BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED, PART 33

BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED

PART 33

When at night he reached back, Geet was the one to open the door and not Neena. The sight that welcomed him had him taking in a sharp breath. Holy-fucking-hell, dressed in a magenta saari she was angelic. Maan forgot his complaints and anger. Damn, he even forgot how to speak.

You can come in you know. She blushed hiding a silly grin by staring down. Maan balanced his falling heart and willed his legs to move.

Never… saw you… saree. He stated idiotically.

Yeah I know. How do I- Unfortunately for her, the gorgeous saare over which Maan was going all wide-eyed and jaw-slacked didn’t cooperate so well. As she took another step it got stuck under her foot and she tripped over it falling flat on her face.

With a curse, Maan came to her side.

Ouch… She winced, stars dancing above her head. Maan was saying something but her brain couldn’t process it. Arms wrapped around, he took her to the couch. That hurt. She rubbed her forehead, eyes brimming with tears. This wasn't what she had planned. Maan removed her hand and examined the injury.

Neena. He called. Neena came hurrying. Go get an ice pack or something.

I think I draped the saree too low. But they had showed like that in the video. She complained pouting like a two year old.

You learned on internet? You could have asked Neena for help. For god sake, you didn’t have to wear a bloody saree if you can’t carry it off. He yelled and Geet flinched, surprised and hurt by his anger.

It was my first time. Tears spilled out of her eyes.

Maan bit his tongue. I… I didn’t mean it that way. Shit, what had he done. She had worn it for him; don’t know with how much difficulty. One glance at her face and he knew he’d caused serious damage. She was touchy about all these things after their wedding. And he had downright shouted on her for trying to please him. Now she would always remember his harsh words while wearing a saree, if she ever wore it again.

You were… so happy when you saw me at the door and then I had to trip and ruin it all. I am so stupid. Why do I even try? I can’t cook or wear anything traditional without making a fool of myself. I am such a horrible wife. Geet cried more when she remembered that she had redecorated his room. How will she show him now? What if he got angrier? She hadn’t asked him before shifting all her things into his personal space. If he felt stifled by all her impositions, she wouldn’t be surprised.

Neena bought and handed the ice pack to Maan. He first wiped her tears with his handkerchief then carefully pressed the pack over the swell on her forehead. I said that in anger. I shouldn’t have. There is nothing wrong with you wearing saree, love. But when you fell, I lost control. Can’t you see hurt baby, that’s all.

He blew on her swelling and she closed her eyes, the ache in her head replaced by his tantalizing smell. Thank god you aren’t bleeding. Come, I will take you to bed.

No. I mean, let’s go to my room.

Maan frowned. What room? Old one? Who said that’s your room? Neena must have kept your things there because she didn’t know better and I forgot to tell her this morning since I had to leave early. He picked her up and she practically jumped out of his arms.

What is wrong with you? Your will hurt yourself again.

What is the problem with my old room? Can’t you stay one night there? How can you be so… biased?

Maan could have banged his head on the wall. Is your brain fine after the hit? He asked quizzical then his expression eased like he had figured out whatever it was. What are you hiding, Geet?

Geet bit her lip. Busted! Nothing.

He strode upstairs and she moaned. Not even god could stop him now. Bracing herself she went behind, holding the saree above her ankles. God forbid if she tripped again and ended up in a hospital.

As Maan opened his room door, she lurked behind all the while cursing herself for not asking, for thinking too far along, for trying to please him only to get him angry in the end. First the saree then the room, she was a free ticket to disaster.

His mouth hung open. It was like he had entered someone else’s room and still it held a strange familiarity-intimacy. Curtains were changed, furniture was shifted or altered and her things were adjusted with his- mingled together. Everything was stylishly arranged. However, the centre of attention was the big, monochrome photograph of them from Croatia surrounded by eight other small ones on the front wall at the bed’s head. The room seemed fuller, livelier. Better.

This was what kept you busy whole day? His face was impassive and voice stern. New tears formed in her eyes as she nodded. An apology was on her tongue when she got surprised seeing a smile break out at the corner of his lips.

Maan shook his head. You are more insane than I am. You thought I wouldn’t like this?

Geet heaved a sigh of relief. For a moment I thought you wouldn’t like me in your room since I am such a mess and you also need your privacy. I know how much you cherish it. And then I changed everything. She looked around wearily. You sure you don’t mind? I can keep everything back at their places.

No. I like how it is now. I would have gotten all your things shifted into my room anyway. We are always going to live and sleep together from now so that only makes sense. You talk about privacy? I want it with you. Here. He opened his arms and she shuffled in. One big palm cupped the back of her head, while he softly laid his lips over the lump on her forehead. What am I going to do with you, Mrs. Khurana?

Geet buried her face in his chest. I have to ask you something.

Later. Did you have dinner? She shook her head. Then I will change and we’ll go downstairs to eat. Her clasp on him didn’t loosen and face didn’t rise from his chest. Love, what’s wrong?

