Secretly Smitten#1 (Thd 2 Link @ Pg 143)) - Page 46

All villagers presented there, found both children in unexpected condition. The girl Geet, whose head was, filled with Sindoor that also with a holy one and boy Maan who was holding her hand, tied with same holy Dupatta with girl. Their condition was telling a different story to everyone. All started gossiping in themselves. Maan and Geet had become the center of attraction leaving the elder newly wedded couple away. All curious, complaining and shocked eyes were targeting on both children and this made them feels fear. Geet clutched Maan hand tight, she moved back and tried to hide behind him whereas Maan was staring them with his angered eyes. He did not like their stares; it was annoying him to the core. The noises and buzzes were becoming louder. Some ladies came and tried to hold Geet, scolded her to come here in anger .. she runs and hide behind Goddess statue. Her little heart was beating endlessly and she started crying taking 'Baba' name.

Random guys started asking random question, they knew Geet but Maan, some were unknown of him.

Priest asked, "Whose boy is this?''

"That Khurana's boy'' someone answered.

"Alka ji's boy..''

"He lives in Haveli Purohit ji..''

Alone child when started facing so much anguish he also started scaring with them. He started missing his mother, wanted to go to her.

"Call his mother!!!''

Priest clutched his hand. Maan fought and runs from there and bumped into Mohan. Someone had informed Mohan that Geet was in trouble and he was coming running in worry. Maan hugged him from waist and hid face. Mohan caressed his head, asking what happened.. Where was Geet''

Maan pointed inside. He held Maan hand securely and rushed to see Geet.

"Mujhe Baba ke pass jana hai.. I want to go to Baba!!'' Poor Geet was crying as a lady was stopping her holding her hand. Geet was struggling to come out crying when she saw Mohan, she raised hand to him pleading to come and take her away. Seeing Mohan lady left her and Geet runs to him and Mohan took her in arms. She hid her face in his shoulder and hugged tight still crying. Mohan in one hand holding Geet and with another holding Maan, he asked what was happening there?

"Can't you see Mohan what happened!!!'' Priest shouted out loud.

"Mohan bhaiya look at your daughter, she did marriage with this boy!!'' a woman said..

"What!!'' Mohan was shocked. He did not heed yet the sindoor and all those things which Geet was wearing. He looked Geet and Maan properly and tried to understand what the matter was. He looked both children were very scared. He became worried for both.

"Ask them Mohan what they did!!''

Mohan was forced to do what they said; he asked Maan steadily what had happened. Maan told how Geet wanted to play marriage game and he taught her and everything what they did. Now everything was clear, all gasped, made disbelief sound. Everyone's eyes were ogling Maan and Geet. Some were making fun and some were taking it serious. Mohan sensed this matter was not going to stop easily. He did not want those innocents to face this all. He found that servant of Maan who was also witnessing all this happenings. He handed over Maan and Geet to him and said to go back in Haveli and wait there for him. He also alerted him not to leave both children alone and also not to tell Alka anything if she returns back before he comes there.

Sarvent was himself scared, he agreed. Mohan tried to remove Geet hold but she was not ready to leave him. She was shivering badly. Somehow Mohan succeeded to make her leave.

"Maan beta, please take care of her'' He requested Maan, hoping that he would do it. Maan nodded, he held crying Geet hand and both walked away with servant.

Now Mohan was alone to face the whole village. Many had come to see the Tamasha and many was feeling bad for him. Many became disappointed to know that the little bride groom already left as they had come to see them only in excitement. It was like some circus was going on there.

"Did you see Mohan what your daughter did!!''

"Purohit Ji that was only a play.. my Geet is very small she doesn't know what this marriage thing is..''

"Yes Purohit Ji Mohan is right, didn't you hear what that boy 'Maan' said. She just wanted to know what was happening and he literally married with her, it should be his fault he should be punished..'' Someone shouted..

Mohan- What are you saying bhaiya,, Maan is also just a kid. How can you all call their play, a marriage!! It's all rubbish!!''

Purohit- Mohan!!! Did you forget that even being a child they completed all essential rituals? They got blessing of Maa Durga how can you deny this that that boy filled your daughter Maang!!!

Mohan - But that cannot be called marriage Purohit ji, they did everything in innocence. They were not understanding the meaning of all rituals they were doing. You can't call this marriage just because it happened in temple, before Devi Maa!!

Purohit- Mohan!!! It means you also trying to denying this marriage which happened in temple with all rituals at same time!!!'' He pointed toward the newly wedded, couple who were stood there, cursing everyone under breaths.

All were shocked. Mohan was shocked, where this matter was heading to.

