 

In the middle of the night, she landed on his chest, and he snuggled her closer to him. 

In the morning, Maan found her below him, his face buried in the crook of her neck while his hand was inside her shirt. He looked at her serene face to see her sleeping peacefully like a baby, not having any ounce of care for the world.

Automatically, a soft smile covered his face; his morning couldn’t be more perfect than this. He thought and pecked her head before climbing down the bed. She groaned in her sleep before turning away. He covered her properly and left for his morning duties.

 

 

Chapter 20

 

A few days have passed since Geet started her course. She was never before this excited and happy as she got new friends and new things to learn in college. Geet was an innocent lad, but in the presence of her mature friends and classmates, she has begun growing up mentally. 

Maan would miss her presence sometimes; his going out and spending time with his friends have been reduced because somewhere he has started realising his responsibilities. 

Grandma was the happy one in the mansion because he would be around her most of the time, taking care of her needs and medicines. She could read a little sadness in his eyes, which she assumed was because of his lack of presence. 

"Son, if you want, go and visit our office; also see how your dad works and everything else out there." Grandma suggested, internally really hoping that he would soon join the business and later take hold of the whole Khurana Empire. 

‘Not today, Grandma; I am not in a mood!’ he excused himself, leaving Grandma worried for him.

One evening, Geet turned up from college, all excited and eager to share her college stories with Grandma and her mother. 

After a while, she got up and said, "Ok, Grandma, Mom, I am going to freshen up now; I have to complete the assignment also." She rushed to her room and collided with Maan.

"Easy Geet," he cautioned her, holding her shoulders. She looked at him and kept looking, then all of a sudden gave him a bone-crushing hug.

"I missed you..." She pouted, then looked at him and said, "Why are you looking like this?" ‘This…!?" He didn’t understand, so he asked her. "Upset somewhat, is there something...?" She asked. 

"Nothing Geet... You tell me, you have forgotten me since your college has started." "It’s nothing like that... I have to just cope with the new environment. You know, everything is so different there; it’s been so long since I went somewhere out. I made new friends there, you know," she began, telling him everything. 

Maan rolled his eyes hearing her blabber. He sat at the bed, and Geet followed him there, sitting on his lap. He was taken back, but he cuddled her in his arms. 

"You know, I always wondered if you were also there with me, then how much fun we would have...?" She told me in excitement, rolling her big eyes.

Maan made a face and said, "For your kind information, lady, I have completed my business studies."

"Really…? "Then why do you stay at home or with friends? I didn't see you going to the office with dad." Now that her innocent question had left him shunned, he didn’t have any words to say; he was simply speechless. But she made it easy for him, as the next second she remembered something and asked him, "You know, I have to complete one assignment. Will you help me?" 

"How could I…?" He was in denial mode, already feeling miserable with her questions. 

"Please, I am really sure you are the one who will help me in this. Because I know how intelligent you are!" She said she was spreading warmth across his heart. "Please...” she pleads again, seeing him silent.

"Okay, I will..." He has to bow down before her stubborn nature.

‘Thank you so much, hubby!’ She squealed, pecking his cheek. She was about to get away when he grabbed her arm. She turned to look at him, only to see his glaring eyes blazing with passion, which she failed to read. But his dark eyes left her fumbling. ‘Maan…leave me… I need to change... 

"Shall I help?’ he whispered huskily. 

‘Hu…’ She was confused at first, but later, when she realised what he said, she became red, her eyes widening. "Leave me. Are you teasing me?’ She jerked off his hand and gave him a cute glare. 

"Not honey. I am serious!" He teased her with a hidden smirk; his face was blank. "But I don’t need your help," she taunted, turning around. "But your husband wants to help you," he grabbed her from behind, snaking his arm around her tummy.            

She gasped at his naughtiness. "Leave me." She wriggled, feeling ticklish, while his hand moved inside her shirt, rubbing her flat stomach. It was moving up when she grabbed his hands, shivering with his sensuous caresses. She had forgotten the feeling of his passionate touches; now he had awakened it again with the burning desires in her. Her breathing hitched, and an audible moan escaped her lips when she felt his lips move sensuously in the crook of her neck, behind her ear.

She felt her body shudder, almost vibrating with his touches. His lips were leaving a burning trail along the sensitive skin of her neck and shoulders, and his hands one by one undid the little buttons of her shirt. He threw her shirt aside.                                             

The cold air hit her bare skin, but then his hands took over, tracing patterns on her tummy and pulling her towards him...

God! It’s been ages since he felt the sweet tenderness of her petals. He had stopped going out with other girls and had deliberately ignored all calls. But here his wife was making him crazy; he was craving her one touch. 

"Maan," she moaned, wanting the same pleasure from him that he has made her habitual of with his sensuous touches. Her moans only burned his hunger more, and he was slowly losing control. She wanted him much more desperately than she had realised.

Maan could hear her rapid breathing and heartbeat underneath him; however, he wasn’t able to soothe himself today. But as if reading his mind, just then her stomach made a sound, pulling them both back to reality. Geet was so embarrassed. She hid herself completely in his arms out of shyness.

"Wifey," he groaned with her sudden move as her hard nipples poked his chest directly, making his desires shoot up. Holding his breath, not to lose himself again, he parted her. "Go and freshen up; you must be hungry. He whispered softly, pulling out his shirt and wrapping it around her. She was all red and in a daze with what happened just now.

The next moment, she just ran into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. The cold tiled floor sent a shiver up her spine as she looked at herself in the mirror, letting the shirt drop down.

She blushed seeing her reflection in the mirror, then noticed his love bites, which had left a path down her neck and on her chest. Her breasts seemed a little swollen after all the teasing.

She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself by thinking about what had just happened. The memories left her heart beating fast and her breathing ragged as her body and soul desired to go back to him again. She splashed her face with cold water, trying to compose herself.

Maan pulled up another shirt from the cupboard and wore it. He could still feel her soft skin on him, her body wrapped around his, and her lips slowly mouthing his name when he moved his hand through his hair, smiling and shaking his head.

…..

‘Look, didn’t I say you are really so intelligent and brave!" Geet praised him again, openly, after he finished doing her assignment. 

Geet had dragged him into the living room for a change to do her work. "Why am I thinking that you are just faking these words of praise?" he said, not able to digest her words.

"I am not lying, but you are really a genius. I really think you should join our family business; you will see, you will climb the ladder of success so fast." She said it cheekily.

Maan was bowled over by her words and the way she accepted everything, even the family. The word "our" shows her acceptance from her heart.

On the other hand, Rajveer Khurana stood at the door and was about to walk inside but stopped at the door after hearing the word business. He heard his daughter-in-law and really hoped silently that his son would listen to her.

He looked at the business magazines in his hand, which he had brought for his son. In the last few days, he has shown sudden interest in these things. Rajveer was more than happy to see these changes in his son.

He changed his mind, thought to meet him in his study, and left from there to let his son and daughter-in-law to have their own private moments.

Maan paced in the room, thinking about what to wear. He had emptied his whole wardrobe but couldn’t find any decent clothing in his collection for his first day at Khurana Constructions.

Yes, he is going to join under his father until he gets the practical knowledge and learns Khurana business, how it runs, etc.

Rajveer Khurana hasn’t been this happy before. He knew his son was a diamond who just needed strokes in the right places, and he guesses his daughter-in-law has done the needful in this.

An week before, Maan had started making a few visits to the office, checking out the work, place, employees, everything, silently observing how his dad works, how his employees cooperate with him, etc. how his father handles the clients of Khurana Constructions.

It was yesterday; his son told him his decision, and he has never been so delighted to hear his son’s words. ‘Are you sure, son? Take your time and decide. You know I have never forced you to do anything before, not even today. Your father is strong and still young enough to handle the Khurana Empire.’

‘Dad, please don't make me ashamed more.’ Maan somewhere felt guilty hearing his father's voice. "You are older than me and still hold the passion to handle the whole empire, and you have been doing it as well. But today I have decided and am sure of it: I want to join you now. It will take time, but I will surely run the business with the ease and smoothness you do."

Rajveer heard him silently and was amazed by those mild changes in him. He has never shown this thoughtfulness before. However, he was happy and agreed to him with a curt nod of his head.

"The Khurana Empire is always yours, son. You only need to work under me for a few months or more until you learn to handle it on your own."  "Thanks, dad! Thank you so much." He hugged him, feeling overwhelmed after hearing his words.

"You should thank your wife first."

‘Why…!?’ He pulled back, confused.

"I guess she deserves to let you see the reality."

‘I didn’t get you..."

‘Leave it; you will understand when the time comes." He pressed his shoulder.

‘Really!  I am so happy! Congratulations and celebration!" she sang, jumping around him once he announced his decision. Maan was amused; why would she show so much happiness for his decision?

‘Why are you so happy?" He asked bluntly, making her stop before him. "Why can't I be? Now I can tell my friends, "My husband is a businessman; he handles the Khurana Empire." She bluntly replied.

‘What??’ Her words left him shocked and fuming.

‘Yes, why do you look so angry...?" She made a face like a kitten.

"Leave it; it's useless to talk to you." He turned around.

"Why are you saying that?" She held his wrist, stopping him from moving away. "I told the truth; if my words hurt you anyhow, then it’s not my fault, is it?" She made a puppy face, and he couldn’t help but smile at her cute face. She too smiled brightly, saying, "You look so cute with that cute smile." She pinched his cheek, making the same smile vanish from his face. "Don’t use that word for me; if you are blind, and then let me tell you, I am a man, not some child." He ruffled his hair.

Why can't men be cute? "Even my dad looked as cute as you!" She blabbered in flow, but that brought back the memories of her father.

Her face turned pale. Maan saw her teary eyes, and he felt his heart stop beating. He couldn’t bear to see her upset and pulled her in his arms, saying, "Please don’t shed tears now. You don't look good crying." "But dad," she cried, hugging his chest, "you know I was princess of dad, and now seeing him gone, I feel so alone. I was used to his pampering." She blabbered while Maan engulfed her, feeling heavy-hearted.

He didn’t know how to console her; he had never done it before, so he only used a few soothing words.

And now, after making a mess of his whole room, he couldn’t find a suitable thing to wear.

He just realised he hadn’t prepared anything for the day. He would have arranged for a few formals.

‘Maan…’ Just then she barged in like a tornado but stopped at the door and said, ‘My God! What is this...?’ She gasped, seeing the mess, then walked to him, where he sat holding his head.

"Maan, see what I brought for you!" She was excited as she held some packets while she hid something behind her.

