One
Maan was travelling to Hoshyarpur on a rainy summer day. He was lost in thoughts of his Daadi, Savatri Devi. She had always been for him. Daadi stood by him through every rough patch in his life. She raised Maan after his mother passed away during child birth. She helped him cope with his father's remarriage and abrupt death. And she constantly showered him with love when his step-mother Pammi neglected him for her own son Dev.
Daadi instilled Maan with her morals and values. She taught him to work hard, be honest and most importantly to value his relationships. Daadi was so proud the day Maan he completed his MBA. She handed over Khurana Constructions to him as his graduation present. Maan was overwhelmed with the responsibility but Daadi had full faith in him. And our Maan could never let Daadi's faith break. He worked day and night to make Khurana Constructions the best in country. Daadi was happy so Maan was happy. But their happiness didn't last. One night when Maan and Daadi were returning from an award function, their car met with an accident. Both were injured badly and taken to the hospital. Once Maan was out of danger, he was moved to Daadi's room as per her request. She had also requested the presence of Mohinder Handa, the Khurana's family friend and Maan's business mentor. Taking her last breaths, Daadi asked Mohinder for his daughter's hand for Maan.
Geet. Daadi had loved Geet the moment she first held her. The Handas lived next door to the Khuranas for ages. However, after Geet's birth, Mohinder moved his family to England to open a new branch Handa Industries while his brother Brij managed things in Dehli. The families still stayed in touch. Geet and Maan rarely met but often heard of each other. There was always something or other keeping them out of each other's way. Possibly a ploy of universe if you can believe it but they didn't actually meet face to face - not even once. Both were so busy in their respective lives - Maan trying make Daadi proud and Geet, her parents.
This one of the reasons Daadi loved Geet. She was just like Maan in everyway. She was honest, kind, humble, loved her family and knew how to fulfill her relationships. Each time Daadi met Geet, she knew more than before that Geet and Maan were made for each other. She wanted Geet as her Bahu and waited desperately to hear Mohinder's response.
Mohinder looked at Maan's state - Maan's body was terribly injured and his face was scarred. However, his decision simple. Mohinder Handa had always been amazed by Maan. This young man had built an empire with his honesty and hard work but was still so humble. He not only witnessed Maan become a mature and responsible man but also has seen the respect and love Maan showered on Savitri Devi. Physical wounds were nothing compared to gem of a person Maan was in the inside. Mohinder knew that there could be no better man for his daughter Geet.
Upon hearing his yes, Savitri Devi left the world in peace knowing that Geet would stand by her Maan and be his saathi for life.
Maan was conscious but silent spectator to this entire exchange. He couldn't move even if he wanted to. Watching his Daadi lay still, Maan cried silent tears while Mohinder tried his best to console him.
Chapter Two
It was four months later. Mohinder didn't leave Maan's side even once. He helped him recover from the accident as much as possible. However, some of his wounds remained. Maan lost a lot of nerve tissue in his left leg during the accident. As a result, he was now confined to using a crutch.
However, Mohinder was more concerned about Maan's emotional state. Maan lost everything on the night of the accident. Savitri was his whole world. He laughed with her, confided in her, lived for her. Mohinder couldn't imagine Maan's pain. He must feel so alone.
It was true. Maan did feel alone. Daadi had always told him that oneday she would have to leave. But she would be with him forever in his heart. Believing this was the only thing that kept Maan from falling apart.
Pammi and Dev hadn't visited Maan even once in these four months. They could be less concerned about him. Maan and Daadi had known the bitter reality of Pammi and Dev. They knew that the only thing keeping Pammi and Dev in Khurana Mansion was greed. However both ignored it. Maan and Savitri had lost too many people in the past to give up on what family they had left. They believed that one day, their love would force Pammi and Dev to undergo a change of heart. Mohinder tried to warn them about living in such a false reality but both wouldn't hear a word against Pammi and Dev.
Today, Mohinder was happy that Savitri was no longer in the world. If she had witnessed how Pammi and Dev neglected Maan in his time of need, she surely would have died of a broken heart.
On the day of Maan's discharge, Mohinder brought up the topic of Maan and Geet's marriage. He was surprised when Mohinder told him that he called his family down from London to their village of Hoshyarpur and that Maan was to join them there.
"Why?" Maan asked.
"For the wedding of course. They arrived this month after Geet finished her studies. Everyone wanted to visit you but I told them to stay there and start preparing for the wedding." smiled Mohinder.
"Wedding?" Maan asked.
"Yes, Maan. Now that you're discharged, we can fulfill Savitri Ma's last wish. The engagement will be tomorrow and the wedding in a week." Mohinder was beaming. He was excited to have Maan be his son-in-law and he knew that his daughter would be the companion Maan needed.
