P.S: Please Add hinal_pm for pms
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulakat Ho Gayi
Khurana Mansion,
As the doctor checked Geet, Armaan paced around the corridor waiting for Geet to wake up. What the hell had happened? He had been in contact with Karan for the past 2 and half years and till then he knew everything was fine but then due to time difference and work they weren't able to catch up much but what changed within a year? How come Geet had to go through all this alone? He ran his hand through his hair as he wondered how he could abandon Geet when she needed him the most. He had promised to away protect yet he couldn't be there when she needed him.
As he was thinking about all this he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Maan standing behind him.
Maan, "Armaan I don't exactly know what is going on but you need to be strong right now. You can't lose your cool. Geet needs you so please calm down"
Armaan just nodded in silence and both of them waited for the doctor to come out. After a few minutes the doctor came and instructed Shilpa to make Geet have some liquid as soon as she gets up and then gave a prescription of medicines to be taken for a day. Shilpa sent Nakul to get the medicines and juice.
Armaan rushed to her and asked, "Doctor, how is Geet? Is she fine?"
Doctor, "Relax Mr. Malik. Geet is fine. Due to stress and high BP she fainted. I have given some medicines so please make sure she has them and she will be fine. And please try to avoid stressful situations at least for tonight"
Armaan nodded and entered the room while Maan escorted the doctor out. Daadi was sitting on 1 side of Geet and Armaan settled on the other side and couldn't stop the tears from running out. He took her hand in his and kissed it lightly and said, "I'm Sorry Geet. Maine ab tak mera promise pura nahi kiya lekin ab main tumhe kahi nahi jaane dunga"
Shilpa who had returned escorted Daadi to her room as she too needed to rest. After returning she placed her hand on his shoulder, turned him towards her and wiped her tears and said, "Shh Armaan bas karo. Aise tumhe rota dekh ke use khushi nahi hogi so stop worrying. She is finally with you. Ab usko wapas dukhi karna hai apne aansu dikha ke"
Armaan hugged her and sobbed, "Shilpa main kya karu? Maine apna ek bhi promise pura nahi kiya jo Geet se kiya tha. Jab usko mere sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab main nahi tha. Usne kaise akele sab kiya hoga? Hum usko ek glass utha ke bhi rakhne nahi dete the aur aaj usko sab akele karna padha. I had promised Mamma - Papa and Karan that I will never let anything happen to them. But I failed.. I failed. I couldn't save them nor could I be there for Geet"
Shilpa didn't know what to tell Armaan. She couldn't let him feel guilty yet there were no words which could sooth him as well. As she was thinking they heard, "Shh Armaan bas. Stop crying. If you can't see me crying toh main kaise tumhe rote dekh sakti hu. Please tum guilty feel mat karo"
Armaan turned and hugged Geet and both cried together their pain. Shilpa left the room as she knew they needed some time alone.
After sometime both stopped crying and saw Shilpa enter and give the glass which was placed on the nightstand to Armaan. Armaan had to literally force it into Geet who just didn't want to do anything but doze off. Her medicines were also force fed and after that Geet just dozed off. She neither removed any of her jewellery nor changed into comfortable clothes. Armaan shook his head at her and slowly removed her jewellery and placed it on the nightstand. After making sure she was fine they both went to their room.
The Next Morning,
Geet had woken up early and after freshening up she went down and saw that no one was out yet. She went to the kitchen and saw Nakul there who asked her if he could prepare anything for her and she just requested warm water with a spoon of honey. After taking the glass she ventured out and went out to the garden area in front of the Mansion. She hadn't seen the private areas of the Mansion and didn't want to venture into any unknown place or upset anyone. As she enjoyed the fresh smell and wet grass she felt a bit of peace. Finally she had found the person who would never leave her but she wondered how she would tell him about all the happenings of the last year. She remembered the last Diwali where Karan had told everyone he was in love with someone and would like them to meet her. All had been so happy but never knew the storm that was brewing and moving towards her. She sighed and wiped her tears and had her water.
As she entered she was pulled into a hug by a frantic Armaan who had panicked not seeing Geet in her room. Geet rubbed his back lightly and said, "Main yahi hu Armaan. I'm not going anywhere so stop hugging me. I'm sure Shilpa will soon start feeling jealous of me" and showed him her tongue.
