OS: Best Friends - Epilogue Pg14 July 26

Disclaimer: this is not really a Maneet OS...yes...they are here and yes they end up together...but thats not the point of this story...no one DIES...or no HEART BREAK!! nothing SAD at all...

Meera walked up the pathway to the Handa Haveli trying hard not to trip over her saree and heels. It didn't help matters that her darling husband, whom she could strangle at this very moment, kept asking the same question every other minute.

"Are you sure I look ok?" he asked.

If her hands were free, she would have smacked her head, better yet she'd have smacked her husband.

"For the love of Babaji! Yes, you look fine Adi," Meera said. "I swear you're worse than a girl."

"I just want to make sure I'm presentable," Adi said as she fixed his tie for the 100^th time that day.

"Relax," Meera said as she put a hand on his shoulder. "Ek toh woh log tumhe dekhne nahin aa rahe hai. Secondly, you see them at the office every day."

"Still…" Adi said.

As they entered the Handa Haveli, they could see that the entire house was buzzing in preparations for what was coming.

"Aare Meera beta, you're here," she heard someone call to her.

Looking towards the direction where the sound came from, Meera smiled at the patriarch of the family, Daarji.

"Namaste Daarji," she said before bending down to touch his feet.

"How many times do I tell you, ladkiyaan pair nahin choote," Daarji said as he pulled Meera into an embrace.

Meera simply smiled as she squeezed him back. On the outside, Daarji was an ice cold business man who single handedly took Handa Hotels to the top of the business. But on the inside, he was a complete teddy bear when it came to his girls. As Meera pulled back she saw Mohinder Uncle and Biji coming to greet them.

"Meera puttar," Biji began, "Aaj kal tabiyat kaisi hai? I've heard you are not keeping well."

"Nothing like that Biji, I'm absolutely fine," Meera said with a smile as she hugged Biji. "Aap bataiyeh…how can I help?"

While Adi spoke to Mohinder Uncle and Daarji, she walked with Biji to towards the kitchen.

"Everything is just about done…baas…Teji went to get some more mithaai's," Biji informed.

"Oh," Meera said as she picked up a jalebi and began to munch on it.

"Adi Putter," Daarji began, "Woh log aa rahe hai naa?"

"Bilkul Daarji. I spoke to Dadi just before I left the house, they are on their way," Adi informed.

"Vaise Biji…" Meera began as she took a jalebi and began munching on it, "Where is everyone else? Rano Aunty…Pammi Bhabi…La…"

Just then, there was commotion coming from upstairs. As Meera and everyone else looked up towards the second floor, they saw a very mad looking Rano Aunty storming out of a room.

"I swear Babaji, iss ladki ka kuch nahin hone wala," she said as she fumed.

They all stood silently and seconds later heard the sound they were waiting for, Rano Aunty's bedroom door slamming shut.

They all looked at each other and in one breath, all of them said, "Geet!"

"Aab toh I don't have to ask where Geet is," Meera said as she began to cross the large main hall towards the stairs.

"Meera Di," Laachi called, as she came in from the backyard. "Jahaan dhuaan hai, vahaan aag toh hogi hi."

At her comment, they all laughed.

"Puttar, please go and see what halla this ladki is making today," Biji said.

Meera simply nodded as she took Laachi by the arm dragging her along with her, "Chal Laachi…time to face the drama queen."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Nahin nahin nahin, I won't wear all this," Geet cried.

"Magar Geet…" Pammi began on fell quiet when two people entered the room.

Geet looked to her silent sister-in-law and then followed her eyes to the door. The instant she saw who stood there, she felt relief. There stood her best friend of 16 years, Meera Roy.

Oops, Meera Thakur.

She had first met Meera in school when they were only nine years old. From that very first day, they'd hit it off as if they'd known each other for their whole lives. The friendship that had started in school quickly transferred to their home lives. Over the years, while Meera and Geet's bond grew amongst themselves, the bonds also grew between their families. It had gotten to the point where both girls were considered daughters in the others house, the called each other's parents as mom and dad instead of uncle and aunty. Meera and Geet had been through thick and thin, through happiness and sadness, through laughs and tears, through love and heartbreak. They'd been through life with each others support because they knew that they couldn't it without the other.

