Results ||* OS Competition *||

She sat down beside the pond, breathing in the sweetness of the fresh air that surrounded her. The Khurana Mansions with it's beautifully landscaped gardens tempted you with visions for future... a stroll in the garden hand in hand with her husband or cuddling up to him with her head on his shoulder for a sneaky kiss, running after your little imp, sharing her joy at seeing the flowers and the butterflies... she shook her head, amused at the fanciful thoughts...probably the impact of her best friend's wedding which was to happen right here in this mansion because the groom was from Khurana family.. Still it was kind of fun, she mused playing with the water, to dream ahead. Even if the venue of her life would be different, the activities she planned would be the same.

An insistent buzz brought her out of her reverie. She scrambled up with a squeak and staggered back trying her best to avoid the big black bee that hovered.

"Shoo..." she warned "Don't come near me.. shoo!" But the bee refused to listen and advancing it backed her into the rose bush covering the side of the pergola. She tried to move sideways but her clothes were already caught in the thorny bush. Trapped she quickly dragged her dupatta over her face.

"Anywhere but my face you monster!!" she cried, "Babaji Bachao!' She shut her eyes tightly, expecting the sting.

With a sudden whoosh the buzz stopped.

"You okay?" asked a concerned voice and she opened her eyes slightly and thru the narrow slit saw her rescuer leaning down to peer into her face.

Maan Singh Khurana her mind registered... well is it any wonder that her Daarji's love was unrequited if this guy was a replica of his grandfather, as Savithri devi claimed. What a glorious specimen of the male species!!

"You okay?" Maan repeated, not able to make out from her face which was still covered with the duppatta.

"Yes, thank you" her voice still croaky from the scare.

She tried to move forward and felt her hair being pulled, caught in the thorns.

"Ouch!" she muttered tears misting her eyes.

"What is wrong?"

"My hair, It's caught." she answered, making another attempt to move, but with the same result. "Ouch !" she whimpered.

"Let me see." Maan stepped forward to help. His arms circled her in their quest to reach behind her to untangle her from the thorns. It was almost like he was hugging her. Though she had many friends of the opposite gender, this was the first time she was being so close to a guy. She stood very still, like a statue not daring to move a muscle lest it betrayed the impact his proximity had on her. But she couldn't control the quiver when his arm brushed down her hair. Then he leaned in to free her dress. The movement brought his face closer to hers, as he needed to look down. She could smell the musky fragrance of the soap on his skin, feel his breath on her nape. Goosebumps erupted on her arms. She drew in a quick panicky breath as the sensations she had never experienced before made her feel heated up. Or was it his body heat that permeated through the clothes that made her feel so hot and languorous. She could feel her heart thudding away in her chest, so close to his. She wanted to move away to break free yet didn't trust herself to do so without drawing attention to the reason for her agitation and thus make a fool of herself while he seemed so unaware of her nearness.

Maan had been spending some quiet moments away from the guests who had started to fill his home for his cousin's marriage when he heard the movement in the garden. Piqued by the intrusion, he had kept quiet hoping the intruder wouldn't notice him. Then he heard the buzz and the squeak. He was so amused by the way she tried to shoo away the bee and hurried to help the damsel in distress.

He noticed her stillness and attributing it to her fear of being pricked again. He felt her tremble as he brushed back her hair and a part of his mind registered the silky softness of them. Poor girl, she must have had such a scare he thought as he hurried to free her clothes. Since he wanted to do it properly without tearing her dress leaned over her shoulders to get a clearer view. The changed rhythm of her breathing drew his attention to how close they stood. Distracted his hands slipped to touch her bare back and she flinched away tearing her kurta free. Her movement brought her upper body flush against the walls of his chest and with a gasp she stumbled back. He pulled her forward before she got attacked by the thorns again.

"Careful now." His voice sounded strange even to his own ears.

"Let me go." She asked in a breathless whisper

"Look at me," he urged. As if unable to resist his command her long lashes lifted up to meet his eyes. Her face was still covered by her dupatta. Even with the veil of the duppatta, the impact of the eye contact made him draw in a breath. May be she read the reflection of the awareness that perplexed her in his eyes too , because her lashes fluttered down breaking the contact. She made a desperate attempt to flee and he blocked her escape stepping into her path.

It brought her eyes back to his, "let me go.." she almost pleaded.

"In a moment," he promised. The yen to see her face gripped him and he raised his hands with the intention of lifting her duppatta clear.

