Chapter 8
Five Days before the wedding
Maan and Geet sat on their rock by the beach in each others arms enjoying the last sunset with closed eyes before they would bound in the scared relationship of marriage. Today was the last day they could meet before the wedding day and Maan had been quite grumpy and upset about it.
"Misiti, I can hardly spend five hours without you, how am I suppose to spend five days without seeing you?", he asked sadly as he rested his head on her shoulder.
"We don't have much of a choice, do we?", she asked as she held their hands together.
"humph", he said with a whiny grumble.
"Come on Maan, let's make the most of the day we do have", Geet said scooting closer to Maan to wrap her arm around his waist. "I love this beach,", she said with a happy sigh.
"I love it too. It's given me my whole life. This place gave me my Misiti, my soul mate", he said with love holding her chin as he grazed her. He then leaned forward to brush his lips to her forehead. Her heart warmed at his tender words making her feel like she was on the top of the world.
"And I met my Beachboy who loves me for who I am.", she said locking her arms his neck to lay her head on his shoulder. After my house, this is the place I know the best. I wish we could have our wedding here, on this beach.", she said grazing off into air already in her dreamland.
"Hmm, it would be", he agreed quietly not saying much. He then had a huge grin on his face.
"Awww, my cute love birds", someone said from behind. Geet instantly recognized the voice and turned with a scowl. Maan turned around too not happy for the first time to see his best friend or soon to brother-in-law.
"Bhayiaaa"
"You can't be here to pick her up already man", Maan said getting up from the rock and helping Geet up as well.
"I am here at the usual time not a minute before", Yash said with a grin getting a kick out of teasing his princess and her prince charming. Maan made the saddest face Yash had ever seen on him and Geet looked pretty down too.
"Come on man, five more minutes please.", Maan pleaded with Yash putting his arm around his shoulder. "Just five more minutes.", he said holding up his five fingers.
Geet was quite amused at Maan's situation. Sure, she wanted to spend more time with him but she was also well aware of the rituals.
"No Dude, no can do. My second princess is waiting at home for the first one. And thanks but no thanks, I don't plan on getting myself killed.", he said taking Geet's hand. Maan wasn't very pleased with Yash's answer.
"Fine, I see how it is. Your girlfriend comes before your best friend.", Maan said looking angry. Yash just laughed at his situation.
"Let's go Princess, your prince charming is going to have to wait five days for his five minutes.", he said barely holding his laughter in. Maan shot him an angry glare.
"Can I at least give her a hug", Maan asked irritated that he wasn't getting any support from his so called best friend.
"Sure, why would I mind?", Yash said looking nonchalant. Maan took Geet's hand and pulled her close with one swift movement.
"At least turn around you shameless jerk. I can't believe my partner in crime ditched me."
Yash laughed richly but he did turn around giving them a private moment.
"It's okay Maan, just five more days", she whispered trying to cheer him up. Maan just wrapped his arms around her pulling her as close as possible.
"I love you Misiti…..i can't wait for you be mine. Damn these five days", he whispered close to her before he kissed it tenderly.
"I love you too Beach Boy", she whispered back kissing his cheek.
"Are you two love birds just about done?", Yash asked.
"Yes Bhayia, let's go.", Geet said and immediately she felt her brother put his hand in hers.
"See ya later man", Yash said with a grin. Maan just grunted and looked away. "Come on, give me a hug, we are going to be relatives soon.", he said pulling him into a brotherly hug. "Remember, I am holding onto your Misiti for you.", he reminded.
"That's the only reason I am putting with your nonsense.", Maan said but couldn't help but smile at his best friend.
They quickly said their goodbyes. Maan watched Geet for as long as he could until Yash's car disappeared. "Damn, there are gonna be five very long days", he said to himself and sighed sadly. He then sat back down on the rock and closed his eyes replaying his Misiti's memories in his head.
He remembered when had first seen her from the back wearing a sleeveless green sundress, with the breeze softly playing with her open tresses.
