PART 23
Maan almost reached the entrance, when he heard, someone yelling at him, from back. Instantly he understood, the origin of the voice, and amused at the same time, how quickly she has gathered herself. This girl is really something. But, he was afraid to turn and look back, to her, before he composes himself. That's when he heard, another voice, and her gasp, which made him turn instantly.
A man wearing, specs came running to her calling 'Geet'. So her name is Geet… Nice name, he thought. Maan didn't like a bit, the way, he was around her. But, unfortunately he couldn't do much about it. Dev appeared with few others. 'Oh God, this boy never leaves a chance to be around girls' he thought wryly. 'If only, he shows so much interest in family business, but that is not going to happen in near future', Maan sighed.
His chain of thoughts, were broken when Dev introduced him to Geet. He was surprised to see, how easily Dev talk to Geet, as if he knew her from ages and somewhere deep inside, he didn't like the idea of him, flirting with her. Let him flirt with all the girls in the world, except her… He chuckled at his own thought, and immediately put back the stone exposure. Maan looked at her, only to see her shocked and looking at him with wide eyes and Dev. It is very clear, she has least expected it.
'Why are you both looking so stricken. Common guys… Geet, to whom were you shouting? Dev's question put him off guard. He looked at Geet, to see she is in same state. Before, she says something, he has to lead it.
'Uhh… actually, nothing serious. We just had a silly fight.' Maan looked at her, to see her staring at him. If looks could have killed anyone, he would have been sooo dead. Her hazel eyes were drawing him to her… He couldn't tear his gaze from her, he slowly walked towards her… 'What is happening to him… This can't be love… No way!. Its just a mere attraction… Yes, its true, she looks good, no… actually beautiful… but, can he really trust on his feelings… He has never felt anything like this before… No Maan! This can only be a mere attraction, which will fade away in a while… but, looking at her, he wanted to take her in his arms… and hold her till eternity… What's wrong with me? I just saw her few minutes back, already I am thinking about her and only her…'.
'Maan... Maan Singh Khurana!'. He extended his hand for a formal introduction, as if nothing happened between them.
She stood rooted to her spot, looking at him, with fire spitting eyes… but he could see some thing deep in her eyes, behind her anger… Her cheeks had a hint of pink, and Maan was not sure, its from her anger, or she is blushing… Its very clear, she is in the same turmoil like he… but, one such strong headed to admit it…
Dev's comment broke her trance… She extended her hand with a such a pride, Maan was stunned beyond words. That was something, he least expected. When he extended his hands for a formal shake, he just wanted to irk her… but, when she took it in the same spirit, he knew, she is one such rare combination…This is going to be a real fun Maan Singh Khurana.
Maan took her hands slowly to his… her one touch send shivers down his spine…. He forgot the world around him… Only the warmth emitting from her and her hazel eyes which captured his soul made him knew, he is still alive…
'Hel—lllooo'. Dev waved his hands in front of their faces, to bring them back from their reverie. He was totally taken back, at what he is seeing in front of him. Maan Singh Khurana, his bro, has completely look lost, and on the other hand, Geet, who has never given a damn about him, seems to be in the same state…
Dev's yell, instantly broke their trance… and they leave their hands… Dev introduces all of his new friends to Maan, even though he was not much interested to know about them, knowing, they all are Geet's friend, in actual, he just plastered a smile on his face. He bid, good-bye to them, with a last look to Geet, and leave the supermarket, and rush down to his car. Maan relinquished his steely self-control, and as his knees buckle he plop down to the car, shaken to the core. He propped his elbows on the steering wheel and held his head in his hands. 'Aww….Hell'.
The dawn began to span across the sky. His eyes were far off into the distance as he stared simply to the empty space... Maan was brought back by the faint noises of vehicles, down from the street. He became aware of his surroundings. Every inch of his body was aching with pain from sleeplessness. He should try to catch some sleep for few hours, as a long day waited for him to be spend with his Geet and son.
With aimless feet, he made his way back into the Mansion, to his bedroom.
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Maan was already at the playing field when they arrived. Daksh, of course, had spotted the black Ferrari in the parking lot, so there was absolutely no sense of disappointment to suffer through. The only suffering was done by Geet, continually torn by Maan's and Daksh's pleasure in each other and the fear that she had made a big mistake in not enforcing the limits she had imposed on their relationship.
Yet could the damage be limited, if damage there was going to be? Did time limits mean anything when emotions were involved—emotions that were probably heightened because there wasn't constant contact.
Wasn't it said, absence made the heart grow fonder?
Watching Daksh adoring his father for the caring interest and the soccer advice Maan was giving him as they watched other boys play their games, Geet could barely contain surges of heightened emotion herself. It was all too easy to fall in love with Maan Singh Khurana. Hard experience could bolster her will to fight her feelings, but Daksh didn't know how, wouldn't understand why there was any necessity to shield himself from possible hurt. She found herself violently thinking she would kill Maan if he ever let Daksh down.
There were a hundred and sixty, five-year-olds to be graded into teams. Short games were organised for the coaches to view and judge levels of talent. When Daksh's rostered game came up, he ran onto the field with eager anticipation, determined to show how good he was at running after and kicking the soccer ball.
