Chapter 20

Side Story.

Ranjeet woke up without opening his eyes and, without eating, went to the washroom. Jay finished his meal and followed. He asked Ranjeet what had happened.

"You knew how serious I was about it, I didn't want you to touch me," said Ranjeet.

"But why? Am I that bad? Ranjeet, it was just a game," replied Jay.

"That's the problem with you city boys, you think everything is just a game, and there's no respect for reality. What you consider a joke isn't one for me."

Jay casually said and looked away, "Are you getting this serious as if you like me?"

Ranjeet looked serious, and angrily said, "Yes," and Jay looked at him in serious way. "Yes, ever since I saw you, it's been just you everywhere. I came to see your sister for a marriage, but it was you I was looking at. The word 'gay' was just starting to fade from my life, and then on top of that, my Baba called me for this business marriage. How could I have known that I would come to see your sister and end up giving my heart to you?"

"Shhhhhhh, what are you saying! Are you in your senses? You liked me? You said it happened because you were not in sense," Jay said, laughing.

"I was dying to hug you, to see you, to spend time with you. I told thousands of lies just to be with you. You couldn't be mine; it was beyond my reach. On top of that, you were straight. I saw your girlfriend, and I never thought I stood a chance against your choices. How could my toxic self-appeal to you?" Ranjeet is controlling that he wants to cry.

Jay seriously said, "You love me? Really? You like me and you're gay?"

"Yes, I love you, more than anything. Eating, drinking, sleeping, I just see your face everywhere. Marrying you was my dream. When you accepted, I was dying to be with you." Ranjeet said everything in one breath.

"Relax, are you going to tell me everything today? Do you want me to kiss you only when I love you?" Jay laughed.

"Yes," Ranjeet said, almost in tears.

"I didn't like you at all initially. I even told my sister, 'What kind of dumbo are you marrying?'"

"I know you didn't like me," (Ranjeet was crying angrily, like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away.)

"Calm down Dumbo! Listen to my whole point. I'm not straight! I'm pansexual. And one more thing, from your words, it seems like I should give you a chance. I never took you seriously, but now I will give you my full attention. I will try my best to get to know you."

"You're not straight? You'll give me a chance?" He asked in shock?

"Yes," said Jay.

Ranjeet wiped his tears, extended his hand. "Thank you," Jay said with a smile. "Aren't we going to hug? Will you remain this formal?"

Jay hugged Ranjeet. "You're very innocent, Ranjeet," Jay said.

"It's the first time anyone has said that," Ranjeet replied.

All night, listening to the teacher's lecture on "men don't feel pain," we ended up with a headache and then went to sleep, spreading our beds on the floor. Ranjeet and Jay slept next to each other. Jay always made a space so Ranjeet could sleep comfortably.

Everyone slept on mattresses laid on the floor. Ranjeet moved his mattress a little closer to Jay. Jay noticed and started smiling.

Ranjeet softly asked, "What kind of person did you want in your life?"

Jay turned to Ranjeet and said, "Not someone like you... but you don't seem bad to me. I like your honesty. Why were you interested in me?"

"I don't know! I have long list...I like yours.."

Jay interpreted, "I've never seen you this happy. Hey, you look happy," Jay's eyes sparkling, and Ranjeet was also smiling with his eyes.

"You look handsome today."

"You are dumb-mustache boy for me."

"What? Wait a minute."

Ranjeet went somewhere and Jay waited for him. Ranjeet took a while. Jay fell asleep. Ranjeet saw Jay sleeping, smiled, and went to sleep as well.

In the morning, Jay woke up and saw that everyone was still asleep. He tried to wake Ranjeet, who had a blanket over his face. Jay's mischievous mind wanted to play a prank, so he took a little wire and wants to put it in Ranjeet's ear or nose to tickle him. When he removed the blanket and tried to place the wire on Ranjeet's ear, Jay got close to him. He was mesmerized, his eyes in shock. Ranjeet was smiling in his sleep. It was 4 o'clock, and Ranjeet woke up, seeing that Jay was very close to him. Ranjeet looked away, feeling shy. Jay noticed Ranjeet's expression and realized Ranjeet had taken it differently. Jay wanted to explain but couldn't find the words. Finally, Jay cleared his throat and said loudly without realizing, "You cut your mustacheeeeee?"

