MG FF- Shackles of Love#2#teaser pg 143 - Page 60

Geet stared at him, through the corner of her eyes, trying to gauge him, but the blank expressions gave nothing away. If he noticed her fascinated gaze on him, he ignored it and her completely.

She sighed to herself and looking above started her conversation, mumbling and making faces "Babaji kya inhe hasna bolna nahi sikhaya aapne? Ek ghante se bas chup baithe hai. Ek baar bhi meri taraf dekha nahi. Pooch to sakte the na, ke mai theek hu, mujhe kuch chahiye. Lekin nahi! Aise baithe hai jaise ki main yahan hoon hi nahi. Aisa behave kar rahe hai jaise meri taraf dekhne se inki aankhen pe koi zulm hoga! Aur agar dekhna nahi hai toh. Bol to sakte the na kuch. Ke aap zuban bhi dena bhool gaye inhe…." And so on she continued, cursing him and complaining to Babaji!

Maan who was oblivious to her till then, lost as he was in his own thoughts, looked at her making faces and having a conversation with the roof of his car! "Darji ko yehi pagal ladki mili thi mere gale me taangne ke liye!!" he muttered and cursed himself for falling for the old man's tactics. But then Darji knew he could never say no to him and the crafty old man had shamelessly used his emotions against him!

"Babaji itni buri bhi toh nahi dikhti main ke ye ek nazar mujhe dekhe bhi na" she sulked. "Confirm kar lete hai Geet! Pata nahi shayad rote rote tera kajal beh gaya ho aur mu pe nishaan pad gaye ho" she thought in horror! As soon as this thought came to mind, she turned the rearview mirror towards her, to check herself, heaving a sigh of relief to find that there were no panda-tracks on her face! But her relief was short lived as he turned to her shouting "Tumhara dimaag kharaab ho gaya hai kya? Aise koi rearview mirror ko palat ta hai kya? Abhi humare accident ho jaata to?" as a vehicle swished by at full speed.

Realizing her mistake she mumbled a sorry and turned away to the farthest corner of the car.

"Tum yaha kisi cheez ko haath nahi lagaogi, samjhi! Pata nahi jab uparwala dimaag baat raha tha tab tum kya kar rahi thi! Pagal ladki!"

Geet made a cute moue and cribbed "Babaji aapse inhe baat karwane ko kaha tha. Daatne ko nahi!"

Shaking his head at her antics, Maan turned his attention back to the road. The road was nearly empty, the greenery gracing either side lent a crisp freshness to the air which was seldom found near his house. He inhaled deeply to fill his lungs with the purity hoping to dismiss the cobwebs of the looming irritation from his mind, but was jerked out of his thoughts when his senses filled with a sweet exotic fragrance lulling his mind to peace. He looked around to find the source of the enchanted fragrance, but found nothing he could relate to. Suddenly a gust of wind blew through the passenger side window and again his senses filled with the intoxicating fragrance.

Geet too was enjoying the feel of the fresh air on her face. She was used to air conditioned cars which made you miss the beauty of nature. So the cool breeze flowing through her tresses made her feel like heaven. She rested her head on the head rest and closed her eyes to enjoy nature's bequest.

A few minutes later, her eyes opened in a flash when she heard the sudden screech of the brakes and felt herself about to bash against the windscreen but quick reflex saved her as she put her hand out to save herself. Looking ahead, she saw a traffic jam with vehicles honking loudly to no avail.

Maan looked at her to check whether she was ok, seeing that she was unhurt he let loose his temper. "Haven't you got even the basic common sense? Why in God's name are you not wearing the seat belt? Do you have a death wish?" About to retort back, Geet suddenly remembered her mamiji's words to her.

"Geet now that you are going to be someone's wife let me give you some advice. Don't answer your husband back. No husband likes a shrew for a wife. Darji would be very upset if you angered or disappointed Maan puttar. He has a lot of expectations from you and this marriage. It is always the woman's duty to make a marriage work. So keep your sharp tongue in control in front of Maan." This had been one of the smidgeons of information departed to her before her wedding. Geet had been surprised because normally Preeto mami avoided her, and when she spoke, it was always to complain or order her around, and she coming to give her advice was a big thing. "Maybe she cares for me after all" Geet thought to herself and decided to take her mamiji's advice.

