Secretly smitten#2 (Thread 3 Link @ Pg 154 ) - Page 15

Shocked Alka came out wearing immense tension when she saw Maan there. Her worry increased what if he heard everything and above all, what if he understood the meaning of everything. She was not sure. She becalmed and tried to smile,

"Maan beta, what are you doing here?''

But child was scared. Though he did not understand the meaning of every single word of his grandfather, but still, this much could understand that from now onward, if anyone would take Geet name here, it won't result out to be good. Anyway he used to fear his grandfather due to his huge personality and now his thunder voice marked deep down in his fragile heart. He runs from there.

Worried Alka followed him and found him sleeping on bed, hiding under thick blanket. She came and sat near him, caressed the material, tried to talk him,

"Mama I am sleeping'' He spoke. She again tried several but Maan started being irritated. she thought to talk him later. Anyway she herself needed peaceful time to think over everything, she left switching off the light and closed the door. But poor mother could not see that how her son was shivering and crying under thick cover.

##

Next day when SD came to wake Maan up for school, she found his body was burning in fever. She cried out. Alka came running and was shocked to see him like this, immediately whole Mansion filled with doctors. They checked him and given medicines,. They said this is outcome of long journey and change of atmosphere and weather. SD cursed Yash and Alka to take Maan India with them,

"Look what India did to my child''

She almost cried. It was the fear of losing her one more and alone son which was turning her dislike into hatred toward India. Alka remained silent.

##

"Maan wake up beta, take this medicine

Alka pulled him in lap and tried to feed pills and then milk. Maan was semi-conscious. He mumbled something in sleep,

"Mama she messed my drawings''

"Maan..'' She patted his face, tried to get him back in sense but fever was very high.

"If I don't teach you, how would you play Geet..''.. "Mama she is not giving my book back...''

Alka eyes were filled with tears; she knew what he was missing. But suddenly she wiped her eyes and runs to close the door, what if SD or Yash come and hear him. She come back to Maan and tried to wake him up,

"Maan .. beta.. see Mama here..Open eyes beta..''

After tries several Maan blinked eyes but it was weak. But he saw her,

"Mama.. ' he tried to speak but had no strength. Maan did not know what he was missing, which memories were making him restless. He was so small to understand his demand or need but what he was feeling was entirely natural. He had no control over them. He was completely mess.

Alka could not go and ask anyone what to do, she knew there was only one person in this world which could make him feel better, but she was banished here. Her name was banned here, Alka was helpless.

Two days passed like this only but no change in Maan health happened. All were hell worried. Even Yash was, but no one knew the reason of his illness nor could Alka tell. She was scared with consequence.

Third night, Alka was sitting taking Maan in arms, she was staring in blank in front. It was like a black canvas on which everything from past was running like a movie. Those days in village were the most wonderful days for her because she seen her Maan laughing again but then suddenly everything changed.

She closed eyes and suddenly a little bride Geet started coming in her inner sequence and then little groom Maan. Both were playing, both were marrying themselves and Maa Durga was showering her blessing on them. Her Maan was so happy holding Geet hand and both were running in clouds and seeing them, even Goddess was smiling.

Alka smiled in her sleep. She felt a soft touch on her hand like someone was caressing, healing her ache. She opened eyes. Maan was trying to wake her up, his small but deep eyes were staring her with an innocent beg. It felt he was pleading for something.

She snuggled him into chest and cried. She was amazed what she dreamed a little earlier.

"Maan, Geet ke pass jana hai?''

Maan smiled and nodded,

Alka understood what she had to do. It was not her dream only but might be a message from God, that how she could bring happiness and peace back in her Maan life. She kissed his forehead.

"Mama where is she, what she will be doing?''

Suddenly something stuck in Alka mind, she remembered something. She put Maan head on pillow and stood up. She went in her room and opened wardrobe. She was searching for something and when found it, she rushed back to Maan. It was the same holy red Dupatta which had tied Maan and Geet together. When Geet had stayed with Maan after all hassle, she had forgotten it there and Alka had kept it thinking it was sacred.

She tied that cloth on Maan wrist, praying Goddess to make him well. Maan felt that material touch. He opened eyes and found the cloth;

"Maan do you remember this cloth?''

She asked stroking his hair,

Maan looked it for while then slowly he started remembering how he had tied him and Geet together with this small piece of cloth, he nodded. He started telling how he had played with this with Geet and how everything they did same like he had seen in movies. Alka noticed little change in his mood like he was blooming. Her belief soared in their pure bonding. She lay next to him and talked more and more; tried to understand his heart.

##

From next day everyone noticed change in his health. SD was very happy indeed and Yash was also. But no one could know the reason. Many night she spends with Maan talking and sharing Geet memories.

First Alka was doing it for the sake of his health but slowly it started turning out as Maan need. He started demanding to go India and meet Geet. Alka had strongly warned him not to take Geet name in house and now Maan also knew consequence. Slowly both mother and son started living a separate life with remembrance of Geet and India along with their US life. Alka always tried to let Maan mingle with his Dada and Dadi, also because she could see the longing for their dead son in those old eyes. She tried to fulfill everyone needs.

##

Here in India, Mohan settled well in his new life with Geet. He gets her entered in good English school. At first she used to cry for village, her home, her friends and Maan but slowly, she started blending in new environment. She started forgetting everything along with Maan and Mohan also kept track on her every movement that she could not remember him.

##

Time started running fast. Both children started living their life in their own way whereas Geet forgot her past completely but for Maan, this past was the only support for his living. Mohan never let Geet remember Maan and Alka never let Maan forget Geet. Mohan knew that forgetting everything was the only way to keep his daughter life peaceful but for Alka, past was the only thing which could bring her son happiness back. And like this one year passed.

##

One day in US,

"Mama, see how's it?'' Maan runs excitedly to show his new drawing, he had tried making Geet portrait. It was not that best but good enough to understand that he could not make it without seeing the face in real.

Before Alka could reply SD came from behind,

"What's this Maan, hame bhi dikhaaiye''

Maan worriedly stared Alka, she blinked eyes to make him relax.

"Who's paining is this?'' SD asked praising his drawing. Maan remained silent but Alka had to answer.

"Whose pic is this son; she is beautiful like a pari. Do you know her?'' SD stroked Maan hair lovingly.

"Wo Mummy, she is his classmate'

"Oh,.. she is really cute Maan what's her name?''

Both Alka and Maan looked each other.

"Tell Maan, who's this pari?''

"Angel!!'' Suddenly Maan stated. Alka looked him in wonderment.

"Dadima, she is Angel'' Maan looked Alka for assurance. Alka smiled and nodded.

SD praised his work and left.

Later in Alka room, Maan was studying when she came bringing milk for him.

"Mama Angel is good name na.. '

"Hmm.. beautiful''

"Then I will call her Angel from now. Now Dadaji and Dadima also would not know, who she is, right Mama?''

Alka prayed for success of his little effort to save his friend. She made him drink milk and Maan again became engrossed in his book.

Alka was happy to see him happy. Somewhere she had decided that she would bring Geet back in his life. She will never let Maan forget Geet because it was God wish. She did not know what had written in his future but at least his today was peaceful with this effort and she was happy with it.

"Angel,.. she is really an Angel of Maan, a Pari who spread royal shine in Maan life and she would never let anyone snatch this brightness from him!!!'',,, she vowed.

Precap: 6 Years leap & one day,

"Geet how can you think about other boy, you're married already!!'' Geet looked Panna shocked...