Maan is haunted by his past memories and struggles with the pressure from his family to move on. Meanwhile, Geet juggles the demands of her career while concealing her own emotional scars behind a bright and professional smile.
Their worlds collide. As Maan confronts his fears with the help of therapy and familial support, Geet navigates the complexities of her personal and professional life. Together, they embark on a path that challenges them to face their pasts and embrace the possibility of love and happiness.
Chapter 22
“Tess” Marissa cooed nuzzling her granddaughter’s cheek. “Who’s so cute huh? Yes you are, you are so beautiful” she peppered kisses all over Theresa’s chubby cheeks.
“I hope you’re not drooling all over my daughter mum” Tara laughed as she cradled Nick in her arms and rocked him gently to sleep.
“Very funny” she rolled her eyes and cooed animatedly making Theresa smile and kick her legs.
“When is dad coming home? He’s working a little too late isn’t he?” Tara questioned glancing at the clock. Suneel always returned home by 5.30pm, he’d leave at 5pm on the dot and always returned within 20 – 30 minutes. And if he does run late, he always call to inform them.
“I’ll send him a text” Marissa grabbed her phone and text him. “It’s nearly 6” she murmured glancing at the clock concerned.
When she didn’t hear anything in the next few minutes, she placed Theresa down in the cradle and called his phone hoping he’d answer. He didn’t. The phone didn’t even ring, it went straight to voicemail. All sorts of thoughts swarmed around in her head as she wondered where her husband is. Thoughts that should've never made its way into her mind, surfaced.
“I’ll call Sean and ask if he’s seen dad” Tara picked her phone off from the coffee table and dialled Sean’s number, she frowned as the door opened and Sean’s phone started ringing inside the house.
She cut the call and looked up as Sean and Suneel walked through and entered the living room.
“Where have you been? I got scared for a moment” Marissa approached Suneel in concern. “What’s wrong?” she asked noting that he looked gloomy and disturbed. “Suneel” she touched his arm giving him a slight nudge. She glanced over at Sean who’d looked as miserable.
“What’s going on?” she looked between them then at Tara who’d now stood and looked concerned.
“Suneel” Marissa held his arm shaking him when he didn’t speak, tears pooled in his eyes.
“G… Geet’s plane is missing” Suneel whispered. “She's nowhere to be found”.
Marissa gasped and crouched down onto the floor unable to hold herself up, Suneel kneeled and pulled her into his arms. Sean rushed to Tara’s side, she’d stiffened in shock at the thought of her baby sister being missing.
“What… what do you mean it’s missing?” Marissa gathered herself enough to ask him questions. “How can a plane just suddenly go missing?” she panicked.
“I… I don’t know” Suneel murmured shaking his head, “they’re going to call and let me know as soon as they know something” he added.
“No, no, no” Marissa shook her head, tears burned in her eyes as she thought of her youngest daughter, out there lost somewhere. Suneel pulled her to him holding her as she cried praying silently that his daughter is safe.
Geet frowned hearing a sound besides her and dropped down her arm from over her eyes and turned her head.
“What are you doing?” she questioned Kirsten as she settled down a foot away from her.
“Well, I’m making my bed. Everyone else has gone to sleep but I didn’t want to sleep around strangers, you know” Kirsten answered cheerily.
“Where’s your friend?” Geet asked.
“Oh, he’s there besides me, I had help from Josh because my hot chocolate is quite heavy” Kirsten responded pointing over her shoulder to Maan.
“He’s asleep and you dragged him here?” she arched her brows.
“Well, yes. I couldn’t leave my mocha alone, over there” Kirsten informed lying down.
Geet glanced to her right, Hira was sleeping besides her, tilting her head back Josh had settled just a couple of feet away from her head. She couldn’t even shift from here even if she tried, because she’d end up disturbing everyone and it had been a very long day. There were no signs of any helicopters or emergency services yet.
They'd waited and continued to hope, someone was coming for them. Right now, hope was all they had.
“Hey breadstick” Kirsten poked Geet’s shoulder.
“Yes?” Geet turned and looked at her with boredom and exhaustion.
“Ooh evil eyes” Kirsten murmured. “Very nice” she grinned, “anyway I was going to ask seeing as we're now friends”
“Friends? We're friends?” Geet looked at her confused.
“Honey, I don't give just anyone nicknames” she responded. “As I was saying, seeing as we are now friends, why did you reject my boyfriend?”