Maan on the other hand was shocked. Maan had assumed that Mohinder had just agreed to the wedding to please Daadi and didn't expect him to follow through. He should have known better. Mohinder was a man of his word. And Maan respected him for this. But the problem was that Maan saw himself as a broken man because of his injury. Maan didn't see himself as being fit to be someone's jeevan saathi. He didn't want to ruin an innocent girl's life by tying her to himself.
He tried to explain this to Mohinder.
"Daadi didn't know that I'd be this broken. I'll never walk on my own without the support of this thing again." Explain Maan gesturing towards his support crutch. "Daadi would never have asked you if she knew." He reasoned.
Mohinder refused saying that he could think of no better man for his daughter. But Maan was adamant.
"I know your daughter feels obligated to say yes. I will not force her into this marriage."
Mohinder: "Look, once you get to Hoshyarpur, you can speak with Geet yourself. Ask her if feels obligated to say yes. Okay? Now get in the car, beta otherwise you'll hit traffic." He forced Maan into the car and instructed the driver to go straight to the Handa Haveli in Hoshyarpur. Mohinder said he had some arrangements to make and would be following shortly.
Maan knew that Mohinder would not back out of the promise. But he could not let Mohinder Uncle's daughter suffer, could he? Although he loved Daadi and would do anything for her, he couldn't ruin an innocent girl's life. He was convinced that this wedding could not happen.
"One look at me and she'll refuse," thought Maan as he travelled into Hoshyarpur.
Maan was brought out of his thoughts when his car broke down.
"What's the matter Munif Chacha?" Maan asked the driver.
"Woh lagta hai tire puncture ho chukka hai. Bus mujhe kuch waqt do beta, abhi neya laga dehta hoon." Munif Chacha explained. While the driver did his work, Maan pulled out his umbrella and started walking along the road to stretch out his legs. He hadn't moved too far when he heard a jingling sound coming from the nearby grounds. He followed the sound to most breath-taking sight.
A girl dressed in a white suit was gracefully dancing while her payals musically chimed along. Maan then noticed her surroundings. She was in a covered courtyard teaching a class. He wasn't sure but it looked like the girl was teaching a kathak class. He watched her show the class a few movements and then walk around adjusting everyone's poses and giving feedback. The smile on her lips, her playful teasing, her fluid movements all had him captivated. Soon a bell chimed and broke his reverie. The class ended and the children scurried off. The girl left the roof covered area and entered the rain. She gave a slight peak to the left and the right. Maan hid himself behind the gate. Curious to know what she was up to, Maan looked back to her. She hit play on a nearby radio and started swaying in the rain. Maan was mesmerized. She moved so freely, splashing around and enjoying the raindrops. He never would have looked away if Munif Chacha hadn't gotten his attention. Maan was so embarrassed. He had never lost himself like that. He should be thinking of ways to get Geet to confess that she's marrying him out of obligation and family pressures - not staring at this woman like a creeper. He hurried back to where Munif Chacha was waiting, casting a final glance to the dancing pari who was still mast in her own dhun.
Just moments after Maan's car pulled away, the dancing pari was brought back to reality by a shrill scream.
"GEET! What on earth are you doing?!?" screamed her cousin Rajji. "You know that my would-be Jeeju is coming today and look at you! God knows how you convinced Rano Aunty to let you teach a dance class today. You should have come home straight away to get ready but no, Madame is here in her Aishwarya Avatar doing a rain dance. Now don't just stare at me jhalli! Come home and get ready!"
Geet: "Kya Rajji... tum bhi na. Once you start, your off button just disappears. You know na that the kids have their dance competition tomorrow. Ek good luck practice to banta hai? Besides getting ready takes only a few minutes. I'll be set in no time. And you for one should know, there's always time for filmy tumkas. I saw you channeling Shelia's Jawani around the kitchen when you thought no one was watching." Rajji's eyes bulged when Geet pulled out her phone and showed her an embarrassing video. "Haye! Badnam munni! Kya tumke hain tere!" Geet gushed.
"Geet!" Rajji screamed as she chased her home.
Chapter Three
Maan pulled up to the Handa Haveli while Geet and Rajji snuck in through the back. By the time Maan was greeted by Rano and offered tea, Geet was ready. Mohinder arrived shortly after. He knew there was no point in discussing wedding arrangements with Maan until he had confirmed that Geet was in agreement. He sent Maan to the terrace to meet Geet. Rajji brought Geet there and left the two to chat. Maan, who had been observing the view from the balcony turn when he heard Geet's payals. Flashes of the pari in white danced before his eyes. He turned around and his breath caught in his throat. He couldn't believe that it was her. The same magical eyes and stunning smile.
