Chapter 27: Checkmate
~PAST~
"Nahi, nahi, that's illegal," Geet screamed, waving her hands in the air.
"Geet, I think you need to go back and learn those rules once again," Maan said rubbing his chin while concentrating on the chess game in front of him.
It had been a week since Geet had been discharged from the hospital and advised complete bed rest by the doctors. But it was Geet that they were talking about. Making her sit for few minutes quietly at one place was a huge task by itself and to make her get complete bed rest was definitely mission impossible. She had insisted to get back to work as soon as she stepped out of hospital. A lot of cajoling and promising from Maan finally made Geet rest at home for at least two weeks before she resumed any work. He visited her every evening without fail and stayed with her until she had dinner and her medicines. They had learnt a lot about each other and in fact discovered many unknown facts to the surprise of each other. Maan had everyday enjoyed his stay with Geet, sharing his little tidbits from the office, fighting with her for silly things, and discussing other random things that came to his mind. Geet was surprised to know Maan talked so much; all these days she had only seen the angry young man in him and she enjoyed thoroughly and cherished every moment the new funny, talkative, and caring side of him.
"Eh poya (Eh go man)," she said with frustration. "Kabhi nahi kabhi nahi, yeh move is not allowed," she whined.
"Geet, exchanging the elephant and the king is indeed a valid move, its called, castling," he said shaking his head.
"Cheater Khurana, Jellyfish Khurana, Cheater Jellyfish Khurana," she chanted loudly, waving her hands in front of him. Maan was taken aback by the sudden abuses aimed at him and it took a minute to gather his senses. He grabbed her hands and shoved them behind her with a force, entangling his fingers with hers. He held them tightly in spite of her efforts to wriggle out of it. She gasped at his act and squirmed in pain. He stared at her angrily, his eyes spitting fire. She cringed uncomfortably at his near proximity and his hot breathe fanning on her face.
"Maan," she whispered, desperately trying to wriggle out of his grip.
"Hm?" he said, not breaking his eye contact from her.
"Mmm mujhe dard ho raha hai," she managed to stammer, her eyes reflecting pain. He simply gazed intently at her without loosing his grip.
"Maan please," she pleaded, rotating her wrists in the hope of freeing herself from him.
"Accha? Ab dard ho raha hai? Jab tumne mujhe cheater kaha tab?" he spat in anger.
"Voh toh aap hain. You know Mr. Khurana truth hurts," she said clucking her tongue.
"Geet," he screamed, making her close her eyes tightly.
"Ouch Maan! Stop with my naam smaran," she said. "Aur vaise bhi, I can hear alright, aapko itne chillane ki koi zaroorat nahi," she said annoyed.
"Tum aise tarah nautanki karogi toh mujhe chillana padega."
"Maan main nautanki hoon?" she asked pouting her lips.
"Haan ek number ki nautanki," he said, unconsciously loosening his grip.
"Paavi manusha (sinful man), naan nadikkarena, appo neer enna nadigar thilagama (it seems I am a drama queen, then you are drama king)?" she muttered.
"Jo bhi tumne kaha same pinch to you," he said pointing back at her.
Geet realized he had let go of her arms. She waved them in front of him, "Maan, you were suppose hold my hands remember?" she teased.
"Maine kab choda?"
"Dekhiye," she said showing her hands.
"Oh sorry idhar lao."
Geet gave her hands without a second thought, Maan took hold of her wrists again, "Ab khush?" he asked smiling.
"Aap har vaqt bhool jate hain," she complained.
"Toh tum remind karo na."
"Accha agar mein yaad dilaun toh aap mere haat zaroor pakdenge na?"
"Koi shaq?"
She vigorously nodded her head in the negative and smiled cutely at him. He smiled back at her and extended his hands widely, calling her in for an embrace. She hugged him back tightly cuddling in his huge bear hug. They stayed in that position like that for a few moments, savoring the warmth and comfort of the hug.
"Ek minute, ek minute," Maan said remembering her abuses at him. "I understand Cheater Khurana, but yeh kya Jellyfish Khurana. Us din bhi tumne yeh kaha," he said looking puzzled.
"Aapko pata nahi?" she said giving a lop-sided smile. Maan nodded in the negative. "You know selfish, like svarthi, it's just like that, Jellyfish, I came up with that idea, the person who is the most selfish gets the title Jellyfish. Accha haina?" she asked eagerly.
"Kya? Toh main most selfish hoon aur isiliye tum mujhe baar baar Jellyfish pukar rahi ho," he asked his eyes drooping sadly.
"Koi shaq?" she mimicked him. Maan crossed his arms and looked away from her, pouting.
"Ole mere bacche naraaz ho?"
Maan looked from corner of his eyes at her cute little expression trying to make it up to him but he didn't want to give in easily. This woman, oops, this little child in front of him, had called him the most selfish person, nahi nahi, she had called him Jellyfish. Maafi toh maangni padegi, he thought. No one would have dared to call him jellyfish on his face and here she was giving a big explanation to him about the meaning of calling him a jellyfish. Yet her innocence and childish acts were beyond his comprehension. He smiled from the corner of his lips.
"Oh I see a smile," she said pointing at him.
"Hmph! Nope!" he grunted.
"Nahi, nahi, I saw you," she complained.
"Bola na, maine nahi kiya," he said looking annoyed.
"Maan!" she yelled, "I hate you!"
