Part 8
Maan and Geet sat on the grass and basked in the beauty in front of them. They sat in close proximity. Both of them were at peace enjoying their environment and each others company.
"How did you find this place?", Geet asked after a long silence.
"I used to come here all the time, a long time ago.", Maan responded.
"What do you mean used to? Why did you stop?", Geet asked curiously.
"I just didn't want to anymore and I really didn't have a lot of time.", There was a restraint in his voice as he said this.
Geet could feel that there was something he wasn't telling her. "Why would someone not want to come to a place like this? Its so peaceful and almost magical."
"I just stopped, there's no specific reason.", Maan told her.
"Maan, I told you my biggest secret yesterday and you won't even tell me what's bothering you. I thought you said we were friends.", Geet said.
"We are.", he was surprised that she could tell that he wasn't giving her the entire truth and that she really did consider him his friend.
"Then you should be able to tell me what your thinking.", Geet said with a frown.
Maan looked at Geet and thought over what she just said. He wasn't sure he was ready to tell anyone about his past. He didn't like talking about it. The things in his past had changed him. But he thought it was only fair to tell Geet about it because she had told him her story. Plus if he wanted her to love him, he was going to be honest about everything.
He took a deep breath and began, "I'm sure you know that my dadi is the one who raised me. The reason behind my her raising me is because my mother left my father when I was two years old. I didn't know why and I never bothered asking about it when I was a little older. Even though my parents weren't together, my mother still came to see me. I still loved her even though she wasn't always there.", He paused.
"Then what happened?", Geet asked knowing this wasn't going to be a happy tale.
"My father was always at work, he never made time for me. But about a year later he remarried. He had two son's with his second wife. I accepted my step mother and brothers as my own. I was happy to have a normal family like everyone else. My brothers and I were very close. But then something changed. I was 15 when I found out the reason my mother and father weren't together was because my mother had cheated on my dad. I over heard my dad and dadi talking about it. After that day I never met my mother again. I hated her. I hated her because she was too selfish. I felt like she didn't love me enough." Maan said in anguish.
"I'm sure that's not the case", Geet tried to console him. "Every mother loves their child no matter what. Trust me, I know."
"No Geet, its not the same. If my mother loved me she would not have left me and my father.", He said in disgust.
"She did still see you afterwards. If she didn't love you she wouldn't have wanted to see you."
"Maybe, but I don't think I can ever forgive her.", Maan said looking off into the distance.
"You still didn't explain when you stopped coming to this place.", Geet urged him when he stopped talking.
Maan was hesitant, but he continued, "I found this place when I found out about my mother. That day I wanted to get away from everything. So I just ran of by my self. I tried to get as far as I could from home. Then I came here. It gave me peace after what I had just discovered about my mother. After that I always came here. It made me forget about all things in my life. You know what I mean?"
Geet nodded. She understood exactly what he meant because this place had the same effect on her.
Maan continued, "When I was 17 I met this girl. She was very pretty. All the guys were after her. But she liked me. We were together for three years. I felt like I was in love with her. I wanted to marry her after I finally began my business.", He looked at Geet to see what her reaction was to this. She was quiet and didn't say anything. Her face was blank. He wondered what she was thinking. Then he went on, "When I told her about my plans to marry her, she was uncertain and told me that we should think of that when we were a little older. After that she became distant. We didn't see each other as much we used to. Then one day out of no where I found out she had gotten married."
"That's terrible", Geet said in disbelief. "How could someone do that? It's so cruel."
"Not as cruel as what happened to you.", Maan said in misery.
"Maan, I understand how you feel. Being betrayed by someone who you thought loved you is the worst kind of pain a person can inflict on another."
"I was so stupid thinking that I wanted to marry her. When I found out she married someone else I stopped coming here. This place didn't comfort me anymore. I lost faith in women. I didn't think they could be trusted. From my experience they only caused pain.", Maan told her. His tone had a hint of anger in it.
"You can't judge everyone based on what happened. Not all women are like that."
Then he all of a sudden Maan smiled and said "Yeah, I discovered that when I finally met you, because when I think of you Geet, I'm always happy."
Geet became uncomfortable and tried to steer the conversation in another direction "So why did you bring me here today? I mean after you decided not to come here anymore?"
"Well, first of all you needed a break form everything and I remembered how I felt when I used to come here. I thought you might enjoy it and get some peace of mind. And second of all, you didn't want to go home." He told her. There was another reason but he didn't think it would be a good idea to tell her. The third reason was that he wanted to spend time with her.
"Thanks for everything. I really appreciate it.", Geet responded. "I'm glad you told me about your mom and everything. I know it was hard for you but sometimes it helps to share your pain with someone else. You don't always have to keep everything locked up inside." Geet said sympathetically. She felt like she understood Maan better now. His harsh exterior was a product of the events in his life. She didn't blame him for the way he was anymore. She understood that it was his way of protecting himself.
Maan told her that he would keep what she said it mind. They sat there for a while until Geet's stomach growled. Maan declared it was time to get some food.
Before they left the water bank, Geet asked, "Maan, will you bring me back here again?"
Maan beamed at her and said "Yes, of course."
Next Part: Maan and Geet going out for lunch. Will it be as peaceful as their morning together?
Hi guys, I don't know if this part came out to good. I tried my best. Hope you all like it. Let me knwo what you think. Leave comments. 😊
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