Part 82
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.
G - he was bullied as a kid? Did anyone help him? How badly was he bullied?
R - That's all you heard? Take off the blinkers Geet and clearly see what type of a person Maan is.
Rajveer tried shake Geet's shoulder to wake her up.
G - I said DON'T touch me. Are you deaf? You can only speak and not listen?
Geet pushed away Rajveer angrily.
She knew some of what Rajveer said about Maan's college life he had openly confessed to Geet himself.
The nanny incident. Geet is sure Rajveer either doesn't know or he is hiding the real truth. Maan had skimmed over being neglected and mistreated when he was a kid, and his mom was in depression. Geet is sure the nanny was a villain too.
She didn't know much about Maan's school days or revenges and bullying. But she can infer that others are not as innocent as Rajveer's was making them look. Geet had witnessed first-hand people messing with his food at the ancestral house. Why should Maan be a saint and forgive and forget?
Whatever goodwill Geet had towards Rajveer completely dried up after this conversation.
Geet felt so angry at Rajveer's preachy one-sided words.
LadyA had said that Maan already hated Rajveer.. maybe this is why. As this was the real Rajveer .
Geet thought of going back talking about all this to Maan. But she was afraid that Maan would either seek 'revenge' with Rajveer or even more stupidly Maan might think that she believes Rajveer.
So, Geet decides to keep the incident to herself.
The next few days passed by in a similar blur. On the set there was obviously coolness and tension between Geet and Rajveer.
At home Maan and ladyA would often have a sparring bout in the evenings.
Maan was in a better shape than before, but he hasn't worked through everything yet.
Geet didn't agree to this violence therapy that Maan was using. At first she would sneak in to have a look at the sparring sessions. Afraid of anyone getting hurt. Hating the stupid violence
Later Geet would sneak in to have a longer look at the sparring sessions. Hating herself even more for enjoying the visuals.... Raw power and strength. Human body exerted to its max the way God intended it to be. And the quick thinking and the agility. It was like a violent dance. And on top of everything Maan looked so handsome with his half-soaked shirt and hair.
Geet wanted to hide and die out of embarrassment sometimes. What she was even more afraid was jumping in and Fangirling and cheering for Maan when he executed a beautiful complex maneuver against ladyA .
Geet promised herself every day that today she won't go to look. And broke that promise every day.
Few days passed with both Geet and Maan hiding their thoughts from each other. Afraid of hurting the other person or being misunderstood.
Today was special day for Geet.
The current shows first episode had been released last night and it received rave reviews with an all-time high rating.
She had been receiving nonstop congratulatory messages from everyone.
Even on the set, the cast crew, director were in a celebratory mood
Just when Geet thought the day couldn't get better, she received an even bigger news.
Apparently, the movie role as the feme fatale CEO had been such a trailblazer that she was nominated for the best supporting actress and best new trailblazer actor categories.
Geet couldn't stop smiling the entire day.
She just wanted to finish her work and rush home and celebrate with Maan.
With her phone pinging with overflowing notifications. Geet put it on the mute for the rest of the day and concentrated on quickly completing today's shoot.
In the evening Geet came home in an exuberant mood and eagerly waited for Maan to come back home.
In the morning he had sent her a dry text congratulating her on the show's success. And that was it.
Once Maan came home, Geet eagerly greeted him, wanted to share the second happy news. But stopped short. Maan's face didn't look very good.
It reminded her of the day when Rajveer had dropped her home.
Maan more or less ignored Geet and asked ladyA to come to the gym.
Geet was worried about Maan instantly. She thought of waiting for Maan to finish his fight therapy and then talk to him. Anyways last time they talked it made things better.
But Geet couldn't curb her newly developed habit of sneaking into secretly watch the sparring fight.
15 mins later Geet secretly sneaked into the gym and took a look hiding behind other workout equipment.
Instantly she could see something was wrong. Generally, the fight would be relaxed, and both used measured force.
But today both of them staggered back due to the force behind the punch and kicks.
Maan even used a fowl move of using his elbow to push away ladyA.
LadyA also looked absolutely furious, if opponent didn't follow rules, then so wouldn't she. She too used illegal kicks and made Maan bleed from his mouth.
Tasting blood, Maan fought back harder.
LadyA is much more skilled and muscled up than him. She is ex-military. Her current job also requires her to fit and fight ready. LadyA is at much more advantage when they fight.
Geet saw the sparring sessions degenerate to an all-out brawl and rushed to stop them.
Geet yelled their names asking them to stop.
Maan got momentarily distracted by Geet's sudden appearance. LadyA sized the opportunity and pounced on Maan catching him in strong chokehold.
Maan struggles to throw her off and get out to no avail.