‘Geet," he said, already irritated. What have you been doing at home at this time? "You must be in college now." He wondered.

"How could I miss this day? It is your first step to start your career, and I want to be with you. Also, Grandma already knew, so she sent this to you with me." She now shows him her hand, which was behind her.

His eyes widen in surprise when he sees the suit in her hand. He looked at the packet in her hand and snatched it to see another set of office clothes.

He felt overwhelmed by her care and excitement for him. He simply smiled and said to her, "But I don't wear it... I didn’t try before."

"Then try now, please; I also want to see you in this. Know, yesterday just I opened that Mills and Boon book, where hero’s entry was the same; he was gorgeous wearing that three-piece suit."

"Is it?" You didn’t see him; it’s just character, but you know he is gorgeous?" He asked, amazed by his wife’s narrative answer.

 

"If you don’t read novels, then you would not know, but writers described characters so nicely that you could picture them, and you know Ryan in that novel was just like you—dark, handsome, with a perfect Greek god physique." 

Maan became shunned hearing her; the look on her face was something of a dream. She was lost... lost in the imaginary male lead of the novel that obviously made him jealous... Other things don’t matter at the moment. As he got up, suddenly grabbing her waist, he asked, "What did you say? "You are not reading this sh*t anymore."

"Why not? I will do whatever pleases me and read it... You are the one who gave me that gift; what happened to you suddenly? "Why are you saying this suddenly?"

He realised that he was overreacting unnecessarily. He shouldn’t have.

"Alright, whatever you do, leave me alone now; I need to get ready for work." I don’t want to be late on the first day of office." He left her.

"Take this…" She handed him new suits that Grandma had brought for him. He was in a denial mood, but her one puppy look melted him.

‘Please..." she pouted, giving him an innocent smile. "I know you too wanted to try it; why are you showing so much attitude?" She stuffed the packet in his hand, pushing him into the dressing room.

"If you want some help, please call me, honey." She called out loudly from behind.

‘Honey..!!?’? He wondered; definitely she got the name for him from her mills and boon. ‘Yuck," he mumbled, but had no choice but to stay silent at the moment. Talking to her means wasting your own time, he realized it.

After a while, he walked out, checking himself in the new clothes he wore.

‘Oh my….my… Look how dashing and handsome you look. You never before looked this handsome to me. My hubby!!’ She gave him a tight hug. 

He rolled his eyes at her drama and pushed her away. "Let me see myself first," he said, checking himself in the mirror. Not bad "Maan…no… Maan Khurana..." he combed his hair, and she just stood admiring him silently, not wanting to irritate him further on his first day in office. She was about to wrap the coat around his back, but he stopped her and said, "Don't... I feel good like this only.’

She smiled cheekily, nodding her head, and said, "Yes, you are looking nice. Very nice, handsome," she continued blabbering while he rolled his eyes and stormed out from there. ‘Maan… "I didn't even say bye," she pouted, but then ran out to reach him.

He took blessings from his dad and mother-in-law who were there to bless him on his first day. She was also happy for him.

Then everyone settled in for breakfast. Maan was eating but then felt someone gaze on him constantly. Looking up, he caught her hazel, mischievous eyes glaring at him only.

‘What!!’ He asked with his eyes; she blushed and looked away, nodding her head in no.

After a while, he bid goodbye to everyone and walked out to the parking lot, only to see her waiting for him.

"Gee, what are you doing here? If you want me to drop you off at college, then forget it, darling, because I am already running late.’ He said it before she could utter a word.

‘No… I am not here for that, um...didn't say you ‘bye’ properly, that's why...’

He sighed, ‘bye... will see you in the evening; now go inside.’ He said she was ready to sit inside when she looked here and there, then at the driver, who had his attention at the front.

She quickly pecked his cheek and said, "Bye..." and she ran from there, blushing high with butterflies flying in her tummy.

Maan stood dumbstruck; looking at her running away, his fingers automatically moved over his subtle cheek, feeling a burning sensation, which she left by her soft petal lips.

‘Crazy girl….' He nodded his head and got inside the car to reach his destination.

All the while, he was just lost in her thoughts...her innocence, her love, her care, her innocent words, and her belief in him.

He still remembered her words, she said, when he did her assignment that night.

Those were soothing to his aching soul...boosted his self-confidence, and now he realises what dad meant yesterday. Yes, I should thank her too. But how…Let me decide that afterwards. First, let me reach the office and start my day.

 

 

Chapter 21

 

A few weeks have passed since Maan joined his father. Rajveer was pleasantly surprised to see the way his son handled the work so smoothly and efficiently. He always knew his son was capable of doing anything if given any responsibility.

Now his heart felt lighter, seeing him take up the responsibility slowly. Most of the work was done by Maan. He also noticed him keeping away from girls. His behaviour was full of professionalism. He wouldn’t tolerate casualness during office hours.

The KC staff has been floored by this young Khurana. Sasha and Adi, Rajveer’s trusted staff, were there to help him. But most of the time they even found themselves stuck in the problem, and Maan would have a solution to it.

He was stern yet not rude. He had a charming persona and with his sheer hard work and humble nature, he won the hearts of his staff.

He was learning the etiquette of business every day.

It was another day at KC...

Maan was busy with this new project that his dad had handed him. It was his first project, which he got from his father after proving him with his hard and efficient work.

So he wanted to do his best and prove himself again. There was this burning passion taking place in his mind and heart for the business... to prove him to his father, his wife, his family, and the world... and let the world know who the real Maan Khurana is.

He was analysing a few things when the door opened with a bang. Maan looked up, fuming, at the ill-mannered behaviour of the intruder.

‘Can’t you knock before..." His words died in his throat seeing the thin girl with hardly hiding clothes covering her thin body.

‘Who the hell gave you permission to walk into my office?’ He blasted as soon as he remembered the girl. It was none other than Sam, his one past fling.

‘Relax, honey," she said, walking up to him seductively. Now her words reminded him of his personal honey, i.e., his sweet devil wife. He thought about her reaction and couldn’t help wondering what she would do if she found him with another girl.

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt her bony body cross his lap. ‘Sam!! Get out of my office right now.’

‘Why, Maan, you forgot me so easily, but I couldn't, darling... That's why I am here to finish some business between us. She seductively strokes his cheek, her painted nail moving down to his throat.

Maan grabbed her hand, clutching her fingers tightly, making her moan in pain. "Don’t you dare cross your limit; there was nothing between us, not anymore."

 ‘We have already crossed the lines, darling." She gave him a seductive wink, trying to wriggle out her hand from his clutch. He was trying to push her away, but she wasn’t moving.

He bent over the intercom to call the security, but she wouldn’t let him as she grabbed his collar and put her lips on his mouth, leaving him in shock as he had not thought about this coming.

This was enough when the door of the cabin got opened again, and there stood his innocent wife with a sweet smile on her face. But that vanished the moment she saw the scene in her husband’s cabin.

......

 

‘Maan," she whined, trying to get up on her high heels. She looked at him standing still; he looked as if he had seen some ghost. She moved her gaze to the woman who had just walked in and asked her to help her.

‘Please, help me, young lady.’ She held out her hand and looked at her, but the next moment she saw her walking past her, ignoring her completely.

Geet gave her one furious glare before walking to her husband, who still didn’t move out of fear. He knew how innocent his devil is. He was actually clueless about her reaction. He didn’t know what she was going to do, but he was sure of one thing: she would be doing Ruckus in the whole office in whatever way, leaving him ashamed in the whole office and not forgetting before his father.

"Hubby darling, is there any washroom in your cabin?" She asked ever so sweetly, grabbing his arm.

‘What!?’ He was in shock hearing her. Did he just hear her sweet voice, and what did she just say?

‘Washroom!??’ She repeated under her gritted teeth, making him fumble seeing her eyes spitting fire. He just pointed to his right, and Geet saw and grabbed his wrist before pulling him in that direction.

‘Wth! Maan, who is she?’ Sam screamed in anger, trying to get up herself; her heel was broken up. Now how will I walk out?

"Geet, darling, what are you doing?’ Maan tried to stop her, but she furiously banged open the door, pulling him in.

The next moment, he watched in horror as she turned on the tab of the basin and was furiously wiping off his mouth. ‘Geet," he shouted in rage, ‘what are you doing?’ He pulled apart angrily. His lips hurt badly as he gently touched them.

‘They are mine; how could you let some bitch touch them?" Yuck, she was kissing you.’ She cried and screamed at him while Maan just watched in horror.

‘Or you were kissing her. Whatever it is, it is the same thing, isn't it? How could you kiss me with the same mouth? Yuck…" She grabbed his overcoat in her fist. Maan was unable to speak after hearing her; he had not imagined her behaving that way out of all the sorts of reactions he had assumed.

"Tell me; give me an answer... what she was doing on your lap and you are enjoying...!"

‘No, not at all; I was trying to push her away.’ He tried to explain as soon as he got his voice back, even though he didn’t know why he was explaining it to her.

"You were trying…!? Why didn’t you throw her away, or have you invited her?"

‘Geet." He became angry hearing her accusation. "I didn't. How dare you put blame on me?"

"I didn't… I didn’t before. But now I am sure..."

‘What!?’

"You know, my friend told me once about you being a Casanova... I didn't even know what that meant, but thanks to you, I got that too. I didn’t believe in her that day, as I couldn’t even imagine you doing something like this. "Yes, now I remember why you didn't remember your girlfriend's name because there was not one but so many..." she blabbered, leaving him in shock.                            

"I can’t imagine how I fell in love with you. God save me. Save me from this pain, please." She cried buckets, and he didn’t know how to console her; he himself was speechless. He feared for her reaction, and this is what happened today.

He cursed that so-called friend of hers; couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? It's my fault; I should have understood that she would be getting this information from anywhere.

"Maan… "What’s happening here!?" Sam shamelessly walked to the door and stood, watching the weird woman howl like a baby.

‘Get out!?’ He blasted in rage; already she had created enough drama.

Now he doesn’t know what his injured lioness will do. If she is going to eat her raw, then his number will come.

And as if reading his mind, Geet marched to Sam furiously, wiping her eyes. ‘Get lost; didn’t you hear what my husband said?"

Sam rolled her eyes; she knew about his marriage status but knew he didn’t change nor his lifestyle; in fact, he cursed his wife. This all information was given by Rahul, his friend. So she went back to him to have some fun. The receptionist couldn’t stop her when she told her she was Maan’s friend.

 ‘But ma’am, without an appointment, I can’t allow you.’

