MG FF THE DIVINE FLOWER : thread 2: PART 39 : page 141 17th may - Page 2

Till that moment, that is when the pandit announced their marriage to be complete and declared them husband and wife, Maan never realised that the person whom he was marrying was not some doll and had her own emotions. It hit him then what he had gone and done. He clenched his fist when he realised that he had unnecessarily dragged a girl into the mess that was his life. Marriage was not something that would be finished just after the ceremony. Now he had to keep this commitment for a lifetime. Suddenly he started feeling hollow inside. What had he gone and done? The victory that delighted him seemed pointless now. Didn't he change everything! What was he even thinking? Like it was some show where he would win and everything would be back to normal as the screen went off? This wasn't some drama but life. He looked around to see what Geet felt. He could know it just looking into her eyes but she was nowhere to be seen. Before he could look around, dadima who seemed to be extremely happy took the two couples for further rituals.

The anguish and inner turmoil of Geet couldn't be described in words when she saw her Maan making someone else his better half. It was as if something was ripped out of her. The only way she could keep her sanity was making herself believe that this wasn't her Maan. The man whom she loved with all her heart had disappeared into thin air. This was someone else with the body of her Maan. That's how she put brave face while monitoring the decorations of his suhaag raat just like he wanted. The bed had minimal decoration just how he would prefer it. The room was made to look grand with all the aromatic candles and flower petals. Geet sat on the edge of the bed alone looking at the finally decorated room. How many times she lied on the same bed in his arms while he sensuously discussed this night with her. How he longed for the day when he would find her waiting for him and he could love her without having to hold back himself. She closed her eyes as a lone tear escaped from her eyes. She quickly stood up as she heard some giggling noises approaching the room. She wiped her tears and was about to leave when Annie and other girls came there holding Pari and teasing her. Annie's face turned hostile as she spotted Geet. Not that she hated her or something. In fact she meant it when she used to tease her calling bhabhi. But now she was happy for her bhai as he found a life partner for him. Pari was really a sweet girl and good at heart. She wanted happiness in her brother's life and she knew Geet's presence would only cause problem for it. As the moment of awkwardness lingered one of the girls said, "arey Geet tum kaha chali. Abhi to is dulhaniya ki taang kheechna baaki he"

Another girl , "aur Maan jiju se paise bhi wasulna he"

Others laughed as Pari blushed.

Geet : wo..me..uhh..me thak gayi hu. Mujhe apne kamre me jaana he

Pari : arey Geet, thodi der rukh jao na for a moral support

Annie : nhi Pari, Geet theek keh rhi he. After all ye saara decoration isi ne to kiya he. Kaafi din se kaam kr rhi he. Let her rest.

Pari : ok, thnx for everything!

Geet : me chalti hu.

And then she ran away from there not able to take anymore. Ofcourse this was her Maan, well not her anymore. Who was she kidding? She had been stupid enough to lose her love. She didn't know what her future was! What should she do? She couldn't even die as she had Amy to take care of. She silently fed her baby and put her to sleep. At least Amy was lucky as she was the only one who could sleep among all these chaos. Geet lied down on her bed looking at the ceiling. It was dark all around her room, just like her life. She turned to the right side. She tried to close her eyes but only tears fell from them. She hid her face in the pillow muffling her cries and wetted her pillow as her heart broke silently without a drop of blood.

Maan was frustrated with himself. For one thing he hated Geet like anything but he knew he had no right to drag someone else into all this. He was determined to tell Pari the truth and let her decide the future. He felt that he had lost his right to take decision in this matter anymore. He drank a little just to gain confidence to confess to her. He got rid of the girls by paying more than what they demanded making them hooting for Maan. But once he entered the room, he stood there spell-bound. Every nook and corner of the room had the love etched on it. It was filled with her scent. The serenity, the peace that he wanted was right there. He could feel it. He forgot all about his order to Geet to do up his room. He was lost in the pleasant feeling. He closed his eyes and let himself drown in that enchanting experience. Her face, her divine face was all that filled his mind at that moment. His legs moved forward towards the bed. Pari shifted nervously. Maan took off her veil. She couldn't look into his intense eyes for she was blushing hard. Maan in trance could only see his divine angel sitting there. It was his dream fulfilled. He gently undressed her as if she were a priced possession. She was about to say something when he stopped her by putting his fingers on her lips, "aj nhi..baato ke liye humare paas puri zindagi he. I have waited for this day for so long.." He said as he undressed himself. And he loved her, every inch of his Geet, which belonged to him and him only forever. His tongue roamed possessively over her curves and then he cherished her soft skin the way he had longed forever. He entered her taming the raw desire that his heart possessed being gentle yet rough and rocked her. And finally as he lied over her panting he groaned, "I love you Mishty!!"

Pari who was exhausted herself with Maan's brute force repeated confused, "Mishty??, Maan u ok?"

He opened his eyes in shock. What did he do? His mistakes were becoming deeper and deeper. He immediately got off Pari and laid his back facing her. And before Pari could ask anything more he dozed off or atleast he pretended so in front of her.

Pari was confused by Maan's behaviour. On one hand she was mad about Maan and she was happy that they made love on their first night. But the way he pulled back, she felt it was rude. But don't they say men don't like to cuddle. And that too someone like the tough guy Maan. Pari brushed those thoguths aside and slept contented but somehwere her mind pried her about.. Mishty!!!

Next morning Pari woke up in the morning. Dadima took her to make the first sweet dish and muh dikhayi. After completing everything Pari came back to her room where she Maan sitting on the couch thinking deeply.

Pari : hey Maan, guess what I made gajar ka halwa!!! Like for first time!!! Marriage is some effort.

Maan was lost as he remembered how Geet made sweet for him and how he cherished it. It hurt him and the fact that it hurt him still, angered him. He had committed a sin by tying down an innocent to him. And the reason for all this was her!! Geet!! She had ruined his life!! If only she didn't betray him...if only she remained what he thought she was his life would have been bliss. Anger, rage coursed through his veins. His heart was turning cold. He hated himself for his misdoing. If only he didn't fall a prey in front of her charms. Meanwhile Pari took out her bag and started showing the gifts that she had brought for everyone in Maan's family.

Maan was lost till he heard about the last gift.

Pari : ye wala me Geet ke liye layi.

Maan looked at her surprised.

Pari : I like her. She is so sweet and my first friend here. Kal usne humara room bhi decorate kiya. Mene socha ye saree gift kar du usey. She will like it na?

Maan looked away, "I dunno"

Pari shook her head, "fine I will ask her. In fact abhi puchti hu"

And with that she ran to Geet's room. Maan knew now why he got carried away. He ran his hand back on his hair. It took only that much for her to enchant him again. And here he thought he was over her.

Pari knocked at Geet's room. There was no answer. She slowly opened the door as there was no lock. Geet was not in the room. Pari decided to leave the gift on her table with a note. Just as she was searching for a paper in her shelf, an old book fell down from the upper most rack. Pari took it from the ground when she found an envelope falling on the ground again. It was addressed to no one particular but titled as, my field trip!! She saw that it had a letter and some pictures in it. Call it the typical female intuition or anything but Pari suddenly concentrated only on the letter. Her heart started beating fast as if this was something that she needed to know. And so she read the letter.

Dear Maan

I know you would be mad at me that I sent your car back empty but kya karu... I know this would be another of your "hijack Geet" mission. But Maan plsss plsss this time I need to go. I have to film a documentary for my internals. I have already missed two chances when you took me to Pattaya, and Bali. This time I can't miss it or I will flunk big time. Sorry sorry sorry.. I won't mind a zero score in internals but they would send a note to dadima, you know! What would I tell her? And I know that even you don't want me to take my studies lighter. Just once, bas ek baar ke liye mujhe jaane dijiye. It's a week trip. I will finish it early and be back or you can take me wherever you want. I'm missing you already Maanu..umm don't make that face you know you will be always be my Maanuu

Apki

Mishty..

And then with trembling hands Pari took out the photos. She understood why the letter never reached Maan because he was off to her field trip location even before she reached there. It was a remote village in Rajasthan by the looks and ofcourse the name boards but the way they posed, made faces and smiled posing for the photos made it look nothing less than a Switzerland trip. It then dawned upon her how she always saw them glued and she could never see that. Intern? Sponsor? And she believed those stupid magazines who spread the word that Maan and Pari are an item!! She felt it all ridiculous. Her whole life had turned into a joke. And then the previous night flashed upon her. The desire in his eyes, the gentleness, the brutal masculine force and the love all was for his mishty!!! It was never ever meant for Pari!! She felt it was worse than rape. Her nose flared and her heart was filled with various emotions. She clutched one pic in which they were standing so close and happy. Other contents and the envelope fell on the ground and Pari ran outside to her room. Geet was coming with Amy towards her room when she saw Pari running away her eyes filled. Geet knew that something was not right. The moment she entered the room she knew what would have happened. She kept Amy on her bed and put the pillows beside her. She didn't know what she could do but all she wanted to do was talk to Pari. She couldn't let herself ruin Maan's life. He deserved all the happiness. She was ready to take all the pain and punishment that came on her way for it was she who broke his trust, who had lied to his face and who had accused him without any fault of his.

Meanwhile Pari pushed the door opened and marched towards Maan. Maan got up as he saw her in that state. He knew something was wrong and he feared it was not the worst but her eyes told him. It had the pain of a dream shattered cruelly and the guilt ate him. Pari came closer to him and slapped him right on his face. The heat he felt on his cheeks was nothing compared to what he felt in his heart. He saw his face in the mirror and saw a beast standing in front of him. He couldn't look at himself and hung his head low. Pari threw the picture that she held, at him.

Pari : Mishty!! Tumhari Mishty!!! Phir me kyu??? Jawab do Maan!

She held his collar with tears in her eyes, "Why me???"

Maan : Pari I'm..

She held her hand to stop him, "don't!! don't say a word Maan! But don't stop me today either!"

She walked out of her room and found Geet standing there her eyes filled. Pari looked at her and there was a moment of silence between them. Their eyes conveyed a lot more than their words. Geet could sense Pari's inner turmoil and Pari could feel her pain resonating in Geet's eyes. But today, Pari was the wife and Geet was the other woman in her husband's life.

Pari : tell me the truth, Geet! Who is that kid with you?

Geet nodded for a no, "nhi Pari..Maan ne aisa kuch bhi galat nhi kiya he jo tum logo ke rishtey ko hurt kare...Maan kabhi bhi tumhe.."

Pari :ENOUGH! Mere pati ke barey me tumhe mujhe batane ki zarurat nhi he! Aur tum hoti kaun ho Geet jo hum dono ke beech me aye?

Geet : nhi Pari! Tum galat soch rhi ho. Me kabhi tum logo ke beech nhi aana chahti. Me to bas tum dono ko khush dekhna chahti hu!

Pari smirked, "khush? Really? To phir ek kaam karo abhi aur isi waqt humari zindagi se bahar nikal jao.."

Geet stood there shocked,"P..Pari..abhi me kaha? Kaise?"

Pari couldn't bear this anymore. The mere sight of Geet ignited a fire inside her. The insult that Maan inflicted upon her was too much for her tender mind. It came out as hatred towards Geet. She dragged Geet all the way downstairs. Dadima, Maan, Annie, Vicky, NT, Dev and even the servants came out hearing the noise.

Pari : ab bhi khadi kyu ho? Tum hum dono ki khushiya chahti ho na? to niklo yeha se..NOW!

Dadi inteferred, "Pari ye sab kya he?"

Pari : anjaan mat baniye dadima! Apko to pata hoga

Dadi : hume sab pata he lekin Geet aur unki beti ko ise kaise is ghar se jaane de sakte he? Is pariwaar ke izzat ka kya hoga!

Pari : isey jaana hoga warna me chali jaungi! Phir apke izzat ko kuch nhi hoga?

Dadi : Pari! Aisi bhi kya dushmani he Geet se apki? Ap to jaanti he na usey. Wo kabhi apka haq nhi chinegi

Pari : ye hum teeno ke aapas ki baat he. Ap isme mat padiye dadi!

Pari's stern look silenced dadi. She knew that the wound Pari had was deeper than just the revelation of her husband's past. Maan stood upstairs watching all this.

Dadi saw him, "Maan rokiye apni biwi ko beta. Ye galat ho rha he!"

Pari : wo nhi bolenge dadima! Aj wo kuch bhi bolne ka haq kho chuke he..

Maan stood there still and cold. His guilt and hatred had silenced him completely. He knew that he had wronged Pari. But throwing Geet away! If that was all he wanted he could have done that earlier. Even after all that happened he never thought that a day would be possible in this world where there was no Geet in his life. Today he had to choose among his wife and...HER! But all this wouldn't have happened if she didn't start anything at the first place. And then he decided to keep quiet and let her pay for what she had done to herself and him.

Geet stared at him. His silence was eating her. She was ready to take all his hatred for the rest of her life but living in a world without him broke her existence. She stood there looking at him. Years ago she saw the whole mansion from the same spot and Maan yearned for her one look even if she was a little girl and today her gaze made him burn alive. He knew the pain and complaint in her eyes. They were not the cold and indifferent eyes that he saw the previous days. But today her pain and complaint wasn't enough to sooth him. He had pushed his boundaries far away and she had to stand outside it. Pari ordered the servants to pack all her things. Nakul gave Amy to Geet. She held her still looking dead. His silence had killed his Geet completely. Pari escorted Geet to the exit who walked like a zombie. Pammy followed them teary eyed. Pari handed some cash to Geet which fell from her hand as she was not even in her senses. Pari tired to stuck the notes forcefully but they kept falling except the hundred rupee note that Amy held tight in her little pinky fingers.

NT came there and stopped Pari, "oh common Pari, why r u spending your money? Waise bhi isne apne pyar ke naatak se kaafi kamaya hoga Maan se. aur dekho to wo bachi ko bhi abhi se train karke rakha he. Kaise paiso pe nazar he"

NT tried to snatch the hundred rupee note from Amy but Pari stopped her.

Pari : bachi he! Uski koi galti nhi he. Rulao mat ap usey

NT shrugged and left them. Pari looked at Geet for one last time. She felt all wrong somewhere but she was always a pampered child. She was never denied anything and this very first denial was so strong that she just can't accept it. She was the one who was supposed to live with Maan! She wanted Maan! He was her hero, her craze! No one had the right to deny her that. She stormed away without turning back. Pammy collected all Geet's luggage and waited for her in an auto at the gates of Khurana mansion. Geet held Amy tight and walked away as if nothing else mattered to her.

Pammy called out for her but she didn't hear anything. Pammy tried to run after her but the autodriver stopped her asking for his fare. She couldn't spot her anywhere once she settled the fare. All she was left with was Geet's bags. She sighed and took them to her home in the hope that she would come back to her once her mind was clear. Pammy waited and waited hours passed..a day, two, three, four,five days and still no Geet...She feared if something terribly wrong had happened to her little Geet.

