Next morning when Geet woke up, the first thing she wanted to do was to meet Maan, as last night when Aditi asked her to sleep because Maan had undergone some very serious tests and he needed rest. She agreed but somewhere deep within she was not satisfied by the explanation, she had few questions but she knew Aditi was not the right person for that, she needed to be with Maan. Somehow she had a worst feeling in her heart that something was wrong, but she just did not know what was wrong, she did not know that her future with Maan was next to impossible now, she did not know that he would never be able to hold her in arms in swirl around in air, she was unaware of the fact that Maan had mentally decided to leave her alone for her better future, not to committed to a paralyzed man who could not even protect his lady, she did not know that along with his life, her life was about to turned into ash, to be fallen apart in pieces. She did not know that within few minutes, she would get the shock of her life.
When she entered his room, he was sleeping, the food was on table, and she wondered why he did not eat. She gently sat by his side and caressed his face; still he did not wake up. She sat there for few more minutes just staring at his angelic face but she was restless, she did not understand why but even being with him was not giving her peace today. With little jerk, he turned slightly and opened his eyes slowly, and looked up to her, an instant smile came to his face just watching her in front of him. But in the immediate next moment he remembered last night and doctor's words and the smile suddenly disappeared. He made a stone face, and looked away. She got up and opened the windows, with that bright light from sun came into the room, and glow her face. She smiled and wished him morning but he just nodded. His head injury, ribs and hands were normal now, he looked normal, healed then but only physically as she knew. She had no idea about his mental torture and pain. It was a lovely morning; probably it rained all the night along with Maan, so the drops of rain were still on the window glass, quivering like his mind. She wanted him to see that, to feel the energy of nature, she was standing by the window and she called out his name,
'Maan…Do you want to see this? It's beautiful.'
'No' he said in blank voice.
'I can help you to get down from bed…'
'…I said NO. Don't you get that?' he yelled out.
'O…Kay…Don't yell at me, Maan.' She was clearly hurt.
'Sorry' he was indeed sorry for his actions.
'What is wrong with you? Why are you so angry?'
'Nothing'
'Are you hiding something from me?'
He did not answer anything; instead he called one of the nurses. After few minutes, she came with a wheelchair and Geet skipped a heartbeat. He asked the nurse to sit him down on it, he wondered about the cruelty of life and truth, until last night he was angry, he asked the nurse to kick this wheelchair out from his sight and then, he, himself called her to bring it in, it was cruel joke, a painful act. He hated the thing with him he had to spend his all life. While she helped Maan to sit on the chair, Geet stood by the window frozen, she had no idea what was going on in that room. The nurse left the room after explaining him how to operate that electronic wheelchair. He thanked her and looked at Geet who was still frozen.
'So what do you want me to see now?' he asked statcastically.
'What is going on Maan? Why are you doing this? Is this a joke?'
'I wish…' he did not complete the sentence, but he did not move.
'Come here by yourself, Maan. Walk. Walk to me.'
And she started crying slowly. There was no sound on the room, he made a stone face, there were no emotions on his face, he looked at her but did not try to stop her from crying.
'Maan…walk. Get up.'
He remained silent.
'I want you to leave me alone. Go, Geet. You are not needed here.'
'What are you saying?' she whispered.
From the moment he said that she knew that her world was over, it was done. It was falling apart into pieces; somehow she knew what was coming next.
'Don't you see that? I am no more, Maan. I am not Maan Singh Khurana anymore. I am just a paralyzed man who can never ever walk again. I may not give anything to you…just nothing…who knows?'
'Shut up.' She could not listen anymore.
'Yes…You can choose that option to avoid or not listen anything or to shut me up but I can't, as I have to live with it. This is my reality, whether I like it or not.' He said in painful voice.