Armaan smacked her head lightly and shook his head and said, "Shilpa nahi Bhabhi bol. You don't call me Bhai doesn't mean you don't call her Bhabhi. And she is very secure she won't feel jealous and specially of you"
Geet smiled and they both entered the Dining Room where all the other three were waiting.
Shilpa, "Hogaya Armaan ya abhi bhi baaki hai tumhara natak?"
Geet giggled hearing it while Armaan glared at both and said, "It's not natak ok. I was scared and worried"
Shilpa, "Yeah yeah I know so worried that you didn't even let Nakul finish that Geet was in the garden and just ran. Seriously Armaan I never knew you were such a darpok"
Geet went to Shilpa and put her hands on her shoulder and said, "Arre Bhabhi you don't know Armaan is such a fatoo. Don't ask he used to get scared of a lizard. He and Karan were just waste. I was the Sherni there. Mere samne toh dar bhi patli gali se bhaag jaata tha"
Armaan narrowed his eyes and moved towards her while Geet ran away shouting, "Bhabhiii... Bachao... "
Armaan, "Arre why are you running now? You are not scared na toh rukho"
Geet showed her tongue to him and said, "Main itni bhi bewakoof nahi hu" and smack hit the staircase banister and shouted out, "Ouchhh"
Armaan and Shilpa rushed to her and helped her to sit. Armaan smacked her arm and said, "Dekh ke nahi chal sakti. You know how clumsy you are phir bhi"
Geet rubbing her arm said, "Arre main girungi toh aap hona pakad ne ke liye. Toh phir kyu chinta karu main"
Armaan had tears hearing it as it reminded him again how he had failed to protect her while Shilpa, Savitri and Maan were awed by her innocence and trust on Armaan. Geet sighed looking at his tears and wiped them and said, "Kya yaar Armaan jab se mili hu bas ro rahe ho tum. Aisa hai toh chali jaati hu main" and stood up but before she could go further he pulled her back and glared and said, "Maine kaha na I won't let you go"
Geet gave up and said, "Acha chalo meri exercise bhi hogai ab breakfast kar le bohut bhook lagi hai"
Armaan nodded and helped her to the dining table. At the table Geet saw that it had a lot of variety of dishes and looked at Savitri and asked, "Ma'am itni saari dishes sirf breakfast ke liye"
Savitri smiled and said, "Nahi Beta aaj Diwali hai na isiliye"
Geet nodded and they had their breakfast in silence. After finishing it Geet pulled Armaan to the Formal Living Room and the others thought to give them privacy and so got busy in their works.
Geet, "Armaan woh.. I should leave now."
Armaan was about to protest when Geet continued, "Please listen to me. I'm not staying with Simran Maasi but Im staying in Khurana Foundation Haveli so I have to go to Simran Maasi's house to wish her for Diwali. After Mumma Papa it is now my duty to at least go and wish them today. Anyways I have to go to Haveli as I need to change and plus I have few work pending there. Please Armaan now you know where I am so you don't need to worry."
Armaan sighed but tried 1 last time, "Geet you can wear something of Shilpa. Simran Maasi se toh main jaake milta hu. How come she didn't let you live there? Please Geet I really don't want you to be alone. You do 1 thing get your bags and move here. I'm sure Daadi and Maan won't have a problem"
Geet, "No Armaan please don't create any issue with Simran Maasi. She was the one who helped me in Mumbai and she let me live with her for 2 weeks. Even that was more and anyways I'm a working independent woman toh it doesn't look good na staying there. So please just let me handle her. And about moving here that I can't do. Maan is my boss how can I move into his house. Savitri Ma'am has been so helpful and let me stay in Khurana Foundation Haveli now I don't want to take anymore advantage of her kindness. Anyways it's not so far so you can come anytime you want. About not being alone ok what if after finishing my work I stay here for the Diwali Holidays? That way I won't be alone as you want nor will I be imposing on anyone"
Armaan knew he couldn't win and so agreed and told her that he would come to pick her up in the evening at 3:30 PM. After their talk Geet had a small talk with Savitri and Shilpa and asked their permission to stay here for 2 days which earned her scoldings from both who said that this was also her family and house so she didn't need to ask any permission.