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PRECAP : Geet begins a new life!! Maan and Pari too!!

Not a long update I know...but can't help. I'm still not done shifting my house . Will update next week!!

Geet walked aimlessly not aware of the place or time. She went blank. There were no memories dancing or taunting her. The innocence in her was dying and instead developed a strained heart filled with so much pain that she could not hold on to herself. She sat there right in the middle of the highway inside the broad divider which was made into a garden. The screeching vehicles and the heat made Ami wail uncomfortably. Even in that condition, her motherly instincts worked. She woke up from her riverie and looked around. She remebered that she left the house in the morning and now it was noon. So many hours passed and she didn't know what she did all the time or how she ended up literally in the middle of the road. She looked Ami who was wailing loudly due to the unbearable heat and hunger. She didn't have anything with her when she noticed that 100 rupee. At first she thought of getting an auto and going to Pammy. But she stopped as she was not able to face anyone after that incident at the mansion. Her self-respect was brutally assaulted and she coldn't make herself go back to anyone involved with that incident. She thought of Hoshiarpur but she smirked for she had no one there as well. And then it surged into her heart, she actually had no one in her life. Didn't she pray for true love since her childhood? Didn't she ask if Maan was that one person before confessing to God. And every time the flower blossomed and she believed like a lunatic. Was it all just a myth? Her heart still couldn't take that. How could all that be myth? Her dad won't lie to her ever. And still she stood there all alone. But she was not alone. She had an angel in her arms. Amidst all that uneasiness Ami smiled looking at Geet and she knew that nothing was wrong. Even when her fate cruelly took everything away it still gave her one hope to which she could hold on. She was wanted by somebody. And then she was determined to look after Amy as her mother. She knew that one day, Ami would come to know the truth and even she would discard her but did that even matter? Geet was resolved to give all the love in her heart to this little soul. She knew that one day they had to part their ways and she could not expect anything in return but she would protect and guard this child as long as she was required in her life. That was the driving force for her further journey. She wandered in the streets, rested near India Gate, slept on railway waiting room and platforms. She knew that she had to get some kind of job so that she could make some money and start her life from the scratch. But she had neither certificates nor the money to pursue the job that was offered to order in her campus placement program. Finally she started looking for some small jobs in the malls. But she was starving for seven straight days. Her only food was the tap water and some odd fruits which fell on the roadside from the trees. She spent the money she had only to feed Ami and that too a packet of milk per day. The child was uncomfortable but surprisingly not very demanding. But eventually her body gave away and she fainted in a mall and was surrounded by people who were only discussing with each other.

Arjun had to catch an evening flight to Kolkata. He had come to the mall as a friend had offered him an interesting piece of article on land mafia against a central minister. He was hurriedly getting out of the mall after the meeting when he saw an unfamiliar crowd. He decided to help and got the shock of his life as he saw a pale and petite Geet unconscious lying on the floor and an innocent Ami poking her nose and cheeks as if to wake her up. Arjun screamed in surprise, "Geet!!! "

He tried to wake her up by sprinkling some water but she remained lifeless. The rest happened quickly. A batallion of JNU students rushed from nowhere. Some took charge of Geet in a strecther while Arjun followed them holding Ami. Two hours passed and Geet opened her eyes. She found herself in a hospital bed with a trip attached to her hand. She tried to get up and a fear ran through her spine. "Ami!! Meri bachi kaha he?"

She turned to the direction where she heard Ami giggling and found her playing with Arjun who was facing towards the window. Geet actually couldn't recognize him in the beginning as he was totally changed than what she remembered of him. His branded clothes were replaced by a simple cotton kurta and pajama and he looked pretty much tanned and muscular than before. His eyes had a twinkle but she couldn't miss the dark circles beneath them. He looked stressed out yet happy. Geet's heart swelled with mixed emotions as she saw Arjun happily interacting with Ami. There were no doubts no questions, no raised eyebrows. Sometimes friends just accept you for whatever you are. They don't want any explanations or truth. Arjun now aware of Geet's gaze looked at her.

Geet tried to get up again but she just felt too weak. As Arjun's eyes met Geet all the good humour was lost. His stern gaze made her cringe as she was in no way able to handle any more accusation. Sensing her uneasiness Arjun's eyes softened and he came near Geet.

Arjun : accute weakness due to starvation and fatigue. Body dehydrate ho chuki he and.. well I don't remember the rest of the dialogues by doctor but in short tumhari body finally is reacting to your atyachar. So don't even think of getting up. Ok?

Geet nodded meekly.

Geet : Arjun...tum..

Arjun : O my God!!! Geet Khurana remembers my name! How lucky!

But Geet couldn't react to his pun. Her mind got stuck at the surname, Khurana. She looked away painfully.

Arjun : tumhe hurt nhi karna chahta tha Geet. But I thought we were friends!

Geet replied, "we are friends!! Atleast me to wahi sochti hu"

Arjun : tabhi 2 saal se ek baar call bhi nhi kiya

Geet recalled her conversation with Maan at the Vegas hotel. She never made an attempt to call Arjun because she knew Maan wont like it. She smirked. Well she ended up doing everything that would earn Maan's hatred. Arjun's voice broke her thoughts.

Arjun : tum Ms World banne ja rhi ho?

Ami looked at Geet and then started moving restlessly in Arjun's arms.

Geet confused, "Ms. World?"

Arjun: nhi to phir ye rigorous dieting kyu?

Geet couldn't help but smile. It felt nice as she was smiling after ages like that.

Geet : dieting...nice substitute for starving!!

Arjun winced. "Atleast itna sab kuch hone ke baad to call karti mujhe! Kya wait kr rhi thi? Apna nhi sochti, fine! Par iska kya? What if something happened to you and then what about her?"

Geet looked at him shocked. Arjun didn't ask a word about Ami or Geet. But he sounded genuinely worried for Ami. Her eyes filled up and at the same time Ami started wailing to go to her mumma.

Arjun : aye lo dono mumma beti ek saath rone lage

Geet laughed and took her from him. Her hands were shaking but she was strong enough to hold Ami.

Geet : tum kuch puchoge nhi?

Arjun: puchunga but not now. You are coming with me. Yeha party guest house me rahenge and then..

Geet: wait a minute! Party guest house?

Arjun: what? I'm a Marxist!!

Geet : you are a what?

She can't help that grin looking at her old Arjun who was so timid and easy going now looking like a tough fighter. Arjun then revealed how he had a fall out from the Rathores when he found out that his father was earning by illegal ways. When he questioned them, his father ordered him to keep quiet as he too was benefiting from the same corrupt money. That was it for Arjun, he left everything back and went on his own. He joined a post-grad media course which was his ambition even during the graduation time. But the campus was a pretty much stirred-up place. He got in touch with hardcore communist thinkers, got to read War and Peace, Daskapital and lo he became one of them. It changed his outlook about the world. Geet was tongue-tied as Arjun told her that he was about to deny a high-profile Media Head asst, job in NY because he don't want to be a part of the capitalist society. Arjun brought Geet to the guest house. Ami was comfortable with Arjun as if they had some connection. Arjun never asked about Ami or questioned about Geet's present condition. He only made sure that they both are healthy and happy. Finally one day Geet wanted Arjun to go to Pammy's place and get her things. But she had to tell him everything before he met Pammy. Arjun didn't want to listen initially. Firstly he didn't want Geet to relive whatever she had went through. Secondly he wasn't sure if he could bear anything wrong that had happened to his dear friend. But Geet was determined. She convinced him that she had to vent out everything to someone so that she could feel light herself. Then she narrated how she met Mira, lied to Maan, and then tried to reveal the truth and Dev's rejection, NT's threat, her lying to the Khuranas, Maan's anger, marriage and finally Pari's outburst. She left the intimate conversations of Maan and the whole SR decoration episode as she would never bad-mouth Maan. But Arjun could see the pain in her eyes. He knew that her heart was cruelly crushed and more than that Geet would never say it out loud. He was ready to take on the Khuranas and even his sister for that matter, when he came to know the truth but Geet made him promise never to bring this topic to anyone. Arjun wanted to confront at least NT. But Geet didn't want any more trouble for Ami and Arjun for that matter. He said, "Uski galti nhi he! It's in her gene. She can't help it. My dad won't hesitate to crush anyone for his profit, same goes for my sister!"

Geet : But you are different,aren't you? How come the gene factor backfired on you Arjun? Tum itne ache kaise ban gaye?

Though Geet laughed as if what she said was a joke but deep down Arjun knew that she meant it. He could see the respect in her eyes for him. He could not ask for more. Arjun loved Geet. That was his past, his silent pain. But today she needed him as a friend. Arjun was ready to do anything for Geet like a true friend. He never expected anything more from her. Arjun felt that if he again thought of Geet as his love that would be an insult to their friendship. So he clearly kept his limits. He never interfered in Geet's personal decisions. He stayed with his friends when Geet lived with Ami in the guest house. Everything went fine until Geet declared that she wanted to take up the job in US that was re-offered to her after missing the first deadline of her campus placement. Apparently the first asst. editor of Pageant left the job as she could not take Ramona's cold attitude. They were desperately in need of a substitute and Geet was available. They raised the pay and perks so much that Geet couldn't refuse. She just needed to book the ticket as she already had her visa and work-permit. Arjun went to Pammy's place to get her things. Pammy was much relieved to find that Geet was safe. She told Arjun how Geet was humiliated and thrown out. Arjun couldn't say much as he had promised Geet to keep quiet about it. But when Geet said that she was going back to US Arjun was really mad.

Geet : I don't understand whats your problem! Kitni din me aur Ami tumhare upar burden bane

Arjun : Kya mene kabhi aise kuch kiya he jissey tumhe ye laga!

Geet : noo..par Arjun you have your own life. Tum usi din Kolkata jaane wale the. Ab dekho its been 3 months!! You are trapped in Delhi because of us!

Arjun : I am not trapped, ok? I chose this.

Geet : aur hua kya? The land scam was reported by some other journalist jabki saari mehnat tumhari thi!

Arjun smiled, "Geet, that was not for credit! I only wanted the truth to be revealed. Agar time pe wo news nhi ati to abhi tak wo land ki deal final hoti aur wo garib kisaan apna zameen kho dete! It's for a common goal.

Geet : whatever, but I don't like this. Living here doing nothing. Arjun I have a big responsibility. Ami ko kisi cheez ki kami nhi honi chahiye. For that I have to take that job. If not like a Khurana, lekin me usey wo sab dena chahti hu which would be my maximum! I need that job badly. Please understand!

Arjun : tumhe US jaane ki kya zarurat he? Tum akele kaise manage karogi?

Geet : kaise manage karogi matlab? I have lived there for 2 yrs!

Arjun : seriously, let's not talk about that! You are NOT going there all alone!

Geet : tum samajte kyu nhi Arjun? Me Delhi me nhi rehna chahti. I need to go away from here. Aur iske alawa US hi aisi jagah he jaha me used to hu and I have a job there for God's sake!

Arjun : I know aur mene kab kaha tum nhi jar hi ho? I only said you are not going all alone!

Geet looked at Arjun suspisciously. Arjun had a wide grin on his face.

Geet : You are not serious!

Arjun : un..huh? You are not the only one with a job in US!

Geet : but you don't want to live in a..what was that..haa capitalist society!!

Arjun : well yes, but I don't have a choice because of my crazy best friend!!

Geet's eyes filled up.She thought she had no one and here was a guy who was ready to throw away his life and principles just for her sake.

Arjun : oh puh..leeezz Geet! Don't give me that look! I'm not the mahaan friend who is doing this for you. This was my dream job before coming to Kolkata. But then, I thought I could live for my principles. I was already having second thoughts. What if after 10 yrs, I feel like I have missed my chance and then regret it the rest of my life. It's better to take a chance. And my job won't define what I am. I am always a communist from heart!

Geet : now give me the real reason dramebaaz!

Arjun : what! (he rolled his eyes as Geet wont gve up) ok fine! I left you guys and I lost Mira. You know how that makes me feel? I can't risk you now Geet! I can't let you go alone! I never really had anyone close to my heart all my life except you people. Dad and NT, you know them. Mom, well she could care less. She thought of me as an embarrassment as I didn't have the guts' to carry forward the name of Rathores. You and Mira are the only people in my life who love me without any expectations. And yes, now instead of Mira I have Ami.

Geet smiled understandingly. They were in the same path after all. Who else knew better than her how it felt when you are abandoned by your loved ones. On that day, she decided to make Arjun a part of her life. He was a good friend, and she knew it was more than friendship for him at one time. But he was there for her when she was about to break down. It was a companionship of two people who knew very well what the other went through. It wasn't love and it was not just friendship. It was a connection of two souls who could read each other's pain. They were not committed to each other in any way. They had no obligations or whatsoever. Yet they chose their path together. Arjun got back on his track by pursuing his dream-job once again much to the dismay of his communist comrades. He assured them of staying a Marxist from heart. He intended to promote Marxism through the media house that he was going to work with. It was this dynamic idea that made him successful over the years. His sincerity towards this ideology and the issues and awareness programs that he initiated made him the head of a top media firm in the US. He soon had proposals to be partner of various ventures and thus became one of the rarest breed, a socialist businessman!!

Geet made it clear that their lives will always be separate and he agreed with her. She learned to hide her pain and live for Ami who became her hope and joy. The little princess filled her life with new colours. Deep down she feared them to fade down one day, but for the time being she was happy with what she had until Maan came back and then once again pushed her to the next crossroad where she had to leave Ami back in India where she belonged.

Meanwhile Maan and Pari didn't talk for the next seven days after that incident. Maan spent most of his time in the office and gym. He was angry at something he didn't know what. Or he didn't want to acknowledge that he was angry at himself. His conscience made him guiltier every day. What he did to Geet! What he did to Pari!! Everything flashed in his mind. He tortured himself brutally on the seventh day. His hand was bleeding still he was going to hurt his hand by breaking another ice block. Dadi came to the gym with worry written all over his face.

Maan hit the block and the ice broke into pieces turning red as the blood mixed with the water of the melting ice. Dadima couldn't bear this anymore.

Dadi : Maan! Ye kya kr rhe he ap?

Maan continued to look for another move.

Dadi : is tarah apne apko chot pohuncha kar kya prove karna chahte he ap?

Maan : dadima please, mujhe meri haalat pe chhod dijiye!

Dadi : chhod du? Hum dadi he apke! Apki zindagi ko yu bikharte nhi dekh skte!

Maan smirked as he thought about his life. Did it have any meaning now?

Maan : ap kya chahti he?

Dadi : Maan zakhm ke upar au ghaav dalne se wo dhak nhi jaate. Ghaav bharne ne ke liye, marham lagani he. Warna wo jaan bhi le sakti he!