Maan grinned at her as they were left standing on the sidelines. 'Keen, isn't he?'
'Very,' she dryly agreed. And to stop Maan from assuming too much from the relaxation of rules today, she added, 'Once they start playing in earnest the soccer matches will be on Saturday.'
His day. Geet had imposed certain conditions, when they met at park. One of it was, she will only allow Maan to meet, Daksh on Saturdays, and he can only spend time with Daksh, on that day. But, so far, nothing is going like that, she thought.
The grin faded into an ironic little smile. 'My Sundays are not full of other things, Geet. I'd much prefer to spend them with you.'
'That would be cutting yourself off from the life you've led these past six years,' she said, trying desperately for a matter-of-fact tone.
'I'm far more interested in a life with you and Daksh,' he returned without the slightest hesitation for second thoughts.
Her eyes begged him to be honest. 'We don't belong in your world, Maan.'
'Are you saying I must give up everything else to have you and Daksh?'
Her heart skipped at the intense purpose he loaded into his question. Would he do it? But surely he would regret it if he did, regret it and blame her for forcing such a decision in years to come.
She sucked in a quick breath and answered, 'No. I'm just saying we're prisoners of our different backgrounds and it's foolish not to recognise that reality.'
His mouth quirked into a mocking smile. 'You'd be surprised how little my background means to me. You hit the nail on the head and calling it a prison—an oppressive prison I wish to be free of.'
She shook her head. 'It's not how you're acting, Maan. The bonds are very tight. You want it or no, but they are your parents, the undeniable fact. You're pressuring your parents to accept us and they won't.'
'I'm simply giving them the chance, Geet.'
'You're using force.'
'No. Just telling them I've made my choice. Whether they want to live with it or not is up to them.'
'You're prepared to walk away from everything you've known?' She couldn't believe it.
He looked back at her with a searing blaze of unwavering resolution.
'If I have to, yes.'
Her heart turned over. All her resistance to him melted under the heat of wildly hopeful desires, suddenly let loose from the restrictions she had placed on them. He reached out and took her hand, interlacing her fingers with his, gripping hard, and it felt as though he was providing an anchor that would hold her from breaking adrift in any storm.
'Don't doubt my commitment to you and Daksh, Geet,' he said, his voice a low throb that drummed on and on in her head. 'Don't doubt it for a second.'
The referee's whistle blew, alerting them to the start of Daksh's game.
The soccer ball was kicked from the centre line and then there was a blur of boys racing after it. Geet was far too conscious of Maan's grip on her to concentrate on picking Daksh out of the melee.
She could not stop herself from wanting this link with him. It felt good—warm, firm, secure. Maybe it was because she'd been alone for too long and Maan was Daksh's father. He was also the only man she had ever loved and he was here for her, here for the child they'd made together, too. They should be together.
'Go for it, Daksh!'
Maan's yell snapped Geet out of her thoughts. She saw Daksh streaking ahead of the other boys, chasing down the ball which had been kicked towards the goal-posts. He reached it first, dribbled it away from the reach of the goalie who had run out to pick it up, then shot it into the net.
'Goal!' Maan yelled, releasing Geet's hand to throw his arms up in accolade to Daksh's triumph—a triumph that beamed from his little boy face as he turned to see if they'd been watching and he instantly copied Maan's action, the shared joy of it making the triumph even better.
Geet clapped so hard her hands hurt. 'Well done, Daksh!' she called and he trotted back proudly to the centre of the field to start play again.
'That's our son!' Maan said just as proudly, throwing one of his lowered arms around Geet's shoulders and hugging her close. 'Fastest boy on the field and proving he's a striker.'
What if he'd been the slowest and a dud at soccer, Geet thought. But he wasn't, so there was no point in thinking it. She doubted Daksh was going to be a dud at anything. He was Maan Singh Khurana's son.
And hers.
Parents together.
Maan rubbed his cheek over her hair and whispered slowly, 'Geeet..Marry me,
This is how it should be, always you by my side…In my arms...'
She wanted to say yes. Being held so close to him, her whole body yearned for the intimacy that could bind them much closer. But the fears she had of consequences could not be banished.
'Give it time, Maan,' she muttered, ducking her head to break the yearning she felt coming from the caress of his cheek.
'Well, at least that's not a no,' he said on a sigh of satisfaction, and dropped his arm from her shoulder to take her hand again, squeezing it possessively. 'I'm here to stay, Geet. The sooner you realise that, the sooner we can become a family.'
That might be true.
But Geet couldn't bring herself to risk making any commitment to him when they'd only spent a couple of days together.
There was a long future ahead of them.
Let Maan prove what he said.
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Sooo That, was about Part 23. How was it. Did you all like it. I hope so. Dont forget to tell me your opinions and comments... and pls hit the like...
I am going for vacation, on 21st of this month. Before, that, I will be updating 1 or 2 parts of both the FF's. I will be back, only by Sept. or October. But, I promise I will keep in touch with you all... In initial days, I am going to be totally busy, with Onam coming and some family functions. But, By Mid of September, I will be almost free, and I will try to update from India. Soo, plsss for almost one month, there will be a delay in updating, and dont forget me... I will kill you all then...
Jhanak
Tum Se Tum Tak
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