MG ff - Ajeeb Dastan part 12- Pg 44/10 dec - Page 21

Part 12

The next morning after she got ready for school, she went to pray to her Babaji before leaving, and her eyes fell on the jewellery box. She took out the necklace, put it on and stood before the mirror admiring it. She'd wear it on some auspicious occasion she was thinking, when there was a knock on the door. She quickly put the necklace back in the box and put the box in her school bag which she had on her shoulder.

She blushed to herself thinking probably it was Maan. Hadn't he left abruptly last evening? She opened the door to see Pandey ji standing there. "Namaste Teacher ji" he greeted her with his palms joined. "you had called me" "Oh! Yes, please come in," she invited him. Then looking towards the clock noted that she was getting late for school. So she said "actually Maan ji is looking out for a plot to build a hospital. It'll be better you talk him directly. Come I'll introduce you to him" and lifting her bags moved towards the door.

Locking the door, both of them moved outside. Maan was as usual sitting in the verandah reading the paper. When she introduced Pandey ji to him, he invited them indoors. The whole place looked beautiful, with the new furniture and very comfortable too. She looked around appreciatively at his wonderful taste and remarked "you've totally changed this place." He smiled at her remark and enthusiastically asked "you like it?"

Geet "Yes, it's very beautiful. Ok I'm getting late for school, I need to go."

Then turning to Pandey ji she said "don't overcharge him because he's come from London."

Pandey ji "Don't you trust me Teacher ji? Do you think I'll do something like that especially when you have recommended? I'll give him the best deal, don't worry."

She smiled and said "I know that, that's why I recommended you in the first place." She wanted to thank Maan for the jewellery but didn't want to do so in front of another person. So she left just saying, "ok, I'll see you later." She was once again in a very joyful mood that morning.

As she entered her office, the clerk sitting in the outer office wished her good morning and followed her in, to take the cash counter keys. Geet dug into her bag but couldn't find the keys. So she pulled out the jewel box and a novel from the bag, to get the keys. The clerk's eyes fell on the jewel box and she asked "Have you purchased some new jewellery madam? May I have a look at it?" Before Geet could say anything, she had picked the box and opened it.

Clerk "Madam this is just exquisite. Are they Real pearls? Where did you get it from? My and the diamonds are so big. Must have cost a fortune. And the way they are glittering it looks like the deluxe quality."

Then she looked at the box cover to see the name of the shop and looked surprised reading the word "Cartier." Geet had to tell her that someone ad got it from abroad. She didn't leave for another five minutes, 'oohing' and 'aahing' over it and remarking that the person who had got it had real taste.

Geet blushed a second time that morning, thinking of what she had remarked. Then as if to push all thoughts of that person to the remote corner of her mind, she pushed the box deep down into her bag. But that person was sitting and thinking about her.

When Maan went back to the verandah having finished his talks with Pandey ji who promised to show him a few plots the following week, he saw several children in uniform walking past his house. He called to one group and asked "Which school do you go to?" "Little Flowers" they Replied as they walked on. That took his thoughts to her. He wasn't surprised she had started a school because even in Delhi she loved to look after children.

When Maan and Meera were in the final year of their graudation, they used come very late from college and then stay up till midnight studying. Geet on the other hand was fed up sitting cooped up in her room. She had started looking for something to occupy her time.

One day when she had been to the temple some children were standing near the temple gate and requesting people for donations, not only in cash but also old clothes, bedding etc. When she enquired about them they said they were from an orphanage nearby. She asked them for directions and headed to the orphanage. She met the manager and from the very next day she had started voluntary service there, from around 9 am to 3pm. She even had her lunch with them.

Slowly she started cooking food for them and they loved whatever she cooked, even if it was simple lemon rice or rajma rice. By and by Geet had got more and more involved with them and started visiting the orphanage even on festivals and holidays. That was when Maan and Meera came to know about it. But they didn't mind it because they could see that Geet was transformed to another world altogether on going there. There was so much happiness on her face, that they had never seen before.

