Maaneet FF Binding Ties Link To New Thread Pg 150 - Page 44

Geet - off o aage bhi to bolo naa

nahi bhoolti uff wo jangal ki raat
mujhe yaad hai wo thi mangal ki raat
chalaa jaa raha tha main darta hua
hanuman chaleesa padhta hua
bolo hanuman ki jai
jai jai bajrang bali ki jai
haan bolo hanuman ki jai
jai ho bajrang bali ki jai

ghadi thi andheraa magar sakht tha
koi bas das sawaa das kaa waqt tha

Geet -

koi ghighhi bandhi nazar phir gayi
to bandook bhi haath se gir gayi

main lapkaa wo jhapakaa
main upar wo neeche
wo aage main peechhe
main ped pe wo peechhe
are bachaao are bachaao
main daal-daal wo paat-paat
main paseenaa wo baag-baag
main sur mein wo taal mein
ye jangal paataal mein
bachaao bachaao
are bhaago re bhaago
are bhaago

phir kyaa huaa
Khudaa ki qasam maza aa gaya
mujhe maar kar besaram kha gayaa

Miri -

Geet and Maan -

Originally posted by: ritzy09

waiting bhai waiting...

Originally posted by: ritzy09

waiting bhai waiting...

sher aya...bhago...

mujhe na natwar lal ki kahani yaad gayi

Miri -

aao bachcho
aaj tumhen ek kahaani sunaata hoon main
sher ki kahaani sunoge ?

mere pass aao mere dosto ek kissa suno

Daadima -

kai saal pahle ki ye baat hai

bhayaanak andheri siyaah raat mein
liye apni bandook main haath mein
ghane jangalon se guzartaa huaa kahin jaa raha tha
jaa rahaa thaa
nahin aa rahaa tha
nahin jaa raha tha

Geet - off o aage bhi to bolo naa

Dev -

bataata hoon bataata hoon

nahi bhoolti uff wo jangal ki raat
mujhe yaad hai wo thi mangal ki raat
chalaa jaa raha tha main darta hua
hanuman chaleesa padhta hua
bolo hanuman ki jai
jai jai bajrang bali ki jai
haan bolo hanuman ki jai
jai ho bajrang bali ki jai

ghadi thi andheraa magar sakht tha
koi bas das sawaa das kaa waqt tha

Geet -

laraztaa tha koyal ki bhi kook se
buraa haal huaa us pe bhookh se
lagaa todne ek beri se ber
mere saamne aa gayaa ek sher

koi ghighhi bandhi nazar phir gayi
to bandook bhi haath se gir gayi

main lapkaa wo jhapakaa
main upar wo neeche
wo aage main peechhe
main ped pe wo peechhe
are bachaao are bachaao
main daal-daal wo paat-paat
main paseenaa wo baag-baag
main sur mein wo taal mein
ye jangal paataal mein
bachaao bachaao
are bhaago re bhaago
are bhaago

phir kyaa huaa
Khudaa ki qasam maza aa gaya
mujhe maar kar besaram kha gayaa

Miri -

khaa gayaa ?
lekin aap to zindaa hain

Geet and Maan -

arre ye jeenaa bhi koi jeena hai, Lalloo ?

CHAPTER 11

On a clear, but chilly afternoon, Geet and Miri set off for Khurana Residency in the car that Dadi had insisted on sending to pick them up. It was the day after Makar Sankranti.

The car sped along the asphalt road and sometime later turned into a tree lined gated driveway.

Nakul who was chauffeuring them looked into the rearview mirror,

"Yeh lo betiya, aa gaye hum. Bas thodi der aur."

Geet met his gaze through the mirror and smiled. However, the smile on her face slowly started disappearing as she saw security guards posted on either side of the road at regular intervals.

Miri's hand slowly crept into Geet's and she shifted closer to her mother.

"Umm, Mamma idhar yeh itni police kyu hain. Dadi aur Dev kya police station mein rehte hain. Par inka uniform bhi police ki uniform jaisa nahi hai na?"

Nakul laughed at Miri's question.

"Miri bete daro mat, yeh police nahi hain, security guards hain, jo chote sahab ne aapki Dadi aur Dev bhaiyya ki suraksha ke liye lagaye hai."

