Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Geet’s hopes withered as the days passed. She looked at the empty cold side of the bed where Maan used to sleep and pondered thoughtfully over his disappearance. He didn’t return to their bed that night, nor any other night since. Instead, she’d learned the following evening that he suddenly had to go out of the country, and no one was aware of when he would return.
Geet couldn’t even ask Adi for any news on him as no one was aware of their relationship and she didn’t exactly work directly under Maan so his presence or in this case non-presence did not affect her work.
While she had been stubborn and promised she would give him space, she relented when he was gone a week and sent him text messages and tried calling.
His responses were short. All of which were saying he’s too busy or in a meeting.
Geet wanted to smash the phone to pieces each time his stupid text messages came through. As the days passed, her anger towards him intensified.
How much space does he exactly need? That he had to go and leave the freaking country. Days turned into weeks then a couple of months. Janmashtami had passed as did Dussehra. And Karwa Chauth was a couple of weeks away, her first Karwa Chauth as his wife and about 6 weeks before their first anniversary. Geet’s texts to Maan had died down during the time as well. She’d focused solely on her work and then coming home to spend time with dadima and the others. She’d lied when dadima asked her whether she’d spoken to Maan. She’d said yes and nodded along. She knew Maan called weekly to check in on dadima and her health. And it seemed he had lied and said he was keeping in touch with Geet as well. Geet’s parent did come to visit her during this time and she’d filled them in on her new life with everyone and her parents were utterly pleased with everything. Geet had smiled through tears when her mother cupped her cheeks and told her she was so lucky to be married to a man like Maan and his family. Geet was indeed lucky to have such in laws like dadima, Dev and Naintara. She just wasn’t certain about the husband who’d yet to return.
Geet took out the time to meet with her friends, Misha, Yash, Ryan and Aditi and learned they’d all found themselves a partner during their internships with their respective companies. Aditi had even expressed that her new partner, Jai, was really fond of her and wanted to marry her. Geet feigned excitement and happiness when Aditi told them Jai was coming over with his parents to ask for her hand. And they’d all pointed out at the same time, it was high time Geet had to meet someone soon as well since they all had someone now. Geet had brushed off their teasing banter letting them know she had too much work to be focusing on dating whereas inside she felt her throat tighten with her lies and her heart breaking with the current strained relationship she shared with her husband. Could it be called a relationship even? It also dawned on her that she had no one to express herself to. She couldn’t tell them about her marriage. She couldn’t turn to her parents, her in laws or her friends.
Dadima was too happy right now and she couldn’t break the elderly woman’s heart.
She couldn’t tell her parents, whilst they’d loved and cherished her, they’d remind her marriage was for life and she had to make the compromises and sacrifices. And she could not tell her friends because they weren’t even aware she was even married.
She would not have minded not expressing herself to them because she would have accepted Maan being her listening ear, but he wasn’t here or even acknowledging that he had left a wife behind.
Geet walked towards the dining room and paused when she heard dadima’s voice growing hard.
“Maan, what is the meaning of this?”
Geet wondered what he was saying to dadima that was seemingly upsetting her.
“You have to be here. It is Geet’s first Karwa Chauth! Everyone else will be coming to see you both, especially our relatives Maan” Dadima explained angrily. “No, I don’t want to hear excuses of you being tied up or being too busy. It is Geet’s first Karwa Chauth… No, Maan… Maan! Maan” Dadima glared at the dead tone of her phone and slapped it on the table looking at Dev and Naintara. “Yeh Maan na… Geet ki pehli Karwa Chauth hain aur woh ab keh rahe hai ke unko pata nahi ke woh ghar aayengi ya nahi”.
Geet tensed listening to dadima complaining and was hurt that he might not even be able to come home for her first Karwa Chauth. Her hopes no longer just withered day by day. It died completely today. He doesn’t seem to give a damn about her.
Geet straightened and masked her hurt grinning as she entered the dining room greeting everyone. “Morning!”
They’d replied softly and dadima then asked. “Geet, aap ne Maan se baat ki?”
Geet tightened her fingers around her cup and smiled. “Abhi nahi, dadima. He usually calls me in the evenings…”.
