Part 81
But when he doubts himself, he doesn't know what to do. He has never faced self-doubt before. He has been clear about his bad and good points. This situation of self-doubt is unchartered territory for him, and he is on verge of drowning.
Maan was fully surprised by LadyA today. He snorted and said.
M - Aren't you afraid I’ll fire you right now?
LadyA shrugged.
LadyA - I am here. Call me if you want to go another round. Also you can fire me... but madam will hire me back.
She replied cheekily to Maan.
Maan smiled back at her. Yeah, Geet probably would give him an earful first and then hire ladyA back.
LadyA - Also boss. About the car. Madam wanted to catch you red handed sneaking back home late at night. But that Yahoo guy just kept foiling our plans. We pretended car trouble to get rid of him, but that cunning fox is too full of strategies.
Maan broke down lady A’s weird explanation and the name giving. Finally understanding the cause and effect behind tonight's scene
M - I'll talk to Geet.
Maan thanked lady A for her help and decided to have a honest conversation with Geet tomorrow morning.
Maan walked out of the gym and saw lights in the hall were still brightly lit.
It was almost midnight.
He looked around and found Geet asleep on the couch. She was probably waiting for him to come out, but entire day's exhaustion caught up with her.
Maan walked over to her and gently picked her trying not to disturb her too much, still Geet woke up a little and muttered his name in her sleep.
G - Maan...?
M - hmm ... sleep
He quickly brought Geet to her room and tucked her into the bed. All the while Geet kept murmuring his name and her complaints and worries unintelligibly.
Maan kept replying to her in soothing tones, letting her know he was there.
He gently stroked Geet's head until she was deeply asleep again.
Later he took off her footwear and loosened some of her clothes so she could sleep comfortably and went back to his own room.
All night Maan kept thinking about how to talk to Geet . He kept coming up with drafts and discarding them one by one.
He had always been honest and open about his shortcomings with Geet. He had felt no shame in exposing them.
: But this... This ugly .. self-depreciating.. doubtful feeling... He couldn't come to terms with it himself.. much less explain it to Geet. Moreover, he was disgusted by his thoughts and didn't want Geet to know about them.
Next morning Geet woke up with a start and looked around her room.
Her first thought was Maan and that was her only thought.
She got out of the bed and rushed downstairs running all the while, shouting Maan's name.
Worried that Maan had successfully managed to ditch her again and leave for office. Well today she was determined to track him down to office is required.
Fortunately, it wasn't required. By the time she reached the downstairs living area, Maan heard her call and replied that he was in the kitchen.
Geet sighed with relief, without slowing her place rushed to kitchen and came to a surprise halt. Maan was once again making breakfast for her.
Maan turned around after hearing Geet's approach.
M - Woke up? Nice look...
Maan smiled at her with a hint of mocking and leering all mixed in.
Geet huffed, catching up her breath and it took her a moment to realize what he said. She looked down at her disheveled state. Barefoot, hair askew, her bra peeking out of her shirt front.
One hand clutched the shirt front close and the other went to her hair.
She fired a silent look Maan, calling him shameless.
Then Geet ran back upstairs feeling highly irritated by Maan's smile. Halfway to her room she felt even more relieved to have seen Maan's old irritating smile.
She quickly freshened up and changed her clothes before coming back down.
Maan was just placing all the dishes and drinks on the table.
G - should I make something else too? I haven't cooked for a long time.
M - it's fine. Let's eat this first. If we are still hungry, we will see.
Maan served his most famous and only known dish of eggs and fruit and toast to Geet and poured her glass of juice as per her preference.
Geet slowly took a sip of juice wondering how to broach the topic of what's going on, what's wrong.
As soon as the sweet freshly squeezed juice flavor covered her palate, Geet was again stunned silly for a while.
Feeling emotional, Geet realized that only Maan would make the effort of squeezing fresh juice for her. He who could easily buy the best most luxurious and costly preprocesses fruit juice box, would make time, and do these small things for her.
Geet took another few sips and enjoyed Maan's subtle pampering.
M - Geet, I am so sorry about last night. I.. I don't have .. i.. it's... It was just wrong and I should never have..
G - it's okay Maan. I wasn't really hurt or in pain. It just looked worse than it felt. Honestly!
M - No Geet. Don't excuse such behavior. It can't be overlooked. You didn't feel pain doesn't make it okay. What if next time you do? I don't know what would have happened if ladyA wasn't around!!
G - I know. I know nothing bad would have happened even if she wasn't around. You weren't trying to hurt or intimidate me Maan. You just lost track of the strength you were using to hold me. That's all. And I can bet my life over the fact that you will never raise your hand to hit me even unconsciously. I just know you won’t.
Maan was taken aback by her words. He didn't know what to do with her strong belief in him, when he doubted himself.
When every single one around him till now has seen him as the Devil. Geet's word are like a solid rock in his turbulent mind. She doesn't realize it herself how deep and impact her words have on his psyche
Geet didn't want Maan to keep feeling guilty about what could have been and other what ifs. And if they could solve the main issue. There is no need to worry about these things anyways. So, Geet decisively changed the topic.
G - Maan. Why are you trying to avoid me?
M - You noticed huh...
G - Maan.. tell me please.
M - I am not sure how to explain it Geet. I am... there are some things I need to think through and resolve. What happened last night... I guess I had been avoiding you because I was afraid of something similar happening. Or me stupidly saying hurtful things to you to make you back off.
