MG Hamaari Prem Kahaani...#2 - Page 37

HANDA HAVELI

Gazing out at the calm weather outside as the storm had settled leaving behind an unknown peace. Holding the two sacred threads of Raksha- dhaaga (sacred thread of God for protection) which Mohinder had got from Panditji when he had gone to the temple in evening, on my insistence for offering prasad in the name of Geet for her well being. Panditji had given him two threads when Mohinder had tried to return the other Panditji had told him, 'Isme bhi Bhagwaan ka koi sanket hoga!' Since the evening incident in the puja room, a sense of calm had settled in my otherwise restless heart, I could feel my Geet was safe, sound and happy. A feeling of happiness after months!

Since the day she got married I wasn't at peace, my maternal instincts always told me she was not happy and all my fears had come true when one day I had received a call from Ramuji, informing me about Geet being unwell and nobody was around to look after her. I had brought her back home for few days much to everybody's discomfort. Her in-laws did fake concern coming here in some hours but that was the first time Mohinder and I could see through their lie.

Geet was also totally cut off from all of us, all she interacted was with Rajji and Tito. We had indeed pushed her away from us forever. While returning back to her house with her husband the last time she had looked at me, her eyes had so much pain, helplessness and indifference too. That was the last time I had seen her. She never called home, even when I would call she would hardly talk much, only mono syllables.

We would worry day and night for her, but we were only responsible for all her woes. Innocent Tito's and Rajji's disapproving eyes would always remind us of our sin . But all we could do was repent as we had failed to protect our child.

And then came the dreadful day when the news of Geet missing came to us, instead of confronting her in-laws our so called family chose to punish Geet for her crime to abandon her husband and house. Mohinder had slapped Geet's husband tight across his face, his dirty intentions were too clear now but only few disgusting people here chose to ignore it. And all are assumptions confirmed when Ramuji again had come to meet me and narrated all that had transpired since her wedding day till the fateful day.

Geet's Papaji's voice breaks my reverie.

"Neend nhi aa rahi hein Rano?" He inquired to which I just nodded a no. Misunderstanding my reply and guilt in him resurfacing he spoke.

"Mujhe maaf kar do Rano main tumhare aur baccho ke liye kuch nahi kar paaya, aaj sirf meri kamzori ki wajah se Geet..." I stopped him by putting my palm on his mouth.

"Nahi Jee aap galat samaj rahe ho, kuch din se pareshani ki wajah se hum so nahi paa rahe the par aaj achaanak aisa lag raha hein ke hamaari Geet bilkul theek hein. Aur issi wajah se aaj meri aankhon mein neend nahi hein". I assured him.

"Main khush hoon Rano ke shayad kuch accha hua hein, lekin phir bhi isse mere dil ka bojh halka nahi hoga. Doosri baar mere galat faisle ne ek aur zindagi ko barbaad kar diya. Barson pehle Preeti aur ab Geet". I know he always held himself responsible for Preeti's and Ranveer's death. He had helped them in eloping from the house for their happy future together but fate had different plans and they met with an accident and died. Mohinder was totally broken and till date holds himself responsible for their deaths.

His painful and chocked voice echoed around. "Agar main uss din Preeti ko bhaagne mein help nahi karta toh aaj woh dono zinda hote, mere ek galat faisle ne unki zindagi cheen li aur aaj phir se meri hi wajah se meri Geet ki zindagi bhi daav par lag gayi". He concluded absolutely lost.

He went against his family for his sisters love and happiness but their death broke him to avoid any such damage to Geet, he remained silent on her marriage decision. Even her in-laws seemed progressive people and her husband always acted as perfect husband and son-in-law. But we failed in recognizing him in time.

Comforting him I spoke,"Aap ne toh dono ki khushi aur zindagi ke liye faisle kiye the, agar aaj Preeti zinda hoti toh kya kissi aur ke saath khush hoti? Woh saath ji nahi paaye par saath mar ke unke pyaar ko amar kar diya! Geet ko iss narak se bachane hi aap ne uski shaadi hone di. Haan uss insaan ki asiliyat nahi pehchaan paaye yahi hamaari galti hein".

"Ab hume yahan nahi rehna chahiye, hum kahi door chale jaayenge yahan se". He didn't let me complete.

"Nahi Rano ab time bhaagne ka nahi hein, bal ki saamna kar ne ka hein. Parivaar ki aadh mein hamesha mujh par vaar kiya hein unn logon ne, aaj tak main chup tha tum logon ki wajah se. Kyun ki main darta tha ke woh tumhe aur bacchon ko takleef na pohuchay. Lekin ab main unki hi chaal unpe hi ullat doonga. Yahan rehkar unpe nazar rakhkar main apni beti ko bachaunga. Har keemat par!"

DEHRADUN

Resting my head on my hands facing my gorgeous life who was fast asleep. She looked so beautiful painted in love head to toe. Her sindoor and bindi smeared on her forehead testifying of our passion last night. The suns rays playing hide-n-seek with her amidst the blowing curtains disturbing her peaceful slumber. And finally the droopy hazels open up and I can see just myself in them.

