Chapter 16

Again some strange restlessness builds in him. He checks the time and the night seems to be long and this room has already started to consume him with its loneliness. He desperately wants her presence by his side and moves out of his room finding his way to the staircase that takes him to terrace and he is there...his racing heart calms down from the moment he gets a clear view of his sweet angel...

He finds her with these girls surrounding her and she is busy chitchatting. Her hands seem to be busy weaving something with a crochet needle in the right hand and holding on to the yarn on the left hand and she's seriously following some pattern in the laptop that's kept in front of her. It was such a delightful sight indeed.

Geet is so curious to ask Rajji about Maan but unable to as again this will give a key to all those naughty and erotic discussions among the girls around and she no way wants it. Especially when Rajji is back. But she is all the time thinking about him only... She knows that he wouldn't be comfortable in that small room in comparison with that biig room of his in KM.

On the other side, Pappu was peacefully sleeping in one of the bed. Nandini, Rajji and Preetho were surrounding Geet and all pushing each other..to gather some information about Geet...Especially Nandini and Preetho are curious and scared at the same time as they just got good lessons from Geet sometime back.

Geet: Kya khusar pusar ho rahi hain app theenon main? (What secretive talks you 3 are having?)

Nandini: Woh Di... you are not sharing much about your married life...

Geet gives a questioning look to them whilst continuing with her weaving and Nandini and Preetho gets scared that they should not get blasted again by Geet...

Nandini: Di..Di...dont get angry now...we just have genral questions..

Geet: Arre...why should I get angry unnecessarily? Ask me what you want you ask

This time Rajji asks her...

Rajji: Di..Ma was telling me that you are living in a Big house in Delhi...how big is it? You have many rooms?

Geet just doesn't like to boast about it at the same time she has to maintain the excitement among the girls surrounding her.

Geet: H...haan.. its very big...with many rooms and each room is vast in size. I was getting lost within it during my early married life you see.

Rajji: Wow...you must be having a fun filled life. She is really excited. And what about the Garden and louan? It must also be huge na and lots of flowers? And And..How many cars do they have?...

Rajji was all excited and going on non stop with her questioning. Geet could understand her plight..Rajji is a girl who believes more in fairy tales and its common among girls who have entered into their teenage recently. And in that context, she is shooting all these questions. Geet sighs seeing her in dreamland..but one day, even Rajji will have to have to face the realities of life.

G: Haan batcha...there were many cars and a huge garden...but what excites me more is the LOVE and RESPECT that I have got from that place.

Maan on the other hand smiles sadly...LOVE & RESPECT? When did I ever give it to her? He is completely unknown to the fact that he has invited himself to get into an emotional ride and its just a beginning.

R: Aur Di..

G: Ab bas karo batcha...You are the one who wants me to complete this bag and now you are shooting too many questions at a time and distracting me. Now tell me...you want your bag or not?

Rajji she gives a disappointed grin and turns away..and Geet hugs her lovingly.

G: Meri gudiya looks even more prettier when she gets angry..

Geet, Nandini and Preetho giggle at Rajji..she will never stop if she is not put to stop this way.

On the other side... A smile touches his lips with the way Geet deals with her siblings..At Least something common between him and Geet.

N: Di..I do agree...you have got a loving family...especially jiju...he is in Madly in love with you.

Geet again fakes a smile which of course is mistaken as a blush by Nandini..Geet is reminded of all these days when she had to hide to get one glimpse of him in the morning and evenings...

G: Haan..Nandini..He loves me so much...and my daily life begins with him and ends with him...

Nandini-Preetho and Rajji voice it out together... HAAAYYEEE. While Maan is getting to hear the ultimate lie from her. He was assuming that he was in love with his Pari..his Geet...but his love is too small in front of the love that she possesses for him...she is the one who was madly in love with him but was never allowed to express it. Wondering what more she needs to cover up.

Nandini: DI...Aap ne bataya nahin ki aap aur jiju honeymoon keliye kahan gaye the?

Maan was wondering what will come out of Geet. Forget about Honeymoon, there has been absolutely NOTHING between them in the past one year and HE is responsible for it. Geet stops her crotiet work wondering what to answer...She looks up so cutely for a brief sec and conflicts with her babaji..

Geet ST: Hey babaji kya kahoon apne is paagal behnon se? Ke HONEY Ek kamre main aur MOON doosre kamre main. ( Now what shall I tell my crazy sisters? Honey was in one room and Moon in the other? ) What to tell now? at times she has to speak the truth.