"Chachu.." Abhi's voice called out and she used that momentary distraction to run.

"Hey!" he called out in frustration.

She stopped a few steps away and turned, "Thank you Mr. Khurana."

"So you know me," he saw her nod "then tell me your name," he demanded.

Her face lifted in challenge, "Why don't you find out by yourself?" He could sense the smile in her voice.

"At least give me a clue."

"Clue?" she thought for a moment "I'll be wearing red for tonight's ceremony.

She stood looking at him and wondered if she should dare. But then she had called him by his name when she used to follow him and his boys gang years ago when she was no more than a child.

"Bye... Maan."

She saw his eyes narrow in speculation at the familiarity of her address. Seeing the little boy approaching, she turned to run towards the house.

"Chachu.. who is that?" Abhijith asked seeing his chachu looking towards the person who ran away.

"Thi ek Apsara."

"Apsara? Who is that?" he asked taking Maan's hand.

"Apsara is ... is someone like a Pari."

" But Pari always wears white... but this one was wearing blue." Abhi was confused.

"Ummm, yes. But Pari is for kids. When you grow up you, you have Apsara. Like you have a small toy car you can ride while papa and chachu have big cars."

Abhi pondered over it for this was the first time he heard about a Pari for big people, maybe he could ask his mom.

"Abhi listen to me.. this is our secret, okay?

"Secret!" that excited him for a moment but did that mean.. "Can I tell mom?"

"No."

"Not even Daadiya?"

Maan shook his head in negation. Especially not dadiya.. Abhi looked crestfallen. "If you tell anyone she might not come back." He explained, "But guess what Champ, once Chachu finds out more about this Apsara, I will take you to meet her."

That assurance pleased the little boy who skipped along, pulling Maan along towards the house.

"Dadiya wants to talk to you and she asked me to call you. She said you were hiding in the garden. Why are you hiding chachu?"

"Because Dadiya was nagging Chachu, like your mom does when you don't eat vegetables or brush your teeth at night?" He thought about the constant talk of getting married and Yash's impending marriage acted not only as a catalyst, but also presented her with the opportunity to line up prospective girls.

"Oh!" Abhi perfectly understood why Chachu had to hide.

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"You are such a cheat!" Maan muttered as he found out that the night's ceremony was an event for the ladies with no admission to gents. But that was not going to deter Maan Singh Khurana. Once the ladies of the house disappeared, he slipped away from the company of his relatives making excuse about work.

From the vantage point he scanned the women who were assembled in the courtyard of the outhouse thru the telescope. He chuckled and shook his head in amazement at yet another deception thrown his way. All the women were wearing red!! The first scan did not give the desires result.

"Where are you, my Apsara?" This was certainly becoming a challenge he wanted to win at any cost, he decided. Yet he didn't understand this urgency in him for it felt more than an intrigue. Those moments of awareness when he had held her close remained with him, tempting him beyond measures. How could one be attracted to a woman without even seeing her face clearly.. for attraction was certainly there, he cudn't deny it. He just had to close his eyes to relive those moments.. the fresh floral smell of her teased, the delicate body that trembled at his accidental touch, the softness of it as she came in to contact with his chest.. he could feel the memory of that unintentional embrace was still capable of stirring him up.

He saw the sudden stir amidst the women assembled and shifting the focus of the lens to their object of attention, he found her. Then he cudn't take his eyes of her ... all thoughts devoid of her flew from his mind as he watched her dance. The fluid grace of her thrilled ..the expressions of that beautiful face mesmerised. The telescope caught the glint of silver chain that circled her waist and drew his eyes to the hour glass perfection of her body. Adrenalin pumped thru his blood, making his heart race.

Apsara! How rightly he had named her!

It took him a few moments to recover himself once the dance ended and the women started applauding. Her heaving chest and the blushing cheeks brought back the memory of the embrace and the need to see her close gripped him. He abandoned the telescope to seek out an opportunity to see her face to face... to find out if they could still stir up some electricity with their nearness.

It seemed God was willing to help those who made the effort, Maan decided as he found the one he sought walking away from the venue in a hurry. With her head bend admonishing herself for her spilling food on her dress, she didn't see Maan . As she was about to enter the lighted corridor, he grabbed her and pinned her to the wall where the light was dim and shadows played. The hand that covered her mouth effectively shut the scream that rose and the weight of his body pressing her to the wall rendered her struggle useless. In panic, she clawed at the hand.

