Chapter 39

Queen0fDarkness

@Queen0fDarkness

MafiaQueen

@MafiaQueen

Chapter 39

The relatives had started pouring into the Khurana mansion as Diwali neared. Geet and Maan played their part, they’d be near each other and smile at others. Maan had even placed his hands on Geet’s waist whenever he led her somewhere. Geet mentally cursed him and her senses being so vulnerable to his touch.

Dadima explained that their staff will be joining them as usual and advised them to keep quiet about Geet and Maan’s relationship as they are unaware.

Some of the elderly relatives raised brows but had not questioned dadima. Geet appreciated dadima even more then and thanked her later that night.

Pinky had invited Geet to her place to get ready together and informed that they could go together as they had bought matching lehengas but in different colours.

Geet agreed and informed dadima of her plans.

Geet dressed in her chosen navy coloured lehenga that had been designed with navy sequins and finished with a layered ruffled dupatta. It had sat on her body perfectly. It complimented her creamy soft skin. Pinky had braided half of her hair on the right side then left the remaining to cascade in curly ringlets over her left shoulder. Geet settled for a bronze and nude makeup look. Neha and Pinky could not praise her enough when she was all dressed. Both girls also looked just as stunning. They’d purchased similar lehengas but with different blouse designs.

Geet's lehenga

Adi arrived outside Pinky’s place to pick up the girls as they’d made plans to go together. Adi and Viren’s jaws dropped when the ladies walked out of the house dressed beautifully. Neither could move their gaze away.

“You’re… all looking beautiful” Viren complimented as he recovered and smiled as they climbed into the back.

“Dressed to kill?” Geet winked.

“Definitely” he agreed. “Who are you planning to kill? Armaan?”

Geet chuckled and shook her head.

“Is that really…” Dev muttered. His eyes widened.

Naintara turned and looked shocked. “She definitely wasn’t lying” she smiled and walked across. “Geet. You look… wow” she smiled and hugged her tightly. “Happy Diwali” she wished her.

“Happy Diwali” Geet responded grinning widely and looked pleased. “Naintara, these are my friends” she introduced them to her and introduced Naintara as a friend.

Naintara ushered them in further as others started arriving.

Geet smiled and watched the others’ eyes wandering around the mansion.

“So, this is where Maan sir lives…” Pinky remarked in astonishment. “I missed the previous party to go and visit family in the village when I could have come here and be treated like royalty” she murmured.

“I don’t think that would have happened” Adi laughed. “Sasha acts like its her mansion when she comes”.

Geet snickered. “And speaking of the devil…”

They turned and saw Sasha arriving. She’d donned on a georgette red saree with golden woven stripes and a thick floral border. One would think she was the wife of this household not Naintara or Geet.

Sasha's saree 😆

“Is she seriously wearing that for Diwali?” Viren muttered.

“It seems so” Adi laughed nodding his head.

“She’s so despo, yaar” Geet mocked and looked around. She searched silently for Maan and watched as he finally made his way downstairs. Her eyes drinking in the sight of him. His black outfit moulded to his body so amazingly that it was as if it had been made only for him. And it probably had been made just for him.

From across the hall, their eyes met, and they didn’t look away.

Maan tensed for a second pausing on the step as his eyes met hers. He perused her silently, his eyes lingering on her cleavage before slowly trailing down consuming the sight of her body hungrily. His throat suddenly felt parched. He climbed the final step and was about to move across to her. Almost unwittingly when Dev appeared.

“Bro, look away from bhabhi whilst we’re in front of people” he whispered. “Dadima reminded us that she didn’t want anyone to act like she lives here and is our family member” he reminded.

That snapped Maan out of his reverie and he cleared his throat. “I was looking at the decorations” he informed.

“I believe you” Dev smirked knowingly and chuckled softly beneath his breath.

Maan shot a glare at his brother and held himself back from a retort when Sasha appeared. He glanced at her and offered a curt smile. “Sasha” he acknowledged.

