A very very hearty thank you to all those who commented, and pressed the like tab. And an even more bigger thank you to all those readers who have waited so patiently for the update.
Hello my loyal readers
I am back again, finally, and unfortunately, after such a long gap. I am really very sorry, every time the excuse is the same, hostel. But now am back for hopefully a longer time, and after your so much patient wait, here is the next update. I'll hopefully post the next update also sooner. And once again, am very sorry for the delay. Please accept my sincere apologies.
PART 8
As he turned to look towards the gates, he faced disappointment. There was no one around, atleast not the person he was looking for. he tried to turn back his attention to his friends, but the restlessness in his heart did not die. Suddenly, a cold wind rustled his hair and he again looked up. This time, a car stopped at the gate, and he saw Dev descend from the driver's seat, along with Tara from the passenger's seat. A slight smile appeared on his face as he waited for Geet. Every second passed like a day, and after five minutes, it looked to him as if Geet would never come out. The smile was wiped off his face, when suddenly he saw Tara opening the back door of the car. Shrugging it off as her act to collect luggage, he ignored the figure of the person coming out with Tara's help. Immediately, his cell rang, and he turned his face and moved away a bit from the group to talk to his dad. After he was done, he walked back to the group, fiddling with his cell, only to bump into:
'WAIT!', the sudden voice stopped him in his tracks, as he lifted his gaze from his cell, only to look into those big beautiful eyes wide open. She was just at an inch's difference, and had both her hands positioned in such a way that if either of them moved, her hands would rest on his chest in such a way as if she was pushing him. He took in her fragrance, and realized that she had a different scent today. Absorbing more of her presence, he concluded that she had never been so fragrant ever before. He smiled at their closeness, as a single word escaped his lips softly, "Geet".
"Geet, jaldi se idhar aa ja, Bhai se door , come quick".
Maan and Geet both turned their faces to the voice, which belonged to Tara, who had her arm linked into Dev's, and was sitting on the bonnet of the car with the others. To everyone's questioning gaze, she replied,
"Geet, Bhai is dieheart allergic to mehendi, and just in case you forgot, you still have the mehendi on your hands. Actually, i am shocked Bhai is still on his feet, even when he is standing so close to you",
With this, she laughed her typical laughter, and the others followed her. Geet immediately backed off, but in the process, she tripped off a stone, and Maan immediately moved forward to save her from falling. But Chako, who was standing closer to her than Maan, saved her. A sharp needle pierced through Maan's heart, who did not like Chako touching Geet. But he was helpless, as he saw the interaction between Chako, and an embarassed Geet.
"Uh! Thanks Chako, i'd rather go and sit with Dev and Tara", Geet said, trying to release herself from him, but it seemed as if Chako had decided to play the world's best gentleman that day.
"I'll help you", saying this, he moved with her towards the car, not leaving her for a second.
Geet was feeling rather uncomfortable, while Maan burnt with rage. Suddenly out of nowhere, Dev came in front, and grabbing Geet by her arm, in a way snatching her from Chako forcefully, he took her away and helped her sit on the car with Tara, and then himself climbed up next to her. In this way, both of them had now linked their arms with Geet's.
Maan had made an observation which striked him again and again. Geet had felt very uneasy with Chako, but a sigh of relief escaped her as soon as Dev had come to her rescue. And surprisingly, he had never seen that uneasiness in her eyes whenever she was close to him. Did it really mean what he thought it meant?
Maan's hopes rose suddenly, but he controlled himself and came back to his surroundings. He saw that Geet was chatting away happily with Dev, Tara and Sumit. She only spoke when necessary if it concerned Simran, Anny or Chako. He also went and joined them. The conversation was about Geet's friends engagement.
"The engagement was a bash, total fun. And today morning was the mehendi ceremony. Can you guys believe it, mehendi ka naam sute hie Geet literally went bonkers. She was like, 'Main mehendi lagwaye bina nahi jaoongi'. It was because of this reason that our return was delayed, nahi to hum to subah hie aa jate, kyun Geet?", Tara nudged Geet.