Maan knew what dadi meant. He can't immerse himself in this guilt all his life. He needed to get out of it. But what would he do? He felt the light in his life went off as Geet left his house. All these years he didn't even realize how everything in his life was entwined with Geet. From his morning coffee to his late-night work schedule. She was a part of everything. And now without her he felt empty, as if his existence didn't mean anything without her. And he hated her more for making him feel like this. The Maan Singh Khurana was helpless and miserable because of her! He hated her hold on him even after being away from his life. And then he remembered that he was married now. How could he forget that completely! There was another girl whom he had wronged without any fault of her, just because of Geet. He left the gym and came back to his room. Pari was not in his room. Maan took a bath and looked for her, she was still not there. He called for Nakul who informed him that Pari was staying in another room next to Annie's, since last seven days. Maan went to her room. Pari was sitting in front of her laptop. He knocked at her door. Pari thought it might be the servants and didn't even take her eyes from the laptop.

Maan : umm..Parineeta me..ye kehne aya tha..ki..

Pari was now looking at him puzzled.

Maan : I'm sorry! I shouldn't have dragged you into this. I admit that I wronged you by marrying you just to give someone else pain. I can't promise but I will definitely try to be a good husband if you would let me.

And then he went out of her room in the split of a second. Pari didn't know what to say. She knew that this was what she wanted to hear. She wanted Maan's care and love, if not love atleast his attention. But today that didn't make her happy.

Maan had promised Pari to give their relation a chance. But that was easier said than done. With each passing second he hated himself and everything around. It was true that he felt bad about what he had done to Pari but deep down his heart knew that something else was terribly wrong. His brain won't let him admit but his heart started venting out that frustration on everyone. He spent most of his time in the office because that was the only place where her presence was felt less even though, this office was the same place where SHE declared that they should get married. He concentrated on his work more than before. That kept him busy. He worked round the clock. Pari still didn't shift back to his room. The only privilege that she got as his wife was she was the only person who could talk to him for a stretch of 10 mins without losing his temper. That was mostly about dadi's health and his business trip locations. Dadi was tired of seeing Pari left all alone. She insisted Maan to take Pari with him. But after two trips she stopped that as it was the same situation with her all alone in an unknown place. Then dadi asked her to find a career for herself. Pari was not much of a career girl. She was all about fun and loud life. But slowly her bubble started to burst. She knew that Maan was so far away that she could never reach him. She was proved wrong. It was not just the physical presence of Geet that captivated Maan. Even if she was miles apart in some place unknown to them, Geet was very much present between them. Or Pari wondered if she was in between Maan and Geet. Actually she was never really in the picture. It was Geet who ruled Maan's life. She made him happy, she made him sad, she made him angry. It seemed to Pari that every motion that Maan had was only because of Geet. She couldn't voice it to anyone but herself. She had seen the love in his eyes for Geet, when he made love to her on their only night together. Tears rolled down her eyes as she slowly started coming out of her dream. She looked at Maan standing outside his study. He was a good husband. Ofcourse, he took notice of her needs. They had a joint account and he never questioned her. He informed her every time he was out of town. He brought gifts for her on their anniversary or her birthday. But even after two years, they stayed in different rooms. The gifts she got were business-like, like those compliments from the shops. Everything was so formal and she knew he did these things out of duty. But did she really wish for a life like this? May be if she waited for some more years, she would move to his room and then everyone would think that they were a happy couple. But did she want a life where she would pretend to be happy? Where was the love, the excitement, the passion? And looking at him drowned in his work she turned around realizing that this was all that they could share. She worshipped Maan at one time of her life. She could have got an autograph or even a photo together and that's the end of it. The love never existed! Not only because Maan never loved her back. Even she didn't feel the need to fight for him or win his love. Wouldn't she try that if she loved him?

After 2 years of marriage, Pari had found a career for herself. She was heading an event management firm and was happy with her life. With her working, she didn't meet Maan for months. They would see each other at the dining table or at the corridor now and then and exchange a hi-bye.

Pari was again thinking about where her life was leading sitting on a flight to Dubai. She was returning after a high-profile wedding in London. Her eyes fell on a magazine with the pictures of her and Maan together on the cover of a magazine. She took it and read the brief-note of the piece. The romantic couple Mr. and Mrs. Khurana spotted having a mini-honeymoon in Rome!! It was three months ago. Pari was there arranging a wedding for an Indian royal family bride with a Roman businessman, who was a descendant of some Knight. Maan happened to attend the wedding as the groom was his client. Both of them didn't know they were going for the same event. They met at the hotel lobby as they were staying in adjacent rooms. Maan had some business meetings after the wedding and Pari stayed back to visit different places. In the end they returned on the same date and the cameras flashed this pic. Now she knew how fake those flashy magazine pics were! Pari smirked and tossed the magazine which slipped and fell on the face of the guy sitting next to her dripping his drink a bit on his polo t-shirt. Pari's eyes popped out and she looked at the guy whose face was covered by the magazine which she threw away. Pari cursed her emergency economy class tickets that made passengers sit so close. She made a sorry face and looked at the guy as he took the magazine trying to figure out what happened. Luckily he was an Indian and he seemed to be amused by Pari's expression.

Pari : sorry sorry sorry... I really didn't see that you had a drink in your hand. I mean, I didn't do it intentionally in the first place!!

The guy smiled and said, "relaxxx..it's just a drink..cool! Matter over. In fact I should thank that spilt drink!

Pari (confused) : what?

Guy : yeah, or else how could I gain the attention of such a beautiful lady?

Pari : what??

Guy : hey I'm John, John Samuel!

Pari : I'm Parineeta.

And thus started the friendship of Pari and John. Pari felt good whenever she talked to John. She never thought of him otherwise. John stayed in touch with her as he was planning his sister Alice's surprise birthday bash. Pari entertained him as a thorough professional but John was charming and witty enough to bring a smile on her face which was long lost. John would schedule their meetings at lunch or breakfast times and so they always met at informal places.

John was a lead guitarist in a popular band. He aspired to become a music director. After a year, Pari had worked with John for five parties minimum. John had something or other coming up and Pari was made in-charge for everything. It was after the sixth party of the year, some success party of the top-chart musical concert, Pari made it clear to John that she can't be what he intended to because she was married.

Pari : John, I know where this is leading to. Honestly, you are a great guy and you deserve someone better than me. Someone who keeps you happy. Not me! And besides that whats the point? I'm married.

John : I know that. I pay you and I check my documents thorough!

Pari : and still?

John : Do you love me?

Pari was taken aback, "what??"

John : do you love me?

Pari : that is not important!

John : but I need to know! Answer me Pari!

Pari : John, I like spending time with you! It makes me happy, but love..I don't know! I have a family name to keep! I have a husband! I don't want any more complications.

And she walked out leaving a devastated John. As Pari walked away she didn't know that someone was hearing every word that they spoke. He felt a kind of empathy towards Pari. He knew that if he never messed up her life by marrying her she would have been happy with John. Maan came to pick up Pari as dadi asked him to do so. But he saw her walking opposite to the parking space and decided to go after her. Its then John overtook him and went near PAri. Maan always wanted to do something for Pari and now hearing all this he knew what he had to do. Maan went to John and introduced himself.

Maan : would you mind having a drink?

John : are you going to hit me after that?

Maan rolled his eyes and gestured him to follow him. And he told him all about Pari and his relation. How he married her, how he broke her dreams and made her life miserable. How they were living under the same roof as strangers.

John's respect and love for Pari only doubled when he heard that. She was turning down her love for a life that meant nothing to her!

John : hey Maan, I really wish to hurt you bad for what you did to that girl (Pari, ofcourse)but it takes a lot of nerve to sit there(pointing at Maan) and admit what you have done! And Pari, I will wait all my life for one yes from her!

Maan's heart felt pinched as he heard those words. Didn't he say, "Geet I can wait all my life to hear you.." and he never.. But his ego jumped ahead rebuking him for thinking like that. Geet Khura..Handa was a fraudster!! He gulped the drink and left the place for yet another night of torment.

It was a matter of time when Pari realized that her love was above every right or wrong and she had a right to live her life finally!! Maan was happy for her and gifted their divorce papers on their fourth anniversary. They just had to complete some legal formalities and it would all be over. Pari was to marry John and she had no such regrets about her past except for that one day when she threw Geet out of Maan's life. Now she knew, love was above all rationale. It didn't matter to her that she was married, she had resigned to live her life but John's true love broke all her walls and touched her heart. Now her heart trembled thinking about the wound that she gave to Geet. She wished to find Geet. That's when dadi got ill and Geet came back. Pari was happy that Maan finally set out to meet his Geet!!

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PRECAP : Maan pareshaan!! 😳

PRESENT :

Arjun's house :

Adi, Pinky and Arjun were sitting on the couch looking expectantly at Maan who was walking to and fro in the living room for about 10 minutes.

Arjun: Maan, are just walking or thinking something?

Maan glared at Arjun.

Adi : he he he he...

Pinky : may be we should tell Ami about this marriage. Wo kahegi to Geet maan jayegi..

Maan : nhi nhi.. Miya ko involve nhi krna he. If everything didn't go well it will break her heart. I can't do that once more..

Arjun : yes you are right..but you know Geet, if she becomes adamant about something she becomes a sherni..

Adi : he he he..ram milayi jodi..

Maan : Adi..(Adi kept quiet thinking ofcourse, sherni and sher..') agar wo sherni he to me bhi sher hu..I wont back out until I get what I want.

Adi looked at Maan shocked. Did he have mind-reading skills? He quietly gulped.😲 😉

Arjun : then say how?

Maan : I don't know. Lekin somehow I need to bring her to Delhi!

Arjun : and then?

Maan : well..I have a feeling that if she comes to Delhi, then it's a positive sign. 90% ok..

Arjun : still 10% he..

Pinky : lekin pehle Geet ko India kaise layenge??

Now Maan kept looking at Pinky and then Adi..

Maan : YES!! Tum log shaadi karoge...

Adi and Pinky : kya?? 😲 😲😕

Maan : dekho I have 18 more days for my marriage.. isliye tum log 10 days me shaadi kr rhe ho wo bhi Delhi me..

Pinky : lekin itni jaldi.. papaji ko kaise manau? Aur shaadi ke kaam bhi to..

Adi : ha sir..and me apke tarah court marriage nhi asli wali shaadi karna chahta hu..

Maan : asli shaadi court me hi hota he Adi.. but anyways you guys don't have to worry. I will arrange everything! Hayat hotel me luxury wedding, is that ok?

Adi and Pinky looked at each other.

Maan : its ok, that was just an idea. I know you have your own preferences in life. Bas dimag me aya..

Pinky : nhi nhi Maan sir.. Geet meri dost he..uski zindagi me khushiya aye issey acchi baat aur kya ho skti he..

Adi :I was always with you sir, from the beginning...agey bhi rahunga. Marriage it is then..

Arjun : wow!! Double wedding!! I'm getting the maximum out of my trip..

Maan : ok, so this will be the plan.. Pinky will inform Geet. I will inform at both of your houses and take them all to India. We will be having our wedding and if everything goes well Geet will say yes.

Arjun : Maan, I just have one request..

Maan : what?

Arjun: don't try to impress her, ok? The more you do that she is getting irritated..

Adi and Pinky try hard not to laugh. Maan playfully punched on Arjun's shoulder.

The fire was burning furiously. Two dim figures were moving round and round it. Slowly the faces became clear..one was Geet in a red lehenga and the other was Maan in a sandalwood colour sherwani. They were moving around the fire and suddenly Geet moved in front of Maan .

A small child came giggling towards them..She was running looking at them only and didn't see the fire in between. She slipped, Geet wanted to hold her. She screamed, "Ami.." but then Maan pushed Geet into the fire which spread like a demon dancing in the air. "Amiii..", Geet opened her eyes and saw that she was in her bedroom. It was 3 am in the morning. Her breathing was still fast due to the anxiety and fear of the dream that she just had. She drank a glass of water and tried to calm herself. She got out of her bed and stood near the window.

Geet : babaji..ab me kya karu Maan ka pyar andekha karna hi meri majburi he.. Unke nafrat ki aag me jalne ki taaqat mujhme he lekin Ami.. agar sachai janne ke baad Maan Ami se nafrat karne lage to? Nhi..me jaanti hu jo tab hua wo kismat ka khel he..lekin aj ye sab hi sahi he. Maan aur humari zindagi alag he, usey waise hi rehna chahiye. Ek baar jodne ki galti kar chuki hu me. Dobara nhi.. I can't marry Maan! Kaise bhi Maan ko samjhake wapas India bhej dena chahiye.

Geet woke up late next morning. It was a snow-day. Geet didn't have to go to office because the city had a stand-still because of the terrible weather. It was terribly chilly. As Geet came down for her coffee, she saw that Ami was sitting on Maan's lap. Maan was playing some game with her. He was smiling innocently so lost in Ami and Ami's eyes twinkled with joy.

Ami : papa..papa ap cheating kr rhe ho...

Maan (laughing) : nhi baby..why would I cheat my princess..

Ami : u are cheating

Maan : no Mia..

Ami :papa..papa..give me my snowman..

Maan: I don't have it

Ami : you are hiding it..

She started fiddling her little hands inside Maan's shirt and then trouser pocket. Maan felt ticklish and started laughing.

Maan : ha ha ha..ok ok..Mia.. I will give your snowman but on one condition!

Ami : what?

Maan: close your eyes!

Ami looked at him for a moment, "papaaa..."

Maan : no way princess..close your eyes and take your snow-man..

Ami closed her eyes. Maan took the snow man which he had hid behind the cushion of the couch and placed it on her hands. Ami opened her eyes delighted and kissed all over on his face.

Ami : I love you papa..

Maan : love you too kidoo..

He kissed on her forehead and hugged her lovingly.

Geet sighed watching the dad and daughter. She knew that separating Maan and Ami was becoming impossible day by day. Maan felt Geet's gaze on them and looked at her .

Geet moved her eyes away and kept gazing at the floor, "wo..aj Ami ka doctor ke sath appointment he. Hum dono ko bhi jaana he"

Maan : hmm.. lekin weather dekho..doctor available honge bhi?

Geet : mene check kiya. They have confirmed. 11 baje

Maan : ok. Hum to ready he..

Ami made a face. Hospital visits were always boring for her.

Maan : ahh..don't worry. We will play with snow in the park after coming back!!

Ami kissed on his cheek again saying "my super-dad!!"

Maan smiled and hugged her. Geet left quickly taking her coffee.