‘Look, don’t argue with me; better do your job and leave my way.’ She threatened her before walking to Maan's cabin.

Receptionist looked in worry, and she rushed to her desk to inform Maan before he blasted upon her. But then she was called by one of the implacable clients of Rajveer Khurana, and she forgot.

….

 

Back to Maan’s office,

‘Maan, tell her to hold her tongue; who is she to interfere between us?" Sam turned to Maan, completely ignoring Geet.

‘If you have a hearing problem, Sam, then let me tell you, she is my wife, and talk with respect.’ Maan held Geet’s shoulder while she jerked his hands away the very next moment in anger.

Maan made a puppy face, but Geet was too hurt to give him any chance to manoeuvre her.

‘Look Maan baby... "I came here to talk to you, not her.’ Sam still didn’t budge; instead, she walked up to Maan, rolling her finger shamelessly on his chest before Geet, which irritated her to the point of insanity.

Before Maan could even make a move, his devil wife angrily grabbed Sam's painted nail finger, twisting it harshly. She pushed her away.

Sam yelped in pain, ‘bitch.’

‘Mind your language, Sam." Maan warned, painting a finger at her angrily.

 "Maan, what she did.’ Sam cried, trying to explain but unable to do so as a shot of pain ran through her whole body.

"I really want to slap you tight and make your lips bleed, the same way you kissed my husband, but I feel ashamed to do so." "I am not like you, shameless...." Geet spit out angrily before giving both a furious glare.

‘You ..!!’ Sam was still not done.

‘Now get lost out of my office. Or I don’t know, I'll show you what I'm feeling right now." Geet threatened her, silently trying to hold her consciousness intact.

She would have definitely lost her senses and  done something more drastic if not for the morals her mother had instilled in her. Also from past weeks joining back her studies had also matured her to extent mentally to behave.

But it doesn't mean she would sit back silently, seeing her husband betraying her or the shithole girl abusing her.

‘I will see you, both of you!" Sam threatens before storming out of the door, giving glares to the peeking staff.

Geet gave him a silent, teary glare before turning to walk out. ‘Geet...listen, baby..."

That only infuriated her, and she snapped at him,’ "Don’t baby me... Don’t ever use that word for me; that witch has called you by that name. Geet blasted before turning furiously on her heels and walking out, and again, peeking staff received a silent glare from Mrs. Khurana.

Maan fumed silently, ‘shit.’ He hit his palm against the wall, closing his eyes, and tried to calm his anger.

How the hell did that shit walk inside? He walked out to confront the receptionist.

‘WTH...?" he blasted, seeing his staff peeking inside his cabin windows to see the happenings inside.

The next moment, everyone was rushing to their desks as if a lion was behind them to hunt them.

In no time, Rajveer Khurana got to know about the mishap, and he was fuming in anger.

He took his son and staff separately.

‘If I find anyone gossiping or a word from anyone's mouth, then you think it will be the last day of your job.’ Rajveer warned everyone to shut their mouths.

 

…..

Early evening, 

Grandma watched as her son and grandson walked in. Their faces shows something happened terribly in the office …But what she wondered was that even Geet was looking upset and worn out. Is there a connection between both things?

Even before she could talk or ask any of them about the day, suddenly Raj roared, ‘Geet...

‘Geet," he again called, seeing her nowhere in sight.

Maan was himself taken back with his roaring, explaining why he is still upset and why he is calling out to Geet now.

‘Son, what happened? Why are you looking angry?’ Asked worried Grandma.

"There is a reason for my anger too, mother. First, call your dear granddaughter in law now. I have to confront her now." 

“For what…?” 

"You don’t know what she did in the office today." Raj started only to be interrupted by Maan: "She didn’t do anything, dad."

"Maan, I am speaking; you don’t try to save your wife. Today she did very wrong." Raj was very angry.

"But dad, she... Maan tried to explain.

"Enough Maan… First, call Geet now." Raj was not in the mood to listen to anything.

"She is taking rest in her room; she wasn’t looking good today. Her health is not good.

"What happened to her?" asked Maan instantly.

"I don’t know, Son, but she refused to talk; she just wanted to take rest." Grandma sounds worried for her favourite grandchild.

Geet walked down, hearing voices downstairs. She had just woken up from her sleep. ‘Grandma, what happened?" asked Geet, walking towards her.

‘That you also know what happened today in the office!"

‘Dad…how do you…’ The rest of the word remained in her mouth.

‘Do you think I won’t know anything about what’s happening in my own office?’ he thundered.

Maan stayed by his side in silence; he was helpless and frustrated because of his actions. Geet was now hearing.

Geet shuddered with his voice and the rage that was reflecting through it.

‘Dad, but I didn’t do anything..." "That girlfriend of Maan was there,’ she tried to defend herself, really getting nervous with the way he was looking at her.

‘What about the nuisance you created in my office? Look Geet, I have earned respect in all this year’s hard work. There is some reputation of mine that I give no right to anyone to ruin."

"But I did not do anything; she was the one who was arguing with me. Maan said something. Dad is only blaming me." Geet turned teary, turning towards her husband, who stayed by her side in silence.

"Enough!! I don’t want to hear anything more. If you have made a mistake, then also learn to accept it."

"But I didn’t make any mistakes." Geet tried to say

‘What about the mishap that happened in the office then? The whole office is singing the praises of it."

"Son, enough, you are being rather rude now. And first of all, tell me, what is this all about?" Grandma finally interrupted, seeing him target his anger on her innocent daughter, who she was sure hadn’t done anything.

‘If I'm not being harsh a little, these two will do whatever they want!" he said, pointing to both his son and daughter-in-law. ‘She couldn’t leave her childishness... Every moment behaves childishly, and the matter could have been handled in a more mature way. ‘

Geet was by now crying, hearing her father-in-law blaming her without her fault. "I haven't done anything wrong, but still, I apologised," she said, joining her hands before rushing out.

"Geet, dear." Grandma tried to stop her, but she just rushed away towards the garden.

"See that... Now she is even disrespecting you. Didn’t even listen to you...

"Raj, she is highly upset; what do you think she would do then?" Grandma exasperated.

‘Whatever!!’ He turned to walk out.

‘Maan, you tell me exactly what happened to bring this anger out of your father.’ Grandma turned to her grandson, realising she would get nothing from her anger-blind son.

‘Grandma, it's all because of me; it's not the fault of Geet." and he narrated the whole incident to her.

‘Grandma left a high breath. "Oh God! Now Raj must regret it highly; he blamed a poor soul.’

‘Yes, Grandma, he even didn’t let me explain anything.’ Maan too sighs in helplessness.

‘I understood his point of view also; he is right, but here he blamed the wrong person. It is not the fault of the innocent. Had it been someone else, she would have reacted in the same way. "In fact, as far as we know, Geet, she might have held herself back from doing something irrational."

"Yes, she did hold back Grandma; she was really upset and angry." He remembered her reaction and touched his swollen lips. He thanked God; no one noticed then until now.

"She was looking upset and straight ran to her room after coming back. His mother has also gone to town to see her grandfather; she is not even ready to talk to me. She didn’t even show up for lunch. And I think it's your fault too. "I did warn you so many times to watch out for your lifestyle, but you never listened to me. Now look at the consequences." Grandma shows him the mirror. 

Maan was guilty; he understood his fault and the effects of it on his life.

‘She is then really upset, Grandma.’ He said he was lost in his thoughts because she doesn’t remain hungry for long when he remembers the festival day’s event.

‘You go and check on her; I will see your dad.’ Grandma said before walking away.

....

She felt her eyes spilling tears again, hearing the lyrics being played in the music system. Today, mom is also not there to soothe her pain. She missed her father terribly now because he was used to playing those old songs and liked cherishing the feeling with his wife and daughter.

And now hearing this song just brought back the memories of her father, who was no longer there to wipe his princess’s tears, nor was he there to embrace her in his fatherly hug.

‘Geet….’

She heard him calling from behind but didn’t turn around, still so angry at him for breaking her heart like that. Although she knew he didn’t love her, he lied to her. That reason was enough to hurt her immensely.

She had a dream to win his love, which she knew belonged to her only because he had lied before about loving someone else, but there was not really anyone in his life apart from her, his wife.

Doesn’t love come with the tag "wife"? She questioned herself innocently.

But she was too dumb to trust his small amount of care and affection for her. She thought he at least liked her, and that would be converted into love soon—the real love that connects husband and wife, two lovers, two souls, to each other.

Maan heard her sobs and felt his heart clinch. He approached her slowly, facing her. She was crying looking down, so he cupped her chin in intention to raise her face, but the next moment she jerked off his hand angrily. 

She turned to walk inside, but he halted her by holding her wrist. She tried to wriggle out of his grasp, but he only tightened it.

"Leave me," she cried.

‘Why?" he asked, not ready to leave her.

She turned around to face him. "Because I don’t want to talk to you,’ she snapped, wiping her tears.

‘If I tell you I want to talk to you then...!" He asked softly, admiring her cute, innocent face, although her tears hurt him.

‘Then I am not in the mood to listen to your more lies," she snapped, jerking off his hand. He was taken aback hearing her answer that he let go of her. Taking the chance, Geet rushed away, running inside the mansion.

He stood behind her, complimenting what had just happened. Her words left a sharp slit of pain over his heart. He thought about the whole day's happenings.

He could still remember her glowing face; she was so happy to meet him and looked so beautiful in that new dress they had bought for her. It was chosen by her especially. He could remember that beautiful smile, which was replaced by a frown, then anger, and then pain. After that, there were only tears of anguish in her hazel eyes.

Now what shall I do? He racked his hand through his dense hair out of frustration. She isn’t ready to hear me out. But why the hell do I care? damn it..

Why do I care to explain to anyone what I didn’t do before and why I am so desperate for her to hear me out? Why does it hurt here, he poked his chest, pointing to his own heart, when she thinks wrong about me?

He simply couldn’t find any answers, so he just stormed inside, feeling frustrated, restless, and whatnot. This girl is only capable of bringing so many emotions together inside him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 22

 

Grandma was trying to make her son understand...

"Nothing will happen if you explain to me, mom; those two kids in our house need to understand. They are grownups but still act like children."

"But don’t you think, in all this drama, there is no fault of Geet, but all faults is of your son?"

‘You're saying it like he's nobody to you, but only my son.’ Rajveer taunted.

‘Raj, I would have warned you before also, but you both didn’t listen to me. I told you to give him responsibility for OC earlier only. There was no responsibility on his shoulder, and he just drifted along with his friends.’

