Chapter 11

[Chapter 11]

Next morning Geet woke up at 6 am, freshened up and went into the hall to find it quiet and dark. Maan and Nyra were still sleeping, she concluded.

With a smile on face, Geet moved her steps towards Nyra’s room. She entered the room with a soft step and peeped in. Seeing the bed empty, she wondered where the little girl went this morning. With natural instinct, her legs moved towards Maan’s room and the scene that she witnessed brough bright broad smile on her face. Maan was sleeping on his belly and Nyra was in deep sleep on his back. With Maan’s broad well muscled physique, Nyra looks like a little feather like fairy on him. It was so mesmerizing, she was lost, her heart very deep down wanted to be part of that. But her alert mind knew her limitations. She closed the room’s door softly and moved to the kitchen, wanting to make some nice breakfast.

At Night, Nyra had woken up and reached Maan. Maan, without a thought, picked her in his arms and made her sleep on top of him. He knew, she loved it. It gave Nyra a different feel of protectiveness. Feeling of being protected with her father, her father who will pamper her for her each, small wishes.

Geet was not an expert cook, so she took help of the cooking video recipes and checked the kitchen cabinet for matching stuff. After analyzing the recipes, her own skill limitation and limited ingredients, Geet was ready with her breakfast preparation. Why did she want to make it perfect? Why did she want Maan and Nyra to enjoy the breakfast? Why did she love to see them enjoy together? Why is her heart deep inside to be part of them?

She shrugged off and laid the breakfast on the table - Mushroom Cheese omelet, Pancakes with chocolate syrup, Bagel and cheese and fruits.

Maan got Nyra ready and later freshening himself came to breakfast table

“Wow” he looked at Geet and raised his eyebrows. Nyra came and jumped, seeing fresh Pancakes. Maan ruffled her hair and she gave a wet kiss on his cheeks

“Dadda fresh pancakes.” “Say thanks to Geet” Geet bent down and kissed Nyra

“No thank you to friends. We are friends, right Nyra” Nyra nodded her head up and down for yes.

Maan looked at Geet and their eyes met. He mouthed Thank-You to her and she nodded for No.

Nyra enjoyed her pancakes with lots of Chocolate syrup, while Maan placed omelet, toast and fruits on his plate and Geet savored bagel cheese spread and fruits.

While they were having breakfast, Geet looked around - Maan was having his breakfast quietly, Nyra was eating pancakes and coloring her face with chocolate syrup. Seeing her, Geet gave a small laugh. Then involuntarily, took a tissue and wiped Nyra’s face. Coincidently, Maan did not miss the scene. He again indulged in his plate. 

Geet again brought her focus around the table, Maan, Nyra and her, having perfect breakfast time, like perfect famil….. No, no. She shook her head. What the heck is she even thinking? How can she even think? Her mind is wandering in absurd things which she does not even think she herself is ready for. All she want and need now is to focus and settle her career.

“Dadda, call Dadu” Nyra pulled Maan’s hand. Maan set up the video settings on the screen. Sensing that they e]will be having their family time, Geet quietly moved to her room. 

“Dadu - Dadi” she heard Nyra’s excited words.

“Nyro.. our bachca” Geet heard loud and clear as Maan had connected the voice system to speaker in the hall. It felt like his family was here itself.

“Hi Nyra, Hi Kiddo” Geet heard several voices as the house filled with the sound of his family. It was the first time Geet was experiencing this kind of family love. Slowly she was realizing her in-laws house was just a shelter for her, she never had this family vibe there. It was only Megha from whom she felt connected. Even though she was upset with Megha, she knew she was connected by heart from Megha. 

“Chachu- Bua, Nyro misses”

“Kiddo come to Dadu house” she heard young boys voice “Chachu misses flying Nyro in air”

“Yeeee Nyra jumped” Geet could not hold and peeped out and saw his whole family was there on the big TV screen and Nyra was jumping all over Maan.

Maan was just relaxing and letting his Family enjoy Nyra. Geet’s heart filled with the feelings of spring morning, where colorful flowers bloom all around. How beautiful.

And then came an even more elderly lady, must be in her 80s but well maintained and classy.

