Hi everyone! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your amazing comments and for pressing "like," it means a lot to me!  And my deepest apologies for the huge delay on this chapter! It really touches my heart that people are still interested in this story months after the last update. You guys are beyond awesome! <3 Next chapter is below!

Please see the above post for individual thank yous to those who commented on Chapter 28!



Previous Chapters -- Part One:  prologue + ch 1 / ch 2 + 3 / ch 4 + 5 / ch 6 + 7 / ch 8 + 9 / ch 10 + 11 / ch 12 + 13 / ch 14 + 15 / Part Two: ch 16 / ch 17 / ch 18 / ch 19 / ch 20 / ch 21 / ch 22 / ch 23 / ch 24 / ch 25 / ch 26 / ch 27 / ch 28

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Over the next two weeks, Geet and Maan fell into a blissful routine.  They were the first people Riya saw in the morning, much to their daughter's delight.  While Maan would ensure that Riya was equipped with the right school materials, Geet would prepare and dress her for the day.  It was pure joy to attend to the simple things -- threading ribbons through Riya's hair, buckling her daughter's shoes. Everyday tasks that Geet had longed to perform over the years.

Maan and Geet began to share a routine at the workplace as well.  They now dined together in the campus courtyard for lunch, and Geet was surprised to find herself counting down the minutes until lunchtime. Indeed, after the field trip, where Geet had had to pretend to be Maan's wife, she found herself starting to imagine what it would be like to actually . . . to actually -- no, that was dangerous thinking at its finest.
 
In any event, being in Maan's company had taken on a new dimension. He was no longer just the father of her child; he was . . . something more. Especially considering that, for some reason, he had grown more open than ever before.  Maan would regularly touch her whenever the chance would present itself: a gentle squeeze on the shoulder when greeting her in the morning, guiding her into the mansion after work with his hand pressed against the small of her back. And the sparks that shot through Geet's veins at his touch never ceased.

---

"You really don't have to come along, Maan," Geet remarked at lunch one sunny afternoon. She was referring, of course, to visiting her uncle in just two days' time. Maan had already finalized their travel arrangements, and the two had decided to leave Riya with Daadi during the trip. The circumstances were simply too precarious for a little girl.

"I'm not sending you anywhere by yourself, Geet," said Maan authoritatively. He watched a breeze rustle through his life-partner's -- oops, *lunch* partner's -- hair.  "You heard me the first time."

"Why not?"

Maan clasped his hands together on the wooden surface of the table at which they sat. "Because I don't trust anyone else being around you," he stated simply.

Although she tried to suppress the feeling, it gave Geet butterflies that Maan cared enough about her to utter such a sentence. "And why is that?"

Maan took a swig from his water bottle. "Because I don't want anyone to take advantage of you. Especially not your uncle, and especially not after what he did. . . . You're too sweet and delicate, and I'm not putting you at risk."

Geet crossed her arms and pouted. "What? I'm not a little girl, Maan."

"I didn't say you were, Geet," said Maan, stifling a chuckle. She certainly did resemble a petulant child at the moment, though.

"Well, you're describing me as one," she huffed. "I'm --"

"You're a woman, I know," said Maan, holding up his hand to prevent further argument. *An amazing woman,* he added in his head, feeling short of oxygen despite being outdoors.

---

Seated in the first-class cabin of an airplane en route to her uncle's city, Geet gazed at the clouds through the window, lost in thought. What was her uncle like now? While she was growing up, he had been a burly tyrant who used alcohol and rage for weapons.

Maan, who was sitting next to Geet, flipped absentmindedly through a magazine. How could he concentrate when they were on their way to a reunion with Geet's tormenter?

"What can I get for you, sir?" questioned a female flight attendant dressed in a crisp blue uniform. A welcome intrusion to Geet and Maan's troubling thoughts.

"Coffee, please," Maan replied, closing the cover of the magazine. "Black.  Thank you."

The flight attendant, who Geet suddenly noticed was quite attractive, winked at him. "That's all? Only coffee for a strong man like you?"

Before Maan could answer, Geet piped up. "Just coffee," she confirmed, jealousy stirring within. "And I will take an apple juice, thank you."

The flight attendant raised one perfectly arched eyebrow and busied herself with the beverage cart.  Maan bit back a simile, pleased at Geet's uneasiness over the flight attendant's flirtation.
 
"How are you feeling, honey?" asked Maan, after the flight attendant had moved to the next row of passengers.

At his term of endearment, Geet nearly spit out her juice. Was he actually attracted to her?  A balloon of hope began to rise within her, until it was deflated by a sudden thought: Obviously, Maan was simply concerned about Geet's anxiety upon meeting her uncle. He was just being comforting in her time of need, and nothing more. Obviously.

"I'm all right, I suppose," said Geet. She set down the small cup of juice on the tray before her. "I guess I just don't know what to expect.  I don't even know how to prepare for this.  It's been so long since I've seen him."

