Chapter 28

Chapter 28

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“I will never forgive him for making you go through such pain of loneliness. The way you were left as a loner in his presence makes him your biggest culprit. I will not stay quiet if he does anything to hurt you further.”

“Okay, my Sherni. Now I will chill and you handle these people. Khush”

“Hmmmm” she said placing a kiss on his forehead

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The marriage functions started with Rano playing mother to both Maan and Geet. From Khurana’s, Maan let Annie play the groom’s sister’s part. He can be rude to her but eventually never denies her any request. In fact the only one there who he cared for. Other than Annie, Sanjeev also kept doing his fatherly duties. Maan neither stopped him nor got involved in what he was doing. His only condition was that his wife and two sons would stay away completely, not to be seen during any function. That was a big blow to Ragini and Vicky.

Maan Singh Khurana Marriage with Geet Handa was the talk of the business and media world and they had to be completely away.

Vicky had tried to talk to Maan but in vain.

Whole Khurana Mansion and Handa Villa was decorated like a bride. Maan had been strolling around looking at the decorations. Maan had sanctioned the money but Sanjeev had wanted to take charge of decorating it. Maan did not say much

“Maan, I know I have failed badly as a father. Give me one chance to feel a blessing of being father to you. I won’t say trust me, because that is not a word for me but give me a chance”

“hmmm…” 

Maan was thus strolling around to see that Mr. Khurana has actually taken effort to get the mansion decorated as per his mother’s taste.

“Maan Bhai…” Maan turned with narrowed brows to see Vicky there

“Maan Bhai???? Are my ears working properly” he shook his ears to show is confusion

“Maan Bhai, I am really sorry for all my deeds” Vicky started, not knowing how to talk to a person whom they have treated like trash whole life and to know at the end that he was the real show runner.

“And what has suddenly changed to make you feel sorry? As far as I remember, I have helped Geet send your loving brother to jail. You should hate me, right?”

“Bhai did very wrong. In fact we all were wrong”

“Why, what wrong did you do? I do not remember even having any interaction with you. I almost don’t know you, what are you asking sorry for?”

“Maan Bhai, please give me a place as your younger brother. I will not disappoint you. You can give me some charges of your marriage”

“First, I do not know you and I randomly do not make anyone my sibling. Second, it’s my marriage, very special to me and I don’t give charge of it to a stranger.”

“One chance Maan Bhai. I am doomed without you. Dad and bro, themself are not good in business so what could they teach me? I want to learn under your guidance”

“So here you come with your motive. First prove yourself to be my brother and then you will not need to even come”

“I will… I will… Jaise Annie ko app”

Maan raised his hand “don’t ever bring her in middle.. never”

“Okay Maan Bhai.. I won’t” 

Maan gave a small laugh on Vicky’s excitement “Hnnn… remember it may take years after years till I believe you are truly what you are saying. The fact that you are the product of the relationship that is the main cause of my pain.. it may take forever… maybe never”

“Just coming under your roof.. you giving a single thought to it.. is enough.. I will prove myself till you believe”

“Fine. So first thing you do is keep your mother and yourself completely away from this marriage and second, do not ever advocate for your mother and third don’t even try or imagine bringing that Dev in this house.”

“Sure Maan Bhai” and he left. Maan gave a cunning smile. Now was the time to use these people. Throwing them from the house was not possible as they came as baggage of Mr. Khurana and he will never throw away Mr. Khurana from the house. Whatever he must have done, Mr.Khurana was his father, he cannot disrespect that relation. Though his father has disrespected the relationship, he cannot do it. So if this baggage is to stay here, he better use them to his benefit unless they prove to have really changed, which he believed would not happen anytime soon. 

Geet did not know about Maan’s closeness with Annie as Maan himself never showed that even to Annie. Annie took all his anger and kept one sided communication with Maan whom she called Bhai. It was always Maan as ‘Bhai’ to her and Dev and ‘Dev Bhai’. 