"Meera save me," Geet said as she ran behind Meera to get away from Pammi.

"Tauba Geet, kuch toh sharam kar," Meera said horrified at Geet's attire. "Laachi close the door."

Geet stood clad in only a stringy backless blouse and peach colored petticoat. She stood with her hands on her hips and looked down at herself while Meera put down her purse on Geet's bed.

"What?" Geet asked after inspecting herself. "What's wrong?"

No one missed Pammi rolling her eyes and then throwing the saree on the bed.

"Iss tu sambhal Meera, I can't take it anymore," Pammi said before attempting to storm out.

"Bhabi…bhabi," Geet called.

"Kya hai?" Pammi asked, rather annoyed.

"Bhook lagi hai," she said innocently.

"Here we are all tensed and isse…isse bhook lagi hai," Pammi said in mock anger.

Geet made an innocent face which she knew her sister-in-law couldn't resist. Geet gave a victorious smile as she watched Pammi's retreating back after she'd agreed to get some food for Geet.

Meera took the opportunity to grab Geet by the hand, make her stand still while she draped the saree. Just as she was making sure the pleats were perfect, Pammi walked in with a plate of pakoras in her hand and Rano in tow.

"Thank you Bhabi," Geet said as she popped a pakora into her mouth.

"Meera, kuch kaar iss ladki ka," Rano requested. "Ladke wale…

"What ladke wale Mamma?" Geet asked. "I don't want to get married…woh bhi arranged marriage…woh bhi in this day and age…"

"Tu chup kar," Rano admonished. "Meera…main keh rahi hoon, this girl is going to give me a heart attack."

"Maa…aap fikar maat karo…I'll handle her," Meera said.

She stood savoring the pakoras when Biji walked in.

"Jaab ek dikha diya…dusra bhi dikha de," Biji said as she joined the women.

"What?" Geet asked, confused by her comment.

"Biji's talking about your boobs Didi," Laachi said.

Geet frowned and looked down at her chest and realized what Biji was talking about. The part of the fabric that was supposed to cover her chest and then drape over her shoulder had come loose and was now riding low between her chest, exposing one of her breasts.

Geet groaned as she ripped off the saree while Meera screamed in horror.

"The pleats were perfect!" Meera complained.

"Geet…sharam kaar…Biji is here," Rano scolded.

"Toh," Geet said as she went and hugged Biji from the side, "She's my rock star Biji."

"Meera you handle her or I'll kill her," Rano said before storming out.

Geet smirked as she watched her mother, sister-in-law and Biji stalk out. The smirk was wiped off of her face the second she turned back to Meera who stood with her hands on her hips and an angry expression on her face.

Geet wasn't just Geet, she was Geet Handa. She did what she wanted, when she wanted, how she wanted. She never made apologies for herself and always stood her ground. Raised to be independent and head strong, she was scared of no one. Well almost no one. The only person in the world that terrified her, was her best friend – Meera. Meera was the only person on the planet, let alone Mumbai, who could make Geet change her mind and do something she didn't want to do.

"Chill yaar," Geet said as she draped an arm over Meera's shoulder.

"What 'chill'?" Meera asked. "They are almost here and you are standing here half naked!"

Meera's voice squeaked just slightly, just like it always did when she was frustrated and/or stressed. Usually, when that happened Geet couldn't help but laugh, but this time that anger and frustration was meant for her. It didn't help matter that Laachi, her younger sister, was sprawled on the bed laughing her head off.

"Where is Jij?" Geet asked.

"Neeche with Papa and Daarji," Meera said.

"Is he nervous?" Geet asked, knowing her Jijaji very well, she was sure he was freaking out.

"Nervous?" Meera repeated, "Koi dekhega toh yehi sochega ke woh log tujhe nahin…unhe dekhne aa rahe hai."