"Today also, what fruitful comes out of this mother, after giving him an opportunity to work in KC?" raj sighed.

Grandma shook her head in agreement; she was upset with the fiasco that took place, because of which her granddaughter-in-law is in tears. Her house became dull again.

Maan, too, needs to understand some things. Agreed, he had mended his ways of living, but he still needs to know the consequences of his misdoings.

Grandma frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Mother, I have not scolded Geet just like that today; she too needs to understand the gravity of the situation. And Maan too needs to understand that everything will not happen just as he wishes, or everything won’t be easy for him. He would keep doing the wrong things and would remain unaffected. This cannot be happening." Raj explained.

"You said right, son." She put her hand on his shoulder. But Geet is still a child and innocent too. No one will tolerate seeing something like that."

"I agreed, mother, but she doesn’t show any maturity, always being childish."

"She will understand as she grows up." Grandma tried to make him understand, somehow agreeing with her son’s point of view.

 

…..

 

At the dinner table, the atmosphere was so dull and silent. Although Grandma tried calling her, Geet refused to have dinner, being upset with her father-in-law and husband. Grandma too didn’t want to upset her more, so she didn’t pester her much.

But Maan got angry hearing her refusal; he marched to his room, and his whole anger melted seeing her crying on the cushion lying on the bed.

‘Geet," he called her, softly touching her shoulder.

She jerked his hand away. "Go away,’ she sobbed.

"I will go; I just came to call you for dinner."

"I am not hungry," she sobbed.

"How can it be, you didn’t have your lunch either, I know?" Maan said it tenderly.

Geet became stiff for a moment hearing him, but her heart ached so badly she couldn’t accept his apology.

"But I didn’t want to have dinner." She refused, turning fully away from showing him back.

"You only said that we should not get angry over food.”It will curse us." Maan tried his last card, using her same words from the festivals’ night. Geet was still for a moment, but again she refused, only to infuriate him further.

"If you don’t want to eat, then don't. But at least care for Grandmother, who is waiting for you; she is sitting hungry." He muttered angrily, getting up. Still finding no moment from her side, he snapped in anger, "I have never seen a selfish girl like you... And he walked away in anger. 

Geet broke into more tears. "What does he think he is? He himself is no great..." she mumbled to herself with pouting lips. "Taunted me instead of explaining..." she fumed, getting up to wash her face.

All three Khuranas were having dinner when Geet walked downstairs. She greeted only Grandma, ignoring the father-son duo, which were unaffected.

Maan decided that he had tried to convince her enough. Now seeing her downstairs also boosts his ego. She is having dinner now, so his guilt is lessening now.

After dinner, everyone departed for their own rooms.

Before going, Grandma called Geet,

"Dear, don’t worry about anything; just sleep peacefully, okay?" She caressed her cheek warmly; Geet just hugged her, missing that soothing touch for a long time.

"I scolded your dad too; now no one will say anything to my daughter." She tried to make her understand, knowing her childish heart.

 ‘Grandma, I didn't do anything wrong." She sobbed against her chest. "Do you also feel like that?"

"Geet… "First of all, stop crying." She pulled apart, wiping her face. "I don’t think you did something wrong... Everyone has their own point of view, dear; if you start thinking much about these useless things, then you won’t be able to live."

"But dad, he misunderstood me," she pouted, wiping her nose.

He is upset on Maan; he took his frustration out on you. Don’t worry; he will forget it just tonight. "You also forget everything and go to sleep," she said affectionately.

"How grandma, it's not that easy... I never thought Maan would do something like that; I didn't know anything, grandma, and yes, you also didn’t tell me." She pouted sadly, her eyes filling up again.

"I am sorry about that, dear; I am so ashamed, but believe me, I just didn't want to hurt you; I wanted only your happiness, and you would not have been able to bear to know this. Also, also I knew you were very innocent; I didn’t know how to tell you and make you understand all this."

"Really, Grandma, I didn’t know all these things; it was my friends who shared this new information with me in college. I thought everyone was talking like that, but I never knew that was the reality of my husband. All girls were talking in college." And she cried again.

"Relax, Geet, there is no use thinking about what has passed... and you also noticed that he is changing. I think your love for him is changing him." She tried to calm her down.

"Nothing is like that, grandma; I understand your point of view also, but I cannot forget what I have seen with my own eyes or the things that I have heard."

"But you can’t walk peacefully to your future if you keep holding your past dear. You can cherish the memories but have to let go of the painful past, which will haunt you."

"I understand Grandma; I understand everything... "But I need time. Please, I need time to digest everything and forget this." She couldn’t tell her that her grandson never loved her; she couldn’t tell her how he had misbehaved with her in the early days of their marriage. Now, with his betrayal, everything came rushing back again, slitting her heart more painfully.

Maybe I overreacted; it is not his fault if he doesn’t love me back. Love does not happen like this. It just happens. I didn’t even know when he came and made a place in my heart. She smiled painfully.

Still, he should have lied to her, and he should have blamed her for what she didn’t do and for doing the same thing before her eyes. Her eyes filled up again.

Yes, I am not going to talk to him. He is so bad. She hiccups again on her cushion, trying to sleep.

Maan watched her back and felt utterly frustrated now: "You don’t want to listen to me, and you won’t stop crying."

Geet has had enough. "Now you have a problem with me crying too," she snapped, turning over her shoulder.

He sighed, "Now when did I say this?" he frowned, 

"Just now..." she pouted.

"Yeah, I have problem, my head is aching hearing your cries…" he snapped.

 "Look… "You are so bad, I don’t want to talk to you," she snapped, sobbing again.

"Then don’t..." he shouted in fury, "but for god’s sake, stop crying... If you want to cry, then go somewhere else and cry your heart out; don’t cry before my eyes." He snapped, totally frustrated by her childish behaviour. 

Geet was taken aback; she was so hurt now. She just got up and rushed to the bathroom.

He took a deep breath, hiding his face in his palms. He couldn’t think rationally, seeing her upset and crying buckets.

He just lay back on the bed, turning towards the washroom. His eyes became droopy, and he didn’t know when he slept.

After half an hour, Geet walked out feeling somehow better. But seeing his face again, she could remember his betrayal. No, there is no fault of his. Stop blaming him, Geet; just stay away from him. Then you will not remember the pain he unknowingly gave you.

She took her pillow and blanket and again made her bed on the floor, smiling painfully at her fate, which again brought her to the floor.

It was midnight, and Maan’s sleep was broken. He looked at his side, which was empty, and got up, not being able to sleep back. He noticed her sleeping on the floor, and his fist tightened in fury.

‘Stubborn girl," he muttered, getting down taking her back to the bed.

The next moment, she willingly came into his arms, feeling cold. He engulfed her dearly in his arms, covering both of them with the same blanket.

Next morning, Both woke up at the same time. Geet was shocked first; how did she come on the bed and into his arms? His hands were, like always, inside her shirt; her shirt was torn apart...leaving her half-bare to his nude eyes.

His fingers teasing her nipples unconsciously, she moaned, ‘Maan...

‘Yes, darling," he mumbled, lost in her morning beauty. His gaze roamed all over her half-bare body before staying on her shivering lips.

He was about to give her a kiss, but soon he was pulled back to reality by a sudden pain in his cheek. He held his cheek, where his devil wife had just given him a slap.

‘Geet," he muttered furiously, and she tried pushing him away. He instantly grabbed her by both arms. "What the hell is this?" he muttered under his clinched teeth.

"You are the one doing insolence with me." She lowered her lashes, trying to wriggle under him.

He instantly let her go, hearing her painfully low voice. She covered herself before rushing straight to the bathroom.

He cursed loudly, slamming his palm against the bed. What the hell is he doing? When she is upset, he gets close to her, but it is not entirely his fault either. How could he resist her when she willingly came into his arms half-naked? The next moment, she pushes him away.

‘Arghh…’ Frustrated with his own thoughts, he decided to hit the gym.

Geet couldn’t help but shed a few more tears of helplessness and frustration while sitting in the shower.

All he is doing is getting physically close to me. She sobbed. Now she understood: he was just getting attracted to her. There is no emotion called love or care involved from his side. When he wants to come close to her, he comes close while on the other hand, he pushes her away ruthlessly with his rude words.

Enough is enough! I am not going to tolerate his weird behaviour anymore. She determinedly stepped outside to take a shower.

Clad in a tinny towel, she walked out to the cupboard, and seeing him nowhere in sight made her relieved.

She quickly pulled out some clothes to wear and rushed to the dressing room, which was just a small partition in the room. Maan walked slowly inside and watched his wife furiously change behind that partition, which has a few little holes for design.

He had stood at the door, and with halted breath, he had seen her walking in that towel. His fist tightened to his side, and his jaw clinched as he controlled the urge to barge inside. He had faced enough humiliation after receiving the slap from his own wife.

Someone might find it hard to believe that the great MSK has received the slap for the first time in his life. Someone dared to hit him across the face, and he knew that couldn’t be done by anyone other than his devilishly innocent wife.

He sighed at her beautiful sight, clad in a floral one-piece. She was taking his breath away with her gorgeous look. He had always thought of her as some village girl before he heard her cry in the arms of his grandmother.

Now, reminding himself again, he realises how wrong he was about her. He just assumed everything by himself and never tried to know her or anything about her.

 ‘Geet," he called her as soon as she walked out, ready to confront her, for he couldn’t let go of the thing she did in the morning. It has bruised his ego badly.

But as she looked up with her teary...swollen eyes...that one look was enough for Maan to know that he doesn’t have a chance to utter a word more.

His anger melted seeing her mechanically walk towards the dressing table. She threw the towel on the bed after wiping off her wet curls. She looked sexy and innocent at the same time. How could that be possible? He had never encountered such a combination of women before.

He tried to shake his sexy thoughts aside and concentrate on the problem ahead.

He walked up to her as she wore her wedding chain, which she has the habit of removing at the time of shower, as she was struggling to hook it with her shivering fingers. His hearing gaze as well was not helping further.

He silently grabbed the hooks in his hands, making her drop her hands down. She looked into the mirror at his face, which had come closer to hers. He rubbed his cheek against her soft one seductively before hooking her chain.

She moved away to take the vermillion box, which was again snatched by him. He slowly turned her around, putting one pinch of vermillion in her partition.

‘You look beautiful!" He murmured, cupping her face, admiring her silently. She looks ravishing as his bride, with his possessions adoring her.

Geet raised her eyes to look at his face, and he noticed only tears in them.