From that his thoughts went to how she had so selflessly brought him and Meera together. After he and Meera had finished their exams, they had all gone to the village. Meera had accompanied them as Geet's friend. After a couple of days, when all the family members had taken a liking to her, Geet had thrown the bomb that she was to be the new daughter-in-law of the family. As her mother-in-law had already spoken to them about Maan's Remarriage, it didn't come as a shock to them. And having one childless couple in the family was enough to motivate them to go to Meera's mother and ask for her hand in marriage.

Meera's mother had been shocked to know that her daughter was to be Maan's second wife. But Meera convinced her that the first marriage was in name only. So she agreed to the proposal provided certain conditions were fulfilled. First and foremost, Maan should divorce Geet. Secondly his father should put in his 'will' that only Meera's kids would inherit the ancesteral property. Maan's family had said they would think it over and get back to them.

Seeing their sad faces when they returned from Meera's hometown, Geet had questioned them about what had happened there. Having heard everything she had argued that whatever Meera's mother had demanded was fair enough.The elders had then discussed among themselves and also consulted Maan. Finally they had arrived at the decision that Maan wouldn't divorce Geet at any cost. Secondly, the will would say Maan and his kids would inherit all the ancestral property belonging to his father. They wrote a letter in this regard to Meera's mother and received her confirmation only after 10 days. Perhaps Meera had to convince her to agree. But even then she had one final Request that none of her relatives or friends should know that Meera was to be Maan's second wife.

With both the sides having agreed the wedding was held at the bride's place, as was customary. From the bridegroom's side only a handful of people attended. After 4 years of marriage to Geet, he had got married again to the girl he loved! The newlyweds had gone on a fortnight long honeymoon to various hill stations in the north as per the bride's wish. As thoughts of those days came to his mind, his eyes filled with tears.

On one hand he remembered how Meera had been so eager to visit so many places but though they had gone to all the places she had listed, they had spent more time indoors than outdoors. He remembered the few black and white pics they had clicked and wondered where those pics were now? Then thought to himself, the best part of his life with Meera, had been the first few years after their marriage, that they had spent in India.

When his thoughts turned back to Geet, he remembered her insistence on staying back in the village, when Meera and he were returning to Delhi after coming back from their honeymoon. But they had compelled her come along with them, to Delhi, because they had thought it their Responsibility to take care of her. Both of them had been so insensitive to her feelings, he thought now. Even Tulsi Chachi had taunted "maybe Meera wants to save on the maid and cooks salary."

At Delhi, Geet had continued to occupy the upstairs room and carried on her service at the orphanage. Maan and Meera were both looking out for a job. It had been almost two months before they found a job they wanted. On an auspicious day they had had a small pooja before starting their jobs. Maan's parents had come to hemwish , but Meera's mother couldn't as she had gone to the Londonalongwith her elder daughter immediately after Meera's marriage.

They had just started off their jobs, when Meera had become pregnant. Of course, it was a matter of great joy to all, but often Maan had to go alone to office as Meera would be down with morning sickness. He was woken out of his day dreaming when Ramu informed him that he had drawn out the hot water for his bath.

As Maan had bath, he thought that he needed to make peace with his uncle. So that day, after his bath, he went next doors. Nakul was shocked to see him and even a bit scared when Maan asked him to inform Chachu that he had come to meet him. When Nakul told him that his uncle was doing pooja,. "I'll wait" Maan said sitting on the old wooden chair.

As he looked around the house he remembered his childhood days. The huge wooden swing on which his chachu would take him on high Rides, while his mother stood screaming that her little one would fall off. Then his uncle would stop the swing abruptly, putting his foot on the floor and Maan would be literally thrown out of the swing and his mother would make no mistake in catching the child in her arms. Now Maan realized that it was a teenager's way of teasing his bhabhi.

He was brought back to the present by his Chachu's voice hollering "What does he want of me now?" Maan was all set to fall at his feet, so as soon as he came and stood before him, Maan carefully lowered himself and fell in 'shashtang pranam'(joining hands with full body on the floor) at his Chachu's feet saying "Forgive your son,Chachu. I know what I did was unpardonable, but please give me a chance for repentence."

Not expecting this from him, Aryan was stunned at first. Then he bent down to help, as it was difficult for Maan to stand up again because of his leg injury and the sling on his arm. Somehow with great difficulty Nakul and Chachu made him stand. Then embracing him tight, Chachu asked "What madness is this? Why did you have to fall at my feet like that, with all the injury?" Helping him back to the chair, his Chachu said "You didn't wrong me in anyway. Who am I to forgive you then?"