"Ji vo…I am sorry lekin it was hurting my waist so I removed it..."

Maan looked at her as if she had lost her marbles, "Geet the seat belt cannot hurt you! It's designed to rest there."

"No! I meant it was making my waist charm dig in and ….and…" she stopped seeing the fury in Maan's eyes! "So why in hell didn't you remove your waist charm? Any normal sane person would have done that. But no! Why am I expecting sanity from a woman?" Geet looked at him angrily hearing his tirade about women, but her innate fear kept her mum.

"Put on the seat belt right now and stay put, while I go and see what the matter with the traffic is!" he ordered forcefully.

Glancing at his angry profile, Geet again struggled with her waist charm, but it refused to come undone. It was an intricately designed antique waist charm, heavily studded with stones, a family heirloom, she was told. But the lock was complex and was at the back, so she couldn't see the hook and unlatch it. She turned to him to ask for help, but he had already stepped out of the car. She muttered a few choice profanities under her breath about an arrogant-so-and-so while fiddling with the seat belt. "Agar aa gaye aur mujhe aise dekha to pata nahi Babaji aur kitni baatein sunayenge!"

She put on the seat belt, wincing as she felt the waist charm digging into her skin. "Rehne de Geet. Its better you bear a bit of discomfort rather than listening to that Dusht Danav!"

A couple of minutes passed by, with no sign of Maan or movement. The air, which a few minutes ago was cool and soothing, was suddenly suffocating. As Geet was still dressed in her heavy wedding attire, the heat got to her instantly and she started sweating profusely. She fanned herself with her dupatta pallu to cool herself, to no avail. "Babaji kitni garmi hai! Kuch kijiye na! Ye traffic ko jaldi hatayiye. Aur ye bhi pata nahi kaha chale gaye. Warna AC to on karwa deti."

She looked at the controls, trying to find the AC switch. But it refused to work when she put it on! "Dabba kahi ka! Lagta hai ke kharab hai!" Feeling bored, she looked around the car to find something to wile away the time, when she noticed that the car was almost in a decrepit condition, with the paint peeling off in some places, the seat covers worn down. She made a disenchanted face at it!

No matter that Geet had been lacking emotional care, but her life had been no less than that of a princess locked away in an isolated tower. She had been provided with the best of everything without having to ask for it, after all she was Darji's granddaughter and appearances had to be maintained at all cost. What went on behind closed doors was a separate story altogether. It was only the more important things, love and care, that were withheld from her.

Not finding anything interesting, she waited patiently for his return, looking out to see if she could find him. She saw cars as far as the eye could see, people shouting, cars honking. The hustle and bustle of the highway was new to her, as she had led a very protected life. She smiled seeing kids running out of the cars, intermingling and playing with each other. The men calling out to each other and starting their own conversations while the woman gossiped among themselves, all the while keeping an eye on the kids.

The fragile human relationships bonding in front of her eyes gave her a sense of calm. The human psyche is a strange entity. Bonds are formed and broken in moments. You may live with a person for years and still be a stranger; while on the other hand, a well meant "Sat Sri Akal" could make you feel that you have known the person for years. They say blood is thicker than wine. But is a blood tie necessary to form a bond? Or does it even prelude the formation of one?

Not able to help herself, she freed the seat belt, rubbing the sore spot on her waist, and opening the door, got out of the car and made her way towards the ladies. "Sat Sri Akal auntyji." She greeted the group. They turned to her in awe, because unknown to her; she looked like a princess all decked up in her bridal wear.

The mauve pink lehanga enhancing her rosy complexion, the heavy jewels shining dully with age testifying to the countless years spent gracing the skin of the Handa women, the dark red sindoor and the mangalsutra added the last beautifying touch. All this when combined with her innocent and welcoming smile, made the casual observer stand up and take notice.

