New MG SS: Kaisa Sitam, Kaisi Saza (Chapter 2, Pg 1)

Hi everyone! It has been a long time since I have posted my writing in this section, but this one has been brewing for a long time. It was supposed to be a one-shot, but when I started writing it, it became longer than I expected. I have decided to make it three or four parts long, and I will post them each within a few days of the last. The FF should be completed in a week or two.

The entire story revolves around a song that I had written and composed a few years ago. The song will be featured starting on Chapter 2 of the FF. I will try to post a recording of it as well so it is easier to imagine.

The characters of Maan and Geet are very different from the show. They are both recent university graduates residing in New York City. Geet's family is very well-to-do, while Maan comes from a humble background. (Just a quick disclosure: parts of the FF are loosely based on the story of Vijay and Renu from the 1965 Bollywood movie "Waqt.") Everything else about the characters you will discover as you read.

Hope you all like it, and looking forward to your comments!

Chapter 1

The dazzling display of lights and colors surrounding her in every direction did nothing to improve Geet Handa's melancholic sentiments. Her slender figure in a shimmery sky blue lehnga was attracting a lot of positive attention, but she was completely oblivious to any of this. Geet wished more than anything to join in the celebration and forget her sorrows for this one night, but not more than two minutes could pass before her eyes fell on him – and the pain would return again.

Upon hearing her name being called, Geet turned to see her best friend, Aaliyah, gesturing for her to come over to the stage. With the warmest smile she could manage, Geet headed in her direction. This was Aaliyah's big day, and Geet was determined to keep her emotions in check.

The two girls had grown up together, living on the same street in Queens, New York. Their families were close friends, and they went to the same schools throughout their childhood. Their attachment continued into their youth, as they both attended Columbia University, roomed together, studied together and graduated together. It was also during college that they both fell in love.

As she helped Aaliyah pin her pale pink dupatta in place, Geet felt nothing but elation and excitement for her. After a two year long courtship, Aaliyah and Farhan were finally getting engaged. Geet had gotten to know Farhan quite well during college, and she could imagine no one better for Aaliyah. His charm and subtle humor perfectly complimented Aaliyah's sweet cheerful personality. Geet glanced over at Farhan sitting next to Aaliyah on the decorative couch and could not help smile as he kept stealing glances at his soon-to-be fiance.

Turning to return to her seat, Geet once again found herself looking into the eyes of the one person she was hoping to avoid. Maan Singh Khurana was seated at one of closest tables to the stage with a group of his and Farhan's friends from Columbia. His dark eyes bored into hers, and for the briefest of moments, she sensed some tenderness in them before he turned to look away. Before the tears could start stinging her eyes once again, Geet quickly composed herself and walked back to the table where she was sitting with her parents.

Minutes later, Aaliyah's father rose from his seat near the stage, and walked over the podium.

"Family and friends," he began, "we welcome you to this blessed event and thank you for sharing in our happiness. Tonight is the night when our daughter..."

Geet's mind drifted off as the vision of Maan's intense eyes and grave face invaded her thoughts. With his conduct towards her now, it was difficult to imagine that less than a month ago, he was promising her his eternal love and devotion. Despite every effort, Geet had not been able to determine what had gone wrong in their relationship. Why was Maan so indifferent to her now? How could someone be willing to put everything on the line for her in one moment and completely erase her from his life the next?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her name.

"...and I am thrilled to announce that Aaliyah's best friend, Geet, will be singing for us tonight. Please come up to the podium, Geet."

After staring blankly at Aaliyah's father for a moment or two, Geet suddenly remembered the promise that she had made several months ago to sing at this engagement party. Geet was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, and Aaliyah was one of her biggest fans.

Rising from her seat among applause, Geet approached the podium and received the microphone from Aaliyah's father. Bewildered, she glanced at Aaliyah for some guidance, shrugging her shoulders. Aaliyah grinned back, and whispered, "just sing from your heart."

Facing the audience, Geet's eyes found Maan's face. He was gazing down at his hands, avoiding her glance, his expression unreadable. For the first time that night, Geet noticed Maan's stylish tuxedo and neatly gelled hair. She had always dreamed of seeing him in this attire; however, in her dreams she was by his side, her hand in his. The ache in her heart returning, Geet slowly raised the microphone to her mouth. Her conscious mind had no idea what she was going to sing, and she could hardly believe it herself as she found her deepest feelings flowing from her mouth in melody.

NEXT: Geet's song and story of MG

Chapter 2

As she started to sing into the microphone, Geet noticed Maan's eyes widen, but he resisted looking up at her.

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"tum bataado sanam, hai meri kya khata

jiski mujhko khabar bhi nahin

hai yeh kaisa sitam, hai yeh kaisi saza

itne tum beqadar bhi nahin

chale jaao jaana hai tumko jahaan

magar haal dil ka to kar loon bayaan

sun to lo kam se kam, tum meri ilteja

aana phir umr bhar bhi nahin"

It was over a year ago that Geet was first introduced to Maan on the Columbia University campus. During a break between her classes, she had found Aaliyah and Farhan sitting on the grass with a group of friends, and they asked her to join them. There was one unfamiliar face among the crowd, that of a tall and ruggedly handsome man with penetrating dark eyes.