Armaan dropped her to Khurana Foundation Haveli and returned. Geet after changing and packing 2 set of clothes for her stay over when to her wardrobe where she had placed a special packet and packed it as well. After finishing her work at the Haveli and helping the others she left informing them of her absence for the next few days. She then went to Simran Maasi's house which was locked. She met a neighbour who knew Geet a bit and she assured her that she would pass the gifts and sweets to Simran and family after they return. Geet also got to know that they were away to Amristar for Sheetal's wedding. That hurt her that her Maasi didn't even think once about letting her know but knew it was nothing new and soon left.
At exactly 3:15 PM, Armaan was waiting outside the Haveli for Geet. Geet who had come from outside shook her head at her brother and got her bag after bidding bye to her friends and left.
Once they reached Khurana Mansion and Geet was settled she went to the Informal Living Room which was more like a lounge where all were resting. She gave the package she had removed from her bag to Armaan and Shilpa. Armaan gave her a questioning look which Geet understood and said, "Woh Mumma Papa ne apke liye yeh rakha tha ke jab aapki shaadi hogi toh aapko aur Bhabhi ko denge. Woh toh Bhabhi se mil nahi paye but Im sure unke blessings aap dono ke saath hamesha honge."
Armaan was teary and sat with Shilpa and opened the package slowly making sure it wasn't harmed. In that was a beautiful Kundan Necklace set with matching earrings and 2 bangles. There was also a small box to keep sindoor. Then there were a pair of rings and a men's watch. Armaan's tear dropped looking at it. Only he knew what this gift meant to him. Shilpa rubbed his arm to sooth him. He smiled at her assuring her that he was fine.
Geet took the rings and told them to make each other wear. After that she hugged Armaan from back and said, "Last Diwali Karan introduced a girl and when their marriage was fixed Mumma Papa got this for you. Aap Karan aur mere se kaam nahi ho isiliye aapke liye sabse phele liya. Mujhe toh bas 4 bangle leke di lekin Bhabhi ke liye dekho kitna kuch diya hai"
Armaan patted her head and said, "Mumma sab se zyada mujhse pyaar karti hai na isiliye"
Geet nodded and said, "Ekdum correct" then wiping her tears turned to Shilpa and said, "Bhabhi I hope aapko pasand aaya. Nahi aaya toh hum change karwa sakte hai"
Shilpa shook her head and said, "Nahi bohut acha hai. Mujhe bohut pasand aaya. Mumma ne choose kiya hai toh acha kaise nahi"
Geet smiled and turned to Armaan and said, "Ab mera gift do"
Armaan frowned and asked, "Kaunsa gift?"
Geet made a mocking face and said, "Ahahaaa kaunsa gift. Kyu piche 4 saal ke Raksha Bandhan aur Bhai Dooj ke gift kaun dega?"
Armaan smirked and said, "Ja ja main nahi deta koi gift. Im sure Karan would have given you double gifts."
Geet made a grumpy face and said, "Woh bhi aapka hi Bhai hai. He is also kanjoos like you. He didn't even give his gift where will he give your gift to me huh. Babaji kaise kanjoos bhai diye hai mujhe aapne"
Armaan smirked while Shilpa and Maan laughed. Savitri had gone to her room to rest for some time. Armaan went to his room and got a bag and dropped it on her hands and said, "Yeh lo"
Geet smiled and opened the bag but shouted, "Armaaannn" seeing it filled with waste paper balls.
Armaan and Maan fell on the floor laughing looking at her expressions while Shilpa just shook her head at his prank. Geet got angry and hit her leg hard on the floor and dropped the bag on Armaan and went to the room she was staying in.
Geet, "Babaji what is this? What type of brother is Armaan? Phele toh 4 saal nahi mila. Ab mila toh who bhi shaadi shuda. Shaadi ki toh masti nahi kar sakti at least Raksha Bandhan aur Bhai Dooj ke hi mazee le leti. Lekin nahi woh bhi nahi hai meri kismat main. Koi mujhse pyaar nahi karta. Na Mumma Papa... na Karan... aur na Armaan. Huh mujhe hi chala jaana chaiye tha yaha se" and a tear slipped down her eyes remembering her family.