"Kyun, Dadi aur Dev ko gande log churana chahte hain? Aur yeh chote sahab kaun hain, jo Dadi aur Dev ko safe rakhna chate hain? Mamma main unko thank you bolna chahti hoon ki unhone yeh sec' secru' scurit' woh jo bhi bahar khade hai, jo police nahi hain, inko idhar khada kiya, Dadi aur Dev ko bachane ke liye."

"Bete, Chote sahab Dadi ke bade pote aur Dev ke bade bhai hain. Aaj to woh ghar pe nahi hain, par kisi din aapki mulakat unse zaroor ho jayegi."

Miri, who was now reassured, nodded eagerly looking at the security guards and waved at each one as the car passed by.

Geet, however was not so easily reassured. The long driveway now curved around and suddenly a huge palatial mansion was standing before their eyes. Geet looked at it grimly. She had known Dadi and Dev were from a wealthy family, but the grandeur of her surroundings along with all the security left her wary.

Just how rich were they? The thought raced across her mind, as she and Miri stepped down from the car. Suddenly the huge front double doors were thrown open and Dadi rushed down the steps, picked Miri up in her arms, hugged her and set her down, before turning her attention to Geet.

She hugged Geet tightly.

"Finally aap humare ghar aa gayi bete, finally."

She linked her arm with Geet's , held Miri's hand in the other and led them up the stairs into the house.

Dev who was waiting for them, at the top of the stairs with a wide grin across his face, hardly able to contain himself in his wheelchair, opened his arms wide.

"Geet Di, Miri. Oh my god, Oh my god you guys are finally here."

Geet and Miri hugged and kissed in him in turns and they all walked into the house.

The inside of the house was no less impressive, than the outside had been. If anything, it was more so.

Dadi saw the wary look on Geet's face and grinned.

"Haan haan hum jaante hai aap kya soch rahi hai.

Bade bade log, unki badi badi baatein,

Unke chote chote dil, aur bank mein bade bade khate."

Geet laughed at Dadi's improvised version of Kajol's dialogue from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and with that all her wariness disappeared. This was the same Dadi after all who was more than willing to spend the majority of her time with Geet and her family.

"Dadi you are impossible. Aaur aapke bank balance ka toh mujhe pata nahin, par apke dil ke khate mein, mera aur Miri ka naam jama karne ke liye bohot bohot shukriya."

"Arey Dadi, waise aap log kaal kyun nahi aaye humare paas Makar Sankranti ke liye. Aapne toh kaha tha ki aap ayengi. Aur apka phone bhi switched off aa raha tha."

Dadi and Dev sneaked wary glances at each other and made some excuse for not being able to go.

Actually, they had been all set for the Handa house, when Maan had suddenly decided he that he did not feel like going in to work that day, but instead wanted to spend the day with Dev and Dadi. He had insisted on accompanying them to their destination. Dadi had pretended the onset of a sudden headache and taken to the bed. Maan had confiscated her phone, switched it off and asked the servants to make sure that she was not disturbed. He had taken Dev along with him and so, they had all 3 spent a miserable day, together but not really together.

Geet took out a large container from the bag she was carrying and handed it over to Dadi.

"Humare ghar pe aai, Makar Sankranti ko har saal Gul Poli banati thi. Toh ab main bhi har saal vahi karti hoon. Aap log aaye nahi toh main aapke hisse ki Gul Poliya utha kar yaha le aayi. "

"Dev aajao." I promise you are going to love them."

"Waise Dadi aap apne bade bete se kab milayengi. After all he is my employer na?"

Dadi gave her a startled look and then her face was smooth again. "Jald hi mila doongi bete,aur woh nahi hum aapke employer hain, toh isilye aap ko humari har baat manni padegi. "

"Apka hukm sarakhon par Mallikaye Dadi", Geet hugged her and tickled her, causing Dev and Miri to laugh looking at Dadi squirming all over.

After relishing the Gul polis, Miri and Dev went off to to Dev's room to see all the stuff he said he'd bought for her to play with. In the meanwhile, Geet went over Dev's medical history and talked to his physician over the phone. After she had collected all the relevant information she went to Dev's room and the four people, whom destiny had brought together, spent a fun filled afternoon, flying the kites Brij had sent over especially for Dev, since he had missed out on that, Makar Sankranti fun filled tradition.

