***********Part 9*************
"Nakul?" Naintara called out as she entered the kitchen.
"Arre, Geet, aap…. Aap yahan kya kar rahi hain? Niantara questioned surprised to see Geet standing by the coffee machine, making coffee, she noticed.
"Coffee? For who?" Naintara questioned walking up to Geet. She assessed the girl not failing to notice her disarray state; her hair falling off from the band which held it, her dress had creases… Naintara smiled, happy with the knowledge that things were good between the newly weds. She wasn't nave to not understand what might have occurred between the two….
Naintara smiled at Geet, who had suddenly gone still upon her entrance. "Go ahead, finish making him a fresh coffee…" Naintara urged upon seeing noticing her still form.
Geet nodded her head and hurried back to pouring the coffee in the coffee mug but kept glancing back at the nice woman cautiously in fear. She saw the woman walk towards the breakfast table where she had placed the coffee tray; the coffee and milk still resting on the tray. Geet bit her lip as she watched the nice woman pick the tray and walk towards her. Geet quickly turned her gaze back to the coffee pot when Naintara looked up at Geet.
"Aapne apna milk nahi drink kiya" Naintara pointed out as she watched Geet place the coffee pot back on the counter, taking a step back from Naintara. Naintara frowned at the girl's action, why was she so fearful of her? had Maan said something to Geet about her? Probably told her to stay away from his annoying and too nosy sister! Naintara shook her head knowing all too well that her brother was very likely to have warned his wife away from his sister.
"yeh lijiye aap paheli aapna Milk drink kariye" Naintara said handing geet the milk glass after taking the coffee mug from her hand.
"Ma'm, did you call me?" Nakul asked entering the kitchen.
"where were you Nakul, shouldn't you be preparing the breakfast?" Naintara asked with a look of disapproval on her face.
"But-" Nakul tried to speak darting a glance at Badi Bahu.
Naintara glanced at Geet, the girl had her head bowed down, her hand clutching the milk glass tightly. "Geet, finish your milk, please" Naintara whispered tipping the glass to her mouth.
"Nakul! Why are you still standing there? Get on with your work!" Naintara ordered, seeing the butler still standing in his place and gawking at Geet.
"But-" Nakul tried once again to speak.
"No buts! Get to work!" Niantara snapped.
"B-par, Badi Bahu ne already breakfast bana diya" Nakul informed, finally finishing his sentence.
"What?" Naintara screamed scaring Geet who instantly took few steps back.
"Yes, I tried to tell you earlier but you rushed out to the kitchen without letting me finish" Nakul complained not wanting to get blamed for something that wasn't his fault.
Naintara took a deep breath, trying to control her rising emotions… she didn't know whether to scold the girl for preparing breakfast when it wasn't her job or to praise her for her hard work. Naintara glanced back at Geet surprised to find the girl huddled in the corner and peering at Naintara with that same fearful and cautious look as if Naintara was some evil creature that was about to hurt her!
Naintara looked at Nakul who only shrugged his shoulder. "here, take this veeray and tell him to hurry downstairs the pooja is about to begin" Naintara instructed handing Nakul the coffee mug.
"Aap ne bataya nahi ki aap ne breakfast already prepare kar diya?" Naintara asked smiling at Geet. No response from the girl, she still stared at Naintara cautiously.
"Did you prepare the sweet?" Naintara asked walking up to the other side of the kitchen where all dishes containing the food were placed on the counter top.
"Meetha banaya aapne?" Naintara asked again glancing back at the girl when she once again did not receive any answer.
"Arre wah! You really did prepare everything. The Halwa looks delicious!" Naintara commented as she peeked in at everything.
"Yeh choti bowl mein thoda Halwa nikal lo. Matarani ko bhog chadana hoga aapko" Naintara said handing Geet the small bowl.
"Ab chalo DadiMa ne aapko pooja room main bulaya hai. Aaj ki pooja aap ko karni hain" Naintara informed and took Geet towards the Pooja room. Geet just followed her quietly, holding the small bowl in her right hand……
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"Arre Badi Bahu Arti shuru karo" Savitri said once they were done conducting the pooja that was kept especially for Maan and Geet. They all stood waiting for Geet to start the arti.
Geet just stood there holding the thali and staring at the murthi in front of her. She did not know how to do the arti, she was never taught how to, they did not have any mata ki murthi at her father's haveli.