It's a state of tension for both in their respective places but still he is admiring her tensed face. She is really looking so cute with a mix of confusion and blush listening to the word Honeymoon. he was pushed out of his world with Geet's answer.

Geet: Woh we didn't go any where yet.

All 3 look at each other and shout with disappointment..KYA?

Geet: I mean, we just couldn't

She couldn't complete her sentence as she didnt know what to say further.

Nandini: Di, we were so eagerly waiting to hear your romantic honeymoon story so that I can get some tips for the honeymoon that me and Rahul have planned after our wedding. You have disappointed me.

Nandini makes an angry baby face and Geet was about to console her.

Preetho was feeling so jealous with Geet & Maan in comparison with herself and Lucky and tried to grab this opportunity to prove that her's and Lucky's pair stands far best.

Preetho: Arre Nandini, Itni si baat? You should have asked me na? You see... Lucky took me 4 days to Rishikesh immediately after our wedding happened...Haaye...Mere Lucky kitne advanced hain..😉

Geet's face becomes small and Nadini gives a stern look at Preetho...

Nandini: Oye Preetho...I mean, Preetho B-H-A-B-H-I...it was a travel to a holy place and not only Lucky but his entire family was with you people..HAH...must say you both are really advanced as yo both are already done with what couple do in old age. And by the way, no body here wants to get that advanced you see. 😏

Preetho frowns at Nandini and Nandini and Rajji giggle out loud...But Geet is lost in her own world whilst weaving and Nandini holds her hand and pleads her again.

Nandini: Ab batayiye na di...Kya hua? Why Jiju didn't take you to honeymoon?

Geet: its not his mistake..its just that..

She pauses and preparing herself for another lie. While Maan is once again taken back not only with her casual behavior, he could also sense how sensitive she gets if some one talks against her husband.

Geet: Woh our wedding happened all of sudden followed by Daadi's death. I took some time to settle down and from his side, there were lot of commitments towards business and family... Also, now, I am busy with my exams. that's why we both gave some time for things to settle down and then he has promised to take me for a long honeymoon.

On the other side, Maan smiles at her level of understanding and he accepts her promise with a smile...YES..A VERY LONG HONEYMOON. ITS MY PROMISE GEET.

Least did he know how these girlish talks going to shape up and progress further.

Nandini: Oh that's so sweet of Jiju. Infact, now, I am feeling even more proud about the relationship that you both share. And I am sure he must be seriously planning honeymoon once you finish with your exams.

GEET ST: Now, how many more things that I need to cover up? Anyways, Life after 3 weeks is going to be a never ending honeymoon for both of us...YES, a honeymoon where I am ALL ALONE and He will live his entire life with his PARI.

She is lost in her own sarcastic thoughts really wondering whether to laugh or cry on her own plight and she lost her terrance with the shoot of other questions

Nandini: Challo your honeymoon is pending but what about touring you in and around Delhi and places like Agra, Qutub minar? This used to be your childhood dream right?

Maan continues to quitely listen to them..Every passing second is putting him into a new shame. He couldnt even fulfill such small wishes of hers. He has been observing Geet's reactions. She is not showing any signs of disappointment. Infact, she is so casually weaving and talking at the same time.

G: H..aan..Haan...he toured me to many places in and around Delhi.

Rajji opens up her question box again..

R: Really Di? So which all places did you visit?

Geet just fakes a smile and continues

G: There are too many and if I start, I will go on and on thro out the night until morning describing about these places.

Geet fakes a smile again and tries to concentrate on the crochiet she has been doing so that her teary eyes are not visible to her cousins. Maan listening to her talks now is fisting his hand and closed his eyes tight. He has learnt from Daadima that Geet has never been to any other place apart from that temple and few common places where she has accompanied Daadima. And here Geet is lying to her cousins just to safeguard HIS image of being ideal husband.

N: Must admit...jiju is madly in love with you. But one thing that I really couldnt understand..

G: Hmm

N: Jiju London gaye the na? Why didnt he take you along?

