Chapter 120
On the night of the argument, Maan settled on the sofa. Geet hadn't come out of their bedroom and he didn't try to coax her.
He couldn't continue like this.
How long could he go on like this?
Was he a terrible husband to his wife? Wasn't he supporting her enough? He hated that he couldn't even share his thoughts with anyone. Before Geet, it had been with dadima that he discussed everything, after dadima it had been his wife.
Now he had neither. He had hoped he'd be able to give a chance to his wife here, where their memories of their daughter wasn't haunting their thought. Except their daughter was with them, no matter how far they could run away.
Two weeks had passed and neither of them broke the silence, the smallest caring gestures had faded, the morning ritual of brewing coffee for Maan had halted. Maan didn't approach Geet and give her a gentle peck before leaving to work anymore. In fact Maan woke up half hour earlier, showered and left the apartment before his wife was awake.
It was with no doubt that they were both now an estranged couple living together in one apartment.
Maan jerked awake hearing a rattling sound in the kitchen, his eyes drew to the clock and he realised he had overslept, though it wasn't an issue as it was a Saturday.
He turned and glanced over his shoulder hearing another sound coming from the kitchen area, shifting the blanket off of himself he slipped into his sandals and walked towards the kitchen. He paused when he noticed his wife, it seemed like eons since he'd last seen her. He had been returning home late so he wouldn't have to see her. It wasn't that he hadn't wanted to but he avoided Geet so they wouldn't have another argument.
He reminded Geet of their baby and she reminded him. He wanted to remember their daughter with the happy memories they'd woven but Geet only saw their daughter cradled in her arms lifelessly.
He figured Geet had just showered if her wet hair was an indication, she didn't dress in her usual jeans and casual top, instead she'd donned on a saree. A saree which he'd bought for her...
"What's this?" Geet looked curiously at the bag Maan held out.
"It's in a bag for a reason, you're supposed to open it and find out" Maan chuckled teasingly.
"Your jokes aren't funny" Geet rolled her eyes and took the bag from him. She reached inside and pulled out what seemed like a saree.
Maan watched silently as she looked over curiously. Geet unfolded the saree and placed it against herself glancing a peak at the mirror. A smile adorned her face as she liked what she saw, the netted lace designer saree was beautiful. She bit down on her lip feeling her husband's arms sliding around her, his cheek pressed against hers.
"Do you like it?" He asked.
"Mmhm" she nodded, "I love the simple colour, and the lace designs beautiful" she informed admiring the saree. "You won't like this on me though" she turned around facing him.
"Geet, I chose this for you because I know I'd like it on you" Maan replied lowering his head and pressing a small kiss on her lips.
"I won't be able to wear a waist chain" Geet whispered against his lips, "How are you going to like it?" she teased.
"It's netted and I'll have access" he answered and showed her by slipping his hand and caressing her stomach. "Nothing will stop me from having access to you" he murmured taking the saree away chucking it to the side and led Geet towards their bed.
"I've got work" Geet giggled.
"I'll drive you, we've got about half an hour so we're going to have to be quick" he winked.
"Maan..." Geet laughed but was cut off when her husband cradled her cheeks and kissed her hard...
Maan hadn't seen Geet wear that saree, she didn't get the opportunity to wear it and funnily she'd now donned on the saree when they weren't even on talking terms.
Geet seemed to feel his presence and looked up, she noted her husband staring at her with an unwavering gaze.
She dipped her eyes averting her eyes and continued with her task.
Maan sighed heavily and turned walking towards their bedroom.
"Maan..." Geet called.
He halted in surprise, could it be that Geet was taking a step forward?
"It's Tanisha and Samir's anniversary party, they've invited us. I said we'd go" she spoke after a moment.
His hopes were shattered in an instant, however he didn't feel saddened instead he gathered himself together and turned around to face his wife.
"2 weeks of living like complete strangers and these are your first words?" he questioned calmly.
"I think we said whatever we had to that night" Geet answered softly.
Before either of them could say anything, someone knocked.