LadyA kept increasing the pressure shouting at Maan to tap out.
But he just wouldn't.
Geet panicked seeing Maan desperately gasping for breath but not giving up.
Geet finally crawled into boxing ring and pushed away ladyA while Maan coughed to get his breath back.
With angry tears filling her eyes. Geet shouted and scolded both of them.
LadyA took off and threw away her safety gear examining her split knuckles.
LadyA - He started it, so I ended it.
She left Geet and Maan alone and exited the house. Her boss's issues could no longer be resolved by letting out pent up frustration and feelings.
There is nothing she can help with anymore.
Maan slowly got his breath back and took off the safety gear wiping away the blood from his split lip.
Geet was at a total loss. Not knowing anymore what to say or do that could improve anything.
Tentatively she called out his name.
G - Maan? What... Why are you hurting others and yourself like this?
She tried to check his wound, but Maan held back her hand.
Maan is very conscious of holding her hand gently. Distractedly he observes how small her hand is within his.
M - Geet. Do you like me?
Geet was totally unprepared for such a heavy question out of the blue.
Cheeks burning red, Geet speaks shyly.
G - What... what are you all of a sudden…
M - Tell me. Do you like me?
G - I like you.
M - Really?
Geet nods in affirmation.
M - What do you like about me?
The question left Geet speechless. Why is he talking so straightforwardly about such things... It's really embarrassing to sit so close, look him in the eyes and answer such a question...
G - I... it’s... why are you asking all this... I just do.
M - Because I want to know. Because I don't understand. I am not a good person. I am erratic. Difficult to get along with. Don't have a likable temperament. So, what do you like about me?
G - It's...not like that. I do like you really. I... just do...
M - Do you really? Are you sure, you don't feel that you owe it to me. That you have to like me in return for the help and favors i gave you? Is it really me you like? You sure it’s not just some savior syndrome. Is it the real me you like and not some glorified image you have of me?
Geet was taken aback by Maan's questions. She was hurt that Maan doesn't believe her feelings are real.
++++++++
24 hrs ago
Although Maan knew it was a stupid masochist move on his part. He still streamed in and watched Geet's shows pilot episode.
He liked it. The content, editing was fantastic. Geet was too good.
And the chemistry between her and Rajveer was sky high.
Maan hated it.
For days he had been telling himself that he is overthinking things. Geet isn't like this.
Even if Rajveer tried anything with her, Geet would immediately tell him and also promptly deal with it.
Despite the mental preparation and self-help talk. Maan hated it. He hated the scenes in which two of them appeared together.
He was being an ass.
An egotistical ass.
But it was hard not to be.
He couldn't look at Geet in the face and lie to her that he liked the episode.
So Next morning he lied to her in text message, congratulating her for the successful airing of her show.
Maan thought that he can come back to his senses by the time Geet comes back home.
He should definitely celebrate this with her.
But it’s always the best laid plans that go wrong.
Maan casually browsed news about Geet and her success stories.
That’s when he came across an article which broke down why the show was so successful. The article meticulously and unbiasedly listed the pros of the program format the overall direction. The contestants. The hosts. And then it went ahead and talked about the sizzling chemistry between the hosts. Attaching pics to backup it's claim that there is no smoke without fire.
There were several shots of Geet and Rajveer sharing same plate to eat. Sitting together with scripts. Geet getting into Rajveer's car. Both smiling and talking to each other behind the scenes. Rajveer holding on to Geet's hand. Geet with her hands on his chest.
Maan's brain screamed at him that these pictures are taken out of context. They don't mean anything.
But he was bit beyond listening to his practical logical mind.
He didn't realize when the day ended, and he was driven all the time way to his home.
It was like time had frozen around him and it was only this silent frozen fragility that was holding him together.
It shattered the moment he entered the house and saw Geet again.
Everything that he been trying to suppress for days. Every doubt, every cutting remark and memory was replayed in his mind with each negative emotion magnified 10 times.
As if on autopilot he asked lady A to spar with him.
Maybe physical exertion will be his small piece of log in the drowning sea of negativity.
Maan didn't know when he forgot to hold back.
When he felt bound his body reacted on its own. Trying every possible way (rule or no rule) to break free.
When he felt like he was choking for breath and somebody shouting for him to tap out. Suddenly he didn't want to. If he really gets choked will the suffering and doubts end?
If he stops being stubborn and taps out, will this cascade into everything breaking down and going out of his stubborn control?
When he held Geet's small delicate hand. Suddenly the switch was flipped, and he came back to the present and time space air started working.
But he couldn't stop himself from drowning anymore.
He asked Geet what she liked about him. Did she really like him?
Facing her startled expression and prolonged silence, Maan got up and walked away.
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