Secretly Smitten#4 (Thread 5 Link @ Pg 141) - Page 21

Jagan was immensely surprised to know the entire truth. He could not have imagined that their little princess had been living years thinking she is actually married. They always tried hard to hide things from her but never knew, that she already had renounced her life completely to a man she never had seen whom. He couldn't understand if he should be worried for her or do sympathy. He should have yelled on her or to hug her happily for the windfall she had gotten. He himself didn't know what had written in her fate yet had belief that everything happening was peculiar and she had no command over it. It was not her fault when she did rituals of wedding before Goddess, she was so small then but when the consequence would have accepted by her, she had been enough young to understand this things yet she selected to walk on the way which had been showed by her heart, but without any complain. It would have been so tough to live a life yielding over a man whom she didn't know anything about or never had hope to his comeback. She even never took him name before anyone just for family sake but did not lose faith and finally won the battle alone because it could be Goddess wish only. He believed that everything happened with the Goddess grace otherwise a five years old child couldn't have such mind to take solemn steps herself.

"Chachu'' Geet shook him when looked lost in deep thought. Jagan head turned to her. He did not understand what should say.

"Geet, are you so sure he still accept that marriage and accept you his wife?''

Geet nodded slightly yet her movement had confidence. "He said he will come back soon Chachu'

"And what if he don't'

"He will!'' In her voice Jagan found uttermost trust over Maan. He couldn't gather heart to step over her faith.

"Alright Beta, if you say I will believe on him but you would have to make a promise today'

She looked him anticipated,

"If he doesn't come within a year, you will forget him completely and this marriage as well and will marry with the boy whom you're Papa will select for you'

Geet smiled and nodded. "Papa wouldn't have to take pain for searching boy for me Chachu. I know he will come'

Firmness of her voice forced him to wish that may her verdict turn into true. He smiled. "Alright Beta, you should sleep now'' he stood up to leave when Geet requested him not to tell anything to Mohan. She didn't want him to take unnecessary tension till everything becomes well. Jagan agreed and he left. That night Geet couldn't have any sleep.

##

Maan stepped in on the floor of Khurana Mansion. Same like always both elegant ladies of family were present there to welcome him keeping warm smile on their faces. They had expected as always Maan will not rejoice their heartily greet but for their greatest surprise, they found him smiling. Their faces bloomed seeing him walking toward them taking agile steps. It was not stern and quick anymore like always used to be. Maan bent down to touch his grandmother feet.

"How are you Dadima'', and hugged her.

The old grand lady felt the bliss of motherly sentiment after years and her eyes couldn't stop pouring water out. She said she is good wiping her eyes. Maan then came and bent over Alka feet and hugged her as well and suddenly kissed her on cheek. The couple of mouths rapidly opened in shock.

"What happened Mama' he looked Alka, and Dadi one after one and surprised to see them surprised. "Dadima, why you both looking me so weirdly?'

Both ladies giggle. Alka patted his face, "Nothing happened. After long we're seeing you na, so that's why. Maan you go in your room and get fresh. We are going to make your favorites today'

"Yes Mama'' he smiled and advanced to his room when suddenly looked a servant was carrying his luggage. He shouted from far "No don't, don't touch my bag!!' he came almost running. All stared him confused.

"Um"I myself will carry this one' he said hesitatingly.

"Why Maan, is anything expensive in this bag that you want to take it yourself'' SD asked.

"Ji Dadima, the things are very precious'' he replied. "Valuable more than my life', he self talked and smiled thinking how he had collected her broken pearls from temple before leaving India. Her gifted rose and her Dupatta, everything was kept in this bag. How could he let anyone else touch those treasures which he had gotten after so many efforts?

He carried out that one bag himself and let another been carried by servants, he left to outhouse. SD smiled. She left blabbering what should be prepared today for him whereas Alka was trying to fish out the clue she was having thoughts since the time Maan had stepped in. she knew something had happened in India which changed Maan till this level that he started talking more than two three words at a time!

"He found Geet!!''

Her mind resounded. She gasped in fear covering mouth with hand; she bit her lips in fright. Each and every words what Yash had said her mind started recalling one after another. Her heart started burying down in dark wild sea. She remembered what condition he had kept before her. She rushed to talk Maan, run behind him.

##

As Maan entered in his home he felt it was dull, didn't like the atmosphere of place. White walls of room were giving him feel of his old days but now everything had changed.

"What's this Maan, what Geet will think of you how boring you are!''

He kept bag on bed and started thinking how should change the interior of room. He removed his shirt then vest while catching a brief glimpse of place.

"What color should give to walls"umm blue!"naah!!'

He took towel and rushed inside washroom to take warm shower. He was shampooing his hair when bubble softness reminded him, her soft cheeks. He kissed the bubbles, it burst with his touch, he chuckled.

"Um I think wall should be blend of red and pink"same like the color of her cheeks when she had blushed finding me there'', he thrilled thinking about her shiver when he had confessed his love.

He washed hair and rubbed soap on body.

"And ceiling should be light brown, color of her eyes. So beautiful"so pure"and on wall a big frame of us would hang, just like same I had seen my reflection in her shining eyes', he laid relaxed in bathtub, closing down eyes completely lost in her thoughts.

"Curtains would be white and smooth ivory--color of her skin!'' he recalled her innocent touch of when she had hugged him. "Every corner I will fill with lustre flowers so could feel her fragrance always. A small trail of bells around bed same like her pearl anklet. Everywhere in our home I would keep her designates, her favorites and everything which she would like. Geet I can't tell you Angel how I'm feeling right now. I feel now only run to you and fill this emptiness of arms hugging you in them''

He came out from bathtub and took warm shower again to feel refreshed more than ever. Geet thoughts had filled a new life in him. He wrapped a towel around waist and came out drying his dampen hairs. He took fairly half an hour to select which color shirt should wear and after changing into a maroon colored shirt and blue denim jeans he was all set to celebrate this new achieved festive life. He stared her snap in cell and kissed it.

