Happy Diwali, Jaan!!'

He came up chirping as always, taking her in his arms from behind.

She squealed with joy, laughing happily. "Leave me! I still have to arrange the diyas around the whole place!" she whined.

He slowly set her down, grazing his hands over her soft stomach and then up her arms.

"Stop it! I have work to do!" she chided him with a shy smile.

He obliged and stepped back. She began placing the diyas around the Rangoli.

He couldn't help but look at her bare back, the blouse held by just one knot behind, making him restless. But he couldn’t approve of himself, nor could he object to anything she did.

And now that they were alone, there was no reason not to enjoy the moment.

He admired her for a while, smiling to himself, then bent down to remove the clutch from her hair, letting it fall freely down her back.

She was surprised, looking at him. "I can't work properly with you doing that..." she pouted, looking even more beautiful.

He chuckled and knelt beside her. "I’m here at your service, why worry, Mrs. Khurana?"

Geet felt a chill run down her spine just hearing her own name. She wasn’t sure why it always affected her, but somewhere deep down, she knew the reason… though she always shrugged it off.

"Is that so, Mr. Khurana?" she asked playfully. "Well, come on, no backing off now," she said, pulling him down, almost making him fall on her by accident.

They stayed there for a few seconds, him on top of her, both lost in the golden glow of the diyas around them.

It was Geet who pushed him slightly, pulling him back to reality.

"Oh, I’m sorry, Jaan. Did I hurt you?"

"It’s okay. I’m fine. Now, will you get up, first, hubby ji?" she teased, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

He got up, but not before giving her a peck on her soft cheek, making her blush furiously.

"I didn’t French kiss you on the lips, and you’re blushing like this?" He dramatically placed his palm on his chest.

"Dhatt! Dramebaaz!" she scolded playfully. "Get up, and get to work fast!"

"Yeah, hurry up. We have to leave for the Diwali party."

"Party??" she asked, confused, as they continued to decorate their small bungalow with lamps and lights.

"You forgot? Grandma has called us," he reminded her.

Her hands froze as she looked at him with wide eyes. "What?!"

"Nothing... let’s hurry, then. We can't say no to Grandma!" he said softly.

"Obviously, sweetheart!" he added, pulling her into his arms suddenly, taking her by surprise.

As he bent forward to seal her lips with a kiss, she slapped his lips away, blushing furiously. Seizing the chance, she quickly ran off to get ready, leaving him smiling behind.

---

**WOW!** Her eyes roamed excitedly\, gazing all around\, until they caught sight of the mansion bathed in lights\, where the party was being held.

He walked up to his wife, who was so lost in admiring the sight of Khurana Mansion.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at her childlike excitement.

"Let’s go inside, please?" Geet urged him as soon as she saw him near her.

"Oh, so you know I’m here now? I thought you were lost in watching Khurana Mansion," he teased.

"Mr. Khurana, do you want to hurry, or should I go alone?" she asked playfully.

"Oops, sorry, Mrs. Khurana... let’s hurry." He smiled and followed his overexcited wife inside.

"Finally, here you are! I’ve been waiting for ages!"

---

To be continued....

Geet got out of the car, a wrapped gift in her arms. Her eyes were shining brightly as she gazed up at the fireworks lighting up the night sky.

**"WOW!!"** Her eyes darted around excitedly when they landed on the mansion\, glowing in the lights where the party was being held.

He walked up to his wife, who was so lost in watching the sight of Khurana Mansion. He couldn’t help but chuckle at her childlike excitement.

**"Let’s go inside\,"** Geet urged him as soon as she saw him near her.

**"Oh\, so you know I’m here\, huh? I thought you were lost in watching KM."**

**"Mr. Khurana\, do you want to hurry\, or should I go alone?"**

**"Oops… sorry\, Mrs. Khurana… let’s hurry."** He smiled and followed his overexcited wife inside.

**"Finally\, here you are!! I’ve been waiting forever."**

**"I’m sorry\, Grandma… we got a little late."**

**"It’s okay\, dear. Leave it. Happy Diwali\, beta."**

**"Happy Diwali\, Grandma!"** Geet handed her the gift and took her blessings\, nudging her husband as well.

Grandma chuckled seeing the scene. **"How are you\, beta?"**

**"I’m just perfect!"** He smiled at her.

Grandma chuckled hearing his answer and patted his cheek.

**"Let’s get inside."** She led both of them inside.

Geet was left in awe once again, gazing around as the lavish mansion sparkled from within, decorated with diyas and lights that adorned the entire place.