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When Maan Singh Khurana walked into the house later that evening, the air in the house vibrated with a happy energy that was palpable. He couldn't quite understand the reason for it, but it soothed him after the long tiring day he'd had. He'd had a lot of work to catch up to, since he'd missed work the day before, all because he had been really curious to find out where it was that Dev and Dadi disappeared to these days. And that plan had been a miserable failure too. He freshened up and walked downstairs to join Dadi and Dev at the dinner table. Dinner was usually a quiet affair in the Khurana household. But today Dev and Dadi were chattering away animatedly. However, as usual the table fell silent as soon as he put in an appearance.

"Stop it you two. Akhir aise kya secrets hain aap dono ke beech, jo aap log mere saath nahi share kar sakte , haan?" Maan sulked.

Dadi and Dev shared the customary guilty look, which clearly stated that something was being hidden from him. Yet his Dadi had the audacity to look at him with a straight face as she tried to gloss over the matter.

"Nahi bete. Aisi koi baat nahi. Aap hi ko toh pasand nahi hain na, khate samay baat karna, aur aap itne thake hue lag rahe hain isliye hum chup ho gaye."

Maan glared at her until she dropped her gaze guiltily and then took a seat the table. Silence reigned for a few moments as the food was being served and as the servant moved away, Dev exclaimed,

"Bhai, you have to try this awesome new mithi roti that Gee' I mean my new physiotherapist brought. Woh unke yaha Makar Sankranti pe yeh sweet banake celebrate karte hain, aur unke bhai ne mere liye kites bhi banake bheje hain aaj." He eagerly pushed the containe of Gul polis that Geet had left , towards his brother.

"Main janta hoon ki tumhare physiotherapist aaj aane wale the, and I was about to ask you about this mystery person, but looks like this person really knows which side their bread is buttered on and is already trying to impress the Khuranas on the first day of their job."

"Maan," Dadi shook her head at him. "Aise maat kahiye bete. Aap jis insan ko jaante nahi uske bare mein aise kehna toh galat hua na bete."

"Par aap iss mahan vyakti koh mujhe jaanne ka mauka kaha de rahi hain Dadi, and I know you have warned the servants not to talk about this mystery person." he taunted back sarcastically. He reached for the container that Dev forwarded, looked at the content inside and froze. He slowly reached for one of the rotis, when he heard Dev's voice.

"Bhai isse Gul Poli kehte hai. Bohot badhiya hain bhai, aap taste karke toh dekhiye."

No he was not mistaken. It was the same thing that Brij's sister, Annapurna had sent over that day. He took a small bite and put it in his mouth, it was the same melt in your mouth taste. Could the same dish made by two different people taste so similar? He closed his eyes and savored the taste for a moment and then pushed away the roti as if he was pushing her away, and then he pulled it towards him again. No he had forgotten all about her and he was not going to let anything about her affect him. This had not been prepared by her and he was going to enjoy it thoroughly.

Dadi had seen the whole thing from her vantage point and was amazed at her grandson's behavior. He had first stared at the poli, as if it were a snake that was about to strike him. After that he'd savored a small bite of the same as if he was tasting a small piece of heaven. Then he'd performed, a push and a pull dance on the poli. Suddenly she remembered Mohinder Handa's story about Maan's misunderstanding about Geet's name as Annapurna, after the lunch sharing incidence with Brij Handa.

She frowned, puzzled yet curious about his behavior. There was only one way to clear her doubt.

"Kya hua bete, agar pasand nahi hain, toh mat khaiye. Aap yeh dish pehli baar kha rahe hain na. Don't force yourself. "

Maan who had been fiercely concentrating on finishing the poli without tasting it, just to prove his point heard his Dadi's concern and replied absently.

"Nahi Dadi, pehli baar nahi kha raha hoon. Annapurna ke hato ki khayi thi. Bilkul aisi thi."

His head snapped up at the realization that he'd expressed his thoughts out loudly.