“Happy Diwali, MK. Dev” Sasha wished them. “As always, the mansion is looking superb. The decorations are just so lovely” she gushed and internally dreamed of being by his side and greeting guests and welcoming them into their home for Diwali.

“Happy Diwali to you too” he replied.

“Happy Diwali” Dev said simultaneously. “Sasha, I think the biggest thanks goes to the women of our house. Dadima and Naintara” he gestured. “They did it all”.

“Of course, of course” she grinned nodding her head. “MK I…”

“Excuse me, Sasha” he excused himself. His eyes were drawn to his wife and her new boyfriend. Armaan had arrived and made himself seemingly at home with Geet. His arm was around her shoulder as he seemingly cracked jokes making their group laugh.

He straightened and tried his best to not seem intimidating. He was going to act cool and just ingratiate himself near them so he could keep an eye out.

“Happy Diwali, sir” Adi greeted acknowledging him and the others followed.

Maan’s eyes were fixed on Armaan’s arm around Geet, and he pinned a glare at Geet.

She scowled at him and smiled. “Aap ko kuch chahiye, sir?”

“Huh…” he frowned looking confused. “Uh… no. No. Hope you have a wonderful party” he muttered and cursed himself internally.

“We will” Geet grinned widely. “Sasha is looking very beautiful, right sir?”

“What?” he looked confused.

The others looked at her shocked. Armaan curled his fingers on her shoulder and squeezed questioningly as he looked down at her. She didn’t look at Armaan. Her eyes were focused on Maan.

“She dressed for you to impress you” Geet stated. “Just like I dressed for my Armaan” she giggled coyly and appeared to be blushing.

Maan gritted his teeth and fisted his hands by his side.

Before either of them said anything further, dadima drew everyone’s attention and asked them to make their way to the temple for their Lakshmi puja ceremony.

Maan’s thoughts were occupied by Geet. She stood just a couple of feet away with her hands folded as dadima performed the puja. He watched her silently. His eyes unmoved and his focus entirely on her. Beside her stood Armaan. An unfamiliar spark of intense jealousy coursed through him. He hated this.

He seemed to be in a kashmakash where he would not win either way. If he went in this direction, he would lose someone. If he went in the other, he would lose someone.

Both those someone held the strings of his heart. There lies the difficulty in the kashmakash. And he didn’t know what he could do.

6.5 years ago, London

“What?” Maan looked down in surprise.

“Maan, come on think about it” Sameera chuckled lifting her head off his chest. “You’re coming here almost every night and we spend weekends together. Instead of paying for student housing and rent for you, why don’t we move in together?” she suggested.

He contemplated over her suggestion. “Give me some time, Sameera. It is a big decision” he admitted. She smiled sweetly.

“I know. Take all the time you need” she pressed a kiss to his lips.

He smiled reciprocating then turned his attention to the tv once again where they binged on classic British dramas.

“Sameera, you’re taking too long” Maan sang out with a chuckle as he waited outside.

“I’m coming, I’m coming” she called out after him grabbing her bag and shoving her feet into her shoes in a scramble. “You kept me up late” she mockingly slapped his arm as they hurried out and climbed into the car.

Maan drove them to the university and dropped a kiss to her lips before they dispersed in different directions for their lectures.

“Sameera A. I’m still unable to believe she chose you over me” Luke joined his side.

“I am much more handsome than you” Maan joked.

“You gave her cheesy pick-up lines and flattered her” Richard stated falling into step with his friends.

“Okay, maybe. But I am charming” he countered.

“I don’t think so” Luke shook his head.

“Well, she seemed to think so and agreed to go out with me” he elbowed his friend in jest.

After their lecture, they had a break and made their way into the cafeteria.

“Sameera suggested we should maybe move in together” Maan informed his friends as they grabbed a table to eat their lunch.

“Wow. Isn’t that too fast though?” Richard asked. “It’s only been… what 6 months?”

