Secretly Smitten#1 (Thd 2 Link @ Pg 143)) - Page 53

In U.S in Night,

Alka was making Maan sleep; she was caressing his hair and patting his forehead which was warm in fever. Maan was sleeping with the effect of seductive. Alka was thinking something, something which she never told anyone till now.

She still remembers the night when she had returned back from court. How worried she found her servant and how Maan was sleeping before TV and his room was messy with all toys and his things like he had used them just before. She made Maan sleep on his bed and asked servant what happened, why he was so scared. She also had seen people groups were staring her car with strange eyes when she was coming back. They were talking something pointing to her, everything looked suspicious.

Servant was not sure what to say, even to say truth or hide but then thought, she was alone lady there, she was outsider, what if these villagers something do to her, harm her or Maan, he finally told her everything.

Alka mind started spinning in fear, her body felt loosing its sense. She could not believe that something like this could have happened with her Maan, with her family. She was scared to the core. She could not think for anything for some time and after that was not able to take any decision.

She rushed to see Maan if he was alright! What if these villagers would have harmed him!! She kissed his head crying, could not think for that Maan had to face those violence alone. She thought for calling her family in US but that would not work. She had not enough time. Half night had been already passed away and tomorrow all people will not let her leave or escape so she decided to leave this village now! She had no time or mind to even tell anyone or talk Mohan.

'Haa.. yahi thik hoga.. I can't let them spoil my child life.. never!!!'

A mother heart screamed with the thought what those villagers could have done with Maan. She herself knew they did everything in play but also knew that if anything comes over religion, these villagers would not leave any chance to harm Maan or her. For saving her husband last treasure, Khurana Khandaan's alone heir, she left village in early morning. She requested servant not to tell anyone and gave him money. Servant was kind man he nodded and even helped her and she escaped away leaving everything behind.

##

'Mama!!'

Her chain of thought broken with Maan voice,.

'Yes Beta', she wiped sweats over her face and heeded to him.

'I need water'

'Abhi laayi' Alka went and came back with boiled water. It was very cold outside and so she increased temperature of room to let Maan feel comfortable. Maan drunk and again laid down close to his mother. Alka rested next to him, patting his head.

'Maan can I ask something'

'Hmm'

'Do you remember Geet?'

Since the time she had left village only one face had been lingering inside her mind. Geet's innocent face, If villagers could have harmed Maan, what they would have done with that small girl!! She always used to think about Geet, her innocent acts, her sweet voice, cute antics everything. She had even seen Maan laughing after long and only when he used to be with Geet. She wanted to know what happened with that child but she was very afraid with all those events. She did not want anyone to know her whereabouts and so never contacted anyone there.

It had been about a week when she reached US and after that never got chance to know about Geet. But since the time she had left village she had been noticing that Maan had stopped laughing, even smiling which he had started in village, with Geet. He had become like before when he had lost his father. His father was like a friend to him who used to play with Maan, watched TV and all games they used to play together. But poor mother could not think for the reason that what was bothering her son, again.

Maan nodded yes.

'Mama did you send her that aquarium? She very much wanted to play with those fishes. You had said after we will leave, she could take them with her'

Alka was awe looking him talking like this for the first time after coming here.

'Mom do you remember how she used to cry for each and every thing.. and you remember Mama when she had come to our place she had made my sketches also but I lost them somewhere in India itself'

He turned to Alka. 'Mama, can't she come here, I want to play with her she was my friend '

Maan wish pricked a mother heart. It was first time when he has asked for something and she could not fulfill his wish. Possibly she understood the reason of his silence. He had been missing his friend. Like after his father passing away he used to miss him and now we snatched Geet's friendship from him, he misses her!

She hugged him thinking what their fate had decided for them. Maan was repeating his question that why Geet could not come there. Somehow Alka made him sleep saying she will do something but she herself was not sure 'what!'

##

After talking Maan last night Alka got the source of his smile. She noticed that whenever she used to take Geet name, he used to become happy. Hours started to turn into days and days turned to month and in meanwhile Alka never let Maan forget Geet. She herself started to bring Geet name before Maan because her son's happiness was hidden in it. She could not see him suffering again like he had been after his father death.

