Part 43
It was a starry night with a crisp wind blowing in the air, a perfect setting to enjoy good company around a bonfire. The guys set everything up just a few hundred feet from the shore while the ladies stood by and waited patiently or rather impatiently in the case of Piyu. To her bonfire equated only one thing, sugary goodness known as s'mores.
She was enjoying them a little too much and Geet began to worry after she had her 4th one. It's why she declared it was bedtime for her but Piyu was huffing and puffing for one more. Geet was determined though, grabbing her hand, she attempted to walk but Piyu wasn't budging either. Frustrated she bent down, wrapped her arms around her waist and held her tightly.
Unsurprisingly Piyu wasn't happy but with no exit in sight she tried her baby face along with the sweet buttery voice. "Please Geet…I just want one more!"
If Piyu thought Geet was going to melt like the chocolate and marshmallows roasting above the flames her eyes fixated on she was highly mistaken. "I'm not repeating myself again Piyu."
Meera wasn't as immune as Geet to Piyu's sweetness. "Stop being so harsh one more won't…"
"Have you looked at her teeth?" She tickled Piyu causing her to giggle and open her mouth. "See…they look like a 60 year old man's whose ate tobacco all his life and never brushed!"
She rolled her eyes at the dramatics, "They do not and besides she's going to brush really good tonight. Aren't you Piyu?"
Grinning wide Piyu nodded. Maan sat at the far end trying to stay out of it but hearing the last bits of the conversation looked over to see her teeth. Indeed she had chocolate stuck between every single tooth. He smiled shaking his head at Meera who was handing her another s'more. "I swear Meera. If she gets cavities I'm sending all her dental bills to you!"
"I don't think we have to worry about cavities as long as Dr. Handa is around!" Meera stated with a wink at Maan before running past Geet into the house.
Watching them disappear in the darkness, it dawned on him how much he had slacked on his responsibilities. He took care of all the big things for Piyu but the simple things like making sure Piyu ate or took her medicine were also a part of his role. A frown spread over his lips realizing he rarely kept up with those aspects nowadays.
But as his gaze fell to Geet's imprints in the sand, a smile slowly spread on his face. They reminded him where he lacked she made up. Since day one she had taken care of Piyu happily and willingly. Proving to him no one could do as much for Piyu as Geet.
"Where did everyone else go?" Rohan asked dropping the pieces of wood in the sand.
Maan nodded his head in the direction of the house. "Meera and Geet went to put Piyu to bed. Where's Vicky? I thought he was helping you."
Rohan sat down near Maan and fed the fire. "I have no idea. He disappeared on me."
Maan shook his head. "Vicky always does what Vicky wants."
"Nothing wrong in that is there?" Vicky asked with grin. "Actually, when I saw Geet putting the munchkin to sleep I thought we deserved an adult treat to celebrate the occasion." He waved a bottle of cognac in the air.
Seeing him fidget with the glasses and bottle Maan wondered why Vicky always complicated things. "Why didn't you just bring beer?"
He gave Maan an 'are you serious look'. "Have you looked in the mirror lately? We aren't frat guys still in college."
Rohan chuckled while Maan released a breath of frustration hearing the glasses clink because of his klutzy hands dropping one on the other. "Whatever but if Geet asks why there are shards of glass everywhere I'm blaming you!"
"Will you chill Bro…you're acting like a whipped husband already." He retorted while pouring the dark caramel liquid.
Rohan tried his hardest not to laugh out loud at that one but it was too amusing and true. Maan narrowed his eyes at Vicky who continued to grin unfazed. "Glaring at me won't change the fact."
No, it couldn't be…could it? Of course not his mind screamed. Why am I even entertaining Vicky's stupid jokes he asked himself. "Shut up Vicky." He snapped back.
He handed him one of the glasses and raised his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll stop picking on you." However, he wasn't ready to stop picking on the topic of Geet and Maan in general. "Just curious though when are you popping the question?"
Maan was thankful the delicate woody aroma only touched the senses of his nose and not his mouth because the steep liquid definitely would have spewed out indecorously. "What?!"
Vicky smirked at Maan while Rohan held his forehead wondering why he enjoyed riling his brother. "It's a legit question. I'm sure Rohan's curious too, aren't you?" He really didn't want to get involved and awkwardly fidgeted.