“Bete, I’ve just spoken to him and he’s saying he might not be making it home for Karwa Chauth” Dadima told her looking extremely disappointed.
“Dadima, there’s next year as well” she smiled jokingly. “Maan is really busy with this project and it seems something or the other issue keeps popping up” she lied with a smile on her face.
“Even so, work will always be there” Dadima sighed.
“And so will I…” Geet grinned winking at her. Inwardly, Geet wasn’t sure. Could she continue to pass her marriage like this? An aloof husband who is hot with her one second and in a moment’s notice, he’s cold.
A few days before Karwa Chauth, Naintara dragged a reluctant Geet along with her to go shopping for their clothes and jewellery. Geet had no interest in anything, but she smiled and nodded along whatever Naintara chose for her. The evening before Karwa Chauth commenced, Geet and Naintara sat for hours getting their hands decorated with henna. Geet grimaced when she’d seen the artist intricately writing her husband’s name in her palm. She’d cursed him silently and bit her lip to stop the tears from welling up when Dev and Naintara joked around during dinner and searching for his name. In that moment, Geet hated Maan.
Dadima assembled the sargi for both her granddaughter in laws and fed them both lovingly in the early hours before sunrise.
A cold dread filled Geet in the morning as she’d woken up, she looked around their room wondering if Maan would really miss her first Karwa Chauth. She searched for any evidence that showed he’d returned home just in time for her first Karwa Chauth, but there was no sign of him or any belongings.
And there continued to be no sign of him as the day passed, Geet’s eyes drifted to the door each time someone entered, it seemed everyone in the whole world turned up except Maan. Dadima ushered Geet and Naintara away telling them to start getting ready and changing into their clothes for the puja as the evening approached telling them she’ll send the makeup artists when they arrive.
“This is a wedding lehenga” Geet stated frowning at the clothes properly since they’d bought it. She hadn’t paid much mind to it on the day but as she unzipped the bag…
“You agreed to it” Naintara replied.
“I… I didn’t”
“Geet, this is your first Karwa Chauth with us all. You need to be dressed properly like a bride. Everyone is coming to see the eldest Khurana daughter in law” Naintara explained as she tied the laces of her blouse at the small of her back.
“I don’t want everyone’s eyes on me” she whined.
Naintara chuckled and turned around facing Geet almost putting a smile on Geet’s face as she stood in her embroidered blouse and a salwar. She cupped Geet’s shoulder gently. “No one in this family thought Maan veerji will ever settle down and marry anyone, but he has. We’re all very happy for him and you. Everyone appreciates you even more, especially when they see you and him together. You’re great for him, Geet. He’s not here today, but whenever we’ve seen you both, we know he’s happy with you” she smiled.
Geet considered Naintara’s words, she knew she was just trying to reassure her, but Geet wasn’t reassured at all. It troubled her even more, no one seemed to see the distance between herself and Maan. They all assumed she and Maan were fine, but they were far from it. Maan wasn’t even interested. How could he be when he had missed the last 3 months and didn’t even reach out to her? He had not once willingly texted her, even after she’d stopped. He hadn’t sent a text to say he is fine.
Geet nodded with a smile at Naintara and swallowed the tight lump that had formed in her throat. She looked at the lehenga that Naintara purchased for her and felt the tears stinging her eyes. She wasn’t going to cry, though. Maan didn’t deserve it.
Naintara smiled shimmying on her lehenga skirt and tugged her salwar off from underneath before she pinned the dupatta in place. While Naintara was unshy and comfortable changing in front of her, Geet wasn’t. So, she picked up her change of clothes and slipped into the closet to change out of her salwar kameez and into her lehenga. The lehenga though intricately designed, it was light as it was thread work rather than gems and stones which Geet appreciated.
When she emerged, she noticed that the makeup artists had arrived and were already working on Naintara’s hair and makeup. Geet joined Naintara on the sofa and sat whilst the second makeup artist started working on her.