Geet and Laachi were rolling with laughter because they could picture Adi just sweating, stuttering and being a total klutz in this situation. Adi, Aditya Roy, worked as the head accountant for Khurana Constructions, the largest construction firm in India. It was because of him that the MD of that company, Mrs. Savitri Devi was coming to see Geet. Adi was always telling her stories about Geet and Meera because Savitri Devi was like a grandmother to all the employees, they just felt like they could say anything to her. Despite being in her seventies, she was as sharp as a tack and was still running Khurana Constructions as the MD with her two grandsons. It had been Savitri Devi who had asked Adi about Geet for her oldest grandson. Adi had first consulted with Meera, then Geet's parents, and once they'd given the green signal, Adi had informed Savitri Devi. That is why, today, the Khurana's were coming to see Geet. If things went as Meera and Geet's entire family wanted, she'd be the badi Khurana bahu in no time. Which was not what Geet wanted at all. If she had her way, she'd stay single all her life. Too bad Meera wouldn't let her.

"Oh, how is Jij?" Geet asked trying to deflect the situation at hand.

"Geet you have to get ready," Meera said as she picked up the saree from the bed and began sorting it, completely ignoring Geet's question.

"I hate sarees," Geet complained as she plopped down on the armchair by the window. "It's so long!"

"I don't care," Meera said. "You're hair is a mess, makeup not done, jewelry…wait…where is you jewelry?" she asked as she looked around.

"Di," Laachi said. "Aap Didi se jewelry ki bare mein pooch rahi hai. She's the house tomboy!"

Meera and Laachi both laughed while Geet frowned and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Mujhe tayar nahin hona," Geet said adamantly.

Geet watched, slightly petrified, as Meera took off her heels losing four inches in height. When Meera began to walk, Geet flinched slightly because she was sure that the golden stiletto was going to come flying to her head. Instead, Meera went and stood by the vanity where all sorts of beauty products were laid out.

"You get your butt in that chair right now Geetanjali Handa or so help me Babaji, I'm going to strangle you," Meera said as she pointed to the vanity.

Right at that moment, Laachi fell into a fit of laughter while Geet flinched at hearing Meera use her full name.

"Shut up Laachi," Geet said as she got up grudgingly.

"Oye," Laachi said as she got up on her elbow, "Don't yell at me cuz Di's mad at you."

"Laachi ki baachi tu ruk," Geet began as she tried to run after her sister, but was held back by Meera.

Geet let out an audible sigh and sat in the damned chair so Meera could get her ready.

"I swear Meera you're always saving her," Geet complained, "Or else I'd have killed her a hundred times over!"

"Oye, khabardar joh meri baachi ko haath bhi lagaya," Meera warned Geet.

Looking at the mirror, Geet saw Laachi stick her tongue out at her. Without hesitation, Geet picked up a bottle of hairspray and threw it at Laachi, barely missing her head.

"Uff!" Meera sighed. "You two are worse than the five year olds in my class."

Meera, knowing that she couldn't get anything done with the two Handa sisters in the same room, she sent Laachi to go find matching jewelry for Geet's saree. Laachi, after some hesitation, finally agreed.

"Now, can you please let me get you ready?" Meera asked. "Vaise hi itni stressed hoon uppar se tu…"

Geet's eyes shot to Meera, who stood brushing Geet's hair.

"Still nothing?" Geet asked.

Meera looked at her through the mirror and nodded her head in the negative.

"Have you thought about it more? Do you want it?" Geet asked.

Meera sat on the bed while Geet turned around to her friend.

"Well…I know at first I was scared and really confused but…lately…main sooch rahi thi ke…aagar ho bhi gaya…toh…it wont be such a bad thing," Meera said with a smile.

"Ahh!" Geet yelled as she jumped up and enveloped Meera into a hug. "I'm so excited."

"Well calm down," Meera said as she pushed Geet off.

"I've been ready to become a massi since the day you got married," Geet said still grinning.

Meera rolled her eyes as she remembered Geet's congratulatory message after she'd married Adi.

'I better be a Massi within the year or we are no longer friends.'