“Yeah” Maan answered and nodded. “I get it from her point of view, we would save on individual rent and housing costs. I’m just…” he paused and wasn’t sure if he could explain it all that well to his friends about his conservative grandmother. If she learned, he was not only sleeping with his girlfriend but living with her – she would have a heart attack. He refrained from elaborating to his friends. They wouldn’t understand. Not really. They had been born here in the UK, brought up with different values to him. They didn’t see an issue with one-night stands, drinking obsessively, partying all night, sleeping around with random, even multiple people at the same time. University student life is like a big party that is filled with booze and sex. That’s how his friends viewed it. He was often teased for staying away from the party scenes.

Sameera wasn’t keen on them either, so she was perfect for him. They’d make excuses to leave together quickly and return to either his or her place and just enjoy being together. They didn’t need alcohol or parties to keep the conversation flowing. It was easy. She was thoughtful and accommodating and always looking out for him in her own ways.

“You’re just what?” Luke squinted curiously.

“I’m on the fence” he replied. That seemed better than trying to explain his and his grandmother’s conservative views.

“Well, just tell her that then” Richard responded. “Tell her you think its too early and you’re enjoying this stage right now. I believe you should date her at least a good 3-4 years before you move in. The first two years is like a honeymoon period”

“Correct” Luke chimed in eagerly. “You know their true colours after that”.

Maan looked between them and laughed. “First, did you both stay with someone for more than 3-4 months?”

Both shook their heads.

“So you don’t know then” he laughed and shook his head. “Sameera and I have discussed our plans. We both are sure of our futures”.

“Which is?” Luke and Richard questioned simultaneously.

“First our careers, she wants to become a pharmacist and I want to help my father with his construction business and take it to new lengths. Then once we’re settled, we’d like to be married. Then another 4-5 years, maybe have a kid”.

Luke and Richard stared. Then they burst out laughing.

“You are whipped” Luke howled slapping the table finding the dreams of the future seemingly hilarious. Maan didn’t find anything funny. “Who talks like that? We’re 22, Maan. Not 32. Future and kids… You are whipped”.

“Shut up” he grumbled.

Maan arrived at his apartment and smiled smelling the waft of cooking. He dropped his bag down and slipped out of his shoes. He padded over and smiled seeing Sameera by the stove kneading something whilst stirring a pot. He approached her from behind sliding his arm around her and embraced her from behind.

“Something smells nice” he hummed.

“I do taste even better” she joked blowing a wayward curl from her face.

He laughed and tucked her hair behind her ear and looked into the pan. “I love your chicken hot pot” he told her recognising the dish immediately.

“Good. I’m nearly done with the bread. 20 minutes and we can eat” she folded up the bread into the tin and placed it into the oven. “Why don’t you freshen up whilst I finish off here?”

He agreed and left.

30 minutes later, they were sat on the small dining table and tucking into their dinner.

Maan’s attention was drawn to his girlfriend. Oblivious to his observations, she dunked her garlic buttered bread into the sauce and chewed before spooning up some hot pot and slurping it. She looked amazing. When he looked at her, he thought of peace and warmth. She was homely.

Sameera flushed when she caught Maan just staring. She lowered her eyes shyly. “What?”

“Let’s move in together” he said.

“What? Really?” she grinned.

He nodded.

She dropped her spoon into the bowl and leaped onto his lap hugging him tightly. “I love you, Maan” she confessed and kissed him.

“I love you too” he replied smiling brightly and hugged her back.

After dinner, everyone stepped outside to watch the fireworks. Geet was following her friends when dadima called out to her.

“Bete, Naintara is helping Dev with the fireworks. The box of sparklers is in the room upstairs, can you go get it?” she asked.

“Haan, dadima” Geet agreed and smiled. “Bas aap ek excuse banadijiye if someone looks for me” she said knowing her friends will start searching for her.

Dadima agreed and joined everyone outside whilst Dev and Naintara organised the fireworks positions to light up.