"Shh..." with his free hand he brought out the mobile close to his face so that she could see him. "It's Maan." She stopped struggling and went limp with relief though he could see the traces of scare he put her through in her eyes.

"Promise me you won't scream or fight with me if I release you."

She nodded against his hand. He took his hand away from her mouth and eased back.

""I'm sorry, I scared you." His voice was soft and apologetic. "I was in a haste to let you know that I found you, Apsara."

"Apsara?"

The light of the mobile dimmed and he charged in on again.

"Haan, the one who wreaks havoc on a man's peace of mind and can tempt even a saint with her dance.. that is you!" he saw the blush that crept up her cheeks. "You haven't given me a moment of peace since I saw you" he caught her hand to place it over his heart, "feel the way my heart stills leaps after seeing you dance."

"Seeing me dance.. but.."

"You might have created road blocks to my finding you, but I still reached you." He declared triumphantly . "Now tell me your name."

A slow smile tilted the corners of her lips, a sly one of triumph and challenge, "But wasn't that the deal? That you find out who I am .. .. Maan?"

He understood the taunt that she still had an upper hand because she knew him while he didn't... yet there was that strange familiarity as if he was missing out some vital clue... Something about the way she tilted her face in challenge...

The light dimmed again signalling low battery and he charged it on with frustration.

"Tell me how you know me then... I'm sure we haven't met face to face, because there is no way I can't remember you ... then." The husky timber of his voice and the compliment in his words spread a slow warmth in her, making butterfly- flutters in her stomach.

"Thank you..." yet she was not ready to give in so easily. It pained her ego a bit that he didn't remember her when she so easily did. "I'm sorry .. we have talked before that too face to face." But then, he was already in his teens the last time they met and she was still a child who scampered after him in hero worship earning her mother's scolding every evening for the mess she made of her clean clothes. "What if I say years have passed since the last time we talked, or should I say you yelled at me for meddling in your business?"

Suddenly it struck him, the familiarity of the face that tilted in challenge ...even that pert nose was the same. She was the same person whom Dadi wanted him to marry and he had refused to consider. The same one he had oh so scathingly spoken of in his attempts to evade. Speak about Ugly duckling turning into a graceful swan.

"Geet..?he asked softly.

Her smile transformed an already stunning face to breathtakingly beauty that his heart skipped a beat.

"Geet.." someone hollered.

And with a panicky look in the direction of the voice, she started to move away.

He caught her hand, "Tell me we will meet again."

"Of course Maan, my best friend is getting married to your cousin so we are almost family." She deliberately misunderstood his words

He shook his head. "You know that is not what I meant."

"I don't.."

"Well then let me put it across for you I want to see you again. Alone, just the two of us."

"Maan, I don't thi..."

"Geet!" the voice was closer now. The mobile got shut again and this time switched off.

"I have to go..." the fear of being caught with a man at night gave her the strength to break away and she ran away from him a second time on the same day.

He kicked at the ground in frustration and felt something against his shoes. Seeing it glitter he took it in his hands. It was the silver chain that circled Geet's waist.

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The next morning Geet was surprised to see that Maan was the one who was driving the bride and a few others to the Dargah. She remembered the fuss her mother had made about choosing Geet's salwar, the hopeful sparkle in her mom's eyes .. she had seen a similar sparkle in Savitri Devi's eyes the day before while she brought in Maan's name many times in the conversation and insisted that Geet should call her Dadi.. hadn't she seen an exact same one in the excitement Daarji had about Geet's attending the wedding in Savithri devi's home? Something was definitely cooking.. was Maan aware of this? She lifted her eyes to the rear view mirror and saw that he was watching her. The intensity of that gaze made her heart go bang bang. She hastily looked away wondering why was it that a mere glance from him was enough to set her pulses racing...to make her remember the moments held close to his, the way her body reacted to his proximity, of how her treacherous body projected her newly awakened awareness into her dream about him, the dream of someone's lips touching hers softly.. she frowned realising that her wayward thoughts were doing nothing to cool her warm cheeks. A cough from the one in the driving seat made her lift her eyes back to his.. was it a knowing look in his eyes? She felt the same quiver in her stomach and decided to spend the rest of the journey with closed eyes.

Coming out of the holy place of prayer, she found her steps matched by Maan who came from the other side. Her hand brushed his and she looked up to see him gazing down at her. Lost in those beautiful eyes she felt the time stand still.

