Chapter 40
It wasn't just him but Riya and Armaan, too. Having a family, people to love you and care for you was something both had missed ever since the tragic death of their elder brother and family. While Riya was better at masking her emotions, all the positive changes brought tears into Armaan's eyes when he saw that Maan himself had brought him a complete video game set with 20 games and a big TV to play on. Geet's protest had been completely shadowed by the happy cries of the boy who jumped into Maan's arms and cried and cried and cried. Between his sobs, they all heard him say thank you, bhai and knowing his inhibitions towards Maan initially they were all glad that the boy had finally accepted his new family. The video game had been a pre wedding present and for Riya, he had brought a car. Protest were again coming but this time it wasn't Geet but Riya herself. She gave multiple reasons why a car was not needed and Maan presented a valid counter reply to all. Lastly, he said:
"Riya, soon the wedding functions will start and later Geet might not be able to take you to college. Like this, you will have some autonomy and safety. I hope you will not turn down your bhai." And that had been it.
The wedding was indeed around the corner. Since Geet only had Riya and Armaan, Adi and Pinky had joined the bride's side along with Nikhil. Maan's hostile feelings towards him had reduced a great amount after coming to know that he had encouraged Geet to accept his marriage proposal. And once Geet had told him more about their history, he started seeing a friend in Nikhil.
The first wedding function, the mehendi ceremony was about to start. As per tradition, the men were banned from attending. Dadi, Divya, Nainatara, little Pari and Riya were sitting amongst singing and chatting ladies and getting henna applied to their hands. As an exception to the rule, Armaan was as present and enjoying the attention he was getting from all the present females around. And this annoyed Maan to no end.
"Why me? Isn't this my wedding as well? I can't attend the function but Armaan is sitting amongst all the ladies, enjoying..." Dev and Vicky were thoroughly enjoying this situation. Even Nikhil was smirking.
"Bro, relax. Even I couldn't attend Naintara's mehendi." Dev said.
"Correction there. Maan bhai did help you sneak into the function. It was you who got caught." Dev and Maan jerked up. How could they have forgotten this?
"Dev, time to repay the favour." Maan said and Dev sighed. Now he had to think about a way to get in. But it was Nikhil who spoke.
"I think there is a way to meet Geet. Listen."
Riya's mehendi was done. She got up and decided to get something to drink. On her way, she was yanked by her elbow and crashed into something hard. Before she could yell, someone put a large hand over her mouth.
"Shh please don't yell. I just need your help." Vicky lowered his hand. As Riya looked up, Vicky noticed for the first time that Riya had pretty face with cute dimples. Her eyes, black, were looking big just like a deer caught in the head light. Seeing her flustered, he noticed that she was literally in his arms.
"Oh sorry." He let go of her. Embarrassed at his actions, he started to talk:
"Woh, Maan bhai wanted to meet Geet. Will you help?" Riya smirked and shook her head.
"Sorry but Dadi and Divya aunty strictly told me not to help you guys." She was about to go when Vicky blocked her path again. He gave her his best puppy face expression he knew and Riya giggled sweetly.
"Ok, let me see what I can do." Ten minutes later, Geet went into the kitchen to see what was wrong with the dinner. But she found all dishes prepared. She huffed, wondering why Riya told her otherwise. She was about to leave when she saw that Maan had closed the door and was leaning against the door frame. He looked her up and down. She wore a pretty green dress with silver work. Her blouse was a bit short and her see-through dupatta failed to hide her diamond-clad waist chain. He advanced her and Geet took a step back. It was fruitless because Maan gently caught onto her waist and pulled her into his embrace. With his free hand, he tried to take her hand.
"No Maan, you are not allowed to look at my hand." Maan frowned.
"Geet, I took all the risk to meet you and you are not letting me see your hands."
"Maan, it is inauspicious. And, you will have to search for your name in my hands on our wedding night."
"Geet, I have other plans for our wedding night..." Maan teased Geet who blushed prettily. She tried pushing him and when it failed she smeared some of her mehendi on his cheek. He left her in shock.
"Geet..." A knock disturbed them and Geet panicked. She pushed Maan behind the fridge just in time when Naintara came in with Pari.
"Here you are. Dadi was asking for you." Geet threw a glance at where Maan was hiding and left. Maan wondered if he should come out but didn't. Unfortunately, Naintara came to the fridge to get something and saw Maan. She hid her smile.
"Arre, Maan Veerji... what are you doing here?" She had never seen her elder brother-in-law so flustered and could hardly supress her laughter.
"Woh, I was checking the fridge. Someone told me that it wasn't working properly." Even Maan realised that this was the worst sort of excuse he could come up with. Luckily, Pari saved him from further embarrassment as she showed her little palm to Maan that had a single flower on it. He took his niece and left the kitchen.
"Veerji." Maan stopped at the door. Naintara lifted her pallu and cleaned the mehendi off his face before bursting out in laughter.
Book Talk
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