Chapter 13

Queen0fDarkness

@Queen0fDarkness

MafiaQueen

@MafiaQueen

Chapter 13 

“Ooh hot mama” Indu whistled as she looked out. 

Geet frowned following her gaze and laughed. “Seriously, Indu?” she asked. She finished pouring the tea into a cup and placed some biscuits onto a plate. “Come, your teas ready”.

Indu watched out the window for a moment before reluctantly walking away from the eye candy outside. “Who is the hottie?” she whistled taking the cup. 

“My brother” Geet answered with a laugh. “He’s not available right now. He’s got the ‘don’t touch me or talk to me’ alert going off with women now” she explained. 

“Oh, why?” she whined ruefully. 

“Breakup with a girlfriend. Caught in bed with another man. He thinks all women are bitches right now. Excluding me and my sisters”. 

“Well, that’s just great. I need to start coming around more so he can see I should be in the same category as you”.

“As his sister?” Geet teased. 

“No! As a non-bitch” she said.

Geet laughed and looked over at her brother who was mowing the lawn. “When he’s ready to be normal and not a grizzly bear, I’ll let you know when you can try to flatter him”.

“You’re so sweet, Geet. No sister does things like this” she grinned. “Where’s your little one?” she asked looking around. 

“With my ex-husband. I’ve signed Nyra up for her first year at school. She starts in two weeks which means a routine change again, but in order to do that smoothly, she’ll have to stay with me so I know what routine I can put in place to make room for everything. Which means having to give her to my husband for the next 4 days” she explained. “And Amit is spending his first night away with my ex. I get him back tomorrow, thankfully”.

“How old is he now?” 

“Almost 3 months, he’s 10 weeks, going to be 11 this coming week” she replied. 

“Is he sleeping through the night yet?” 

“I do have to wake him up during the night. He’s reaching out for things a little now, he fists his tiny hands and puts it in his mouth” she gushed. “I love these stages, its difficult when they grow older, I find” she chuckled. “Like Nyra, I need to constantly need to keep an eye and make sure she isn’t climbing things and putting herself in danger. I don’t have to worry about Amit like that. He sleeps most of the time and is usually following his wind chimes with his eyes on top of his cradle and trying to reach for it”. 

Indu smiled and her eyes widened when the door swung open. She glanced at Varun from the corner of her eye as he stepped inside wiping his shoes on the mats. Geet snickered and smiled watching Indu. She almost snorted when Indu fanned her face and mouthed once again that her brother was hot. Geet peeked a glance over her shoulder and laughed wondering what exactly Indu found Varun hot. 

He’d peeled off his t-shirt and had dirty hands and mud marks from mowing her lawn. It was his job to mow it every couple of weeks seeing as she cooked for them most of the time. His hair was damp with sweat and fell over his forehead obscuring his face. 

Varun washed his hands and turned his head. He paused and looked confused. “What?” he asked noticing his sister and her friend were staring. 

“Nothing” Geet answered. “This is Indu” she introduced. 

“Indu, this is Varun. My brother” she said gesturing to her brother. 

“Hey” Varun tipped his chin in acknowledgement and squinted when Indu continued to stare without a word. He stepped forward and leaned down whispering in Geet’s ear. “Is she mute?”

“No! She’s… Indu” she clicked her fingers in front of her. 

Indu wiped her mouth feeling as if she may have been drooling. Thankfully she had not, but she did have her mouth open and drinking in the sight of Varun. She blushed and chuckled sheepishly. Varun frowned in confusion and gave her an odd smile before he excused himself. 

Indu planted her face into the cushion and groaned. “He’s going to think I’m weird!” she whined.

“I think that as well” Geet patted her friend’s shoulder. 

Indu sat upright and looked at her. “He’s so hot, Geet. Look I’ve got goosebumps because of how hot he is” she said stretching her arm out to her face. 

“Okay, I don’t want to know” she laughed pushing away Indu’s arm. “He’s my brother”. 

“Where’s the yummy from the park? Are you dating him yet?” 

“Next door and no. I don’t see Maan like that” she responded. 