‘Geet….I …’

 ‘If you want to explain to me again about yesterday then please spare me. I am already so hurt," she mumbled before turning away. Maan grabbed her back furiously; his patience was wearing thin seeing her attitude. ‘What is your problem? I am being nice to you, but you are not ready to hear me.’ He whispered angrily; his voice was husky, sending shudders down her spine.

Geet moaned in pain at the way he had plastered her soft body to the mirror behind her.

"What else is left to hear?" she blasted, her patience also breaking. She struggled hard, but he didn’t let her go, pushing his body closer to her.

"And don’t be nice to me, because I don’t want to hear anything from your dirty mouth." She was disgusted, reminding me again about yesterday's incident.

"I said, that was my past; why don’t you understand? Let’s just forget it."

‘Forget it!?" She gave him an accusing look.

You have accused me of something that I didn’t even do, but I have seen you with my own eyes. Then how did you decide that I forgot it?" She muttered painfully.

Maan left her instantly after hearing her; she was right... He hated to admit it, but she was damn right.

‘You must have forgotten, but I couldn’t, because I so love you. Do you even know how it feels to see your love in others arms?" She jerked his shoulder angrily. ‘You know how much it hurts; it’s like death is better than his heartbreak.’ She cried.

He was speechless. He never realised she was going through this much until today’s outburst.

"You don’t know, because you never loved me... "You never have those feelings." She cried, rushing away from the place, not able to hold her. Behind her, she heard the breaking sound of something but didn’t turn back.

Maan angrily smashed the mirror, bruising his hand badly. But that pain was nothing compared to the unknown hurt he felt inside.

Chapter 23

 

It’s been a few days. Maan had tried all ways to convince his wife, but somewhere he was getting frustrated with her for sticking to the same thing again. She was one stubborn woman. And that’s what he feared before; as she had thought about her reaction, she was behaving like same possessive wife.

He hated to admit it, but he felt somewhere good for having her whole attention and love on him.

But these days, she is ignoring him. Even though she didn’t talk much, neither to him nor with anyone else, she was always silent, putting her mansion to silent as well.

A few days ago, he tried to ignore her too, but now he was craving to hear her voice, her soft giggles, and her calling out his name from her sweet mouth. That's all gone now. He even couldn’t believe how desperate he was getting to hear someone’s blabber—to get her one loving gaze, shy smile, or cute anger. That seems to be forbidden now.

The whole day, he would be busy in the office, trying to concentrate on the work. Somehow, he would be successful.

But drowning more in the work to stay at peace started affecting his health. He was mentally and physically exhausted. Also, he wanted to finish this first project given to him by his dad to prove him.

He began neglecting his own health by skipping dinner or having it late. Mentally, her angry and upset behaviour began torturing him.

He was unaware of those new emotions surging through him—those unknown feelings to which he couldn’t give a name. He was clueless about what was happening to him, and that added to his misery.

Maan was sulking with his own heartache when the song playing on the system just bruised his heart further.

‘Change the channel.’ He asked the driver and closed his eyes to have some rest until he reached home.

Home…!? That was not anymore, from the last few days, as the mansion is only deepening in silence.

He sighed painfully; he wasn’t feeling well today, and he felt his body burning in temptation. He could careless; all that matters at the moment is to hear her sweet voice.

And as if on cue, he heard her voice chumming in his ear.

Maan…. I love you. I love you, Maan.

He looked at his cell phone, which was ringing, showing the incoming call from home. It was the soothing balm that somehow calmed his heart. The first time his cell buzzed, he was irritated and looked up, thinking, Geet is standing there beside him.

But the next moment, realising it was his ringtone and not hers, further fuelled his anger.

"Tell me, what is this new drama of yours?’ He had busted in on her as soon as he stepped into the room that evening. She had sweetly giggled before saying, "It's not drama, it's reality, how much I love you, hubby.’ She had pinched his cheeks.

Frustrated, he had jerked her hands off and said, "If you love me, then keep that with you; don’t try to do this drama with me again. You know how embarrassing I felt between all those people when my cell buzzed in between the meetings.’

He remembers all those teasing gazes on him, including his father, who silently gave him a glare to silence the phone. Yes, he forgot to put it on silent; that was his fault. "Why are you so angry? I am your wife; at least give that liberty to me," she had pouted.

"Enough! how much you talk and talk only nonsense, I am tired of hearing your nonsense blabbering…"For the while, keep your mouth shut and let me have a breath of peace, will you?" He blasted.

"Never! Now I will speak more and that too with my loud voice... What did you say, nonsense? "My talks are nonsense then now get ready to listen to more nonsense, got it!?" She had pointed her forefinger at him with cute anger in her nose while he stood hell-bent, giving her furious glares.

He didn’t answer the call, but he let it ring for some more time, hearing her sweet voice.

He sighed heavily, feeling exhausted. He took the call as it rang again. On the other side was his worried grandma; how he had wished it would be his wife.

'I'll be there in a few minutes, Grandma.' He replied before disconnecting the call. His mind was only recollecting the sweet and sour memories of his wife. How he had tried to convince her in every possible way. Even he had called up his crazy friends, asking indirectly for ways to convince his wife.

‘Make her jealous, Maan; that is as simple as it is... You know no girl could tolerate seeing your husband with another woman.’

Jealousy—that was the root cause of everything that followed. He dismissed the conversation as soon as it started getting that crazy idea from him.

After a while, his car entered the huge gates of Khurana Mansion. He stepped into the living room to see both women in his house watching television.

He looked at her at the same time he found her staring at him. Their gazes met for a few seconds before she turned her eyes away from the screen.

He sighed, getting the same ignorance from her again. He only greeted his grandma and told her about his father being a little late today before rushing upstairs to his room.

Her gaze followed him behind her until he was out of her sight. He looked not well, she thought with a sad mind. "What would have happened?" she wonders.

Since the last few days, he has been chasing her, and today, after her little ignorance, he too was rushing away from her.

Geet wasn’t angry at him anymore but was just a little upset. She was upset with herself for giving herself false hopes when, at the end of the day, it was going to crash.

She shouldn’t expect anything from him. not his love at least; that was what she had thought in those few days and was trying to keep herself away from him. That’s better for him as well as her.

She shouldn’t be dreaming further to let those dreams break later on and hurt herself. He too had his own life in which he didn’t want her. She concluded.

"What happened to Maan? He doesn’t look well." Grandma’s worried voice pulled her back to reality.

‘I will check on him, Grandma." She got up, not wanting to worry her further.

…..

She walked in to find the room empty and heard the sound of a running shower from the washroom.

She went to the cupboard and pulled out his clothes, placing them neatly. She took the intercom to call John to bring his black coffee.

Maan walked after a while to find his wife sitting on the bed, lost in some thoughts. He was surprised to find her in the room, as for the last few days, all she could do was avoid him.

She looked up, hearing the sound of his steps, and their gaze locked up again. She got up, and he moved further; both were desperate to share at least a hug.

As his arms moved up to take her in a hug, there was a knock on the door, followed by John's voice.

Maan moved away. His frustration was clearly visible on his face. He was about to move towards the cupboard when he found his clothes lying on the bed.

He surprised looked at her, and she took the tray from John before walking inside.

He hurriedly got dressed as she handed him his cup of coffee.

He watched her intently as she moved around, setting up his things, before exiting the room silently.

She wanted to talk to him, but seeing him silent discouraged her, so she walked out. He wanted to stop her, but seeing her silent, he couldn’t muster the courage to let her go.

He refused to have dinner as well, feeling low. His hands touched the wine bottle, but he put it back again, knowing how much she hates the smell. He chuckled silently, having few memories of her cute anger when he got home drunk.

Geet frowned upon hearing from John that he denied having dinner. Why he is doing so, she knew from last few days, he isn’t having meal properly; maybe even at office he is skipping it. Once, she had heard it from her father-in-law. She became worried now, as she somehow finished her dinner hurriedly to look after him.

Grandma asked her to take a glass of milk for her grandson. He shouldn’t be sleeping on an empty stomach.

When Geet stepped into the room, she saw the lights on in the study room. She sighed, walking inside. "Here, take this milk, then do your work," she ordered, like always, making his lips curve into a small smile.

Finally, his wife is back. He thought of taking the glass from her hand. Their hands touched for a few seconds before he took the glass from her hand. Although he hates milk like anything, not to make her more upset, he took the glass.

 

Thanks!! He whispered huskily as he put the glass to one side and tried to concentrate on the screen of the laptop. His eyes are burning from fever and tiredness, but he refuses to go to sleep.

He couldn’t go to sleep without her, and today he felt heavy at heart, highly upset mentally, and tired physically.

 

Geet was startled, feeling the heat in his hands. Though it was just a few seconds, she felt it. She wasn’t that knowledgeable about these things, so she let it go at that moment and turned back.

 

The whole night passed with restlessness and sleeplessness for both. He didn’t walk into the room. She kept staring at the entrance. She was somewhere, fearing for his health but only having doubts.

 

She couldn’t sleep alone on the bed; she had a habit of cuddling in his arms...kept turning the whole night and cursing herself silently for the silly fight.

 

She could at least talk to him and behave as if nothing happened; at least both could be friends if nothing much happened.

 

Yes, he would accept her as his friend, at least; he won’t deny her that. She smiled after days of self-torture at the decision she took. She felt relieved with that thought and slept off in the early hours of the morning.

Her alarm buzzed, which she broke off by throwing to the floor, and she went to sleep again.

 

It was the loud patting on the door that broke her sleep. She lazily got up, rubbing her eyes, and opened the door to worry Grandma.

"Yes, grandma, what happened? Why are you so upset?" She muffled her yawn.

 

"You are waking up now? You don't have college, dear? And I think Maan hasn't even woken up yet? Raj was calling for him. He went to the office, not before asking for Maan at the office as early as possible."

 

"What!!" Her eyes widened in shock. "How did I get late?"

 

"Think of all this later, dear; first get ready fast, and wake up Maan too."

 

"Yes, Grandma, thanks for waking us."

 

"It's okay, dear... Now get ready fast... I am waiting for you at the breakfast table." saying so, Grandma walked away, leaving Geet wondering how she got so late waking up today.

 

"Leave it Geet! "You need to rush now." She closed the door and turned around to run into the washroom when her eyes caught Maan's sleeping form. Not much thinking she will rush to the washroom first to have a quick bath.

 

Maan got up with a sound. He checked his alarm, which was dead after continuously ringing a few hours ago. How come I slept this much today?" he wondered, holding his head as it felt heavy, his eyes burning and unable to open properly.