There was extreme pain in his eyes which she could not bear anymore. She closed her eyes for moment, just to avoid the reality. She could no longer see her man, totally broken, his pain was unbearable for her. It was all silent then, they could not move as if time seemed to have frozen in space, he could literally feel the loud beats of her heart. Time was playing its game, and they were losing terribly. Fate was cruel for them, and they were on verge to give up, but still she wanted to fight. She was no more the lady who would cry over her loss, he taught her to fight and she wanted to fight back, too but she was alone, she could win everything with Maan but here, Maan was not ready. As if the silence would kill his willpower to live, before he could become more weak and vulnerable, he looked at her, harshly and broke the silence with his empty voice.
'You have to go. That's all I know. I am not the best man anymore.' He added.
She was on nerve then, she wanted each and everything to save her world.
'What? Maan…do you even know what are you saying? I…Don't you remember anything you said before our accident?'
There was a silence for few seconds; he closed his eyes to hide his pain and tears. She waited for him to say something back, and she expected only yes. With trembling eyelashes, tears on the verge of his eyes he said,
'Yes! I remember each and every word I said to you.' He then opened his eyes.
'Oh…Maan…' as if it was their confession, instead of the critical moment, she forgot everything for moment, and smiled. She was happy that he remembered everything and then, it was her time to give him reply. In excitement, she ran to him and directly sat on his chair, hugged him and cried. He closed his eyes and hugged her back. It was a moment when they both just forgot that their world was almost over, he forgot about his pain, his legs and she forgot about his decision, they just felt each other.
'Maan…I love you. I don't want my time…I know I love you. I always loved you.'
With that, he smiled even in pain but his smiled vanished just as he came out from the magical moment, it was just a fraction of a second, he felt okay but sadly the moment was over and they had to face truth which was cruel and bitter. She broke the hug, but did not leave him instead she caressed his face, and kissed his forehead and cheeks. She showered him with kisses and for a moment, he was lost, defeated by his brains, he wanted to take her in his arms and make her his forever, but he knew that everything was changed then. She had no right to be with him, she had already saw too much in her young age and then, she did not deserve to be with a paralyzed man and to spend all her life with such man. She deserved better, much better than him.
'But everything is changed now…and sometimes, just love is not enough… ' he removed her hands from his face which displeased her.
'What are you saying? Nothing is changed…it does not matter to me, Maan. I don't care what you are…I just love you with or without legs. And, I know you can do this and you will…There are thousand options…We can do this, don't get disappointed so soon…Still there is a chance and you know that…I am with you, we will fight this.'
'I have talked with doctors and there is no chance…Maximum they can do is surgery you to make me feel better mentally and I am not letting them touch me now…I know there is no hope now…Maximum I can get is the senses by my knees with next surgery…but its not enough…I can not walk now…Accept it and leave, Mrs. Geet Kapoor. Just GO!' he snapped back in frustration.
And she got up, she was hurt but she knew it was not important then. It did not matter, he called her Mrs. Kapoor, and it was painful when he knew she loved him. For a moment she was speechless, she did not know what to say to him. She stood there rooted for a fraction of second and heard him saying,
'You deserve better Geet.'
'I am not going anywhere Maan. And who are you to decide what I deserve and what not? I will decide what I want. And I want you, Maan. Did you left me when I lost Aditya, did you?' she replied in anger.
'It was different and this is different. I am paralyzed, Geet! I am not going to walk ever again. You can't avoid this fact for entire life…Understand! Don't try to mix things up!' he stated.
'Whatever it is! I am not going.'
'You are.' He screamed.
'I am not.' She said out loud.
'Do you want me to call security and throw you out?' he asked in anger.
'Do what you can. I am not leaving you.'
'Okay' and he called security. She could not believe he actually did that. After a while, a guard came and he asked him to move the lady out from his sight, which shook Geet and she began to leave.