“There’s something totally wrong with your eyesight, Geet” Indu noted seriously. “You have yummy next door, and you haven’t made a move on him yet”.

“Nothing is wrong with me and believe me, even you would not make a move on him when you realise he’s a guy who spreads a gazillion legs of other women in a month”.

“So? If he’s still not found a woman to date in these gazillions, maybe you’re the one” she grinned widely and looked hopeful. 

“I bet you watch those romantic dramas, don’t you?” she countered with a question. 

“There’s nothing wrong with dreaming”. 

“There is if you’re hopeful its going to be true” she laughed. 

“And you’re broken. You’re free tonight, right?” 

“Why?” 

“Because we’re going out for a girls night” Indu announced standing up. “You and me. Happy hour at 7pm and I’m going to show you a good time, mama”. 

“No thank you”.

“When was the last time, you had a night to yourself? A kid free zone?” Indu inquired. 

“I like staying home, eating pizza and chilling”.

“We’ll chill tonight as well. We’re just going to be enjoying in a nicer environment and get you out of being a hobbit here. We can eat pizza as well and chill” she suggested. 

“I don’t know, I don’t feel like it”.

“Well, you’re going or I am going to pounce on yummy’s door and tell him you love him”.

Geet snorted. “As if he’ll believe it”.

“I’m going to embellish it, of course making it believable. I’ll tell him that every night you see him coming home with these gazillion girls, you’ve been imagining yourself in their shoes. Also adding that you go upstairs and bring yourself pleasure thinking about him”.

“You wouldn’t!” Geet gasped. “I decided I no longer like you”.

“Tough! Bring your other friend you mentioned as well” Indu grabbed her purse. 

“Indu, wait…” 

“We’re going by taxi, so I’ll come by at 7 to pick you up” she sang out and closed the door behind her ignoring Geet. 

“Great, it seems like I’m going out” Geet muttered to herself. She glanced at the clock noting she had about 5 hours before Indu returned so she stood and cleaned up the living space and kitchen. She turned the dial on the washing machine to dry and loaded up the dishwasher with the dirty dishes and switched it on. She dialled Nupur and learned she was busy today and couldn’t join them. After a quick sweep downstairs, she went up the stairs to tidy Nyra’s bedroom then jumped into the shower. 

Geet shaved, washed, lathered her hair with shampoo taking her time. It had been such a long time since she was able to spend more than 10 minutes in the shower. With Nyra and Amit, it was difficult, they always seemed to need her round the clock. It’s a miracle she was still standing and breathing. After a good 40 minutes when her fingertips starting crinkling like a prune, did she switch off the shower and step out. 

She stood in front of the wash basin with a towel wrapped around her body and hair. She grabbed her toothbrush and cleaned her teeth again and swished some mouthwash once she was done. After this, she pulled out her toiletry bag from the cupboard underneath and plucked her eyebrows shaping them. It had been some time since she had taken the tweezers to her brows and winced with each pluck. Geet was pleased with herself and was feeling better and confident as time went on. She hadn’t dressed up in ages, she couldn’t recall the last time she’d primped herself and had hours to get ready. She opened the bathroom door and peeked at the clock. She had 3 hours left so she washed her face and moisturized. She stepped out of the washroom and went through her clothes wondering what she should wear tonight. Casual, smart, dressy, or casual smart? After spending 20 minutes debating internally, Geet finally selected a casual smart outfit, since becoming a mother and especially after Amit, her body had changed considerably so she didn’t think she could squeeze her body into the size 6 or 8 dresses anymore. She selected a white t-shirt with black skinny jeans almost wincing at her breasts which were quite big and pushing out. She grabbed a navy-coloured blazer which defined her body much better, and her breasts didn’t look like it was in anybody’s face now. Pleased with her look, she slipped off the jacket and grabbed her gown. She tied it before sitting down and doing her makeup and hair. 

Geet's outfit

Indu gulped and managed an odd smile when Varun opened the door to her at 7pm. She seemed to have lost her tongue as well as Varun raised his brows and gave her an odd look. 