She really gets cold thinking back all what happened during that One month. He didnt even bother to tell her a good bye before leaving on that last trip. When she learnt from Shantima that he is about get into his car, she ran towards the main entrance to get one last glimpse of him at least say bye to him. She still recalls that he bid bye to everyone and even dogs safeguarding the KM got a pampering good bye from him before he got into his car and he had zoomed off without even looking back at a soul who just took her right hand above to wave BYE at him but alas, she was once again ignored and time and again he proved that she means nothing to him...simply NOTHING. She recalls how he was pleading her in the outhouse in the previous night not to leave him alone and now, he left her all alone? next minute she ran to the outhouse where he was made to lie down. She could still feel his fragrance around. She kneels down next to the bed and closes her eyes and touches the bed with her palm as if trying to feel him...She remembered last night's events...First ever time he grabbed her hand with such a force as if he never wanted to let her go.. and she got to look deep into his eyes which were speaking such high volume of love...Even in the drunken state he was pouring his heart out thinking her to be his Love. "Even though he meant those feelings and words for someone else, I got to feel his love for some time..I will live with those beautiful moments." The following one month was the worst phase. But She got some peace in that Outhouse room. Whenever she would get to miss him during that one month phase, she would move to outhouse to calm her racing heart remembering those short and sweet moments.

Geet gets back to her present with Nandini's questioning:

N: What happened di? Why he didnt take you? Aap ki honeymoon bhi ho jaatha aur aap dono ke birthdays bhi celebrate ho jaathe. (It would have been two in one treat including your honeymoon and Birthday celebrations)

Maan on the other side is literally taken back with one more fact..

M ST: "BIRTHDAY"???

N: I have heard that those couples are lucky who's birthdays fall on same week. And you both are really the lucky one...

G: Hmm..Our Birthdays fall on next to next days...First his and the next day is mine..

Geet remembers that day..She knew that he would never call and wish on her Birthday and she didn't want to keep any useless hopes. As per him SHE should have not born or even existed in this world. He hates her mere presence so much and she close her eyes and sighs.. But His Birthday was much more important for her now...he is her better half...she really wish he was here in KM and she would have done something special. But Alas, he was in London..and all she could do is do some special pooja in that Ganesh Temple for him and just wished to tell him these two words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" for once...that's all she was craving for. but again, it didn't happen.

M ST: What? Our Birthdays are so very close...a smile touches his lips but he is once again disappointed that he couldnt do anything special and Again, Its ME and ME the sole reason behind it.

He is blinking and and trying to go back to that day when he was in London, Daadi, Anni and Prem Calling him and wishing him on his Birthday..When Daadi called and wished him she was about to tell something about Geet and he conveniently cut it off... "Was she trying to inform me about Geet's Birthday that was falling on the very next day? Damn!!

A brief Flashback... (When Maan was in London)...

Daadi: Happy Birthday beta..

Maan: Thank you Daadima.

Daadi: Jeethe Raho Beta...So, how are you? How is it going in London Office?

Maan: Hmm...getting too busy. The work load is too high. Have been meeting the clients and vendors here and have been sitting down with Projects and Operations managers on a regular basis in order to reorganize the flow of work here.

Daadi: That's really good work beta.. And really wish all your wishes comes true.

Maan thinks about his only wish...to meet his PARI and something tells him that his Pari will be with him very soon... He is again lost in that day when he met her first in his farm house...and his thoughts gets Disturbed when Daadi takes Geet's name.

Daadi: Woh beta...ek aur baat kehni thi aap se...woh GEET..

Maan again was thrown out of his world by listening that Ganwar's name...He assumed that Daadi was about to give the call to Geet and he was least interested to spoil his imaginations which are the only thing connecting him with his PARI. At the same time, he has to maintain a calm posture when he is talking to his Daadi.

Maan: I have an urgent meeting in 5 mins and I am arranging some important reports...shall we talk later?

Daadi: Par beta, Geet ka kal..

Maan: Can I call you later Daadi?

Daadi just couldn't utter anything further apart from HMM..and she kept the phone.

Daadi turned to look back at Geet...She feels really low as once again Geet had a small wish and it couldn't be fulfilled. All Geet wanted is to just wish Maan on his Birthday and Maan again neglected by hearing Geet's name but what could she tell Geet? Moreover tomorrow is Geet's Birthday and Daadi wanted him to at least call her and wish her...she takes a sad sigh thinking about Maan...how he is making simple things complicated. She is really worried where will these incidences lead to. She slowly turns to look at Geet with a smile to control her insecurities.

Daadi: Woh beta, he too wanted to talk to you..she gulps...But woh kya hain na, he is getting into urgent meeting and will be busy for rest of the day. So..

Geet could understand all what would have happened. Its just one more simple wish of hers which got crushed.

Geet: Arre...its ok Daadi...I can understand. Woh London eise thode na gaye hain?(He is not in London just for the sake of it ) He must be really very busy and lots of things to do. Even he must be missing to be with you on his birthday.

Daadi looks at her questioningly..and Geet corrects herself in a diplomatic way.