Maan "I broke my promise to you. You all had agreed to my marriage to Meera only on condition that I take care of Geet all my life. But I left her here and went to theLondon. Actually I couldn't have taken her as there was no way I could get a visa for her."

Aryan "If Bhaiya and Bhabhi had not died in the boat mishap when they went on thirth yatra to Varanasi, you wouldn't have gone to London in the first place. They wouldn't have let you. It was my fault too. I shouldn't have let you go. But Meera was so adamant"

Maan "Actually it wasn't Meera's fault. Her mother was the one who put the idea of settling in London in her mind and her sister encouraged it. And after Maa - Papa passed away, my MIL found the Right opportunity to push Meera to seek my admission into a college there. She knew I couldn't resist the opportunity of studying in London. But I had no idea of settling there permanently. I just wanted to get a degree and come back. But then I couldn't do so because I had a lot of loan to pay back. Education is very expensive there. By the time I paid back the loan, I was seeing so much money and luxury, I didn't want to give that all up and come here. You won't believe Chachu, after her mother's death, Meera didn't want to stay in London. She wanted to come back to India, but I Refused. If I had listened to her, she'd have been alive today."

Aryan "I too always feel had I not been so keen to have a child, Tulasi may have been alive today. But Geet always tells me "Chachu nothing ever goes according to our plans. So we'll have to live only with what He has destined for us."

The following Saturday afternoon Prem, Mayuri and Pari came to spend the weekend with Geet. She was surprised when Prem opened a box of sweets and offered it to her. "You know Damad ji I'm diabetic and so I keep away from them."

"Come on Maa, you must eat one piece" her son-in-law coaxed, "we have some very good news for you. You are going to become Nani yet again." Geet looked at her blushing daughter and taking a piece, bit a small part of it and put the remaining part in Mayuri's mouth and hugged her. When she bent down to touch her feet she pulled her up saying "your place is in my arms, not my feet." Then touching her head blessed her saying "May you have a healthy, bonnie baby. Be it a girl or a boy."

Prem "Exactly. That's what I too told her. But she's hoping it's a boy this time."

"Nani you've already forgotten me even before my baby brother has come," complained Pari.

Geet "Of course not. You know you are the only one who's going to get a new title. I'm already your nani and will be the new baby's too. So are your mummy and daddy. You are the only one who is going to become Didi, be it a baby brother or baby sister."

Pari "Is that so mummy?"

Mayuri "Of course, nani is right."

Geet "That's why I've made your favourite 'Kheer' today."

Pari "But nani you didn't even know that till we came over. Mummy and daddy told me to keep it a secret till we came and told you."

All of them laughed at Geet's lies being caught. As there was still time for dinner, Geet suggested they go to the temple and have a pooja done for everything to go on smoothly. As they returned from the temple Mayuri and Prem wanted to go to Aryan Dadu's house and take his blessings too.

Aryan had just returned from his evening walk when they followed him in. "Where did this Nakul go leaving the house in darkness?" Chachu asked switching on the lights. Geet went straight into the kitchen and came back with a jug of water and a few glasses. Mayuri and Prem were holding out the box of sweets to Dadu telling him the good news and then bent down to take his blessings. "God bless you both and little one who'll soon join this family, making me Par Dadu yet again, with a long and healthy life." Tears welled up in his eyes as he said it.

Putting the jug and glasses down, Geet gently helped Chachu to the chair. Holding her hand in his he lamented "We must have committed some grave sins in our previous birth, that's why God has kept us both childless in this life." Offering him some water Geet asked "That means all that you say of me being your daughter is only lip service. And how can you say I don't have a child? I even have a grandchild, I mean grandchildren."

Aryan "Don't twist the truth. You know I meant to say, we don't have biological children."

Hearing some sound of a stick, they turned around to see Maan standing there. Nakul coming behind him said "Welcome Didi, welcome Mayuri beta, Prem ji. Hey Pari baby where are you?" "I'm here nakul kaka" the little girl ran up to him. Picking her up he asked "When did you all come? I didn't hear you. I had gone to plant some vegetables in the garden."

