Diamonds and Rust-maneet chap2 updated - Page 4

"Maan..."

His name was like a choked sob as it fell from her lips. She crossed the room in two bounds and threw her arms around him.

Two years...it had been two long years since she had seen him last...heard his voice...

Holding him in her arms at last, she felt like she had truly come home.

She was battling her own emotions so much that she didn't notice his reaction. She did not see his eyes widen with shock and awe before they became hard and cold. It was only after a while that Geet realized that something was very wrong. His body was completely rigid. His arms were still hanging inert at his sides, not hugging her back, his hands balled into fists. Pulling away ever so slightly, she noticed the tension in his jaw before her eyes met his.

His eyes were the eyes of a stranger. The look in his eyes...he had never looked at her like that...never looked at ANYONE like that...

She took a staggering step backwards, trying to stifle her gasp. She simply stared at the man who had been her best friend, silently pleading his eyes to soften, his lips to curve into that familiar smile. They did not.

"Areh Maan beta! Tum jaldi aa gaye," Dadima exclaimed, breaking the awkward silence.

"No Dadima", he answered evenly, "it's ten o' clock."

"Really? I didn't notice it was so late!" Dadima looked at Geet, her expression worried. "How will you get home Geet? Do you have a car?"

"Uh-", it took a second for her dazed mind to focus. "no. but don't worry Dadima. I'll manage."

"Absolutely not!" Dadima replied vehemently, " there is no way I'm letting you go on your own this late at night. It isn't safe."

She turned towards her grandson who has been silent throughout this conversation.

"Maan beta, you will have to drive Geet home."

"What-"

"but Dadima-"

They exclaimed at the same time.

"No buts!" Dadima said firmly, "Maan. Since you refuse to hire a driver, it cant be helped. You will drop Geet home."

When she looked at them like that, Geet knew there was no way to disobey her. She sighed in resignation and turned towards Maan, only to find him walking out the door.

"Are you coming or not?" he called over his shoulder.

She sighed again before following him.

Geet fidgeted with her fingers as she looked at Maan's stony profile from the corner of her eye. He hadn't said a single word except asking her for directions. She remembered the easy banter they used to share and sighed for what seemed like the umpteenth time. The silence felt oppressive.

"Um-I went to Khurana Manor today", she began in a falsely cheery voice. "You know... before i went to Dadima's place."

Maan didn't give any indication that he was listening to a word she was saying.

"Guess what happened?" she continued, ignoring the lack of response, "I was walking up the drive when I got attacked by this HUGE Alsatian. It chased me up a tree. I was hanging there FOREVER before the security guard called him off me. And guess its name? FLUFFY! Who on earth named that beast Fluffy?"

"Well he wasn't always a beast."after a pause he added reminiscingly,"He was actually quite a fur ball as a pup."

She turned to face him fully. She hadn't expected an answer. His face was softer than she had seen it all evening, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

It took a moment for her to actually process what he was saying. Then it hit her.

"Oh! so Fluffy is that puppy Annie got lat year? She sent me pictures. He WAS cute I can't believe he's grown so big."

Maan's face hardened at the mention of Annie's name.

"Maan," she said softly, placing her hand on his arm which was resting on the centre console. "why did you leave Khurana Mannor? There are so many memories there. Memories of your parents and An-"

"SHUT UP GEET!" he bit out harshly before she could even finish. He grasped the wrist of the hand she had rested on his arm, his grip unyielding. "Don't talk about things you don't understand!" he continued in that same bitter tone, his grip tightening till it hurt, "They're DEAD! All of them! Memories!" he spat the word "Memories wont bring them back. Nothing will! NOTHING!"

He released her wrist with a jerk, making her wince, and stopped the car. They simply sat there, her eyes filled with shock, his completely void of expression.

After a moment, he spoke in a voice as expressionless as his eyes. "We're here."

"Huh?" she started, then looking around, realized that he was right.

She got out. "Um- thanks for the ride," she said awkwardly.

"Hn" he grunted, in acknowledgement as she slammed the door shut. With that, he drove away. Geet stood there till she could no longer see the tail-lights.