"It's not even confirmed yet," Meera pointed out.

"Woh bhi hojayega…" Geet said taking the brush and running it through her hair. "Vaise…how late are you?"

"Umm……" Meera was at a loss for words.

Geet eyes her suspiciously as Meera looked to the floor, unable to meet Geet's eyes.

"Meera Mona Poly Roy you answer that question right now," Geet said with her hands on her hips.

Just like her own reaction, she watched Meera flinch at the use of her full name. Geet stifled a smile as she remembered how the kids at school used to call Meera Monopoly (as in the board game). To be honest it was funny that her mother had loved the names Mona and Poly and decided to give them both to Meera.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Maan now sat on the open roof of the Handa Haveli with the girl named Geet – a girl who hadn't looked at him but once since they'd been introduced. Any time any one asked her a question, she answered with her head bowed down in a soft, nearly inaudible voice. She seemed very subservient, obedient and meek – like an old dog. At first, he thought that maybe the spark he'd seen in her eyes as she'd talked to Meera was a figment of his imagination. Maybe he was just taken by her appearance. Yes, he would be first to admit that the girl who sat timidly in front of him was good looking, attractive – hell, she was beautiful. But looks wasn't the only thing that mattered. If a person didn't have personality, they could be the most beautiful girl in the world – which he thought she just might be – but they'd still be a horridly boring person.

But then, when Dev had asked her about kids, Maan had seen that spark of mischief in her eyes as she answered. Maan couldn't make heads or tails of this girl. His Dadi must have seen him frowning or sensed what he wanted, because had spoken up asking for Maan to have some alone time with Geet to get to know each other. Maan had made a mental note to kiss his Dadi for doing that.

They were led to the roof by Geet's younger sister, Laachi, who spoke a mile a minute. While the girl bordered on annoying, she had an endearing quality about her.

So now, here he sat with this beautiful girl, unable to get anything more than one or two word answers from her.

"So what do you like to do?" Maan asked.

Mentally he smacked himself for asking such an awful 'first date' type question.

"Not much," he girl answered.

He frowned at her after she answered. He was looking at her when she finally looked up. He didn't know what bothered him more, the fact that her eyes didn't sparkle while she sat with him, or the fact that that fact bothered him. He annoyed him because he felt like she was looking past him, almost through him. He was about to turn to see what she had been looking at when suddenly the sparkle returned to her eyes – almost as if making her eyes smile.

And that's when things got weird.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He had asked her what she liked to do.

Well gee, let's see. I love to dance, to cook, to have fun, to watch movies, to read, to be lazy, to laugh…the list goes on and on…

That's what she had wanted to say, but instead she answered with a simple, "Not much."

This being a mature and well behaved young lady – as Meera had called it – was harder than Geet had expected.

Geet had always been the life of the house with her masti, her jokes, her laughter and in general her craziness. Yet here she sat, all timid like some loser girl with nothing better to do than twiddle her fingers and speak so that only the air heard her. But, she'd promised Meera she'd behave and she would unless Meera didn't pull through with her side of the bargain.

When she looked up, she saw Meera standing facing her, while the man she spoke to – Maan – had his back to her. Meera smiled at Geet and Geet smiled back at Meera. Through Meera's hand gestures Geet could figure out that Meera wanted to know what she thought about how Maan looked.

Geet looked at him for a few seconds and studied his face, least bit bothered by the funny look on his face since she was staring at him. Then Geet used her hands to indicate that he was 'so-so'. In response to Geet's answer, Meera smacked her head then fanned herself to indicate that she thought he was hot. Geet simply shrugged her shoulders. Then, she brought her right hand up and pointed to her wrist to indicate that Meera was wasting time. Geet moved slightly forward as if she was going to tell Maan something but then saw Meera's hand asking her to stop. Meera then pulled out the brown paper bag and signaled that she was going to take the test now.

"So how do you like being a teacher?" Geet heard him ask.

"Oh…I love it," she replied simply.

"Ok…" Maan replied.