She expected Chachu to yell seeing Maan there, but was shocked to see him call out "Come son, come join us. There's some good news here." She looked shocked at Chachu and then at Maan who came towards them. Prem pulled up a chair for him and he came and sat next to uncle. Geet moved on to give water to others replying to Nakul's question "we just came a few minutes back Nakul. Go get us all some strong hot coffee."

"Right away didi," he said as he walked into the kitchen with the girl in his arms, promising her something special. Prem moved with the sweet box towards Maan saying "Take some sweet Maan, there's to be an addition to our family." Maan looked puzzled at him not understanding what he meant while Geet gave him a similar look wondering why he was calling her maan by his first name. Mayuri was totally pissed off wondering what this man was doing here and why was everyone so goody goody to him.

Prem "Mayuri is in the family way."

"Oh! heartiest congratulations to you and your wife. God bless you with a bonnie baby." Maan said picking up a piece of the sweet.

Aryan saw Geet and Mayuri glancing at each other questioningly and understood that they were surprised to Maan here. So he said looking at both of them "I know you are wondering how Maan is here. Well he asked forgiveness and I couldn't help pardoning him. He regrets the past and wants to make good his mistakes, so I thought I should give him another chance." Geet smiled hearing that, as she remembered what he said a few days back to her, about not ever forgiving him.

But Mayuri threw a bomb. "If he wants to make good his mistakes, will he give Maa her lawful status as his wife?" Geet was so shocked that she just called out "Mayuri!" then there was pin drop silence for a few seconds. Maan looked at Mayuri and then at Geet saying "Sure, if she will do me the honour." Once again there was silence all around but this time it was broken by Nakul who walked in with the coffee.

Pari ran to her mother saying "Mummy see my eatable ring" showing her the frayums that nakul had put around her little finger and which she biting carefully so as not to break it. Along with the coffee, Nakul had brought some snacks also for them.

"Nakul if we eat this, it will kill our apetite for dinner." Geet said so as to change the topic which they had been discussing.

Nakul "It's ok Didi, have Little. And Mayuri beta where's the sweet for me? Pari baby says she's going to become Didi?"

It was a while before the snack and coffee session was over and all of them rose to go to their respective rooms.

"How about all of you come over to my house for lunch tomorrow?" Maan asked them and looked at Geet first to see her reaction. She had turned towards Mayuri who was shaking her head in negative. "May be some other time" replied Geet seeing Maan looking at her expectantly for an answer.

"Tomorrow I want to cook something special, as per Mayuri's choice." Maan looked disappointed but nodded saying "Yes, I can understand that."

Then turning to his uncle he asked "Tomorrow Pandey ji has promised to show some plots for the hospital. Would you please come with me and help me make a choice? You see I'm not familiar with the recent developments in this area."

Aryan "In that case, Prem would be of greater help than me. My movements are restricted to the next 2-3 streets only. Nakul only takes care of all the outdoor jobs."

When Maan looked towards Prem he nodded saying "Ya sure. But we'll be leaving around 4 pm tomorrow. So ask pandey ji to come in the morning itself." Maan walked to Prem and thumping his back said "thanks Damad ji." When Prem looked up at him surprised he said "You are Geet's Damad so you are mine too. Isn't it? Yes, and you can call me uncle, though I asked you not to, the other day." Then he looked at Mayuri wanting to see her reaction and noticed the irritation that crossed her face.

Prem "by the way did you purchase the curtains?"

Maan "No, not yet. You say a lady's opinion is needed, but no lady is willing to accompany me."

Prem "Ok next week when Maa comes to our house, you come with her and I'll take both of you for shopping."

Maan "Oh that's very kind of you but I hope your wife won't mind it."

Maan looked towards Mayuri as he said that but she pretended as if she hadn't heard his conversation with Prem. Though Maan was glad to know that Mayuri wasn't Geet's real daughter, he was determined to win her over as that was the only way to win Geet's heart.

Everybody chose to forget the topic which had been left hanging like a sword by Mayuri's question and his answer earlier. But he wanted to prove he had meant what he had said about accepting Geet as his wife. Little did he know that she had always considered herself only as his wife and that her heart had always been his. Then all of them moved out bidding Chachu bye.