Maan nodded. "That's understandable. But don't worry. You don't have to prepare for anything. Just let things run their course." He caressed her cheek tenderly. "And I'll be there right by your side."

Geet looked down into her lap. "Thank you," she said softly. The two words weren't enough to express her gratitude. Never before had someone been so concerned for her physical and emotional well-being.

"And won't your aunt and cousin be there as well?" Maan inquired. "It will be nice to see them again after so long, right?"

Geet tilted her head at this consideration. "That's true," she said slowly. She barely remembered them, as they had walked out on her uncle when she was young because of his frightening ways.  Maybe this could be an opportunity to re-forge familial ties.

"We're in this together, Geet," said Maan firmly. "And remember, we will be introducing ourselves as a married couple."

A familiar ache grew inside of Geet at the thought of pretending to be married to Maan -- again. *Will it ever become a reality?* she thought. Geet mentally shook herself. Longing to be Maan's bride was the last thing on which she should be focused.

---

"I don't think I can do this," Geet said nervously as she and Maan sat in his rental car.  The two were parked in front of her uncle's townhouse, one that he had moved into after banishing Geet from his previous dwelling. His new residence was brick and laced with ivy.

Maan placed his hand on Geet's knee. "It'll be fine, Geet.  I'll be right there with you."

Geet steadied her gaze on the ivy climbing up her uncle's home.  Just as tangled and twisted as he had been to her.  He wanted to apologize, but could that make up for his past penchant for abuse? For making her bear a child to salvage his finances? Yes, it was Maan's child, and a beautiful, incredible child at that, but the circumstances behind the birth still rattled Geet to her core.

"I don't want to," Geet said quietly, finally averting her eyes. "I don't want to go. I don't want to." *Why* had she decided to come? So her uncle wanted to say that he was sorry -- so what? He could have written his apology in a letter, or called her.  Regret over the decision to come pricked her sharply.

Maan placed his index finger under Geet's chin, directing her to look at him. "Everything will be all right, baby," he said gently.

Geet's gaze was full of sorrow. "Please don't make me see him," she whispered.

His own heart shattering for her, Maan leaned forward and kissed Geet's forehead tenderly. "I won't make you do anything you don't want to do, sweetheart," he assured her. After all, he had initially balked at the thought of Geet visiting her vicious uncle. "But . . . we're already here, though, and maybe this will bring you closure. Maybe this will be a good thing." He delivered another kiss to her forehead and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "And you'll be able to see your aunt and cousin again after so many years."

Geet, who was too focused on the upcoming confrontation with her uncle to register Maan's increasing affection, redirected her attention back to the townhome.  The minutes ticked by as the two sat in silence.

Geet took a deep breath. Maybe Maan was right. Maybe meeting her uncle would allow her to put the past behind her and move on. Maybe . . . .
 
"Okay." Geet sighed. "Let's go."

Maan squeezed her knee gently. "Let's go," he repeated.

Slowly, Geet alighted from the car.  Maan strode around from his side of the vehicle, placing an arm around her shoulders and guiding her to the front door. At the doorbell, Geet hesitated.

"I can do it if you want," Maan offered.  At Geet's confirmatory nod, he pressed his thumb against the bronze doorbell.

After several minutes passed without an answer, Geet commented hopefully, "Maybe no one is home." *Good,* she thought. She could flee this place and pretend that she had never made the awful decision to come.

Before Maan could respond, the door swung open to reveal a plump woman in a medical staff uniform. "Hello," she greeted, her eyes darting back and forth between them. "May I help you?"

"Hello," said Maan. "I'm Maan Singh Khurana and this is my wife, Geet.  The man in this house is Geet's uncle and is expecting us. We assume that her aunt and cousin should also be waiting for our arrival."

"Ah, yes, Geet," the woman replied. "Your cousin and aunt told me to expect you. I'm Tanya, your uncle's live-in medical help."

Geet offered her a smile small. "Nice to meet you. Should I go meet my cousin and aunt first?" she asked.  The thought of reuniting with what little family she had -- the sane family members, at least -- did seem appealing.

"Oh, they're not in," said Tanya, pulling the door back to allow Maan and Geet to enter.
 
"Where are they?" asked Maan as they stepped inside. It was a moderately-sized house, with sparse furnishing and very little decoration. Up the stairs appeared to be the bedrooms, one of which likely contained Geet's uncle. The thought filled Geet with dread. As if sensing her emotions, Maan slid his hand into hers.

Tanya closed the door behind them. "Geet's aunt and uncle are actually out of town for a few days. Your aunt wanted to visit an old friend, and your cousin and his girlfriend went along."

Geet's shoulders drooped. "What?"