G: I mean, he must be missing all of us on this special occasion ...Hain na?

Geet tells this with all smiles..Daadi pats on Geet's cheeks lovingly. She feels really low for not able to fulfil even these small wishes of hers.

On the other side, Maan was again fuming within listening to Geet's name. "Yeh Daadi bhi na...why she took the name of that ganwar? And she was expecting me to talk to that ganwar? Mera saara mood kharab karke rakhdiya. HUH.. He takes a anger filled sigh and continues with his work.

_____

Back to present...At the terrace...

Maan has still not come to terms...while he is still not aware of what Daadi wanted to tell him but he remembers what was his mindset at that time. He was cursing Geet for once again disturbing his imagination with his Pari...He had so much of hatredness filled in his heart for her... And today, he came to know his Geet is his Pari.. and so many incidences are opening up in front of him. How Geet would have felt when she couldn't talk to me on that day? Why god has spared him? Why his Pari is getting punished for his wrong deeds?

He looks at Geet with a sad note. He remembers what prem said, she has been left all alone to give answers for such questions where both husband and wife are answerable. And even to this very minute she is alone and he is not able to join her.

On the other side, She didnt expect these question to come. She really not able to decide that how and where to start and end the answers. That London trip phase was something that screened her actual place in Maan's life. Those moments right from the day before he left for his trip where in guest house he took Pari's name followed by his trip to london the next day, then their birthdays and then That Annie's chapters and the moment he came back and the same moment she had to leave and couldn't even bid a good bye to him...Even if she tries to forget,,,these memories somehow or the other confronts her again and again. Seems she is not permitted to come out of those bitter memories.

Nandini repeats her question..

N: Batayiye na Di..why did he leave you all alone? Why he didnt take you?

G: HE DIDNT LEAVE ME ALONE..ITS ME WHO CHOOSE TO STAY BACK.

Nandini, Rajji and Preetho were looking back at her with all confusions where as Maan on the side who made a fist of his hand banged straight on the pillar with full force behind which he was hiding. He is not able to take those lies which is boasting about his own image in comparison to all what he has done to her.

G: You see, that was a crucial business trip and I was preparing for my exams. Moreover, Daadima was all alone here some one had to be with her na?

N: Oh..Ab samji. (I can understand now). But I am still not able to digest the fact that how you both were living with that separation? Wasn't it difficult for you both?

Geet is really finding it difficult to confront these questions all alone. Yes, she was all alone but how can she say it? Only she knows what kind of a painful phase it was. She use to get one glimpse of him during morning and evening hours and that piece of happiness was also snatched away from her during this phase. Each and every second of that one month was a slow poison that was slowly killing her. and the day he came back, his harsh words almost stabbed her to death. But her lips are now so used to tell only lies.

G: It was a very challenging as we never stayed away from each other... She smiles...He didnt want to leave me alone and go. He had cocooned me in his arms for hours before leaving for his London trip.

Nandini, Preetho and Rajji are listening to her silently. Geet takes a pause and continues..

G: That phase was very difficult on both of us. (Geet ST... "Not him but only for me"). We really missed eachothers presence as it was our first birthdays after our wedding but what to do? We had our own commitments. But on our birhthdays, we spoke for hours and hours over the phone. Even Though we were missing each other's presence but I was talking soo soo much na...Finally, he started pleading me...AB BAS BHI KAR MERI MA...And I was not leaving him that easily and he was pleading continuously

All three girls surrounding her started laughing out loud. Only two souls in the terrace were quite without any expression as they knew what is the ultimate truth. Maan really wishes to hear Geet talk to him non-stop day and night...but it seems to be near impossible now.

G: The day he came back, we got into such an emotional hug...

Geet is lost in that day..yes an emotional hug from her side which is a life long regret for her but she continues to fake in front of Nandini, Preetho and Rajji. On the other end...Maan too remembers that very moment when he was in the gym and how he had reacted when she had hugged him for the very first time...and here, she has a different story to tell..

G: and at that time he was again pleading me not to go..but then, life was preparing us for another separation... He had further commitments with regard to business and current projects he is handling..and me, I had to be here and prepare for my exams.

N: Di...even in this separation, you were never alone. You both were present in each other's heart.

Heart? Does he really have one? Geet thinks and smiles with a teary eyes...

This time she couldnt hide her tears flowing down her cheeks and all of them were trying to hold and console her.

On the other side, Maan's eyes burns seeing her crying in silence.

Like Mohinder had told him, Geet has to hide her emotions many a times as her siblings get inspired by her...but she is holding herself to this extent?

