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Chapter 71
Okay 12 minutes and 20 seconds has passed away and still no sign of Geet. All of Vicky's clothes and toys have been brought here but where is she? Is she not coming? No. She has to come. What am I saying she will come or else I will go to the mansion to talk to her.
"Bhai am hungry. Where is di?"
"She will be here soon. You know she might be making your favorite food. Why don't you play upstairs in the room?"
"No. What if you leave? I will be here so I can stop you"
"Vicky, listen. I would never leave you, ever. You have to learn how to be little independent. I won't be there all the time you know. You said you are a big boy than show me you are."
"I am a big boy. See how tall I am now? I even do boxing"
"That I know but I don't want you to be scared anymore. I will be busy at work and everything else. I won't have time to spend with you but that doesn't mean I am going to leave you. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Now, go and play upstairs"
"After I eat. Call Di nah. I am hungry"
Maan was about to pick up the phone to dial the house when he heard some bangles sounds. He knew it was her. He turns around and saw her standing at the door with her eyes downward holding a food tray. Vicky runs up and approaches her. She moves toward the table to set up the plates for him. He knew she is avoiding to look at him but for how long. He needed to get his answers.
"Thanks di..I am so hungry. Bhai can't even cook and he sent the chefs away too."
"Vicky eat silently." (He walks toward where Geet was standing and holds her arm pulling her towards him)
"I want to know why you said no" (he whispers in her ear. She shudders feeling their close prominently. His breath was near her neck. Her heart started to beat fast as his fingers moved slightly up.) "Vicky, you eat while we go and have talk"
"OoO is she in trouble?"
"You can think that" (Maan winks and holds Geet's hand taking her to his study. She quietly follows knowing there is no other way out. He would not leave her until he gets answers to his questions. He closes the door as soon as she entered. She leans against the door afraid to take another step. Not because of him but because she can't face him. Ever sine she came here, ever since they confessed she can't bring herself to look at him straight in the eyes.
He stands in front of her and leans closer to her making sure not to touch her making her uncomfortable. "Now tell me what happened? Don't you want to start a new life Geet? I know who I was in the past makes you scared but believe me I am really trying to be a new person here. I am not asking for forgiveness for my sins but just for another chance. I want to make it up to you and Anamika. Please tell me what happened? If you say no than I will understand. I will go away with Vicky than."
Tell me, don't remain quiet.
"how do I start? Where do I begin to tell him? He is looking at me with hopeful eyes but here I am standing like a statue affected by him. He is so close to me that I could smell his perfume. Its so intoxicating. Maybe that is why that girl from the office roams around him wearing no clothes. He presence is enough to make any girl go crazy. Anyway, where was I? Ohh yeah. I need to speak up if I can find my voice."
She felt his hand on top of her hand pulling it upwards. "Ohh god he is holding my hand close to his chest. How does he expect me to talk like this? I have to move away. I can't talk if I keep facing him like this"
"I needed my answers. I know I was being pushy but I can't help it. Ever since the confession yesterday that is all I can think about. I just can't keep going like this. Now that i know she feels the same about me. I want her in front of me 24/7. I want to get to her from beginning I want to know her likes and dislikes. She wasn't looking at me at all right now. Was she afraid? I have to make her feel comfortable around me. I held her hand to show her that she doesn't have to be afraid maybe that was a bad move because I could feel her hand getting stiff."
I quickly let go moving away from her little giving her enough space to think and hopefully talk. I sit at the chair behind my desk and just waited for her to thaw out a little and talk.
"Whenever you are ready to talk. I am right here but I want answers to my questions."
"Babaji I hope he will understand. This is my chance. Thank god he moved away from me giving me clear air to think and maybe talk. I slowly opened my mouth to say what I wanted to but nothing came out as usual. Geet find your voice. This is the time"
"Woh uhh" (I looked at him...he waited patiently for me to continue making it even harder for me to speak.) "I uhh can't go because of Dadima." (I said all in one line closing my eyes unable to look at him. I expected him to yell but he only laughed out loud. Why is he laughing? Did I say a joke?)