Geet who had turned red first due to embarassment was now red due to anger. She stared at Tara in anger, and then turning to Dev, she pouted. Maan's heart skipped a beat and did flip flops at her cute innocence. Dev immediately came to Geet's rescue, and tried to lighten the mood.
'Tara, you know na mehendi ki importance for an Indian girl. Like every girl, Geet also dreamt of her lover prince charming. And isne usi ke liye to ye mehendi lagayi hai, dekho uske naam ka letter bhi hai mehendi mein, M, ya phir i think its R, R for Geet's Raja, king, prince, etc etc etc, haina Geet" everyone giggled at this.
"NAHI! Mere liye mehendi ka matlab haath per bane design se zaada kuch nahi hai. It is just a colourful design for me, that also which is just an interest, nothing else, samjhe, aur kuch nahi!"
Geet spoke all of this with a sudden force, which left everyone shocked. Then coming down from the car, she faced Dev and Tara, and addressed them,
"Aur jahan tak pyaar ki baat hai, is word ki meri life mein koi jagah nahi hai, na is word ki, na is se jude kisi emotion ki. Mujhe pyaar par vishwas nahi hai, i dont believe in love, and never, i mean never ever associate me with love", saying this, she left off towards the college gates.With Geet's exit, the atmosphere was filled with tension, no one had ever expected, the Geet, who was the most soft spoken in the whole college, could ever speak so harshly. And anger, which was thought a word unknown to her, no one could have imagined that Geet's anger could reach such heights. Dev and Tara tried to handle the matter, Tara spoke,
"Guys, wo actually, Geet ka mood was a little down, due to all that traveling, so please dont mind, hmm. Kay, chalo, bye, we gotta go", saying this, she held Dev's hand and hurried off in the direction where Geet had gone. The group was left discussing Geet's outburst.
Maan also hurried off behind Dev and Tara, who were in so much haste that they ignored the figure behind them.
"Dev, tu pagal hai kya? How could you, Geet ke past ke baare mein jaante huye bhi aisa kaise bol sakta hai. You know how much she has suffered since her childhood, and her mom and dad, you know na ki they...", Tara was silenced immediately as Dev put his finger on her mouth, and pointed to her back with his eyes. Tara turned to see Maan standing behind her.
"Bhai, what are you doing here?, Tara gave a shaky laugh, Dev recognized her nervousness, and side hugged her.
"Woh, i just came to see if everything is alright, because it did not seem like, back there, i mean", he pointed with both his hands.
"Dont worry, everything is under control, we'll handle everything. Tara, you stay here, i'll go and drop Geet home, she'll still be around", Dev said first to Maan, and then to Tara.
"But Dev, hum dono ko Princi ne bulaya hia, we cant go! Umm, how about, haan, Bhai, please do us a favour. Aap Geet ko drop kardo, please. Make sure she reaches home safely, please please please", Tara pleaded.
"Achha achha dont worry, i'll drop her safely, with proper care, gentleman's promise", Maan lifted his hand and bowed to them. He saw that Dev had wanted to protest, but Tara gave him an understanding cum pleading look, and he had to nod his head, and they both left.
If Maan had been shocked to witness Geet's outburst, he was even more shocked to hear that Geet did not believe in love, and the reason of this was something related to her past, her parents, her childhood. He had always thought that Geet was like the typical girlie girl, who loved dreaming and talking about her prince charming with whom she was eagerly waiting to fall in love and who would sweep her off her feet. It was all because she had acted the cupid so many times already, but her bitter words had moved him literally,, from inside to outside. He still couldnt believe that a girl who worked so hard for these many people's relationship, hated love like anything. Maan got another reason added to his list of reasons for knowing Geet. She was the only girl who intrigued him and that too, till the depth of his heart. And he couldnt let her go, never, because this would be the biggest mistake of his life. With this promise to himself, he moved to the parking lot.