"I didn't mean it Purohit Ji, I was just saying that whatever they did, it was all due to their innocence, they are small children and they did mistake. We should forget everything what's the need of dragging this matter.

Purohit - this matter is not at all small Mohan, you're trying to shake our religious faith. Any boy if he fills a girl head with real sindoor that is called Marriage in our society and here, Maan did it before Maa Durga.. with all essential rituals. They took Devi Maa blessing also how you can say it cannot be called marriage. Tum humaare hazaaro saal puraane sabhyta ko jhuthlaane ki koshish kar rahe ho Mohan!!!

Mohan was scared. He knew any decision PurohitJi and all villagers will take he would have to accept it and this will affect those innocent children life. He had to keep calm and talk patiently.

"I'm sorry Purohit Ji, I didn't mean this. I know in our culture what's importance of Sindoor, marriage even I respect them. But think about them, they are just small kids.

"So what Mohan, even you're mother marriage had been taken place when she was only 10 did you forget it?''

Mohan had no answer he hang his head in embarrassment. "don't forget Mohan that child marriage is a part of our society, you can't deny it''

But Purohit Ji.. ''

No Mohan, if you think that this marriage is happened due to mistake than we are ready correct this mistake'

Mohan looked him confused,

Purohit- You don't need to think about your daughter Mohan, though she marked the marked black spot on your family still we would forgive her. We will give her another chance to repent. We will get them marry again, tomorrow!!!

Mohan felt shiver. No way.. he would not let it be happened.. Never!! He very tried to argue, requested, pleaded but no one listened instead all started believing that this would be a blessed marriage. Goddess Durga herself wanted to make them one and so she made them do this unusual thing which never happened before. They started making believing that they were "Pichle Janam Ke Sathi' who could not become one so in this life, even in this age they got united by God.

In all this no one understood Mohan condition who was hell worried for Geet and Maan. Priest said he wanted to meet Alka, someone said she was out of village, so Priest decided a 'Panchayat' for tomorrow afternoon and left. Slowly everyone left leaving poor Mohan alone there. He also started walking toward haveli with hanging head.

##

Meanwhile in haveli,

Maan did not leave Geet alone even for a minute. Mohan had requested and it was like an order for him. Anyway Geet condition was very poor and he wanted to cheer her up. He dragged her in his room, made her sit on bed. He tried to give sketches, pens, drawing books, his toys everything but she had been crying for Mohan.

"Want to listen story?''

He kept a fairy tale book before her, seeing at book she nodded, wiping eyes from frock.

Maan climbed up on bed and lay down, he opened book and started telling story. Geet followed him, she also laid next and started hearing story very carefully. Slowly her eyes became heavy and she slept.

Maan closed book and saw her, if she was fine. He climbed down and came out to look for something to eat when heard her cry, he again rushed inside, found her sitting on bed, looking around in fear and crying. When Geet saw Maan she runs to him and held his hand asking "where is Baba.. baba ke pass jana hai''

Little Maan himself missing his mother what could he do.

"You know Geet, fishes are hungry, I need to make them feed. Will you come with me''

Geet happily nodded. Maan took her to aquarium and diverted her mind in play. In sometime servant brought food but again Geet started cribbing for Mohan. Maan had to divert her mind with cartoon shows.

Somehow time passed and Mohan reached there, he found both children peacefully sleeping before tv. He came and took Geet and went out. Geet stirred little, she opened eyes slightly and looked Maan with her droopy eyes and it was the last time, she had seen him.

Next morning before anyone could know Alka had left the village with Maan as she had plan for another place.

Flashback Ends,

"Sir, if you say it their destiny I would not deny. I also accept that what happened it was not usual but now I can't see my Geet living a life with a hope which can never be fulfilled. I wanted to make her future secure but this people is even snatching her today, her childhood from her'' He started crying, it was the first time he cried. Vyas gave him brotherly hug. He consoled him saying they would think something for sure.

After long Mohan was feeling light. He left for home saying thank to him.

In home he found Neer was worried for Geet and Geet was screaming in pain.

"what happened her!!!!''

Neer said due to eat much golgappas she was having stomach pain. Mohan came and sat near her, he patted her head lovingly. In sometime Geet slept.

##

At same time, another place, far from India...

" Alka what happened to Maan, did anyone call doctor??''

Savitri Devi was shouting on each and every one person taking little Maan in her lap. Maan was having fever and he had become weak.

"Since the time he had come from India not a day he could live in peace, My son forgot to smile.. pata nahi kiski nazar lag gayi mere pote ko!!!'' she was cursing everyone .

Maan was staring in infinity hugging her Dadi, lost somewhere, very far.. he was missing his friend,, his companion,, his Geet..

Precap: Neer Marriage & Alka calls Mohan