Episode 2

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..

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