“You okay, there?” Varun repeated and touched her shoulder. 

She snapped out of her reverie and nodded quickly. “Is Geet ready?” she walked past him and stopped when Geet descended the steps. Her mouth gaped open. “Geet, you look amazing!” she gasped seeing Geet beautifully dressed. She’d seemed to do some smoky makeup enhancing her features and eyes, her hair was curled loosely and framing her heart shaped face. The necklace she’d donned made a statement and finished her look beautifully. 

“Thanks” Geet smiled coyly. 

“You’ve got a hot bod as well” Indu added perusing her. “Damn, where have you been hiding?” 

“Ok, stop” Geet giggled and shook her head. She noticed Varun wince and making a face. 

“You okay there?” she laughed. 

Varun nodded and walked past them. He stopped and leaned down to Geet’s ear. “You look beautiful, sis” he squeezed her shoulder. 

Geet smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll be back later. I’ve got my phone with me if Rahul brings the kids back earlier” she told him. 

“I’ve got them, you go and enjoy” he waved her off and she left with Indu. 

Indu had booked them a table at a newly opened restaurant and bar. Geet looked around consciously when they first entered feeling out of place, she’d forgotten how to socialise for a second seeing eyes turning in her direction until Indu wrapped her arm with hers and pulled her to their table assuring her she was sexy, and the men glancing are thinking the same. 

With Amit and Nyra gone, Geet ordered herself a cocktail – one that came with a second as it was happy hour. She wasn’t nursing Amit tonight and when he returns tomorrow, the drink would be out of her system. Indu clinked her glass to hers cheering and they drank. 

They caught up on each other’s respective work and Indu dished on the gossip in her office.

Geet switched to water when their food arrived, she found herself laughing so much with Indu cracking jokes and pointing to different patrons around the restaurant she would like to kiss, marry and kill. Indu pointed at another patron and asked Geet whether she would kiss, marry or kill him. Geet’s eyes widened and she snorted. The man across was bald, seemed way older than her and had a perverty moustache. 

“Kill” Geet whispered. 

“Hmm, I would do that too” Indu agreed and looked around. “Ooh look there, kiss, marry or kill” she pointed. 

Geet looked over her shoulder. “Hmm, I can’t see his face properly” she muttered. 

“Wait, he’s turning…” Indu told her. 

“Oh my gosh” Geet covered her mouth and chuckled. 

“What?” 

“That’s my brother, Yash” she said. 

“Do all the men look hot in your family?” Indu asked fanning her face. “I would kiss and marry him” she said. 

“I’ve only got two brothers” Geet replied picking up her glass of water and taking a sip. “We’ll not give you a heart attack with anymore hotness”.

“Whose hotness?” Someone asked leaning down and saying the words close to her ear. 

Geet stiffened and turned her head. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Maan?” she slowly smiled. 

He straightened and returned her smile. “Yes, Geet. I’m Maan. What are you doing here?” 

“What does it look like?”

“I knew it” he said pulling out the chair beside her on the round table and sat down. “I told the guys you’re on a date. After your ex, it isn’t a surprise you switched” he remarked grabbing a piece of naan and dipped it into her curry and chewed. 

Indu snickered and Geet frowned. 

“What? I am not on a date”.

“Really?” he stopped mid-chew and dipped another piece into the curry before popping it into his mouth. He hummed and chewed thoughtfully. “It’s good then. For the male population. My friends were moaning at the loss of a hot girl”.

“And I am right here” Indu stated mockingly holding her hand up. 

“Hi gorgeous” he said with a lazy smile. “My friends think you’re hot as well” he told her then turned to Geet. “I told them you’re unavailable by the way”.

“Shouldn’t that be my decision?” she questioned incredulously. 

“No. You pick numpties, and I should pick them for you. My friends are numpties” he stated as a matter of fact. “They’re no good for you”. 

“That’s my decision to make” Geet grabbed the basket of naan and moved it to the other as he reached for another. “Not yours. Just like this food isn’t yours. Order your own food”.