N: Di..Dhekhiye na, Jiju yahan aagaye aap ke peeche peeche..Ab woh aap ko kabhi akele nahin chodenge.(Di..you see, Jiju has followed you till here and he will never leave you alone hence forth) I will pray babaji that he should not test you with such painful separations anymore.

Geet flutters her lashes to control tears further. she knows the harsh reality of her life. Her husband cannot even stand her for a single second. Its her babaji's wish that she has to live all alone for the rest of her life and she is preparing her mind and soul to live with this fate.

Nandini assumes that she has tears thinking about the separation phase that she had to face. While Rajji is still too young to assume any thing...

R: Di...why are you crying?

Geet quickly wipes her tears as Rajji is too sensitive.

G: Nothing Rajji...its just tears of joy..I mean, you get them when you are so truly happy in your life.

Each and every word is just striking Maan with million of arrows. The reality is he had given her only tears and pain.

R: Geet Di...Today I have decided that I will not get married

Geet-Rajji and Nandini look at each other and then they are curious to know why?

G: Kyon Bacha?

R: Dhekiye na...shaadi ke baad jab aap dhukhi hain tab rothe ho, aur jab khush hothe ho tab bhi rothe ho..Hmm.. (See...after marriage, you cry when you are sad and you cry when you are happy as well)

Geet smiles listening to Rajji's kiddish cribbings now.

G: Eisa nahin hian bacha..Shadhi tho.. (ITs not like that baby...Marriage is...)

and she stops and gulps as she doesn't know what to comment further as she has been living a dummy married life. Where as on the other end, his heart stopped when she stopped with "Shadhi Tho". How clear was it that she doesn't have any answer for this...not even lies.

G: Chaddo (Leave it) you are too young to think about all this. Concentrate in studies and other aspects of life.

R: Di..what ever may be, but I cannot see you crying like this. Wish you get all happiness of life.

Geet is really moved with Rajji's concern...and she hugs her...

G: Believe me...I am very very happy...hmm

Some more time passes by...Maan has not taken his eyes out of her and his ears are all the time glued to all what she has been talking. She is almost done with the handbag...just one more line of weaving left.

Nandini: Di..you are weaving so fast...It reminds me of our grandma..

Rajji: Haan Nandini Di..didnt I tell you? Geet di has a good speed just like our grandma. She used to be so creative with her crotiet and knitting and Geet di has inherited this art from her.

Geet: It all comes with continuous practice. Why you people didn't learn all this?

Nandini: C'mon di...we are not grandmothers to do all this.

Geet smiles at their thoughts which is an age old myth that crochet, knitting, stitching are done only by grandmothers whilst doing with her work on her handbag.

Geet: Haan...I agree with you. That's why I am practising now so that when I get into my old age, I have something productive to do.

Preetho: Di, you were spending time on all these even at your inlaws place?

Geet recalls, she used to spend max time on her studies and crocheting, knitting and stitching as these helped her to keep her mind busy. Even now she is trying to divert all her attention into this weaving what she is doing.

Geet: Hmm..

Rajji: And where you would get the wool, yarn and all required materials?

Geet: Oh I have a huge pile of them..

Geet tells this with all smile and excitement remembering how daadi handed over a very huge basket that had wool, yarn and crotiet and knitting needles and not to miss the sewing machine.

N: Oh..so you managed to purchase these things?

G: No...It was already there. It belonged to Maan's mom who also had similar hobbies and she had a huge collections of yarn and related stuff.

Geet had a spark in her face..but her smile fades when the realization strikes her that she will never ever get to access that basket and that sewing machine again. How can she claim her happiness that she used to find in these tiny miny things of KM when her husband clearly considers this relationship as a forced one.

Nandini: Wah..aap ke saasuma agar zinda hothi tho aap donon ka bohuth acha bantha na? (Wow...if your Mother-in-law was still alive, then you would have got very well along with her right?)

G: Hmm.. so true..wonder why but I would feel Maa's (Maan's Mom) presence close to me or say sitting next to me whenever I am doing something out of her things. Also, she had so many works that were left incomplete.

N: Oh you mean, she had weaved half way thro and its incomplete since the time of her death.

G: Haan..I managed to complete some of them. She was half way thro of a shawl that she was crocheting for Maan's Daadima and I completed it and gave it to Daadi. She was so very happy.

N: Oh that's interesting. And what else did you complete?

Geet takes a sigh...