"Babaji tumhari jodi humesha banaye rakhe!" the fakir blessed.

Shocked she turned to correct the holy man, but Maan weaved his fingers thru hers to join their hands. He smiled in reassurance, making her believe that he did indeed know that their families were matchmaking... She felt strangely breathless all of a sudden.

He pulled her along to a quiet corner.

"I have something of yours with me."

What? Her heart, perhaps? Stop behaving like a love sick fool Geet Handa , she admonished herself!

Since she didn't trust herself to speak without making a fool of herself she looked at him enquiringly.

He took out the silver chain out of his pocket, "I believe this is yours?"

"My waist chain, you found it!" she held out her hand only to have him pocket it again.

"Not here, meet me in the pergola in garden, ALONE and you can have it."

"I am not going to meet you anywhere. You can keep it if you like it so much." She walked off in a huff towards the car, wretched open the door and slid in.

"I do like it," he countered back, shocking her by following her into the car "but it would look odd if I walk around with a waist chain. Maybe I can wear it this way.." he circled the chain on his hand like a bracelet. "Still it is too long, so I may have to cut it." she gasped and tried to snatch it back. He pulled his hand back to continue, "Then someone might recognize it as yours and I will have to explain how I got it or I could say the owner gave it to me.."

"That is a lie!"

"Well you know it, I know it ..." he smirked. "Meet me in the garden and take it. If you don't want it back by tonight, it is mine from tomorrow."

"But that is blackmail!"

"No a dare.. I accepted your challenge, now it is your turn, Geet Handa !" he leaned closer and Geet backed away, the handle of the car pressing into her back. "I won't do anything you don't wish to happen, I promise." His voice turned husky.

That was the problem, because she didn't trust her wishes around him!!

"Maan.." Her eyes darted towards the entrance of the Dargah and saw her family spilling out of the entrance of the Dargah, "Please they are coming out..."

He seemed unruffled. "Shhh... promise to meet me in the garden and I will move away. "

"No.."

"Say yes! You know you want to."

Did she? Oh yes .. she wanted to .. but ...

Geet found that Sanjana was almost near them, it was the glare of the midday sun and the cover of the car that kept them from the eyes of those who looked.

"Say yes.." he pressed.

"Alright!" she almost shouted in distress.

He tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear and brushed his hand down her cheek. She closed her eyes tightly against the sensation it evoked in her.

Chuckling he bend down to take the bottle of water and stepped out of the car. "It is so hot, Geet almost fainted."

The excuse of feeling faint gave Geet the perfect reason to keep her eyes closed. But she could imagine his eyes on her. then when they were near to the house when he put the song:

It had her eyes open in a flash. Her bewildered eyes searched his for answer but he just looked back with a blank expression.

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She was confused about meeting him. Her mother had let it slip that Daarji and Savitri devi were interested in getting their grandchildren married to each other. Was Maan interested this alliance too, was that why he had asked her to meet him? Was that the significance of the song he played?

Reaching the pergola she didn't find Maan but on the bench was placed two long stemmed roses, one yellow and other red. Between them sat a bunny with a sloppy smile holding a letter addressed to Apsara.

You should know that our families are ready to get us married and the way the relation stands between our families it might be difficult for you to say no even if you are not willing. I just want to know your opinion ... take the yellow rose if you want us to be no more than friends and I will accept it without any questions asked.

The red rose stands for your acceptance to this proposal.

And the bunny is my sorry for the past that passed...

It was signed Maan in bold script.

Relief made her knees weak and she sat down on the bench, feeling so ridiculous about the anxiety she had been feeling. She looked around, sure that Maan was lurking nearby waiting for her decision. The exhilaration replaced the relief.

With a serious face that hid the smile she could feel waiting to burst forth she took the bunny. Took a minute, as if she was contemplating the choice and reached forth to take the yellow rose.

How do you feel now, Maan?

Maan walked up the steps and to her side trying not to show the disappointment he felt. The red rose looked so forsaken on the bench or maybe he was projecting his own emotions on to it, he thought as he reached down to take it in his hand.

He looked at Geet and found her watching him. Did the rule of shaking hands when you parted company apply here too.. how could he? When all he wanted to do was pull her close. He wanted to know the why'.. May be she was already in love with someone. He wanted to ask and called himself all sorts of fool for making the promise not to ask. So much for over confidence!

"Well then Geet ," he was happy that his voice came out strong, "I accept ..."

