Thanks everyone for the encouragement... I hope you like this part... Please leave in your comments that would help me to improvise
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Part 3
Geet felt someone tapping her shoulder yet again... What was it now? Why couldn't people leave her in peace? Why couldn't people leave her with his memories? She looked up to see what anyone could want from her when she saw a man in his mid-twenties looking at her... She had seen him twice or maybe thrice in the last one month... Alert, she stood up immediately preparing for a run as she looked around scared, half expecting to see them once again... "Don't worry... they are not here" said the man who had brought her out of her thoughts... she looked at him as he continued, "Not yet atleast... But do you think they would take long to reach you if you keep sitting here (she looked uncomfortable and he noticled it giving her a comforting smile, he continued) don't worry I know you' you have seen me as well, haven't you?" Geet gave him a hesitant nod... "You are Geet right? Mohinder Chacha ji's daughter from Delhi?" she nodded again...
The lady who had asked Geet to shift a little on the bench to make some space for herself was now standing beside the man holding the little girl and looking at her empathetically "So you finally managed to run away?" he asked as Geet now looked at him confused, puzzled and shocked... how did he know? Were they already on the search? Sensing her hesitance, he quickly added, "You don't have to be scared of us Geet... (He said pointing to himself and the woman) I'm Gurvinder and she is Channi, my wife (he said addressing the woman... while the woman gave a meek smile to her) "Aap ko pata hai mere bare main?" Geet asked, a little fearful, a little embarrassed... she had seen the man before but not the woman and yet here just at the mention of her name, she seems to be knowing everything about her... "Haan Geet, hum kya, sab jante the wahan tumhare bare main... tumhare saath jo raha tha, uske bare main" it was Channi this time, who answered her query. She felt a little flustered... Wow! Her life had probably become a matter of public discretion in that small town and probably a hot topic for kitchen discussion among the woman, she mused... Geet looked down to compose herself' NO! She can't let her emotions flow here.
"Geet its not that important that whether we know about you or not, what is important is that you can't be staying here too long. Aur phir tum abhi tak Dulhan ke jode main ho' agar kisine dekh liya toh dobara bhagne ka mauka shayad na mile" said Gurvinder, grimly, breaking her chain of thoughts. Geet looked at herself, "maybe he's right' Fool! Idiot, stupid, stupid of you Geet, he's right... woh log tujhe phir bhagne ka mauka kabhi nahi denge", she mentally admonished herself... How did she not remember that sitting here in her bridal refineries she was just making herself too obvious? But then what she could do, she wasn't on a holiday that she would be carrying baggage along; she was on a run for heavensake! She looked down and said, "lekin mere paas pehne ke liye aur koi kapde nahi hai" Channi quickly opened her bag and scanning through it picked one of her dress and offered it to her, "Take this... don't feel obliged and don't delay further", she said. Having no other option Geet agreed and quickly went towards the changing room and changed into Channi's clothes and came out... Channi offered Geet some snacks while Gurvinder got a cup of hot tea for her. Seeing her reluctance, he simply said, "Jyada mat socho Geet, le lo" she took the tea from him and started sipping it.
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The whole Khurana family was in the state of panic... It wasn't him, it couldn't be... he, who was always in control and never indulged in drinks except at the parties, where he would merely held his drink as a mark of courtesy, had banged into a tree under the influence of alcohol! Savitri Devi looked a little lost and Anahita had been crying, while Viren was trying his best to put a strong face and Nandita was trying her best to look strong.
They were all worried about him; there was no sign of his for the past two days... He wasn't taking calls, he wasn't answering to any of countless messages left by them... The last they had heard from him was the morning before yesterday when he spoke to Savitri, apologizing for his sudden depart and assured her that he was fine and would be back before Viren and Nandita's wedding anniversary party next day. Nandita had invited Goenka's for the party as well... She had confided in Naintara that she would surprise Maan and the rest of the family by making a formal announcement of Maan and Sameera's engagement in this party. Much to her embarrassment, he didn't come. Mr. Harsh Goenka had rebuked them for such callous attitude and for playing with his daughter's feelings. Savitri and Viren were upset with her for taking this decision without Maan's consent and to top it, she had not told them about her plans too! Dev and Naintara left the same night sighting business issues. The rest of the family had a very restless day in anticipation of any news from Maan. And then, in the wee hours of the morning today, they had received this call from a hospital located at the outskirts of Delhi that Maan had met with an accident... The two hour drive to the hospital had been really long for all... and now though relieved that Maan's injuries were not severe and he would be discharged soon, they were still anxious about him.