Later on they were all set to go to meet the doctor. It was really cold almost inhumanly cold. There was snow everywhere. Geet was dressed in dark green sweater blue jeans and a grey fur coat and hat. She was wearing high-heeled boots and gloves. Only her face was visible and her cheeks were pink giving her an adorable look. Ami was dressed in purple woolen dress and a brown fur coat and hat looking all the more cutie. Maan looked dashing as always in a navy-blue sweat shirt and black leather jacket. So the stylish Khurana family was all set for the hospital visit.

Maan had arranged a special range rover to go on the slippery road as he didn't want to take any chances of skidding with his Mishty and Mia with him. He folded Ami's wheel chair and kept on the car. He was going back towards the house when he saw Geet coming towards the car with a huge bag. He went near to help her out but before that Geet slipped on the ice that was frozen on the surface and the bag fell on Maan making him lose his balance. And so Geet and Maan both fell down on the floor. They both opened their eyes after recovering from the shock and stared at each other. A moment later they heard a cute laughter and turned to see Ami who was laughing sitting on the verandah near Lisa. Maaneet looked at her and then they couldn't stop laughing themselves. Maan got up and stood straight. Geet tried to get up but couldn't as the ground beneath her was slippery. Maan saw that and shook his head.

Maan : ek minute Geet.

He moved forward and held her by waist with on hand and gripped her hand with the other hand and finally made her stand. For a moment they were lost in each others eyes. Geet felt so protective in his hold that she wished the feeling of warmth would stay forever. But then some car on the road bonked and they snapped out.

Maan : Geet ye itna bada bag kyu pack kiya? We r just going to the hospital

Geet : and a day out for Ami, right?

Maan : yeah just an outing..

Geet : apki beti ko na kaafi zyada zarurate hoti he..baad me jaan jayenge..

With that she just walked casually towards the car leaving a stunned Maan. The words repeated in his mind like a music "apki beti.." He smiled and turned back to get Ami to the car. Ami was really excited about the whole trip as this was her first ever official outing with her parents together. She sat on the back seat and giggled and played with Lisa happily. Geet and Maan couldn't ask for more for their angel was extremely happy. Maan drove ever so slowly that even small kids on ice roller skates were overtaking them with a grin. Geet sighed, "Maan hume 11 baje pohunchna he.."

Maan : ha I know we have 15 more minutes..

Geet snapped, "agar is speed me jayenge ap to 15 minutes kya shaam ko bhi nhi pohunchnge hum waha!!

Ami giggled, "super dad will fly.."

Maan had no other option but to accelerate as both the ladies in his life wanted the speed. In five minutes they were in the parking lot of the hospital. It wasn't much crowded because of the snow day.

Geet told Lisa to take Ami inside while Maan parked the car. So it was just them left in the car.

As they settled on a spot Maan looked at her, "andar chale?"

Geet : Maan..woo.dekhiye I will be straight to the point. Ap yeha se chale jaiye.."

Maan : why? Tumne hi to kaha tha we both have to go the hospital..aur phir outing..

Geet : I'm not talking about the hospital! Leave us Maan! Why are you making all this difficult?

Maan : I'm not.. why don't you ever give me a chance? Why don't you trust me once?

Geet : I did..once! That's why I'm saying I can't do that anymore...

Maan : Geet everything was a misunderstanding..I know that now! Aur mera gussa galat tha Lekin..uske liye mujhe itni badi saza mat do..

Geet : me kisi ko sazaa dene layak nhi hu. Mujhe Ami ki fiqar he bas!

Maan : mujhe ye baat to samaj a gaya ki tum Ami me apne ap ko dekh rhi ho..lekin itna sab kuch..apni puri zindagi uske naam kar chuki ho tum..I am happy about that..you know she is a great kid koi bhi ussey pyar karega..lekin Geet kya itna sab kuch hone ke baad bhi tumhe nhi lagta that I deserve an answer? Ami kaun he Geet?

Geet's body stiffened with his question. This was the moment that she had always wanted. She longed for the time when he would have the patience to listen to her. How she ended up with a baby all alone and lived only for her. Who was Ami? Her soul, her everything, the little life for whom she would die for! But now when the moment finally arrived she was not sure anymore. How would Maan accept Ami if he knew the truth! She dreaded it. Her whole future seemed uncertain. She had opted out of Pinky's wedding because she didn't want to go to Delhi with him. She was running away from everything because the secret that she held was so powerful that it would affect everyone who was associated in her life.

Geet : oh! Ye janne ke liye ap mujhse shaadi krna chahte the?

Maan : Geet! Me itna bhi bura insaan nhi hu jitna tum samajhti ho...aur me tumse shaadi karna chahtha "tha" nhi "hu" !

She glared at him.

Maan : Its simple, marry me or tell me the truth! Why did you impose Ami into my life then? And now when I want her with me you won't allow me that! Aakhir tum chahti kya ho? Har baar mujhse dur jaane ka hi faisla kyu leti ho tum?

Geet : dekha, dekha apne! Saara blame mera! Did I leave you? You chose to leave me! I stayed back even after you said you would marry someone else! Itna bada decision liya! You didn't bother to talk to me for once! You forced me out of your life! I should have known...you doubted me!! Mujhe laga apko mere jhut se nafrat he.. isliye mene apke nafrat ko jhela! Apni sazaa samajhkar I stood there!! Jab ap Pari ke saath 7 phere le rhe the...apko andaaza bhi he mere dil me kya beeti hogi us waqt! Mene wo dard saha! Apni sazaa samajkar...Ami ke saath apka naam zabardasti jodne ki saza! Agni ko saakshi maankar apne Pari ko meri ankho saamne apni patni banaya... apki ankho me mene dekha us waqt..ap jeet rhe the..apni nafrat me jeet rhe the..aur me haar ke khadi rhi...ye nhi pata tha mujhe, us din sirf me nhi humara pyar bhi haar gaya tha..apko mere jhut se nhi, mujhse nafrat thi..apne soch liya me kisi aur ke bache ko janam...apne soch liya ki me apke paiso ke liye wo inzaam ap par daal rhi hu...How could you Maan? Me apki Geet hu!! You made me the girl that I was!!!

Maan silently looked at her in pain. His eyes were filled with tears. He could feel the pain that he had given to his own Geet. He couldn't even see her talking to Arjun . But he himself got married to someone else in front of her!!! How could he undo all that???

Geet : me apse nafrat nhi karti..lekin Maan apki galti ne apki Geet ko maar daala...aj me sirf naam se Geet Maan Singh Khurana hu..taaki koi mere bchi ko bin baap ka bacha na kahe!! Ussey zyada wo pehchaan mere liye koi maaine nhi rakta..

Maan held her arm.

Maan : I'm sorry jaan.. I have done wrong to you..always.. please Geet please mujhe ek baar mauka do...bas ek baar...I would never ever disappoint you.. Geet me koi bhi sazaa kaatne ko taiyar hu bas ye nhi..mujhse jaane ke liye mat kaho..please...mujhe apne se alag mat karo.. me phir se tumhe wahi dard nhi de sakta Geet..

Geet tried to free her arm,"jane dijiye mujhe.."

Maan : nhi jaane dunga...

Geet :ap kya chahte he?

Maan : mere sawaal ka jawab do!

Geet : kya sawaal? Ap aj bhi wahi khade he..mujhpe shaq krte he ap to phir saath jeena kyu chahte he?

Maan : Geet! Me tumpe shaq nhi kar rha hu..bas ek baat jaanna chahte hu...Mia ko tum mujhse dur kyu karna chahti ho? Sach batao...Mia kaun he? Tum usko meri beti kyu banana chahti thi?

Geet :mere paas apke sawalo ke jawab nhi he...

Maan : mere sawalo ka jawab sirf tumhare paas he Geet..

She looked into his eyes. His eyes had pain and questions in them. Her eyes glowed like a flame..

Geet : apko jaan na he..to sun lijiye... me Ami ko isliye apse dur karna chahti hu kyu ki me nhi chahti ki uske saath bhi wahi ho jo mere saath hua he..ek pal me palko me bitha do aur dusre hi pal dhul ki tarah nikaal kar bahar phek do.. sach ye he ki ap koi rishta nhi nibha sakte..jab pyar ka rishta nhi nibha paaye to pita ka kya nibhaoge?

Maan pressed her closer his eyes now fierce, "ye tumhara dil to nhi bol rha Geet... me jaanta hu..tumhare dil me aj bhi bharosa he mere upar!! Tumhara gussa tumhe rokh rha he..lekin Geet is baar chahe tum jo bhi kaho me tumhe apne saath lekar jaunga!! Aur is baar zindagi bhar ka apna rishta nibhaunga tumse aur humari beti se..."

Their eyes were locked. Her almond brown eyes trying to block him out ..so that he could never see the depth of her heart and his fierce black eyes were trying to move that veil..to see through her heart...her pain...

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PRECAP : Twist!!! 😲

PAST :

Once they were back from Goa, Maan and Geet's love story was full-on. They couldn't get enough of each other. The sneek-peek continued every night without any person knowing about them. Geet never attended any of the field trips from her college as Maan would just hijack her into some other location..Paris, Greece, London, Cape Town, Bangalore, Udaipur and so on... The list went on as Maan made Geet a part of everything in his life not letting the outside world know any of it. His name was linked to various hotties ..but now and then spotted with Parineeta , the sister of his business partner. Pari and Geet had developed a bonding by the time. The only thing she disliked was her unconditional devotion to Maan Singh Khurana. But then Geet had consoled herself by taking greater examples from Gauri Khan, Anjali Tendulkar. Phewww how do they handle all these fan pressure!! She found it hard to handle one. Pari would drop to visit now and then. To Pari, Geet was with Maan because of some internship work. Geet convinced her nicely because telling her truth was disaster. The girl was so nave that she would blurt out anything in front of dadi. Maan felt irritated by the mere presence of Pari. As time passed by, Geet used to pull his leg by Pari's name. A year went by and Geet was in the final year of her Mass Com degree. They were in Vegas where Geet sat curled up on her couch in their suite. The posh cream curtains made minute movements now and then with air conditioned wind. It all seemed to suffocate her more. Two years of this and she would definitely become a stone. Tears rolled down her eyes as the thought crossed her mind. Two years of not seeing Maan daily. Two years of not snooping into his room at nights. Two years of not being with her friends, two years of loneliness...

Then came the thundering voice of Maan, "For God's sake Geet, ab to ye rona bandh karo..You have been accepted by one of the top class university and this is how you react!"

Geet sniffed, "ha ab yehi reh gaya...daat ke hi bhagana he apko mujhe! Saaf saaf kyu nhi keh dete...Geet mann bhar gaya mera..ab mujhe akela chhod do..aise anjaan sheher me mujhe akele hi chhodna tha!"

Maan's gaze softened and he came and sat next to her on the couch. He put his hand on around her shoulders and she leaned against his chest.

Maan asked in a soft tone, " you think I'm doing that?"

Geet : to phir mujhe Delhi me rehne dijiye na..me wahi padh lungi...

Maan : Geet! Nothing will come closer to Columbia University. You know how much that degree would mean to you.

Geet : yeah, it means I have to leave you, dadi, Annie, Vicky...sab

Maan : aur tumhe lagta he me tumse dur rehke khush rahunga..

Geet : ha! Kya pata apka us Pari ke saath chakkar chal jaye..

Maan : tum kaho to me Arjun ka yeha admission karwa du..

Geet : Arjun is my FRIEND!!

Maan : I know, isi liye puch rha hu. Arjun, Mira kisi ek ka admission yeha karwa deta hu na. You won't feel lonely..

Geet looked into his eyes. They were warm and earnest. She kissed on his chest.

Geet : no need... waise bhi Arjun has had some fall out with his family... he is moving out. Kolkata ja rha he..for some course on media management. Mira got into Hartford University, Connecticut. Ek year drop karke mila he usey. It would be unfair agar usey change krne ke liye kahu for me..aur phir koi bhi ho apke badle to nhi hoga na.. Ap kyu nhi rukh jatey? Apka wo Manhattan deal sign ho gaya na?

Maan sighed and kissed on her forehead lovingly, "Yes. I planned that for you. I thought I would stay with you and we will find time together..but dadi wants me to give this to Dev. I thought I would hand over Delhi to Dev. Lekin..you know na.. He won't be able to handle that amount of work. Lots of things need my attention. I am the one who planned the expansion. Its my baby..I need to be there to take care of it all. Dev is not grown up enough in that sense..tumhe to pata he na.."

Geet moved even closer to his body as if she wanted to drown in him.

Geet : I know..lekin mera yeha rehna kyu zaruri? I mean.. I can do my post-grad in Delhi right?

Maan : yes..but why would you give up this?

Geet : I would give up anything to be with you.

Maan nuzzled her nape gently and kissed on her exposed shoulder. Geet moved her head away to give him more access. He kissed her left shoulder to her curves covering ever inch and then moved to the other side.

Maan : umhh..Mishty..this was your goal, right? You wanted this..to ab kya?

She straightened herself and cupped his cheek, "tab sab mujhe laga ap mere paas honge...mujhe laga hum shaadi kar lenge aur ap yeha mujhe apne saath layenge..lekin sab apki galti he..Apko hi padi he..pehle career phir shaadi..ab bhala aise koi kehta he kya?"

Maan took her palm from his cheeks and kissed them. "Tum aisi koi ladki nhi ho Geet! Tum Geet Khurana ho! Taqdeer ne tumhe asaan rasta nhi diya he. Tum dadima ki tarah banna chahti ho na?"

Geet nodded for a yes.

Maan : to phir apne padhai me dhyaan do.. mann laga ke apna course complete karo phir chahe kuch bhi ho jaye. Geet, you have got a full-time scholarship course in Columbia University. When you get out of here all the companies in NY or Delhi will be ready to take you in. I'm sure you have that talent. Infact tum Khurana media house ko head kar skti ho if you wish.. I am gonna launch that after you return. Tumhara success un sab logo ke muh pe thappad hoga jo betiyo ko boj maankar choti umar me unki shaadi karate he.. tumhare un pariwar walo ka jinhone tumse sawaal kiya ki tum zindagi me kya kar skti ho...and the best part, tum un sab ladkiyo inspire kar skti jaise meri dadi ne tumhe inspire kiya tha! Aur us din me sir uthakar dadima se kahunga ki meri patni aur Khurana pariwaar ki bahu banne ke liye issey achi aur koi ladki nhi he.. Geet ko is pariwaar me lana humare liye kismat ki baat he..aur phir tum Geet Khurana se Geet Maan Singh Khurana banogi!!