Then the image of when he first saw her angelic face with a small smile playing on her lips enjoying the soft breeze with closed eyes.
Then he remembered the date they had on the beach; it was the best night of his life when she had agreed to become his life partner.
There needed to make another memory here to make this beach even more memorable, he thought and got up to put his plan in action.
**********
Just like the engagement day, Pair pulled all stops to make her best friend look the best possible. Geet was adored in red and golden andrakha, which had heavy work around the frill of the kameez. They had settled for an andrakha because they thought a lengha would be too much of a hassle to handle. Pari had gone for a natural golden eye look defining her hazel eyes further. For the jewelry, Geet was wearing her mom's wedding ornaments but they matched perfectly with the dress because they had the dress designed according to the jewelry. When it came to Geet's hair, Pari made a neat bun and did come backcombing before she placed the heavy duppatta on her head pinning it perfectly in place. NT helped Pari providing her with all the equipment she needed.
"Omg, you look hawt sista, Maan is going to be pass out after seeing you today", Pari said as she took in Geet's appearance.
"Come on Pari, I don't want him to pass out on our wedding day.", Geet said seriously not understanding Pari's joke as she had her own butterflies of nervousness.
"Oh Geetu, I was just kidding honey. You look fabulous.", Pari said twirling Geet around. Geet giggled despite her nervousness.
"Geet madam, you look wonderful", NT complimented.
"Thank you", Geet said sweetly blushing thinking what Maan would think.
**********
Maan couldn't hold his excitement in as he arrived to the wedding venue with Dadi Ma. His mother would be arriving soon but she had been thoroughly upset that Maan had turned the wedding small scale with only the closest friends and family invited after the engagement incident. It's not like he gave a damn about her opinion; there was only one person who mattered: His Misiti. He knew Geet would love his surprise. He had to pull a few strings but there was nothing in this whole that Maan Singh Khurana couldn't do. He marched around making sure everything was ready; from decorations to catering to music. Everything had to perfect for this day.
"Maan beta, relax. Everything will be fine. You should be enjoying your last few hours of bachelorhood", Dadi said with a chuckle.
Maan grinned and said, "I can't wait for my bachelorhood days to be over"
"You say that now beta", Dadi said and patted his shoulder before walking away.
"Oh, let me call Yash", Maan thought and quickly rang him.
**********
Yash had just finished getting ready when he phone started ringing.
"Where are you guys?', he asked bluntly anxiously to know the whereabouts of Geet.
"Wow, so much for saying hi", Yash said trying to sound offended.
"Cut the crap Yash. First I could meet Geet for five whole days and now you won't even tell me where she is.", Maan said irritated and Yash opened laughed at his plight. "Just watch Yash, when you get married. I am going to get my revenge."
"Okay Okay, I am sorry. Geet is still getting ready. I am going to check on them now."
"But she doesn't know about the surprise, does she?", he asked.
"Of course not, Yash Handa is pretty awesome at keeping secrets."
"Ya ,ya whatever. Ring me when you leave. The cars and guards are waiting whenever you are ready.", Maan said.
They quickly hang up after that and Yash went to check on his girls.
He walked and stood by the door as he saw his little princess all dressed up as a bride ready to be a wife. He walked in and held his sister by the shoulders as he watched her with loving eyes.
"You look so beautiful Princess just like the angel you really are.", he said as he cradled her face in his palm and then hugged her close.
"Thank you Bhayia, I wish Mom and Daddy would be here too.", she said against his eyes as tears gathered in eyes.
"There are here princess, they are looking at us right now.", Yash said as he looked above feeling the presence of their parents.
Pari watched the sight before her, her boyfriend and her best friend. She felt teary eyed herself but she knew she didn't stop them; the waterworks would start.
"Come on you two, cheer up. Geet you are going to cry all that makeup off.", Pari said as she placed an arm around both their shoulders.
They soon made their way to the car to arrive at the venue.