"I don't understand... Maan aisa kaise kar sakta hai?... Last one month he had not been himself at all... I asked him but he avoided the subject... I should have coaxed him to talk about it... He had been so happy when he came back from London a month back and then... achanak aisa kya ho gaya?" rued Nandita tearfully. "Hold yourself, we'll talk to him once home", assured Viren placing a comforting arm around his wife. The change in Maan's behavior ever since he came back from London had not escaped Viren's attention. He had noticed Maan's edginess, frustration and his lack of interest in his work, but had thought that it would be the effects of his prolonged London tour and he must be tired. But when things aggravated further he had started worrying too... He had tried to speak to Maan but then Maan never discusses his troubles with anyone. Anahita and Dadi were quiet... they knew this had to do something with Geet. Only she could drive Maan to this extreme. "What must have gone wrong? Was I wrong in judging Geet? No! she didn't look like the run off the mills kind... Phir kya hua hoga... Uska is tarah Maan ko bataye bina chale jana... Saare contacts tod dena... aur ab Maan ki yeh halat" Dadi was fighting a battle within herself. The day she saw Geet with Maan, she had known what her favourite grandchild had on his mind... Unlike Naintara, she had taken instant liking to Geet... it didn't matter that she didn't have any known names attached to her individuality... she was simple, sweet, innocent and most importantly Maan was in love with her... and Dadi could clearly see it in his eyes. She at once approved of her but waited for the right time to tell Viren and Nandita about it... Sadly that time never came! Sitting in the hospital waiting room, Savitri Devi sighed and closed her eyes, age and emotional burden taking over her, and she drifted off to an uncomfortable slumber.
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"So where are you planning to go now?" asked Gurvinder to Geet who was sitting opposite to him sipping her tea "Delhi, Apne Ghar" replied Geet... Gurvinder shook his head, "Nahi Geet... that won't be safe... these people will not take this sitting down... kya koi aur hai tumhara Delhi main?" Geet at once looked up at him not sure what was she going to reply to that one... gurvinder sensed her discomfort and immediately rephrased himself "Mera matlab hai... tumhare koi rishtedar... koi friends? Jinke saath tum reh sako" She shook her head, "Nahi". Tears stinging her eyes, threatening to overflow, yes the core of her existence resided in Delhi, but she dare not think about him now, it's not right... their ways have drifted and now she would have to live without him... "Geet tum chaho toh kuch din humare saath reh sakti ho", it was Channi this time... Although these people were sounding good, Geet couldn't afford to take any more chances... She politely declined and said, "Thank you Channi... aap logon ne itna kiya yehi bohut hai... Lekin mujhe ek baar toh ghar jana hi padega... bohut yaadein hai wahan' ek baar dekhe begair nahi ja sakti" Gurvinder nodded perceptively...
They exchanged a few more talks, while Geet made her mind to go back atleast once before moving on... Gurvinder also got her a ticket for Delhi while Channi told her about herself and their life. Geet was touched by their forthcoming nature... As the train for Delhi arrived, Gurvinder gave Geet his contact details and asked her to call them anytime she may need them... Channi hugged Geet and assured her, "Main janti hu Geet kehna aasan hai but zindagi itni aasan nahi... But don't worry after sometime everything will settle down" choked with emotions, Geet just hugged her back and nodded expressing her gratitude and mumbling, "Thank you... thank you both... I will never forget you both" she then kissed the little girl who was by now sleeping peacefully on the bench and bid them goodbye. As the train started leaving the Chandigarh station, Geet waved at them and sincerely prayed to Babaji and asked him to keep the kind couple happy and secure.
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Maan opened his eyes to the unfamiliar surroundings... He looked around and tried to get up from the bed when severe pain shot through his head... He raised his hand to realize that both his left hand and his forehead were bandaged and he finally understood that he was in the hospital... Events of the last night hit him just like the gushing cold winds piercing daggers into his being and slowly he felt the physical pain subsiding... the pain that shot through him as the gravity of her actions dawned upon him once more and he realized that she had left him... left him alone, numbed him and he fell back on the hospital bed. Just then the doctor came in and helped him, asking him to take it easy... He noticed his family closely walking in behind the doctor... He looked at the worried face of his mother, disappointment in his father's eyes and tear-stained face of Anahita. He glanced at Dadi, hers were the only pair of eyes that looked at him with compassion and understanding. He looked down feeling guilty, but then looked at the doctor and said that he was fine and wished to go home... Doctor nodded his consent and Viren left to finish the formalities... Dadi came forward and looked questioningly at him, but he dropped his gaze and excused himself to change... the three ladies left the room... Half an hour later, they sat quietly in the car and none spoke on their journey to Khurana Mansion back... Maan kept his gaze outside the window, looking practically at nothing and as they reached home... he simply walked away towards his room... Nandita started to follow him but Viren stopped her saying, "Abhi nahi... let him be by himself and rest for sometime"
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Seated by the window, on her way home... she rested her head beside the window and ushered herself to think... She went over to what Gurvinder had said and staying amongst them for more than a month, she could bet that whatever gurvinder said was true. They would try to get to her and what better place to look for her than her own house! No, she can't stay there... Now that she was alone and all by herself, she would need to act smartly and practically. She smiled involuntarily when she heard a distant voice playing in her head, "Geet act wisely and think through... you seriously need to be more practical", it was him rebuking her all the time for her stupid antics... this is what he had always asked her to do... to think and she would do that now... she had to... So she would quickly gather a few belongings from her place and flee from there, she thought. Yes, she would watch her every step now, she assured herself and then closed her eyes, feeling the cold winds gushing at her face as the train sped cutting through the thick fog. She wrapped her hands around herself and let her mind wander down the memory lane to live the moments of her past... to remember the times when she lived her carefree life to the fullest... when she stayed safely in the warm cocoon of love and affection, surrounded by those loved her... when she would laugh and dream freely...
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I hope this part too lives up to your expectations. Do leave in your comments and feedback
Sonia
Edited by euphoric - 14 years ago
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