 

He somehow got up; till then, Geet had walked out of the washroom as usual, wrapped in her tiny towel. He stood for a while mesmerised by his wife’s morning wet look, but as soon as she walked away, he was pulled out of his trance and walked into the washroom. He decided to skip his exercise today, having been late already and not feeling very well.

Maan somehow got ready for the office; his steps felt heavy as he moved away from her. He looked at her; she was as well getting ready for college as she collected her stuff, tripping and stumbling upon things she herself scattered in the room.

 

Maan shook his head. In other circumstances, he would have scolded her badly, but today wasn’t any other day.

 

His wife was already upset with him because he didn’t feel well enough to indulge in another argument with his devilish wife.

 

‘Geet!" he shouted, seeing her tripling over her scarf, and she was just going to hit the floor if not for him catching her in a moment.

 

She gasped at first, scared for the fall, but when she felt safe in his arms, she looked at him.

 

His eyes watched her with such care and intensity that it made her cheeks burn, and she looked away shyly.

"Are you okay? Watch and walk, and why this hurry? "Why are you rushing so much...?" He blabbered nonstop in worry and anger, making her stand before him with his hands on her shoulder.

 

"Why not? I got up late today, and that too because of you." She pointed her finger at him in cute anger.

 

"Because of me...? "In fact, I got late too because of you!" he snapped.

"me…? "What did I do...?" She widens her eyes.

 

"You did nothing, leave it." He jerked her away and turned to walk away.

 

"You..." suddenly she stopped realising something; he felt so hot... She tried to think and looked at the way he was collecting his things. His movements were slow, and he looked tired. His eyes were red and worn out.

 

‘Maan," she called out before he could step out of the room. He stopped in his tracks with a thudding heart. He felt joy hearing her sweet voice calling out to him.

 

She grabbed his wrist, turning him towards her. "You... you... have a fever!" It was more than a question because she wasn’t sure if she was right.

 

She frantically checked his forehead, neck, and cheeks; everything felt burning like lava.

 

‘My God!! Maan, you really have a fever.’ She grabbed his hand, angrily holding his biceps, and pushed him inside the room again.

 

‘Let's go to bed. Where do you think you are going in this condition?’ She was damn worried, and that could be seen from her meek voice.

 

"Geet… I'm all right. He tried to get up, but she pushed him down onto the bed. " You are not going anywhere, and you are not fine. She pulled out his shoes and socks against his futile resistance.

 

‘You are really sick," she mumbled with a face that showed a crying expression.

 

She sat on her knees beside him, watching him intently. He really looked worn out, his eyes almost watery.

 

"From when you are not feeling well, tell me," she asked desperately, holding his cheek. She was so ashamed for ignoring him these days, especially yesterday when she could have checked on him as she had felt his hand burning at night.

 

But lost in her own confusion and sadness, she ignored his health. Maan was at a loss for words, seeing her concern for him. His heart rejoiced at the feel of her near him after like ages; her soothing touch to his cheeks felt like heaven.

 

How much he missed it... He thought, holding her hand, which lay on his cheek. "Geet," he called out lovingly.

 

"What Geet… Couldn't you tell me you weren’t well? And you are thinking of going to the office just like this." She pouted and scolded him.

 

Just then his cell buzzed, and he was about to answer the call when she snatched it from him, cutting it.

 

‘Geet, what did you do? It was Dad. He got up in a jerk.

 

She was scared for a moment but then composed herself: "You don’t worry; you need to take a rest. I will tell dad."

 

"No, Geet, I can’t take a rest now. I have to finish this project as soon as possible." He said he was getting up.

 

"That you will do; I know you are a genius. First, you need to recover fast." She said she was pushing back again. "Now lay down; I need to tell Grandma, and then call the doctor for you."

 

"Geet..." he tried calling her...

 

"No more words. You have my oath. Lay down quietly now." She put her finger on his lips, making him shut instantly.

 

He looked at her rushing away from the room and couldn’t stop wondering—wasn't she angry with him some hours before? She wasn’t even talking to him, and now...

Once the doctor exited the mansion and Rajveer was told by Grandma about Maan, she turned to Geet.

"Geet dear, are you not going to college today?" Grandma asked.

"Grandma, how would I… i will stay with Maan," she said sitting beside his sleeping form. 

After a lot of persistence from both ladies and their emotional blackmailing, Maan decides to agree to their command.

And now he was sleeping peacefully with the effects of medicines. Geet had forgotten everything and decided to stay beside him in case he needed something. Already, she felt guilty for her careless behaviour and silly anger towards him. "Dear, if he needs anything, we are here… servants are also there."

"Still, grandma, you also need to take care of yourself at this age, and then I too will not feel like going to college; I will keep worrying for him. So better let me stay here beside him." She explained her worry.

"Okay then, I can’t win over your stubbornness, god bless my children." she peck her head, giving one glance to Maan walked out. She was really happy for having Geet in their Life.  Having her in her Maan’s life. She not needs to worry now for Maan, because she knew today she has found the perfect better half for him.

Geet might be childish and innocent but at times she never fails to show her maturity. 

Geet changed into casuals and went back to bed. She checked his head and felt her heart welling up in pain seeing him like this.

She remembers the doctor's words and feels guilty again: 'He didn’t have anything from the last 24 hours that added to his illness.’

"Why did you torture yourself?" Why did it affect you if I was upset with you? "What does it matter to you and why?" I am nothing to you, then? She felt her eyes moisten.

"Whatever it is, I won’t let you suffer anymore because of my own feelings." She mumbled, pecking his head.

….

Whole day, Geet stayed at his side, taking care of his needs. In the afternoon he had woken up to the lovely sight of his wife dozing at his sight.  

His soft touch on her cheeks had woken her up with startle.

‘Maan, do you need anything?’ She asked restlessly, holding his hand.

‘You didn't go to college …?’ he asked, pressing her hand. ‘Leave that… first you get up and freshen up, you didn’t have anything for the last 24 hours, doctor has told us.’ He stole his gaze. ‘Don’t steal your eyes, you didn’t drink milk last night.’ She looked at his face.

He sighed, "I didn't, I didn't feel like or I still don't want anything..."

"Don’t talk like this, Come on get up, I will bring something for you, you must be hungry." Geet persisted.

‘I am not!’ He snapped.

‘I am not listening to anything…’ she said, ignoring him completely as she walked out of the room. Then before he even got up from the bed she was rushing back, ‘how are you feeling now, i forgot to ask you…’ she made a face making him chuckle.

She simply pouted and helped him to walk to the washroom. ‘I am fine, I am not the kid that is holding me,’ he tried to take off his hand but she was more stubborn.

"I know but you are weak."

‘I am not…’ he snapped jerking off her hand. He simply walked in slamming the door on her face.

‘What the….’ she fumed walking away straight downstairs to the kitchen.

What does he think of himself, so arrogant … he is sick… still showing me attitude… She was irritated and snapped at the cooks who were making soup for Maan.

She just observes the recipe and how they are cooking so next time she will try it herself. Once done she took the tray walking back to their room.

She put the tray down on the table seeing him resting at the head post, sitting in a half lying position. ‘You are not well at all...’ she pouted, looking at your face, he didn’t wipe it even but had his eyes closed.

She slowly took the napkin and wiped his face tenderly then his arms and hands. It is still burning, giving pain to her heart. ‘I have brought soup for you, have it, you will feel better.’ She said taking the tray in her hand, she settled in front of him.

He kept admiring her, then when she put the bowl before him, he instantly rejected, ‘I am not feeling like having anything… Take it away.’ And he turned his face away.

She looked up sadly at his face, then thought for a while and took the spoon full of soup before dragging that to his mouth.

He looked at her, she pleaded silently, making a face. He nodded and turned his face away.

 ‘Please Maan…’

‘No….’

‘Please…’ She held his face with one hand and tried to feed him, but he automatically opened his mouth to her force, not before giving her a dreadful glare.

"You can’t change, you are sick yet you are showing your big eyes...."

"You either can’t change or I am not feeling well, but I can’t leave your stubbornness," he snapped.

She tried to calm herself by thinking about his health. "Okay, I am sorry." She whispered softly before offering him another spoon; he willingly obliged this time: "Have you had lunch?"

"No, I will have it with Grandma." Geet replied.

"Then you must go; I will have it myself." He tried to object, but she stopped him.

"No. First you have to finish it before my eyes, then only I will go." She ordered feeding him, and he finished it in no time, not even realising , all the while lost in his beautiful wife.

Geet then gave him medicines before storming out of the room, she stopped at the door, ‘take rest, no work at home, if i see you holding phone , laptop or your files then no one will be worse than me,

understand…?" she warned dangerously he had to just nod his head gulping his saliva.

He laid back on the bed thinking about her, how easily she forgave him. Yes, she didn’t say that but her gestures told him her story. When words were required in their relationship to know their feelings. They used words to fight with each other; he chuckled with the thought of their arguments. She never stops bickering; he either never stops, lost in her. 

He realised he is just getting into the relationship with his wife. He didn’t know when this happened or how far he came nor did he know where this marriage would take both of them.

But for now, he didn’t want to think about anything but her, his devil angel. He chuckled with the thought.

Yes she is the devil, innocent one and angel, beautiful one…

….. 

It was night; Geet sat beside Maan with a book in her hands. She had been dozing now and then just sitting ideally looking at his face. That's why she came up with this solution.

His fever has not been coming down, worrying her further. Although she knew it will take time… but she couldn’t sleep in worry of him, what if he needs something in middle of night.

And as predicted by her, she heard him moaning in sleep as he turned restlessly on the bed.

She instantly threw the book aside in the stand before bending to him.

‘Maan…’ she called him softly caressing his forehead.

‘Umm…’ he slowly opened his eyes before closing them again, not able to bear the intensity of the burning sensation he felt. His eyes are getting watery again.

He pressed her hand to his head, making her aware about his headache.

"Having a headache…?" she asked softly, pressing his head only to get soft moans from his mouth. She felt miserable seeing him like this. She could just die to see him fit and fine again, scolding and shouting at her.

He kept guiding her for a few seconds and responded to her touches in his semi conscious state.

After a while he slept in peaceful slumber. She heard him snoring silently and smiling. Giving a soft kiss to his forehead she too decided to slip beside him.

It was somewhere around midnight when her sleep was disturbed by Maan stirring. She woke up feeling him moving in her sleep.

She was so damn sleepy that she laid down again before she opened her eyes in a jerk.

‘Maan…’ She looked at her side to see him cuddling himself. He was literally shivering.