She snatched the red rose from his hand and held it together with the yellow one. "I accept."

The cheeky smile she cast in his direction with the face pressed into the soft toy made him yearn to shake her for the torment she put him through and to kiss her senseless.

"You were supposed to choose Geet," he admonished in mock exasperation.

"Why can't I have both?" she argued back "What is wrong in wishing that my life partner should be my friend first?"

When put it across like that, he couldn't make a counter argument. He just pulled her close for a hug and she burrowed her face in his shoulder.

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Being on the brink of falling in love gave Geet a sense of euphoria. She felt elated, blessed and thrilled to the bones. She guarded it like a secret close to her heart because, well there wouldn't be another chance for her to experience the thrill of keeping a secret romance now that she would be getting married soon. Once the alliance was fixed Daarji didn't believe in waiting...

She realized she didn't want to wait either, because she felt Maan was the one for her. There was no question about his being handsome, but more than that he had a vitality and energy that made her believe life with him would be exciting. From the time they spent together discovering each other's tastes, she found that he was easy to live with. If she were true to herself she was fascinated by the funny sensation that loomed in the pit of her stomach, the unfamiliar stirrings of desire that he invoked in her. Sometimes it was due to the hands that encircled her shoulders and drew her against his body or the gentle movements of his caressing hand and at times it was just an intense look from those fascinating eyes that made her heart race crazily and made the blood rush through her body with accelerated rhythm. Yes, had it not been her scepticism on the phrase "love at first sight' and the shortness of the time span they had known each other she would have definitely claimed she was in love with Maan Singh Khurana.

What Geet didn't know was that all it took was a dent on the ego to burst her bubble of euphoria.

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Geet sat inside the pergola missing the one who was with her the last time she was there, reliving their moments together. Work had taken him away from her taking away the excitement of the anticipation of attending her best friend's wedding. She didn't even feel like dressing up, now that Maan wouldn't be there. She could feel her cheeks heating up at the memory of the good bye.

"This just had to happen now!" his voice was full of regret. "I wouldn't go if this was not an emergency, you understand that don't you?" He looked at her downcast face and she nodded her head in acquiescence.

"Look at me," he demanded and she shook her head in negative.

"Please Geet," he cupped her face and lifted it. Not willing to let him see the tears that threatened to fall, not when she was not even sure if she had the right to feel this bad, she closed her eyes. But not before he saw the tell-tale shimmer.

"You are making this so difficult for me," his voice was husky with unsaid emotions. With gentle fingers he traced the tear that slipped past , then leaned down to follow the same path wth his lips, tasting the salty sweetness of her tear. Her breath hitched up a his lips lingered near hers.

"Don't fight me," he implored before his lips touched hers. Liquid fire of pure sensation licked it's way and she opened her mouth willingly to his the silken pressure of his mouth. She felt the melting sweetness invade her body, setting her blood aflame and turning her bones weak.

He broke the kiss and enclosed her in his arms pressing her face to his chest where she could feel the rapid beat of his heart.

"Maan.."

"Chup bikul chup" he silenced her with his finger on her lips. Let me take leave with this moment engraved in my memory... the feel of your warmth against by body.. the sweetness of the first kiss lingering on my lips.. with the knowledge that you will be dreaming of me tonight and every night that we are apart and then I will be with you while I am gone... as you will be with me ... my Apsara."

And he was gone without a backward glance.

"Geet lifted her hands to her lips with a sigh at the memory praying for his safety.

"Are you Ap- apsara?" A child's voice intruded.

Babaji! What had Maan told this little boy?

"Well are you?" he insisted.

"My name is Geet." She replied hoping that that will satisfy him.

"Geet?" the little boy seemed puzzled and stared harder and then stated, "you can't be!"

"Why?" Geet was curious.

"Geet has this big specs, " he gestured with his hand, " but you don't have. Geet's hair is all chipku with oil," he reached out to touch her hair. "And chachu said she has bugs bunny teeth too but you are pretty like pari!" Too young to notice the shock on the face of the listener, he prattled on..

"And you know what, Maan Chachu told dadiya that he will never ..never ever marry Geet because she is a..she is a .."he frowned in concentration wanting to get the word right.

The woman who had reached the pergola in search of her son blanched at the information her son was giving to the person and on seeing who the person was. "Adi.." she called in warning.

"..a muddysome (meddlesome) buzz body." He smiled triumphant and turned to his mom."haain na, Ma?"