Geet went into the room that dadima had pointed to and stepped inside. She reached for the switch to turn it on when she felt someone hold her wrist and push her inside clasping a hand on her mouth and the door was kicked shut.

Her eyes widened and panic settled on her chest.

“It’s me” Maan’s rough voice brushed her ears and she stiffened before relaxing.

Once he’d been assured, she would not scream, he released her.

Geet whirled around and narrowed her eyes at him. “What the hell was that?”

It was dark in the room. She could only make out a couple of his features due to the moonlight shining through the large windows.

“Why?”

“Why, what?” she snapped.

“Why are you dating Armaan?” he asked. “There’s nothing common and… you’re my wife” he gritted out quietly. He had watched throughout dinner when she was surrounded by her friends, they were sat way too close for his liking and Armaan picked out things from his plate and made Geet try them. He’d watched when Armaan brushed the corner of Geet’s lips with his finger when sauce had stuck there.

“Stop calling me your wife, Maan. I’m not your wife. Not in any sense” she replied. “We’re nothing to each other” she turned around and reached to switch the lights on.

“Nothing to each other?” he gritted stepping forward and caged her between him and the wall. “We married each other. You do remember that right? How do you forget when you let him touch you?” he hissed. His eyes lingered on the corner of her mouth. A place he’d tasted and a place that Armaan had touched. “Do you prefer his touch or mine?” he slowly whispered. His eyes growing dark. His hand pushing away from the wall and brushed against the corner of her mouth. “Has he touched you like this?”

Geet’s lips trembled. A shudder ran through her spine. His touch, his proximity playing with her senses. He was teasing her with his closeness. She inhaled and found herself drunk on his cologne and his musky masculinity that was all him. “Does he, Geet?”

She hummed softly. It was no lie. Armaan hadn’t touched her intimately, but in a friendly manner. He’d wiped away the sauce from the corner of her mouth.

“Or like this?” he growled caressing her cheek.

She closed her eyes and nodded. He had. He’d tucked away her curls behind her ear when it’d disturbed her.

“Does he do this?” he whispered curling an arm around her waist. His fingers teasing her creamy skin.

She hummed, almost whimpered in fact.

He squeezed and pressed forward. “You’re married to me” he gritted. “And only mine. Not Armaan’s. Mine” he slammed his lips against hers and kissed her hard.

Geet gasped and clutched at his jacket. She was supposed to push him away, instead she pulled him closer melting into him.

He groaned against her mouth cupping her nape and angled her for a better position. He dipped into her mouth deepening the kiss and arched his hips. Geet moaned and breathed hard feeling his arousal pressing against her sensitive warm lower abdomen.

“Geet, did you find the…” Naintara’s voice stopped, and they both pulled away from each other frantically. “Shit! I’m so sorry” Naintara swivelled away from them.

Geet looked horrified and glared at Maan.

He looked confounded as if he had just realised what he had done and rubbed his mouth. He glanced at Geet before he stalked out of the room without a word.

Naintara squeezed her eyes and slowly turned to Geet. “Are you okay, Geet?” she chewed on her bottom lip worryingly.

Geet looked at her then slowly smiled. Two red spots appearing on her cheeks. “He’s not a robot and is affected” she muttered.

Naintara looked confused and Geet chuckled.

“Baad mein, let’s find the sparklers” she said looking around.

“I’ll find them, you go… straighten yourself up. You look like a woman who’d been mauled in the dark” Naintara teased.

Geet chuckled and hurried into the washroom fixing herself up. Once finished, she joined Naintara and walked out joining the others outside. There was bounce to her steps as she thought of the kiss and Maan’s declaration.

So robot isn’t gay and he said I’m his she mused and smiled brightly going over to her friends and joined them.

Thank you for the wonderful comments. I love that you enjoy this story so much. I love writing it for you. This is probably the longest update I have given. 3000 words. I am not sure how I have done it, but I am very appreciative and thankful for your support and encouragement. Hope you have enjoyed this update. Please please do hit the like and comment.

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