A Maaneet Tale
Nearly Caught
"Maan, this is not fair. Always work, work, work. Have you ever thought about me and your baby?" I said as I held his coffee in my hands, waiting for him to finish fixing his tie and his hair which was so perfect he might as well never brush it.
Maan: "Geet, you need to stop working now. Your not a servant. Your my wife. And your pregnant. So from now on, your not working" he said, taking his coffee and giving me a passionate kiss before gulping down his coffee and grabbing his file.
"Maan, please" I said, tugging on his arm and hugging him to myself. I couldn't bare to not see him for a week, all because of a stupid business trip.
Maan: "I love you" he said and gave me another kiss. This time on the cheek, before leaving.
I sat down on my bed, resting a hand on my tummy. I was already missing Maan.
"Okay baby, looks like it's just you and me" I said to my tummy and began murmering things to it to pass my time. But then there was a cracking sound, like a glass or something had shattered. I looked to my right and saw that our wedding photo was lying on the ground, a crack going through the middle; separating me and Maan's embrace.
My mouth went dry.
Immediately, I grabbed my mobile phone that Maan bought me, and hit speed dial. I prayed to Baabaji that he would answer the phone.
"Sorry, but the number you have dialled his currently not reachable" said the operator at the other end of the phone.
I gripped my mobile phone so hard, I thought it was going to smash in my hands.
***
For the last two hours, I had been pacing around. My mother-in-law and father-in-law telling me to quit pacing, eat something and think about the baby.
Father: "It could be a coincidence. I am pretty sure it doesn't mean anything" he said in his best convincing voice, but no. I wasn't convinced.
Mother: "He's right dear, please stop" she urged but I didn't. I couldn't. I had this sinking feeling inside me, that told me something was wrong. Something wasn't right.
Anjali: "Hey everyone!" she grinned, standing in the hallway with shopping bags in her hand.
I smiled sadly and she came up to us, giving my father and mother hugs and then greeting me as well.
Anjali: "Why is everyone so tense?" she said and looked at all of us questioningly.
Anjali: "Something's wrong" she frowned and stared me, as if she somehow knew I had the answer. I stared back at her, tears pricking my eyes.
Immediately, Anjali wrapped her arms around me. I cried on her shoulder and she comforted me, even though she didn't know what had happened.
Anjali: "There, there. Now tell me, what's wrong?" she said softly
I broke the hug and told her how the photo frame of our wedding had fallen to the ground. I told her how there was a crack in the middle, separating me and Maan. I told her what I thought and I told her I felt uneasy. I told her Maan wasn't answering his phone as well.
Anjali: "I don't blame you for feeling that way. It is a bad omen" she said, frowning
I was about to reply when the landline phone rang, making all of us jump. Anjali went over and picked up the phone.
Anjali: "Hello? What? Oh my God! But how can this... Uh huh... Okay... We'll be right there" she said and hung up. By the end of the conversation, she was crying.
Anjali turned to us and gave us all news that had changed all of our lives.
Anjali: "Maan's in hospital" she whispered
I shook around in my bed, wanting to open my eyes but I couldn't. I tried to lift my arms but it felt like someone was trying to keep them down. I tried to think but it felt like a hammer had hit my head.
I wanted this dream to end.
Someone had hit Maan on his head.
Nobody knew who.
But somebody did.
Maan: "I don't know who you are" he said, looking at me blankly and removed my hand from his.
"I-I'm carrying your baby" I whispered
Maan: "No your not. I haven't even met you before so how can you be carrying my baby? Anjali, tell her to get out of here" he said, turning to Anjali.
Anjali was sat frozen, tears running down her cheeks.
"Look Maan, I'm your wife. You can't just say --"
Maan: "No your not. Your not my wife"
And then the scene from the hospital room vanished, and finally I thought that this dreaded dream had ended but no. Another scene had appeared in front of my closed eyes...
We were in our bedroom.
"What's this?" I asked, staring at the papers Maan had handed over to me.
Maan: "Divorce papers. I don't want you here. You annoy me, and I don't understand why I married you in the first place. And even if I did, why don't I remember anything? You know what? Screw that. Sign these papers" he said and handed me pen.
I held the pen in my hand, a lump the size of a tennis ball in my throat. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't break down in front of him.
So I signed the papers and left.
Forever.
I shot up in my bed, breathless. I was drenched in sweat and the bed covers were on the floor. I realized I had tears trickling down my cheeks.
I wiped them away when somebody knocked on the door. I put my veil over my head and opened the door.
Maan was standing there.
Maan: "Do you have any idea of what the time is?" he yelled at me
"I'm sorry --"
Maan: "Servants here wake up at 7:00am. What's the time? 8:30am"
I remembered I wasn't Geet. I was Gauri.
"Well I beg to differ. Not everyone's perfect like you. Not everyone can wake up on time like you. Do you think yourself as God or something? Well i'll tell you, your not God. Your a Prince. So act like one. Be patient and i'll make you your bitter coffee --"
I froze.
Maan: "How do you know I drink bitter coffee?" he frowned
I fiddled with my hair and tried to come up with a good story.
"How do I know? I know because..." I gulped and cursed myself. Why did I have to mention bitter coffee?
An idea suddenly sprang up in my head.
I smirked and put a hand on the door, leaning in closer to him.
"I'm psychic" I said
Maan: "Oh yeah, totally. Just because you somehow find out I drink bitter coffee doesn't mean I'm gonna think your 'psychic'" he said and rolled his eyes
"I can prove it. Ask me anything" I challenged
Maan: "Fine. What's my favourite food?"
"Italian pasta" I answered and he took a step backwards, clearly shocked. I took a step forwards.
***
Gauri: "You don't like oily food. Your favourite colour is white. And that shirt your wearing is your favourite" she said as my back hit the wall.
"How do you know all this?" I asked, my eyes wide.
Gauri: "Because. I just do" she said, twirled her braid, and then retreated back to her bedroom; closing the door behind her.
I decided I liked that girl.
Precap: Maan gets suspicious.
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God, so many questions! I hope I answered some of them in this update 😆
Edited by Sameeha786 - 13 years ago
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