Chapter 10

sara_06

@sara_06

Sorry for the delay! Enjoy! Do leave your comments and likes! :) .Sara

Untouched Yaadain:

Part 10:

Geet couldn't decide what to wear. Which dress would match this situation? She almost emptied out all of her closet. Trying to find the perfect dress to wear.Green would be too earthy. Yellow would be too bright. Orange would make her look like a pumpkin. Red would be too... Every color seemed not right. It somehow did injustice to this mini event. This is the first time she'll be going out with her husband, she has to look good. Or she could just wear regular clothes and not care about this dinner. Which she did planned it like this. But what if he gets mad at her for not dressing proper. Then there goes the dinner down the drain. It's been long since she went to a restaurant or dhaba in that case. She can't lose this golden opportunity. After all he is her husband let it be for 2 months. And she had total right to go where ever she wishes to go with him. And plus he asked her for dinner its not like she asked for it. So it's double win win. She spent the last 2 hours picking for her dress. She couldn't ask Nayantara for help. She already hates her so why increase the hatred? And Nakul is a man and old. He can't help her with her problem. So she's on her own with no luck perhaps.

As for Maan, he was still in his cabin, surrounded by 100s of files. He still had an hour before he makes his way out of his office. It surprised him that he was actually looking forward for their dinner. He had even thought of things to talk about. What questions he will ask and how she'll answer. What he will order. Where he will take her. Everything. Somewhere in his heart he felt terrible for not taking Nayantara with them. But she said no first. And he didn't want to push it further. He mentally picked up his suit to wear. He sometimes smiled at his thoughts. This was very rare. Everyone outside his cabin were flustered and gossiping about it. Some said that it's probably his wife and some said that it's probably because he finally became the MD. Nobody knew the exact answer. Sasha was more flustered. What changed him so much just in a day? A day before he was yelling at everyone, complaining that nobody takes their work seriously. And now, not a single harsh word has been uttered from The Maan Singh Khurana's mouth. She knew that it got to do something with his wife. But then realized that he can't ever fall in love. Love is not in his dictionary after what had happened to him in the past. He himself told her 2 years ago. But time changes and so do people. But then again the whole MD thing came in her mind. Or maybe he's just happy about that. This was his dream and when a dream comes true, it's like the most happiest moment ever.

Maan looked at the clock, he has exactly 30 minutes left till he has to leave this place. He quickly cleared his files out of his way. Paying half attention to the staff and other half, lost in his own world. Maan sat alone in his cabin. Had his head rest on the chair and hands on his temple, slowly massaging it. Trying to figure out what had happened to him? He had to find answers to his questions. He turned on his laptop and Googled for some answers. He felt extremely stupid for even thinking about this let along with typing his thoughts. "Ok Maan, you have to find the answers to your question. Let your hunt began." Why do you think so much about a person? He typed. He found an answer. "You can only think about a person so much, because a. you miss that person so much and b. you are in love." Maan almost jumped out of his seat. The last statement kept on playing in his mind like a song stuck in someone's mind. "You are in love! You are in love! YOU ARE IN LOVE!"

This can't be right. Maan concluded. He finally concluded that that person is totally out of his mind to write a such a stupid answer. He clicked back. And started to roam, on a hunt to find the "right" answer. An answer that would please him. And hopefully not freak him out as it did before. He clicked on another site. "The only time when you repeatedly think about someone and cannot focus in your work is because you let that person rule your mind and your HEART! This is nothing but love and once you fall into that hole, it's like a maze. You can never get out, even if you want to." This is crazy! I haven't fallen in a hole. I am perfectly fine. And Geet is going to be the last person on my mind. Maan finally concluded. Not pleased with any of the answers that he found, he frustratingly shut his laptop, got out of the chair and started to roam around the room. Trying to calm himself. This is not true. There's no such thing as love. He kept on telling himself. He scratched the edge of his nose and again his temple. By now it was 7:37 pm. Time for him to go home and get ready. He is totally not ready for this but again he has no choice. If he wouldn't have asked her to dinner, then nothing of this would have happened. But why do all of the answers to his questions end up with LOVE?! If by any chance he has fallen in love, which he certainly hasn't, then isn't it too early for him to fall in love? It takes months for two people to fall in love. They need to know each other first and for most. And then slowly sparks starts flying. But then again he remembers a story he just read 10 minutes ago about two people who met and had fallen in love in just 2 hours. Now they are happily married. That's insane! 2 hours!? That's it. And here he knows Geet for not more than 2 days. This can't be happening. People are crazy and they do crazy things. Like falling in love is just one example and the main one too. Irritated by his thoughts, he quickly grabbed his stuff and headed out to the parking lot. Slowly slowly the office staff had cleared out. And now it's just him and his thoughts. He smashed his belongings in the car and started to drive faster. The more faster he drives, the more great chances of him not thinking about stupid stuff like love, Maan's philosophy.