From the moment Maan's fingers touched hers as they shook hands, Geet felt a strong attraction and curiosity towards him. She yearned to discover more about this man - his past and present, the secret behind the hardness of his expression, the reason behind his quiet demeanor.

Over the next few months, Maan and Geet met many times, sometimes running into each other on campus, and other times going out with their common group of friends. They had many conversations, which gradually grew in length as they grew closer and closer. Maan was polite, kind, and a good listener. Although she was seeing a lot more of his warm smile, Geet still felt as if he was not opening up to her as much as she was. She continued to feel as if he had a dark secret that he was not ready to share.

Six months to the date after their first meeting, Geet was spending the evening at her apartment working on an assignment, when she heard a knock at the door. Much to her surprise, Maan was waiting at the doorstep.

"Maan?" she said. "What a pleasant surprise."

Maan's expression was a combination of uncertainty and apprehension. "Geet, there is something that I need to talk to you about. Can I...?" He noticed Aaliyah peering curiously from the living room and appeared to abruptly change his mind. "Will you take a walk on campus with me?"

Puzzled, but eager to find out what was going on, Geet answered in the affirmative. "Sure. I will be back in a second." Avoiding Aaliyah's questioning stare, Geet grabbed her cell phone and keys and headed out the door.

She and Maan walked side by side in silence for a few minutes that seemed like ages to Geet's impatiently beating heart. As they walked along the quiet tree-lined pathways of the university campus, the soft sounds of the nearby creek were occasionally interrupted by the footsteps of the few students who were still on campus. Geet was contemplating whether to say something when they reached a bench, and Maan suddently stopped and took her hands in his.

"Geet," he said, leading her to the bench, where they both took a seat. "I have been trying to suppress my feelings for so long, but I don't want to hold them in any longer. Ever since I met you, I can't seem to get you out of my mind. When I am not with you, I think about you constantly, and when we are together, I can't stand the thought of being away from you. The way you make me feel is indescribable; I never thought I would ever feel this way about anyone." Stopping for moment, Maan stared into Geet's wide eyes. "Geet Handa, I love you more than anything in this world, and if you will accept my love, I would like to spend the rest of my life with you."

Unable to contain her happiness, Geet felt tears starting to brim in her eyes. She could hardly believe that Maan felt this way about her and that he was capable of expressing his feelings so poetically. "Maan," she finally responded, "I...I love you, too."

Geet knew she would never forget the blissful smile on Maan's face, just before he engulfed her in his arms.

Coming out of her reverie, Geet once again found herself in front of a hall full of people. All eyes were fixed on her, and the entire room was listening intently. Taking a deep breath, she continued.

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"raahon mein roshini pehli itni na thi

tumse milkar hi jaana hai kya zindagi

jabse saathi mere aake tum ban gaye

tabse gulshan yeh raah-e-safar ban gayi

rakh diya hai qadam, ab tumhaare siva

hai koyi humsafar bhi nahin"

Geet and Maan decided not to reveal their relationship to anyone except Farhan and Aaliyah. They spent every free moment meeting secretly in quiet places across campus or talking to each other over the phone. The change in Maan's demeanor was significant. He smiled more often, and his deep eyes gleamed with a new light. He also shared more of himself with Geet, and she no longer felt that was being secretive.

Maan revealed to Geet the hardships that he had faced over the past six years. He grew up in a middle-class family in Chicago. When he was 16, his father, who was the owner of a small business, passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack, and his uncle took advantage of his power-of-attorney and embezzled the business away from Maan's family. Maan found himself nearly penniless and responsible for the care of his mother and sister. In order to provide for them, Maan began working part time waiting tables at a restaurant, while his mother became a nanny. After two years of sleepless nights and long hours, Maan's hard work finally paid off when he received a full scholarship to attend Columbia University. Now, with only a few months left until his graduation with a degree in business, Maan was certain that he would be able to provide a better life for his family. Geet sympathized with Maan, and promised to support him every step of the way.

Maan left town for spring break, and when he returned, Geet was eager to meet him again. When she picked him up from the airport, she was surprised to see him in distress.

"What happened, Maan?" she asked, as they walked to her car. "Is something wrong?"

After a few moments of silence, Maan finally revealed what was troubling him. "My mom was just diagnosed with cancer."

During the car ride, Geet tried her best to reassure him, but Maan remained contemplative and quiet. As she watched him carry his luggage back to his dorm building, Geet felt a sense of helplessness that she had never felt before. She wanted more than anything to be there for him, but she did not know how when he seemed so distant.

This distance continued to increase over the next month as Maan called her less and became more and more detached. Geet continued to try to reach out to him, but the sinking feeling in her stomach became stronger with every passing day. Would their relationship be able to withstand this storm?