Naintara's outfit
Geet's outfit
Dadima entered the room and grinned when she’d seen Geet and Naintara all decked up beautifully, she walked over blessing them both and pressed kisses to their forehead. She then told them to come down to join everyone and they’ll be sitting shortly for the puja. Dadima clasped Geet’s hand before she could leave, once Naintara was gone, dadima asked Geet, “Bete, aap ne Maan se baat ki hai?”
“Not yet, I… I was busy” she mumbled.
“Koi baat nahi. Maine unko phone karne ki koshish ki hai lekin unka phone unreachable aa raha hai” she sighed. “Bete, Maan shayad…”
Geet nodded silently not wanting to hear dadima state the obvious. She was just barely hanging on by a thread.
“Jab woh ghar aayenge na, main unke khabar lungi” she promised.
“Dadima, rehne dijiye. Hum neeche chalte hai”.
Dadima nodded and wrapped an arm around her ushering her out and led her downstairs. Eyes turned and looked on in awe as Geet walked down.
She was wearing a red lehenga with heavy gold thread work all over. The dupatta was draped over her shoulder and the other end pinned to her hips giving a saree look to her lehenga. Geet’s makeup was light and only enhanced her natural beauty and her long hair was curled loosely and trailed down to her waist.
Dadima introduced Geet to other members of the family, Naintara rescued Geet when the elderly ladies turned to continuing to the family line and introduced her to Maan and Dev’s cousins. Geet smiled politely as they all introduced themselves to her and wondered how she was going to even remember all of them. They weren’t just direct cousins, there were cousin’s wives and some teen daughters of their cousins as well.
“I won’t remember their names” Geet whispered to Naintara.
“Don’t worry, there is too many of them right now. I get confused sometimes as well, so just smile and make small talk” she reassured.
Geet nodded in agreement. She could make small talk and be polite.
“Bhabhi, we’ve seen Dev veerji, but where is Maan veerji? We haven’t seen him around yet” One of the cousins questioned.
Geet was stumped. She hadn’t expected such a loaded question, she hoped for polite, light exchanges. She wasn’t sure what to say and all of them were staring at her expectantly.
Naintara looked concerned and frowned when Geet couldn’t even form words. She looked alarmed and almost scared. So, she intervened. “Maan veerji has been tied up abroad for some time, we’re hoping he can make it in time for Geet’s first Karwa Chauth” she said placing her hand on Geet’s arm. “Otherwise, he is going to be suffering and paying a very hefty price when he does return for missing her first Karwa Chauth” she winked teasingly. Geet numbly nodded and gave an uncertain smile.
“But still, bhabhi. He should have been here, it’s their first”.
“We all know, Kavita” Naintara replied. “We’ve still got time, you never know”.
“It shouldn’t be so surprising though, should it?” Naina remarked. “Veerji doesn’t believe in all this, and his work comes before everything. Even after marriage, his work comes first. I bet he hasn’t changed at all, he’s still cold, right?” she chuckled. “Bhabhi, haven’t you managed to work some magic on our veerji?”
“Naina, that’s enough” Naintara interrupted frowning at her.
Geet gritted her teeth and plastered a tight smile. She sighed in relief when dadima called them over to do the puja.
After the puja finished, they all moved to the terrace and waited for the moon.
Geet moved to the opposite side away from Maan’s cousins and sat down. She stared across the horizon recollecting their remarks.
“Geet, you ok?” Naintara joined her side.
“Yeah, I’m fine” she replied softly continuing to stare out. She couldn’t turn to look at Naintara because she would see the tears welling up in her eyes and she didn’t want Naintara’s night spoiled because of her loneliness and hurt.
“I’m sure veerji would have been here, you know” she said. “Something must have come up… you know”.
“Yeah, something must have come up” Geet agreed reluctantly. Something so important to him that he missed tonight and the last 3 months she thought silently.
Dev called out and gestured to the moon.
Excited chatter of the woman echoed as they stood with their thali and their husband’s joined them. Geet grabbed her sieve and thali searching for dadima as she stood unsurely. She didn’t know exactly what to do. She watched silently as they looked at the moon through the sieve and offered the arka to the moon securing the blessings and wishing a long life for their husbands before they turned and faced their husbands.