G - What is it then? What's eating you up? What things? We can think about them together. Can't we?
M - It's not something I can explain or maybe i don't want to. I... I am still trying to sort out my thoughts myself. I just feel stupid and over sensitive and all sorts of negative emotions all the time.
Geet felt even more worried after hearing Maan's words and frustrated because he wouldn't tell her the main issue.
G - you really can't tell me? We can talk about everything Maan. There have been no secrets between us. We even know all the ugliest and most unsightly things.
M - What if it's even worse than that? I am not denying that I don't have an issue, Geet. I just don't think sharing it with you is the best possible option. And I promise I am going to make it okay.
G - But... if it's so bad, how can I just sit and wait and do nothing? If we can't talk about it, then is there anything I can do to make it easier for you?
Maan grew silent at Geet's words and looked at her skeptically. Maan knew this was a big unreasonable thing to ask but he still said.
M - Can you quit the show?
G - What? But... Why?... Is it because I have too busy? I can take few weeks leave Maan and stay here with you.
M - No.. forget it. I shouldn't have asked you. No need for that. I have work too even if you take leave, it's of no use.
Geet couldn't figure out Maan's request. And she really didn't want to quit the show, unless Maan can give her a good explanation.
It was selfish of her, but she had really worked very hard.
If only Maan would explain a little bit. She would quit. She would quit the entire show business if it would help.
But not without a reasonable explanation from Maan.
Maan and Geet finished their breakfast and left for work.
Geet kept thinking about the words Maan spoke and the clues he dropped. Trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.
LadyA saw Geet lost in deep thought and asked her what happened.
Geet treated ladyA more like a close friend than an employee.. after thinking about it she told ladyA only about last part of her conversation with Maan.
G - Why do you think he wants me to quit the show?
LadyA - you are seriously asking me this?
G - Yes..?
LadyA - are you pretending to be stupid, or you really don't understand?
G - Huh?!??
LadyA - Boss hates Rajveer.
G- What? No way! You weren't there at the ancestral house. They got along well. Rajveer is the only one in his family, for whom Maan specially made time to talk to. Plus Maan can't be jealous of Rajveer. There is no way. Not a chance. Firstly, there is nothing to be jealous about and secondly even if he was. He wouldn't hide that.
LadyA shrugged at Geet. She called it as she saw it or as her gut told her. Rest is up to Geet to believe.
Soon Geet reached the shooting location and got busy with her work.
Her wrist still looked a bit red and blue, so she made sure to wear a full sleeves outfit today to avoid any unnecessary misunderstanding or rumors.
Throughout the day her mind kept slipping back into the conversation with Maan and with lady A. Subconsciously she kept glancing at Rajveer during the breaks.
Geet really couldn't figure out what was so great about Rajveer that Maan needs to be wary of him.
Rajveer could also feel Geet's distraction throughout the day as well as the secret glances.
Plus, what he had said on the ride back yesterday, he felt he needs to clear the air with Geet.
During one of the breaks, he approached Geet and invited her to a more secluded spot for a chat.
Geet also felt she needs to find out more about this matter and followed behind him.
R - I am sorry, I said a bit too much in the car yesterday. I shouldn't have judged you without knowing the whole story. I hope you can forgive me. And forget the whole conversation.
Only now that Rajveer mentioned it, Geet remembered the talk about contract marriage with Rajveer.
She really didn't care what Rajveer thought right now, she was only worried about Maan.
G - Yeah sure. Consider it forgotten.
Geet replied with a shrug.
Rajveer was surprised by Geet's non-caring reaction.
R - Yesterday... Was Maan okay? He just left before i could say Hi to him. Is everything fine?
G - Why are you asking about Maan?
R - Just... You seem a bit pre-occupied today...
G - Everything is fine. And also, you don't have to be so concerned with my and Maan's private life.
R - I didn't mean to Geet. It's just that I know Maan very well, so I just feel more concerned about you.
G - What do you mean you know Maan. I know him too. I don't see what's the big deal.
R- I have grown up with him Geet. You don't know him as well as I do. He is a black hearted, ruthless businessman.
G - That's enough!!
Geet didn't want to talk to Rajveer anymore. How dare he say such things about Maan.
Geet immediately turned to leave, but Rajveer held her hand to stop her. Feeling pressure on the already tender wrist, Geet let out an involuntary hiss of pain.
Rajveer immediately pulled his hand away but also saw the bruised hand.
He pointed towards, it and exclaimed.
R - How can you still not understand he is monster!!
G - You don't know anything. And you saw nothing.
R - huh!! I know plenty. From my childhood I have grown up watching Maan run wild with no one controlling him or teaching him wrong and right. Do you know he pushed down his nanny from the top of the stairs when he was only 4 yrs old?
R - Forget punishment, he didn't even get scolded. The family just paid hush money to the nanny. And he only became more ruthless when growing up.
R - When he was 10 years old in an accident his older cousin broke leg. Of course, cunning as Maan is, there was no proof that he was behind it, but everyone knows he orchestrated the accident over some minor school matter. Don't even get me started on alcoholism and drugs and substance abuse. Ever since his college days he has been totally out of his right mind. And once he started working God knows how many people's career and life, he had destroyed claiming it's revenge for when they bullied him in their childhood. Who takes revenge for bullying to this level??!! And now he hasn't even spared you, a woman!! He is simply disgusting Geet.
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