As much as he hated Vicky for butting in his personal life he realized their life really wasn't that personal as of late. And besides it was a thought that had been lingering in his mind for quite some time but had no idea how or when to approach it with Geet. So gazing between these two, he figured maybe they could provide insight on how to go about it.
Releasing a deep breath he uneasily laid out his thoughts. "I'm ready to do it any day now but the question is about Geet. I don't know what she wants."
Rohan wanted to smack Maan. Even though he'd only been here a few days it was obvious as the daylight Geet loved him. How didn't he see it? "Seriously Maan? I don't think my sister can ever not want to be with you."
Hearing a slight tone of defensiveness Maan quickly assured him. "That's not what I meant Rohan. I was speaking in regards to her career. Does she want to go back to work? Does she want go with you to London? I mean I just don't know…"
Both Rohan and Vicky's eyebrows raised in confusion. "What do you mean you don't know? Didn't she tell you?" Vicky asked.
He threw them both quizzical looks. "Tell me what?"
Vicky slapped his head with his palm wondering why people didn't communicate such important things. "Geet's taking a sabbatical."
"But how…why…" Maan held his head utterly confused and slightly angry at Geet.
Seeing him wallow in confusion, anger and disappointment Rohan decided to tell him something he knew he had no right to. But he felt, no he knew Geet wasn't going to because she hadn't even told him but Maan needed to know, especially so that he didn't push her.
"I'm guessing she was going to tell you in private." Rohan glared at Vicky for ruining everything and putting him in such a position. "Anyways there is something you should probably know before pushing her either which way."
Maan eyed him curiously. "Rohan I wouldn't push Geet into anything. I just don't want to take a sabbatical because she's afraid or lacking confidence in her ability."
"It's not about that Maan." He stared at him with a sad smile. "Little girls weave wild dreams of what they want to be when they grow up but she never got that chance."
Shifting his gaze to the burning ember Rohan bitterly seethed at the control their father had on Geet even while dead. "The Geet I grew up with couldn't stand the sight of blood but now look where she's at."
"I don't understand. You mean she didn't want to be a doctor?" Vicky asked pulling the words right out of Maan's mouth. Seeing Rohan shake his head in a negative they both waited for his explanation.
"In her own words, she did it for our father. Seeing him helpless and dying in a hospital bed sparked a fire in her to save others from the fate she was suffering." His eyes glistened recalling the tear stained pages she had written those thoughts on. "I can't understand it but I admire her for it."
Blinking rapidly the stinging sensation slowly dissipated from his eyes. "She pushed away whatever ambitions and desires she had for a life to ensure other little girls didn't end up without a father. She gave up everything for the rest of the world and what did she get in return?"
Maan frowned understanding now why all of this was so important to Geet. It wasn't because it was her life and reputation on the line. It was because she was afraid to disappoint her father's memory. But seeing the glimmer in her eyes the previous day Maan knew Geet had changed. She wasn't going to continue giving to have nothing left to give herself.
Placing a hand on his shoulder Maan gave Rohan a soft smile. "She won't have to rely on the world anymore. From the fire I saw in Geet's eyes yesterday I can tell she will give herself whatever she wants."
Rohan returned a smile hoping it was definitely true. "Out of curiosity though, what did she want to be growing up?" Maan questioned.
He jogged his memory to recall something concrete but they never really had that discussion. All that he knew was from her words written on paper not spoken by her lips. "We never really talked about it." He stated shrugging his shoulders. But a particular incident came to mind bringing a smile to his face.
"I can tell you though what a five year old Geet wanted to be. When Didi was young she loved to play in the snow. No matter how cold it was she always had a blast. One time we had relatives visiting and as usual with our families they were trying one up each other."
"My aunt proudly boasted her daughter, who was only 8, planned on becoming a lawyer."
Rohan couldn't but help give an eye roll remembering how ridiculous members of his family were.
"She then proceeded to ask Didi what she wanted to be when she grew up. Her attention, of course this entire time was focused outside where snow was accumulating. So without hesitation she immediately shouted a penguin…I want to be a penguin!"