As soon as he reached there, he did not find her. He looked here and there, and finally hit his head as he saw her standing next to Dev's car. He observed her for a few minutes, silently. She had been resting her back on the passenger seat's door and her eyes were closed. She had not moved or reacted to his footsteps, and he thought that she was too lost in her own world. Her face did not reveal any of her thoughts, as it carried no expression. He went forward and stood next to her, feeling her presence, and taking in her aura. When she still did not react, he thought of putting his hand on her shoulder, but took back his hand, then thought against it, and finally rested his hand on her shoulder. She took a long breath before opening her eyes.
"I was waiting for Dev, he was to drop me home", she explained as if understanding his silent questions.
"Wo actually Princi... i mean Principal ne un dono ko bulaya hai, Tara n Dev, so they had to go. And they said that I should drop you home, and before you refuse (he had seen that she was about to protest), I have made a gentleman's promise to Tara. You may not think of me as a gentleman, but I am certainly one, as my small sis feels so. Isliye help me keep my promise to her, please."
Listening to him, Geet thought for a while, and then nodded her head.
"After you madamoiselle", Maan bowed and waved his hand in a chivalrous style.
"Um, actually, I dont know where is your car", Geet spoke hesitatingly. Maan smacked his head mentally as he remembered that he had come on his bike today. With his face turning as red as a bet root, he spoke,
"Geet, aaj na actually, kya hua, ki for a change, er, I came, not on my car, but my bike, and you know, I really love it. So, i hope that, like, you wont mind, coming with me on the bike."
He was surprised that he actually managed to speak all this in one sentence without any blunders. But Geet had her eyes wide open as she heard him word out his explanation.
"But, but, I've never, I mean I've never ridden on a bike, and, and moreover, I cant sit on the bike with my hands full of mehandi", she exclaimed.
Maan stood in a fix. It was true that she couldnt on the bike mehandi on her hands, and as for letting her go alone, NO! This wasnt even an option. He thought of dropping her off in Sumit's car, but that would mean Sumit using his bike, which wasnt happening any day. Moreover, he did not want her to sit in Sumit's passenger seat, or rather, he wanted her to sit in his car, his lady, so his passenger seat.
"OK listen Geet, we have a slightly small problem, but very minor one, coz when Maan is here, have no fear. I'll be back in just 10 minutes, and by 10, I mean 10 minutes by the watch. Dont you go anywhere, understand, I'll be back even before you count the 10 minutes, get it?", he said.
He had expected her to refuse or protest, but she surprised him by simply nodding her head and looking at her watch. Maan immediately hurried off starting his bike. As he was about to go, a girl wearing a mini-skirt and a short top came to him asking for a ride back home, but so much was he in a hurry, that no other word escaped his mouth, except, "Sorry". He rushed back home at an ultimate speed, and not bothering to park his bike properly, he stormed in the house like a tornado, picked his car keys and went off. The servants were shocked at his behavior, but luckily, his mom was not home.
Keeping his promise, Maan was back to Geet before 10 minutes were over. His face glowed with pride as he saw the surprised expressions on her face. He climbed down from his seat and opened the door for her, and together they went off.
In the car, Maan observed Geet, who was looking out of the window, lost in her own thoughts. He tried bringing her back.
"I dont know the address", he said.
"Whose address?", she asked confused.
"Umm! Tumhara!", he grinned.
"Oh! I am so sorry, I forgot", saying this she gave him the address. After saying this much, she was again preoccupied by something, which Maan guessed was related to todays events. He thought of something to distract her.
"You know Geet, since my childhood, I am so allergic to mehendi's smell. Mom jab bhi lagwati thi, I used to run miles away from her. I literally used to faint, just because of the smell. And because of this reason alone, neither mom, nor Tara, both of them dont put mehendi, hehehehe", he shrugged his shoulders laughing, as he applied brakes to stop at the red light. Geet turned her face to look at him in such a way that even he was forced involuntarily to face her.