G: Maa had just started making something for Maan. And absolutely no idea what it was as it was only about few inches long. No body knew what she was making ...even Daadi didnt know what was it and she had 5 huge rolls of wool for that project.

N: oh seriously? ..then what happened?

G: I removed the entire stuff and started from the beginning and transformed it into a nice mens scarf.

N: Oh wow di...jiju would have loved it. What was his reaction when you gave it to him?

G: No..Its still with me. I have neatly gift wrapped it. Wanted to give him as a birthday gift.

N: Arre di..Aap bhi na? Why you haven't given it to him yet?

G: I dont know..I have been missing on it somehow or the other. Also, I am not sure if he would like it.

Geet is again lost in her bitter memories...she had made this scarf for him but always wondering if he will ever accept anything from her...SHE whom he hates..The most hated person in his life.

While on the other end..Maan who has been listening to Geet's conversations with her cousins got rooted to where he has been standing. His Geet, his pari has made something special for him. Just then he recalls seeing that gift wrapped pack. He didnt know what to do at that moment and he zooms back to his room, i.e Geet's room and opens her cupboard restlessly. He takes that gift in hand...and reads that lable again and could clearly understand why she scratched it again and again as she didnt know how to adress him. He gently opens the gift wrap and finds a lovely wafle design men's shawl. His Geet made it for him.. what else he can ask for in his life. Its something his mom left it incomplete and he never knew about it and Geet transformed it into a nice scarf. He hugs it close to his heart. He is already moved with Geet's innocent talks with her cousin showcasing her husband to be the best and on top of that this gift... He is not able to calm himself now. He sits down, kisses that scarf and hugs that scarf close to his heart...its Geet's creation and to him, its as good as his geet being with him.

Simultaneously at Terrace:

N: That's really nice of you Di...that's why Maan and his family love you so much.

What else Geet could do apart from hiding her sorrows behind her smiling masked face.

In less than few minutes, she finishes with the handbag and hands it over to Rajji. And Rajji kisses Geet's both cheeks back to back.

R: WOW...DI...FINALLY... OHHHH I am the happiest today. I was so eager to have this bag completed. Thank you Di.

G: I am also happy to see my sister happy and all because of me.

She really feels proud and seeking her happiness in Rajji's happiness for this moment. Nandini and Preetho drag the handbag to have a closer look and Rajji pulls it away and keeps the bag close to her heart and not even prepared to give it even to Geet who is the actual creator of this bag and all three laugh on Rajji's kiddish possessiveness on such silly things.

G: Challo Rajji..please get back to your room and sleep. You have to get ready for school early in the morning na..so, have a good sleep.

R: What about you di?

G: Me, Nandini and Preetho will chat for some more time and then get to sleep here in the terrace itself.

G: Also, take pappu with you and get him back to Simran bhabhi in the morning.

Preetho's mobile rang a couple of time in between. All calls were from Lucky. Preetho was continuously cutting the calls as she was put into great embarrassment in row over the Honeymoon topic and she was mad angry on Lucky.

Nandini: Arre Preetho, I mean, Preetho Bhabi...why are you not attending to the calls? Is it call from Lucky veerji..

P: Haan..I mean, Na...I mean..

N: Arre bhabi...koi zaroori kaam hoga...calls uttayiye na.. (Must be something important...please take the call)

Preetho immediately takes the call and initially shouts.. KYA HAIN??

Nandini and Geet were looking at her with open mouth and she then starts answering in a calm tone. KYA HAIN JI??

Nandini to Geet: Di..lagtha hain, Preetho is mad on Lucky... and she giggles.

Preetho finishes her relatively short talk with Lucky...Lucky was pleading her to come over his room for atleast half an hour and Preetho's anger turned into blush which she was hiding with a great difficulty.

P: He is calling me to his room as he has some important work. Aap dono kahin mat jaana..I will come back in about half an hour.

G: We are here only. You finish your work and come.

Once Preetho leaves...Nandini and Geet lie down on their respective beds and then, they get into few more girlish talks.

N: Di..Preetho is going to take nice class of Lucky Veer Ji...I am sure Preetho will drag Lucky for a long honeymoon now.

Nandini laughs out and Geet too enjoys her sense of humor

G: Anyways, glad that Preetho will not be around for some time. I need to talk with you something personal.

N: Ji Di..

G: Woh...I want to know further on what you and Preetho blurted out in front of me at the Mehendi hall and then trying to cover up.. I mean...what's connection between your Rahul and her Lucky?

Nandini is going all red in shyness..as she has been cought.

