BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED, PART 54

BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED

PART 54

It was Maan’s third sleepless, hellish night. Geet had done a good job running, he still hadn’t found her.

His initial anger had worn off turning into fear n pure, black agony. Fear over the possibility of never being able to find her. The questions in his mind were umpteen. What would he do? How will he live? What if she was in danger- injured or worse, dead? What if she had killed herself? Absurd likelihoods and scenarios that he wished to remain untrue. The fear and all questions gave rise of to pain. It was breaking him and swallowing him bit by bit. If he didn’t find her soon, he was going to crumble completely.

Maan knew everything written in that damn letter was bullshit. He had known Dev for what he was, knew how he hated him and conspired against him left, right and centre. He had thought with time and love Dev would return to be the innocent brother that he was when they were small. Never had he imagined that Dev would stoop so low as to use Geet against him, blackmail her? Don’t know how else he would have tormented her during all this time.

And she never told him?

Now he knew why she had been so stressed and aggrieved. She had gone to meet Dev that day and he had done something to her, because after that only she had cut herself off until Manan came to them. Damn, all the pieces were falling together. He had felt all along she was hiding something from him, n knew it was killing her from inside. He had just assumed it was her past. How could he not know? She had kept it all inside, never saying a word.

Strangely, his wife thought a few words would douse his love for her n he wouldn’t try to find her. But hell, she was utterly and stupidly wrong there. Maan knew Geet could never betray him like she had so nonchalantly tried to convey in the letter. Geet loved him! He hadn’t just heard it… he had seen it, felt it- in all her actions, her smiles, her love making, her eyes. He didn’t need any proof for that. And when she had finally confessed her undying love, she had also confessed her past- baring herself to him. What they had, was serene, sacred. You never saw that type of love every day. It flowed in his body like blood, like it did in Geet’s.

After reading the letter n calling Nikita, he had commanded his men to pick Dev from his house. Although, he hadn’t dirtied his hands-too busy in search for Geet-his men were constantly interrogating Dev at one of Maan’s private places, using not-so-pleasant methods. Dev, as expected, had relinquished quite easily, telling that he had indeed been blackmailing Geet for long but he had never paid her anything for the same. Hence, confirming Maan’s belief that her letter was nothing but a big lie.

He wanted to go to Dev and avenge Geet’s every tear but a part of him knew that if he saw Dev now he would kill him. And Maan didn’t need that kind of distractions at this crucial moment. Once his Geet was safe n secure at home, he was going to meet Dev personally.

The quest for Geet had brought them to Jaisalmer. Her phone was last switched on at the Delhi railway station. They had gotten the list of trains that had left the station at one hour span after she had switched off her cell. They had called in their resources in all the states to where the trains had left in that one hour. If Geet wanted to run she wouldn’t stay somewhere near, it was obvious she would aim for another state.

There was word of Geet at one of the bus stops in Rajasthan. One bus conductor had identified her from the photograph and told that she had taken the bus to Jaisalmer. As soon as Maan was informed about that he had arrived at the city. Nikita had asked to accompany him because she knew the SP personally. The SP had ensured that their exploration was absolutely undercover, so the press or anybody else couldn’t have the slightest hint of it.

As the evening set Nikita had left for somewhere asking Maan to take some rest or he would faint from stress n fatigue. Maan had hardly listened to her advice n instead got in touch with the private agency that he had hired for the search. Till now they had no solid info on where Geet might be in the city. Maybe she had already left from here. Where was she going? Maan cursed under his breath n sat on the bed. His cell beeped and with a jump he picked it up, opening the message, it was a message from Nikita.

“I’ve found her. Come to this address-” Below was the address of some inn. With a sudden jolt of life, Maan banged shut the door of his hotel room n rushed out.

Geet was lying in the foul-smelling bed, the small room submerged in darkness. She was in middle of a fitful and dreamless sleep, when somebody opened her door and came inside. She had wanted to lock the door but the clasp was broken. Filled with terror she pulled out the knife from under her pillow and bounded off the bed, hitting on the lights.

What are you doing here? She shouted, not believing her eyes. How could she find her? She had left no trace. God, you shouldn’t be here. Her panic only increased as she dropped the knife from her trembling hands and stepped forward.

I should be the one saying that. Nikita said.

You don’t get it. If they, hell… everything I have done- in vain. Shit. Geet fell on her knees, throwing her head in hands. She asked hopelessly, already on the verge of crying. Have you told Maan I am here?

Yes, I have.

Geet closed her eyes, just crying for a while. How… how did you find me?

Until you have that phone, you are traceable.

But I switched it off, even changed the sim.

That doesn’t matter, Geet.

Geet gulped, tried to harness her tears and stood up. Although her legs were wobbly, her determination was rock hard. You have to leave. Right now! If you want to hand me over the police, call them, I won’t run. But you have to go.

Nikita looked at the beautiful woman in front of her, who never showed her fear to anyone. But at this instant, she looked like a ghost. Her eyes were wide and round, mouth parted n body trembling like a dead leaf about to fall from the tree. She was more than a little jumpy, like the next moment a monster was going to jump from the window n eat her alive.

I am not calling police. Who are you running from? Because we have Dev, Geet. He is no more a threat to you, Maan has seen to that.

The news surprised Geet, but didn’t relieve her. She walked to Nikita n held her by shoulders.

It’s not him. It’s somebody else, n he is… very dangerous. My ex-boss. He said he was going to kill me n my helper. If I stay away, Maan will be safe n maybe I will live too. I am a traitor anyway. I helped Dev. Maan doesn’t need me, nobody needs me.

A traitor? Is that why you are staying in this dingy hotel, eating shit. Nikita pointed towards the half eaten food lying on the table. Looking so pathetic. All of this just to save Maan. Is that what you call betrayal? Do you have any fucking clue of what you are doing to yourself, to your baby?

Geet laughed hysterically. There is no baby, Niki. No-

The reports came positive. Nikita interjected. You are pregnant.

That can’t be…

I don’t know why you couldn’t believe that. I have not told Maan yet, because I thought you might want to tell him yourself. He must be coming here anytime. Geet, whoever it is behind you, he can’t ever reach you or Maan. We will keep tight security, all the time. Whatever it is, we are going to deal with it together. Nikita embraced Geet in a comforting hug. Geet sagged against her.

Air in the room shifted, when Geet raised her head from Nikita’s shoulder she found Maan standing in the doorway.

_____________________________

Please leave a comment if you liked the update.