"To tum abhi tak meri mehendi ki wajah se behosh kyun nahi huye, why havent you fainted till now?", she asked him, her eyes were locked into his, and her face carried an expression of mixture of confusion, innocence, and intensity. Maan was left speechless as the questioning look in her deep eyes pierced through him. This was a question whose answer even he was looking for since the time Tara had teased him about the mehendi. But when it came to Geet, all his logics and answers went to bath in the holy river, leaving him empty handed, except for the innumerous questions. They had been in the eye lock for a few moments, when their trance was broken by the horns of the cars and the other traffic around them. Maan was thankful for the close escape as he started the car and concentrated on his driving. From the corner of his eyes, he saw that Geet had again succumbed in the world outside the car. He couldnt bear the silence between them, and found another way to break it.
"Guess what? You are the first girl to sit in the passenger seat of my car", he said with an air of 'The Maan Khurana'.
"And hopefully you dont expect me to believe that i am the first girl with whom you are using these cheesy lines", Geet answered back.
Maan couldnt believe that this was Geet, 'The Geet Handa', answering him back, with a tongue that could slither ice right now. But then again, she was the only girl who could manage to always surprise him.
"So does this mean that you also believe that I am a rich, spoilt, arrogant cassanova", he questioned her, looking at her, and the traffic, alternatively.
"Is there any doubt about it? To be honest Ar..., I mean, I am sure you are intelligent enough not to have missed Dev's protectiveness for me when it comes to you. So I'd advise you not to get on his wrong side, because it will be very painful for you", saying this, Geet looked at the road in front of her.
"Why are you worried that i would be in pain, huh Geet, what does it have to do to you? Will my being in pain bother you? Will it even effect you?", Maan threw his next question. He couldnt see her face, as they reached an area crowded with traffic, but he needed his answers, so he asked again, "Answer me Geet, will it effect you if i am in pain?"
This time, she did answer,
"I do not want to be the cause of anyone's pain. Anyone includes everyone, you too. And thanks a ton for the lift, we've reached the place. You can stop the car."
As soon as he applied the brakes, in front of a hospital, a watchman opened the door for Geet and she wasted no time in getting down. Just as Maan reached next to her, he heard the watchman speaking,
"Bitiya, jaldi karo, Abhinav is waiting for you since so long. He's really nervous about the date"
Geet laughed at this and hurried off, without giving him a second glance. Maan stood there watching her retreating figure, the word 'date' had hit him hard, a blow straight on face. The old watchman came next to him, and asked,
"How may I help you sir?"
Maan spoke without acknowledging about what he was saying,
"Kaka, Abhinav kaun hai?"
The watchman smiled seeing his distant look, and answered,
"Aap Geet Bitiya ke dost hain, phir bhi nahi jaante, ki Abhinav Beta Geet Bitiya ke jija ji hain, aapki bhasha mein, Brother-in-Law"
Listening to this Maan heaved a sigh of relief, and a wide smile spread across his face, he thanked the old man and moved to his side of the car hopping and skipping, when he saw Geet rushing back on her heels,
"Kaka, please mera bag nikaal dijiye, main car mein hie bhool gayi."
Listening to this, Maan retraced his steps with the speed of light, and took out the bag. He went closer to Geet, hung the bag on her arm, and Geet spoke,
"Thanks, er, again", saying this, as she moved again towards the building, Maan called her,
"Geet!"
"Haan!", she stopped, and turned.
"A last question, and then i promise i'll go. Tum ab bhi mera naam nahi leti, you still avoid it, you still dont speak my name, WHY?", he asked, and the reaction was what he had expected. A sudden tension came up on Geet's face, and she seemed visibly troubled, and embarassed.
"Thanks for everything, bye, and take care", she said, and turning on her heels, she went away.
This was what Maan had wanted to see. There was some mystery behind his name, and seeing the effect his one specific question had on her, he smiled as widely as he could, and drove off.
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IMPORTANT : OK people, time to put on your thinking caps. The next part shall reveal why doesnt Geet speaks Maan's name. But until then, i want you all to give what do you think about this. What could be the possible reason for this? Keep guessing, n do write in your answers, until we meet next!
Please do comment, or the press the like tab, if the part was worth it
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pooja