"Mera matlab hain woh office mein, mere ek employee ki behen ne bheji thi, jo maine uss din uske bhai ke saath share ki thi. Actually main uski behen ko janta nahi hoon ,par uss din jab aap dono.. " He stopped abruptly. Never mind Dadi. It's not important. I'm done with dinner. Goodnight you two. "

He stood up abruptly and rapidly walked away from the table, heading up the stairs.

Dadi and Dev watched him walking away, with shocked silence. Dadi's eyes narrowed. Her older grandson had a habit from his childhood that she was very familiar with. Only in the recent years, she had not seen much of that side of his. Whenever his emotions were strongly involved, Maan always lost control of the conversation and rambled on. That had always a dead giveaway to his emotional state of mind. And she was dead sure that right now his emotions were fiercely involved. He had also not spent any time with Dev that evening and he never ever failed to do so, no matter how busy he was. Dadi's eyes narrowed. There was definitely more to her grandson's feelings than he was letting on. For him to be so disturbed over a simple thing such as the food before him was very unusual.

"Dadi yeh bhai ko kya ho gaya. Aur aise beech mein khana chodke kyu chale gaye. Aur lagta hain unhone yeh dish pehle khai hai aur who bhi Geet Di ke haatho ki. Agar hum pakde jaate toh, sab galat ho jata Dadi.

Savtri Devi realized that Dev was correct and she would have to find a right moment and talk to Maan about Geet. She would also have to tell Geet about Maan being her grandson. And that was what worried her more. However, she was confident that after explaining things to Geet, she would forgive her, for her deception, but for now she was overjoyed looking at Maan's state of mind. If he was so disturbed by a person he'd met only once and that too a person, who he believed, though wrongly, was the worst sort of person, then it only meant that the meeting and the person had made a long lasting impression on his mind. She dared not allow herself to dream of Geet in their house as anything other than a dear friend and Dave's physiotherapist, for it was not in her nature to push her wishes on her grandkids as far as their personal choices were concerned. But if he was inclined in the direction she was thinking in, then she would definitely give him a helping hand. She would have to clear his false impression about Geet. It would be a difficult task, but then again she was his grandmother after all and he had inherited that mile wide stubborn streak from none other than her.

She looked at Dev and grinned.

"Hum aapke bhai se aapki Geet Di ke bare mein jald hi baat karenge. Don't you worry, mere bacche sab thik ho jayega."

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Maan cut the air with his hand, precisely and then jabbed his foot into the air. He gave an exclamation of frustration and gave up on the martial arts form and started pounding the punching bag in the corner as if he was trying to vanquish an invisible enemy only he could see.

He always felt a measure of peace and could solve his problems, whenever he performed the methodical moves of the martial arts routine. But today nothing was working. He could still feel the lingering sweetness of the poli he had eaten, though he had thoroughly rinsed and gargled his mouth just a while ago. He knew it was just a trick that his mind was playing and that is precisely why he was here trying to get rid of the mental hold she had on him. He thought he'd been successful in vanquishing every thought of her from his mind, but one taste of that sweet roti and the evening at the party had rushed back at him, the happiness he'd felt at the thought of consuming the food she'd prepared unknowingly. He shook his head, as if trying to shake her out of it, and continued punching the bag, Even if *punch*he had to *punch* do this *punch*the whole night*punch*, he was going to*punch* make sure*punch*that his mind *punch* was clear*punch* and she*punch* no longer *punch*occupied any space *punch*in his mind*punch*.

Over the next few days, he did not know what had changed in the house, but there was a relaxed environment all round. The house felt more welcoming in the evenings, when he returned. He had learnt that that Dave's physiotherapist was a woman after all, but no other details had been divulged, though Dadi had promised, she'd disclose all the details to him soon. She had also said that there was another matter that she wanted to discuss with him. He knew there was no use pushing her, as she'd tell him what was on her mind only when she was ready and not a moment before. He was content enough to see a very happy younger brother and grandmother after a long time. Perhaps it had been a good move to hire the physical therapist of their choice after all. He wasn't sure about the physical side, but she sure was doing wonders for their mental health and for that he was thankful and ready to give her a chance.

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Miri was bored listening to Dadi, Dev and mamma discussing something about Dev bhaiyya's chair and so she wandered down the stairs on her own, looking for something to do. The main doors to the Residency were open and so she decided to step up to them and entertain herself with her favorite hobby which was waiving at the guards. Just as she approached the double doors a man entered through the doors.