Geet looked at Maan with tears in her eyes. How come she never saw him in this new light before!! One moment he seemed to be uncaring and ruthless and the other moment he thought so much... She could fall in love with him all over again... She leaned over and locked his lips with hers dragging him into herself. Maan moved on top of her as she lied with her back on the sofa. His hand roamed inside her kurti and cupped her b****. She quivered with his touch and spread her legs involuntarily. He rested his manhood between her legs separated only by the fabrics between them. She could feel his hardness poking against her feminity. And they rubbed over each other clearly indicating how much they wanted the other. They moaned restlessly.. they so much wanted to shed their clothes but then it would have been a point of no-return. She locked her legs around him and he rocked her almost making love but only with their clothes on and then climaxed together moaning each others name as they hit their ecstasy. She lied their panting and he rested his head on her bosom both panting wildly.

Maan still dipping his face between her chest, "Mishty..(panting)why does this feel so good today, huh?

Geet, her voice deadpan, "may be this is the last time we are together.."

Maan now raised his head and looked at her. His eyes questioned her..all sense of desire vanished. It was concern.

Maan got up, "aisa kyu kaha tumne?"

Geet shrugged,"pata nhi...bas andar aise feeling ayi to bol diya.."

Maan : tum sach me paagal ho Mishty..waise we have been to so many places. Whats the big deal about NY. I will visit you every weekend. ab bolo kya karu me ki tum haso?

Geet : mujhe apki godhi me sona he aj raat

He smiled and that night he rocked her to sleep on his lap. She hugged him by his waist and slept peacefully.

That was it. The end of their happy and innocent moments together. Just that brief time and it was all over. Storms were brewing up to blow them and this was just the beginning. Geet was right. It was their last moment together. Within a month, her results were out and she went to New York to get accustomed to her new life. Maan got busy and then the visits reduced to fortnight and then once in a month and then it became null except for once which was the beginning of all the uncertainty.

PRESENT :

Geet had that eerie feeling. She knew this was the end of something, the uncertainty. The uncertainty that lingered around had to be over by now. It was forty-eight hours since Maan was admitted to the hospital. But that was not her worry. Maan had been given a clean chit by the doctors. The wounds on his waist and shoulder were not deep. The bullets only touched past him. But the wound on his arm was worst. He was hit and he had driven back all the distance. The bullet was operated. But he needed ample rest. He was still in the ICCU and under the effects of sedation. 6 more hours were needed for him to get normal. Geet on the other hand was worried about Ami. She was sobbing terribly asking for Maan and passed out after one such wailing session which got her worried. It clearly showed that Ami and Maan had already built a strong relationship and it would be nothing less than cruel to separate them. That's when the doctors suggested that once Maan was better they should think of a change of place with Ami. Ami already had a troubled mind but it was cured much by the togetherness of her parents. But these dark incidents definitely shook her to the core. It was better if they shifted the place. Even Jack told the same when he returned their money after the formalities. Even though Gavin was caught Jack doubted someone powerful behind all these events. He suggested staying away from the place for Ami's safety. All these had cleared Geet's mind. There was no more point in staying back in New York. She could find a job anywhere if she left Pageant. But more than that Ami was her priority. She needed a family! That was a promise she had made to her mother, Ami's mother Mira!!! She remembered very well the day when Ami was born. She opened her curious little brown eyes, and looked around clueless.

Equally clueless was Geet when she was left with a one day old baby and a promise by her sinking mother in a letter. Mira's delivery was a complicated one, mainly due to negligence at the initial stage of pregnancy. She slipped into a coma. Geet had gone to California to meet Maan but she rushed back as she heard the news. She met Lisa who gave the letter to her. All it had was a simple message,

"I know something would happen to me when my baby gets life. But Geet, she needs a family and she deserves it. If I am not there by her side, promise me you will give her the family that she deserves. Please Geet, it's the last wish of your friend, Mira. Take care of my daughter."

She entered the room where Mira lied still, in coma. She vowed to her that she will take care of her Amiya..her bundle of joy and guard her with her life. A drop of tear escaped from Mira's eyes. Two days later Mira passed away in the small nursing home in Florida. She was cremated in the house that was owned by Lisa,a kind lady who considered Mira as her daughter. Mira was living as a paying guest in Connecticut with Lisa. It was that time when Dev made frequent visits to her. They started dating and went out. Suddenly Dev disappeared. Mira was pregnant. That's when Lisa brought her to Florida and took care of her. Initially Mira didn't want anyone to know about all this. But when the doctor warned her at the fifth month, she had no option but to inform someone. That's when she gave Geet's number to Lisa. Geet was on the final year of her course when she found out that Mira was pregnant. She insisted that Mira should inform her family but Mira stopped her. Her family was a normal middle-class family in Delhi. She didn't want to disgrace them but she had to explain why she dropped out of her course and was not going home. Mira believed that she would find out Dev somehow once her child was born. Then she would tell the truth to everyone. For the time being, she let the news spread that Mira married an American and settled in US. Her family disowned her as they were deeply hurt by the fact that she didn't even bother to inform them. So when Mira died all that came to Geet. She was the only one who knew everything. It was her responsibility to give Ami a family. Geet had been fighting all these years and when she couldn't give her the family she became her family. She adopted Amiya and raised her. But now their life in New York didn't seem right at all. Ami deserved a family! She is a rightful Khurana! Geet made the decision. She would leave Ami to the Khuranas. She trusted Maan now, who would take care of her by all means. And then, she would leave! With her heart, she wasn't ready to give in for she feared to get hurt once again. She looked at him while she sat beside him alone in that room. He would open his eyes now and then and smile weakly assuring her that he was fine. She held his hand gently and his grip tightened over her as he held on to his dear life as if he could hear her thoughts of leaving him.

PAST :

(past from now on will have two kinds of narration. One from Maan's pov and the other Geet's pov. If you are confused please tell me, I will clarify)

Maan kept on thinkig about Geet's words. "may be this is the last time we are together.."

There was a hint detachment in her voice. Or may be she was too upset to leave him. He brushed it off and carried on with his life. Within the first month, he found that visiting New York every weekend was impossible. The work in Delhi was overloading. Calls, when he called at night she was in her classes. When she called him later either he would be asleep or he would be at work. Still they managed to be in touch now and then. Three months passed and things became even dizzier. Dev wasn't concentrating on the Manhattan project. Clients were highly disappointed with his callous attitude. Maan didn't know what but he was sure that Dev had found some sort of distraction to run away from his responsibilities. Earlier in Delhi, he was way too busy camping and partying that he never thought of joining the office. That's why dadi wanted him to handle the US project alone. But Dev kept on disappointing them more. Six months later Maan came to know that Dev had diluted his shares now and then when the clients demanded the progress. He had made some new unworthy partnerships and diluted his own share of 25%. Savitri Devi had divided her shares among the four grandchildren. Each one had to make own fortune from that. Maan had taken his 25% and with the expansion it was now worth 800 times the original taking him to the top most industrialists of India. Dev on the other hand diluted his share into 5%. Moreover, he had compromised with the quality of the work for his own profit which led to high contempt from the client and they cancelled the contract. Soon the project was off. Recession hit different nations. With the doom of Manhattan project, rumours had that the Khuranas were compromising the quality in their construction business abroad because they were in loss. This affected the price in share market and the Khuranas were about to lose their credibility. Maan had to wrok like a horse to keep up their goodwill and overcome the recession crisis. He took care of each and every wing to assure that they were still the leading business empire. Meanwhile the partners threatened to sell the shares unless Dev returned their hefty investment amounts. Dev ran off with all the pressure and no one seemed to know about any of his whereabouts. Geet mentioned something off about him but then she stopped saying anything about the issue at all. In order sort out this, Maan finally had to go to New York to get back the previous clients. That was not the main point. It was after one year and nine months, he was going to see Geet. Amongst all these turmoil that was the only hope he held on to. He had called Geet two days ago. She seemed to be preoccupied. Maan knew it. She was always like that. Probably, she was giving too much of her effort to her studies. Otherwise why would she refuse to meet him after so many days!! And that too for some project work. She had told him that it was important for her credits. So he decided to surprise her by landing on her dorm. But she was not in her dorm when Maan came. He found out that all her classmates have left the dorm as the course was completed and the results would be out in a week. Maan called her and she sounded all shocked and panicked rather than surprised. Still he went to meet her in California where she informed him that she would be in some friend's house. The Geet whom he met was not the girl he knew anymore. It's not physical, but something deeper. She looked thinner outside, but Maan saw her eyes that lacked depth.

The passion, the warmth, the love was replaced by apprehension, fear and uncertainty. He convinced himself that it was all his misconceptions due to what which he went through. But the Geet who seemed to forget the world with him now seemed to be restless while spending time with him. They kissed, had dinner and were about to leave in his car when she got a call. She quickly ran away as if she didn't want him to know about it. The next moment she told that she needed to be somewhere urgently and then she was gone. Maan stood there hurt. It didn't seem like a big deal for her that they were away all the time. She didn't even say a proper goodbye and left. May be it was all changing for her. And why not? This was probably the first time she got out of his world, Maan's world for real. She could have met others and found that he wasn't worthy enough. Even as the thought crossed his mind, he cursed himself for thinking that. This was Geet he was talking about. The Geet who didn't expect a single word from him and waited for him all those five years without even realizing what she felt for him. How could he doubt her? May be she was really working or something important. He decided to brush aside his concerns and quietly returned back to India.

PRESENT :

Geet melted as his grip tightened. His hands were firm on her like his heart which still had that hold on her. She leaned close to him and whispered softly in his ears, "jaldi theek ho jaiye Maan...me apke bina nhi reh skti...I love you Maan...I love you so much... aj mujhe sahi galat ache bure ke barey me nhi sochna he...aj me sirf apki Geet hu...apki Mishty jiske liye saans bhi lena mushqil ho jaata jab wo apko taqleef me dekhti he...". She kissed gently on his forehead and closed her eyes letting the tears drop. Maan was partly unconscious but a faint smile touched his lips and he held her hand tighter. He moaned in pain. The words came out unclear but she knew what they were, "mujhse dur mat jao Mishty.."

Geet moved her soft hands ever so gently on his cheek and caressed him. He moaned again, "Mishtyy..."

Geet, "me yehi hu..apke paas..apke saath..ap araam kariye". She sat watching him as his chest heaved up and down.

She felt like she could sit there and watch his heart beat for her forever if only he wasn't hurt. But now she wanted him to open his eyes and see the love in them. She won't be around for long...but she had to complete her duties and that is to give Ami a family that she deserved. Geet realised that if anything happened to her that will leave Amiya all alone once again. Geet wasn't in a state to commit to Maan once again but Ami had found her home. It would be hard but she had to do excatly that. Maan and Ami would live for each other. Geet was still unsure of her place in Maan's life. What if Pari and Maan still had a chance if she left him now clearing all the doubts and erasing all the guilts. May be he would finally be able to move on. She had decided firmly. She would go back to India with Maan and Ami. She would handover her daughter to the Khurana family and would go somewhere else. A UK firm had been approaching for a fashion magazine feature writer post. May be she would take up that. However, this time she won't let any trace so that Maan would get back to her. They had to move on ...

---------------------------------

PRECAP : Doubts... 😕

Hope that was quite an update 😉 😆

More on past will be revealed in the future updates...

waiting for your longgg comments... plsss

PAST :

Next morning when Geet woke up her head felt so heavy and it was like someone striking her with an iron rod. Her muscles were aching but more than that what she felt was a numbing jolt seeing her own state and the the room. She didn't have a thread of cloth on her except for the quilt and all their clothes were spread on the floor. Her eyes widened as she saw Maan's torn T-shirt and her bra lying next to it. She looked around but didn't find Maan anywhere. She tried to recollect what happened the previous night but all she could remember was the bright disco lights and the loud music and faintly Maan saying "she is just a stranger". But looking at the room she could definitely say that they didn't behave like strangers, except if you had a one-night stand with stranger.

She called out in a faint voice, "Maa.nn" Now she was worried. What if she had really slept with some stranger? She checked herself and the sheets. It didn't have any stains and that means no sex, right?? But she cringed at the thought of being with someone else. But her fears subsided as she heard his voice far away. Maan was on the phone talking to Adi. Geet wrapped the sheet around herself as she saw that Maan was wearing his black vest and a grey shorts. Maan finished his call and smiled at her, "good afternoon Mishty!!"

Geet : afternoon?? Time kya hua Maan?

Maan : 12:30..

Geet : itni der tak soyi me?

Maan : no probs, flight ke liye abhi time he

Geet : ap to rehne do..mujhe apse kuch baat hi nhi krni..

Maan : Geet agar koi wish krta he to usey wapas wish na karo to atleast thank u to kaho..

Geet : thank you? Apki kartuto ke liye na jaane mujhe kya kehna chahiye!! Lafange kahi ke!

Maan now glared at her, "lafanga? Aur me?"

Geet : ha..apne seedhi saadhi ladki ko sharab pilaya aur apne kamre laake...babaji mujhe sochte hi sharam aa rhi he

Maan : bol to aise rhi ho jaise mene sharab tumhare muh me daala tha..

Suddenly he noticed her eyes were red and filled with tears like she was hurt. He couldn't bear to see her like that and quickly sat next to her, his arms wrapped around her waist.

Maan spoke in a much softer voice this time, "Mishty tum jaisa soch rhi ho humare beech aisa kuch nhi hua..

Geet : uffo Maan mene aisa kab socha..aur ap ye kya bol rhe ho? Agar kuch hua bhi hota to kya hota.. I mean kabhi na kabhi to me apki ho jaati uske liye aise kyu dukhi hungi me?

Now Maan looked at her perplexed. He was sure he was missing some important nerve..

Now Geet looked at him and spoke angrily, "apki himat kaise hui us dandi ke saamne kehne ki ki me koi "stranger" hu!!"

Maan (self-thot) : aye lo.. here I was worried for her aur ye bas ek baat me clear rehti he!! Blame Maan..iske dimag me special software bana hoga "Blame Maan updated version" software

Geet waved in front of him as he looked lost.

Geet : o hello.. bahana dhundna band kariye aur jawab dijiye

Maan snapped out hearing her voice, "ab mene to wahi kiya Geet to tumne kaha"

Geet : mene? Mene kya kaha?

Maan : ha tumne hi to kaha na ki we should behave like starngers, to ?

Geet : ha lekin..wo me..

Maan : ha tum wo..kya? ab tumhari baat maano to bhi tumhe problem nhi maano to bhi problem..

Geet : Maan ap baat badal rhe ho

Maan : mene kya badla hmm?

He pressed her towards making her bosom crushing on his chest. She shied and looked away.

Geet : ap jayie mujhe change krna he

Maan : me karata hu na..

Geet : dhat..

Maan : acha kal to bada change krva rhi thi

Geet : kal?

Maan : haa madam..kal ap apni bahee kholke chilla rhi thi Maan mere kapde utaro..

She blushed and hid her face on his chest.

Geet, "Maan waise apne kal raat aapne apne apko roka, issey apke liye mere mann jo respect he wo aur bhi dugna hua.."

Maan : respect?

