MG FF: Quantum of Solace Thread 2 - Page 77

Originally posted by: arabianpaki

opps..did I take your page..once again!

Originally posted by: Limerance

Next page is mine...you're safe. lol

Part 29

"Now where would you like to go?" Maan asked grabbing her hand and walking her towards the car from Carlos Pizzeria. It had been two months since she'd come to New York again. Last time they hadn't spent much time exploring the city together and that's exactly what Geet wanted to do. "Why don't we walk around? It's a beautiful day."

Maan noticed Geet's longing to get acquainted with what she missed while in the Hamptons, so he didn't want to do anything but oblige. Together they walked through the city passing by shops and boutiques where Maan tried to persuade Geet to go into but she declined. Frivolous spending wasn't in her books she said.

He adored her simplicity because it such an uncharacteristic quality these days. Of the assortment of stereotypical categories women were generally dropped into, Geet simply wouldn't fit into any of them. She was too intricately different for such generalizations. It might be his own biased feelings that led him to conclude this but that neither mattered nor was surprising. Humans have always been biased towards their affections. Everything in the world seems to be dull in comparison to them.

Maan truly felt that way recollecting her canning ability to portray contentment when in reality she was so far from it. Her true nature was sweet when in fact the things she went through would make most people bitter for the rest of their lives. In his mind, Geet seemed out of place in this world where resentment and selfishness overshadowed compassion and understanding. Maan smiled admirably at her wondering what exactly she was made of and how fortunate he was to have her drop into his life.

Geet was completely absorbed watching an elderly man buying flowers with a little girl outside a florist shop to notice Maan's attention. It was only when her gaze shifted to the reflecting shop windows did she observe Maan's eyes only on her. Geet shook her head and admonished him for it. "Maan, don't stare at me like that."

He only smiled at her suspecting she felt shy from the blush in her cheeks. "I'm sorry about that but it's not going to stop." Geet only gave him a slight disapproving look. Maan tightened his grip on her hand. "I like staring at you…your eyes…they tell me things that probably even you don't know about yourself."

Geet wondered if that's a good thing or not and asked him. Shouldn't we of all people know everything about our self? Wasn't she at a point and age in her life where she should be self-aware of all things related to her? "It's called discovery Geet. Circumstances change, our views change and only in the aftermath do we realize truly who we are." Maan told her.

"So you propose it's a lifelong process. And here I was hoping to wake up one morning able to say I'm this, this and this then would fit into a perfect box."

Maan smiled. "You don't belong in a boring box Geet. In fact, I doubt if anything in life is static enough to occupy such a dull place even in definition."

There is something definitely static enough Geet thought as they walked in silence, not only for her but him and the rest of the world. Noticing her being a little too quiet Maan looked over to find her face had taken on a disdained expression. He had no clue of what she was thinking but knew enough to want her thoughts away from it immediately. The following morning was so imperative that he needed her state of mind to be calm. But even before he could say something Geet dragged him across the street to the subway entrance.

While she thought silently about that singular inert entity, a glimpse of an old obsession flashed through her mind. Geet didn't know why but an urge grew within her to show it to Maan. Without a word she simply pulled him towards their destination.

He was startled by the suddenness particularly since she wouldn't respond specifically as to where they were going. They got off at 5th Avenue which puzzled Maan since there was nothing but high end shops around. It was only after they had walked to 53th and made their turn did he realize where Geet brought them. Along the sleek pristine glass in dark bold vertical writing their destination was etched, MoMA, the Modern Museum of Art.

Upon entering Geet quickly dragged Maan up to the fifth floor. She had spent so much time fixated over this painting that it was only fitting she knew its exact whereabouts. After walking around the maze of enthusiastic tourists Geet rooted in front of it squeezing his hand tighter.

Maan wasn't one to hold much interest in art. So beyond what his eyes could see Maan didn't know what to make of it except the fact that it was slightly disturbing. An odd looking creature seemed to lay dead in a serene background with melting clocks placed here and there. It was all he could make out until he read the title, The Persistence of Memory.

"I fell in love with this painting a few years ago. It has a creep factor to it. But something always brings me back...I suppose to decipher it and get some meaning out."

"What did you find?" Maan questioned with peaked curiosity.

Geet twisted the corner of her lip with a shrug. "They say Dali's clocks reflect Einstein's theory of relativity. That used to get me thinking about time and the things it changes or rather the thing it doesn't."

With that Maan felt the need to look deeper into Dali's famous melting clocks and attempt to resolve what was so infamous about them. Even more he wondered how in the world theoretical physics and a paintbrush could come together to create this. While concluding quickly all that was beyond him, there was something new Maan realized now, that Geet held innumerable interests that always peeled away unexpectedly in front of him. Glancing her way he spoke. "That thing being memory?"

Geet simply nodded. "Time deserts us in memories. Everyone has experienced time change the circumstances, melt away the grief, ease the pain but why is it that memory doesn't change, doesn't melt and doesn't ease anything for anyone?"

Maan pondered in silence wasn't that the purpose of memory? To remain true always, of course it was he concluded, but acknowledged at the same time that was the very problem for people like her and him. The memories they held were ones that should be an exception to the rule of always remaining true. They should be able to change them, make them less haunting but was that a fair request? He didn't have an answer for that or Geet's question. "I honestly wish I knew Geet."