"Start the arti, Geet" Naintara stated but found Geet still not moving.
"Maybe she doesn't know how to" Myra pointed out, earning an angry glare from Naintara.
"Maan" Naintara called and stepped back to give Maan the space to stand beside Geet and start the prayers instead of Geet. Savitri shook her head at this revelation; her Badi Bahu did not know how to pray "hei matarani" she sighed. Vicky elbowed Myra warning her not to make another retort while Dev sat in his wheelchair and watched his wife staring at Maan and Geet with a content smile on her face, quickly thanking matarani for the positive change in Naintara. He had waited two long years to see that same content smile back on his wife's face, for two years he had witnessed the depressed and lost look on her face but now she was glowing, she was happy, she was back. His Naintara was finally back……………
***************
"Geet has made the whole breakfast today" Naintara informed everyone, as Geet tentatively served everyone, starting with her "Pati" first. Naintara smiled happily seeing Geet already caring for her husband first.
Maan watched with an amused smile as Geet continued to serve everyone, after him. He smiled unconsciously when Geet served him first, happy at being her first interest…..
"Yeh sab rehnedo Geet, Nakul karlega, aap baitho. Breakfast sab saath mein karthe hai" Maan heard his sister say but watched as Geet stood still with her head bowed down.
"Aao baitho Geet" Maan heard Naintara repeat. He gazed as Geet tilted her head, peering her eyebrows to stare at him; her eyes unsure searched his face. It took Maan few seconds to realize why she was searching his face.
"Baitho Geet, nashta thanda ho raha hai" Maan spoke, indicating at the chair beside him with his hand. She had been waiting for his consent. He watched as she silently sat on the chair and stared at the empty plate, her hands hiding under the table. He took the bowl and served her the paneer and placed a paratha on her plate.
"Nashta shuru karo Geet" he stated in a low voice and watched as Geet stared at the food in front of her and then looked up hesitantly and stared at everyone. Maan observed silently as she heaved a sigh of relief upon finding everyone "engrossed" in their breakfast.
"Eat, Geet" Maan whispered when Geet narrowed her eyes at the plate and then looked up at him. He sighed inwardly when Geet tentatively took her first bite. Maan smiled, shook his head and continued his breakfast while everyone continued to discreetly stare at the two……..
**********
"Wah bhai, pehle itna acha nashta aur ab yeh gajar ka halwa" Dev commented as he took the bowl from Geet.
"You are right Jeeju. The food and now this halwa! Very delicious! You are a fabulous cook Bhabhi" Vicky added devouring the halwa oblivious to the deadly glare Myra was casting towards him.
Maan smiled hearing everyone praising his wife's cooking. They were right, she was an excellent cook. He especially loved the Gajar ka Halwa, it has always been his favorite sweet dish and he always preferred it be cooked by his grandmother but now it seems he would have to slightly change his preference. He would rather have his wife cook the halwa from now on.
"Badi Bahu, idhar aao" Maan heard his grandmother call to Geet but she just stood there at the far end of the sofa with her head bent down, her hand holding the edge of the dupatta that covered her head. It was very hard to see her face when it was half covered with the dupatta and her head bowed down.
"Geet, come here. DadiMa bula rahi hai aapko" Maan heard Naintara call seeing Geet still standing not acknowledging grandmother's call.
He watched as Geet lifted up her head upon hearing her name but she still stood there for few seconds a look of nervousness passed on her face. Maan watched silently like others as Geet tentatively walked up to his grandmother, her eyes glued to the floor the whole time. His mother picked the small box and extended it towards Geet.
"Ab itna acha Halwa banaya hai toh inaam tho milna chahiye na" his grandmother stated upon seeing Geet's questioning gaze.
Everyone waited for Geet to take the gift from grandmother's hand but Geet did not move her hand forward to take the gift instead her head turned towards Maan, her eyes lifted up to look directly into his, again Maan saw the same searching look in her eyes. And it was only after he nodded his head in consent that Geet extended her hand to take the gift. Maan watched curiously as Geet stood there holding the gift in her hand, her eyes shifting back and forth from his grandmother, to the gift in her hand and then to him and then back at the gift in her hand. Her face showed the confusion, curiosity, suspicious and distress and Maan could not understand the reason for such expressions.
"DadiMa ke pair chuo, Geet" Maan said realizing Geet still did not thank his grandmother. Geet quickly bent down and touched his grandmother's feet.