So Geet was confused when Annie reached her and showed her excitement to participate in preparation and their shopping

“Hmmm.. I hear you are super busy” she got Maan’s call

“I have to be when I am the one doing all the shopping, for you and for me”

“Ohhh… that is not my cup of tea.. well you are not alone though”

“Hmm… Mom is there and ummm.. woo Annie”

“Hmm.. let her. I allowed her”

“Maan these people.. I won’t let them”

“She is not among them. Count her separately” Geet could hear a little protectiveness in him. Okay, there was so much she feels she has to know yet. There was so much depth in what and how he feels for people. 

“Okay” she let it be there not wanting to dig deeper. She will know by time.

She was about to keep her cell when she was stopped by him “Umm listen”

“Hmm..”

“Get nice dresses and gifts for her… it should be from you”

“Hmmm… kerna hai per jatana nahi'' she teased him “nothing like that… now when she is doing so much…”

“Hmm hmm bas. I know you and don’t worry, I will take care of it. Had you indicated me your equation with her beforehand, I would have already taken care of it”

“hold on… there is no equation as such.. she is too childish, that’s it. I don’t want to harm her innocent brain with this family drama”

“Okay…” Geet decided to not poke his heart. But she could feel a very protective brother only shielding his emotion from outside, trying to act hard.

They did all the shopping - Rano, Annie and Geet.

When working with designer, while Annie and Rano selected for Geet and helped her select for Maan, Geet selected best dresses and jewelries for Annie

“I don’t need these Geet. I just want to help you with your marriage shopping.”

 “But your brother won’t be happy if I do not get gifts for his dear sister”

“Sshhh Geet. Don’t ever say that in front of Bhai. He doesn’t want to accept it and I like it this way. He is there for me, always. That is enough for me.”

“Okay.. don’t worry. I won’t

It was Maan’s wish and so Geet included Annie completely. She could see the child in Annie and how excited she was to find the best for her Bhai.

Geet in two days had seen the love and respect that Annie had for Maan. 

“Mumma, we did a hell lot of shopping, what about my D-Day dress?”

“Let something be a surprise dear” Rano tried to put some sense in her outspoken daughter

There was sudden glint of excitement in Geet’s eyes 

“Ohh my… that’s why you went with my Prof.”

Rano hit the side of Geet’s forehead  “Silly.. learn to keep your words in your mouth sometimes. You don’t need to let out everything you understand.”

Geet bit her tongue “Will Maan too like the unsaid words” she wondered

“Yes darling. It brings beauty to the relationship”

“but he loves me the way I am”

“Darling, he will always love you… but these small things will bring a different flavor.” She then went near her ears 

“These are small ways to make your lover crazy about you” she whispered

“Mumma…” Geet blushed

“Thiiss… this is it. This will make you prof. crazy about you like never before”

Geet’s face only became redder.

Handa house was filled with Geet’s family from Hishiyarpur and one very happy person was Geet’s Daarji.

“Kuddi… Daarji is never wrong” he teased her and she hid her face in Daarji’s broad chest.

It was the afternoon of Mehndi and Sangeet functions. The grand hall in Handa Villa was traditionally decorated for Mehndi. All ladines , in green shimmery dress code were seated along with Geet in the center as the Mehndi proceeded.

Wonderful dressing, light professional makeup, her elegance, beauty topped with immense love for her lover, Geet was looking like a beauty that glowed among all the decorated ladies and girls.

Annie was also invited by Geet for the occasion of Mehndi. Ragini had placed pressure on Annie to not attend the function as her mother was not invited or allowed. But Vicky, who badly wanted to be in good book of Maan supported Annie

“She loves Maan Bhai and you cannot stop her from attending her brother’s marriage”

“Maan Bhai?? Good… you change color like your father”

“Mom, it’s not changing color but realizing the fact of life and accepting the truth. We are doomed if he backs out his hand from us. And we are not just your kid but also Dad’s. He thus very clearly becomes our half brother. The one who is still bearing us and not ruining us because we are Dad’s kid. The Dad, who was never good to him.”