Armaan and Shilpa who had been hearing her now felt bad and Shilpa went in and wiped her tears and said, "Main hu na Geet. Don't worry I'll take care of Armaan. I won't let him tease you again but don't say that no one loves you. We do love you specially Armaan. Do you know there in New York any place we go he would always shop something for you. He would forget for himself, me or Karan but for you never. Even if it's a small post card or keychain but if he knew something that you would like he would buy it immediately"
Geet smiled sadly and said, "I know he is like that. He was just teasing me but what to do it's been really hard to manage everything alone and now that he is here I'm just scared that I don't lose him too"
Armaan who had gone to his room returned and hugged her tightly from back hearing her and said, "I'm not going to leave you Geet. I know it has been hard but now I'm here. Trust me I won't leave you"
Geet nodded and sat on the bed. Armaan sat next to her and took her hand in his and said, "Im sorry Geet I wasn't there for you but please believe me im here now. Please bol ke kaise huve yeh sab?"
Geet sighed as she knew this would come and closed her eyes and said, "As I said last Diwali Karan wanted us to meet a girl he liked so he had set up a meeting in a restaurant in Church Gate. I, Mumma and Papa were running a bit late but I didn't know that it would be too late. Some firing happened near the restaurant and in crossfire Karan and his girlfriend were seriously injured but before they could be treated they lost their lives"
Tears rolled down as she remembered how everything was ruined within an hour. If only they could have been treated a bit earlier they could have been saved but fate wasn't on their side and they lost him.
Armaan wiped her tears and with a heavy voice asked, "Aur Mumma Papa?"
Geet closed her eyes remembering the hard time they had to face after Karan left. The teasing, the taunts which forced them to move to a different part of the city. But the worst blow had come a month back.
Geet sobbing, "Woh last month Mumma Papa ko kuch news mili. Uske wajhe se woh bohut tension main the. Maine unse baat ki ke aap tension mat lo sab theek hojayega and sab theek bhi hogaya tha. But that was just the calm before the storm. After about 2 and half weeks I got a call from Citycare Hospital that Papa has been in an accident and I with Mumma rushed to see him but he had succumbed to his injuries and passed away. It was a hit and run case but we couldn't do anything as no one knew any details of the car that hit Papa. Aur Mumma couldn't take the stress of losing Karan and then Papa and that night she got a stroke and passed away. Armaan I couldn't do anything Armaan. I couldn't save Mumma or Papa. How useless am I that I couldn't even protect them. They have always been there for me but I couldn't help them Armaan. Then Simran Maasi came down and all the formalities were filled and funeral was held. She told me to come to Delhi and after finishing all my work there I moved here" and broke down. It is never easy to lose your entire family and the worst thing was that all showed sympathy and pity but no one tried to understand and just be there for them.
Armaan rushed out of the room before his tears touched the floor. Shilpa was confused what to do... be with Geet or be with Armaan when she saw Maan there who told her silently to go to Armaan and assured her he would be with Geet. Shilpa smiled slightly and rushed out.
Maan had heard everything and couldn't help but wonder how could she still smile and play around with so much pain in her? He too had lost his parents so he knew how she felt. But the way she handled herself made him respect her more. He entered the room and took the glass of water and gave it to her.
Once she calmed down she had the water and said, "Thanks"
Maan smiled and told her to sit while he sat opposite her and said, "Geet I don't have any words that can console you, make your loss seem small or anything but I can just tell that my respect for has increased. I know what it is to lose your parents because I lost mine when I was in my early 20s. I know the pain doesn't seem to end but the way you still smile through your pain I just can't imagine doing it. I had a very hard time handling my loss and I know it's very easy to lose your way and you may end up doing wrong things but you have handled yourself so well and that too alone I can just say that I'm amazed. I know the sympathy or pity people give is not what is needed and if ever you feel alone or you can't handle the pain remember you have Armaan, Shilpa, Daadi and last but not the least me too. I'm sure you can trust on me too."
Geet was assured by his words and with a smile she brought her hand forward and said, "Friends?"
Maan smiled and shook her hand and said, "Friends"
After talking for a bit more time Maan left the room and Geet dozed off after the emotional break down.
CID
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
37