**"It’s beautiful\, Grandma. So beautiful!"** she spoke in awe.

**"Not more than you\, beta."** Grandma chuckled in reply.

Geet blushed scarlet red hearing her comment. **"Grandma\, please…"**

**"I’m telling the truth\, Geet! You’re really looking beautiful. Did he bring this suit for you\, Kunal?"**

**"Sure\, Grandma. Who else would bring it?"** Kunal smiled.

Geet quickly rushed away from their sight, highly embarrassed by their conversation.

**"I love her so much\, Grandma."**

**"I can see that\,"** Grandma teased\, watching her grandson\, whose eyes were still on Geet.

Just then, another person’s eyes were also only on Geet.

**"Geet…"** He whispered\, as he descended the grand staircase of his mansion.

His eyes followed her the entire time, but then…

**"Maan…"**

He heard his Grandma call and walked toward her.

Meanwhile, Geet stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening as she realized how she could have forgotten about him. Of course, he was bound to be here—after all, he was the owner of Khurana Mansion.

She quickly stole a glance at him, catching his magnificent presence.

As always, he was more than gorgeous, stealing every girl’s heart in the room.

Geet gulped hard, and ignoring his gaze, she walked further, looking around, unaware that his eyes were still following her.

**"Hey\, Maan…"**

Kunal gave him a brotherly hug. Maan hugged him back with a small smile.

Grandma walked away toward Geet, taking her along and introducing her to her circle of friends. Some of the women envied Geet’s grace and beauty, and Grandma looked really proud as she spoke about her.

Geet, however, felt really uncomfortable and embarrassed. She wanted to hide somewhere, preferably behind the four walls of her house. It was only Kunal and Grandma with whom she felt at ease—other than her own family. And now, seeing those high-class ladies who gave her looks as if she were some kind of filth, her blood began to boil. Her eyes filled with tears, but she swallowed hard, forcing herself to maintain her composure.

After a while, Grandma left, leaving Geet standing among those ladies. She was stuck answering their not-so-decent questions, but then, to her rescue, Kunal walked over and took her away from them.

**"Thank God!"** she whispered in her mind\, breathing a sigh of relief. She wanted to thank her husband\, but couldn’t. It had always been this way—she couldn’t voice her feelings\, neither to him nor to anyone.

She wasn’t like this in her childhood. She used to be confident and outspoken, but now… She was lost in her thoughts when she failed to notice Kunal watching her closely.

**"Geet\,"** he said\, shaking her shoulder gently to bring her back to reality.

**"Are you okay?"**

**"Yeah\, I’m fine. Let’s have some drinks. Maybe you’ll feel better\,"** she suggested\, trying to sound normal.

**"No\, Kunal. I just want to go outside for a while. Can I go?"**

**"Of course\, sweetheart. Go\, get some fresh air. I’ll be here\, catching up with my friends."**

Geet nodded and rushed out as quickly as she could. She really needed to get away from this place.

She stood in the garden, inhaling deeply. Her suit was itching, and she felt incredibly uncomfortable. Although she had managed to keep her composure in front of everyone—her husband, or the world that judged you just by your clothes and appearance—she was now suffocating under the weight of her own thoughts.

She started to feel alone again when the sound of children giggling caught her attention. Her eyes brightened, and a smile tugged at her lips. It wasn’t just the kids that made her smile, but what they were doing.

They were happily bursting crackers. How she wished she could do the same. She loved it! Yes, there was a shyness about doing it in front of so many people, but who cared about the world and their opinions? Only her family mattered.

Now, she felt a pang of jealousy as she watched those kids.

**"I wish I could be a kid again."** She pouted\, on the verge of crying.

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her.

**"Why don’t you join the kids? Go ahead."**

His voice—authoritative as always—made her freeze. Then, fear gripped her. It was her usual reaction to hearing his voice, and just his presence.

She turned around to face him, already knowing who it was.

She forgot to breathe when she saw him standing just before her, so close.

to be continued..

Maan took a step back seeing Ranjeet Handa standing there with his gaze on frighten Geet.

Geet looked at her uncle who just asked her to joined the kids..

Geet was not surprised hearing it coming from him but like always she was scared , in his presence.. if that wasn’t enough , Maan was standing just there looking at her,

No..I don’t want to.. she fidget with her stole.

And then her brother just walked in giving her nasty smile, stood beside his father, she gulped hard, keeping her gaze down as she heard him,

She has her answer always ready dad, that no word is always there in her dictionary.

Rajeev!! Her uncle show him his big eyes stopping him to say further and he buzz off from there giving her furious glare.

Unknown to all , Maan was glaring at his back, his fist tightened without his own notice he was getting angry.

Geet beta, go & play.. don’t be shy..

Uncle’s soft voice touched her heart again making her at ease, she looked up trying to look into his eyes and answer softly, no..uncle..Its ..it’s fine..

Geet no argument..go.