Geet wanted to get up and pace because she was dying with worry. She wanted to get up and go stand outside the bathroom until Meera managed to pee on the stick. She wanted to set her watch for exactly two minutes so that the exact moment the result was in she'd know. However, as per the promise she'd made, she sat silent and docile. She felt like gagging.

"Is there anything you want to ask me?" he asked.

"No…" Geet said peeping over his shoulder to see if Meera had returned.

When Geet saw no sign of Meera, she punched a button on her cell to see the time.

A minute or so passed in silence when Geet pushed the button again.

"Are you expecting a call?" he asked Geet.

"Nope…" Geet answered.

"Then what are you doing?"

"Checking the time," Geet replied.

Again, another minute passed in silence.

"It's time already, where is she?" Geet muttered to herself.

"Are you being forced into this or something?" Maan asked.

"Yes…" Geet answered as her eyes went wide with shock at her own response. "Mera matlab hai…no."

She saw him frown and mentally smacked herself for her carelessness. Before she could say anything to clarify the situation, she saw Meera come into view behind Maan. Using her hands, she discretely – or so she thought – asked what happened. At the distance, Meera held up the white pregnancy test.

"Hey Babaji," Geet said smacking her head.

Just how was she supposed to read a pregnancy test from such a distance? The result came off on a small screen that she'd barely be able to see if she held the test in front of her face.

"Aapne kuch kaha?" Maan asked.

Geet could tell that he was probably thinking she was a nut case but she didn't care at that moment.

"No, kuch bhi toh nahin," Geet replied.

She then used her hands to indicate that she couldn't see anything. That is when Meera smiled, blushed slightly and gave Geet a thumbs up.

"Ahhh!" Geet yelled as she jumped to her feet.

"What the…" she heard Maan say.

She watched as Meera smacked her head at Geet's outburst, but Geet didn't care. By now Maan was standing and looking at Geet like she'd lost her mind. He was about to say something when Meera came around with an apologetic smile on her face.

"Geet…" Meera began.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," Geet kept repeating.

"Geet please…" Meera said in a hushed tone as she looked around to see if anyone had seen then.

"What please Meera…aaj main itni kush hoon," Geet said.

Maan simply stared amazed at what was going on. The girl that sat nearly mute with him only seconds was now jumping for joy. Meera must have noticed him because she spoke to him.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry about her behavior," she said as she tried to hold Geet in place to keep her from jumping.

"I'm not," Geet said with a frown and her hands on her hips.

"Geet…" Meera warned.

"Chup kaar," Geet said. "I just got the best news in the world. I'm going to be a massi! My best friend is pregnant!"

Geet nearly yelled that last part as she pulled Meera into a hug.

"Oh…well…" Maan stuttered as he looked at Meera. "I guess congratulations are in order. Congratulations Meera."

"Thank you," Meera said as she blushed.

"I should find Adi and congratulate him as well," Maan said.

"No!" Meera yelled as she grabbed Maan's arm to stop him. "He doesn't know yet."

"Really?" Maan asked, surprised. After all, Adi was the father.

"I just found out," Meera said.

This deepened Maan's frown. "You just found out and you told your best friend instead of your husband?"

"Yes…" Meera said.

"You don't find that odd?" he asked, looking at Geet.

"No…aaisa hi toh hona chahiyeh," Geet replied.

Just then Adi came up the stairs and nerves over took Meera.

"Yahaan ho kya raha hai?" Adi asked. "We heard you scream and I've been sent to see what is going on."

"Nothing," Meera and Geet said at the same time.

Adi frowned and looked at Maan who stood speechless, not knowing what to say so he simply shrugged his shoulders. As Adi looked to the girls he found it odd that Meera was blushing and unable to meet his eyes while Geet was grinning like a lunatic.

"What's going on?" Adi asked.

"Nothing…saachi," Geet said.

"Please…tum dono ko aache se jaanta hoon main," Adi reminded. "You two can't keep secrets…especially if it's good news."

Meera and Geet giggled as the remembered all the times they heard good news that was supposed to be kept quiet but they'd ended up telling the whole town.