He reached the house just on time. 7:55. He has only 5 minutes to get ready. He quickly went to his room without bothering saying hi to Nayantara. Probably she had already left, he concluded. He entered his room and didn't see Geet anywhere. She went out in the garden just before he came in the house. She had just enough time to wander in the garden, taking in the flowers scents before Maan comes and they have to leave. She had turned off the lights of Khurana Mansion just to see the stars above. Nayantara had left saying she had to meet with her friends. And Nakul went into his room early as he had no work to do. It was dark except for some little lights in the house, just so she does't scare herself from the darkness. She looked above the sky. The stars were dangling up above. There were thousands of lights. No not thousands, billion of stars perhaps. They were so shiny. The fresh air touched her skin which made her saree's pallu and her hair fly. She had her hair open. After taking two hours of debating on which dress to wear, she finally chose a red saree. It was a great weather outside. The trees leaves in the distant were dancing, the flowers were also joining them in a rhythm. Everything felt so great. She could get used to a view like this.

Maan has now changed in his planned suit. He looked for Geet in the room. He went out on the balcony. Looking down he saw her standing there, arms spread and looking up to the sky and smiling. Maan just looked at her. She looked beautiful in that Saree. He couldn't take his gaze off of her. He was struck by her beauty. Right when he was lost in his own world, his phone rang that snatched him out of his dream world. It was Nayantara. Maan was drenched with embarrassment and thanked to God that Geet didn't see him, picked up her call.

"Haan Di boiliye?"

"Maan aap kahan hain?"

"Ghar."

"Abhi tak aap donon gaye nahin. Jaaiye na. Maine yeh pata laganay ke liye phone kiya hai."

"Right Di, We'll be leaving in few."

After some formal talks, he hanged up and sighed. Getting himself ready to whatever is going to happen at the dinner. He went downstairs while constantly brushing his hand in his hair, somehow they didn't seem to fit perfectly. Maan walks in to the garden and sees Geet standing in the middle of lawn surrounded by bunch of flowers of all kind. Roses, tulips, sunflower and what not. One last time he fixes his shirt and tie and walks toward Geet. Geet who is totally unaware who or what is coming towards her. Maan stands next to her, hands in his pocket.

"Uhh, nice weather huh?" Geet almost jumps. But maintains her balance. On the other hand, Maan felt very stupid for asking such a dumb question. Out of all of the topics he could have talked about, he chose the weather? But what else can he say to her? It's not like they have so much to talk about. They barely talk to each other. And it's really weird coming this from a couple.

"Aap kab aaye?"

"10 minutes ago. Shall we go?"

Geet nods and they both dart back to his car.The grass was wet; thanks to Nakul for watering the garden. Geet slipped but before she could reach the ground, Maan holds on to her by her waist. And she holds on to his shirt tightly, about to rip apart if she doesn't let go sooner or later. Not daring to let go, if she did she might fall on her back. Geet finally balances herself. She fixes her saree and Maan fixes his shirt.

"Chalain." Maan says with an attitude. Pretending that he didn't care how he felt while holding her. Without any word further, they go to his car in silence. When both of them settle down, Maan starts driving.