After dinner, when Pari was asleep and the other three were sitting watching TV, Mayuri asked "Maa are you willing to accept him as your husband?"

Geet "There's no question of my accepting or not accepting. He is my husband."

Mayuri "I mean are you willing to go and live with him as his wife?"

Geet thought for a minute and then said "that may be difficult. I've got used to living by myself all these years. Moreover I've built a reputation for myself in society. I don't want to tarnish that."

Mayuri "have you forgiven him for all that he did to you?"

Geet "Mayuri I keep telling you he never wronged me ever. If I hadn't agreed to his and Meera's marriage, I know he'd never have married her, though he might have never been able to forget her or accept me as his wife."

Mayuri "Now he's lonely, helpless, so he wants to accept you. Is that fair?"

Geet "Mayuri you are prejudiced against him that's why you think like that. He said he wanted to make repentence for his mistakes. That's why he has come back."

Mayuri "And you believe it?"

Geet got up and asked Mayuri to come to the inner room with her. She opened the cupboard and brought out the pearl jewellery he had bought for her and narrated the whole incident to her.

Geet "it's not as if he hated me, but he loved Meera more. Inspite of everything he had a soft corner for me. He took full care of me till I was with them in Delhi. I was his legally wedded wife, but not once had he ever tried to get physical with me. There were and are so many men who run two families simultaneously. You should appreciate his loyalty to Meera and the respect he had for me. He told me openly only after he lost Meera he realized how I would have felt giving him up. So he's willing to fulfill his duties as my husband provided I accept him. If he had come and tried to exert his rights on me as his wife, you could blame him."

Mayuri kept looking at her as she spoke and then asked "You still love him very much na Maa?" Geet turned scarlet at her question and said "What a stupid thing that is to ask. At least think of my age. Ok forget all that. Tell me what you want me to cook for you tomorrow?" Mayuri also didn't want to embarrass her mother more. So she said "How about Aloo Paratha?"

Geet "No, no that's too oily for you to eat at this stage. Shall I make Dal rice? I have seen all pregnant women enjoy that a lot."

Mayuri nodded but her heart wept at the thought that this loving angel never got to experience motherhood, only because she happened to love the wrong person. Though Geet had convinced all her relatives that she couldn't bear children, she had, in a weak moment, confided to Mayuri, that it was all a lie to get Maan and Meera married. How could any women sacrifice so much in her life without even cribbing about it she wondered.

Mayuri came out of her thoughts when Geet shook her and raised her eyebrows questioningly. She shook her head and picking up the necklace with a teasing smile placed it on her neck said "your Maan has indeed very good choice." Geet slapped her hand playfully with pretence anger. "Come, let's go to the living room. Damad ji may be wondering where we went off to in the middle of the serial," she said putting the jewellery back in the box. But Mayuri hadn't miss the glow in her mother's eyes when she had appreciated Maan's choice.

That night, as Geet slept next to Pari, her heart was singing with joy. It's because my family's expanding she tried to convince her mind. But the evening's happenings kept coming back to her mind. Especially his answer to Mayuri's question. She weighed the possibilities in her mind and came up with the reply they couldn't live as husband wife anymore, maybe just like friends. Her heart was a little saddened at the decision made by the mind though.

To make her heart happy, she began thinking of Mayuri's pregnancy and the new member who was to come. But her mind wandered to someone else's pregnancy…. Meera's first pregnancy.

Flashback:

One day, early in the morning, she had heard someone throw up and went downstairs. But seeing all the lights in the house off, she had returned upstairs. Again a couple of days later she heard a similar noise. That day, later in the morning, Maan had come upstairs to tell her that Meera was not well and he had an important meeting. Could Geet please keep a watch on Meera for 3-4 hours till he finished his meeting and came back? She assured him that she would take care of her.

Geet went with some 'khicidi' for Meera as she was unwell. When she enquired what had happened, Meera said something she had eaten outside didn't agree with her. From the time they had returned to Delhi, after the marriage, Geet had stopped cooking for them. When Geet offered her the khicidi she refused saying she wanted to eat something spicy. She requested Geet to make some rice as she wanted to eat that with mango pickle. Geet found her request very strange but fulfilled it.

