... SELF MADE EPILOGUE ...
He walked along the beach where they had parted. Year after year on the week that it had happened he could not help but find himself here.
As he watched the waves come in he remembered her leaving him. What followed had been the trip home, empty handed.
Daadima had asked him but one thing, "Who started it Maan..." and when all he offered was a lowered head, she had slapped him so hard he could feel it to his toes. He had banished himself to the outhouse and a life of isolation. The only answer for him to continue breathing had been his work and even when that was not enough, he had taken up boxing and tai-chi and worked his body till it was exhausted and crumpled every night. If at all some golden eyes dropped in from somewhere he punished himself mercilessly for it.
Years had passed since that fateful day. Dev had re-married and had two children already. Daadi had also softened her stance after seeing him aloof from the world. There was no twinkle in his eye and no hope in his heart. If at all he was alive it was to be the caretaker of the business his grandfather had built from the ground up. The only time off he took was this one week every year that was spent on the beach like an aged hippie watching the tide come in and leave wondering when it would come in and sweep him away from this ache that still percolated through him.
He was unaware that Daadi had met Geet after Dev's remarraige or the fact that Geet had been driven out of home and hearth because she had brought ruin to her family name by getting a divorce. Daadi had tried to bring her back to his life but the mountain of guilt that ate away at Geet refused to let her budge from under it.Maan gazed at the turbulent sea at his feet. The only time he allowed his mind to think of her was here. Her smile, her glowing face and her giggling. As if on cue he heard the giggle again. Soothing his soul, the tinkling laughter had him close his eyes to savor it. It still continued and with a hopeful but fearful heart he stood up and allowed his eyes to find the source on the near empty beach. As his intense look found her, he saw her chasing a toddler on the beach. An iron hand clenched his heart in pain as he saw the sight. This was not something that he had ever thought possible. She had a family, no it cannot be.
A large wave came and took him down with it. Salt and tears combined and covered his eyes. Still like the fool that he had become, he looked in her direction to find her gone. In the distance a couple was walking away with the baby between them. Cursing himself for not running towards her he walked out of the water to find her but a few feet away. The hopelessness and despondency on his face was enough for her as she looked at him. They ran towards each other as if it was the last moment in time.Much later in the beach house, he watched her curled up asleep beside him. There were faint shadows under her eyes which matched his. Somewhere in the distance her phone rang in her purse. Not wanting to wake her he went out and answered it. It was Daadima wanting to know if they had found each other. His throat was too choked to answer but Daadima sensed it was him and gave her blessing "Khush Raho beta". As he went to put the phone back a paper dropped out of her purse.
As he reached over to place it back he noticed her name on it. It was a medical report for Geet Handa, diagnosis blood cancer, last stage; expected life expectancy undetermined to three months. His heart stalled for a second and a choked sound uttered from his throat. Shock wave after shock wave hit him. The loss of all these months. The look on her face, the lines of fatigue. How could they live a lifetime in three months. He ran his hands frustratedly through his hair. His phone rang and he answered it knowing it would be Adi. Quickly he spoke the instructions he wanted to give him. He returned to her holding her ever so carefully in his arms again willing his eyes not to shut so he could gaze at her face until dawn broke.She awoke to the dream of so many years. His eyes gazing at her with so much love. "When did you get up", she asked.
"I haven't slept. Did not want to miss a second of this", he spoke not realizing that his words caused her anxiety.
How stubborn was he, how much of life had he given up for her? How on earth was she supposed to let him go now? What would become of him when he lost her? Everything played havoc within her. Wishing she had more time now... for what.. would she keep staying away from him. Did he deserve this? What was his crime in this, that he loved her? What was her crime in this, that she found love after her family found someone for her? Her mind moved around in circles as her gaze moved about the room stopping at the clock. The tick tocking like a death knell. That's all she had now were the few days life gave her. She would make him happy and then leave. No one would say that she was not true to her beloved. A lifetime worth of love in a few days, that's what he would get. Having made the decision she felt peace for the first time since she had seen the report.
They stayed locked together until it came time to make some breakfast and get a shower to get ready for the day. Today he had asked that they spend the day the way he wanted. She had readily agreed. He had a smile on his face as he presented a package to her. Before she could question him about where it came from, he told her to take the guest bathroom and come out to the living room when she was done.
After a quick shower she came out in the short white dress made of satin. There were beautiful white pearls all over the dress. Maan looked at the angel that had stepped into his life. Her eyes opened wide to see him in a dark tux with his hair gelled back. There was another person with him who had some official looking papers in his hand. As she came down the steps, Maan took her hand in his and walked over to the gentleman.
Ms. Handa, here are the papers for you to sign. Still looking at him and Maan with skepticism she saw the marriage decree written on the paper.
Her hands froze and her feet turned to stone as tears streamed down her face. She shook her head in disbelief "No... I can't. You don't know..."
He simply took her hands in his and looked at her... "I do... In sickness and in health, till death do us part. I, Maan Singh Khurana take you Geet Handa to be my lawfully wedded wife..."
She still shook her head... "I don't have much time... I will only bring you sorrow..."
His gaze refused to leave hers. As much as she tried she could not stop her trembling. "Geet, if it is but for a day or a month or years, I want to spend that time with you. Every single breath I take has been yours since I saw you. I am yours in ways that are not defined. Please allow me to be yours forever...", he held her trembling form.
Suddenly two warm arms embraced them... "Daadima...", she cried into the older ladies arms.
"I am sorry Geet. I am sorry for the cruel trick I played on you. I knew nothing short of that report would bring you to Maan. Once that report came out I knew that you would find him. You would not let him live like this Geet". She stopped to catch her breath and continued "This is a fake report Geet. Your labs are completely normal. You don't have cancer Geet. The only thing eating you inside is guilt and from this day forward that is conquered too. Geet, We have all forgiven you. I beg of you to forgive yourself and move on. If you can be Maan's in death why not in life? Is he so undeserving of happiness in life..., please beta I want to see you happy together", Daadima bravely tried to control her sobs.
It was as if a new dawn had arisen in her. She was not sick, in fact she was completely fine. She looked over at Maan. He looked joyous by the news, as if years of tension had left him and he was the carefree soul that she fell in love with. Daadima was nodding at her to complete the ritual.
Her heart knew that no ritual meant as much to her as his gesture, his love. He was already hers body, mind and soul.
She nodded and they signed the marriage register together...
Ishq hai ek aandhiIshq hai ek toofanIshq ke aage bebaas haiDuniya mein har insaan...Avi bowing her head down to love in whatever form it enters our lives...
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