Slowly Maan health started improving. Everyone was happy in home but no one knew the reason because Alka had strictly told Maan not to take Geet name before anyone.

'But why Mom why can';t I tell her stories to Dadima?' Maan was doing drawing when he asked.

Alka came and sat near keeping milk on table. 'Maan you know na how Dadima doesn't like India. What if she started hating Geet also, hmm'

'But Mama why does she hate India, it was our home na there?'

Alka could not tell him reason but she knew, why Savitri Devi' used to dislike India. It was her and Maan's father love marriage which SD could never accept, because their cast was different. Maan's father married Alka without his family acceptance and started living in India leaving US. This sown the first seed of dislike for India in SD heart. After Maan birth SD slowly started accepting Alka as Khurana Bahu but before they could live a happy family life, SD lost her alone son in an road accident in India and this turned the small dislike into hatred. She ordered Alka to sell property there and come US forever. She did not want to keep any relation with India, she had fear of losing for her family again.

'Tell Mama why Dadi dislike India'

'Nothing Maan, it's just.. ' she was not getting the proper word to explain

'I know why'Maan said. Alka looked him confused.

'She dislikes India because I lost Papa there, haina Mama!!'

Alka eyes filled with tears. She just smiled and left from there. She did not want to show her pain to her child, where he himself had been suffering with same pain. Maan again became engrossed in his drawing.

##

India,

A month had passed. After the day Mohan never stopped Geet from wearing marriage symbols he did not want to face her ogling eyes of villagers again. In meanwhile Vyas had been supporting him in every possible way and he also suggested Mohan to apply for transfer and leave this village. Mohan himself was thinking for it and after Vyas support he felt like found an elder brother in form of boss. Hope started taking birth in his suffering life. He decided that after Neer marriage he will leave.

##

It was Neer marriage today. Everyone was busy, everyone was sitting on jet like this they were running here and there in whole house, including little Geet. She was also damn busy but in her play with other children. That day Savita did not force Geet to wear Sindoor and all because Neer in-laws did not know about her child marriage. Mohan had stopped arguing on this topic because he was to leave himself and he knew Geet would forget everything once they will leave this place. He wanted to spend days on peace till leaves the village.

In US, today SD was not in home and so Maan was adamant he will talk to Geet. He had made a drawing and wanted to tell her. Alka had Mohan number. She herself wanted to know about Geet so getting chance she called India, but from Dadi's phone. She had private number which would not display on Mohan phone. She could not take any risk to show them her whereabouts.

Mohan picked phone after two three rings but in noise Alka voice was not clear. He had to come out in term of talking and when he recognized her voice, it stopped the passing time at the spot!!

Alka herself could not think for what to talk, should she say that she knows about their marriage thing or should hide.

'How are you Bhaiya' She said.

Mohan was not sure what to say. Should he ask where they are living? But then thought 'why!!' when he himself had decided to forget those incident what the need was there to discuss about it. He formally answered. Alka said Maan wants to talk Geet and this surprised Mohan.

'Does her still remember her like Geet does!!!'

Mohan was in shock when he heard Maan voice from other side..

'Hello.. Geet'

Mohan heard little Maan voice; his innocent face started lingering before his eyes and every wound became fresh. Somehow Mohan controlled his floating emotion as people were around.

'How are you Maan Beta?'

Maan remained silent, he had thought it was Geet on phone but when did not find her, he became sad.

'What happened Maan?' Alka asked.

'She is not there on phone'

Mohan was hearing his voice, he was surprised to know that Maan was still remembering Geet. 'But why!! Why did they call again when everything had been settling down!!' He worried that if Geet talks Maan she again would start cribbing to play with him and so tried to excuse that she must be playing somewhere as toady it was Neer marriage.

Alka could understand but when she saw Maan sad face, she requested Mohan to let him talk once but Mohan did not want to. Alka was helpless from both sides. One Maan wish and second she herself want to be sure if she was okay but had no option.

Later Mohan realized he should not talk them strictly so said to call after sometime so he would keep Geet with him. Alka agreed. She cut phone and tried to make Maan understand but he made face and became angry.

'Maan listen me Beta!!'

'No!!' he tore drawing in pieces and threw on floor and runs in anger when suddenly bumped into SD who was coming this way.

Precap: Maan comes India with his grandfather 😃