Geet bol de! Geet mentally shouts herself. Maan could feel the uneasiness of Geet. There is something bothering her and she wants to say it but is afraid. Maan concluded. He felt a little mad. How can she be

scared of me? I am her husband not a kidnapper!

"Geet tumhay kuch kehna hai?"

Geet looks at him in disbelief. How did he know that she wanted to say something? Is he a mind reader or something?

"Haan woh main kehna chahti thi ke hum 7 stars restaurant ja sakte hain?"

"But hum 5 star restaurant ja rahay hain. Aur yeh 7 star kounsa restaurant? Never heard of it before."

"Yahi to aap jaise wade logon ki baatain hain. Asal khana kabhi aapne taste hi nahin kiya. Woh pata nahin Italian food kha kha ke na aap ne apna taste bura ker diya hai. Aap ko kya pata ke asal khana kya hai?"

Geet kept on blabbering about how important it is to eat tasty food. Maan stopped the car abruptly, couldn't listen to her any further.

"STOP GEET!" Geet now silence, looking at him all flustered.

"Kya huwa?"

"Shut up! Tum itna kaise bol sakti ho?"

Geet looks at him all innocent, as if she doesn't know what he's complaining about.

"Per 7 Stars?" Geet asks in low voice.

"Fine! Chalte hain! 5 Stars se acha hai na?" By that Maan meant as in the place is beautiful. But Geet didn't quite understand that she thought he was asking about food rather than the site.

"Bhot hi acha hai!"

"Fine! Where is it?"

"Tilak Nagar." (Totally made this up. I have no idea if there's 7 Stars in Tilak Nagar.) Maan drove right after he told her to shut up otherwise he won't take her there.

Meanwhile back at home, Nayantara came quietly inside the house hoping to find them gone. When the site was clear she went straight to her room. She dials someone's number on her phone.

"Hello?"

"K;koun hai?" Someone said on the end of the line all sleepily.

"Tum so rahe ho?! Humne tumhay aik chota sa kaam diya tha aur tum woh poora nahi ker sakey?!"

"Madam a-aap? Woh main samjha ke aapne Adi ko kaam kaha ho ga."

"Hamara dimaagh kharab nahi hai. Adi, Maan ka khaas banda hai. Agar hum us se kaam kerwate to Maan ko woh baad main pata daita. And this is the last thing that I want do you understand. Ab utho aur office ja ker hamara kaam kero!"

"Per Maan sa'ab nahin hon gaye wahan pe?"

"Don't worry. Woh apni wife ke saath dinner ker rahe hain. Unko humne office se door bhijwa diya hai. Ab jao. Aur haan koi ghalti nahin honi chahiye. Hum nahin chahte Maan ko shak ho ke hum kya ker rahay hain. Now go! Hum aapko theek aadhe ghante main milte hain usi jagah pe. Woh cheez saath le ker aaiye ga!"

"Madam paise?"

"Haan paise bhi mil jaayen gain. Ab jao!"

Nayantara hangs up. She gives a mischievous smile at herself. "Ab aaye ga asli maza Mr. Maan Singh Khurana!"

Maan drove in silence hoping to find a huge restaurant in which there are high classic food and servants. Instead Maan reached a place where there was mold everywhere. An open small dhaba stood in the middle. There were only 4 charpais outside. 2-3 families came to enjoy their meal. Women wearing shalwar kameez or saree. Maan got out of the car, all flustered. Trying to figure out where is 7 Stars Restaurant? He looked here and there. Maybe he's at the wrong restaurant place. This place is not his. He's a businessman not a dhaba owner or something. This place is not for him. This place is occupied for middle class not for top class like him. By now Geet came out and stood beside him. Smiling at the sight that stood before them. Her friend had told her about this place in Hoshiyarpur. He used to tease her cause she couldn't leave Hoshiyarpur. He used to tell her how amazing the food is in 7 Stars. She always wanted to go to this place. Wanted to taste this place's amazing food.

"What the hell is this?" Maan asked in a rude tone.

