SS: The Gift - Teaser Jan 9 pg 55 - Page 24

Maan and Geet couldn't help but stare at each other. As they looked into each others eyes it was as if time stood still and everything else, even Rohan, disappeared into the fog that surrounded them. Only they knew the bond they shared. Only they knew the pain that forged their bond. Only they knew the tears that marked the invisible thread that tied them together. Only they knew.

What they didn't know was that many years ago, Fate and Destiny had worked hand in hand making it so that their paths crossed. Fate and Destiny had worked hand in hand making it so that once the bond was created it could never be broken no matter what. Fate and Destiny had worked hand in hand to make sure that while they were each others strengths, they would also be each others weakness.

*~*~* 2000 – 2001 *~*~*

Geet

She sat in her bathroom staring at the object on the sink unable to believe her eyes. She had gone through denial at first, not accepting what she was seeing. In her mind, it was not possible for her to be seeing what she was actually seeing. That phase had lasted for about two hours. Then, when she logically thought about everything that had led up to this exact moment, she knew no matter how much she denied it, there was no running from it. So, she had accepted the cards she'd just been dealt. Then, she spent another hour or two simply thinking about what she was going to do with this piece of information. How was she to explain to the people in her life about what had happened? How was she going to tell the people she cared about and loved?

How was she going to tell them she was pregnant?

Geet was never one that had regular periods. Since she had gotten her first period at the age of 13, she could count on one hand the number of times she'd had a regular, normal period. They always came unexpectedly, sometimes skipping a month, and sometimes twice in one month. Sometimes she only bled for 3 days, sometimes she bled for weeks. So when she'd skipped her first two periods she didn't think about it twice because it wasn't uncommon for her to skip. However, when she skipped her third, she knew something was wrong.

She had mentioned it to her best friend Meera, who had jokingly said that Geet was pregnant. Though Meera laughed off the idea that seemed absurd to her, Geet's heart stopped because only she knew that her being pregnant was a possibility that she had to consider.

She had started dating Dev Gupta, a boy one year her senior in school, when she was a freshman and he was a sophomore. One date and lead to another and then another, before they knew it, they were in an exclusive relationship. Of course, other than their friends, no one knew of their relationship – least of all their families. They both came from severely traditional Indian families who supported arranged marriages and frowned on love before marriage.

Besides, they were in no rush to get married or anything, so they were just enjoying being with each other. Geet had aspirations of becoming a teacher while Dev had aspirations of becoming a doctor. They had their goals and dreams planned out. It was a long way before they would even have to consider telling their families about each other.

In Geet's mind, Dev was the perfect man. He was sweet, caring, loving, compassionate and understanding. In her mind, she knew that he was going to be the man that she married. That is why, when one night Dev had become a little more aggressive when they were together, she didn't fight him fully. Though initially she did, he soothed her.

"I love you Geet. Don't you trust me?" he had asked. "Don't you trust me to be with you forever?"

What was she supposed to say to that? In her mind, at the time, she did. She also knew that he was suffering from the death of his Grandfather, a man he was fond of and a man he loved dearly, more so than his parents. So, not holding him back any more, she gave herself to him completely.

So now, here she sat, almost three months later with a plastic stick that told her she was pregnant. She knew she needed to talk to Dev before anyone else. The next day after school, they met at their usual spot, under a large tree in the main quad.

"Dev we need to talk?" Geet began.

"Sure baby, what's up?" he asked as he kissed her quickly. "You're not going to break up with me are you?"

Geet knew he was teasing by the lightness of his voice and the chuckle that followed his statement. She gave him a weak smile but nothing more.

"Baby, what's wrong? Are you ok?" he asked taking her hand in his.

Geet took a deep breath before she spoke again.

"I'm pregnant," she said.

She saw Dev's eyes go wide in shock. She stayed silent as he processed the information.

"No…no…no," he kept repeating as he got to his feet, "That's not possible…it was just that one time."

"We both know that one time is all it really takes," Geet said, while Dev paced.

"But we used…" Dev began but became quiet.

Geet knew as well as he did that the night they'd spent together was spontaneous and unplanned – no precautions were taken by either of them.

"Oh my God," he said as he took a seat next to her again.

"I know it's a shock…and it's a lot to digest…but we have to deal with it," Geet said.

"How could you not know?" Dev asked, in a slightly louder voice.

Geet went on to explain about her irregularity to him, which he was not at all happy with. "And the only thing different is that I'm tired all the time and gaining some weight…I didn't think that was pregnancy."

"Oh my God," Dev repeated.

They sat silently for a few minutes.

"Do you want to tell them together?" Geet asked.

"Who? Tell who?" Dev asked confused.

"Our parents of course," Geet said.