She looked away from the painting for the first time since they arrived. Geet eased a soft smile at him. "Don't worry I wasn't expecting you to answer that question. After fighting this painting for so long, I realized I had no choice but to finally accept it."

Although a large part of him agreed with her the little optimistic qualities he possessed couldn't help but question in hopefulness. "Are you sure?" Maan wanted her to say no. Against logic Maan desired a way to make the bitter and sorrowful ones to disappear for both of them. But Geet's reply wasn't hopeful; rather it answered his very thoughts.

"Have you ever been able to stop your unconscious from surfacing the most despised instances of your life?" Geet paused for a reply but his silence was enough. "That's what I thought Maan. It begs the question that if something as generous as time can't give us redemption from memories, then what can?"

Maan turned his attention away from the painting hearing Geet's voice become a quiet whisper. A sheen cover Geet's eyes as she continued her sight straight ahead. Maan moved his hand from her hold and wrapped it around her shoulder pulling her against him. She laid her head on his shoulder as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"That's how nature works Geet. Time can only do so much." It seemed today was the day that not only Geet decided to throw all her impossible questions at him but also the day where he didn't have any concrete answers. Then again did such a question even have one? He took a deep breath in hopes it might help him make better sense of it all.

"Maybe, that redemption is only possible through us…through our own memories. We live with a concoction of sweet, bitter and everything in between…but in life we are given the ability to choose. I guess we are to use that gift to decide which memories we want to redeem ourselves from…and which ones we want to persist to the ends of life."

Her face took on a wry look because that was exactly what she had tried time and again to no success. Then again it could also be because she didn't have any worthwhile memories to redeem from before. Yes, that is possible Geet thought with a hopeful smile. "I tried that Maan and it didn't work..." He frowned hearing that for a moment. "…but that could be because I didn't have any pleasant ones to replace the bitter ones before."

"What about now?" He asked expectantly.

Geet gazed at him with warm eyes. "Now I have a feeling that's not going to be the case anymore."

Maan returned a smile of his own. There was truth to that he thought. Before fate brought them together they wallowed in those memories day in and day out. Climbing out of the darkness seemed near impossible back then because there was no hope, no light. Now there was, they were each other's light and hope. In this trance Maan felt no better time could come then the present to show Geet something also.

"I want to take you somewhere. Will you…" She cut him off shaking her head. "We've done everything of my choice today Maan. I'd like nothing better than to go anywhere you're taking me."

Maan was glad to see her thoughts not lingering too long on this topic because her being tense was that last thing either of them needed. "Anywhere with me, are you sure about that?"

Geet rolled her eyes and smacked his arm playfully. "Yes anywhere, I'm not afraid of you, you know." He smiled at her, "Oh I know Geet…I know very well." She laughed lightly at his tone then wrapped her arm around his as Maan led them outside.

They reached their destination by way of a relatively short southward walk along 53^rd street. Again there was little to take notice to except for overly expensive and exclusive shops that lined next to each other. Hidden within them though was what at a first glance anyone would take to be just an empty canyon between concrete buildings. But a few short steps within took Maan and Geet away from the bustling city and its noises to a soothing enclave where the only sound they could hear was of a spellbinding waterfall. The ivy encased walls and filtered sunlight by way of the canopied trees made it a refuge with an unimaginable coolness and serenity.

Mesmerized by the magnificent sanctuary Geet left Maan's side unknowingly and sat on the steps of the waterfall breathing in all the beauty. She closed her eyes with a calm smile as the warmth of the sun and coolness of the water intermingled on her skin. It was only when a heavy cold object suddenly settled around her collar did she awaken to reality. Geet gazed down to find a delicate golden piece adorning her neck. Her eyes welled at not only the gesture but the meaning of what the golden ring encircled within.

Maan placed her hair at her nape again before wrapping his arm around her to take hold of the hand holding the pendant. "I wanted to give you this tomorrow but I couldn't wait."

She took his other hand and wrapped her fingers around his tightly. "It's beautiful Maan…absolutely beautiful."

The trembling in her voice told him she was crying. He slowly eased his hands away and sat in front to face her. Gently Maan wiped away her tears shaking his head. "When I'm not around, I want this to be a reminder Geet. That no matter what happens tomorrow and in the days ahead, you will rise again stronger than before."

There were few people that understood her like he did. When others would have coddled her in this situation, he gave her support to stand on her own with the assurance that he'll still be there if she needed him. When others would have cut her down, he brought her up with hope when she needed it the most.

All her feelings reaffirmed with these thoughts, but nothing more than knowing no one could love her as much as he did. Her eyes watered wondering just from where the man sitting in front of her came from. Geet leaned in a breath away from his lips and made a promise into his eyes as she gazed. "With you by me, I have no reason and no choice but to rise again," then closed the distance by gently brushing him a kiss. Maan keenly responded smiling against her before pulling away to envelope her into his arms.

Holding her tight, he softly whispered into her ear, "I'm glad because I feel the same way about you." She wrapped one hand around his neck and the other clutched onto the phoenix he had affectionately fastened around her neck promising herself silently that just like it, she too would recover anew from any torment life threw her way with her head held up high.

Visuals below & hope you enjoyed it! :)

Alright it's visual laden update this time around. All things & places mentioned for this part are real.

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

The park where Maan took Geet, known as Paley Park.

Phoenix Pendant