"Why would they do that when they knew Geet was coming?" Maan inquired angrily. "They haven't seen Geet in many years. They couldn't postpone a trip to visit a friend and welcome her?"

Tanya shrugged, looking slightly defensive. "I don't know why they didn't wait for Geet, sir. They just told me to expect her and left."

"I can't believe this," Maan said, incredulous. "How could they possibly --"

"It's all right, Maan," said Geet quietly. She tried to ignore the hard knot forming in her throat and refocused on Tanya. "How is . . . how is my uncle?"

"Not well," Tanya admitted. "We don't think he has much time left. Your aunt and cousin have been here around-the-clock, and it's been very stressful for them. Maybe that's why they wanted a break, a change of scenery."

"But they picked the time when Geet was coming to take that break?" asked Maan, clearly irritated.

Tanya clicked her tongue, annoyed. "Sir, you'll have to talk to them about their life choices. I'm just here to help." She gestured up the stairs. "Would you like to go see your uncle now, Geet?"

*No,* thought Geet. "Yes."

Maan squeezed Geet's hand reassuringly, which Geet returned with a watery smile.

Although her uncle was almost ready to pass away, Geet couldn't stop fear from bubbling up within her as the trio ascended the stairs.  At the top of the flight of steps, Tanya gestured down the hall. "Second door to the left," she directed. "I'll be downstairs if you need me."

Maan and Geet slowly made their way down the somewhat narrow hall until they stood in front of the closed door.

"Are you okay?" Maan whispered.

*No,* thought Geet. "Yes."

Maan gave her another once-over.  "Are you sure?"

"Mmm-hmm," said Geet, her heart thumping against her ribcage.

Turning the doorknob, Maan opened the door gingerly and the two stepped inside.

At the sight of the frail man sleeping in the bed in front of her, Geet's knees buckled.

"Geet!" Maan cried, catching her in mid-fall. "Geet . . . ."

Geet stared at her uncle as he slowly roused because of Maan's shout.  His face, which was sunken in, looked more gaunt and menacing than ever.  His salt-and-pepper hair had thinned considerably, and his body was akin to a bag of bones.

Despite her uncle's ailing appearance, Geet began to tremble and unwelcome memories raced through her mind. Being thrown against a wall; bearing insults hurled at her in a drunken rage; hiding bruises with long sleeves; pledging her womb to pay off his debts; living without her daughter as the seasons passed . . . .

"Geet," her uncle croaked, now fully awake. "You came."

Maan, who was still holding Geet upright, observed her uncle warily.  He looked frail, but his eyes were sharp.

Geet remained silent, nearly dizzy from the memory reel playing in her head. Why had she come? Why?

"Uh . . . hello," Maan offered, awkwardly. "I'm Maan, Geet's husband."

Geet's uncle narrowed his eyes. "You married? And didn't inform me?"

Maan knit his brow. What kind of response was that to a niece's (pretend) nuptials?

"Geet came because of your son's letter," said Maan, ignoring her uncle's puzzling reply. "I believe an apology is in order, don't you?"  As if saying sorry would come even remotely close to wiping the slate clean of what her uncle had put her through. . . .

"I agree," Geet's uncle responded.  Struggling, he sat up and leaned back against his pillows. "Come closer, dear."

By this time, Geet's dizziness had transformed into a near-migraine. Still, she walked unsteadily forward, Maan's hands firmly gripping her shoulders.

Geet's uncle reached out one bony hand.  Geet, her face pale, leaned closer and shuddered slightly as her uncle touched her cheek. "I'm ready, Geet."

Biting her lip, Geet waited.  She wondered how a man who had such cruel tendencies could deliver an apology.

A beat passed. "I said, 'I'm ready, Geet,'" her uncle repeated.

"Ready for what?" Maan cut in.

"Ready for her apology," her uncle replied, his emaciated face now colored with confusion.

"What?" Maan and Geet both asked in surprise.

Geet's uncle looked startled. "Why are you so shocked? Didn't my son's letter inform you that I was inviting you here to apologize to me before I leave this world?"

Geet racked her brain as she tried to remember the exact wording of her cousin's letter. "It . . . it said that visiting you would bring an opportunity to make amends, to apologize," she finally recalled. "I just . . . I just assumed that it meant that *you* wanted --"

"This is *your* opportunity, Geet," her uncle interrupted, weakly. "To apologize."

"Are you kidding me?" Maan spat in disbelief. Was this conversation actually happening?

"Apologize for . . . for what?" said Geet.  Had Maan not been holding onto her, she would have dropped to the floor for sure.
 
"For being such a troublesome child, a true burden. I did what I could to keep you in line, but it was very difficult." Her uncle sighed, then winced. "And then to become a surrogate . . . . Well, the less said about that, the better."