"Kya matlab? Restaurant hai na yeh."

Maan looked at the place again. Trying to find one good quality of this place that represents a restaurant.

"So this is your 7 Stars hotel?"

"Woh upper kya likha huwa hai."Maan read the label on the top which said 7 Stars Restaurant and in parenthesis it said, (DHABA!) How dare she bring him here. She didn't even care once about his reputation? What if someone from his office sees him here? What if one of his clients sees him here? All of his reputation will go down the drain. And he just became the MD. And he can't let Geet do this. Maan held Geet's hand and started pulling her towards the car.

"We're leaving!"

"Per kyun? Abhi to humne khana bhi nahin khaya!"

"Geet! Not a single word out of your mouth. Main tumhay 5 Stars restaurant main khilane ke liye maana tha not this old dhaba. You turned my offer down and is main meri koi ghalti nahi hai. Now we're going straight home."

Geet felt happy well sorta. This was her plan. She will take him to a dhaba, he will get mad and then they both will go home safe and sound. Now her plan was succeeding then why isn't she happy? Isn't this what she wanted from the beginning. Then why? She didn't wanna go. Somewhere in her heart told her to spend some time with him. At least now he's giving you some time then why not use it. She knew the consequences. Her brain kept on warning her. But what's so bad about eating dinner with her husband?

Without thinking she pulled his hand backwards. He stopped pulling her.

"Please ruk jaiye. Yeh restaurant bhot he acha hai."

"Geet I said no so no! I never gave anyone permission to ruin my reputation. Aur phir tum koun ho?"

Maan let go of his hand and motioned her to sit in the car. He opened the driver seat door and was about to sit when Geet yelled.

"Dar gaye?! Mujhe yaqeen nahi ho raha ke The Maan Singh Khurana bhi dar sakte hain! Wow!" That caught his attention.

"Dar? Aur woh bhi main?"

"It's okay. Aap admit ker sakte hain."

Maan approached her and took her hand in his and this time he pulled her towards the Dhaba. Geet was so excited. He's staying with her. They'll have dinner together. And that instantly she was nervous.

Dinner? Mere saath? Main kya keroon? Woh kya khate hain? Woh mere baare main kya sochain gain? When they reached a waiter, wearing a dirty white tank top, on side of his shoulder there was a dirty scarf, his hair was messed up like he just woke up, and his eyes were red and too tired like he's about to fall to the ground and will start snoring in just 2-3 seconds.

"Suno, Yahan pe tables aur chairs kahan hain?"

"Tables aur chairs? Yahan pe saab yeh sab kuch nahi hai. Woh bas charpai padhi huwi hai usi se guzaara kero. Yeh koi 5 Star hotel nahi hai. Aap baitho apun abhi order lene aata hai." He left leaving Maan frustrated. Great! Now he has to sit on these old and ugly charpais. Why had he offered dinner to Geet?! Geet motioned him to sit on the charpai. When he didn't budge, she ignored him and sat down without eyeing him. Maan stood beside the charpai, his hands on his waist, and looking here and there but not at Geet. Geet looked at him and instantly pulled him by his arm. Maan fell on the charpai.

"What the hell?!"

"Aap kyun khade huwe ho? Jab charpai hai to then there's no point of standing. Aur waise bhi khana baag nahin jaaye ga jo aap khade ho ker hifaazat ker rahe ho."

Maan sat down properly without arguing any further. Arguing with her is pointless. Maan sat uncomfortable. The charpai was very deep and he could barely touch his feet to the ground. A minute later, the same waiter came to take their order.

"Sa'ab order dai do?"

"Menu nahin hai?"

""Men-nu? Woh yahan nahin banta?"

Maan couldn't believe Geet. What kind of middle class place did she bring him to? They don't know about menu? He glared at Geet.

"Bhaiya, aap aisa kerain, 6 naan, palak paneer, 4 plate biryani, chatni, 1 daal makni, 2 shahi paneer, 2 lassian, aur haan saath main pyaaz kaat ker laana." Geet says, ignoring Maan.