"No no…we can't tell our parents…no way," Dev said adamantly.

"But…" Geet began.

"NO!" he roared, scaring Geet. "This wasn't supposed to happen. We can't have this baby…we have our futures to think about."

"What are you saying?" Geet asked with trepidation in her voice.

"Get rid of it," Dev said looking her in the eyes, "Get an abortion."

Geet gasped in shock as one hand immediately went to her stomach as if to protect the life that grew inside her.

"Dev no!" Geet said.

"Geet you have to…" he begged.

"I don't want to…and even if I did, it's too late…I'm too far along," Geet answered.

"I don't care, get a back alley abortion or something just get rid of it!" Dev yelled.

With that he walked off leaving Geet sitting alone under their tree.

That had been a Friday. Geet had hoped that he'd call her during the weekend and say that he was just surprised and upset, but that he didn't mean what he'd said. She hoped that he would call and say that he loved her and their baby and that they'd find a way to make it work.

That call never came.

The following Monday when she went to school, she hadn't seen him all day. She tried calling him but it said his number was disconnected. Later, after school, she went to the PE field where he had football practice and talked to his best friend, Peter. He informed Geet that Dev and his family had suddenly decided to move away. He'd gotten admission into a private school somewhere on the East Coast.

Dev wouldn't be coming back.

Running to Meera's house Geet had cried her eyes out after explaining what had happened with Dev and how she had ended up pregnant. Being a friend, Meera tried to comfort her as much as she could but it only helped so much. Later that evening when she had gone home, she entered her room and saw her window was left open.

"Dev…" she called out as she threw her bag on the floor.

Dev often used her window to sneak into her room and every time he left it open. It annoyed Geet to death but he never learned.

She was about to call out to him again when her eyes fell on a manila envelope. Opening it, she was shocked when she saw two wads of cash slip out. With that, fell a folded piece of paper.

Dear Geet,

I'm sorry for having to do this to you but I don't have any other option. My parents would kill me if they knew that I'd gotten a girl pregnant. I'm afraid that it could literally kill my mother. But that's not the only reason for me deciding on leaving. I have dreamt of being a doctor since I could remember and having a baby is not something that goes well with Med School. It's a responsibility I'm not ready for or one that I want.

In this envelop is $10,000 cash for you and whatever you decide to do with that money. This was all I could take from the money that Grandpa left me without raising a few eyebrows. I hope it helps you make the right decision, because after this I won't be in touch.

Dev

Tears stained the letter as Geet read it over and over again. The part that broke her heart wasn't the fact that he'd left her and their baby or that he thought throwing money at the problem would make it go away. What killed her was the fact that when he signed the letter, he simply signed it with his name – no endearing terms before it. Clearly it showed that he didn't love her, unlike how he claimed that he did.

She had wanted to throw out that money but hesitated. After telling her parents, she was glad she'd kept it. They had disowned her and had ordered her to either have an abortion or give up the baby for adoption after it was born. Geet could do neither. She already loved her baby and the thought of killing it or giving it away made her sick to her stomach. Upon that decision, her parents had kicked her out of the house.

She found herself, 17, pregnant and homeless. She knew she was on her own.

She managed to find a small studio apartment in the poorest neighborhood in town. She paid the landlord cash upfront for a full years rent. The found the bare minimum furniture's she needed which was just a bed and a study table. She spent the next six months of her life going to school, working part time at a local fast food joint and saving every penny she could for her baby. Though she didn't have health insurance, she got free treatment at a county clinic. Meera offered what emotional support she could, which wasn't much because her parents had forbid her from having anything to do with Geet.

It was just about two months after her 18^th birthday and a few weeks away from graduating high school when she had gone into labor. As she rode in a taxi that was taking her to the hospital, Geet thanked God that she had been smart enough to turn in all her school work and take her finals ahead of time.

It had been a long and difficult labor, but 36 hours later she was blessed with her baby – her baby boy Rohan.

That night, when she held her sleeping baby in her arms Geet knew that no matter what happened, she would be ok. She knew that the only thing that mattered in her life was her baby – her son. She knew that come hell or high water she'd fight it all to protect her baby and to give him a good life. God had give her a blessing in the form of a child – a child she accepted whole heartedly.

*~*~* 2002 - 2003 *~*~*

Maan

What should have been the happiest time in the Khurana family had turned into one of the saddest times that the family had seen. They had been expecting the addition of a new little family member, one that was more than welcome. They had all been expecting the dramatic changes to their lives and they couldn't be happier. However, with that happiness came such sadness that crushed their hearts. As the welcomed the new life into the family, they bid farewell to another beloved one.