"Is that what you are worried about?"
"Really Dadima? That is why she said no? I couldn't help but laugh at her plight. Now, I know the reason. Her hesitation. Dadima is old and her staying here by herself wouldn't be right but i know she will say yes if Dadima knew why Geet is going away. Its not like we will be living in London forever. Only for a year or so but I can't have anyone come between us. All these formalities are too much for me. Really irritates me."
"That is it. I was not going to stand here and take this any longer. He is laughing at me? Here I am thinking on how to tell him. How to make him understand and here he is laughing at me. Good thing I was near the door. I grabbed the door handle and as soon as I did. His hand went on top of it holding it tightly. He was near me again. His shoulder was touching my shoulder, slightly. I waited for him to continue on cuz I won't be able to now. Not with him so close to me"
"Geet I know you are worried for Dadima. I have thought about her too but I know your dad will take care of her. I am not saying we are going away forever just for couple of months or a year. That's it. I just want to start over with just the four of us. I know in the past I didn't care for her at all but I am going to make it up to her and to everyone."
He opens the door for her. Geet looks at him one final time before going.
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Dadima sat in her room reading a magazine when she felt something heavy on her lap. It was Maan. Is she dreaming? Is Maan's head really in her lap. She puts the magazine down touching his head trying to see if its a dream or a reality. It was real. He was really here.
She remembers when he used to be little, this was the same way he would come and cry on her lap. His father would torture him, make him do what no child should do but no matter what he would always come here to cry and vent out his frustrations.
I loved that feeling but unfortunately not all good things last long. He stopped doing that as soon as he grew up. The power and fame went into his head. He didn't even look at me the same way. I knew he was ashamed for what he has become but never showed. The little Maan she remembered was lost in the Maan that was presented in front of the world. I could never make his problems go away either. I was afraid of my own son.
Today, this moment, feels like the old times. I don't want this moment to go away. I gently caressed his head as he just laid there unable to say anything. His eyes were closed and I could see his tear coming out of his eye. I moved my hand to wipe his tear.
"Leave it. Don't wipe it. I gave you a lot of pain right? I even told you to leave this house. I know what I did to everyone especially you is not forgivable but I am changed now. Believe me"
"I know. I know everything that is going on in yours and Geet's life. I just didn't' say anything."
"Dadima, how did I become this person? I used to be like Vicky. Look at me."
"Its destiny beta. No one can change that. A good thing happened you found Geet. Beta don't hurt her again. She has gone though so much already."
"Dadima, I won't hurt her. I realized I love her and she loves me too. She told me yesterday. I want to start our lives again together from the beginning. I want to give that chance of a family I know she dreamt of and Anamika the happiness she deserves."
"I know beta but just remembers to give her some space. She needs to get comfortable around you."
"Its not about me anymore. Dadima if I ask you something would you allow it?"
"You are asking me for something after a long time. I won't deny you."
"I want to start afresh somewhere far away just the four of us."
"Who is the fourth?"
"Vicky. He can't stay far away from me"
"I know he sees you like a father figure."
"Would you allow us?"
"Yes, if it means of seeing you all happy than am okay. Did you ask her father?" (She asks in tears)
"Why do I need to ask him...I have your permission" (Dadima playfully hits him...) "Fine. I will ask him"
"When are you guys leaving?"
"Tonight. I have everything transferred. I will look after Khurana Constructions from London."
"tonight? So soon? Go tomorrow please."
"Okay. This will give me enough time to sleep on your lap"
He puts his head back on her lap again. Vicky comes running in jumping on Maan's stomach. Dadima laughs in tears seeing this.
"Only he was needed now"
"Daidma is bhai a baby?"
"Yes, for today he is"
"Am a baby too than" (He puts his head on Maan's chest. Maan wraps his arms around his waist with his eyes closed and a smile)
Geet watches this from the door with a smile and quietly leaves.
Precap: Time to leave
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
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