“Dadddi Maaa” Nyra spread her arms and the old lady gave several flying kisses to Nyra.

Girls these days wanted a compact small family but Geet, who had been deprived of family, had stayed with a loaned family, craved to be part of it. She shook her head. Maan’s goodness and his wonderful family, Super cute and loving Nyra, all these were bringing those feelings inside her heart, which she had never felt. Never knew the wish for such things even existed in her heart.

Geet went inside not liking to eavesdrop in his family talk. It was a family day for Maan and esp. Nyra.

Geet again started arranging her clothes and bed when she heard Nyra again “Chaachi”

Geet’s curiosity, she peeped out again. To see a beautiful young lady in a sleeveless silk top and trousers. How cute she looked with her five months preggy belly.

“My Bachaa” Everyone of family was on screen, they kept on talking, mostly with Nyra and once in a while just scolding Maan for his vagabond habits, or pulling his leg for something, she didn’t know. Maan ignored them with his deaf ear. 

Maan let his family and Nyra enjoy each other and got up. 

Geet had her back turned to the door when Maan knocked it. She immediately turned. Why not, her whole attention was on sweet family talk and feelings that surrounded.

“Yes Maan”

“Would you mind meeting my family?” He asked in his usual humble tone.

“Meee??” Geet was surprised

“Of course”

“It is your family time. I am fine”

“Come on, I want you to meet them and they will be happy to meet you. Come come”

Geet hesitatingly went with him. Maan wrapped his hand around her shoulder and took her with him in front of the camera, where his whole family were enjoying time with Nyra.

“Hello everyone” he said loudly and waved his hand to get everyone attention

“Here I have someone special for you all to meet.”

“Bhai, is she Geet?” Vikrant asked excitedly even before Maan could speak.

Geet looked surprised at Maan. Maan gave a faint smile and shrugged his shoulders. He showed big eyes to Vicky.

“Hi, I am Geet and you are” Geet felt conscious talking to his family. Maan was his friend but meeting his family felt more intimate.

Vikrant took the lead while Maan stood beside Geet, his hand folded with each other on his chest. “I am Vikrant, vicky for family and close friends. So Vicky for you. This is Anwesha, our Annie”

“Hi Geet Bh” Maan showed his angry eyes to Annie, making her stop in her tracks.

“Hi Geet, Bhai have words about you in the family” she did damage control. Then, Maan’s Dad Rajendra, Mom Mohini and Dadima Savitri Devi also talked and introduced themselves with Geet. 

“Hi Geet, I am Meera, Vicky’s wife. You can see Nyra is soon going to have younger one to play with.”

They talked with Geet as if they had known since long, making Geet completely comfortable with them.

“Geet, is Maan taking good care of you in Paris.” asked Mohini and then looked at Maan

“Maan, as she is with you. You have to make sure to give her time” Maan shook his head. Geet did not know but he was very well aware of where his family’s talks were coming from and what they were heading to. They simply enjoyed imagining the impossible.

“Maan is the best host. I am so lucky to have found Maan as my friend” Maan mentally hit his head, he knew where this statement of Geet will take their thought.

“Really? You are lucky to have found him” Vicky said with excitement.

“Vicky” Maan warned 

He bent to Geet and spoke in her ears ``Ignore their excitement. They are just a bunch of people, get excited when meeting new people.”

Geet looked at Maan for his statement. Come on, they are The Khurana’s. Getting one glance of them, any of them would be special for most of the public and here they all know her and are so excited. She definitely was feeling overwhelmed by their welcome and warm talks. How can Maan say to ignore them?

“Geet, how do you like our Nyro” asked Savitri Devi

“Ohhh, she is the sweetest thing I have ever seen or met.” 

“And Nyro, do you like Dadda’s friend” “Dadima!!!” Maan warned but they ignored him.

Nyra went and stood on the sofa rim and hugged Geet “Geet made pancakes for Nyro” and she placed a kiss on Geet’s cheek.

“Wah!!! Nyro, good going” said Annie

“Annie!!” Maan warned her. 

“Maan you can do some talking as well, rather than announcing our names in turn” teased Mohini. All, including Geet laughed. Geet burst out laughing and Maan’s eyes got fixed on her beautiful laugh. He was lost in her laugh and the people on the other side observing his lost case.