"Arre puttar! Aa jaa. Gaddi me baithe baithe bore ho rahi hogi. Humare saath thodi der baith ja"

"Teri nayi nayi shaadi hui hai?" a lady commented, to which she gave a hesitant nod. Another lady broke in, "Aur nahi to kya! Aaj hi hui hai lagta hai. Dekho to kinni soni lag rahi hai. Kisi ki nazar na lage tujhe. Arre sir pe abhi bhi chaval ke daane hai. Kidhar ki rehne wali hai puttar?"

"Ji mai Hoshiarpur se hu."

"Aur tera gharwala, wo kithe hai? Lo ji lo, nayi naveli woti ko chod ke wo kaha chala gaya? Tenu akele kuch ho jaata to?"

"Are nahi auntiji wo to bas dekhne gayee hai ke baat kya hai! Itni traffic kyu hai! Aapko pata hai?"

"Nahi puttarji. Lekin ki farak painda hai? Isi bahane hum yaha ek doosro se mil liya aur humari dosti bhi ho gayee! Waise bhi pareshaan hone se thode hi raasta khul jaana hai? Kyu sahi kaha na maine behenji?"

"Haanji behenji. Bilkul sahi kaha aapne. Aisa mauke roz roz kaha aata hai ke naye logon se mile aur chain se baith ke do chaar galla kar le"

"Puttar, idhar aake baith jaa humare pass. Dhoop me khadi rahegi ti rang jal jayega. Waise tune jaana kahan hai? Tera gharwala kidhar ka rehnewala hai?"

Geet mumbled to herself, "Mujhe pata ho to mai aapko batao na auntyji! Agar unse poocha to pata nahi mera kya haal karenge!" she went and sat in the shade, while all the ladies surrounded her and oohed and aahed over her dress and jewellary. A few kids also came over to admire the girl who looked like a princess to them. Soon Geet forgot her shyness and started enjoying with all of them.

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Maan came back in a foul mood after learning that the traffic was not moving anytime soon. He sat inside and slammed the door cursing everything that he could think off! "Aaj ka din hi kharab hai! Pata nahi aur kya kya dekhna baaki reh gaya hai! Pehle ye pagal ladki aur abhi….." he broke off realizing that Geet was missing.

An unknown fear clutched at his heart, making his blood run cold. How could you leave her all alone in this way Maan! Dimaag kaha tha tera! Agar use kuch ho gaya to? "Nahi nahi usse kuch nahi hoga!" He muttered to himself. He stepped out of the car and started looking around frantically, searching for her.

He pushed his hair back in frustration, and was about to turn away, when a twinkling laugh stopped him. He turned to catch it again, and saw her surrounded by a group of woman who were all laughing at some joke.

His relief at finding her safe and sound was overshadowed by the anger running through him. Marching over to her, he grabbed her hand and pulled her up, "Geet tumhara dimaag kharab ho gaya hai?" he shouted. "Why did you come out of the car? Didn't I tell you not to move from there?" saying so, he dragged her away, unconcerned about the people who stared at his back. She gave an embarrassed, apologetic look to the ladies who smiled in understanding. Reaching the car, he pushed her in and banged the door shut! He came over to the driver's side and sat down turning to glare at her when she was going to protest. "Not a word Geet. Not a word."

"Woh mai to sirf…."

"Geet I am already at the end of my tether, if you know what is good for you, you will keep your mouth shut! I know expecting a woman to do that is really difficult, but still try! You…."

She cut him off "Aap bina chillaye baat nahi kar sakte?" she asked her eyes filling with unshed tears.

"Agar tumhe bina chillaye kuch samajh nahi aata to mai kya karu? Have you any idea what I felt when I came back and found you gone? Do you have even an inkling of what I felt? I promised Darji to take care of you and Maan Singh Khurrana always keeps his promises. You are fully laden with jewellery; didn't it occur to you that it is not safe to roam about alone on the streets? What if someone would have kidnapped you or harmed you in the lure of these jewels?"