'Remember Maan, I will come again…This isn't about you anymore, I have a right to live and you know that very well…You told me that, and I choose you…I pick you…whatever shape in you are…You can't avoid that…You have to accept me, You can't give up on us like this…We just started…I will come…You have to fight no matter how much sad and upset you are…You have to and I am not leaving you at any cost. Do whatever you can…' she continued to say while the guard helped him to move out, and Maan saw her with painful eyes. As the door closed, she put her hand on the glass, and Maan touched the glass to match her hands, though it was not a touch but they both could feel each other, and quickly Maan removed his hands and turned away not to show his face to her and closed his eyes in pain, from the corner of his eye, a single drop of tear rolled down his cheek but he quickly wiped it. To some extent Maan was moved by her talk but still the thought of her spending life with a man in wheelchair made him shiver and he, once again, confirmed himself that he was right, it was just that it did not feel right to him.
***
'I can't believe he actually threw me out. Like…In real, he called security and literally threw me OUT!' she said while sipping coffee.
Aditi smiled as she knew her brother very well. They both were in cafeteria, to talk to each other. Geet was discharged by then, but she did not want to leave hospital so she came everyday with Aditi.
'Well you know Maan…Once he decided something, its impossible to stop him.'
'I know but he is wrong this time.'
'May be.'
'Why you are saying, May-be?'
'Well, Geet…To some extent I agree with him. He is right probably.'
'What the hell are you saying? Do you too doubt my feelings for him?'
'No…No…I am not saying that. I am just saying that he is right to some extent. Look Geet…We both know he has right, he lost his legs man! And, may be now you are ready to be with him forever but it is really very much hard to spend your entire life with a man who can not walk. It looks good in books, novels and movies but in real life it takes your real test and trust me, it can be frustrating, and you can find it burdensome at one point of time…Its not an easy life for Maan now…Understand from his point of view, too.'
She did not say anything, and Aditi continued.
'Look…Geet. Until now he used to be our hero, he was my hero. We completely depended on him, any problem in our life, we used to call him. He was our man, and now out of sudden, he is no longer that man. Instead, he is dependent on us, on everyone. He just not lost his legs; he lost his self-respect, his ego, his independency. He lost almost his life. And I agree to the fact that, in this situation he can not give you better life, at least not everything. He is completely traumatized, broken down and shook. Give him sometime to absorb this fact, let him calm down first. He is very much angry now, on himself, on god, on his fate and you can not force him. I know you and me can understand his pain and may be to some extent we can share his pain, but it's his pain. And I think we can't even imagine how it feels not to feel your legs, not to walk, not to protect the lady of our life. This is very painful for him. Even if you want to share it, you can't share it. It's his legs and no one in the whole world could share his pain…Let him overcome this once. Have patience with him, Geet…Everything will be fine, just have patience.'
She understood it, and it brought tears to her eyes,
'But Aditi, Who defines everything? Who defines what I want? I have loved him…I have created this strong wall with pieces of trust and care, I know it can be burdensome, but I know I can do this…I am ready to take care of him until my last breath. I am ready, I know you are right, we should give him time and I am ready to do that. But I love him, and you know…It took me long time to get him and I am not going to lose him once again…and I am not letting god do this to my man…That is it. I am going back but not leaving him but to bring one of the best neurosurgeons from the world, he is Aditya's friend. I know him; I know he would help me with this. You take care of him until I get back here.'
She got up, they hugged and cried.
Geet decided to leave but before that she did wonderful job by agreeing Maan to have another surgery. She convinced him to have another surgery but not directly, she asked the team of doctors to do that and they explained in professional terms, they explained Maan that even if surgery fails, he would not be in loss. She left happily to Mumbai to meet another doctors, except for Maan, everyone supported her. They all agreed on one matter, Maan needed him; it was his time to get pampered. All his life, he was a hero but now when he lost self confidence and self-respect, it was their time to encourage him, to get him back on his own legs. Next day, he underwent surgery but by the end of day, he became normal, but nothing changed, he still could not feel his legs which depressed him, but he was advised to undergo some exercises and they still had hope as the surgery was not unsuccessful at all but it was just little of the result they expected. After few days of exercise, he could at least feel something by his knees but still he could not move his legs by knees, the question for walking was far away. He decided to sent Aditi home and joined his doctors rehab center for paralyzed patients, it was on hill area. He knew he could not completely shut down on Geet so he continued his talk with her on phone, but it was way too formal and in limits, he avoided the debate as usual.