"Geet?" he asked unable to believe the coincidence. It was like he took a new breath when he said her name.
"Ji aur aap Maan hain na?" she smiled. "Papa said you wanted to meet with me before we proceed with the wedding arrangements."
Her comment brought him back to the reality of his situation. Pari or no pari, he couldn't lose focus. She was being forced to marry him. He needed to end this now.
Maan: "Yes, um.. er... What I wanted to say was that I can understand that this whole thing might be really hard for you... Your dad's promise to Daadi and all. I just want you to know that I'm not holding you to any promise. You have the right live your life with who you want. I know this marriage is being forced on you and you feel obligated to say yes because of Daadi's last wish but - "
"What wait?" a shocked Geet interrupted him.
"Come on Geet, I know it's true." He responded.
"Where is this coming from Maan?" she asked.
He gestured to his leg. She still looked confused. He bit his lip and then said it. "Who would want to marry a cripple?" He whispered.
"Maan..." Geet started.
"That's okay but you don't have to say anything. I understand. And I'll explain it to Mohinder Uncle too. You should marry someone who is whole and complete like you." He said and he began to walk away.
"Rukiye" Geet said as she held his hand. Maan felt a spark run through his body with her touch. She guided him to the chair and turned his face towards her.
"Where did all this rubbish come from? Who said you are not whole, complete? Is it only what is on the outside that matters? What about you as a person? What about the values and morals Daadi has brought you up with? Doesn't that mean anything? That is what is important to me. Daadi and Papa think that we belong together. These two people care so strongly for me. They can never do me any harm. If they want us to marry, I trust their decision completely."
It was Maan's turn to be surprised. "What?" he asked in disbelief.
"I'm ready for this marriage Maan. Honestly. There are no compulsions. It's true that we're meeting for the first time. But I feel like I've known you my entire life. Ever since I was young I've been hearing about you. From Daadi and Papa. Your number one fans." She said with a giggle prompting him to smile too.
"To be honest, Papa's constant gushing was kind of annoying - be more like Maan! Maan never gets Bs, Maan wakes up on time, Maan doesn't scarf his food like starving animal, Maan doesn't dance like a tapori..." she mimicked Mohinder's voice. Maan let out a heart felt chuckle. His first since Daadi left.
"Maan," she continued looking into his eyes with warmth. "I want you to be part of my life and I want to be part of yours." Geet had been weaving dreams of Maan for ages. Even since she was young. As she heard about Maan, the more her heart grew attached to him. And today, seeing his concern and care for her wishes and freedom just showed that he will prove to be a great saathi. Maan on the other hand was speechless. Hearing her words stirred something in him. He decided to stop feeling sorry for himself and to become the Maan Geet still saw him as. Daadi was gone and he couldn't save her but that doesn't mean that he should give up on her dreams for him. Maan was convinced that his Daadi had as usual made the best decision for him. She selected this breathtakingly wonderful woman to be his jeevan saathi. This woman who had captivated him upon his first glance, respected his Daadi and accepted him as he was. He looked up and sent a silent thank-you to Daadi and promised to give Geet every happiness.
Geet became a little nervous with his silence. Maybe she spoken a little too much, as usual. Maybe she should have taken Rajji's advice and stayed quiet. But she was speaking from the heart she reassured herself. Maybe he needed some time. Just because she was ready for the wedding doesn't mean that same holds truth for Maan. Her face fell. Maybe he didn't want to marry her. She felt stupid for not thinking of this earlier.
"Ji, an arranged marriage must feel strange for you. You've never met me. You also should not feel obligated or compelled to marry me. You can say no. I have many faults. Daadi and Papa probably told you." she said making a cute sad face. "I blabber nonstop, I always overcook rice, I hog the TV remote, I think I might snore - I'll ask Rajji and get back to you, I -" Maan cut her off.
"You have a beautiful heart, the maturity to find the good in people, respect for family bonds. I've heard a lot of gushing from Daadi too. But most importantly, your rain dance puts Aishwarya Rai to shame..." Geet who reeling hearing praises was shocked her to hear that last bit. Maan couldn't help himself from teasing her. She looked so cute.
"Yeh aap k-k-kaise..." Geet started stuttering.
"Humari gadi apke dance classes ke pass karab hui thi." As he moved closer.
"Aur phir..." Geet whispered.
"Humne ek pari dekhi" he whispered in her ear.
Geet blushed. Maan was enchanted.
Maan asked one last time to settle his racing heart. "Kya aap sach mein humare saathi banegi?"
"Ji, hamesha ke liye."
They were gazing into each other's eyes when Rajji clearing her throat brought them back to reality. Both looked away awkwardly as they made their way back downstairs to plan their wedding and life together.
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