**********
Dadi Ma sent Maan away as soon she found out that they were on their way here in case Maan tried to see Geet. Nitya was given the task to greet them as Dadi Ma would be joining the girl side; obviously Nitya wasn't very trilled by the idea but not like she had a choice today. This wedding was little different; the groom side would be greeting the bride side just like the venue was a little different than what the Khuranas would be known for.
Dadi Ma smiled brightly as soon she saw the BMWs pull up; she was so excited to see Geet and her reaction. She went forward to greet them as soon Yash stepped out of the car and helped Pari and Geet out.
"Yash beta, you are here.", Dadi Ma said giving him a big hug and then one to Pari. "And my beautiful daughter Geet, may Babaji save you from the evil eye of anyone.", Dadi said running her finger along her own eye to put a black mark behind Geet's ear. Both Dadi Ma and Pari stood by Geet as they started walking. After a few steps, Geet stopped as realization hit her.
"We are at the beach!!", she exclaimed as her happiness knew no bounds. Everyone except Nitya smiled fondly at Geet's excitement. Now Geet understood why Pari had chosen flats for her instead of heels.
"Indeed we are, you told Maan that you wished that the wedding could happen here and he made it happen.", Yash said happy to know that her future husband was going to do everything in his power to make his sister happy.
"Pari beta, take Geet to the tent and I will let you know when it's time, it's too hot for you girls out here.", Pari took Geet along with NT's help.
**********
In another tent on the other side of the beach, Maan was pacing back and forth while he waited. And that's how Yash found him sweating in his copper shervani.
"hey my impatient brother-in-law", Yash said with a grin as he walked in the tent where Adi and Romeo were watching him pace. Maan grinned as soon as he saw Yash.
"Join the party….we are guarding the groom in case he tries to escape", Romeo explained.
"Great you are here man", he said giving him a hug. "That means Geet is here too.". Yash immediately pulled away from him knowing what was coming next.
"Seriously dude, my ego is going to get abused if you keep rejecting like that", Yash said with mock hurt.
"Ya, ya, whatever…Come on man, help me out. Can you help me see Geet just for a minute?"
"No way dude, I have strict orders from Dadi Ma, that's why your tents are at opposite ends of the beach", Yash said as he picked a water bottle from the table.
"Just one glance, just one little glance", Maan pleaded to Yash.
"There's no point Maan beta", Dadi said from behind. Maan looked upset and turned away. "It's inauspicious for the bride and groom to meet before the wedding", Dadi ma explained holding her grandson's shoulder. Maan didn't look very convinced but his expression did soften.
With that she walked out to make sure the priest had everything he needed.
Soon the very few guests that were invited began to flow in. The KM servants and NT began to move around to serve the guests. People became fond with NT's hospitality and complimented her on having a warm smile and great service skills (lolz….for those who wanted NT to make her appearance again…lolz)
**********
NT had brought Geet some pasta trying to get her to eat before the wedding but Geet was so nervous that she claimed she would throw up. Just then Pari and Yash came in.
"Come on Geetu, it's time", Pari said as she went to stand on the left side of Geet and Yash joined on her right. Yash gripped his sister's hand tightly afraid to let go. Geet understood her brother's sentiments. She knew he would have tears on his eyes by now. She reached up to wipe them off. That's why she didn't need her eyes because she understood her close ones without them.
"Bhayia", she said and then Yash pulled her into a hug.
"I don't want to let you go Princess. I promised Mom and Dad I would always look after you.", he spoke softly.
"You are giving me away to very trustworthy person Bhayia. Maan will always look after me. And no matter what, I will always be your princess.", she consoled him as they hugged each other.
Yash just nodded choked up with emotion.
**********
Maan watched in awe as his Misiti finally made her way to the altar with Yash and Pari by her side. He was seeing her after five long days and the separation had been painful. But he drank in her sight looking at her with all the love he had in his heart. She was dressed in a beautiful red and golden andrakha, which was something he was not excepting, but he couldn't help but notice how gracefully she carried herself. He kept staring at her until she was sitting next to him. He quietly took his hand in hers and he heard Yash chuckle behind him.