"No…" Geet began.

"Have they agreed to the rishta?" Adi asked hopefully.

Meera simply nodded her head.

"Phir…" he began.

"Oh I can't keep it in any more," Geet said with glee.

"Geet don't…"Meera said.

But it was too late.

"Jij! I'm going to be a Massi," Geet yelled.

"Ok…and…" Adi said, still not sure what that had to do with anything.

Geet and Meera looked at him in horror, as if he'd just grown two heads.

"Jij…"Geet started. "Main…massi…hello!"

Then it finally hit him.

"Oh my God," he said as she took Meera's hands into his own, "Really…we're…you're…oh my God."

Immediately Adi wrapped his arms around Meera as she began to cry tears of joy. Geet stood by, with a grin on her face with the urge to dance.

"Hume inhe akela chodna chahiye, it's a private moment," Maan suggested as he leaned in to whisper to Geet.

"Chaddo…private moment my foot," Geet said as she blew him off.

"Well I'm going," Maan said.

"Ok…bye," Geet said, least bit bothered.

Maan had turned to leave but stopped to tease Geet – why, he didn't know.

"You really want to be a kabab mein haddi?" he asked.

"Oye hello!" Geet said.

As she turned her snapped her fingers and pointed at his face. She was so close Maan had to take a step back.

"Ek baath abhi clear kaar deti hoon," Geet said, "I'm no kabab mein haddi."

"Geet, for the love of Babaji…calm down," Meera said as she broke from Adi's embrace.

"No…I'm not a kabab mein haddi," she repeated.

"But they are paati paatni," Maan pointed.

"Yes…after…" Geet said.

"After what?" Maan asked, confused.

"After Meera and I are friends," Geet answered.

"Huh?"

"It's simple. The couple/relationship is between me and Meera…Adi Jiju and any guy that I marry are the kabab mein haddis," Geet explained. "I just want to clear that now."

Maan looked at the girl in utter shock, while Meera hit her head at Geet's antics.

"Is she for real?" Maan asked Adi.

"She sure is," Adi replied with a smile.

Maan was lost looking at Geet that he didn't notice Adi and Meera sharing a quiet moment - his head resting on Meera's forehead as he had a hand lovingly on her stomach.

"We should go," Maan said again wanting to leave the couple to enjoy this momentous occasion on their own.

Geet, annoyed with Maan's constant nagging, couldn't take it anymore.

"Do you know why this news is so special and so important?" Geet asked.

"Because Meera's going to be a mother," he replied as he looked at Meera.

Meera shook her head in the negative.

"Because Adi's going to be a father…congrats by the way man," Maan said.

"Thank you…but no," Adi said.

"Then…?" Maan asked.

"The most important part about this new is that I…Geet Handa…am going to be a Massi!" Geet yelled.

In the next second she squealed in delight again and enveloped Meera into a bone crushing hug.

"Meera I think we should go and let Maan Sir…errm…Maan and Geet talk," Adi said.

"Besharam Jij, you just want some alone time with Meera," Geet said with a wink.

That made Adi laugh, not just any laugh, but his stuttering laugh that made everyone else chuckle.

"Geet," Meera said, "Please behave."

"Ha! Yeh toh hone se raha," Adi teased.

Soon, he and Meera disappeared down the stairs.

"So, which is the real Geet?" Maan asked as he turned to face her. "The quiet, shy one or the one I just saw jumping for joy over her friends pregnancy."

Geet couldn't help but smile at the fact that he'd picked up on the difference, of course he'd have to be dead not to.

"Best friend," Geet corrected.

"Excuse me…" Maan asked.

"Aapne kaha 'friend', lekin Meera sirf mera friend nahin hai, woh meri best friend hai," Geet explained.

Maan smiled.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Meera and Adi returned with Geet and Maan about a half hour later. Meera had been relieved to see the two of them talking and even laughing. Maan went and talked to his Dadi while Geet was hounded by her bhabi and Meera.