Geet looked away as the respective spouses picked up the tumbler quenching the thirsts of their wives lovingly. She decided to just do what the women did and picked up her sieve with the diya sitting on the inside and looked at the moon. She focused on that ignoring the commotion and whispers surrounding her and continued to curse Maan mentally. She was sure his cousins were laughing at her state and considering her a spectacle as she was doing the rituals for a husband who wasn’t even here.
“Geet… sorry bete…” Dadima rushed over and smiled placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re doing it correct” she reassured.
Geet nodded not looking away from the moon and picked up the tumbler offering the arka before she closed her eyes and turned. She opened them and blinked in surprise when Maan stood across from her. She had so many questions whizzing through her head. One of them was to question where the hell he was for the last couple of months. He looked drained and wary.
“Bete…” Dadima instructed her to do the arti and place the tika on his forehead.
She nodded pressing her finger in the kumkum and thumbed across his forehead.
Geet’s eyes watered as he lifted the tumbler and held it up to her lips, she took a small sip and then was fed a sweet. She was surprised when he held out a gift box for her. She muttered a thanks and opened the box. She smiled faintly seeing a white gold thin bracelet with diamond shaped gems all around and there was a pair of white gold diamond shaped earrings with them.
Dadima suggested to Geet to wear them now, but she’d shook her head telling her she’d wear it on another day. She was too hungry right now, dadima chuckled nodding and told them to make their way down whilst she checked on the staff if they’d set up their table properly. Maan excused himself and walked down whilst Geet found herself surrounded by his cousins to admire his choice of the gift.
Naina teasingly remarked that maybe their Maan veerji had changed a little. Geet ignored the comments and excused herself. She walked down and headed towards the bedroom to put the jewellery box away before she joined everyone downstairs.
She paused when Maan exited the washroom in just a towel around his waist as soon as she’d entered and closed the door.
Geet looked away from him and walked to the closet placing the gift box inside. She wanted to turn and walk away, but the questions in her mind continued to echo. Maan seemed to continue to go about his routine, he rummaged through his wardrobe for a change of clothes and grabbed his deodorant.
He was about to head into the washroom to change but stopped when Geet spoke.
“3 months…” she stated and turned to look directly at him. “You disappeared for 3 months”.
Maan stared at her. Words failed to form his lips.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” she questioned.
He watched the tear sliding down her cheek and looked into her eyes. He had hurt her very much. Her eyes were screaming at him yet she continued to wait for him to give an answer.
“Say something, anything… Give me one reason why you stayed away” she stated.
“I just needed space” he replied.
“Space?” she looked at him in disbelief and shook her head. “You were gone for 3 months because you needed space? You didn’t even let me know. I woke up in the morning and you weren’t there. I waited. I texted you and each time, you made up some excuse that you were busy. You made the time to speak to dadima and everyone else, but you couldn’t even pick up the phone once to call me” she inhaled covering her mouth swallowing down the sob that ached to escape. She didn’t want anyone passing by their room to hear her. She gritted her teeth together blinking rapidly forcing the tears to escape and disappear. She wiped her face angrily and exhaled loudly.
“I told you I would not be living my life like this, you promised to try. You promised to give us a chance and… as soon as I thought we were getting somewhere, you close up on me” she hissed. “Why don’t you just tell me what it is that’s bothering you? Why don’t you open up to me, Maan? I’m trying here. I’m trying to be patient. I waited for you for 3 months, no, its going to be 11 months now since we married. And you’ve not even let me into your life… You’re not even giving me an inch” she closed the distance between them. “Just… give me something, please”.
Maan stared at the tear stained face of his wife, her pleading for something but he could not bring himself to form the words. He closed his eyes and cradled her cheek. Geet’s eyes softened, and she closed them with a soft weak smile as he pressed his forehead to hers.
“I’m sorry” he apologised and watched her eyes snapping open as he released her and backtracked into the washroom locking the door behind him.
Geet choked on a sob and slapped her hand across her mouth muffling her cries. She sucked in a deep breath when the rapid knocking of one of his cousins yelled for them to come down and join for dinner.