Maan's older brother, Brij, had been married to Pammi for three years now. After years of trying they had finally conceived. The news had breathed new life into their ailing Dadi who wanted nothing more than to see a great grandchild from her her grandson. The nine months of Pammi's pregnancy had built up such anticipation that everyone was absolutely giddy. As her due date approached everyone was beside themselves with joy. When she went into labor, they all went along with Brij and Pammi to the hospital to welcome their new bundle of joy.

May 16, 2002 marked the date that changed everything for the Khurana family. That one date marked the birth of Maya Singh Khurana, beloved daughter, niece and great granddaughter of the Khurana's. However, that date also marked the passing of Pammi Singh Khurana, beloved wife, sister-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Khurana's.

After delivering Maya, Pammi had begun to hemorrhage and that was the end of her story. The doctors couldn't control it and within minutes she was gone.

Pammi's death had shattered the entire family, but the only thing that kept them going was little baby Maya. She was a bundle of joy that brought light into their lives at such a dark time. Her cries and her giggles is what they lived for. The touch of her soft skin and the innocence in her eyes is what they lived for.

Pammi's death, though painful, was not in vain because as she left she gave her family something to hold on to, something to love and something to cherish.

Taking one day at a time they managed to get through it. Before they knew it, it was Maya's 1^st birthday. After having a prayer for Pammi they had a princess party for Maya. Initially they had all been against the party but Dadi reasoned with the Khurana men. Had Pammi been around, she'd have thrown the best party anyone ever saw for a one year old. Dadi knew that no mother, alive or dead, would want her child to miss out on anything because of her. So with heavy hearts they threw the party. In the end, it had all been worth it because even one toothless grin from Maya was more than enough to cover the gaping hole left by Pammi's loss.

Seeing Maya grow into a happy and loving child made the remaining three members of the Khurana family, Maan, Brij and Dadi feel like everything was going to be ok. That night, as Maan watched Brij put his little girl down to bed, he had no idea that the happiness of their small family would come into the crossfire's of pain and loss again.

It was just two weeks after Maya had turned one. Earlier that afternoon Brij had taken Maya for her next round of immunization shots. After finishing up at the doctor's office, he took Maya for a little play time at the park and a little shopping at the mall before bringing her home. The doctor had warned that a side effect of the shots could be that Maya would get a fever. On his drive home Brij had remembered that they had run out of children's Motrin at home. He was about to stop by the nearest drug store but when he saw Maya dozing off, he didn't have the heart to wake her.

Though it was well past business hours, Maan and members of his team were about to be on a video conference call with some London based clients when his phone rang.

"Hello Bro," Maan answered after seeing his brother's name flashing on the screen.

"Hey Maan," Brij replied. "When are you coming home?"

Maan checked his watch before answering. "Maybe another hour or two, we have the video conference call with the Hirsh's in a few minutes."

"Oh, well never mind then," Brij said.

"Why Bro? What's wrong?" Maan asked.

"Nothing, I was just going to ask you to pick up some Motrin for Maya," Brij said.

It was then that Maan found out about Maya's fever. After bringing her home she had slept for an hour or so, but once she got up she was fussier than usual. After dinner when Brij had taken her into his arms he could feel her fever coming on.

"I can send someone to get it," Maan offered.

"No no," Brij said, not accepting his offer. "I'll just leave Maya with Dadi for a bit while I run out and get it. It shouldn't take me more than twenty minutes."

"Are you sure?" Maan asked.

"Yes…I'm sure," Brij said. "You get back to your meeting, good luck."

"Bro if you need anything just call me I can figure something out so that way you can be with Maya," Maan offered.

"Will do baby brother," Brij teased.

Shortly after they hung up, the video conference began. It was almost an hour later when his phone started going crazy. He ignored the first few calls because they came from unknown numbers, but the fourth call came from his brother. Fearing something was wrong with his niece, Maan excused himself to take the call quickly.

"Hey Bro," Maan answered as he stepped into the hall outside the conference room. "Everything ok?"

"Is this Mr. Maan?" someone asked.

Maan frowned as the voice that came through the phone line was not of his brothers.

"Yes, this is Maan Singh Khurana," he said. "Can I help you?"

Maan was so thrown by the stranger's voice that he didn't even ask what he was doing with Brij's phone.

"This is Dr. Gordon calling from Memorial Hospital," the stranger said.

The second he heard the word 'hospital', Maan's blood ran cold as he gripped the phone harder.

"Do you know the person who this phone belongs to?" the doctor asked.

"Y…yes…it's my brother's phone," Maan answered as if on auto.

"I'm sorry to inform you but there's been an accident," he said.

At that moment, Maan's blood ran cold and his knees became week.

As he drove to the hospital, he knew that something was seriously wrong because it if wasn't the doctor would have told him what was wrong with Brij. All the doctor had said was that Maan should get to the hospital as soon as possible.