Everyone woke up startled, as if a storm had hit. Jay put his hand over his mouth in surprise. Ranjeet, meanwhile, pulled the blanket over his face and pretended to sleep.

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"So I have a chance," she winked.

I flushed, "No, I mean... (my heartbeat is killing me fuck) yeah, maybe everyone, fuck that so difficult maybe yeah....dam! dam! maybe you have." wait what?

No, no, I said it wrong. She never had a chance. What are you trying to do, Payal? Damn it, just shut up. You've already created so much mess. You're not in love with her. Accept it. There's no love for Geet. I still haven't forgiven her.

When I accepted that she had a chance, she looked at me as if she was shy now. Now, we both were shy, and there was an awkward silence. Those silences felt so long. I didn't know what to do. I don't know why I'm behaving like this. I hope she knows the correct way to deal with these kinds of feelings.

I don't know what love is, but I want to be a little honest with myself. How long will I suppress my feelings? I don't know who I am, but even a Geet named after a girl would be this beautiful or handsome because I am different with her somehow. She's not honest, she's selfish, but whatever she is, she can never think wrong for me. Anyway, who in this world is fully honest? However she is, I think she's fine. I've mustered up the courage to make my heart understand that she's not wrong, she's wrong but not entirely wrong. She's trying to do the right thing, but she ends up doing something wrong. I don't know how long she'll stay this way. Slowly, I am beginning to understand her. Maybe.

The next day, I started packing. Moon asked me why I was doing this, and I told her, "I'm worried about my brother. I can't wait for 4-5 days." I was very sad. Seeing my face, she said, "Let's go together."

Geet woke up late, like she had never slept so long. She saw my face and started packing her bag as well.

Earth looked at me and asked, "What's happening?"

Geet replied, "We are going back."

"What? Please don't go, I'll miss you. I want to spend more days with you."

I replied, "No, Earth, stay here. I need to go for some work."

"If it's so important to you, then I'll go with you."

Geet replied, "Quick, pack your bag."

I didn't say anything; I was too busy thinking about Chipsy.

We got into the car. Moon and Earth were in the same car, and I rode with Geet. Geet and I were sitting together. I was shaking my leg. She calmed my leg and put her hand on it. I looked at her awkwardly, and she moved her hand away. We didn't make eye contact. I informed Mom that I was coming today. I called Chipsy once and also Ranjeet. Their phones were switched off.A car was continuously following us, and I didn't know why. Moon's bodyguards knew; their expressions showed it. The car turned off onto a different road. I kept looking out the window and started shaking my leg again. Geet asked me, "Do you know that I hate yellow?"

Of course, she wanted to talk to me, but I had no interest. I was too preoccupied with how I would deal with the situation. "Okay," I replied.

Geet said, "Chipsy will be alright. Don't think too much."

"I'm trying my best."

"Are you scared because you think you can't find Chipsy? You're a strong woman."

"Yes, I'm not that strong," I said angrily.

What will I do? I'm not strong. Ranjeet definitely did something to Chipsy. I hate him.Omkara was calling me. I didn't pick up, but he called again.

"What?" I said angrily.

"I miss you. I hate that you have a hot wife."

"So take her if you like. Don't waste my time."

"Okay, cool down. You're red. Listen, Red just wants to talk to Geet. Can you pass the phone?"

I handed the phone to Geet, and she laughed. I didn't know what Omkara said to her but she smiled. She gave me back the phone. I fell asleep, trying not to talk. I put on my headphones, still thinking about Chipsy.

By morning, we had arrived. Dad saw me, and for the first time, he was crying. I couldn't believe he did that.

Dad said, "I missed you so much. I realized you don't love Ranjeet. I forced you to marry him, and that was wrong."

"Dad, it's fine."

"No, it's not. First, have lunch and freshen up."

He didn't talk to anyone else. He looked at Moon and Geet strangely and then received a call. My mom hugged me and asked how Paris was. She was so excited about Paris. I lied and said it was good. Mom hugged Geet and asked, "Did you enjoy with my Pyaal?" Geet smiled, and I went upstairs as Geet continued to introduce Moon.