I don’t want to let go of you. Her voice was muffled and she was no less than a little girl in that moment. It’s the only place where I won’t trip over silly sarees, where I feel safe.

Maan kissed the top of her head. I love you. Eventually she set him free.

When Maan came out of the bathroom after taking a quick bath, Geet was cutely poking the bump on her forehead standing in front of the mirror. I look comic. She turned and took him in, all glorious bare chest and wet hair… Yumm. Maan smirked pulling on a T-shirt.

You should be least worried about looks after hitting your head on hard floor. There could have been serious injuries.

I have survived worse. She stilled when Maan’s expressions suddenly hardened. Wrong choice of words. She blinked. I am hungry. Let’s go.

Neena served the dinner and after all the drama, they ate in companionable silence. Her earlier comment mentioning ‘worse’ hadn’t escaped his mind. This time he wouldn’t just ignore his inner voice that craved to know. He wanted more from her. He wanted to know all that was to her and her past. Neena, you can leave for the night. We’ll clear the table. So Neena left them alone.

Geet cleared her throat. While I was browsing the internet to know how to wear a saree, I came across few old articles. The truth was she had looked for it. Dev’s words had left their mark and although she trusted Maan, curiosity got better of her. The thing was not just Dev but media also thought that Maan had an illegitimate child, born out of wedlock. Nobody had ever seen him with the child but there were rumors that had ruled the gossip columns a couple of years ago.

It really didn’t matter to Geet if he had a child and past with some girl. Everyone had a story; some could be discussed while others were better hidden in the closet. She just didn’t know why Maan wouldn’t tell her, of all people she wouldn’t ever judge him, although, he might have had his reasons. For all she knew it could be a lie. There was only way to find out.

You know that I would never judge you right and you can tell me things. She said twisting her fingers together.

Geet, what are you hinting at?

She took a deep breath. Do you have a child?

Maan stopped eating, after a moment’s pause he spoke, face impassive. Let’s finish our dinner first then we’ll discuss.

Suddenly, her appetite was dead. Somehow she got through the dinner and after clearing the table, they settled in the living room. Geet was prepared for the worst.

Geet, like you said, don’t judge me okay? His face was ominous. Yes. Yes… I do have a son but I am not his father.

What is that supposed to mean? Geet thought. 

He is adopted. I own an orphanage in Mumbai. The boy was brought there at the age of three. His parents might have died or abandoned him, we couldn’t find out. He had a hole in his heart. The first look at him and something formed between us- a connection of sorts. I adopted and got him treated in US.

Oh. Geet mumbled, her mind processing the information. When were you going to tell me this?

We had our plates full. You weren’t ready to accept me; I wasn’t so sure how you would react to me having a son.

You fear too much Maan.

Yes I fear. When it comes to you, I fear. And I am ashamed. He conceded. I had no clue how and when to tell you this. I haven’t been the best dad around. I have a whole company to take care of and I just don’t know how to be a father. I didn’t have a good example from my Dad. I suck at it really. Maa goes to see him at the boarding school and takes care of him during the weekends when he comes back to the house in Mumbai. He comes to me only during his summer vacations. Geet, I really didn’t-

I understand, Maan.

He was astonished. You do?

Yes. When I saw it on the internet I had decided that I was okay with it both ways. That is whether you have a son or not. Only you keeping it from me was disturbing, but I understand. Sometimes we are just too afraid of hurting someone or losing them. So it’s okay.

Maan sighed, his eyes closed and when they opened, Geet saw them swimming with wetness. When he spoke his voice was hoarse. You say you are a horrible wife but I beg to differ. You’re the most amazing life partner ever. You realize the very essence of marriage, its understanding and trust- an unshakable bond between two people. My relation with him is… complicated, like every other relationship in my life.

She nodded enveloping him in her arms. She had never seen MSK so vulnerable and needy. The article said you had someone in your life, even I thought so. She chuckled weakly to lighten the air.

They write anything without proof. And I never felt the need to explain myself to them. He looked into her eyes. But there was never anyone else, just you. I slept with girls, had inconsistent girlfriends and even one night stands but I loved only one. You. He hugged her again.

Resolve in her eyes, Geet stood up. Maan, there is something I want you to see. Taking his hand she led him to their room. She left him to stand beside the bed and when came back there was a box in her hands. He recognized it instantly.

 _______________________________

PRECAP- Geet preparing to meet Maan's son...

Imp note:

Hello everyone,

I am deeply disappointed with the amount of comments... there are 700+ views on each update of BF on Blog, higher than any other ff of mine since I don't post it on India Forum. Even if a single person visits the page twice to read the same update there would still be 350 readers. Out of 350, I get 20-30 comments- on the last update it was even lesser. I don't expect 350 comments. I don't even expect half of it. But what I get is really less and depressing. I don't want to make my blog private, thats not my thing. But I need your support. It's not unfair of me to ask for a little feedback. Don't comment every time or write a story. However once in a while a few words would be enough for me.

So please, consider this a humble request, take out a few minutes to make me know of your point of view. I'll be forever grateful.

XOXO