Part-20
Maan was seated in the principal's office.The principal thanked him a lot for paying a visit to them.He also praised Maan as a strong businessman & said that it was an honour for a management institute like them to meet him.Maan always felt good when he encountered his well-wishers but more often it just becomes over-the-top for him.Sometimes they just flatter you to such an extent that you don't have anything else to say just but just a sweet 'thank-you' after completion of their every praise,he thought. Maan always honestly tried to be modest although it was not his cup of tea!The only person who did not rave much about him but just treated him as a fellow human was Geet...Yes!again his thoughts met at Geet!
The principal's office overlooked the batminton court of the college. When he cast a keen look at the players who were playing in the court at that moment,he was aghast to see Geet & Karan playing doubles opposite Akriti & another fellow. Karan & Geet hi-fied each other if they won any point. Maan had had enough of this drama. Was Karan always required in everything that Geet does?, he thought.He made his way straight to the batminton court,it was out of his patience limit.He was going to confront them,whatever may be the outcome.
He reached to where the match was being played.He glanced at the scoreboard & learnt that the scores were equal. They were serving their last stinct,whoever won it won the match.Maan thought it unwise to disrupt the game at such a crucial moment as Geet showed sparks to win it. 'Geet,win it!'.After much tussle, Geet was finally able to hit the shuttlecock & Akriti & the other boy missed it.There was a great round of applause from the spectators. Geet & Karan hugged each other in excitement. Maan felt as if someone had pierced an arrow in his heart. He was just about to go there & pull Geet away when his phone buzzed. His face changed as he saw the name of the caller.He walked away to take the call...
When Maan returned,he saw Geet in the canteen with her female friends.She was giggling &laughing,perhaps celebrating her victory over Akriti. Maan stared at her,completly hypotised by her. His eyes were addicted to her smile.With each passing day,he felt that his feelings grew even stronger.He felt an unusual satisfaction,queer happiness within seeing her which never had happened before. He could hear his heart beat very fast which he never heard before..Everything of her suddenly seemed to be exceptional about him.It was the best thing which could have ever happened to him.Just then he saw that Geet had accidently dropped juice on her dress.She headed to the washroom to clear it up. Maan saw his chance yet again.
Geet was just wiping off the stains when she saw Maan's reflection in the mirror leaning against the wall. She was shocked to see him in girls washroom.She turned around to face him
"Maan!What are you doing here!Go out before someone comes in!" she was tensed
"No one will come here!" he pulled her closer to him,"First you answer me,what was Karan doing in your house ?"
"What you got to do with that?"she distanced herself from him.But Maan was not going to leave her.He held her tightly.
"From the time I have come here,you are ignoring me & holding close proximity with Karan.Why?"he soounded fierce.
"My life doesn't revolve around you.I don't know why you connect my every doings with you! and as far as Karan is concerned, we are good friends & are working in our project.I hope that satisfies your query!"
"No! it does not!" he sounded firm but inside he was hurt by her words.."you even have to do other activities with him besides studies like playing batminton?And why did you hug him!!!!"
Geet saw something strange in his eyes which she had never seen before.Did he feel exactly the same how she feels for him?,she thought but dismissed the idea thinking it unlikely.
"If you can drink coffee with Supriya or dance with that girl,why can't I play a match with him?"
Geet realized her folly late,she was not supposed to tell him about the dance. She wanted to escape from there.But Maan didn't let her to.He cupped her face in his hands
"So you were there..." he said mildly.
Her eyes again turned moist.
"Geet I--"
"I am sorry,i shouldn't have interfered in your privacy" saying this, she ran outside.
Maan followed her."Geet...i can explain myself...Geet...wait."
The students who were there saw Maan following Geet calling out her name.All of them were surprised to the core watching this sight.The news spread like viral.Soon there was a huge crowd surrounding them.The truth was out!Everyone knew that there was something between them. The principal had also come there seeing te crowd. Even he was taken aback.He asked Maan whether he really knew Ms Geet Handa.
"Yes,I know Geet very well.She is my childhood friend & now she is my---"
Geet coughed.Maan did not complete his sentance.Geet was dancing from inside.It was indeed a filmy thing to have happened to her.She was so happy,so happy that she felt like giving the college a fat party! But she controlled her excitement.Akriti gaped at her with her mouth wide open.Geet gave her an inferior look. The principal requested Maan to accompany him to his office.