I heard only, "She is Moon." Mom replied, "She looks like the moon."

I freshened up and was about to meet Ranjeet's baba when Geet asked me to stop.

"Don't you want to have lunch?" Geet asked.

"No. Where are Moon and Earth? Are they fine?"

"They're both fine, and I will come with you."

Dad came into the room and asked me, "I want to say something."

"What's that?"

"I knew you're not a lesbian. When Geet didn't know about you, I realized you were acting. I just kept playing along, thinking maybe you were right. But in the end, I saw how unhappy you were about marrying her. So I'm asking you to break this marriage. It has no meaning."

"Dad, Geet is fine. Thanks for telling me that."

"I do care about you. I'm sorry I forced you."

"It's okay, Dad. I'm happy you realized that."

Dad asked, "Can you break this marriage? I know I was a terrible parent, but now I just want to be at least a good dad, if not great."

I felt happy and cried. We hugged each other, and Geet looked him suspicious. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I'm also a bad daughter."

"No, you're not. Please don't force anything. Be a writer. Marriage is not for you."

"You're right, Dad. I was never into marriages, and I want to be a good writer. Thank you for supporting me."

"So, does that mean Geet and you are not in a marriage?"

I looked at Geet, and she looked at me, expecting a good answer. I didn't know, so I said, "Maybe. I only know that I love writing. So, I'll go with that. No forced marriage."

Dad replied, "You're such a good daughter."

For the first time, my dad understands me. He's giving me freedom, the freedom I've always wanted. I always hoped that one day he would understand me and say something to show his support. Now, he is supporting me, but at what cost to Geet? He wants me to break off the fake marriage, which is true, but I really want my dad's love.

I still hate her for what she did to Chipsy. I can't forget how she was. But if I have to choose between Dad and Geet, why should I choose one person over another? I know she's sorry, but does it change anything? Maybe. Who knows what's happening with Chipsy? All because Ranjeet is married to him. Ranjeet did something because he's also missing.

I did something wrong. I felt that way. I didn't know that I was making a stupid decision. I wanted to know why I was being like this. It's difficult to trust her and choose her if I have a choice. Geet looked at me angrily. She left, and I went to Ranjeet's baba's house. His house was empty. There was no one, and then I suddenly saw Ranjeet's mom.

Mom asked me to come in. She offered me tea, and I said I didn't want any. She politely and friendly insisted I drink it, so I didn't refuse and drank it. I asked her.

"How are you?" I asked.

She just smiled.

"Do you know where Ranjeet is?"

"Payal, I don't know."

"You don't know? Your son kidnapped my brother, and you don't know that?"

"He didn't. He just wanted to stay with Jay. Jay and Ranjeet were happy, and they went somewhere. Then something happened."

"What happened?" I asked, shocked.

"Forget it, or you'll die."

"Die? What are you hiding?"

"Nothing, I have some work to do."

I left, and she looks scared. I went back home. Moon glanced that I am coming from outside and shouted that I should never go out alone, at least take bodyguards. She cared about me. I hugged her and said, "Sorry, Moon." I felt like I had a big sister, and I liked it when she shouted at me.

"Thank you for taking care of you"

She smiled.

"I am trying my best to improve myself, even though my heart's transformation came overnight because you helped me when my husband harassed me. I want to say thank you and be friends, but I was hiding my feelings, so I made a plan to keep you both close. That night, when I said something wrong, and you kissed Geet."

"You acted?" I asked.

"Yes, that was your plan, Moon?"

"Yes," she said excitedly.

"Moon, you might think what you did was good, but for me, it was wrong. I can't fall for a kiss."

"Do you think you didn't fall for it?"

"I don't want to talk about it." in anger.

I went into the room, and Geet was sitting on bed, writing an email. I said, "You can leave, Geet. You're missing your company. How many times have you sacrificed your work? I will handle this situation alone."

Geet stopped typing, closed her laptop, and then shut the door. "Do you know who you are?" she asked.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I think you're forgetting that you don't want to break this marriage."

"Yes, and you want to, so I'm doing what you like," I said angrily.

"So, you're leaving me? You want to do that?"

"No, Dad asked me to."