‘Are you okay, Maan?’ She held his arm; he felt so cold. What happened to him suddenly? The fever has subsided. She was totally confused by the sudden change in him.

But before she could think further, he had grabbed her close, almost crushing her body against him, making her startle. He hovered over her, snuggling into her neck, his big arms wrapping around her petite figure like a shield. She felt his lips moving on her neck; he was feeling so cold.

 ‘Maan...' she moaned in confusion and pain to see him like this. ‘What happened to you...?’ She cried and held him close, not knowing what she would do. ‘Are you okay?’ She cupped his face, trying to wake him up. He just opened his eyes half open and closed them again, being in a subconscious state.

She felt his hands moving in her shirt, seeking her warmth. In a few minutes, she didn’t realise when her clothes were falling apart and she was hugging him tight, rubbing her body, and giving him her body warmth. It came to her automatically as per her instincts, not knowing what she was doing. But she felt it right; she would do anything to make him feel better and take him back to life.

Her hands slowly removed his clothes, covering both of them with the blanket. He snuggles in her warmth, his face buried in her neck; she breathes heavily in such close proximity to her love—her husband. 

Her hands roaming freely on his back, getting drowned in a moment... So was his... His arms wrapped around her back, roaming freely, and he snapped open her bra hooks. cupping her breast, she moaned loudly, throwing tiny material away from between them.

Their bodies glue to each other now, sending burning sensations down their spines.

His mouth moved down, kissing her. Making his way down to her throat, he nibbled her skin before moving down to her chest.

She sighed and moaned, holding him as close as possible. Her fingers played with his dense hair just as his lips began playing with her hard nipples. He sucks and bites them, making her writhe under him.

‘Oh Maan…’ She looked at him with droopy eyes. He was kissing her in a subconscious state. She blushed, realised their condition, and hissed, feeling his mouth still on her breast now.

His fingers moved down to her belly button, playing with it. After a while, it began roaming down on her lingerie. She shuddered, suddenly feeling panic and an unknown emotion. His hands moving inside her lingerie, he began stroking her core... It was dripping wet. She couldn’t think further than this painful pleasure he was giving her.

 ‘Oh Maan…please…’ She was pleading with him, not knowing what to do—leave her or move further.

He was stroking her, then adjusted upon her, pinning her hands to the bed he thrust into her. Geet felt a pleasurable shock in her whole body. He was moving on her in his unconscious state, still with her lingerie on.

But it was also too much for novice her. She felt her eyes watery while she craved for more, still unknown about the last barrier that lay between them.

She pulled his face up to her level, placing a soft kiss on his dried lips. He turned that into a passionate one, still stroking her down.

After being satisfied, he moved apart but again lay upon her, making out with her in their last tiny clothes. Both became sweaty, but he didn’t stop fondling her body and breast, nipping her soft skin, making it bluish.

She was moaning in sleep, feeling unsatisfied pleasure within. Her whole body was on fire.

Finally, in the wee hours, both fell into sleep, cuddling into each other.

….

It was late in the morning when he woke up, feeling refreshed like never before. He tried stretching his body but felt something soft snuggling into him. He was taken aback as his eyes moved down on the beautiful figure of his wife. He was shocked out of his skin.

‘What the hell...!’! He cursed loudly, seeing her stirring in sleep; her hard nipples crushing to his chest, making his member stand in reflex. It pokes her, disturbing her sleep.

How come she is bearing that on him? He wondered and saw her waking up. She lazily opened her eyes and tried to adjust to the sudden light.

But when she did, she instantly cupped his face and asked, "How are you feeling now? You scared me yesterday. Someone does that. It’s all because of your negligence towards your own health." She was blabbering without a break, not realising her condition or his.

He groaned at her movement on him. She was making him hard, but he also couldn’t refuse to acknowledge her care for him.

 ‘Geet...Geet..." he shook her, stopping her, "I'm fine... What happened to me?"

"Yeah, nothing happened to you; yesterday night, it was me who was shivering badly." She pouted, turning her face away. ‘You know that I literally felt my breath stop, seeing you in agony, she said with a choked voice.

He realised the state of her mind and cupped her face, saying, I am fine now; you have to endure a lot because of me... I am so...

Before he could utter those words, she put her fingers on his lips and said, "Don’t say anything. I am not angry at you; in fact, I am sorry for my nonsense behaviour."

This time he put his hand on her mouth, making her shut. Don’t say that. And then both broke into giggles. Geet tried to move away but felt suddenly naked; that’s when she realised her folly. She isn’t covered and is talking about him lying upon him.

Her cheeks flushed; she was so embarrassed that she tried to pull the covers back to hide herself. Maan watched her intently, watching her innocent struggle to cover herself. He suddenly smirked as his mind turned mischievous. He tugged at the other corner, giving her a smirk, and she pouted, "Let go."

"Where have I held you, wifey?"

"Not me; let go of it!" she tried to snatch it when her gaze caught him eyeing her intently. Her movements frozen, she gulped hard, seeing him lost in her, his eyes turning dark in passion. ‘Please... she said, turning whole red; her eyelashes became heavy with shyness.

Maan couldn’t stop adoring her, the way she reacts to his smallest touch or just one gaze. He had never seen any woman before this shy. They would be shamelessly hovering around him with just a bikini on. But here, his sweet devil wife was even shy to meet his gaze. He left her and covered her with the sheet, making her smile.

He pecked her head lovingly and said, "You rest; I must have kept you awake all night...?" His question made her blush. She turned her face away, falling on the bed. She buried her face in the pillow.  Maan broke into laughter, ruffling her hair. "Crazy girl," He said before rushing to the washroom. Because he knew if he stopped for one more moment there, he might not leave her.

Chapter 24

 

Geet walked out dressed in a floral one-piece, only to notice him sitting with the files and laptop. She fumed, marching to him and asking, "What are you doing? You are not yet fully recovered."

He sighed, giving her one look; he was again engrossed in his files.

She made an O shape of her mouth in anger, saying, "I am asking you something!" She poked his shoulder; he was irritated. "If you can’t see with your own eyes, then let me tell you, these are new project files that dad handed me on this laptop... and the bottom line is that I am working off course."

"That's what I'm saying; keep that aside; you don’t need to be stressed; just rest for a day." She tried to pull that aside.

‘Geet... he glared at her, shutting down her attempts. She pouted; she couldn’t even complain to Grandma, for she wasn’t here; she had gone out to see one of her close friends.

She left him and stormed towards the dressing table, getting ready angrily and giving him nonstop glares. Maan watched her with stealing gazes and chuckled inwardly, but it died soon seeing her marching to him again.

"Look, if you don't listen to me, then... I will get angry again." She pointed a finger at him; he was unaffected, so she added with a pout.

 ‘I will stop talking to you, she replied with a pout, and the next second she found his mouth covering her. He kissed her with madness, nibbling her lips, sucking them furiously. She gasped at his sudden move, and taking the opportunity, he inserted his tongue in her mouth, devouring her sweetness furiously.

Geet tried to struggle at first, but he didn’t let her go; instead, he pulled her closer if that was possible. She finally gives up, snaking her arms around his neck. Both continued to kiss after short breaks, smooching each other madly.

"If you say this again, I will kiss you non-stop, shutting off your blabbering." He warned her in his husky, sensuous voice, stroking her waist.

She blushed and turned restless, feeling something poking down. She struggled to get up. "You wouldn't do anything like that," she warned.

"Try me!" he challenged her while jerking her closer.

"Leave it…" She pushed into his shoulder, got up, and saw him take his laptop back. She pouted and turned around to leave.

"Geet, listen… Where are you going?"

“Anywhere, away from you...because you don't listen to me and I don't want to get bored seeing you." She taunted him before storming out.

He fumed hearing her words and thought to take his revenge back later from her. First, let me complete this file. He thought evilly about the things he was going to do with her.

......

It was lunch time, and Maan got up after finishing the work at his hand. Strangely, there has not been a sign of his wife till now. He wondered where she went after their arguments in the room.

Thinking about her, he descended the staircase and then walked towards the kitchen, hearing some noise there.

Geet was busy with her own cooking adventure. The whole kitchen was almost a mess. Because last time it was Grandma who helped her in

cooking her first sweet dish. Today, she was in charge, and chefs and cooks just stood by, making worse faces.

‘Madam, let us help you.’ One tried to approach her.

‘No need,’ she immediately snapped at him, "I can do it myself and better. Do you think I am incapable of doing anything on my own? Grandma is not here, so what? She has taught me, and yes, I have this cooking book." She showed them proudly. Everyone just nodded, rolling their eyes at each other. 

Maan muffled his laughter but couldn’t stop admiring her efforts and, most of all, her cute antics. Her face looked messed up as he watched her side profile. He silently walked inside behind her, making all the servants stand shuddering with the glare they received from their master.

A whole bunch of servants ran from there, getting us a silent glare. Once satisfied with being alone, he approached his cute and frustrated wife.

‘What’s up? he asked suddenly, making her yelp in shock, and she dropped the spoon she was holding, which landed straight on his feet.

‘Ahh...Geet!’ He screamed, jumping on his place as the spoon was hot as well.

‘Oh My God! I am so sorry... She made a crying face and asked, "What was the need for you to follow me silently? You scared me, and it’s your entire fault." She lashes at him before bending to his level. She held his feet.

"Geet, what the..." he jerked back, "Don’t touch my feet."

"Why not… Let me see, it hurts badly." Geet frowned.

"Nothing happened..."

"Then why did you scream?" She put her hands on her hips, glaring him down.

"Oh, my tigress, it hurt a little bit, but not anymore." He grabbed her close in his arms, not before switching off the gas.

‘What are you doing? Leave me. She tried to push him away.

He smirked devilishly, trying to kiss her. She turned her face away, and his lips landed on her jaw.

‘Maan, someone will see; please leave me. She tried to wriggle, but he only pressed her close, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

‘No one will dare to walk in here when I am here.’ He whispered huskily, and she sighed in pleasure, bending her head back and giving him enough access to pleasure her.

He pushed her to the printed wall of the kitchen, pinning her hands to either side. He devoured her neck, jaw line then face. ‘I can’t get enough of you, he murmured.

 ‘Umm…’ she moaned, trying to wriggle her hands from his hard grip, ‘leave me…’

Really, darling...?" he asked in his husky voice, watching her with his hooded gaze. She blushed and hugged him as he lost his hold on her.

Maan smirked, pushing her curls to one side. He pushed the laces of her dress off her shoulder, baring half of her breast to his dark gaze. He pressed her breast, making it pop up even more, and buried his face in her cleavage.