“Geet bete” Said Rajendra “Yes Uncle”

“Dear, we know you are going through a tough phase of life. But don’t think you are alone. Consider us your family and never feel you are alone. This whole big family is yours. Okay” Geet did not know, with so much love, when the tears made their way through her cheeks.

“Thank-You so much uncle” 

Maan then disconnected the call. 

Geet closed her eyes and tears made an easy way through her face, not wanting to stop. So much warmth of family, never ever had she experienced such interaction. People were good to her but the concern, ownness and care that she felt was so new and beyond imagination for her. Is this how the real family is? They think about you, just for yourself.The care was not as formal as Dev’s. The care was not as calculated as Nina. It was the care with real warmth.

Maan got worried seeing Geet’s continuous tears. He sent Nyra to her room for playing and sat beside Geet

“Geet, are you okay. I know my family, they go overboard. They don’t know their talks can hurt anyone. They just fix things in their brain and keep talking without thinking they are hurting anyone” Maan was going on and on, when Geet moved forward and hugged him.

“I am jealous” is all she could say, her face on his chest

“Jealous??” Maan asked confused

She separated a bit, wiped her tears and looked up at him “No not jealous. I wish in any life, I have such sweet family”

“In any life? Did you not listen, Dad already made you part of the family. Now your peaceful days are gone” Maan shook his head. Geet hit him on his chest

“Shut up. You should cherish, you have a wonderful family”

“Yes cherish, why not. Now that they consider you family, I can enjoy seeing how they trouble you, poking their nose in your matters. I am going to be saved” he placed his hand on his heart dramatically, showing relief.

Geet gave a small smile “I would love to be interfered. I would love to be interfered with by a mother, who keeps scolding me for missing my meal, not because it will affect my performance and harm her business but because it will affect my health.”

“I would love to be scolded by a father for not coming home on time, as he will be worried for my safety and not because of the fear of me searching for a new job and leave his comapny.”

“I would love to be trouble by brother and sister, who could tease me for my secrets, who could trick me to get chocolates from me but who would come infront to save me from elder’s scolding on my mistake”

Maan pulled Geet to him and embraced her tightly in his side, making her face rest on his broad chest. He could feel her craving for family, her real and own family. He kept Geet tightly enclosed in his embrace till he felt she was calm. The warmth of Maan’s embrace, the console that he provided relaxed Geet 

“I am fine now”

“You have a big family now. You can enjoy the trouble” he shrugged.

Next Morning, Maan in his collared polo, shorts and sunglasses,  was busy keeping stuff in the Trunk of the car. There were two baskets of food, one had breakfast sandwiches, Cheese spread, cookies, Bagel, fruits and other breakfast items and the other had various drinks in the ‘to go’ fridge. He was adjusting the chairs, sun umbrella, beach mat etc. etc. Maan was almost done, he rubbed his hands clapping them with each other to get off any dirt and closed the trunk door.

He turned to see Geet and Nyra coming. He laughed, it seemed like they were twinning in their looks. Both had jeans shorts, Nyra had a cute crop top while Geet had soft material printed sleeveless top, both his girls had put on the pony, their hair strang naturally falling on their face and both had sunglasses on. Geet had her purse in hand and Nyra had her sand basket. 

“Daddaaaa” she went running to Maan and clutched herself to one of his leg. He picked her up in his arm and in the air 

“So pretty. Who got you ready” She pointed her fingers towards Geet.

“I guessed so,” he murmured. She again placed wet kiss on his cheeks

“Nyro Noo” and he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and she hugged him, gluing her small shape to his broad one.

By that time Geet reached them “Sorry for delay” 

“No worries. Both my girls look beautiful today” he said casually but Geet’s heart skipped a beat.

“My girls,” she repeated to herself and then shook her head.

They then set off for a two day fun trip. One day will be a whole day of fun on the beach, and next day a fun zone for Nyra and then Get would fly off to India and Maan will hand Nyra to Sam.

Maan took the driver’s seat, Geet passenger seat and Nyra was settled in the back. 

Two days were memorable for all three of them in their own way.

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-Anu 🤗