"Now it's my turn. Come here Geet, I have to give you my gift too" Naintara exclaimed in excitement as she waved the wrapped up box. Geet moved towards her and cautiously extended her hand to take the gift. Maan smiled when he observed Geet darting a quick glance towards him as she bent down to touch Naintara's feet. This time she did not wait for his consent neither needed to be told to touch Naintara's feet. Maan watched as Geet continued on repeating the same procedure with Dev and then moving on to Vicky and Myra. He chucked silently when Myra jumped back as Geet bent down to touch her feet "What the hell! I am not OLD" Maan heard Myra scream but his eyes were on Geet who dropped the gifts in her hand at the sudden outburst from Myra. He noticed she was shaking, her eyes wide in terror at the loud voice of Myra.
"Now Myra, no need to overreact at such a thing, you are older than Geet" Naintara pointed out to Myra, not wanting to hear more of Myra's screams.
"Haan but Geet is older than me according to relationship" Myra remarked. Naintara smiled a glint in her eyes when she heard Myra's remark. "True, then Myra you and Vicky have to take Geet's blessing. After all she is your Badi bhabhi" Naintara stated, pressing her lips tightly to keep from smiling at seeing Myra's appalled look.
The men laughed silently as they watched Myra's appalled look and Naintara's gleaming eyes as they both continued on with their argument. Maan returned his gaze back to Geet who stood there in terror, her eyes wide, her hands grasping on the edge of the dupatta as she watched the two women arguing. He smiled, soon his wife will join Myra and Naintara…. soon there will be more such arguments and bickering with his new wife now in the family…..
"Come Geet, let's take these gifts to your room" Naintara said picking up the gifts from the floor, satisfied with yet another win against Myra. The look on Myra's face when touching Geet's feet was one Naintara will never forget and neither was she going to let Myra forget it.
"Maan, the keys" Maan handed his sister the bundle of keys. "Now this belongs to Geet" Naintara stated to her brother but her eyes darted to Myra and a smirk on her face as she handed Geet the keys. "Geet, take all these gifts to your room. I will just follow you" Naintara said and walked towards her room.
Geet carefully placed the gifts on the bed and sat down staring intently at them. She still did not understand what was happening, everything that her brothers and father told her of her life after marriage, of her husband, and her new family was not happening. Her husband did not beat her, he did not even yell at her, and her new family they were not mean….. they all seemed to be nice, they even gave her gifts. She caressed one of the wrapped up box…. She did not know what to think of this, she had never really received a gift in her whole life, all she ever got from her brothers and father was old books, and clothes apart from that they had never given her anything. And now all of a sudden she was given five new gifts by her new family and her husband had let her take the gifts.
"arre….. You still haven't opened your gifts?" Naintara asked walking in to see Geet caressing the wrapped box. Geet looked up at hearing Naintara's voice, her gaze lingered on the dress in her hand.
"You have to wear this dress for the muh-dikhai raasam. It's in the evening so don't worry we have plenty of time" Naintara stated placing the dress and jewelry on the couch, and walked up to Geet.
"Now how about you open these gifts up and see what your new family gave you" Naintara suggested, sitting down beside Geet on the bed and shoved one of the gifts in her hands stating "start with DadiMa's gift first".
Geet stared at the gift, hesitant to open the perfectly wrapped box. "Open it, Geet" Naintara urged and upon not receiving any moment from Geet, took her hand, placed her fingers on the box and made her pull on the wrapper.
"There, now you open the rest" Naintara said letting go of Geet's hand. Her hand lay still on the box, her eyes glued to Naintara, as her eyes searched her face, Naintara stared back waiting for Geet to open the box and look at her gift. Naintara waited two whole minutes but still no movement came. Geet continued to stare at her face. Naintara sighed, took Geet's hand and pulled out the rest of the wrapper, she waited few seconds for Geet to open the top and look at the gift inside but the girl still sat, her gaze shifting from Naintara's face to the box. She again took Geet's hand and helped her open the box, took out the kangans from the box.
"Yeh khandani kangan hai, Ma ke the ab aapke hain" Naintara said as she placed the kangan in Geet's hand. "Aaj sham ko rasam me pehanna hai aapko, laEye hum pehna dethe hain" Naintara said as she held her hand out for Geet to place hers her on them. Again two minutes passed, but Geet did not move her hand, she stared at the kangans placed on her hand.