Maan looks at her in disbelief. Eyes popped open, as if his eyeballs will fall out in any second. Geet looks at him and knows immediately that she did something wrong. But couldn't figure out what. Geet nods her head upwards with a question look.

"Yeh hum donon ke liye hai?"

"Kam hai na. Koi baat nahin hum baad main aur manga lain gain. Woh actually mujhe khana waste kerna acha nahin lagta."

Maan takes out a long sigh. He looks around in the little dhaba to observe other families. Some were eating 2 chicken piece at the same time. Some one was burping. The aunties were laughing. The kids were running around while eating. One man drank 2 full glass of Lassi in less than 6 seconds. And took out a long burp afterwards. Maan was disgusted. He really wished he could get out of here, but Geet doesn't want to. He closed his eyes to isolate himself from this world. He started thinking about work, Di, home. But would always fail to do so cause the kids running around would come up to him, pull his coat and run away by the time he opens his eyes. Geet is looking at the whole situation. Trying to control her laughter but Maan knew she wants to laugh.

"Has lo! Khul ke has lo!"

Geet shakes her head and looks downwards. Maan again closes his eyes. As for Geet, she kept on looking at the man stood before her. Everything's actually for the first time turning out to be better. She secretly took out her camera, which was hidden in her purse. She wanted to click his pictures just for memories. And this is the moment which she will never want to forget. Even he wants to but she doesn't. She clicks his pictures without him noticing. She captured everything. His sighs, his head rolls, his... everything. She knows she will leave him soon but she would never want to forget this memory. Even though she knew by saving these pictures, she's doing injustice with herself. He can't be hers, and she can't be his. Then why? Why does she ignore her brain and listen to her heart? It's not good for both of them. Look how fate had made her get married to this totally stranger and anonymous man. She couldn't believe her fate.The fate is playing games with her. It brings pain then happiness. Fate has taken away almost everything away from her. Her parents, her happiness, her love, and now her life too. Now what does this mean? Her growing feelings toward him? Is this some kind of a clue? If so for what? Her pain is too much for him to handle. I can't do this to him. These feelings must immediately stop or else it will worsen the situation as it is already. Her smile fades and she quickly hides the camera in her purse before he opens his eyes.After a minute or 2, the waiter guy brings their order. He sets the table. Maan sees him as he brings the water. His hands nearly dipped in the water glass. Maan makes a disgust face.

"Suno. Haath dhone hain." The waiter guy points at the corner, where there is a tiny faucet. Maan goes to wash his hands. When he's back he asks for a towel. In which the waiter hands his dirty towel. Maan flinches and gives it back while making a disgust facial expression. Geet couldn't resist herself to laugh. Maan glares at her but soon fails to not laugh. They both share a laugh until the people around them looked at them in confusion. This was the first time Geet has seen him laugh. For the first time he endowed her with his laughter. Giving her a little taste of his inner self. She was wrong about him. Him being arrogant. His laughter has proven her wrong. Maan himself couldn't remember the last time he had laughed openly. His laugh was so cheerful and beautiful. The sound of his laughter still echoing in her brain over and over as if not ready to let go of his laughter. She wished she could capture his laughter in her camera for years to come. If only he could see his laughter for himself. Just see how handsome and beautiful his laughter. She can bet that he would then never stop laughing if he only knew how handsome he looks. It brings more attraction to his face. Geet quickly got distracted by the food. She dig in the food leaving Maan in awe. Does this taste that good that made her go crazy over the food like there's no tomorrow? She took bite of every thing one by one impatiently.

"Aap bhi khaiye na. Bhot maze ka hai trust me."