Geet walked across and opened the door trying to ignore the hurt expression that displayed on her husband's face. She didn't know how to break out from the walls she'd built around her. She felt trapped and it didn't seem like there was any escape.
"Hey, oh wow! You look stunning" Sanjana grinned perusing Geet's attire.
"I'm sure you didn't come to tell me that" Geet replied jokingly.
"Oh yeah, I need help wearing mine. I've never actually worn saree, they seem like trouble" Sanjana admitted.
"Oh... okay, I'm just finishing off making the rice pudding. I'll join you in about 10 minutes?"
"10 minutes, he really must be good" Sanjana laughed.
"What?" Geet looked at her confused.
"I know you're wanting me to leave so you can do the dirty with your hotness" Sanjana teased, Geet didn't even get a chance to refute as Sanjana walked down and re-entered her apartment.
Geet mulled over Sanjana's words and felt her eyes sting with unshed tears, how does she allow herself to be close to her own husband?
Will she be able to push past her insecurities, fears and allow herself to enjoy the touch of her husband?
Right now, the thought of coming close to her husband made her stomach sink.
Geet returned to the kitchen and finished off the rice pudding, she then slipped into her heels and slipped out the front door silently.
Geet knocked on Sanjana and Aditya's door and offered a friendly smile to Aditya who didn't seem too happy.
"I do like you Geet, but when Taz and you are with my crazy girlfriend, I hate you" he muttered. "You're all like the three crazy maniacs".
"Taz is here? Isn't she supposed to be getting ready for her anniversary?" Geet questioned in confusion ignoring his insult.
"She's inside, I'm going to Samir's" Aditya walked out whilst Geet walked in and headed towards the bedroom where she could already hear Taz and Sanjana bickering.
"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready?" Geet intervened noting Sanjana going to pick up the lamp, she was sure Sanjana was picking it to fling it Taz's direction.
"She's being a bitch" Taz screamed, "I told y'all to wear white and this bitch wants to wear my same colour coz she wants to look better than me"
"I am much more stunning than you Topaz" Sanjana responded.
"It's my anniversary!" Taz cried out angrily.
"So... does that make you special or something? Nope I don't think so" Sanjana countered and answered her own question and didn't let Taz respond.
"I hate you" Taz yelled, "You're not invited to come" she turned and stormed out of the apartment.
Sanjana and Geet shared a look and burst out laughing, Geet knew Sanjana was provoking Taz jokingly.
Taz slammed the door behind her and noted her husband and Aditya sat yapping away. She walked across grabbing ahold of Aditya's arm and tugged him up.
"Taz what are you..." Aditya started.
"You and your f*cking girlfriend are uninvited to my anniversary and I'm no longer friends with your bitch so that means you're no longer a friend of my husband's" she stated.
Aditya and Samir shared a knowing look between each other and rolled their eyes inwardly. Once again the best friends are breaking up for a few hours... Aditya shrugged and walked out returning to his apartment wincing as he heard Taz slamming the door closed, very hard. So hard, it seemed like the walls vibrated.
He felt for his Samir and wondered how Samir had fallen for that crazy ass woman but then he couldn't talk - he's with the crazy ass best friend who he loved so much but sometimes he would very much like to wrap his hands around that tiny neck and squeeze a little hard.
Geet finally managed to leave Sanjana and Aditya's place when she'd sworn for the 1000th time that Sanjana looked great in the saree.
When she'd re-entered their apartment, she saw Maan sat on the sofa mindlessly watching tv. He didn't even seem like he was even listening to anything on the news. She wanted to reach out to him, hide herself in his arms, burrow her face into the hollow of his neck. She just wanted the aching pain within to just stop.
Maan turned hearing the door close and stared at his wife. No words shared. He looked away.
"Maan..." Geet called his name softly. "Will you be attending the party?"
"I'll see you there" he stood and headed towards their bedroom.
"We could at least go together" she suggested.
Maan paused and glanced over at her, "We could but I'm not going to go with you until you talk to me" he replied.
Geet's response was to look away, Maan disappeared into the bedroom.
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