Rohan chuckled remembering how excited she was about it. "Everyone gave her horrified looks but she was too happy to notice. To make matters worse Dad made the horrible mistake of asking why she wanted to be a penguin."
He looked Maan and Vicky who had amused looks and laughed before continuing. "She explained it was because sliding in the snow was hard for her so when she became a penguin she wouldn't need clothes and could slide easily."
Vicky burst into laughs and even Maan could do nothing of the less. Imagining a small little Geet attempting such a feat was truly entertaining. Rohan joined them both until they heard Geet screaming. "Rohan Handa! I can't believe you just repeated that story!"
Geet was actually ready to go to bed but was now ever grateful to Meera for insisting her to go back outside and enjoy herself. Otherwise Rohan would have probably enumerated all her cringe worthy tales.
Vicky couldn't stop laughing especially now after seeing her so mad. "Seriously Geet! A penguin?!"
She narrowed her eyes at him wondering why Meera had to be on a phone call right now instead of putting Vicky in his place like usual. "What's wrong with a penguin? They are cute little creatures!"
"Not to mention stupid ones too!" Rohan butted in. Geet stomped right over to him and smacked his arm. "Ouch…what! It's true they can't even walk normally!"
"If I may ask, why are you two discussing my five year old ambitions?"
Rohan's eyes wandered around desperately hoping Maan wouldn't tell her the truth or else he was going to be in real big trouble. But Maan as always felt the need to steer Geet in the right path. Walking over he placed a hand on her shoulder and easily stated their earlier discussion. "Rohan told me about the real reason why you became a doctor. Why didn't you tell me Geet?"
Geet looked at Maan peculiarly then shifted her eyes towards Rohan. There was no one that knew that except her diary. She intensely stared at her brother with an unreadable expression. "Did you read my diary Rohan?"
He sifted the sand with his feet like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Well…I…" Geet walked over loosening a little smile with a slight shake of her head and jokingly slapped his cheek lightly. "Don't you know it's wrong to read other people's personal thoughts?"
"You shouldn't have left it behind for me to find." He grinned to which Geet nodded in agreement. "But even if you hadn't, I still would know if your heart is fully content or not."
As her eyes formed a fragile liquid sheen she hugged him. "It wasn't for a long time Rohan but things have changed." She pulled away and smiled. "I've changed. I'm not young and nave anymore. Back then I felt like I had something to prove. I felt like I had to show I wasn't useless…I could make a difference…I could make another little girl smile and at the same time make dad proud."
"He would've been proud of you regardless of what you did." Rohan interjected with sadness.
Geet gave a slight nod. "I know Rohan but you don't always realize the obvious. Sometimes all you see and hear is the negative. You work to defeat a voice that shouldn't even matter in the first place."
Feeling the rush of things that really didn't matter come back she paused and took in a deep breath of fresh air to remind herself to stop and just let it go. "At the end of the day I don't regret becoming a doctor. It wasn't my dream but I enjoyed fulfilling it regardless. It taught me so much about myself. I become entangled in the twists and turns but along the way I matured to realize it is okay to follow your desires."
Rohan was speechless but his happiness for Geet shone in his eyes. She smiled seeing his and everyone else's expressions albeit it being a tad bit awkward as they all stared at her. To break them of their stupefied states Geet turned to Maan, "So I guess you already know about my sabbatical?"
He smirked. "Yes, I do. No thanks to you, of course."
"I was just waiting for the right time to let you know." Geet shifted her glowering eyes between her brother and Vicky. "It's not my fault these two have such big mouths!"
Rohan immediately jumped to let his innocence be known. "It was all Vicky's fault! I had nothing to do with it!"
Maan smiled but with a teasing glint. "It's fine Geet just promise us one thing, during this time off please don't go to the artic to explore your penguin ambitions."
"I agree because I definitely won't be coming to see you up there." Rohan exclaimed.
Vicky laughed seeing Geet's expression and prodded further. "You know guys, I think we should just get a slip and slide and let her practice here."
Geet pouted. "I hate you all!
"Whoa…calm down Geet." Meera shouted while walking in their direction. "What are you so worked up about?"
Seeing Geet's sad face compared to the other three amused glances Meera picked it up rather quickly. "Let me guess, our three stooges are ganging up on you?"