"Geet, humme kangan dijiye aap aapko pehna denge" Naintara stated again, her voice a soft whisper, Geet looked up at Naintara, then down at the kangans in her hand then back at Naintara, her eyes darting back and forth, the confusion and distress evident in them. Then very tentatively she moved her hand towards Naintara, her eyes peering at her through her eyebrows. It was then Naintara realized the girl never showed any expression but then with her face covered with the duppatta it was hard to read anything on her face, it was her eyes that conveyed the emotions that she was going through.
"Yeh do set the, ek set Myra ko diya ab ek set aapka hain" Naintara informed as she gently pushed the kangans in through her hand, Geet bit her lip to stop from crying out in pain, her hand still hurt from the fall she had few days ago.
"arre wah, this fit on you perfectly" Naintara remarked as she admired the kangans adorning on Geet's hands while Geet just stared blankly at Naintara. "Now let's open the next gift, aap pick kariye kaunsa gift kholna hain?" Naintara asked wanting to converse with Geet.
Geet blinked at Naintara's smiling face, tentatively lifted her hand then stopped and stared at Naintara who only nodded her head in encouragement. Geet moved her hand and lifted the gift box covered with pink wrapper, Naintara grimaced it was the gift Myra had given; she was hoping Geet would pick the gift she had given her. She just hoping she would have a partner to argue and fight with Myra but what if Myra was also thinking the same thing….. She might also be planning to team up with Geet. Naintara chuckled at her childishness; she really was getting too attached to Geet so soon.
Geet looked up at the sound of Naintara's laughter, "open the gift Geet" Naintara said seeing Geet staring at her, the girl must think I am crazy Naintara thought.
Geet nodded, her eyes clouded with wary interest, for a moment she just held the gift and looked at Naintara quizzically. Naintara urged her once more to open it and watched as Geet tentatively opened the wrapper. Taking the book out, Geet looked at it and then at Naintara, her eyes returned to the book.
"A book! Should have known that's what Myra will give as a gift" Naintara exclaimed with a sneer. "A domestic crime book! What was that girl thinking!" Naintara shook her head in exasperation at Myra's action.
Geet flinched back at Naintara's loud voice which did not go unnoticed by Naintara. "Sorry, Myra just never thinks sometimes, I don't know how she topped her class in college!" Naintara apologized.
Naintara watched as Geet fingered the edges of the book carefully, She looked up at Naintara and for the first time smiled at her. Naintara smiled back and stared as Geet continued to stroke the book cover, feeling the letter of the title with her fingertips.
"let's finish opening the rest of the gifts Geet, we still have three more to go" Naintara pointed to the three gifts but Geet held the book her hands, clutching it in her hand but never opening the book, over and over again she fingered the letters and the book cover but would not open the book.
Naintara sighed in disappointment, seems like Myra had won over on this one without even trying, Geet hadn't even opened her gift, Naintara couldn't stop from sneering as she watched Geet holding the book and gazing at it as if it was the most precious thing in the world. She didn't really had the heart to take the book away from the girl but she knew she had to, the book held the horrors that have been inflicted on women by their in-laws, something Geet should never read not when she hardly knew her family. As it is the girl seems to be terrified of them all and if she read that book then god knows what will happen……
"Geet, book idhar do hum esse library main rakh denge, You can read it whenever you want, now let's finish opening these gifts" Naintara stated again and waited for Geet to hand back the book.
"I will show you the library tomorrow; there are lots of books in there. You like books?" Naintara asked Geet. A tentative nod came from her "Good than you will love the library you can read as many books as you want" Naintara informed and did not fail to notice the sudden spark of happiness in Geet's eyes. "You like reading don't you?" Naintara asked the girl, again a tentative nod from her, Naintara groaned inwardly cursing her fate, Geet seemed to have the same passion like Myra, if Myra found this out then she will never stop gloating about this revelation and will definitely use every trick to befriend Geet and turn her again me!!! Naintara reflected hating to see Myra having the upper hand!
"Here give me the book" Naintara said extending her hand and waited for Geet to hand her the book. Her heart thumped within her chest as Geet handed her the book, it was very obvious Geet was finding it hard to give it back, Naintara cursed herself for causing the girl pain but it was for her own good, someday she will return the book back to the girl… someday….
"Didi!" Myra called out loudly as she entered the room, her hand wrapped around a gift box.