Two days later she had gone to Meera with some kheer and dal which she had prepared. As the door was ajar she had entered calling out to Meera. Meera was resting on the couch. "Are you ok? Aren't you going to office?" Geet enquired.

Meera "I've taken an off today."

Geet "Today is our Kuldevi's feast. I did pooja in the morning. Here's some kheer prasad for you and maan. And the other day you said you wanted to eat something spicy, I've made this dal for you."

Seeing it Meera said "mmm looks yummy!" she was about to dip her finger in it when an oldish lady came out of the kitchen asking "Who is it Meera?" stopping herself Meera made the introductions. "Maa, this is Geet, and Geet this is my mother. She returned from London last night."

Geet "Namaste aunty, how are you? How was your trip to London? How is everyone there?"

Aunty "I'm fine and so was my trip. Now, I'm going to be here for quite some time. So you need not bother about Meera. I'll take care of her."

"That's very nice. It'll be a great help to Meera. Not that it was any bother for me." Geet said and seeing her mother giving her pointed looks took leave of them saying that if she didn't hurry up the temple will be shut. She had walked out of the gate when she remembered that she had left the pooja thali on the verandah window sill. When she went back, she overheard Meera's mother asking her "Are you mad? She must have poisoned it to kill you and your baby." Hearing the word baby Geet had stood shocked still.

She had felt very hurt that Meera hadn't told her the good news herself. When she was about to turn and leave she heard Meera say "Maa don't be mad. She's not like that and by the way she doesn't even know I'm pregnant. You only told me na, not to tell anyone till 3 months are over?"

Aunty "You think she doesn't know because you haven't told her? This dal is the proof that she has guessed the truth. You are very innocent and think everyone is like you. A barren woman's eyes are very evil. I'll throw all this right away so that you won't eat it even by mistake."

Geet couldn't wait to hear anymore. She ran out, tears running down her cheeks. Then realizing that she was on the street, she had quickly wiped her tears and made her way to the temple and then the orphanage.

Try as she might, she couldn't erase Meera's mother's words from her mind. She wanted to yell back at her and tell her that all the children at the orphanage had also had the kheer and dal and nothing had happened to them. But she knew she couldn't, so she had decided to keep away from that house as far as possible.

Meera's mother's presence had slowly drawn Geet and Meera apart. One evening Maan had come upstairs in a rush and said "come down quickly" and rushed back downstairs. Geet had been worried something would have happened to Meera and had literally run downstairs. She was shocked to see Meera smiling and talking over the phone. Seeing her she beckoned to her saying "Maa ji wants to talk to you."

Geet wondered when they had got a phone connection as she went and took it from Meera. She heard her mother-in-law's voice excitedly blabbering from the other end. They had just got a phone connection, that very day on Maan's insistence. And the first call they had made was to their son, who had given them the good news that they were soon going to be grandparents. Her MIL's joy knew no bounds. When Geet hadn't utter a word, her MIL had stopped and asked "Aren't you happy about it?" Only then she realized that stunned silence was being misinterpreted.

Geet "Of course Maa ji, I'm so happy. Hearing your voice after so long and getting the good news at the same time had me so shocked that I couldn't speak. Heartiest congratulations to you and Papa ji."

MIL "you mean you didn't know the news till I told you about it? You are staying in the same house na?"

"Of course Maa ji I'm in the same house. How're Aryan Chachu and Tulsi Chachi?" she replied ignoring the first part of her question.

MIL "All are fine. It's Maan and Meera's first diwali. As it's not advisable for Meera to travel, Maan is asking us to come to Delhi. We'll think over and decide about that. Ok that's all for now. Take care of Meera. I know you'll do so even without my saying so and her mother is also there, but it's the first child of our family so I'm concerned."

Geet "Don't worry Maa ji, everything will be fine. And please do come over for Diwali."

Her in-laws had come to Delhi 2 days before Diwali. As soon as they had arrived they had sent Maan to call her downstairs. They had brought a very pretty silk saree for Meera, as it was a custom to gift one to the DIL, on her first Diwali. But what was surprising was that, they had bought an exact duplicate one, only in a different color, for Geet. When Meera's mother had expressed surprise at that, they had explained to her that they hadn't been able to do much for Geet for her first Diwali, as it had been only a few months after her mother's death. "And all said and done she's the first DIL of the house," her MIL had declared proudly.