The priest began the mantras to start the wedding ceremony.
"Who will be doing the kandayan?", the priest asked. Both Yash and Dadi stepped up to do the honors. (I don't know if a woman is allowed to give away the bride in the Hindu religion but I felt it was appropriate for this story). Maan tied the mangstulura around Geet's neck and then filled Geet's parting with the sacred sindoor. They both tied the knot together before Maan and Geet began their pheras. Dadi Ma patted Yash's shoulder as she felt him getting emotional. Maan gripped Geet's hand tightly as they vowed to be with ach other at every step of life. They completed their seven pheras and took the blessings of everyone.
**********
Before they knew, it was time for Geet's farewell. It was time for Yash's Princess to enter a new phase of life with the man she loved. As happy that he was for her, the tears couldn't be helped that began to stint his eyes as he saw his baby sister throwing rice back leaving her childhood behind. It was true that Yash was her brother but he had been a mother and father in every way; and today he felt like he was biding his daughter farewell. Yash silently stood to the side as Geet embraced everyone and then she began to look around as if trying to sense his presence. Yash knew she was looking for him before she even said anything.
"Bhayia?", she said quietly and instantly Yash was at her side. She knew he was here before he even held her hand to let her know. She said nothing but came forward to embrace him as tightly as possible silently shedding tears. Yash's tears were now flowing non-stop as the moment of his baby sister to leave was here. He held her to his side as he looked at Maan.
"Please take of my sister, she is my daughter. I can't bare the thought of her being unhappy.", Yash requested Maan.
"Of course Yash, I have vowed to be with her for seven lives. I will do anything to make her happy." Maan said and the men hugged.
Yash embraced his sister close once again before he led her to the car. Soon she was gone. Pari placed her hand on his arm softly and Yash turned into her arms to let his tears out.
**********
Geet sat on the bed in her heavy bridal attire awaiting the arrival of her husband. She heard lots of loud voices outside and she knew there were trying to rob him of money and she chuckled at his dilemma. After a few minutes, she heard the door crack open and she quickly covered her face with her veil. Suddenly her heart started beating faster and she thought he might just stop beating. She then heard him approaching their martial bed and felt the bed weigh down with his weight. He brought his hands forward to lift her veil up slowly and he leaned forward to tenderly brush his lips on her forehead.
"Misiti, I think your heart is planning to beat out. But be warned, the heart now belongs to me.", he said with love as he unpinned the duppatta to let the heaviness fall off.
He started removing her jewelry and left the marks of his love in the form of kisses. Geet's heart refused to settle as it frantically made dhak dhak sounds, partially in desire and partially in fear.
As Maan finished taking Geet's jewelry off, he saw that Geet's hands gripped the sheets tightly and her eyes were closed shut. At that point, he realized how afraid she was. Maan put his own desire in check.
"Geet, you must be tired. Let me guide you to the washroom so you can change.", he said getting up to take her hand.
Geet was confused at the sudden change of behaviour, "But Maan…"
"Geet, I can wait.", he said as he cradled her face. "I can wait.", he repeated.
Maan started to walk away to get her clothes but she stopped him with a gentle pull on his hand. Maan turned around and sat back on the bed.
"Maan, I trust you.", she said simply as she pulled him close to capture their lips together. That night, Maan and Geet became one in every way.
As Geet lay in Maan's arms, there was one thought she ran in her mind, "In this darkening world, you are my guiding light.". Maan truly had come as the guiding light in her dark world…and forever he would stay.
Okay folks...this is it for this journey of Maaneet in Blind Love...this was the final chapter...i know there were some who wanted me to write post-marriage but i have been suffering from writer's block for this one and i would hate to keep you all hanging in the air. But if i do come up with ideas, i will surely do a sequel for this one...
Thank you for all the love and support you have been giving 😊 Let me know how you liked the end by dropping your likes and comments...
Love, Love, Love
Reya <3
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