Geet was shocked at his statement as she realized that the thought never occurred to her. The closeted environment had shielded her from the world's realities and made such things appear like a distant scenario, seen only in films or on television.

"Arre aapko kya lagta hai ke koi mujhe apne gehno ke liye utha le jayega? Mai aapko bata du, ke aisa nahi hai! Rajji kehti hai ke mai itni sunder hu ke koi mujhe aise hi utha le jaa sakta hai!" she said, miffed.

Maan gaped at her as if she had grown two horns. He opened his mouth to shout at her but no words came out! He looked like a fish with his mouth open and big eyes staring at the specimen in front of him!

Her voice broke his shocked stance, "Abhi aap mujhe aise kyu ghoor rahe hai?"

Was she mad? He thought, shaking his head before he turned away from her expectant face and resting his head against the headboard, closed his eyes in an attempt to dispel the remnants of noxious thoughts still lingering in his brain when he found her gone. The panic and fear in his heart were alien to him. He shrugged it off as responsibility and promises, but a pair of dancing hazels stuck in his mind making him question himself.

On the other hand, Geet was bored to death and there was nothing to relive her boredom. Her husband looked a million miles away, so no help in that quarter! Looking around she spied a rather tattered looking radio in the dashboard. Her hand involuntarily moved towards it and she started to put in on, when his words made her stop. "Didn't I just tell you to not to touch anything on the dashboard?"

"I was just putting on the radio. Bore ho raha hai!"

"It doesn't work" he answered rudely!

"Hey Babaji...Kaha phasadiya…!! Traffic nahi chal raha hai…AC nahi chalta hai…radio nahi chalta hai…aur kuch hai yaha jo nahi chal sakta?" she was muttering loud enough for him to hear and got a glare for her pains.

She ignored him and scrambled around in her purse to pass the time. Suddenly her eyes lighted up as she saw her phone. She delightedly took it out and looked at it like it was a gift from heaven! "Thank you Babaji. Bas abhi ye earphones bhi mil jaaye." But alas! It just wasn't her day! She turned the whole bag upside down but couldn't find them! "Ye Rajji ki bacchi! Kabhi cheese wapas nahi rakhti!"

Not to be deterred, she put on the music on loudspeaker mode and went to keep it on the dashboard, when Maan caught her hand and pulling the phone towards him, switched it off! "Chodiye chodiye .." she tried to pull it back. "Why can't you sit silently for a few minutes?"

"Give my phone back! Woh mera phone hai! Mujhe jo karna hai mai karoongi. Aap hote kaun ho mere phone ko choone wale! Give it back I tell you!" she tried wrestling with him to retrieve her phone.

In the ensuring struggle, Maan suddenly found himself flat on his back pressed against the door while a wildcat tried to scratch his arms and dig her nails into his wrist to make him loosen his grip. She was almost sitting on his lap with her body nearly touching his, sending chills through him. The same fragrance which had caught his senses, hit his nostrils with much more impact making him realize it was Geet's perfume. Momentarily distracted by the seductive scent of his tormenter, his hold loosened on the phone and it fell down somewhere between the seat and the door. It landed with a thud breaking his reverie. "Oops!" he smirked, "Looks like you will have to wait till we get down to search for it!"

She glared at him angrily but knew she was helpless!!! Her chest heaved in anger and the sudden contact between their bodies made them grasp the intimacy of their position.

She turned a bright red, when she realized that she was almost lying on him, with one hand on his chest touching the skin exposed by the V of his kurta, while the other was on his shoulder to gain balance and his hands were on her waist trying to push her away from him. she looked up to find his face mere inches away from hers, his eyes boring into hers, a glint of mischief and something else she couldn't read making them dance.

She felt a tremor run through her, when his finger moved slowly over her naked waist, making her arch her back and look at him with questioning eyes.

A shout from outside broke their eyelock and brought Maan back to his senses. He pushed her away from him roughly and straightened himself in the seat.

Geet hustled back to her seat in the far corner confused with what had just happened.