"And now you're listening to your dad? He's not a good man."

"Don't say anything bad about my dad. He is my dad, and yes, I'm listening to him because he's my dad. I can forgive him; he has changed."

"He hasn't changed. He's just pretending."

"Come on, who's saying that? Do you understand family? Do you even have one?"

She stormed out in a rage. Geet didn't say anything, and I think I said those words out of frustration. I regret it and try to apologize, but I didn't know where she went. She just vanished. I held my head in my hands, feeling the weight of my regret. Mom came into my room.

"Mom, when was the last time you talked to Jay?"

"Ranjeet wanted to go with Jay, and Jay was happy about it. Jay said he forgave Ranjeet because he wasn't at fault. They both wanted to be good friends. He packed his bag, and I hugged him. He said he was glad to have a friend like Ranjeet." Mom said emotionally

"So, he's happy with Ranjeet," I asked.

I looked at my phone, wondering where he was, but I didn't know. My mind wasn't working right. Why is Chipsy missing? Why would someone kidnap Chipsy? Chipsy is always a good guy. How could anyone hate him?

Mom replied, "I don't know, but Umeed is missing too, and our black car is gone."

I asked, "Umeed? Our driver? What? Shouldn't we file a FIR?"

"I think we should, but your dad doesn't seem to care about it, so he didn't."

I called Moon and asked if she wanted to come with me.

"Yes," Moon replied. After some time, we reached the police station. I explained everything, and then a constable said,

"You know, ma'am, many men have been going missing from this village. We're still trying to find out why this is happening."

Moon turned to me and said, "Let's go. They'll do their job; we should do ours too."

"Our job?"

"Yes."

We started searching the village, asking people if they had seen Ranjeet or Jay anywhere. Moon and I searched for a long time. Night fell, and Earth called me, saying Omkara was coming here with her Chef boyfriend to help. Earth had called them. Can people really be this helpful? I wasn't sure. I felt hopeless, with everything becoming a blur. Dad called to say he had talked to the commissioner and apologized for not filing the FIR earlier. He said the police would handle the case more seriously now.

At night, while having dinner, I kept wondering who could have done this. My mind was racing, and then Earth asked,

"Do you know? Geet has been missing all day?"

"What? She didn't come home?"

"Yes."

I called her, but she wasn't answering. I couldn't eat dinner and went to my room. I checked, and her bag was still there. Where did she go? Moon followed me and asked,

"Don't worry. She usually does this when she's upset. Did something go wrong?"

"Yes, Moon. Dad asked me to break off our marriage."

"So, are you going to break it off?"

"I think Dad is right. I don't love her, and it was a forced marriage."

"I thought you loved Geet?"

"No, I haven't thought about love. Love is a big word, and I don't know what it means."

Omkara called, saying he would come with a detective so we could solve this more easily.

"Omkara is a really nice guy." I said. still thinking.

"Why don't you ask more people for help? Earth asked them, and they're ready to help you. You're really special."

"Am I? I thought they were faking it."

"There are good people and bad people in the world, but there are enough good ones to keep it going; otherwise, the world would have ended long ago."

"You say such wise things."

"You're only noticing now? I've always said them." (acting like fake smart woman)

Moon smiled, and I gave a small smile.

"Do you know where Geet went?"

"No idea! She's a bit eccentric (strange). I used to call her that. When she feels hurt, she does this, reads books to understand the situation, and comes back with a new mindset after 3-4 days."

"I hope that's the case. Has there ever been a time she didn't come back?"

"Yes, once we didn't see her for a year. I don't remember the details, but she can do anything. Even I find it hard to understand Geet."

"Yeah, you're right!"

I was feeling stressed and didn't want to eat. Earth and I kept calling her, but she wasn't answering. I couldn't sleep all night, thinking she would come back. I kept checking the door.

Finally....

Why is waiting so hard? One second feels like an hour. I get so restless, like something bad's happening or about to happen. I've never felt this much stress before for some random person. What's going on with me? What's up with these feelings? I've looked at the door so many times that I know exactly how wide it opens, what color it is, and the soft light falling on it. I didn't even know the color of the AC before but look at me now. People are right! Some questions never get answered, just like I'm not getting any answers to all these questions.