Maan now wanted to try at least once what this food is. Maan hesitantly took one bite of palak paneer. And truly it was the most yummiest thing he has ever eaten. They don't serve these kind of things in 5 star restaurant. Though he didn't wanna admit, Maan made faces while he chew. Made poses like it was very spicy. Geet by seeing this site, abruptly threw a glass of water on his mouth. Shocked by her actions, Maan had hard time swallowing water. Maan looks at her while she is providing him water with her own hands. She cared about him. Maan looks at her in admiration while Geet couldn't resist herself looking at him in his eyes. His eyes spoke different words, feelings. Feelings of sorrow and in their dipped a little happiness. Just a slight happiness. Others were mostly sadness, bitterness, pain, stress, and tension. And she couldn't miss one last feeling, admiration. Is that for her? It was as if Maan had read her thoughts, and pulled back immediately not wanting to let her explore his life just by looking in his eyes. Geet settled back, adjusting herself in the charpai. Stealing eyes glancing at Maan. They both quickly and quietly eat the rest of the dinner. Not daring saying any word to each other. The awkwardness that was created between them two was beyond outlandish. After 10 minutes, they both were finished. Maan payed and they both arose from the table and left. Maan couldn't believe it that he had actually liked this dhaba despite the disgust.

They both settled in the car and Maan drove. The clouds were crowded up above the sky. In less than 10 seconds, the rain started pouring down on the car and on the empty road ahead of them. Geet couldn't take the awkwardness between them two anymore. She tried her level best to come up with a conversation.

"Emm.. Kitna acha tha na I mean dhaba? Aap ka pehla experience kaisa raha?"

First Maan didn't say anything but then he knew if he didn't say anything, Geet will start talking nonstop and spoke, " Bas theek hi tha. I still believe 5 Star restaurant is way better than this."

"Haan isi liye aap 5 minute main poori biryani ki plate kha li thi, and also palak paneer. Yeh sab to aapke 5 Star restaurant main bhi nahin milta."

"Fine whatever."

"Aap ne yeh sab kuch pehle kabhi nahin khaya? Acha yeh sab chode, aapne kabhi apne past ke baare main nahin bataya. I mean college days?" Geet couldn't resist asking that question. After seeing the pain and loneliness in his eyes, she had to ask him. She felt weird and guilty even though she didn't do anything. The pain in his eyes will haunt her. And she knew that very well. It felt like she is carrying a burden on her shoulders. The burden of these questions needed some answers otherwise she will never sleep peacefully.

As for Maan, he was shocked of her asking him a question like that. Nobody even dared to ask him questions like these. Even Di knew better than her. Maan stopped the car immediately and glared at Geet with anger visible in his eyes.

"How dare you ask about my life, my past?!" Maan shouted.

"N-nahin main woh is liye pooch rahi thi kyun ke..." She didn't know what to say to him. If she mentions about his eyes then he would always be caution for the next 2 months. And that's the last thing she desired.

Maan gave her couple of seconds to provide him with some good explanation. But after that,

"Get out!"

"Ji?" Geet asked him as if she heard him wrong.

"You heard me! I said Get out of my car!!"

"Per main.."

Maan didn't let her finish. "I said Get out! Don't make me do something terrible Geet! Just leave!"

Without uttering one more word, Geet got out. Arguing more meant giving an invitation to his more anger. The rain drenched her in less than 5 seconds. How will she get to her'rather "his" house. Geet had tears in her eyes but they were invisible cause of the rain. She stood beside the car, maybe he will feel guilty and call her back in but nope. Nothing of that sort happened. Maan drove off leaving her in sore and pain. There was no one else on the road other than her and her loneliness. Thank God she knew where the house was located. It'll be 6 or more miles away from where she is at. If she could find a cab but nobody will let her in in their cab as she was soaking wet. Geet cried and cried. Her tears were not just stopping. Why is her fate playing terrible games with her? At once it gives her hopes to live and enjoy her life and the next instant it tears everything apart and she's back to where she started. Why is he being like this? She shouldn't have asked about his past. Maybe he has some dirty secrets as well as she has. She doesn't wanna share it with him then what makes her think that he will share his painful past too and that too with her?

Hope you all liked it. Do comment and like this post. :) 'BTW if you want any PMs from me, so please do add me to your buddy list. Thanks! :) .Sara

sara_062012-09-16 12:32:09