“I could ask the same thing” Geet replied arching her brows.
“Who said he rejected you?” Kirsten countered wittily.
“And who said I rejected him?” Geet answered.
Kirsten looked at Geet curiously pondering over her answer, Geet closed her eyes turning away and hoped sleep came soon, unaware that the person they'd discussed was awake and had listened.
Maan didn't open his eyes, nor did he turn to give anyone any indication that he was awake. Instead he lay completely still as if he were asleep.
He didn't know what to think when he listen to Geet and Kirsten.
She hadn't rejected him? That seemed a little hard to believe. He was intrigued, he wanted to ask and find out more.
He wanted to know her thoughts.
The following morning, he watched as Geet went from passenger to passenger with her crew to ensure they were all feeling okay. Many had now calmed down and were awaiting for emergency services to come. From the count, it seemed only few bottles of water remained and a few snacks. The container foods were finished last night. Someone had to find them today because tomorrow, nothing would be left. No water nor any snacks.
“How are you feeling Maan?” Aaron walked over checking up on him.
“I'm feeling better” he answered. He had checked on his wound this morning and it was bandaged properly. There was a mild pain but that was to be expected. Yesterday, in the chaotic situation he hadn't even realised the pain he'd been feeling was an infected wound on his leg.
He frowned inwardly recalling Geet treating his wound and seeing his scarred body.
“Sir, do we know if any rescue team is out looking for us or not?” Kirsten questioned.
“We're not sure Kirsten, I've spoken to the pilot and he's not sure as the radio is out and there doesn't seem to be any signal. Everything burned out” Aaron replied as he looked around. “We seem to be deserted in an inhabited island, there doesn't seem to be sign of life anywhere except those trees” he pointed.
“Water is running low” Maan informed, “Sir, we could do with building small fires”
“Fires?”
“Fires” Maan nodded, “If water runs out, it's going to be hard on everybody. Boiling the seawater and filtering could give us clean water to drink. Maybe get us through another night” he suggested.
Geet and her crew had gone around a second time attending to injured passengers redressing their wounds, she'd watched from the corner of her eyes in curiousity in the direction of Maan who was making small fires with his team.
“Geet, can you see to Maan whilst I see to Sophia?” Josh asked as he walked by.
“Uh sure” she answered and finished redressing Mr Jacobs offering him a small smile as she stood with her small lot of wipes and dressing materials.
She had thought a lot over what Kirsten said last night, could it be true that he didn't reject her?
She didn't believe it, he's a grown man and he definitely had a say in rejecting her. Unaware that, Maan’s grandparents had made the decision for him.
She walked over and noticed Maan glancing as she approached his side.
“I need to redress your wounds” she informed noticing he looked confused.
“I'll be able to do it” he responded not wanting to show her his marked body. She'd seen it once and he hoped she hadn't seen the extensive damage as it was dark last night but now it was a very bright morning.
Geet placed the items down for him and walked away without another word feeling slightly agitated that he seemed to snub her.
“How could you?” Kirsten scowled once Geet away.
“What?” Maan looked at his friend confused.
“There was such an opportunity, how did you even say no to that hot piece of ass? Even I wouldn't say no” she looked at him dramatically horrified.
“Kirst” he chuckled shaking his head and returned to the task at hand.
“You're not human to detect the amount of hotness she has” Kirsten shook her head at her friend. “You even looked ignorant for a moment hot head” she pointed.
“Stop making things up, I politely declined and she accepted” he informed.
“You don't know women at all” she giggled.
“Shut up and get me some water to boil” Maan pointed.
“Whatever, we're not on speaking terms right now because you said no to my breadstick” she stood and jogged off in the direction of Geet.
“Hey breadstick” Kirsten sang out joyfully.
Geet glanced over her shoulder then turned away continuing ahead.
“Hey, I didn't do nothing” Kirsten called out jogging up to catch up with Geet as she picked up her pace.
Geet paused and turned around, “Look, you seem like someone fun and nice so I'm going to tell you this politely; please just stay away from me. I don't want to know you, I've got my own friends so I don't need another one. I certainly don't want to know your friend so you can stop with the lying about this stupid proposal”.
“Wow, direct hit on my heart” Kirsten mumbled.
Geet turned and walked away without a backward glance, right now she felt so much better.
I have reposted here since posting chapters aren't counted as posts and I wanted to reach my next colour ladder soon 
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