“And he does not respect your Mom, that’s okay with you”

“You know the better reason for his sourness with you. He may, in the long run, forgive us because we have hurt him but you have been the cause of pain for his mother, which he can never digest. I know he will not even forgive me anytime soon, but I will keep trying because under his roof I will get the right path for life. This way my life is not going anywhere. He is my elder brother and I am nowhere wrong in following the order of my elder brother. And Annie and Maan Bhai share another bond and you may have to face consequences if you interfere there”

“Annie, you may go” Said Vicky. Ragini could say nothing. She must be taunting Vicky but now, even she, wanted to make good terms with Maan though she knew that was a near impossible task. All she can do now is stop her no cooperation movement with Maan. But the girl coming into his life seemed more dangerous. And to get into, even his not bad book, she will have to keep that girl happy.

“What did I get with this marriage? No single penny in my name, no respect, no name in the Khurana family and nothing in my control. Never expected that drunkard to take over everything and rise so high. He made us look as if he was as emotional a fool as his mother. He tricked us.” 

Annie was looking at Geet “What are you looking at”

“You are so beautiful. No wonder Maan Bhai is head over heels crazy about you”

“You think so?” she asked, blushing hard. Ohh gosh.. what has Momma told her about shyness, since then she is involuntarily blushing like crazy

“You bet. He is so crazy about you”

“Well, your brother is no less. My mind stops working around him. Sometimes I wonder, is he for real and is he going to be mine” Geet said with a smile

“Well but today and tomorrow is going to be bit tough for your Bhai”

“Why?” Geet winked “Just watch.

Maan entered the venue to see his bride to be in her Mehndi ceremony. Maan’s eyes from far went on Geet who was glowing in the center. 

Geet saw Maan enter and she called Annie and asked her to put a veil on her face from her stole.

“Just do it, please. And go get your Mehndi done”

Maan was held up by many on his way to his sweetheart. At last his craving heart got some peace as he reached her. But when he turned to her, he was surprised to find her in a veil. The Mehndi on her hand looked beautiful, her beautiful feet peeping from her ghaghra was tempting him to place his lips there but his heart yearned to get glimpse of her. He settled beside her 

“Geet” he said in husky whisper

“Hmmm” she said smiling under her veil, leisurely stealing glances of his handsome face

“Why are you under this cover? I am dying to see you”

“This is a veil and will stay like this till our marriage”

“What?? you must be kidding. I have never heard of such things”

“How many marriages have you attended? This is common. We cannot see each other till marriage”

“Geet, is it you talking?” he could not believe Geet agreeing to such concept

Maan placed his hands on end of her veil to lift it up

“Ma-an” she stopped him

“Daarji is very strict about it. You really think I would not want you to see me?”

“Then what am I doing here?” upset, he got up and saw Daarji. Maan went to Daarji and Geet lifted her veil and signaled Daarji from Maan’s back.

“Daarji, really is it the rule? ” Maan asked, unaware of her signaling. Poor Darji got confused with the naughty game of his Kudi. But he cannot spoil whatever she wanted to do

“Haan puttar. We find it auspicious. But if you force then …”

“No Daarji.. it’s okay” Maan said with a heavy heart. 

He came back to Geet “Don’t you think I am still buying it. You be prepared for heavy price”

“Then do something that can force me uncover this veil. I am under a veil and you are free to roam around, see it is a torture on me, not you.”

“Torture on you?? Hmm.. You can easily see me. It a torture on me”

“Hmmm… really? I am getting Mehndi done, for you. What are you doing for me?”

“hmmm.. so it’s your game. I am never wrong with you” she smiled 

“So take it. I am getting this Mehndi done for you… what can you do… you cannot get Mehndi done for me… so think of something”

“Why something? I will get Mehndi done for you. Maan Singh Khurana can get anything done”

“But what will be special about it?” she challenged

“It will be more special than yours… it’s a challenge”

“Really? You think so?”

“I am sure. And I'm going far away, I don’t want you cheating on my idea” he said. 

Ohh this was not the business tycoon Man Singh Khurana. Just Geet’s Maan… her lover .. her deewana

“Prof. This is not a business project where you will be the best”

“Just wait and watch… I will be the best. You just be ready to pay the price”

Geet was excited. If he is so confident, he definitely has something in his brain.. What was it?

“We’ll see “she challenged

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tellyme2024-04-20 21:01:00