Maan rolled his eyes and waved the waiter over. “Can I get what she’s having please” he said.

“Order at your table, Maan” Geet gestured. “Go back to your friends”.

“No, then I would have to share my food. I don’t want to share it” he replied reaching across and stole an onion bhaji from her plate. 

“What do you think you’re doing stealing my food then?” she countered pushing her plate closer to herself. 

“I’ve seen you eat, Geet. You won’t finish all this. I’m just helping you”. 

“He’s so funny” Indu laughed clapping her hands excitedly. 

“Thanks, gorgeous. See she appreciates my presence” he pointed at her then looked at Geet once again. “You don’t look like a mom today. Totally hot. When I saw you from behind, I was already imagining coming over and asking you out but then you turned your face…” he grumbled. 

“Thanks. You make it seem like you saw Cinderella from behind and the ugly step-sister from the front” she mocked. 

“Nah, you’re too kind to yourself. Ursula from the little mermaid defines it properly” he answered playfully. Indu snorted and a loud laughter burst out of her. Geet’s eyes widened, and her cheeks heated. In anger. 

“And you look like Amit’s shit” she snapped. 

Maan stopped from popping another onion bhaji and scrunched his nose. “Don’t remind me of the stinky” he said. 

“You’re such an ass” Geet smacked his arm. He didn’t even budge or react. His arms were not just arms, they were bulky thick logs. 

Maan smiled slowly seeing Geet riled up and laughed. He poked her nose teasingly. “You know I’m joking, Geet” he said, and his eyes lit up excitedly when the waiter brought over his basket of naan and curry. 

Geet reached over snagging a naan from his basket of two and said, “this is for eating mine”. She ignored his pouty lips and tore a piece and dipped into her curry. 

“You can have mine” Indu handed him her spare one with a smile. 

“Thanks, gorgeous” he smiled brightly. “See, learn something from your friend”. 

Geet scowled at him then scowled at Indu who smiled dreamily and in amusement at Maan. 

Maan didn’t return to his table. He remained with Geet and Indu. Geet ignored him and he entertained Indu whilst teasing Geet. She eased up when he offered to buy her the dessert and got her two scoops of ice cream. Yash had dropped by briefly noticing Geet on his way out, he checked in on his sister and dropped a kiss to her forehead before he left her alone to continue with her night with friends. It was 11pm, when they’d asked for the bill and Maan covered it not letting them pay. It was decided, Geet would return with Maan in his car since they lived next door to each other and Indu would ride home in a taxi as she lived on the other side. If she had lived in the direction of where Maan and Geet lived, he would have happily dropped her off. Maan saw her to a taxi and climbed into his car with Geet in the passenger seat. 

Geet leaned her head against the window, she was relaxed and had a great time tonight, even with Maan when he had arrived. A small smile formed on her lips as her eyes followed the stars and moon that were lit up brightly in the sky. She was surrounded by peace. There was no screaming Nyra or whimpering Amit. She wasn’t consumed with the thoughts of failing them or forgetting something or the other. The silence in her mind soothed her. 

“We’re home” Maan announced breaking the silence. 

Geet looked at him and smiled. “Thanks for the ride” she climbed out of the car as he did the same crossing paths and moving to their respective properties. 

“Geet” Maan called stopping at the bottom of the steps. 

“Yeah?” 

“You look beautiful tonight, from the back and from the front” he told her and climbed the steps to his front door. 

She chuckled and grinned. “Thanks, Maan. You don’t look so bad yourself” she leaned against the door crossing her arms doing a showy action of looking him up and down. 

“What were you both talking about when you spoke about hotness and stuff?” he inquired curiously leaning against his doorframe.  

“Kiss, marry or kill” 

He laughed. “What category am I in?” 

“Definitely kill, Maan” she answered. “I don’t want any diseases from God knows where your mouth and woody has been”.

He gaped at her now. She laughed opening the door and closed. 

“I use protection!” he yelled. 

She laughed harder and heard the slam of his door. 

“Is it another woman screaming for his death?” Varun asked looking up from the tv. 

Geet shook her head with a grin.