Once they were seated in the office,the principal told Maan how Geet was a weakling in academics.They had tried to call her parents,but she always made some excuse or another like a child so he thought it best to tell him.He also told him that the coming exams were important & that she needs to concentrate.
Maan was concerned. "If Dad comes to know about this,then the will is sure to change as all of us were scholars in academics...but I wanted the will to change,right?...Lekin ab aisa lag raha hai ki life without Geet would be like a dead sea...No,the will won't change.." he took a deep breath, "I have decided...i won't come in between Geet & Karan,if with Karan's help,she can fare good,then so be it! Her progress should not impede because of me!"
He knew it would be difficult for him as Geet would be with Karan for maximum hours in a day but then he had to do it for her!
On the other hand,Geet was surrounded by friends & batchmates in the canteen.She had never ever got so much attention before.She relished it.
'Why didn't you tell us before?' ,'Tell us something more about him!' ,' Can you believe that he was literally running after her', 'Yeah! you remember even she stood there in the stage for a while'...were some of the common mutterings.
Just then Maan came there.Everyone was silent.Then Karan walked upto him with Geet
"Oh my! I can't believe i am meeting you Sir" Karan turned to Geet "Waise toh so much you talk,kabhi tumne yeh nahe bataya ki tum inhe jaanti ho?"
She gave a weak smile to Karan.Then Maan spoke, "Geet,won't you introduce me to him & all your other friends?."
Geet was shocked to hear him saying this."Yeh Maan ko kya ho gaya? Karan se intro karna chahate hai!!!" she thought.She did the intro feeling a little awkward.
Just then one of the students spoke,"Maan Sir...actually...I am keeping a small birthday part after the lectures,it would be an honour if you grace it..."
Maan accepted the invitation.
Soon after the lectures were over,Karan decided to have a conversation with Maan in the party but Geet had other plans
"Karan,there is a lot of work to be done for the project,it's better we go from here.Waise bhi,i don't like parties..." said Geet looking at Maan.
"But Geet--"
"Yes,she is right.You two go and prepare for the project.Even I have to leave within a few minutes..." he said grimly.
Geet was even more confused.Why all of a sudden he had no problems with Karan?
There was only a week left for the exams.Geet's parents returned home back.Geet & Maan both got busy in their respective work. Geet was surprised when Maan didn't ask her anything regarding her & Karan. He had changed a great deal, why? She missed the old Maan-his smirk,his way of talking,his coming closer to her, everything! which only increased her longing desire for him.On the other hand it was harder for Maan to even think of Geet & Karan,but he thought it best not to interfere in her matters.
One fine morning Maan was invited by a friend to attend his bachelor party. Bachelor parties were always a delight for Maan.How girls threw themselves on him! but now there was a huge difference between past & the present.The same evening Geet was supposed to go to Karan's house to finish the last part of their project.
When Geet was about to drive the car,Maan stopped her.
"Your exams are coming,you will not drive!"
"Arggg!!!!! From past one week,you are doing exam jaap as if you are appearing for it! I can't believe you could be so boringgg...Now how will I go?Drivers are also on leave!" She was cross.
"I will leave you to Karan's house!"
"You!!!!!" she stared at him wide eyed. She didn't know why was he behaving like this!Maan knew what was going on in her mind.
They reached Karan's house.Before getting out Geet said
"I want old Maan back..." she cast her big brown eyes on him
Maan laughed, "Don't even think I am changed,understand?dealing with some work pressure right now! I will be back,once your exam gets over." he winked at her.She was at relief. She went.
It was after dusk.The white moon was visible in the sky surrounded by stars.Maan did not go to the party.He was still there in the parking spot of Karan's building-waiting for Geet. His jealousy turned into concern for Geet's welfare.He could neither accept or decline that he loved her. His life had taken a proper direction with Geet coming in it.The stars above were twnkling,He could imagine Geet's face by adding them up!. None can equal Geet's importance in his life...
After sometime Geet & Karan emerged.Maan decided to leave.He didn't want Geet to know that he had waited for her. Karan dropped her home
~*~
After some days,the exams were over.Geet heaved a sigh of relief.She had waited for that day to come even before the tests had not yet started. Maan had also stopped being boring.Now Geet had to look into other matters which held importance to her...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
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