A crimson haze dropped like a curtain before Maan's vision. "Geet was a *perfect* child, and you tortured her!" he cried. "And *you* made her become --"

"Maan," said Geet softly, placing one hand on Maan's arm and raising another to her temple. "No more . . . "
 
Maan snapped his head back toward her. "How can you let him spew such hateful lies?"

Geet shook her head, looking more crushed than Maan had ever seen her. "I endured it for most of my life," she said evenly, looking her uncle straight in the eyes.

Geet's uncle looked indignant -- as indignant as he could, anyway, considering his state. "This is not the meeting I anticipated when I had my son write to you," he said, his voice cracking.

"It wasn't what I anticipated, either," replied Geet. She shook her head once more.  "Goodbye. I wish you well, in this life and beyond." She turned on her heel, anxious to flee.

Maan grabbed Geet's elbow and gently turned her back to her uncle. "Geet may be too kind of a soul to speak the truth," he began, "but I'm not. I want you to look at this woman and appreciate the fact that you ruined her childhood and young adulthood. And you tried to ruin her motherhood, too. *You* are the one who owes her an apology, even though that wouldn't even scratch the surface of the penance that you ought to pay."

"Maan," said Geet desperately. "Please, *please* stop."

Maan stared daggers at Geet's uncle, who looked rather afraid. It was a piteous sight, illness combined with alarm. "Fine," Maan relented. "At my wife's request, I won't go on. May God have mercy on your soul." With his arm wrapped around Geet's shoulders, Maan marched her out of the room and out of her dismal past.

---

"Yes, that time is correct," Maan spoke into the hotel room phone as he confirmed a wake-up call for the next morning. "Thank you."

After they had left Geet's uncle's house, Maan had sped her to the nearest luxury hotel. The entire ride, Geet had leaned back against the head rest of the passenger seat with her eyes closed. Maan wasn't sure whether she had actually fallen asleep or just didn't want to talk about what had occurred. If it were the latter, he could hardly blame her. Maan's blood was churning with fury over her uncle. He couldn't believe that he and Geet had flown thousands of miles only to experience that atrocious confrontation.

Maan slipped the phone back into its cradle, then surveyed the opulent hotel room for Geet. He finally spotted her on the balcony, where her back was to him.

"Geet," Maan said as he approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Geet turned to Maan, and the defeat she wore ripped his soul to shreds.  She had been right to want to turn back. She had been right.

"I'm so sorry, Geet," Maan said softly, pulling her into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head, and sighed. "I'm so, so sorry. I never would have brought you here had I known that that 'apology' was what your uncle had in mind."

"I miss Riya," said Geet, her voice muffled against Maan's shirt.

Maan raised his eyebrows. That wasn't the response he had been expecting.

"I want my baby," said Geet, now more insistent. "I want to go home. I miss my baby. I want Riya."

"Our flight leaves tomorrow morning, Geet," Maan assured, smoothing his palms over her face. "We'll see her soon." He himself longed for Riya whenever she wasn't in his presence.

"I want to see her now," Geet pleaded brokenly. "I want to see her, Maan. She's the only one who wants me."

"Geet . . . ."

"She's the only one who wants me," Geet repeated. She looked up at Maan as tears pooled in her eyes, gliding down her delicate cheekbones. "My own aunt and cousin couldn't care less that I would be visiting after so many years, and my uncle still thinks of me as the dirt into which he ground me."
  
Maan's heart constricted as Geet slid down against the balcony railing, cradling her face in her hands. "Why does my own family not want me, Maan?" she asked, her voice breaking.
 
Tears streamed down Maan's own cheeks at the injustice Geet had faced her whole life, culminating in the painful episode with her uncle that very day.  Geet was such a beautiful, sweet, vibrant woman; the last person on earth who deserved grief. What could he do to relieve it? What?

Before he knew what was happening, Maan was threading his hands through Geet's hair and pressing his lips against hers, tasting her salty tears. He felt Geet shift slightly in surprise, but -- thankfully -- she didn't pull away. He deepened the kiss, as if in an effort to draw the agony from her soul into his own.

When Maan finally pulled away from the precious moment, his hands still tangled in Geet's tresses, she looked up at him in a daze.

"Your family *does* want you, sweetheart," said Maan, his voice strained with emotion. He leaned in for another kiss. "*I* am your family. *I* want you. No -- I *need* you. Our daughter needs you, too." He stood up, then swung Geet into his arms to lead her into the hotel room.

Slightly bewildered by this latest turn of events, Geet automatically wrapped her arms around Maan's neck. He settled her on the king-sized bed, then walked around the room and switched off all the lights.
 
"Where are you going?" asked Geet, her voice shaking.
 
"Where I want to be the most," Maan replied. He turned off the last lamp, then crawled onto the bed with Geet. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against his side, and rested her against his chest.  As he stroked Geet's hair, lulling her to sleep, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. "With you," he whispered.

---

Thank you, thank you, thank you for reading!
kumari32012-06-17 13:04:12