"Humari taraf se haan hai," Dadi announced not five minutes later. "Aur aagar aapke taraf se bhi haan hai…we want the wedding as soon as possible."

"Humari taraf se bhi," Mohinder said.

"Aap ek baar Geet se pooch toh lijiyeh," Dadi asked, "It would make me feel better knowing she consents as well."

They all nodded in agreement.

"Geet puttar," Biji began, "Tujhe yeh rishta manzoor hai?"

Geet first looked at Maan who held her gaze for a second, then she looked at Meera and then back again. Everyone stood confused, as did Maan. Geet leaned in and whispered something to Meera and all color drained from Meera's face.

"Geet wants to ask him a question," Meera announced.

Everyone was stunned and unable to respond.

"Of course, go ahead beta," Dadi said as she shooed them off.

Meera led them to the balcony and warned Geet from pulling any tricks before she left.

"Toh…kya poochna tha?" Maan asked.

"Actually…it's not a question…meri ek shart hai," Geet said.

"Shart? Kaisi shart?" Maan asked, suddenly worried.

"Aagar main iss rishte ke liyeh manzoori deti hoon…toh you have to promise that…" Suddenly she became nervous.

"That…" Maan edged.

With her face turning red she said, "That we won't go on our honeymoon until after Meera has the baby."

"What?" Maan asked.

"She's my best friend. Aaisi haal mein main use nahin chod sakti. I have to be there for the appointments and checkups and shopping…" Geet rambled.

"Magar Adi hai naa," Maan pointed out.

"Hai toh…I told you…Adi is new to all this, but us…we have been talking about our babies long before any men were in the picture," Geet said. "I can't leave her…I won't."

"Aagar main iss shart ko maan leta hoon, you'll agree for the marriage?" Maan asked.

"Haan…so long as you understand Meera always comes first," Geet said, half serious half joking.

Maan looked at her for a long minute. He looked at the girl that stood in front of him. The girl who was bubbly beyond words, who was beautiful and loving. She clearly loved with her whole heart and if he could even get half the love she showers on a friend, Maan considered himself a lucky man. He didn't know when this particular meeting went from ordinary to extraordinary but it had, because she was extraordinary.

"Done…manzoor hai," Maan said.

"Ok…mujhe bhi," Geet said with a shy smile.

They had began walking back, she was just half a pace ahead of him when he held her hand, stopping her.

"You said, Meera always comes first," he reminded. "Is there any situation where I would come first."

Maan made sure he was close enough to her so that their bodies were almost touching but not quite. He knew he had an effect on girls and their hormones.

She turned to look at him through her lashes. She leaned into him slightly, just enough so that her lips almost touched his ears. If he wanted to play, two could play at this game.

"Never," she said before giggling and pulling back. "My best friend always comes first."

"Ok then, I have a shart too…" she heard Maan say.

She looked at him with a quirked eyebrow.

"Hmmm, boliyeh," she said.

"Jaab tum pregnant hogi…" he began.

At the mention of her being pregnant, Geet felt her cheeks turn red as her face heated up. She couldn't look him in the eyes any more so she looked to the floor and played with her anchal. She sensed he was getting closer and her heart began to race.

"Jaab tum pregnant hogi…toh saabse pehle tum mujeh bataogi," he said. "You will tell me first."

Geet looked up at him slowly unsure of what to do. Then, something clicked in her mind.

"Manzoor hai," she said with a smirk.

With a wink, she walked off to inform Meera of the new developments.

--------------

What a day it turned out to be. After Geet had given her answer, they'd done the engagement right then and there without wasting any time. They called the pundit to fix an auspicious time for the wedding which turned out to be two months from now.

That night Geet went to bed with a smile on her face. Sure, she was engaged to Indias most eligible bachelor, and sure she was happy about that. But that's not what brought the smile to her face as she drifted off to sleep. There was only one thought on her mind at that moment…

Main massi banne wali hoon.

JAZ

since it was written for your babeji ... am happy that u too share such a special bond ... aisi dosti ko allah naz-re-bad se bachaye 😊

had a big smile throughout