His first week in the rehab center in hill area was extremely difficult, his doctors chose best rigorous program for him, and they knew it was best for him. They took care of him perfectly, but those days were painful for him, the very first day he was taken for some exercise and it made his pain worse, he was so tired that he could not even call Geet that night, he just slept. And for another two days, the therapists did not listen to him; they made him work hard for his lost sensation. They mapped out everything for him, they had exact plan for him, what to do in coming days. Slowly, he was used to it, and he was surprised when he saw many people like him there, some of them have completely lost theirs legs, and hands and entire body was paralyzed. He made some friends there, too. He was even surprised when he saw the same people playing basketball in wheelchair, it made him think clear, their life was not stopped, it just took a leap. He was beginning to feel something in his legs but still there were no movements, but the benefit this rehab center made to Maan was the change of mind, he became more hopeful, optimistic and joyful. He continued his works with the help of media.
After two weeks, he was healed, mentally. He had the determination to get back on his legs, he was hopeful and he was committed to his health completely. He talked with Geet on regular basis but still he avoided the topic on which they departed. He needed the break, she understood it and she gave him the time, and it was actually working for him. From his talks, she could feel how his mind was changed, he was coping up with the sudden change and then, she knew it was time for her to boost him up. Once he was hopeful, determined to come back, she could encourage him more and be with him. She knew it was time to get Maan Singh Khurana back on his legs and back in her life. It was time to start new life once again, they both have had enough at this young age, and she knew it was time to have life. At the center, he would do with his regular exercise, and sit by the window, it was beautiful place; he loved the weather and nature there. He would sit hours there and think about Geet. He missed her badly but he had no choice. On such other day, he was sitting on his chair, watching the raindrops falling from the sky on the green grass, absorbed by the earth and he heard someone's footsteps but he did not look as he knew it might be nurse or therapists or worker. But when he heard the sweet voice, he was shocked,
'So…Enjoying Rains?'
He looked over to his shoulder and saw her. Geet was there in front of him, in plain white dress, looking fine, completely healed. His first reaction was happiness, he could not hide his smile, but very soon he controlled it.
'Why are you here?' he asked.
'Let me complete first. I know you are right from your own point of view, but you have to hear my side of story, too.' She smiled.
He did not say anything but signed her go on.
'Look…I know you care for me and you love me so much that you can leave me. But Maan…we do not need that. Let's not play this movie game here, this is real. I know you, and I know that you are ready; I know you are hopeful and you are ready to fight. Maan, I believe in you, and trust me, if you would be in coma for entire life then also I would be waiting for you to come back to me and I would sit by your side. You taught me to fight, and I am very good student. We just started and we don't deserve this, I am ready to fight along with you, I am ready to stand by you. But please allow me to do that…Please let me in. Take me back. I know what you think; you think I would not be happy with you as you consider yourself as invalid now. But Maan, I might not be happy with you but without you I am sure I would be unhappy. I would literally die…' She said with trembling voice.
'…Don't say that but what if I could never walk…'
'…then there is no one as lucky as you in the whole world. Who gets massage everyday from his wife for his entire life?' she smiled.
And with that he smiled. They smiled and as if she understood that he was going to say yes, she started walking to him, so slowly step by step.
'But you know Maan…I believe that one fine day, you will run to me, you will run to catch me in your arms. You will walk for sure. I know.' She said with determination.
'Are you sure? You will never be able to dance with me again?' he asked smilingly.
'Who said you can dance with your legs only.' And she came faster and sat in his lap, placed her hand on his shoulder, took his one hand and wrapped it around her waist, took his another hand in her hand, clutched it tightly and operated his chair, it moved and she took one round.
'See…We are dancing'
And he surrendered himself to her; he rested his head on her shoulder.