Geet : ab pyaar ki to limit nhi he na phir wo dugna kaise hoga?

Maan kissed on her forehead still hugging her.

Maan : waise bhi, if we made love yesterday you would have cried out "Crabbiee" bas usi ek baat se me ruk gaya..

Geet : crabbie? What crabbie?

Maan : hmm..never mind.

And he pushed her towards the bed for another breath-taking kiss.

PRESENT :

Geet reached home now more enraged than shocked. Lisa was surprised to see Geet so angry.

Lisa : are you ok?

Geet : no I'm not..can we just not talk anything right now?

Lisa : fine! As you wish

Geet went inside her room and closed the door. About an hour later Maan was sitting next to Ami reading out her story book. Lisa came to the room with Ami's soup. Ami made a face seeing it.

Ami : yuck... I don't want this..

Maan : Mia baby, that's good for your health!

Ami : but I don't like this..

Maan : see papa is also going to drink this. Lisa get me one bowl of this as well.

Lisa : ok, so daddy and Mia are gonna have same lunch..

Maan kissed Ami and made her drink the whole soup by telling different stories and playing who is first games. Finally he made Ami sleep and came out of her room.

Lisa was waiting for him outside.

Lisa : hey Maan!

Maan : you wanna say something?

Lisa : actually yes. Geet sounded upset about something. She didn't even come to see Ami. That's not normal. Can you just go and check on her too?

Maan smiled, "I don't think she would like to see me now."

Lisa : oh cmon, I know she won't admit but she likes to see you every time.

They both chuckled at that.

Lisa : on a serious note, I think you should just go and check if she is fine. The "talk" can happen later.

Maan : ok

Maan knocked on her door lightly. But there was no answer. A few minutes later he knocked again and called in a soft voice, "Geet, u ok?"

A few seconds later the door slammed open. Maan enetered the room hesitantly, only to see Geet staring at infinity through the window. He sighed and was about to return when she heard her busines-like voice, "Maan, come in"

He closed the door and stood next to her unsure what was in her mind.

Geet : Why do you want to marry me?

Maan : I told you..I want you and Amy in my life always. And it was a spontaneous decision when Sasha..

Geet : You can sell that excuse to anyone else in this world, not me! Tell me the truth for once!

Maan took a deep breath and held her arms. He borught her closer to him and pressed her towards his chest. This was the first time in the day that he felt her confidence dwindling a bit with his proximity. Her eyes twinkled like the old teenager Geet that he remembered nave and innocent.

Maan : tumhe sach chahiye? To sunn lo.. I love you! Nhi reh skta ab aur tumhare bina..Ofcourse I am the selfish Maan Singh Khurana who wants to be happy by all means. Aur meri khushi tum ho..meri zindagi me tumhe phir se shamil karane ke liye kar rha hu ye shaadi, samjhi tum? Is umeed me ki ek din me tumhara dil jeetunga. Tumhara saath jo kiya uski sazaa kaise karke bhi tumse lunga..jaanta hu ye 5 saal paagal ki tarah jeena kuch bhi nhi he..lekin tumse dur reh ke sazaa kaat li ab us galti ki kimat chukana he mujhe

Geet : wo possible nhi he Maan..

Maan : I know lekin me tumhe apne se dur krke tumhe khone ke darr se aur nhi mar skta. Ye shaadi hogi Geet..tum meri ho..haa aur me tumhe apna banake rahunga.. Tumhare pyar ke liye fir chahe mujhe puri zindagi intezaar krna kyu na padhe.. jis Mia ko mene apne beti manne se inkaar kiya ab se us bachi ka papa banna hi meri zimdagi maqsat he. Jis tarah chup chap tumhe apne ghar se dhakke khakar nikalte dekha mene usi ghar me tumhe apni patni banakar pure samman ke saath le jaana chahta hu me..

Geet : apko ye kyu lagta he ki in sab me me apka saath dungi? Kyu karungi me apse shaadi taaki ap apni galti sudhaar sako? Kuch galtiyo ko sudhaarna namumkin he Maan.. apka ye sab krne se kuch nhi hone wala Maan mujhe.. us ghar ko dekhte hi dam ghut jaata he mera... naukraani banke ayi thi me waha ap logo ki

Maan : Geet ..

Geet : phir jin logo ne mujhe izzat di..pariwaar ka hissa banaya unhi logo ne mujhe besahara sadak par chhod diya..kisi ne tab nhi pucha kaha gayi me..kya kiya..kaha soyi kaha rhi?? Ek nanhe se bache ke saath duniya ke baarey me bina kuch jaane akela chhod diya...7 din me ghumti rhi Maan bina kuch khaye..kuch nhi tha mere haath me...pata he ye bhi socha mene bhuk ke maare ki signal par bheek maang lu..jo 100 rupiye the haath me ussey Ami ke liye dud leti thi me. Raat ko raliway station din me india gate, mall aise ghumti rhi..aur us din jab me behosh hokar giri tab bhagwaan ne Arjun ko bheja usi mall me..apko andaaza bhi he us din uske saamne sab kuch haar ke ek zero banke khadi thi me..aur ye sab sirf isliye kyuki apne mera saath nhi diya! Bina kuch puche bina kuch jaane mere dost ne mera saath diya lekin jis ko me apna sab kuch maanti thi.. usne muh mod liya..ek waqt tha Maan jab me apko duniya maanti thi lekin aj apko apni duniya me shaamil krne se bhi darr lagta he! Darr lagta he ki apko koi galat faimi ho aur ap phir se mujhe usi sadak par chhod denge.. har baar koi dost nhi ayega mujhe bachane Maan..

Maan held his head down in shame and guilt. Every passing day, he would try to mend his mistakes but it seemed to become a deep pit from where he had no escape. Still he was determined to find a way and win his love, like the fairy tales where the prince had to overcome the evil spell.

When Maan left, Geet remembered the call that she got an hour before. When she came back from office, she was fuming with anger. She had decided to throw Maan out of her house. But then, her phone rang and when she saw the name of the person on her mobile screen she stood there frozen! Dadima, it was dadi, Savitri Devi, calling her. Geet knew that the media would have leaked the news in India also. She didn't know how to face dadi. After everything she was causing pain to dadi by making unnecessary news about this marriage and tarnishing the name of Khuranas all because of Maan's decision. She received the call nervously.

Geet : dadima jaisa ap soch rhe he waisa kuch nhi he..wo to bas Maan..

Dadi : Geet! Humne apse kuch pucha kya

Geet : ji..nhi

Dadi : beta issey pehle ap apna explanation de ye shaadi krne ya na krne ke iye hum apse kuch kehna chahte he. Jis din me apko mansion leke ayi thi mere dil me ye armaan tha ki ap mere Maan ke liye us gha me aye. Shayad agar hum pehle apne iraado ko bata dete to ye sab nhi hota..

Geet was listening to this silently tears rolling down her eyes.

Dadi continued, "hume nhi pata ki Pari aur Maan ke beech kya hua aur na hi hume ye pata he ki ap aur Maan ab kya chate he.. lekin apke bina mene Maan ko dekha he...uski zindagi me andhera tha..hum to dar gaye the ki kahi Maan apne andar ki insaniyat ko hi na bhul jaye..lekin ab..jab wo apko wapas is ghar me lene ka faisla le rhe he to hume umeed ki humari parvarish itni bhi buri nhi hogi..

Geet : I'm sorry dadima, lekin ap jaisa soch rhi he waisa kuch nhi he humare beech...Maan ne to sirf Ami ke liye mujhse shaadi krne ka socha he..aur wo bhi waha haalat aise the isliye.. apko to pata he na..unko to dobara soch kar decision lene ki aadat hi nhi he..

Dadi : jaanti hu. Geet hum apse is shaadi ke liye force nhi kr rhe. Wo apka decision he. Lekin kuch bhi krne se pehle se soch lijiye ache se. Ek baar Maan ne bina sochke to decision liya tha uski wajah se kitni zindagiya barbad hui.. kitne logo se unke hissey ki khushi chin gayi..ab ap akeli nhi he ek maa bhi he. Isliye thande dimaag se sochiye beta..

Geet : ji dadi..thank you

After talking to dadi Geet realised that she was acting like Maan in the past. She was clouded by her own anger and pain. Letting out a bit made her feel better. Unknowingly she was opening up to Maan, letting him into her heart to see the pain that she had endured.

Five days passed since the announcement. Geet went to office ignoring the odd glances that she was getting. Maan stayed back taking care of Ami and making wedding plans except for tha fact that the bride was yet undecided. The weekend was a pleasant welcome for Geet as she could avoid office and the gossips. But seeing Maan in the house won't allow her to feel relaxed. Geet changed Ami's clothes after giving her a bath and made her sit on the chair. Maan came on time and took care from there. He was planning to play ball with Ami inside the house. Maan would throw the ball slowly and Ami would catch sitting on her chair. Seeing them busy Geet went to chek her mail. There was a new message from her bank. Geet panicked. With Ami's treatment and the arrival of Maan she had completely forgotten about her finances. But the mail was to thank her for closing her housing loan which was scheduled to be closed 15 years later with her current salary. Geet checked the mail thrice and then it dawned on her.

It was just a whisper that came out of her mouth, "Maan!!"

She came out of her room and told Lisa to take Ami out for a walk. Maan wanted to join Ami but Geet strcitly told him to stay back.

Geet : ap samajte kya he apne apko?

Maan(confused) : me? Maan..Maan Singh Khurana

Geet : Maan Singh Khurana yehi naam he na apka..koi daanveer karn to nhi na?

Maan looked totally baffled but now he seemed to realise what she was talking about.

Geet : apko kya lagta he me apni pairo par khadi nhi reh skti? Rent pe liya tha ye ghar. Us ghar ko apna bana rhi hu. Thode saal baad hi sahi I could have paid it.

Maan : I know..mera aisa koi matlab nhi tha. I just closed it kyu ki kahi tumhare India aney me ye loan problem na ho jaye

Geet (now confused) : India? Me kyu India a rhi hu?

Maan : arey..tumhare paas green card he..lekin mera kya? Me yeha shaadi kr sakta na..

Geet : Maan...ap..kabhi nhi sudhrenge..me apse shaadi nhi kar rhi hu samjhe ap!

Maan : tum maan jaogi mujhe vishwaas he

Geet : aur mujhe bhi pura yakin he ki ye kabhi nhi hoga..lekin how did you know about my loan?

Maan looked at mischievously and symbolically sealed his lips by zipping it with his empty hands. Just then the door bell rang and Geet got her answer!

Geet : Arjun! YOU!! Ab tum bhi Maan ke side me ho?

Arjun looked at Maan who lip synched him "LOAN". He grinned and stepped inside, "I am always at your side Geet"

Maan : ha wo sab theek he lekin shaadi ke time, I want you to be with us

Arjun : ofcourse!!

Geet was getting irritated now, "Get out of my house you..."

Arjun : technically Maan also repaid the loan so its both of your house!! Even if (showing the papers) this says that it is yours, Geet!

Geet kept quiet and looked away from both of them.

Maan : I called him here.

Geet : fine, to me chali jaati hu

Maan : Geet! I wanted to talk to you..in his presence

Geet now looked at Maan surprised.

Maan : betho

So now Arjun was sitting in between Maan and Geet who were sitting opposite to each other.

Maan went inside and came back with a file.

Maan : Geet, these are some papers in which I have signed . According to them 51% of my share in Khurana Industries belong to Amiya Maan Singh Khurana.

Geet's eyes widened but words seemed to drown in her throat. She was getting one shock after another. But little did she know that the best part was yet to come.

Maan : Mia is a minor so who ever takes care of her should be in-charge of her property. And the rest of the 49% belongs to my fiance and very soon wife, Geet Maan Singh Khurana!!!

Arjun beamed hearing Maan's declaration.

Arjun : arey yaar, kash me Geet hota, to abhi ha kar deta...

Maan : thank god you are not!

Now both of them looked at Geet for her reaction.

Geet was shaking with mixed emotions. She got up from her seat, "What do you want to prove? Ki ap apne paiso se mujhe aur meri beti ko khareed lenge? Maan ek pal ke liye mujhe laga ki ap badal rhe he but you always prove me wrong! Abhi tak to mene decide nhi kiya tha lekin ab me pakka decide kar chuki hu ki me apse kabhi shaadi nhi karungi! Samjhe ap..

Geet stormed out of the living room. Arjun was taken aback by her behaviour. Maan remained quiet.

Maan : mera irada galat nhi tha is baar. I thought I was doing it right!

Arjun: guess it didn't work..delhi ka ticket cancel kara du?

Maan : arey chup be..shaadi to hogi hi usi din jo maine decide kiya he. Geet maan jayegi..20 din baad Geet weds Maan!!

Arjun: Maan, she just said the opposite a few seconds ago..

Maan : tabhi to keh rha hu..meri Mishty he wo..aj nhi to kal maan jayegi..

--------------------------------

PRECAP : Wedding plans 😲 😕

Maan and Geet reached Goa in their private aircraft. Maan took her to an exotic private resort. It had a pool and was located at the shore. The beach view was even pleasant with small hut-like eating places and a bar. The resort also had facilties for music and dance with club lighting. The coconut trees provided enough shade in the shore and there were seats to lie comfortably under the sun. This was a perfect holiday destination for anyone except for Geet ofcourse.

Once the initial bravado of seeing Goa for the first time wearied off and they were in the safe confines of their room she started worrying about home again.

Geet : Maan me keh rhi hu.. dadima fiqar kar rhi hogi meri...unhe kya kahu me..

Maan : mene kaha na tumse.. I will take care of everything!

Geet : matlab?

Maan sat on the bed near her in his black vest and ran his hand through her hair while talking.

Maan : matlab ab tak Mira ne dadi ko bataya hoga ki tum saara weekend uske ghar me bitaogi , samjhi tum?

Geet heaved a sigh of relief but immediately got alert, "ek minute! matlab Mira knows.."

Maan nodded with a smile.

Geet: and hum yeha pura weekend spend karenge?

Maan : ha kal Saturday pura din aur Sunday sham ko nikal jayenge. Raat ko ghar aur subah wapas apne life me! Fine??

Geet : do I have an option?

Maan : cmon ab jab tum yeha ho to just enjoy and forget everything else..

Geet : ok! To kya plan he apka?

Maan : what about surfing??

Geet looked at him her jaw dropped, "you surf??"

Maan winked at her, "you wanna learn?"

Geet replied horrified, "nooo..i don't want to die in salt water!"

Maan : no one dies surfing..

Geet : phir bhi.. I will watch you surfing..

Maan : wont you get bored?

Geet replied in a teasing voice, "I never get bored watching you.."

Maan: uhuh??