N: Ji...Ji di...Rahul is Preetho's cousin.. I happen to meet him couple of times at her home and we fell in love. Preetho happen to catch us red handed...and somehow we got to an understanding point where we agreed to help each other as she was in love with Lucky veer ji. We just tricked the marriage brokers of both the families to carry Lucky's alliance to Preetho's house and Rahul's alliance for Me.

Nandini tells this cutely with her face dipped in embarrassment. Although Geet is happy for Nandini, she still feels Nandini shouldn't have done this...

G: Par Nandini, you should have atleast shared this with your mom (Manjit)... I understand she is a tough woman in view of others par hain tho ma na? And she loves you so much...

N: Kya kahrahi ho di? Ma se? Thoba thoba!!! (What did you say? Talk to my mom? OH MY GOODNESS!!) Nandini gasps ..you dont know all what happened here. I didnt want to tell you because you will feel bad.

Rano had told Geet about few things but still she listens to Nandini Quitely.

G: Eisi kya baat huvi?

N: You see...the elders had got you married to a richie rich family...and my mom also had similar dreams for me. But when Daarji and Papa zeroed on Rahul's alliance, My mom was so very negative. She was accusing Daarji that he has been very unfair in choosing such alliance for me... where as Geet has been married off to richie rich family.

G: Kya?How could she think like that? I am really sorry Nandini... This aliance was fixed long time ago and you know under what circumstances my marriage happened with Maan?

N: Di...why are you telling sorry? Me and Rahul love each other and I know he is from a middle class but he earns enough for a family. I trust him that he will love me and keep me happy. And that's all matters in a marriage. I am no way interested in a Richie rich guy as I know I am from a middle class and I will never be respected in my inlaws place. Mom doesn't understand all this and I just couldn't imagine to get married to some one else. Even if he happened to be the most handsome or richest person on Earth.

Geet is really lost in what Nandini just said..It has so many hidden truths that Geet has practically experienced. She had everything in KM but her husband's love?? and what is the use of living in a palace and your husband doesn't even consider you as a human? She also recalled Annie's rude words"MAAN BHAI knows very well, who are you and where you belong... and what's your reality...that's why he has kept you in the right place...a place far away from HIM...from EVERYONE...

Nandini could see that her Geet Di is lost in her own thoughts and just then she realised about what she spoke just now. Geet gets back from her past thoughts Feeling Nandini's hold on her shoulder.

N: Sorry di..I didnt mean to pin point at you. You and Maan jiju and to that matter your inlaws are rare examples and not included in that greedy people's group and Maan jiju loves you so much. But not all rich families are like that.

What could Geet say at this moment? She doesnt want to spoil the inspiration that Nandini has got from her and Maan and their so called married life. She holds on Nandini's hands and tells her..

G: Woh tho hain..I am truly blessed and I wish you too get all love and happiness that you deserve.

It was close to mid night and they continued their chatting whilst sleeping. Geet had set her alarm in her mobile. She has to wake up quite early for the interview tomorrow and to act well in advance to make it on time. And at the same time, Nandini got a message on her mobile. It was from Rahul .. she read it " I will be leaving from HP early in the morning. Can we meet for some time?. I am waiting for you standing close to the back entrance of your haveli. Nandini is not able to decide what to do. She cant tell Geet Either.

N: Di..I just remembered some small work in my room. Will be back in some time.

G: Hmm

N: Thank you di...Preetho will be here in sometime so please dont feel lonely.

G: No problem dear...you finish your work and come.

Nandini leaves from there...Geet is all alone now...She gets up and looks arround to find there's no human around her...This loneliness was her actual life of her recent past and future ahead. But she wonders why today her heart is getting restless...Her eyes looks around for Maan...with the series of incidences since morning has contributed to her current restlessness especially their first kiss..even though she tried to make her herself understand that it all accidental, her innocent mind is no way listening.

G ST: Geet, you have really gone Mad...MAAN and coming over here? HE Who never ever came to check on you even for once when you were in KM? He must be peacefully sleeping in your room I mean his room now...because YOU are not around him. she smiles sadly at her silly thoughts

she is getting terrified with this thought and seriously wondering how her life will be after 3 weeks. She prays to her babaji as he is the one who has decided her fate and he is the one who will give her strength to face all challenges in future.

She was waiting for either Nandini or Preetho to come back and slowly her eyes got droopy due to the tiredness and drifted into a deep sleep.

Back to Maan's room...