Geet had no option but to go ahead . She took slow steps.. really uncomfortable to join those kids.. surely they won’t harm you geet but yeah make fun.. her mind taunted , she took deep breath .

Can I join you guys.. she so softly said that no one even hear her as all were busy making loud voices then sound of crackers.

Geet was on the verge of crying, what to do..she fidget with her stole, then there was a girl of 15 years,

She again asked only to get smile from the girl making her at ease,

Why not..

She handed her sparkler …Geet was hesitant, then as she lit the one, her eyes widen in excitement, she started waving it around, remembering her childhood, it’s creating dazzling shapes in the dark night.

She got busy with kids busting small crackers. ..then unconsciously turned around to see there was no one, no uncle nor MK.

She took a relived breath and got back to playing around.

Unknown to her two pair of eyes just staring her way, stealing her glimpses, with a smile lingering on his M shape lips.

He walked ahead, while Geet was lost busting fireworks, she put fountain, and lit it, stepping back hurriedly she threw burner stick away.

But in hurry she lost her balance going to fall back but that didn’t happen instead she bump into strong body in a jerk.

Her fountain lit up but the boys around were busting loud and large crackers. They lit up the cracker, and Geet’s eyes widen in horror, she quickly turned around hiding her face in his broad chest, then her body jerk up, with a loud sound of cracker.

She closed her eyes, shivering like hell. .

His hold tighten on her, securing her in his arms, as her soft lips touched his open chest, making both of them shiver with the contact.

Geet was pulled back to reality, her eyes widen in horror, what is she doing!? He is .. is he..??

She pulled back in a jerk looking at his face, with wide open mouth & eyes.

You loved to bust crackers & get scare also..

Strange, Geet!! He smirked playfully.

Geet, you here!??

Kunal barge into the scene leaving Geet startled, till then Maan had left her, and now when she give him fearful glance, he was having evil smirk plaster on his face.

I really forgot sometime before only you had walked out informing me.

Geet was flustered, as she stammered, um..hu..

What happened, Jaan!? You look scared.. he cupped her face gently, genuinely worried for her.

He tighten his fist in fury & looked away, before walking inside.

Kunal..I am really fine..she pulled back his hands, which were cupping her nape, as he tried to ease her, combing back her hairs.

It’s just I was busting crackers.

What!?? Really..

Geet gave uncomfortable smile before hear his chirping voice again..

So I know now my wifey to love to do something also.

Kunal plz.. it’s not a big thing . She was back to herself now forgetting her worries.

Kunal had somewhere come to know about how to cheer her up..

Well it’s big thing for me, I came to know new something about my wifey.

Geet kept mum, not knowing what to answer to his tease..

Let’s go then..what you was standing here & doing??

That question left her flustered, as she remembers her encounter with Maan.

Geet..

She looked at front, he was not there then she turned to the voice only to see him walking towards the kids with few different crackers in his hands.

She was not sure, but on his constant calling she couldn’t refused but walked ahead.

Soon both began to bust fireworks..it was fun with jovial Kunal at side, he was not giving her much attention but playing himself with kids giving her time to play on her own.

Someone was burning a lot in jealousy..seeing the scene, he slam his palm on the burning diya there in anger.

She was playing so happily with him outside, then what’s the problem with him, he couldn’t understand her..nor digest the thing which happening in front his eyes, it hurt his ego.

And he in rage or his own madness opened the window of balcony where diyas arrangements were done beautifully next moment the gush of wind came & everything was dark then..

….

Geet..Geet dear..

Both Kunal & Geet looked up to see little tense Dadi walking out,

What’s the matter dadi..why do you look so worried . Kunal asked reaching upto her.

Geet was waiting anxiously seeing her tense.

um, I am here ask help from Geet actually..

Geet looked at her,

Geet dear, can you just go up towards right corner balcony, there you see.. she showed her the balcony from down,

Both Kunal & Geet looked up , only to see the darkness. But unknown to three of them someone was hidden from their eyesight, eyeing the scene down.

there looks so dark, Grandma... Geet said out confused.

Yes dear, that’s what the matter..just go and lit up diyas, I really don’t know who opened that window, and everything us know dark.

Geet understand the thing and just nodded in acceptance.

sure Grandma, I will just come..

Thank you, dera..Grandma patted her cheek affectionately.

Why do you have to say thanks Grandma, you just have to order.. Geet said cheekily making both smile.

Kunal was just admiring her, how easily and affectionately she was talking with dadi.

Hayye..i am dead...seeing the shades of this girl.

Kunal teased as soon as Grandma was out of sight..

Kunal…Geet whined before rushing inside.

Do you want me to follow you inside, he shouted cheekily..

No need..I will manage, Geet turned and answers, and you finish those crackers..

Your wish..my command..he screams again not caring about the kids staring him weirdly.

to be continued....