He leaned closer and looked intently at her eyes and then her lips indicating his intentions. Though their first kiss happened way too quickly, Maan and Geet never expressed their carnal desires after they confessed their love. Actually they were so busy knowing about each other that they never thought of that. But here in an exotic resort in one of the hottest tourist spots of India..and in a much more romantic mood all alone..their heart beats raised and eyes met. Geet leaned closer and lowered her eyes. Maan smiled and was about to hold her lips with his when the door bell rang and a man called, "room service sir.."

They moved back and looked away blushing. Maan got out of the bed to open the door and Geet covered her face with the bed sheet. Maan preferred to sleep on the couch that day incase he got carried away. Next morning Maan tried to wake up Geet but she was nowhere near listening.

Geet in a sleepy voice, "Maan itni subah kyu bula rhe ho..sone do na.."

Maan : Geet it's the perfect time..chaloo

Geet : 5 baje? Perfect time??

Maan : for the waves..u wanna watch me surf, don't you?

Geet opened her eyes and sat straight up. That's when she saw that Maan was wearing only a navy blue board shorts. She felt conscious as her eyes fell on his bare upper body. She couldn't help but stare at his well built muscles which stretched as he sat beside her on the bed. His voice broke her little drooling session.

Maan: kya soch rhi ho? Tumhe nhi ana?

Geet: ofcourse mujhe aana he!! (how could she miss this chance of uninterrupted drooling even if from a distance) are you going to surf in this?

She asked pointing at his shorts.

Maan smiled and replied, "No, the waves can be strong sometimes. I would better have a vest."

"Like that's gonna help me", thought Geet. Maan pulled over his black vest and took his surfing board. They headed to the almost empty beach area. Geet was wearing an orange Bohemian dress, with cute blue butterfly prints on them, which reached just above her knees. She also put on a hat to go with the dress, a perfect beach look.

Geet rested on a white bench while she watched Maan surf. He was ducking his athletic body as the waves hit high and jumped when it peaked sliding down perfectly. He even tried a triple jump twisting and turning with the waves. Maan was getting too carried away with the waves. He waited for the perfect waves and would just go for it. Geet loved to watch Maan getting engrossed in something and she didn't care how much time had passed. After a while the Sun had risen well above in the morning sky and more people were coming to the beach. Maan decided to return back. Geet took a long breath as she saw him coming back. Droplets of water were dripping from his ruffled yet sexy-looking hair , his vest clung to his toned body as it was wet and even shorts clung to his thighs revealing more than what was feast to her eyes. Her thoughts started running wild and she had no other option but to look away from this Greek God. That was when she saw she was not the only one ogling at him. There were some other group of girls in the resort area and near the beach watching Maan with, clearly no other words could be used except lust for their expression. Geet felt a burning sensation seeping right from her lower abdomen to some nerve in the left part of her body and hitting her heart. She cringed as she saw those girls commenting on "her Maan" and giggling among themselves. She quickly moved closer to him as he reached the shore and was walking towards her. She covered his body with her towel careful that nothing exciting was showing off from his body.

Maan look exhilarated after his sport, "how was that?"

Geet didn't even listen to him ,"I thought this was a private resort Maan."

Maan looked puzzled and replied with a wink, "ofcourse it is jaan !"

Geet : then why are those people over there

She pointed to the direction of those girls but to her surprise she found even more people including men some of them who were waving to the direction of Maan. Maan greeted them with thumbs up.

Geet: who are they?

Maan replied still looking at the men his face dead-pan, "our partners for the orgy"

Geet looked at him bewildered and scared. Her hands automatically covered her bosom defensively. Maan smiled seeing her expression and took her in his embrace, "take a chill pill Mishty, just kidding. Actually they are our guests for the party in the evening. Mostly clients and some of my friends."

Suddenly Geet forgot all about the girls and the pain in her heart which was now gripped by fear and anxiety.

Geet : God!! Maan! You..you brought me to a party!! Business party?

Maan : yes, whats the big deal! You need to get used to this you know being Mrs. Khurana..I mean in the future.

His crooked smile would have killed her thoughts at any other time but not now.

Geet : ap samaj nhi rhe ho. Party means people means media!! Aur agar dadima ne dekh liya to!

Maan stopped in his tracks as they were now walking back to their and looked at her realizing the situation.

Maan : ahh..don't worry they wont click a pic of us!

Geet : why not?

Maan : because we won't give them a chance!!

By the time they reached their room.

Geet : ap aisa karte hi kyu ho? You know me phir bhi yeha leke a gaye!

Maan now cupped her face and looked into her eyes, "you think I would be able to enjoy this place if you were not here?"

Geet : Maann..I'm sorry me to bas dadima ko disappoint nhi karna chahti!

Maan let her go and smiled, "I know Geet and I respect and love you more for that. Lekin ek baat he jo me nhi samajhta"

Geet : kya?

Maan: agar tumhe dadima ki itni chinta he to tum mere saath kaisi ho

Geet : aye lo..ab inhe ye nhi pata me inke saath kyu hu..

Maan : Geee..t mera matlab won hi tha

Geet: jaanti hu..lekin apko kya lagta he me har ladke ke saath ghumti rehti hu?

Maan: kyu tumhara wo Arjun nhi he? I bet he is hot about you!!

Geet: dhaat Maannn.. chi chi kuch bhi bolte ho ap! babaji inhe maaf kar dena..

Maan : what? is he gay?

Geet: baat mat badlo ap..

Maan : baat to tum badal rhi ho..bolo na Geet mere saath kaise ho tum? Jab tum har baat pe dadi ke baarey me sochti ho. I mean to be frank wo hum dono ke barey me aisa to nhi sochti na..phir kaise?

Geet : kyu ki me apse pyar karti hu..aur mujhe koi fiqar nhi kisi aur ke barey me because mujhe vishwaas he ap par. Ki chahe jo bhi ho ap honge mere liye aur dadima ko bhi ap mana loge, he na?

Maan : bilkul...isi bharose ke saath party me ao. I will guard you like a rock!!

Geet gawked at him as Maan went for a bath with a smile. Now she could no more refuse going to the party. He had tricked her in the name of trust.

Geet: dusht.. danav kahi ke..

Maan called out from the shower, "Geeet mujhe galiya dena bandh karo aur ye socho ki tum party me kya pehnogi"

Geet hit her fist on the pillow and pouted like a kid.

Later in the evening, her eyes were about to pop out as she saw the extravagant Goan party atmosphere and the amount of buzz there. Many socialites and business magnates were present there. She had seen many of them in the Page 3 columns. This was not just a fun party as Maan had described. This was a serious business party and Geet firmly believed that Maan was out of his mind to bring her here. She looked at herself. She was wearing a peafowl maxi dress which definitely was not a subtle one. What she really wanted was a burqa so that could hide in it. The loud music hit her ears forcing her to wake up from her thoughts. The disco balls gleamed in the bright lights and among that entire crowd Maan came out of thin air looking all the more handsome in a white t-shirt and khaki pants. He threw his hands around her arms.

Maan : hey gorgeous, why are you standing alone?

Geet pushed his hand away. "dur rahiye mujse"

Maan: gussa kyu ho rhi ho?

Geet : gussa to hu wo baad me. Lekin agar abhi kisi ne hume aise saath me dekh liya na to bas..

Maan : tum itna kyu darr rhi ho mere saath naam jodne se?

Geet : darr nhi rhi. Me to bas dadima ka dil nhi dukhana chahti

Maan was getting a bit irritated now, "fine!! Ab mujhe kya karna he?"

Geet : lets make a deal. Aj raat ke liye we are starngers.

Maan gave her an icy glare and she quickly corrected herself, "I mean party ke time"

Before Maan could argue they were startled by a shriek.

"Ohhh..my God.."

Both Maan and Geet looked at the direction from where they heard the shriek and found a young bubbly girl ogling at Maan with wide eyes. She was wearing a skimpy micro-mini skirt and a glittering tank top. Her short hair was dark brown which was left open and she was unbelievable lean with the sparkling eyes of a teenager. She was smiling awkwardly probably because of her slightly high state with the high alcohol hitting the party and walking towards them.

The girl, "The Maaa..n Singh Khurana himself!! In flesh and bone!! Dreamy..

Maan : Xcuse me?

Girl, "you don't know me but I know all about you. Maan Singh Khurana, the one and only hot dashing eligible bachelor of Delhi meets Pari Kapoor the dreamy queen of Mumbai in Goa!! How dreaaamyy.."

Maan : sorry. Ms. Pari mene apko pehchaana nhi

Pari : ohhh.. I'm Pari! Your partner Pradhan's sister, infact mene hi Pradhan ko bola to approach you with this proposal you know, beach resorts..isn't that cool?

Maan : yeah ofcourse and nice to meet you Ms. Pari!

Pari : cmon Maan itna bhi formal hone ki zarurat nhi he. You know I'm a great fan of yours. I have your posters all over my bedroom and even my bath..

That's when Pari noticed Geet standing too close to Maan clearly indicating that this is HER territory and SHE is totally IN CHARGE in a very subtle "girl-way".

Pari : I'm sorry, am I intervening something? Who is she?

Without even looking at Geet, Maan could feel the unfriendly vibes emitting from her and he was thoroughly enjoying her situation. Why not play along?

And so he replied, "umm never mind she is some stranger!!!"

And then he gently put his arm around Pari's waist and got into the crowd leaving behind a jaw-dropped sherni Geet.

So plsss bear with me. daatna bhi chalega but want longgg comments. 😆

PAST :

Geet was at Lisa's home in Florida when she got that call from Maan. She didn't know what to do. Maan had already been to her dorm and she was not there. He knew she had lied to him. It killed her from within. Her life had turned upside down since she shifted to New York. She used to tell single every single thing of her life to Maan till she found out about Mira. She fought so many battles in her heart whenever she talked to him. She started avoiding his calls as she dreaded to lie to him. He never complained but it made her even more miserable. She even tried to tell him about Dev and Mira but then decided against it. Mira needed time and she as a friend had no right to say anything about her. She never touched the topic again. But once a lie was told it would pile up. Covering up one after another, she had a bag full of lies already. Geet felt as if she betrayed Maan by keeping the truth from him. And now somewhere he knew that she wasn't being honest. She had lied to him about a project that didn't exist. He came in search of her to her dorm. She quickly arranged for a meeting in a friend's house at California. She rushed to meet him. A thousand emotions crossed her mind when she saw him after one year and nine months. All her heart wanted to do was to run into his arms and drown I them and forget all other worries. But her brain tried to stop her and told her to be rational. She had to maintain a safe distance or she would blurt out everything about Mira. Then again how could she behave like a stranger to Maan! her Maan. And when he locked his lips on her, she could almost feel the pain, the need in him to be with her. She fought every urge from her rational mind screaming not to tell him the truth. At one moment, she wanted to tell everything to him. Throughout the dinner she tried a lot to start the topic and when she finally gained the courage a phone call, one single call changed her whole life!! Lisa called her to inform that Mira was admitted in the hospital. The delivery was expected to be complicated. It was either the child-or-mother situation. Geet didn't know what to do. Her heart wanted to pour it out all to him. How could she take such important decision and not let him know?But her promise to Mira made her brain overcome her heart. Since Dev was involved Geet was unsure of Maan's reaction. Dev's location was not traced yet. What if Maan made a fuss and the truth would be out in front of the world? She feared his reaction but beneath all that she wanted to tell him. It was just a few moments. But her mind was in the war of a lifetime. She could see the questions in Maan's eyes even though he didn't ask a single word but she had very little time to stay back. She felt like she would break down if she stayed there anymore. She made a quick excuse and ran away from there. That's how she reached the hospital and found the little princess Amiya.

After Mira's death Geet had to bear all the truth on her shoulders. Now she could never tell the world the truth that she knew unless she found Dev. She had no idea where to look for Dev. She searched the Manhattan contacts but it was of no use. Two, weeks later she got a call from Maan and got the shock of her life. Maan sounded cheerful and seemed to have forgotten all that happened at California.

Geet : kya baat he Maan? Ap bade khush lag rhe ho?

Maan : wo to hu Mishty..bas ab tum jaldi se mere paas a jao..

Geet smiled, "ha bas thoda sa kaam he yeha.."

She didn't give him any details of his work, though. She had to find Dev and inform about Amiya's birth and Mira's death. As far as she knew Dev had no idea that Mira was pregnant. Mira hesitated to tell him and when she finally got courage he just took off. Geet had no choice but perform her last rites at Florida itself. Her death was unknown to the world. Her lie lived even after her death. And so everyone believed that Mira was living happily with an American in Florida.

Maan's words shook Geet from her trance and she fumbled for the right words.

Geet : kya...kya kaha apne?

Maan : ha Mishty, tumhe yakin nhi ho rha na? Dev is back! He is getting married to Nain Tara. You know when he came back I was really mad at him. He was drowned in debts. I was about to offer him the money only for dadi, but somehow he managed to buy 75% of his shares back. The rest I gave him to clear off his debts and retain his share. Lekin phir bhi he did 75%. I really thought he would not live up to dadi's hopes..but..

Geet stopped listening the moment she heard Dev was getting married!!

When she finally got her voice back she asked in a feeble voice interrupting Maan, "Dev sach me shaadi kr rha he?"

Maan : ha Mishty, can you believe it? I mean this is the first time he has shown signs of commitment to anyone even if it is NT.

Geet : hmm

Maan : hmm? Kya hua tumhe devrani achi nhi lagi? Geet tumhe kisi aur ki fiqar krne ki zarurat nhi..tum to Mrs. Maan Singh Khurana ho...

Geet :abhi hui nhi na..

Maan : ohh to ye baat he..isi liye madam ka mood off he? Waise I need to talk you..jab tum aogi uskey baad. Ek baar Dev ki shaadi ho ajye uske baad hum apni baat karenge dadi se...theek he?

Geet : Dev ki shaadi kab he?

Maan smiled, "itni jaldi he humari shaadi ki?"

Geet : Maann..

Maan : In 3 weeks. Tab tak tum bhi a jaogi na..

Geet : ha..par Maan..

Maan : par war kuch nhi 10 din pehle tum a rhi ho warna me uthake launga tumhe yaha samjhi tum?

Geet : ji..

Maan : Geet ye shaadi humare liye bohat important he.. bohat kuch hone wala he iske sath.. It will take place with all the grandeur of Khuranas..full media-coverage bhi.. We have to tell everybody that Dev is back and we are well set. Khuranas ki reputation ka sawal he.. bas ek baar ye shaadi dhum dham se ho jaye...phir hum dadima se humari baat karenge..waise tumhe kaisi shaadi chahiye? Aise traditional ya phir simple sa..

Geet : ap kitni agey ki baat soch rhe ho..

Maan : arey bolo na Geet..

Geet : mujhe ghar pariwaar walo ke saath hasi khushi shaadi chahiye usi ghar me jaha hum bade hue..

Maan : I love you Mishty..