Moments passed by and he still lost hugging that shawl close to his heart. He doesn't know what to do...He knows that Geet will give him this gift some day or the other and he doesn't want to take away that excitement from her...hence he neatly packed it back in the same gift wrap and kept it back in its place. He realised that its been quite some time since he has got back to his room (Geet's room). He is in a deep pool of guilt. He was in such a desperation to bring her back to this room but now he decided otherwise as she is having a good time with her cousins at the terrace. But his heart is getting restless with every minute that's passing by. He walks towards the window and opens the doors to take in some fresh air. This window gives clear view of the haveli's backyard...and he got to see Nandini and Rahul there.

M: Nandini and at this time? Wasnt She was with Geet some time back?

The very next second he rushes back to terrace and his racing heart got almost in verge of explosion seeing his Geet is sleeping there...ALL ALONE.. A sight which clearly portrays her aloofness that she has been going thro all these days. Just then Nandini and Preetho make their way to terrace and they have some anger filled murmerring with each other.

N: What is this Preetho? You were supposed to get back to terrace..and I was thinking that you would be already there with Geet...Oh no...she is all alone now..

P: Wah..you are putting all blame on me? Woh...Lucky ne thodi der aur rokhliya tha and I thought anyways you were there with Geet and that's why I took more time. And you left her all alone and blaming me for this?

They were nearing the place where their beds are set and Geet is sleeping all alone. But both made a stop when they got to see Maan standing right in front of them with his hands folded and with his typical anger filled sterned look. Nandini takes a lead in talking...

N: J..Jiju...aap ...yahan?

M: Haan...why? I cant come here?

N: Na Jiju...woh...just surprised to see you here..

P: Haan...Nandini...you see...even I was telling you na...he will be here to call out for Geet ...hee hee..

Preetho laughs..and Nandini Elbows her to keep quite and now Preetho notices seeing Maan still maintains a strict posture and she gulps down her fear.

M: Nandini, you took away Geet saying that all you sisters are having a get together...and I didnt mind it as I was trusting YOU as YOU are going to be with her all the time. WAH...acha get together ho raha hain yahan...here Geet is sleeping all alone in the terrace and you both are having good time with your respective partners?

N: Jiju...you are mistaking...woh..we just went to finish off some work in our respective rooms..

M: Oh...you didnt know that my room window gives clear view of the haveli backyard...Isint it?

Nandini was caught with her own white lie.

M: I didnt expect this from your Nandini

N: Jiju..Woh..I am sorry...

Maan just smirks and looks away in reaction to this..

M: Leave it...you people carry on with all what you have been doing till now. I will be here with Geet.

N: Jiju...please listen to me once...

M: leave US alone.

Preetho and Nandini moved back to their respective rooms quietly.

He turns and slowly moves towards her..she is cutely cuddled in one corner. His anger vanishes in thin air and a smile touches his face.

The night is getting chill. Maan slowly comes to her and covers her with the duvet. He wanted to take her back to their room but didnt want to disturb her sleep and hence he slowly slips to sleep next to her... He was all lost looking at her. She was even more glowing with the effect of the moon light.. His fingers were so eager to touch her features...to began with, he gently pushes the hair strands that are falling on her face. And then he gently circles her eyes coming down to her nose, her chubby cheeks and then to her lips...He remembered their first kiss today...and of course he is desperate to taste her lips again and again... While he smiles at his naughty thoughts...A cute smile touches her lips feeling his touch...as if she is having a very sweet dream or may be deep within she has similar inner desires... He wonders how his feathery touch effects her so much and that too when she is deep in her sleep. This is the very first moment where he feels both of them smiling together. He wants to take her into his tight embrace but then, he withhold as he fears she will wake up from this deep sleep. Instead, he takes her henna adorned palm with a gentle grip and a smile touches her lips again.

He is really moved with her gestures...Especially recalling his behavior when she touched him for the very first time...why my touch effects you so much GEET? Why? his emotions that are deeply packed within are thretening to burst out. Also, those lies that she was telling just to hide her inner turmoil and his image. Those lies are her simple wishes. He slightly strengthens his grip...and further wispers to her... I promise all your lies will be transformed into reality...I will make it happen. Its my promise...AND ..AND..Thank you for the birthday gift...I am eagerly waiting to get it from you... He smiles looking at her...again she smiles as if deep within her she is listening.. He keeps looking at her with lot of admiration and wonder when and how he drifted into a deep sleep with his grip on her hand.

PRECAP FOR NEXT 3-4 PARTS: INTERVIEW 😊😮😵😠

(A/N: I know these emoticons are confusing you..but keep guessing what will happen 😉)