‘Oh Maan, she moaned in pure ecstasy, driving him crazy with her moans and sighs. He moved towards her lips to fetch the kiss when the ping of the oven stopped him from going further in his acts. He realised what he was doing and backed up, giving her space.

‘Oh god! My all efforts went in vain,’ she cried, pushing up her laces of dress, and rushed to the oven only to witness her new Italian dish being burned in. She was on the verge of crying when Maan approached her steadily.

‘Geet, he called her softly, and she was really angry now. She turned to him briskly, tears in her eyes.

‘You just get lost." She mumbled, trying to control her tears.

 ‘Baby, why are you crying...?’ He became worried, seeing her tears. She couldn’t speak, trying to console herself. ‘It’s only one dish; we have plenty of cooks at your service who will cook for you anything you want.’

She became angrier hearing this: “But I wanted to make it with my own hands for you. Mamma had said,” she cried still tried to speak between her sobs, ‘no husband loves the girl who don’t know to cook.’ 

Maan was dumbstruck hearing her innocent words; he was bowled over by her sweetness and so many nave thoughts. She is only hungry for his love and what the hell he is doing...He is only playing with her and her feelings. His thoughts miserably stepped back.

‘You ruin everything.' She cried loudly now; it was her anger that was coming through tears.

Yes, he ruined everything. He repeated her words, giving her one last look. He was about to rush out, but I don’t know why he stopped, for his heart denied him leaving her alone, crying in a mess.

‘You don’t know how much effort it takes to cook one Italian dish. When I only know most of Indian cooking.’ She complained cutely as he lifted her up in his arms, walking up to their room.

‘Leave me; I don’t want to talk to you.’ She hit his chest, and he ignored her struggle. Seeing this, she pouted, and when he put her in the bed, she turned her face away.

Maan sighed and took the intercom. He called John, instructing him to clean the kitchen and make something of Geet’s choice for lunch.

Geet heard his orders and twisted her lips; her anger was cooling down now. He approached her with a glass of water, which she took willingly.

‘I am sorry, you are not well, and I was harsh on you!’ She said it meekly, feeling bad for her own behaviour. She wouldn’t have reacted quickly; she realised that she hurt him with her words when he was just recovering.

He was taken aback by her words: ‘I should be sorry; why are you apologising? It’s me who ruin your hard work.’ He rushed to her, holding her hands, and sat on his knees before her.

‘No, Maan, I know I overreacted...’ She wiped her tears, giving him a small smile. She said further, ‘I will make it again for you.’

He felt overwhelmed after hearing her; he cupped her face and said, “You just smile like this; I don’t want anything else.

Seeing you smile like this gives me immense pleasure.” He spoke in flow, unaware of how deeply his words affected her small heart.

She blushed and hugged him out of bliss. Her love was slowly reciprocating; what more did she want? 

A few weeks have passed, and Maan was so into Geet. He would take her for their lunch date, which happens in the office, or sometimes he could just take her to a nearby restaurant for a change.

It was like a whole new experience for Geet; she hadn’t been with any guys before, so it was new and exciting for her. She cherished every moment spent with her love, her husband, knowing him better as the days passed.

Both shared every little thing happening in their respective careers. It became a habit for both.

Maan also successfully completed his project, making Rajveer Khurana proud of his son. Now He was going to be the next MD of OC. He had finally showcased his talent and hard work, proving himself the real Khurana.

….

Maan was just checking himself in the mirror for the last touch. He had gotten ready for today’s party organised for his first project success and the post of MD he was going to occupy.

He felt thrills all over a new person today. After those days of hard work and dedication, he was actually going to get what he deserved after all the hard work he put in.

He knew somewhere that it was all because of Geet and his family. His wife will also be introduced to the world today. With that thought, he felt sudden excitement in his nerves as well as a warm feeling in his heart.

He took the intercom in the guest room to call Geet to know if she was ready. He would have, as always, barged inside their room to check on his darling wife.

But today, she had warned him seriously to do something like that, for she was getting dressed up differently, and that would be a surprise for him.

He had agreed like an obedient husband, which is why he changed into the guest room himself.

Now, when he was going to ring her, suddenly he heard her voice, and everything just changed in the next moment.

......

‘Geet, dear, are you ready?’ Grandma knocked on the door of their room.

Geet was startled by suddenly hearing the voice that left the sari pleats she was holding.

‘Uff...’ she sighed and opened the door for Grandma to walk in before locking it back.

"What is this, dear? You are not ready yet?’

"How would I, Grandma? If your sari stuff will let me get ready, then I will get ready!" She made a face with a cute frown appearing on her forehead. Grandma chuckled, nodding her head at her antics. ‘You could have worn a gown or something else then.’ She suggested taking the edge of the saree from her hands and making pleats with it.

“Yes, Grandma, but I want to give him a surprise. He always helps me wear a sari. I can’t wear it myself. So I wanted to show him today that his wife also knows to work by herself." She stated this proudly as Grandma helped her with the sari.

She chuckled with amusement at getting this new information from her grand-daughter. She was so glad to see these good changes in her grandson.

All because of this angel... She cupped her chin and said, "You are looking just like an angel." "Oh Grandma!" Geet blushed, looking away. "Thank you," she added, and she rushed away to the mirror to finish her last touch-up.

Although make-up artists were there to help her today, she pushed them out of her room after her make-up was done.

“Grandma, please carry on; I will be there in a moment with Maan."

“Alright, dear but hurry up." Saying so, Grandma left from there.

….

‘So those goons were there to chase you as per our plan.’

‘Yes, goons were there after me, but you know what he saved me from in time.’ Geet.

‘So everything goes according to our plan, isn’t it?"

"So how's married life going? Did your brother-in-law fall for your charms or not?"

"He had fallen into my trap long ago... In the trap of my love," she added chirpily.

True, Geet, or are you lying?"

"Why would I lie? I never lied; he is really falling for me now." Geet.

"All this is the result of our awesome plan."

"Nothing like that, okay?" Geet.

"Hey, how did you forget that goon thing? It was our plan to bring fake goons there at the mall before your function."

"Yeah, but they were real, and you even know how bravely he fought for me and saved me." Geet.

"Yeah, we know your hero, but really, Geet, we plan so many things to bring that stubbornness to your toes, and what did you do for us?"

Oh, hello, friends. Don’t ask anything in return. And I didn’t even agree to your plans in the first place. I do not like all this." Geet.

All the while, only her mean words were running through his mind.

She betrayed him. Only this thought bothered him, and he couldn’t concentrate on any wishes his family’s business associates were giving him.

Where is his wife? There were again questions showering from all sides.

Even though he didn’t have a clue, he simply ignored the question with a professional smile and moved on to other clients.

Suddenly, he felt everything around him turn silent and heard her anklets sound. Without his will, his gaze moved to the staircase. At the top of the staircase, she stood like a true witch, clad in a black sari, all ready to cast her black magic on the guest.

He smirked ruefully, not everyone, darling, expect me. You have already made fools of me and my emotions. I was so right about you. He gritted his teeth, seeing her give an innocent smile to the audience as everyone stared at her.

That was his wife, damn it—only for his eyes to feast. He thought and marched to her as she descended the staircase gracefully.

As soon as she was on the last step, Maan rudely grabbed her wrist, pulling her down in his arms.

She was not ready for this, so she stumbled on her feet, landing straight in his arms.

And cameras were flashing, taking pictures of the Khurana couple.

‘Maan…’ Geet whined, making faces, though it felt good to be in his arms like that.

You deliberately did it to get everyone’s attention, huh? He hissed in her ear, then pulling back, he held her stand properly.

"What did I do? It is you who pulled me down. You don't have the slightest patience." She whispered mischievously.

He plastered a fake smile on the guests, greeting everyone now along with her and introducing her as his wife. Unlike him, she had a beautiful smile on her face, and she felt immense happiness for introducing herself as his wife.

"Why did you take so long...? Want people's attention?" He pulled her into a corner. 

"What?" She couldn’t get the meaning of his rude words instantly.

"First of all, I wear the sari for you by myself." Instead, she gave him a reply.

"You lie, but you always know to wear sari!" he was reminded of the conversation she had with her friends.

‘It's not like that.’ She denied.

"How many things have you kept hidden from me?" he hissed furiously.

"I didn’t lie about anything." She argued innocently, really clueless about the reason behind his sudden change in mood.

"Are you telling the truth, Geet? Answer very carefully. He glares at her.

 "Yes I am not lying, What is the point of thinking in this?" She frowned.

The next moment, he jerked her apart, rushing away angrily. He was about to go to the small bar arrangement they had made for the party. But his feet remained still and his eyes widen in rage seeing the couple just enter the party hall.

What are these two doing here? He wondered as his fist tightened, seeing an unwanted guest in his party.

His friends soon joined his side and asked the same of him. Everyone knew until now what had happened because of Rahul and how devilish the guy is.

"I don’t know! But he is going to pay surely for his sins." He said it between his clinched teeth.

Maan, calm down; he must be here with some plan, and we too need to arrange something for him first. Don’t spoil your mood for now. Aryan held him back from his shoulder, resisting him with something in anger.

Just then, Rajveer Khurana took centre stage, making the announcement that caught everyone’s attention. He walked to his dad and grandma, who were both standing, praising him and how he had reached the ladder of success. Grandma asked for Geet as well, who, although upset at her moody husband, joined her family on the stage. She forgot her anger in the next moment, feeling happy and proud of her husband.

"Won't you say anything, Geet?" asked Raj, adoring his daughter-in-law, for he knew half of the credit for Maan’s success goes to her. She somehow changed him into a better person.

"Dad,… I don’t know what to say and how." She was scared, for she had not faced this situation before. Even her father had kept her away from these business parties.

"Say anything dear, just few words." He encouraged her, as did Grandma.

Geet, with trembling hands, took the microphone. Her gaze moved to her husband and stayed on his gorgeous face. She forgot everything in a moment and just concentrated on him, remembering their memories together.

"He is born a genius, and today he showed the world what Maan Khurana really is with his hard work and dedication.

My husband...My Maan I am proud of you." She spoke, gaining his attention.

His heart skipped a beat as he looked at her. Her words, her loving, admiring gaze on him, her lost look, and the beautiful, shy smile on her face made him lose his heart again to her.

He blinked his eyes as his trance broke with a loud applause sound. He controls his emotions.

"Everything is fake, Maan...everything... She is a witch. I know it." He thought ruefully, turning his face away from him with a fake smile plastered on his face, to the flashing cameras.

 

To be continued in BOOK 3.....