'We can do this. You can do this. You are THE Maan Singh Khurana. You can't be defeated by one accident and a twist of fate, you have it in you and you can do this. You have fought so much and now you can't just give up…please help me to get you back. I need my man back. And by the way, your moving or unmoving legs do not measure my love for you. I love you and that is wholly and solely my problem, I can deal with that. You got it? All I want you do that is, to help me. You and I together can do this.' She reassured him as she ran fingers through his hairs.
And she hugged him; he hugged her back as if he needed her, as if it helped him to breathe. He suddenly realized how much alone he was without her. He held her tight for few minutes and when they broke hug, she was about to say something but he sealed her lips with his. They closed eyes and became oblivious to the emptiness.
She decided to stay there, even though it was not allowed for patients relative to stay with them, but as Maan was Maan, he purchased small house by the center for her. With each bright morning, and sometimes even before sun would rise up in the sky, she would be with him and in the late night when he would sleep by her side watching countless stars in the sky, she would left. It was their daily schedule for months. Nothing dramatically changed in his legs but with each passing day, there was little, closely to nothing but possibly something improved. He could feel the pain in his legs which was a very good signs as per doctors, Geet's friend who was neurosurgeon from Mumbai denied surgery as he was good and he was hopeful about his legs, all they were doing was waiting. In the meanwhile, they had good time with each other, Maan did work from there and Geet handled everything for him. One fine day, they got engaged in the presence of his family, her brother and his mates from the center.
It was almost two years; he was fine and showed tremendous improvements. He could move his toes and fingers, too. It was major sign and the moment he moved his toe, she cried, she cried out of happiness and they had a huge party that night. It was something magical for them, after the party was over, they both were at her little cute home he purchased for her, she was so happy, she kissed him, ran fingers in his hairs, he laid down on the bed, until the moment came when the undefined urge to feel her came into him. She kissed his hands and fingers; he got up and kissed her back, passionately. And they did not even know when the intense and passionate kissing led to the heavenly love making. She loved him more than ever and it was mutual. The night ever so slow, lovely, burnished and magical brought them together, intertwined both of their souls for ever. They were happy and satisfied. With the sweet chirps of birds, she woke up with a smile, and looked at him, he was still sleeping serenely by her side, she kissed his forehead and left to make him coffee. The place was beautiful than ever, it was something like she saw in her dream with him, she had a strange feeling in her heart. She looked out from the window, it was beautiful, it rained entire night, and she loved the scent of earth after the rains, she wanted to walk. She woke him up and prepared him, they were out for a walk, though he was not, he was on his wheelchair.
She took him far away from the house and center so as to forget everything for a while, they had a beautiful night and all she wanted was to be with him, to create another beautiful memories. Center, nurses, therapists are the last things she wanted then. She talked on and on in the way, he listened as he loved it. They were by the cliff then, they both were silent, all they could hear was the sound little stream passing by, sound of water crashing into the rocks. She carefully placed his wheelchair in safe place, away from the top and she went ahead. She praised the beauty of the nature and talked about everything. While he looked at her, amazed by her beauty, he simply adored her. She was walking and suddenly she slipped as it was wet from the rain, there was mud on the way, she slipped directly into the valley, she tried to catch something to support her but she found nothing and she went down,
'GEET! He screamed on top of his lungs.
His life was gone in front of his eyes and he could not do anything, he hated him for being him. He absolutely hated him. He called out her name again and again but there was no response, he was scared to death. But he did not stop, he still called out her name again and again, and after few second, he heard her voice,
'Maan…Help…I can't hold it for long time…please…'
And he was scared, the very thought of losing her forever shook him and as her voice, and scream for help repeated in his mind over and over again, he felt strange power within his soul to save her, as if it was the last thing on the earth he wanted to do and for that he was even ready to die for that. He heard her trembling voice again and his grip over his chair became tight, very tight. He forced himself to get up but he could not, and she called out his name again and this time, he, in forceful push, got up from his chair and ran. He literally ran to save his lady, he forgot everything and ran. When he reached at the point he saw her struggling to hold the rock, he stretched his hands and asked her to give her hands but she refused,
'What if it drops…'
'…I will never let it, trust me.'