Geet : Love you too Maan..

Maan : Geet..

Geet : hmm

Maan : kuch kehna he tumhe?

Geet : ...

Maan : ...

Geet : bye Maan..yeha bula rhe he..

And the line went off.

Maan stood there thinking about Geet's weird behaviour once again. As far as he knew Geet, she would have jumped with exictement even if it was a wedding of some distant cousin's friend. She would have eaten his head with her worried on her lehangas, sari, suit and the jewellery. How she needed to plan the whole schedule of "essential" shopping and then the dieting to look beautiful. And this was Dev's shaadi not some cousin's and she didn't say a word about it. It disturbed him. Geet sounded depressed and Maan had no idea why. He thought may be she was upset because of being away from them. Somewhere his brain didn't want to brush it away. It kept on troubling him. He snapped at the lightest provocation to anyone and everyone. After a day or two he calmed himself. After all she was his Geet, his Mishty. Why does he need to worry? May be she had a fight with a friend or something. Everything would be alright when she would come back to home.

Hurt would be very small word to describe what Maan felt. Betrayed, cheated, and fooled he felt all these combined when he saw Geet a week later in a hotel lobby where Maan accidentally happened to be present for a client meeting. She was pestering and pleading behind his brother Dev who was paying no heed to her request. Maan couldn't hear what they were talking as he was watching them from upstairs. But it looked like Geet was compelling Dev to do something which he didn't want. Maan wanted to go in front of them right then. But he stopped himself. Somewhere he felt that if Geet didn't want him to know that she came back, he would better not. He turned his back and went on with his business. Later at night he tried Geet's Indian and International number but all were switched off. Afte 2'o clock, Maan received a call from a private number and it was Geet.

Maan : Geet, tum is waqt?

Geet : Maan..wo..yeha to raat nhi hui na abhi...

He clenched his fists as he heard her lie right to his face. He wanted to burst out and ask her why she was hiding things from him but something stopped him. He was sure there was something up and he would get to the bottom of it. Then and only then would he confront her. So he kept his calm and talked to her. She behaved as if nothing was wrong. But Maan could read between every line. Her chirpy self was gone. She was mechanically being pleasant and making a conversation. He wanted to shout on her for he hated what she was doing to him. Yet, he couldn't hurt her by asking something which he still believed was wrong. She never mentioned about coming to India or meeting Dev. It made him restless. Even if he consoled him saying that she must be planning some surprise for him, nothing looked pleasant as for now.

Geet sat on the small verandah in Pammy masi's house after making that call to Maan. Tears rolled down her eyes as she thought about the events that occurred. As soon as Maan informed her about the whereabouts of Dev, Geet felt happy. She was full of hope. Dev didn't even know that Mira was pregnant. Geet hoped that when she would tell him about Amiya, Dev would readily accept her. Geet would do everything to convince NT. She even decided that if NT objected, she and Maan would take the responsibility of Amiya. Even if she had a tinge of doubt on Dev, she was sure about Maan. He would never ever run away from any responsibility. They would all be one big family. There was nothing to be worried at all. She felt much better now. Lisa insisted that she would accompany her to India but Geet asked her to stay back. She had already done a great service. Geet wanted to solve all the issues and then inform everyone. So she decided her visit would be under covers. She informed Pammy masi that she was coming and no Khuranas should know anything about it. Pammy was confused but she trusted Geet and kept her word. She flew back to India three days after Maan announced Dev's marriage to her. Pammy was about to faint as she saw her little Geet with another kid on her arms. Geet made Pammy promise that she should not ask anything about the child. Pammy obliged. Geet tried to meet Dev from the next day. He remained unavailable for most of the time. Finally after 3 dyas Geet sneaked into his boutique where Dev came for the final fitting of his sherwani. She hid behind the closet and pulled Dev to an empty corner.

Dev was surprised to find her.

Dev : arey Geet ye me hu, bro nhi..

Geet : dekho Dev, I need to talk to you something very important..

And then she narrated all about how she found Mira pregnant, the promise that she made, Amiya's birth and Mira's death. Dev stood there like a cold ice statue as he heard everything. His cheeks turned red .

Dev : no..no.no..this is not possible...Mira..how could she get pregnant? We were careful..I was never ready for a child..not then and not now..we never even had that serious a relationship..it just happened..she can't just go like that..how..why now...

Geet : Dev..Dev calm down. I know it is hard for you to digest in one moment. I am not blaming you or anything. Just relax and think over it. Whatever happened in the past is pointless. But now you have a daughter and she is your responsibility. You can't run away from her. She is your family even if you want or not. This is not some business which will sort out itself if you leave. She is a human being..a child who has not done any harm to anyone. She should not be punished for no fault.

Dev : Geet..you don't get it..abhi I'm not in a position to do anything..you know that I had a financial crisis...

Geet : lekin uska issey kya matlab?

Dev : matlab he.. jab loss hua I was scared..aur me sab kuch chhod kar kahi akele rehna chahta tha. Australia me mera ek college friend he uske ghar gaya tha me. Coincidence he ya phir usney bataya ye mujhe nhi pata NT bhi wahi ayi.. un dino she was big relief from all these. Aur ek din wo mere paas ayi. Usey sab pata chal gaya tha. About my debts..everything. me bro ke paas is tara kabhi wapas nhi jaana chahta tha..I know him very well. Khurana Industries unke liye sabse badkar he...mene uski badnaami ki he...wo mujhe ghar se bahar kar dete..us time NT ne mujhe hausla diya..sirf hausla nhi..jo paise me lekar aya hu wo bhi usne mujhe diya he..75 crore..badle me ye shaadi ho rhi he..

Geet : what? Dev..tum paiso ke liye shaadi kr rhe ho? Tum Maan se baat kr lete...wo paise de dete..is tarah NT ke ehsaan pe...

Dev : nhi Geet, you don't understand. Us time jab bro ko sab loss ke barey me pata chal gaya tha.. he clearly told me that if I can't get over this, better not come back.

Geet : acha? Aur abhi to baaki 25cr de rhe he..wo kyu?

Dev : kyu ki unhe lagta he ki mene 75% arrangement kiya he..khud se kuch kiya he..

Geet : lekin pasio ke liye shaadi..agar Maan ko wo pata chal gaya to?

Dev : nhii..paiso ke liye nhi. NT told me that she loves me. Aur nhi to wo ye sab mere liye kyu karti? Maanta hu ki Mira aur mera rishta tha..khubsurat sa..lekin shaadi ke barey me maine kabhi nhi socha tha..par Nain Tara..usney jo kuch bhi mere liye kiya..uske liye me apni jaan de sakta hu..

Geet : to tum kehna kya chahte ho Dev?

Dev : is bachi..

Geet : tumhari bachi..

Dev : ha jo bhi..iske barey me bhi NT ka decision hi final hoga.

Geet : what do you mean final hoga? Bachi tumhari he..tab bhi tumne NT se puchke..Dev tum najane kya sochkar darr rhe ho! Me ab bhi keh rhi hu..saari sachai Maan ko bata do. Sab problem abhi solve ho jayega aur tum apni bachi ko apna lo. Shayad Mira ki aatma tumhe maaf kar degi..

Dev : Geet tum mujhe Saturday hotel Grand me milo. We will discuss there..

Geet : what is there to discuss? Ami tumahri beti he maan kyu nhi lete?

Dev : mujhe sochne ka thoda waqt chahiye plsss...

Geet : theek he.

That's how she went to hotel Grand on Saturday. Dev had a suite booked for himself. As Geet entered the luxurious room she was surprised to find NT there. Dev greeted with a weak smile. NT came and hugged her.

NT : Ap akele ayi?Apki bachi ko leke nhi ayi?

Geet was taken aback by the blunt way of questioning.

NT : Dev, would you mind if I ask you to go for a walk. I think is baar mujhe aur Geet ko akele me baat krni chahiye..girl-to-girl.

Dev nodded and went out. NT kept staring at Geet. She sat on th couch and didn't offer her a seat. Geet stood there quietly.

NT : Dev ko ap jaanti ho..khud se kuch nhi kar patey...isliye usne sab kuch mujhe bataya...beti to zimeedari he...ab kya kare jo ho gaya so ho gaya..khair Maa bhi gayi..to phir hume hi reponsibility leni padhegi..

Geet smiled relieved hearing this, "ha Nain Tara me bhi Dev ko yehi samjha rhi thi..wo to dar bas yeh tha ki tum..

NT glared at Geet and she became quiet.

NT : samjhaya bohat ache se tha na apne Dev ko...to ab hume samjhao..

Geet : dekho NT, Mira Dev ke guzre hue kal ka hissa he. Par wo bachi..

NT didn't even hear it and continued, "75 crore!!!...75 crore invest kiye he humne...jaanti he ap kyu? Kyu ki hume Khurana pariwaar ki bahu banna he..aur ab jab sab sahi ja rha he to hum ye kaise bardasht kare ki koi ladki aise hi ek bachi ko uthake laye aur humari mehnat pe paani pher de..

Geet : par NT meri baat suno..

NT : nhi Geet, phele ap humari baat khaan khol kar sun lo, Khurana pariwaar ki bahu banne se hume koi nhi rokh sakta aur hum paagal nhi he jo pati ke saath muft me bacha bhi le le. Is 75 crore ke badle hume Khurana pariwaar ka 25% share mil jayega aur wo hum kisi lawaaris bache ke paas nhi jaane denge..kabhi nhi..

Geet : bas Nain Tara, apni zubaan sambhal ke baat karo.. wo bachi Dev ki beti he aur usey uske hisse ka haq me dilaungi..aur wo tumhare paiso ka haq nhi balki uske pyar ka haq, ek pariwaar ka haq jiska matlab to tum shayad hi jaan paogi..

NT : wow!! Ab pariwaar ke barey me ap hume batayengi Geet..(scoffs..) ap jiske khud ke pariwaar walo ne dhakke maar ke ghar se bhaga diya..jo khud Khurana pariwaar ke ehsaan me rehne wali ek mamuli si refugee he..ab hume, Nain Tara Rathore ko pariwaar ka matlab samjhayengi?

Geet : me chup hu iska matlab ye nhi ki meri sharafat ka faida uthao. Itni der se request kar rhi thi me Dev se kyu ki mujhe laga ki shayad jab usey sach ka pata chal jayega to wo apni beti ko apnane ki himat dikhayega. Lekin agar wo issey bhi muh modna chahta he to me ye hone nhi dungi. Me kal sabke saamne ye sach bata dungi. Ek DNA test se prove ho jayega ki ye abchi kiska he. Phir me dekhti hu ki tum ye shaadi kaise karaogi..ab to agar tum maan bhi jao to bhi me ye shaadi hone nhi dungi. Agar tumne aj is bachi ko apna bhi liya to kal paiso ke lalach me iske saath kuch bhi kar sakti ho..

NT looked at her fuming and held her arm, "sharafat to humne dikhaya he apke saath itni der tak.. Khurana pariwaar ke liye itna dum hila rhi ho na ap..hum bhi dekhte he ki ap is abchi ko waha kaise layengi..arey Dev jaise amir ladko pe ktine ladkiyo ki nazar he.. Mira ne to kisi foreigner se shaadi ki thi na..phir uska Dev ke sath affair chal rha tha kya..jo uske bache ko janm diya?

Geet looked at NT shocked.

NT continued, "ohh kahi aisa to nhi ki apne aur Mira ne milke ye plan banaya..phir baad me jab Mira ko apne galti ka ehsaas hua to apne usey khatam kar diya aur ye man ganit kahani lekar ayi?"

Geet : ye tum kya bol rhi ho? Mira aur Dev ek dusre se pyar krte the..

NT : krte the..ye baat apke alawa aur kaun jaanta he Geet? Kya sabut he apke paas Dev or Mira ke rishte ki? Mira to he nhi..or Dev humare ek ishaare pe wo sab kuch bhul jayenge ki Mira kaun he..phir apka in sab me kya kaam? AP Khurana pariwaar ko badnaam krna chahti he..isliye is shaadi ko rokh rhi he..ye shaadi jiske us pariwaar ko is waqt zarurat he...ya phir isi bahane ap apna life settle krna chahti he? Padhai khatm..Khurana pariwaar ke saaye me rehne ki wajah khatam, ab dadima ko blackmail krke tum apni life settle krna chahti ho..

Geet : in dhamkiyo se kuch nhi hone wala...DNA test karake..

NT laughs, " meri pyari Geet, ye socho ki DNA test ko badalne me hume kitna waqt lagega? Aur apka sach ek safeed jhut ban jayega..aur wahi pariwaar wale apko dhakke maar kar us ghar se nikaal denge..aur Maan veerji..hum jaante he Geet..wo jo apke naam ki maala japte he apki aahat se bhi nafrat krne lagenge..

Now that hit her like a bullet. Geet would have beared anything that NT said. She wouldn't have budged if she threatened to take her life. But what she said was even more horrible, making Maan hate her!! Her Maan!! How would he hate her...

Geet : nhi NT tum ye kabhi nhi kar paogi..mere Maan pe mujhe pura bharosa he..

NT : oh really Geet? Apko lagta he Maan veerji apne bhai se zyada apki baat par yakin karenge? Is pariwaar ki khushi se zyada apke liye khade rahenge?

Geet stood still. She remembered how he scolded her first time when Vicky cried. He didn't wait to think or know the truth. He simply can't bear anyone hurting his siblings. He had always maintained that his sibling came first in his life. She knew very well that he would never ever go against them. Even now when he was denying money to Dev, he only wanted him to be more responsible. He never failed his duty and he would never do anything that would disgrace his family.

NT : why are you shaking Geet? chup kyu ho Geet jawab do..ab tak to ap samaj gayi hongi ki apke sach ko hum chutki bajate hi jhut bana denge..phir apka us ghar me pariwaar me kya hoga? Abhi bhi waqt he sambhal jaiye. Is bachi ko kisi orphanage me bhej dijiye aur ye saari baatein bhul jaiye hamesha ke liye..kharche ka tensions mat lena..hum pay kar denge. Aur agar nhi to usko uthake humesha humesha ke liye humari zindagi se dur chale jaiye..warna hum apka aisa haal kr denge ki usko zindagi dene to kya ap khud ki zindagi bhi nhi sambhal payengi...

Geet stood numb hearing NT's threat. She walked out in a trance and reached the lobby. Dev was standing there waiting for her. Geet ran behind and begged him to cancel this marriage. She tried to make him understand how NT was manipulating him. She tried to assure him that Maan would give him all the money he wants and he didn't have to do this. But Dev didn't listen to a word and asked to her to leave. Thats how she ended up back in Pammy's house crushed and broken. But she didn't know that the biggest mishap that occured on the day was Maan seeing her with Dev...

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PRECAP : Geet's decision!! 😳

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