"Good morning!" came an instant heartfelt greeting. Her mere presence in my life makes everything positive around! Suddenly realization hitting her about our whereabouts her expression changes from a smile, to confusion and then to a sudden blush. She closes her eyes trying to dodge my intense gaze on her, as she remembered our moments. But not so easily will I let Mrs Maan Singh Khurana go. Turning her face towards me I questioned her.

"Kya hua Geet, kuch yaad aa raha hein?"

But my innocent beauty just owns up still keeping her eyes closed.

"Aisa lagta hein jaise yeh koi khwaab hein jo aankh kholte hi gayab ho jaayega." Oh my I felt a sudden urge to demonstrate to her in my own way to her the difference between the dream and reality. But neverthless it wasn't still late.

Picking her up in my arms I walked towards the entrance of the raft and the next second we were down in the chilling water. She just clung to me as a magnet to iron, her teeth chattering, eyes wide open with shock, anger and complain in them. I too innocently declared.

"Yeh haqeeqat hein Geet, khwaab nahi!"

She pouted angrily, "Maan aisa koi karta hein kya?" She complained still clinging to me.

I knew she doesn't know swimming, but still there wasn't a tinge of fear in her eyes. Her trust in me not only made me feel self worthy off but at times scared me too.

'I JUST HOPE I CAN ALWAYS LIVE UP TO HER TRUST IN ME!'

Slowly I made her sit on the raft, her feet still dipped in water. In a fit of the moment I had plunged into the water taking her along forgetting that she was already wearing the spare kurta-lungi (RTM sequence) which was now sticking to her like her second skin . She looked tired it had indeed been too hectic for us. We had lived our whole lifetime in the past two days, a journey through our past had drained us completely though not physically but emotionally. It took every ounce of my control to stay away from her now. I turned around to pull the rope of the raft towards the bank.

As we approached the bank she picked up all our belongings from the raft. Before alighting from the raft she turned around as if picturing it in her soul one last time. Her fingers grazing over the curtains and eyes misty with lots of emotions. I knew what was on her mind.

Proudly I declared to her, " Geet yeh raft kahin nahi jaayega, yahin rahega. YEH HAMARA HAIN!"

"Yeh hamaara hain", she repeated as if trying to confirm it to herself.

"Aap ne kharida isse bhi?"

For the first time I had to confess in a no.

"No Geet, yeh hamara wedding gift hein. Aadi,Yash and Arjun ne diya hein hume". There was an instant smile and her face brightened up with contentment and blush. I would bring her the whole world to have this smile on her face and today my friends had fulfilled it. Aadi was well aware how much I wanted this raft for myself but gifting me this on my biggest day just floored me. They were my buddies our relation was so strong that nothing can ever break it!

We moved towards our cottage as it was time to go back HOME.

KHURANA MANSION

Our chopper landed in Khurana Mansion's private helipad. We had finally reached Khurana Mansion, Our House. Dadimaa and Maa completed each ritual of our Griha-pravesh with utmost perfection. They had indeed arranged everything in some hours. We were then escorted to the main hall. I was left spell bound seeing the grandeur of the place. It oozed out style and a majestic aura just like personality of the people who owned it Dadaji, Dadimaa and Maan. I had never been here before just heard about it but now realized the worth of the name and the dignity surrounding it.

As we settled Annie and Meera nudging me non stop to move out as they had planned something. I couldn't just move out with them. But as always Dadima, my savior came to my rescue. She had an antic box in her hand. She made me wear their Khandani kangans which the Badi bahu of the family would wear. It was a huge honour and responsibility which was being endowed on me. I was awed by the love and trust they had in me.

'I hope to live up to all their expectations!'

Annie tried again but this time Dadimaa noticed it and questioned her, Maan who was till now busy discussing something with Dadaji and Papa also looked in our direction. Annie just declared that they wanted to do some planning regarding our grand reception. Now that was a near shock for all around.

Next second Maan's voice roared in the mansion. "Kaan khol ke sunn lo aap log, koi bhi I repeat koi bhi Geet ke baare mein ya iss shaadi ke baare mein iss ghar ke bahar baat nahi karega. Geet na iss ghar se bahar kahin jaayegi aur na hi yahan kisi bahar ke logon se milegi. MERI AUR GEET KI SHAADI RAAZ HI RAHEGI ! Is that understood. Main dobara nahi kahunga." He said with finality and walked off.

Suddenly the air had become heavy with tension around. Annie and Meera were left heart broken and left to Annie's room. I knew they wanted to plan a grand reception for us and Maan had ruined their plan. I slowly followed Maan to our room. He was getting ready for office there had been some interactions between Aadi and Maan throughout our journey back home, they had some important client meeting.

Maan sensed my presence in the room, he wasn't meeting my gaze. He was feeling guilty for his behavior sometime back. I walked towards him, turning him to me while fixing his tie I could sense his restlessness. He tried to speak.

"Geet mein, woh..." He fumbled with words.

"Maan main samajhti hoon. I trust you!" He breathed a sigh of relief.

Cupping my face in his hands he cleared out his stand,"Geet kuch dinno ki hi baat hein. I just wanna make sure of all the situations around and then we can declare our wedding to the world". I nodded in a yes and he left kissing my forehead.

I had bigger task ahead to handle Annie and Meera and ofcourse Dadimaa and Maa as Maan had left for office against their wishes.

"Chal Geet kaam pe lag jaa".