"Aap kaun, aur aap Dadi ke ghar me kya kar rahe hai." Miri looked at the tall man in the doorway with wide eyes.

"Yeh mera bhi ghar hain aur main Maan Singh Khurana hoon." Maan wondered who the little squirt questioning him at his own door was.

Miri looked at him for a minute, then gasped, covered her mouth and ran inside the house and up the stairs calling out in her loudest panic stricken voice.

"Mamma, mamma, Dadi, Dev bhaiyya". She rushed into the room where the other three were sitting.

"Woh woh.." she gasped.

Geet rushed towards her panic stricken daughter.

"Kya hua Miri, kya hua."

"Woh niche, niche woh sher aaya hai. Aur Dadi woh apke ghar ko apna keh raha hai. Ab kya hoga."

"Kaun aya hai Miri bete."Dadi asked in confusion.

"Maan Singh Khurana. Maine abhi usse niche dekha. Brij mama kehte hai ki Maan Singh Khuran sher hain. Ab aap kya karengi dadi."

All the other 3 occupants in the room froze on hearing that name.

Geet was confused. Maan Singh Khurana and here, but why, what was he doing at Savitri Devi Khurana...

Wait a minute, Khurana? They were both Khuranas. She looked at Savitri Devi suspiciously. Both Dev and Dadi looked shocked and guilt stricken.

"Dadima,"Geet began suspiciously.

Dadi got up and rushed out of the room saying, "Arey Geet bete hume abhi yaad aaya hume naha ke woh woh'. Arey haa mandir.. nahi meri saheli ke yaha'mera matlab hain pehle mandir hote hue phir saheli ke ghar jana hai."

Dev tried to wheel himself out of the room too, on yet another lame excuse.

Geet grabbed the back of his wheel chair and held on,

"Itne jaldi nahi bacchu, kya baat hai sach sach batao."

"Geet Di woh Maan wo"'he trailed of silently cursing Dadi for leaving him on his own to handle the situation.

"Woh Maan kya, bolo?"

"Woh Maan Singh Khurana mere bade bhai hai." He finally confessed.

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Savitri Devi felt bad for leaving Dev on his own and rushing out. But she'd had no choice. Geet and Maan wouldn't blame Dev too much, but she was definite she would not get any such leniency. She needed some time alone to think up a plan.

Anyways, what was that grandson of hers doing at home at this ungodly hour, when all hardworking, decent people were in their offices, she thought irritatedly. Savitri Devi saw Maan coming up the stairs and hastened to her room.

Maan had never seen his Dadi rushing to get anywhere at such a sprightly pace. He called out to her.

"Dadima."

Savitri Devi increased her pace.

"Jaldi Savitri, jaldi. Nahin to aaj teri khair nahi." she muttered under her breath.

"Arey Dadima suniye to, woh bacchi'"

"Abhi nahi Maan bete hum bohot jaldi mein hain. Hume naha ke bahar niklana hai abhi ke abhi. "

With that Dadi reached her room, slammed the door shut, latched it and turned on the TV. Some classic songs were playing on it. Perfect, she thought and cranked up the volume.

Maan was puzzled at his Dadi's behavior and turned towards Dev's room.

As he was about to enter the room, three people stepped out of it.

One was Dev, second was the little girl, he'd seen downstairs. The third person was in profile and had her face turned away, slightly. But he'd have recognized that profile anywhere, even on the darkest of nights. And right now she was standing under the bright light streaming through the large window behind her. She turned her face forward and their gazes met.

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Ok, that's it for today.

Sorry couldn't do the song this time. It will have to be next time.

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A brief narrative:

Since childhood, we've always celebrated Makar Sankranti every year by making Gul Poli It is a tradition in most Maharashtrian homes. However, I never flew kites since this tradition is not followed in Goa. But my husband says that they had kite flying competitions on that day and they used to make the manja(the thread )with ground glass and all kinds of junk, so that it would cut off the thread of the competitors kite. That was the goal.

Do you guys believe that homes that have heard laughter vibrate with a positive energy hours after the laughter has stopped. I would love to hear everybody's opinion on that.

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UPCOMING:

Same as last time.