"We aren't ganging up….wait what did you call us?" Vicky weakly and rather slowly demanded looking up at Meera from where he sat.
Meera gave him a 'you prove my point look'. "We are simply suggesting ideas for Geet's sabbatical." Rohan amused glancing at Maan.
Vicky perked his head up at them after feeding the fire more wood. "On a serious note, I say you should go do something adventurous Geet. How about climb Kili?"
Skepticism spread over her face indicating she wasn't fond of that idea. "Thanks but I don't want to go to Africa only to die climbing a mountain."
"Let's not skirt the truth Didi. You're afraid of heights."
Geet wanted to hit her brother again but he swiftly moved to the opposite side laughing the whole way. "Why don't you just start at the top of your bucket list and go down?" Meera suggested.
Instead of a response, all she got was four pairs of eyes staring at her with bewilderment. "What the hell is a bucket list?" Vicky questioned puzzled.
"Are you all serious?" She sighed with disbelief that even Geet was clueless. "It's a list you compile of all the things you want to complete before you die.
They all relayed a nice in tune chorus of oohh. "Alright, let's start making one Geet." Meera sat down right next to Geet and began to think. "Where's the one place you definitely want to see before you die?"
"India." She replied instantly smiling with a glance at Rohan. "Our father always spoke about visiting our family home but we never got a chance to. I want to see it at least once."
Making a mental note of it in her head Meera threw another question. "What's one fear you want to overcome?"
Rohan laughed hearing that one. "I can answer that one. It's swimming." Geet frowned. "If there is something I'm more afraid of than heights it's big pools of water."
"But you've brought Piyu to the beach so many times." Maan stated confused. She quickly clarified. "I've brought her to play not to swim."
All three guys wondered where the logic was in that but let it go instead of having her yell at them again. "Let's see…what else?" Meera spoke tapping her chin.
"What about traveling the world in a hot air balloon?" Vicky shouted with excitement. While all four badgering with each other about the safety of a hot air balloon the wheels in Maan's head began to turn.
If Geet wanted to go to India, he could take her. In fact, they all could go together. These last few months had been a stressful time for all of them and a vacation was long overdue. Besides, he had to return soon to Delhi for few project oversights. They could just make it a personal trip too.
"I have an idea." Maan announced but no one heard him. His voice was drowned out by their commotion about why a unicycle was the most dangerous sports vehicle ever.
Maan had to wonder sometimes if these adults weren't actually children. "Guys! Stop screaming." They all looked at him as if they'd been slapped by the teacher. "I was thinking why don't we all go to India together?"
"What? You mean like now?" Vicky questioned in disbelief.
"No you idiot, I mean in a week or two. I have to go for a meeting soon and thought we could all go for a little vacation. I think we all deserve it after this case."
He gazed at Geet who was contemplating the idea. Once their eyes met he raised his eyebrows asking, well? She softly smiled and replied. "I don't see why not."
Maan's eyes shifted to the rest of them for a response. Rohan also saw no problem in him joining them. "No issues with me. I'll work it out with Yash and he can handle things a few more weeks."
"What about you Meera?" Rohan asked.
"I have a few bookings but I can shift them. Besides I could pick up a few ideas here and there on this trip." She smiled wide.
"So it's settled?" Maan inquired. They all nodded glancing at each other with delight except Vicky who had an amused expression plastered on. "What about me Bro? Aren't you going to ask me if I'm available?"
Maan rolled his eyes. "Vicky I know you're always available for a vacation." Rohan and Meera laughed while Geet sympathized with Vicky. "Stop being mean Maan!"
He simply shook his head not wanting to entertain Vicky any further. "I'll talk to Adi tomorrow and get my dates finalized."
"I'm so excited! This is going to be a blast!" Meera squealed and hugged Geet who was no less excited. A real vacation and that too in place so dear to her sent her reeling with joy.
While Meera listed off all they should do and see, Geet lost herself staring at Maan. Initially, he was too busy talking to Rohan to notice her smiling at him lovingly. But soon enough he felt her eyes on him. Turning in her direction he saw her mouth thank you. Maan smiled back seeing her so happy.
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