And she closed her eyes and gave her hands to him. He caught her hands strongly and slowly, pulled her up and when she was up, she lay down on the land, and he was on top of her. For a fraction of a second, they did not know what exactly happened. He was the first to come to his senses, and he caressed her face,
'GEET! Are you blind? Can't you see that? What if you would…?'
She did not say anything; she was still looking at him blankly.
'Look at me…Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Let me check…See there are bruises over there…Your hands…Are you crazy, Geet? I almost skipped my heartbeats for a minute…You scared the hell out from me. What would I do without you, you fool?'
She looked at him and smiled through tears.
'GOD! On top of that, you are smiling! Is this a joke for you? I would never forgive myself if something would have happened to you…and why the hell are you smiling? I am not joking anymore…I am serious. You should check your self, you might get injured…Let me take you…'
'…Shhh…Slow down, Maan…Just stop.' She said smilingly.
'Why the hell are you smiling?' he asked as he was completely frustrated with your strange behavior.
He was unaware of the fact that he was on his legs, he literally ran to save her, but he was so much involved in her that he did not realize the fact. When she could not help him realizing on his own, she cupped his face, and pointed her finger to his wheelchair, he looked there for second, and continued,
'Oh…My…God…Oh…I did that? I ran? I can walk? Oh my god…Geet! I can walk. Yes…Yes…I can.' With that he got up and smiled, it was not just smile. There were tears rolling down his cheeks, he opened his arms for nature to absorb into his soul, he smiled loudly and screamed on top of his lungs,
'I can walk. Yes…I can!'
And he picked up Geet in his arms swiftly and they literally laughed like kids, and slowly, he put her down, and she caressed his face, wiped his tears. She could not even stop herself; she just stood in front of him. They both stood there on the top to welcome their whole new world. She held his hand tightly, and he kissed her, she gave in. It was a moment, frozen in space for infinity. They had overcome everything, they struggled, they survived and they won. With hands in hands they looked up to sky, the dark clouds were going away, and there was a one bright, golden ray of sun came through the dark clouds and cascaded upon them as it was blessing from god. They shined in the golden color of sun, it was magical. They looked at each other and they could read their eyes, they knew they won. They had seen so much together and now it was time for them to enjoy with each other, their bad time was over and then, they were hopeful for the bright, shining, pleasant future with each other. They walked back to their house, slowly and peacefully, holding each other close and talking and fighting as sunrays showered upon them through the dark clouds, playing hide and seek, they looked at each other, and they knew they were ready. They knew that they were special, they shared wonderful relation, they were gifted with each other, the best ever thing happened to them in their entire life was having each other. They had been blessed with a great gift, rare love, a bond so powerful that even they, in their foolishness had been unable to lose it.
***
: NOTE :
So, here I am ! ALL those who said, I Hate You, Maddy...Come on, its your time to TAKE IT BACK ! 😆 Take it back and reverse it, say, " I LOVE YOU, Maddy " ! 😆 😳
It was not a Story, It was a Journey ! Understood ? 😎 It was necessary as Life is not bed of roses, not even for gifted people ! Struggle is part of life and you can not avoid it, even in fantasy ! 😊 Not at all ! 😊
Which reminds me that I am going now, so BYE guys ! You are at relief, coz now you all do not have to say after every update, I Hate You, Maddy ! 😃 You guys are free from my torturous updates and tragic turns and twists ! Go ! Enjoy happy stories now, so I am going and there won't be any writings from me, for at least 20 days !
I will enjoy and I will miss reading comments !
Bye !
🤗
Oh and yes...THANKS to EACH of you ! It matters whether you HATE me or LOVE me, but I still love you all for giving me your precious time to read my tragic, stupid works ! 😆
So, Thank You So Much, ALL ! 😳
Maddy
Edited by maanddy - 13 years ago
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