Part 59
G - I want to tell you my side of story about what happened over last few days. I don't know how much you already know...
M - I pretty much know the highlights.
G - At that time..I.. I...
M - Hmm... you did good. Well done!
G - Huh??!!
M - And you must have looked great while doing it!
He waves his mobile in front of her showing the wallpaper was changed to her photo in the power suite sitting at his desk.
G - You... know then?
M - Hmm I know ... I even got to read the meeting transcript. You did a fantastic job!! Now I just need to find out the rats and punish them.
Geet stops the car and seriously looked at Maan.
Was he just placating her while secretly holding grudges?
Maan looks back at her openly. Not trying to hide anything.
M - You don't how proud I was when I watched your news. Haaaah! How I wish I could have attended the meeting!! It would have been so epic!
G - How can you?.. but didn't i cause so much loss?
M - So what? The tough choice you had to make was still the best decision in that scenario. And it's not like you are gaining any profit. Why would I blame you at all?
She feels shy suddenly.
This man was a brilliant businessman, and he was praising her so generously.
She also felt so relieved and a bit proud after listening to him.
She smiles and resumes driving again.
By the time they arrive at her place all the irritability, fear, worry that had been eating at her for the past few days had disappeared without a trace.
Once inside, Geet points him towards the room and tells him to freshen up.
Maan goes inside and sees that she had prepared an extra set of toiletries for him, and even bought some lounge wear clothes for him.
He feels that the day was becoming better and better with every passing second.
Feeling happy and sated he takes a quick bath and comes back out.
At the same time, he couldn't stop comparing tonight with a similar night in the past only their roles were reversed.
It was him picking her up from the airport, driving her here and then she wore a....
Maan rubs his face to stop his mind falling into the gutter.
He comes out of her room smelling enticing food aroma.
Geet tells him to sit and servs him hot freshly prepared roti, Dal and baingan ka bharta.
To Maan, this was one of the most delicious meal he had in his life.
Nobody had really bothered to especially cook hot food on the go for him or make his favorite dishes.
He couldn't remember it happening in his family.
And paying a chef to do it doesn't really count.
He fell into a strange happy yet melancholic mood as the meal progressed.
Geet also felt that he was unusually quiet. But then chalks it up to him being tired.
G - I made Halwa for dessert. Do you want some?
M - Hm. Sure.
She serves him dessert and quickly has her dinner too.
She eats carefully, tasting everything critically.
It tasted good. Then why was he so silent? Why didn't he compliment her? Why isn't he eating the dessert more enthusiastically.
Okay he may be tired…but...how much energy do you need to say. 'Food was good?'
She and then asks outright.
G - You didn't like the food tonight?
M - I liked it.
G - Oh...
After a minute.
G - How's the dessert?
M - it's good.
She sees him slowly pushing the dessert around and eating it one small spoonful at a time. Quietly.
The most quiet she had seen him.
Too quite!!
She wonders if she had developed some strain of Stockholm syndrome accustomed to his teasing and joking.
She didn't know what to do around this moody silent guy.
Once the dinner was over, they clean up together.
She asks him if he wanted to watch some TV.
He shrugs okay and sits down beside her.
She tries to liven up the atmosphere commenting about whatever was playing on different channels.
She could feel him silently gazing at her.
She keeps up her overhyped commentary while inwardly contemplating if shaking him hard will reset his brain.
Ever since Maan sat down to eat, he felt as if it's not just his stomach which was empty and now, he can fill it up.
As he slowly ate and looked at Geet...a warmth filled up his chest too…
He had always enjoyed the food she makes for him... but today it was extra delicious... he couldn't help but savor it slowly... he couldn't help but indulge silently in this moment right now.
Someone who was waiting for him... who welcomed him... Tried to take care of him in her own small, sweet ways.
He felt overwhelmed.
He couldn't even meet her eyes straight.
Only stealing glances at her when she wasn't looking at him.
He didn't know what to say to her or even understand himself fully what he was feeling.
And he didn't want to turn this into a joke... to take it lightly.
He continued to be silent.
Eventually Geet asked him to watch tv with her and he silently agreed.
He would have agreed to anything as long as he could spend some more time with her.
When sitting next to her... he softly gazes at her ...
He looked at her bare feet and remembers her foot injury. He was happy that she had recovered so well.
He remembered her bruised face after her incident with the family. He was happy to see that she is not living in that sad moment anymore and striving for bigger and better things in her life.
He looked at her happy face... excitedly talking to him.
But he can also see the exhaustion over the past few days that she had hidden behind makeup and her upbeat attitude.
He raises his hand and brushes away the hair falling on her face, tucking it behind her ear.
He slowly rubs her ear, which would always turn red at the slightest provocation.
He liked them too.
She stops speaking and looks back at him.
He leans towards her slowly.
She knew if she wants to run. She needs to do it now.
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