After entering the Emergency Department, Maan went straight for the triage nurse who pointed him to Trauma Room #4. When he entered he saw two doctors and a nurse working on his brother.

"Oh God," Maan said inadvertently when his eyes fell on all the blood that surrounded his brother.

It was then that the people in the room noticed his presence.

"Maan," his brother called softly.

"Are you his brother?" a doctor asked as he approached Maan.

Words failed Maan so all he could do was shake his head to confirm.

"Your brother needs surgery but he refuses to go until he's talked to you," the doctor informed Maan. "Please make it quick. Every second we lose matters."

Maan simply nodded his head while the doctors and the nurse stepped out giving them some privacy.

"Maan…" Brij called again.

As he got closer Maan saw that there were various tubes and wires attached to Brij.

"I'm here Bro, I'm here," Maan said as he took his brothers hand.

"Maya…" Brij began, "Take…care…of………my baby…"

"Of course, Dadi and I will take care of Maya while you recuperate," Maan said. "You might want to think seriously about getting a nanny to help like I've been suggesting."

Maan only said that to ease the tension that filled the room. It worked momentarily as Brij's face broke into a smile.

"Take care of my Maya…when I'm gone," Brij said.

"Bro don't…" Maan began.

"Love her like your own Maan, please," he pleaded.

"Bro you're not going anywhere," Maan said adamantly. "You're going to be just fine."

"Tell her…" Brij gasped, "Tell her Daddy loved her…with all his heart…"

"You can tell her that yourself," Maan said angrily. "You're going to be fine…"

"Yes…fine…with Pammi…" Brij said.

Maan noticed his brother's eyes glaze over as he smiled while remembering his departed wife.

"Take…care…of…Maya…please…baby…brother," Brij said, as he struggled to breathe.

Everything that happened next was like a scene from a horrifying medical drama. The machine attached to his brothers chest, which was beeping, now just let out an eerie sound that held constant. Doctors and nurses rushed in and yelled various orders. As the doctor yelled 'clear' his brothers body jumped as it was shocked before a nurse began pumping his chest. Maan stood by silently willing himself to wake up from the horrible nightmare he was having.

"Time of death 2246," the doctor called as he took off his gloves and stepped away from Brij's' body.

A second later the continuous beeping of the machine stopped as the nurse unhooked it from his brother.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Khurana," the doctor said as he put a hand on Maan's shoulder.

As the all medical personnel left the room one by one, Maan crumpled to the floor, unable to take his eyes off of his brother's body. Maan remembered talking to him just a short while ago and now – now his big brother was gone, just like that.

A nurse escorted Maan to the doctors office, who over saw his brothers case. It was there he found out that Brij had been driving past an intersection when a drunk driver ran a red light hitting a total of three cars, the first of which was Brij's. His car flipped over multiple times due to which he sustained injuries which eventually took his life. The irony of it all was that Brij had been at the last intersection before reaching the compound in which their house was located.

When the nurse brought him Brij's personal effects, the first thing Maan noticed was the small red box of Children's Motrin. He had gone out to get his daughter medicine, how was Brij to know he'd never see his baby again.

As he drove home, guilt ate at him. The meeting he'd had in the afternoon, the on Brij had missed because of Maya's appointment, was on his mind. The entire day leading up to the meeting Maan had held a grudge against Brij. While he appreciated that Brij was a hands-on-Dad, Maan knew it wouldn't have killed him to have Dadi take Maya to the doctors. Maan had really wanted his big brother there for that meeting but he had been with his daughter.

The second he stepped inside the house and saw Maya, her head resting on Dadi's shoulder and her thumb in her mouth, Maan was consumed with guilt. What if Brij had given into his pleading and attended the meeting? What if he didn't have that afternoon at the park with Maya? That was the last bit of happiness Brij experienced. It was the last moments Maya had with her father. What if they hadn't gotten that because of him?

As he took Maya from Dadi's arms, she snuggled against his chest, resting her head inside the crock of his neck. She began to get slightly agitated and started to squirm so Maan hummed to her like he did whenever he put her to sleep. He patted her back and began to sway with her to calm her.

As he held her, he wondered, did her heart know that her father was no long in this world? Did her heart know that by definition she was an orphan? His heart broke at the thought of her never knowing her biological father or the love that he had to offer. But it was at that moment that Maan had decided that she would now be his daughter. He would love her and raise her as he would his own children. Sure, he didn't see himself as a father at the age of twenty-five. He had other aspirations and dreams for his life, but now all that was on the back burner. He knew that from this moment on nothing came before this little girl in his arms. He'd do whatever it took to raise her to be the person both her parents would be proud of. He'd move heaven and earth to keep her happy.

He knew at that instant that he was now a father to a child that needed him.