Meera's mother would have said something but before she could her FIL had asked Geet to show them her room and went upstairs with her. When Geet said "Aunty you have also never come upstairs, please come along," Meera's mother had given excuse of having some work. Her in-laws had bought lots of sweets and other eatables for Meera. They carried a tray full of all those sweets up to her room, inspite of her asking them to leave it for Meera. Her MIL's reply had been "we've brought enough for both of you and everybody else" That didn't go well with aunty at all. She had just snorted and said "Meera likes only pure ghee sweets."

There were all amenities and furniture on the ground floor, whereas she didn't even have a chair in her room. She had made them sit down on a mat. Her stove was on the floor and a cardboard carton stored all in grocery in packets. If they were shocked or surprised to see her living conditions, they hadn't shown it or said anything.

When Meera's mother came to know that her daughter's in-laws were planning to stay on till Bai Sakhi, she quickly packed her bags and left for her village. Those two months had been extremely happy ones for Geet because her in-laws pampered Geet as much as they pampered Meera.

Every day after Maan and Meera left for office she would come downstairs. Her MIL would offer her some special breakfast which she would have specially prepared for Meera. Lunch would be prepared by Geet. Maan and Meera would come home for lunch. After lunch Geet would take her in-laws upstairs to rest for some time, leaving the couple to themselves.

Maan's parents would come downstairs having had their afternoon nap bringing one cup of coffee for Maan too. Meera had developed a hatred for coffee during her pregnancy. After lunch the couple would again leave for office. Meera would be home by 6 in time for dinner, prepared by Geet once again, while Maan would come very late.

Geet could go to the orphanage only for a few hours every day. Sometimes she took her in-laws also along. They appreciated the way she was spending her spare time for the benefit of others. The tiny girl, Choti, who tailed Geet all the time holding her pallu end, was their favourite. Geet told them that she had been only a week old when she had been left outside the orphanage and when Geet had started to come to the orphanage she had been about one year old. She called Geet 'Maa' though all the other inmates called her 'Didi'. Geet had to make her sleep and then leave quietly. Or else she would create a ruckus.

Two months flew by and soon it was Bai Sakhi. As Maan and Meera were busy at the office, she took her in-laws to the market to shop for clothes as well as other things required for the festival. There were 12 children at the orphanage and her father-in-law had insisted on buying clothes for all of them. After the Bai Sakhi celebrations at home, they had gone to the orphanage, made them wear their new clothes and cooked special food items for them there. Those were such memorable moments!

Few days later, her in-laws had returned to the village and she had continued cooking for Maan and Meera as requested by the elders. Actually they wanted Meera to stop working and rest at home, but both she and Maan were against it. Usually the first delivery would be at the girl's parent's house, but as there were not enough medical facilities in Meera's hometown, Maan refused to send her there. Instead Meera's mother was requested to come over to Delhi.

The Godbharai ceremony were conducted in Meera's eighth month at Delhi itself, with not only Maan's parents but also Aryan Chachu and Tulsi Chachi coming to Delhi for it.There was a ceremony where the pregnant woman's arms were filled with colorful bangles. It was customary to have another childless woman sit beside her and have her arms also filled with equal number of bangles. It was believed that by doing so that childless woman would concieve. Tulsi chachi had eagerly sat next to Meera for the ceremony, Geet recollected now.

Krish was born on a hot sweltering day in May. Though Meera's mother didn't like Geet, she couldn't manage cooking and visiting the hospital. Meera had had a ceasarean because of foetal distress and hence couldn't move much. Maan had kept taken off for a couple of days, but then had to go. Geet used to be with Meera the whole day long, looking after the baby, changing him, and holding him close to his mother when he needed to be fed as Meera found it very painful to even sit up.

Thus she had bonded with the baby right from the day he was born. As it was the paddy sowing season in their fields, Meera's mother returned to their hometown after two months. After a month, Meera had returned to office, leaving Geet in charge of the baby. It was only when they came home for lunch, Geet could go to the orphanage. Mainly because little Choti wouldn't eat if she didn't go.

Thinking of Choti brought a smile to Geet's lips. How destiny had brought her back into her life! She hugged Pari closer to her and fell asleep.

Love,

Hinal

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