"The feeling is mutual," he winked.
"Maan, ajao dinner is ready!" Anu yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "Aur haan us nautanki ko bhi saat le aana," she added. Geet fumed at her mother also calling her a nautanki. She decided only one person could stay in the house today, either it should be Maan or herself because two knives couldn't be present in the same place. She looked at Maan who was smirking at her. She got up with a grunt and stomped down the stairs.
"Amma!" she screamed from the top of her lungs.
Anuradha heard her shouting causing her to panick and run out to the dining area. "Yennadi aachu?" she asked alarmed. She saw Geet with her hands on her hips and her nose flaring in anger. Anu knotted her eyebrows wondering what her made her so furious.
"Amma, main nautanki hoon?" she asked gritting her teeth.
"Nokku kadhula vizhunthutha? (You heard it?)" she asked almost whispering to herself.
"Ma, you didn't answer my question," Geet said tapping her foot.
"Nokku appadiya kathula vizhunthuthu? I told don't forget the key," she said grinning sheepishly.
"Huh?"
"Key as in don't forget the key person in the family, that is you. Haina Maan?" she asked hoping he would cover up.
"Of course Mamma," Maan said innocently, walking down the stairs.
"Of course Mamma," she mimicked him making a disgusting face. "Mamma ka chamcha," she frowned.
Anuradha and Maan burst out laughing at Geet's funny expressions.
"Yeh kya ho raha hai," came a stern voice from behind. Geet turned to see her father.
"Dekho pappa, everyone is calling me a nautanki," she whimpered, running to him. Arvind hugged his daughter and kissed her forehead. "They called you a nautanki?" he asked with concern and looked crossly at Maan and his wife.
"Guys this is utterly inacceptable. Aap logon ko himmat kaise hai ki meri bacchi ko nautanki kahoge?" he said crossing his arms on his chest. Silence prevailed in the room; Arvind inhaled a sharp breath before continuing, "come on guys, she is worse than a nautanki even nautankis would shy away in front of her," he winked. Geet couldn't believe even her dad had teamed up with her mother and Maan. Maan quietly sniggered at Arvind's response while her mother tried her best to suppress a smile but soon everyone were laughing loudly.
Tears welled up in Geet's eyes as she stood everyone making fun of her. Maan saw her lips quivering as her eyes brimmed with tears threatening to fall any second and instantly shut his mouth. He signaled Anuradha and Arvind to stop laughing as Geet had taken serious offense. Everyone fell silent at the sight of her silent tears that rolled down her cheeks. They all had meant it as a joke and didn't intend to offend her. But her tears reflected her deep pain they had unintentionally inflicted on her.
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~PRESENT~
Geet wiped her tear-stained cheeks and sniffed back a fresh set of tears that threatened to fall. She combed her curly long hair with her hands ahd tied them into a ponytail before heading towards the kitchen.
Arjun leaned across the main door, his arms crossed on his chest. His eyes raged fire at the sight before him and were ready to tear that man who hurt his Geet to bits. He stormed into the hall about to throw him out when a hand stopped him. He turned around to see Geet, her eyes pleading. He snapped her hand of hers and looked away in a huff.
"Arjun, please," she whispered not wanting to disturb Maan. "Can we talk in the room," she urged. Arjun was about to yell something when she pleaded him again. Having no choice he simply followed her into the nearest room. As soon as they reached the room, she shut the door carefully.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Arjun asked grinding his teeth.
"First calm down."
"Geet!" he said irritated at her calm self.
"I said calm down," she stated firmly.
He inhaled a sharp breath indicating her to say what she wanted to say. "Arjun before you come to any conclusions first hear me out. Maan seems really disturbed and he broke down last night. I couldn't see him in that state so I was the one who forced him to stay over here. Uska koi kasoor nahi tha," she pleaded.
"Do you even know what you are saying?" he spat in anger.
"Arjun would you leave me if I was in danger?"
"Nahi, kabhi nahi," his anger instantly melted down. "How could I leave my Ammulu."
"Toh phir how could I shun my Maan out of my life?" she reasoned.
"But Geet, he, he would only hurt you more," he said, his eyes getting wet.
"Arjun he could never hurt me."
Arjun softened at her cool composure and was sure she could handle the situation. If not he was always there to stand by her in case of any need. Seeing him soften, Geet hugged him, "Thank you!"
"I don't want any thanks. If I see one tear out of your eyes again, I shall not spare him alive," he said seriously.
"Accha baba, magar I could have khushi ki aason right?" she teased.
"Stop teasing me. First tell me how did you again meet this idiot?"
"Arjun!" she yelled.
"Okay fine," he frowned. "How did you meet Maan Singh Khurana sahib even after resolving not to do so," he asked sarcastically.
"It's a long story. But I need to tell you something important."
Just then they heard a loud bang and somebody hollering. Geet and Arjun rushed out of the room to see Kritika holding her wooden chessboard threateningly, her nose flaring in anger and her eyes red with fury. On the other hand, Maan dearly held onto his bleeding forehead. Geet and Arjun were shocked at the scene and stood rooted to the spot unable to comprehend what happened a few minutes ago.
OKAY GUYS ITS 3:45AM HERE N MY EYES ARE SHUTTING DOWN AS I AM TYPING THIS... DIDNT EDIT IT... SRY FOR THE TROUBLE HOPE U ENJOY IT...
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Edited by Maaneet_09 - 14 years ago
