A Blue Moon Ago-MG (Epilogue,pg 27) Note pg 28 - Page 3

Chapter 7

Geet looked at both of them with a smiling face. 'So what's the big deal about that? Let them think what they want to as long as you know the truth. It really shouldn't make a difference; you know how he is so just ignore him. He even knows that it is a false statement so why give him the pleasure of wasting your breath over him?'

'Geet, I really care about my reputation. We're doctors right so our image should make a difference. It may be easy for some people to accept that but I absolutely cannot. I can't stand that evil man!' Nandini sighed in frustration.

Meera clapped her hands with her eyes gleaming. 'He's telling the staff that there's something going on between us right? Let's prove him right for once. That will teach him not to interfere in anyone's life. This will hit him and he won't even figure how this happened. Guys, let's put my plan in action.'

Geet smiled with pleasure, 'You do know how perfectly right you are. This is awesome, do that and he'll shut his mouth up.'

Dev entered and enquired, 'Whose mouth do you want to shut up apart from Dr. Rathod's? I am so sorry about this Nandini, I can imagine how pissed off you might be. Please relax OK.'

'No need to worry anymore Dev. From now, you and Nandini are dating as are I and Yash,' said Meera.

'Are we dating? Since when?' asked Yash sounding really confused and looking at Meera in disbelief.

'Sweety, we're dating from now this moment. Not for real you idiot, only in front of Dr. Rathod. To prove him right for once. You know, keep on dropping hints till he can't take it anymore and decides to confront us in front of everyone. Then we drop the bombshell, we're just friends Dr. Rathod. The Board this time will give him a warning since they will not stand the doctors' reputations being spoiled.' Meera supplied.

Thus began a confusing day for Dr. Rathod when he really saw the doctors engaged in private conversations. He saw Nandini and Dev huddled close at the end of the corridor. All the doctors knew of the plan and had decided to help this group. They whispered among themselves about the 'couples' when he was around. Everyone at the hospital had a lot of fun when they had free time confusing the evil man.

Geet laughed her head off during the day and was still laughing when she got home that day. Kunal came running outside to give his mother a huge bear hug. He spoke breathlessly, 'Mama, Annie Aunty is inside. She came sometime ago and said she'll wait for you. She's such a sweet woman. She gave me so many chocolates and she was telling me your school stories and everything. She told me that you were best friends during school time. Why didn't you ever tell me about her?'

Geet felt dazed. Annie was here. Her son's aunt was here. Her once-upon-a-best friend was here. She did not know what to think but she knew she was going to kill Arjun for this. He surely would be dead this time. She hadn't actually given permission to him for Annie to come over. Geet walked inside thinking about all the good times they had together. She stepped inside and saw her watching a picture of Geet and Kunal together and another one of the two 'couples' and the mother and son.

Annie turned. They stared into each others' eyes. They just saw each other and all was forgotten. Geet's anger towards her best friend faded and all she felt at that moment was love. She was the girl, or woman as of now, that had introduced her to the city of Mumbai. She was the one she had her first girlish moments with. Although Geet had lived in Nainital all her life, she had felt the first hints of friendship with Annie and that was during the first year of university. Annie was a year older and they were poles apart but were the best of friends anyone could wish for.

They walked wordlessly into each others' arms and hugged one another tight. They had tears rolling down their cheeks and Kunal watched them stunned. Why was his mother crying? Why was his mother's friend crying? He walked up to them and hugged them sideways. The women stopped crying and saw him all cuddled up against them. Annie looked at Geet and Geet understood what Annie was saying. He looks completely like his father. And he is the most caring person.

The three sat on the sofa and Geet made official introductions of both of them. They talked for a while about small things when finally Geet turned to Kunal and motioned him to do his homework. He nodded, kissed on both the women's cheeks and went upstairs.

Geet turned to Annie. 'Why did you come now Annie? You never even told me why you broke our friendship and now you come back in my life wordlessly?'

'I'm really sorry Geet. I wouldn't tell you because I couldn't tell you. I always thought you broke Maan's heart. How could I forgive you? You know how important my brother is to me and I couldn't see him like that. I really don't know why I thought that you broke his heart but at that time, all I knew is that you did. It was not important for me to find out what happened. All that mattered to me was that you hurt him.'

'I hurt him Annie? He cheated on me! Your brother actually had the audacity to cheat on me. How could he do that? He cheated on me with that Naintara. You know the day I walked up on both of them was the day I had found out that I was pregnant. I was ecstatic. All I could think of was how I would tell Maan. All I could do was feel grateful that I had his life in me now and he ruthlessly broke my heart! He cheated on me!'

Annie was shocked. What was going on? Both of them thought the same thing. She wouldn't say anything until she got to the bottom of this problem. It wasn't just two lives at stake; it was three. Kunal was involved in this too. His future had to be taken care of too. Although Geet had done a wonderful job with her son, he still needed his father's love. They brushed these things aside and talked about other things.

Geet forced Annie to stay for dinner and they had a wonderful meal. They cooked like they had in the olden days. They laughed and they sang and had a wonderful time. But Annie did not tell her that Maan was in town too. She didn't want her friend to tense up at that. They sat down watching television after dinner.

'When did you come to Nainital, Annie?' Geet asked.

'Oh, I came two or three days ago. I was getting bored of Mumbai and thought that it would be nice to come down here and enjoy nature for a change. You know how Mumbai is without any beauty or anything,' said Annie stifling a yawn.

'So how did you know I was here? Did Arjun tell you that?' Geet enquired.

'Yes, it just slipped off his tongue. At first I was furious that he had been in touch with you. Then he told me everything and I just could not be sorry enough. I really am sorry Geet.'

Geet and Annie went and tucked Kunal into bed and kissed him goodnight. They knew these were really private talks and they could not afford Kunal to be hearing them. They slipped downstairs quietly.

'So you came with Arjun? Where is that idiot? He didn't even come and meet me! How could he do that to his own sister?' Geet complained cheekily. 'You must have stopped him from doing so.' Geet stuck her tongue out and Annie laughed.

'He's just busy. He had to come and see the construction site here and has to deal with many people here so he couldn't make it. He didn't forget to say sorry though. He said he'll come tomorrow or the day after.' Annie fell into silence and thought about how she wanted to phrase her next statement. She decided to be blunt about it. 'Geet, Arjun just proposed to me.'

Geet's face flushed with pleasure. 'Oh my God! When? How did this happen? He even didn't tell me was going to do this! This is amazing!'

'Geet, don't be too excited. I don't think this will work out.' She lowered her eyes. 'If Maan finds out, he'll probably kill me.'

'Why will Maan kill you? They're best friends right? What problem will he have with that?'

Annie looked at her friend quietly and became really sad. 'Don't you know, Geet? The day you left, they stopped talking.' Annie announced.

Nisha