"Don't be so loud Myra" Naintara reprimanded seeing how Geet had cringed hearing the loud voice. "What happened?"
"Woh…." Myra gestured at the gift box in her hand. "I accidently gave Geet the wrong gift" Myra admitted apologetically.
Naintara raised her brow at Myra's apology… shook her head in annoyance. "Well then go ahead and give Geet her gift"
"Sorry, Geet, here is your gift. I hope you like it" Myra said placing the gift in Geet's lap since the girl refused to extend her hand to take the gift. Myra waited eagerly to see Geet's reaction on her gift but the girl just sat there and stared at her gift box. Myra looked at Naintara questioningly but Naintara just gestured her to leave the room. Myra just nodded her head, understanding the situation and left the room.
"Let's see what Myra has given you this time…" Naintara said once again taking Geet's hand in her's and pulled at the wrapper… "Another book! I wonder when this girl will gift something that has nothing to do with books" Naintara murmured looking at the book in her hand; it was an Italian cuisine guide book.
Geet stared at the book, her gaze swept through the title, her fingertips tracing the letters… a cook book on how to cook Italian food. Geet knew she would love reading this book; anything that taught her how to cook new dishes was valuable…
"Veeray ko Italain food bohut pasand hain. Well actually we all love Italian food except Myra" Geet traced the edges of the book cover as she listened to the nice woman… she now knew her new family loved Italian food, that explained why they gifted her this book, she knew she would have to read this book real soon in order to learn and cook Italian food for her new family.
Naintara stared at Geet, the girl once again seemed to be taken by the gift completely forgetting about the gifts that were still laying on the bed. She smiled in amusement; at least she now knew what Geet really liked. She will just have to show Geet the library downstairs, maybe if she was busy with the books she will keep away from the kitchen and other house hold chores that are not suitable for the lady of the mansion to do…
"Chaliye, baaki gifts kholte hain, aap yeh book side main rakhdein, you can read it later… waise aapke pati ko lasagna bohut pasand hain toh pahele wohi prepare kariye…" Naintara said smiling at Geet when the girl's eyes suddenly sparkled with the little information she gave her on Maan's favorite dish…
One by one together they both opened the rest of the gifts; Naintara noticed Geet's eyes shifting back to the book resting beside her. Naintara felt bad but didn't hand the book back to her instead continued on opening the gifts and talking to the girl about the family and how everyone is going to love her and how she must do all her duties as the badi bahu of the family. She informed the girl about the Muh-dikhai and what was expected from her, she talked with the girl for an hour with the girl just nodding her head now and then. Mrinalini suddenly realized the time, she jumped out of bed and hurried started picking up the torn wrappers scattered around the floor, Geet assisting her in it. Naintara informed the girl then that she should always clean her own room should never let any of the maids clean it.
"This is your marital bed, Maan aur aapka kamra hain, aap samajh rahi hain na hum kya keh rahen hain? Everything that happens between you and Maan should remain in this room, it should not go out and neither should anyone enter this room" Naintara explained, placing the wrappers in the dustbin. She would have to explain it clearly to both of them; she didn't want a repeat of the fiasco that happened with Vicky and Myra!
***Angel***
Once again thanks to all those readers who commented on Part 8 and to those who hit the like button. I request all my readers to hit the like button to let me know how many are reading this ff…. I hope you all will like this part please do leave your comments… I will post the next part when I hit "Page 60" so let's see if this will attempt my silent readers to comment…. (please don't spam though) so anyways… will try my best to post the next part on Thursday if I get a lot of comments… but it really depends on my work schedule; my boss has the annoying habit of calling me in to work on my off days! Anyways please do comment because I love reading your views….
Okay, I am thinking about posting a short-story for Christmas…. And I was wondering if you all would be interested in reading this ff? it's a short story I had written for winter writing competition for a different show; more than three years ago….. I will just be changing the character names but keep everything the same.... I have divided the story in four parts. The story is very dramatic, comic and romantic.... the characterization is completely different from this ff, very similar to the show.... Geet's character is completely different..."She is funny, sarcastic, cruel and a big prankster. If you ask Geet about her ambition she will state "Her ambition in life is to appear in the world Guinness book as the biggest prankster" but really her ambition has always been to become "mrs. Maan Singh Khurana" but she will never admit it… let me know if you all are interested in reading this short story….
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Part 9: A chat between Maan and Geet, and Maan and Dev where Maan expresses his thoughts about his wife.
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