"Love you so much Geet''

He was combing his hair when looked Alka reflection in mirror he twirled instantly and rushed,

"Mama' he hugged him feeling overwhelmed with all happiness he had found just because of this single lady effort. He couldn't be over indebted to her for all her favor she had done.

"Mama I found Geet"I found her Mama I met her and you know she also knew me, remembered me. She knows about our marriage and accepts. Mama she is so beautiful and cute and so gorgeous and she loves me also Mama I am so happy so happy so happy so so so much happy I'm I can't explain you!!!!'' he laughed, whirled hugging his mother, like a eight years old boy.

Alka was awed looking him. He had never shared his feeling with her after growing up. She had been feeling she had lost her child but today he was back! She could see glint of shine in his eyes and glory of fulfillment on his face which was natural.

The job she had taken in hand by force, fell down on floor slipping from her hold but Maan seen them.

"What's this Mama?''

He kneeled down and collected few photographs. "Who are they?'' he asked transforming the tone again into stern. He looked her puzzled as why his mother is carrying girl's photograph with her.

"Who are these girls Mama''

"Wo"your grandfather wants you to"'

"To get marry with one from theses right Mama!!''

Helpless Alka was silent.

"But you know I can't marry another girl Mama I'm already married for God sake!!!''

"Maan - Beta please keep calm. Try to understand -'

"What understand Mama. You know well I love Geet still you brought theses stupid girls photograph to show me!!''

"Maan at least listen me..''

"No Mama I will not!!! Where is Dadaji I want to talk him"right now!!!'' he rushed out. Alka kept calling him from back but he was in extreme anger became disappeared from her range in a second. She cried bitterly fearing about the consequence of this expected war.

##

Yash was in study when Maan knocked and entered even before Yash could grant him permission to come. Maan was in rage. After finding happiness after long years the fear of losing it in a second turned his authentic mind into deranged. He just wanted to destroy each and every obstacle which would come on way to Geet and in this term, he forgot the characteristic he had been taught in lifetime.

"What's this Dadaji!!'' he kept photos on his desk. They scattered before Yash mercilessly. Yash observed Maan intention with such interest and stood up from chair.

"Maan I think India has made you forgot your manners as well. Hadn't it?''

Maan eyes broaden sensing the coming tempest. "He knew I was in India' the fact made Maan stir for once but then, he gained composure. He signed in relieve at finally truth was going to come out and that would cast some result for their betterment.

"I'm sorry'' Maan spoke politely. "But can I ask what the purpose of these photographs when everyone know here I'm not ready for marriage now!!''

"And can I ask Maan why, you are not' Yash was over calm with his tone.

"Reason I can't tell now'' Maan reply was in same tone.

"Hope it doesn't relate to that drama which you'd played in your childhood. Don't you?''

Maan could feel the pouring mock over what he think the most beautiful deed of his life and that, could not be acceptable for him. He always knew that his grandfather had knowledge of that wedding. He still could hear his roar which had caused him got fever in childhood but now no one could have right to mock over his decision. His anger increased but he controlled and altered tone in collected.

"Dadaji, that could be a drama for this world but for me, that was the most wonderful act I did'

"What rubbish Maan. So you want to say that the girl who played opposite you in that fake drama is your real wife!! That middle class girl who doesn't have status even to buy a ticket for US, you want to give her chance to live in this grand mansion for whole life!!!'

"With my surname Grandpa' Maan added with a smirk.

Yash squeezed eyes for a second and fisted hand and made himself impassive, then added further,

"Maan, can you see that sun outside'' he came and stood before a full size glass window and watched out at the dense sunshine of afternoon''.

"How much it sting, despite of giving us sunshine it never can reach inside through this black glass until we ourselves step out to feel its flames'' he turned toward Maan,

"Maan, you are Khurana, our name, our reputation and notability is like this glass window. How much that girl desires, she never can touch you. Although she had been giving you ray of livelihood but reaching inside and hold your hand, could only be a dream for her'

"But what if I myself, want to step out from this shell and advance my hand to her, Grandpa''

Yash watched his face for long time. He could see determination on Maan face which shook him from inside. Then he replied,

"You will be burned!!!''

Maan smiled in satisfaction. "But for me, those burning flames would be supple warmth Grandpa which would give birth a new life inside me. And if you're forgetting then in winter you yourself open this glass window to let warm flame come inside and How much you like the cool breeze of summer night do I need to remind you, Grandpa?'

"That seasonal Maan''

"Nope Grandpa, that's depends on your need and my need is that girl whom I love' He made his eyes meet with his, "Geet is my wife and no logic of world can change this fact!!''

Maan spoke in oozing out attitude and somewhere forced to feel Yash proud over his blood.

"So it means Maan, that you will not take your step back!' Yash was now facing Maan with straight look which was clashing with Maan eyes, holding equal intensity in both.

"Khuranas never moves back grandpa!!''

"Liked your determination son, I hope your spirit favor you till your bad fortune doesn't leave you'

"Don't worry Grandpa, I have that strength with me that we can split any doom together even if how much it would do effort to destroy our lives. Now can I leave grandpa. I need to attend a meeting'

Yash nodded. He watched that stern walk of his grandchild which blown his chest up with extreme ego. And he took vow to keep this pride of him forever with himself.

"I will show you Maan that your love you have faith upon, how she herself would hate you till the date you himself come back to us leaving her alone''

Precap: Maan calls Geet