Her hunger and appetite were dead right now. She couldn’t face anyone downstairs, not now. Not when he had just broken her heart completely and cruelly.
Geet sniffed and swiped her cheeks. “We’re coming” she called out, her voice thick and hoarse as she tried composing herself. She couldn’t even miss dinner as that would raise questions and she’d surely hear the taunting remarks of the relatives and cousins.
Geet walked to the washroom door placing her hand on it and said, “I fasted all day for you, I prayed on this night for your long life and you rewarded me with breaking my heart. Tonight, you broke my hopes and dreams, Maan. You’re accountable for the breakup of our relationship. It’s all on you. You are responsible”.
Maan listened to her silently and heard the door opening and slamming shut.
I know he acknowledged quietly.
Heart on the line is being updated also so do check that out.
Please hit the like and comment so I know you're all still liking it. Thank you for the lovely comments on the previous two chapters. Thank you for motivating me and loving this story. ❤️
Comments (19)
This is not fine at all why oh why. What happened that he is hurting geet and himself too. Why is he making her stay in this relationship if there is a problem. Why is he not letting her go. She can atleast be happy somewhere else. He has her captive. Not fair geet better walk out now
3 years ago
Chapter 30 Heart breaking update 😭How could maan just take off & leave for 3 mos w/o a word That is inexcusable!! Poor geet , she does not even have anyone to pour her heart out to I would of been furious if he missed karva but thank goodness , he made it But still no answer for her question?? How can they step forward if he will not open up ....... this is not fair to geet . Thank you for updating 🤗
3 years ago
Chapter 28 & 29 Everything was going so well Geet’s farce of being a stranger to the Khurana’s was being pulled off Loved the dadima matchmaking idea ... it was brilliant Sasha is so annoying ...,, why is her nose always in everyone else’s business??? Ending suprised me though b/c I was hoping for some romance , not another snag in their relationship. What happened??? Why was maan so upset & why was he so cold to geet ??? Is it regarding his past ??? Thank you 🤗Sorry for late comment
3 years ago
Oh finally he is back. Had such a hollow feeling reading the update, How can he go away for 3 months and not explain himself. Really feel for Geet and wonder how do they get past this. Please update next part soon and hopefully show a ray of light, it is Maneer after all and they are meant to be together.
3 years ago
Hi MQ! thanks for the updateChapter 30Heart wrenching update.... beautifully writtenfeeling for Geet.....how can Maan do this? he just left for three months without any wordhate what Maan is doing!sad that he does not even respond to Geet's textswhile she has been patient, Maan has failed to consider hershe is his wifeat least she is keeping herself busynothing justifies his actionsdismayed that Maan is not coming back for karva chauthdadima is clearly upsetThis Naina did not have to taunt Geetwell Maan is back in time for her to break her fastshe is stunned seeing him theregreat that Geet confronted himher anger and frustration is reasonable its 11 months and he has not allowed in his lifeI am disappointed in Maanwhy can't he confide in Geet?yet again he broke her heart and shattered her dreamshe should try harderMaan is not been fair to Geetwish that he realises soon....Maan cannot just let her go! he needs to try and make his marriage workI do not want them to separate!update asapkhwaishfan2021-07-11 18:52:01
3 years ago
What an end to the update...everything was going good and then this bomb
3 years ago
super wow....love the comebacks of geet and naintara
3 years ago
Nice update Feeling sad for geet Waiting for next update
3 years ago
Sad update. Why is Maan behaving with Geet like that. Geet did the right thing of informing that he is responsible for the break up in their relationship.
3 years ago
Amazing update. I just cant get it that y maan is not sharing his prob with geet.Maan didnt once meet geet before going to to aboard nor make any efforts to call or text to geet.Geet is right that maan is not at all bothered abt her but his feeling only.Geet have to pretend everywhere whether it is her frnds or in laws or her parents. Geet is really strong that she does not broke before Naintara or dadima.How much space needed to maan?He is ready to break his relationship with geet but not to share his prob or past whatever it is.....I just hope that maan realizes geet feelings n her plc in his life before it gets too late for him to work on given chance n regret it for life long.
3 years ago