Destiny's Play-Part XLVII,XLVIII (Pg 131,140)-10/3

Two weeks later

There was a perceptible change in their relationship in the past two weeks since the saree fiasco. While they were quite cordial with each other, there was an unspoken barrier between them. They both avoided physical contact with each other in order to prevent their desires from resurfacing. Although they shared the same bed, they no longer held or kissed each other. It was very difficult for both of them since they had gotten used to the cuddling but they feared that their resolve may be weakened if they give in to the physical comfort. Despite their steely resolve there were occasions when the temptation to give in was pretty strong. For instance, only the previous morning Geet had inadvertently collided with her husband at the entrance to the bathroom when she was trying to get in and he was on his way out, clad only in his towel. As she hit against his bare, well muscled chest, glistening from the water drops which had still not been dried, shivers ran up her spine. In the few seconds it took for them to unlock their intense gaze and regain their bearings, they could feel the electrifying tension between them. It had taken tremendous effort on both their parts to break it and get back to their normal activities. On the positive side, such instances only served to intensify Maan's will to remain focused in his work so as to attain his goal at the earliest.

That day the Sens were getting ready to leave the chawl. The chawl residents had arranged a small farewell function for them the previous night. Maan, as the chawl welfare society's President, gave a speech recounting the contribution of the Sens to the chawl's well being in the past fifteen years. Arnab, their son was like his younger brother he said. Having gone through a similar situation, he could well understand his frustration at not getting a job of his liking and his decision to wait till he gets one, although his parents were unhappy that he was unemployed. His patience had paid off since he has landed himself a good job in Oman and was all set to leave the next day. Mr. Argya Sen and Mrs.Anindita Sen had wanted to get back to their ancestral house in Kolkatta, as their only son was leaving. They were taking the train the next evening. Mrs. Sen then came up to give her little speech. She had tears in her eyes as she thanked each one of them for being such wonderful neighbours and helping them out whenever needed. When she had first come to Mumbai she did not know a soul in the city but now she is leaving the city with the knowledge that she has at least twenty families whom she can call as her relatives. She said that she was taking with her, sweet memories of chawl life in Mumbai. On the next day, a truck came in to cart the Sens' furniture and other household effects to Kolkatta. The Sens finally bid a tearful goodbye that evening to all the residents.

The following day, which was a Sunday, Geet got up at 7.00 a.m. to find Maan fresh from a bath, pouring through the Sunday Times. He had already prepared tea and was sipping a hot cup.

"Good Morning, Geet. Thought I will give you a break from the kitchen for the day," Maan replied nonchalantly. "Breakfast is ready. We'll have it together once you're ready."

Geet thanked him and went to finish her morning routine before joining him for breakfast. Just as they were finishing up, Sameera came by asking if Geet could accompany her to shop for some material for her garment company. They have received an order from a very finicky European customer who is particular about the texture and colours of the garments they will be exporting to them in a month's time. As Geet has a good taste in clothes, she wanted her advice to pick the right fabric for the garments.

"Yes, Maan. What is wrong with the key?" she asked.

"If it is not meant for this lock, which lock is it meant for? I had used it to open this lock so many times."

She tried opening the lock with that key but it didn't work either. She finally threw up her hands and said she gave up.

"Come on, darling. What if the keys are not opening this lock. Let's try opening some other lock", he said in a mischievous tone.

"Maan, what are you up to? Did you change the locks when I was away?"

Once inside, he gently put her down and she looked around the house which was slightly bigger than theirs as the kitchen was a separate room and not a partition of the same room. Surprisingly all their things were nicely arranged in the new house. Maan's cups and trophies were lined up on the small showcase on the wall. Sameera's porcelain figurine gift was there too. Their wooden sofa, their run down fridge, the stove, the cylinder, the plastic containers with the provisions, their vessels, their bed, their wooden cupboard, couple of folding chairs, and folding table, all were neatly arranged in their appropriate places. Looking at Geet's confused expression, Maan smiled and finally assured her that they were not intruding into anyone's house for from that day onwards it was their new house. He then led her to the bedroom and opened a door on the far side of the room. Geet's eyes widened in surprise. It was a bathroom, small but clean.

Holding her hand, he said "Geet, do you remember our wedding night? The first thing you searched for in my house was an attached bathroom. I mocked you then but regretted doing so later. You have been raised in the lap of luxury and I could not even provide you the basic comfort of your own bathroom. Marriage to me has been nothing but a bed of thorns for you till now. I promise you that I will do my best to convert it to a bed of roses soon. This is my first effort to do so."

It is only then that it dawned on Geet that they were in the apartment vacated by the Sens. In her apprehension over Maan's house breaking activities she had not noticed the door number of the apartment. Maan informed her that he had rented the place and in her absence had enlisted his friends and the kids of the chawl to help move their things into the new apartment. While Maan's friends helped him move the large furniture items, the children helped with the small household articles. They set up the place before she could return so that they can give her a surprise. He had inter-changed the locks in the house, the reason why their keys did not open the old house.

Just then they heard the door bell ring. On opening the door, Geet saw Sameera and Anju's family at the door step. They had brought food and informed her that they were planning to have their lunch with them in the new house. Geet spread the mat and they all sat down to have the food. Anu and Abhi were fighting to sit on Maan's lap. Geet asked Anu to sit on hers. The boy was initially reluctant but when she offered him a chocolate which she found in the fridge, he promptly went to her. They then had a lively conversation over lunch. Geet came to know from Sameera that Maan had taken up two jobs to make enough money to pay the deposit money for the apartment. The dahi handi prize money was also meant for this purpose.

When Geet realised the extent to which her husband had gone, slogging every day and risking his life, all for providing her some additional comforts, her eyes filled up in tears and she held his hand and thanked him profusely. Maan wiped her eyes and told her he was merely doing the duty of a husband and she was worth every effort he took. Manju was very happy to see the deep love these two had for each other. Looking at her husband she asked him to learn a thing or two from Maan. Venkat retorted back that she too could learn to be more patient and giving like Geet. Sameera intervened and asked them not to keep bickering amongst themselves for they too are an adorable couple considering that they have managed to put up with each other for seven long years of marriage. That made both Manju and Venkat happy.

Sameera, Manju and Venkat then took leave. Geet went up to the cupboard and taking out one of her sketches of a smiling Maan, she kissed it saying, "I love you Maan, I love you very much". She decided that she will get it framed and hang it in the hall where she can always see him even when he is not around.

Continued here

Mind blowing he so sweet and nice thanks a lot for this part ..congrats for new thread ..

I must say maan going to full geet life with all happiness and love 👏
👏

Congratz Dear for the new thread :)

congrats on the new thread dear...................

i just now read 33rd part and was wondering how come u havent posted the next part yet....................and here i get ur pm for the new thread.................

Originally posted by: monikaseth

Mind blowing he so sweet and nice thanks a lot for this part ..congrats for new thread ..

I must say maan going to full geet life with all happiness and love 👏
👏

thanks Monika

first Congrats for new thread:D

congrats on new thread..........................

congrats on the new thread