"I'm sorry.." Naintara felt bad seeing the stricken look on Geet's face.

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The sudden change of plans to post pone their trip back home to another day had come as a shock... it meant another day of acting.She didn't know how long she could keep up the pretence that there was nothing amiss, that she was so wonderfully happy while her heart felt as if it was being squeezed by the burden of unshed tears. After the initial shock, she decided she would not shed another tear for him in this place... may be after reaching home she could have a good cry over the betrayal she felt but not now, not here in his place. It was a matter of pride that she kept the appearance of having no care for the world, dancing and merry making, which was a part of the marriage. So she joined with the bridegrooms saalis to hide the groom's sandals, flirted with his friends to prove that the incident in the garden did not affect her.

She smiled demurely at Arjun who brought her a glass of water and wondered if it was because she targeted her charm on him or he was being extra attentive to her because his sister Naintara asked him to be nice to her! She had seen Maan's bhabhi watching her during the rituals. She didn't want anybody's pity!

May be she was being foolish taking it to heart because when you think about it he had never made any promises... she was the one who mistook the brief interlude at romance to be something serious when for him it was no more than a fun and flirting that happened at his cousin's marriage.

"Geet?" she heard Arjun calling her. Oh stop it she admonished herself and tried to concentrate on the present.

"Sorry! Could you repeat the last part?"

"Only the last part?" Arjun teased.

"I'm sorry I'm such a bad company," she gave a shamefaced smile.

"No, not a bad company but a beautiful one.. may be a bit tired too?"

"Yeah!" she pounced on the chance to escape. "Taking part in the celebrations was so much fun, but now I realize Meera will no longer be in Hoshiarpur and that sorrow adds to the tiredness."

"May be you won't be separated from your friend. If you are married..."

As if answering an unknown beckoning, her eyes lifted to the person who seemed to be watching her... Maan!! Her heart soared with pleasure for a moment, then Abhi's words echoed and she turned away in anguish, ignoring him.

"..to a guy in Delhi." In her flutter she didn't understand what was being said.

"Excuse me," she hurried away seeing Maan approach.

Arjun shook his head looking at the woman who just left him. "Why do women, however modern they are in outlook become shy at the mention of marriage?"

Maan caught up with her at the door of her room not feeling pleased with the anger he felt at seeing her with another guy. He pushed her inside and pinned her to the door, "Luring another one with your enchantment?"

His accusation hurt but no more than his betrayal. "What is it to you? You had your fun, marriage is over and so is the spell of romance or whatever you would like to call it!"

"Spell of romance? Then what about your promise your consent to marry me?" she refused to look away.

"Was there even a proposal?" she hurled back. "Anyways I have decided I would rather marry my driver than a self-opinionated arrogant two timer!"

His eyes smouldered in response. Not giving her time to guess his intentions, he grabbed her by the nape and crushed his lips to hers. There was hard desperation in that kiss along with the anger. Petrified by the sudden violence in him, she tried to struggle but he was far too strong. Then suddenly the kiss changed gentle, softer and more persuasive making her forget her own anger and everything else other than the sensations he aroused. Her hand that was trying to push him away snaked up to cup his head.

The next moment she was free again.

"You.." He placed his hand over her mouth, "Chup bilkul chup... In a week's time daadi will be visiting your home with the shagun. And you will say yes."

Before she could even blink at his arrogance he continued, "You will not even consider marrying another. You are mine and will remain mine, Maan ki Geet. I hope I have proven that to you," he removed his hand to caress her tender lips with his thumb and then was gone.

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Late in the night plagued by the questions that refused to let her sleep, Geet walked into the balcony to gaze forlornly at the moon wondering if she should be pleased or upset with the way Maan took over her life.

A movement made her turn to see Maan standing behind her.

Silently he offered her a teddy bear holding a note ... Sorry'.

Holding his ears between his fingers he bent his head thrice, "I'm sorry. I hurt you."

The anguish that she was holding back broke over as tears.

"Shhh... don't cry .. I can't see you in tears.. please don't cry Geet .." he pulled her into his arms. She tried to resist but he wouldn't let her. So she just grabbed on to him as sobs racked her body.

"You misunderstood Geet," he hurriedly explained "What Abhi relayed to you happened before I found out that the Geet whom daadi wanted me to marry was my Apsara, the one who stole my heart. How could I when my senses were captive to another?"

"When I heard that you said you never wanted to marry me.." she took a shuddering breath , " I thought back and realized you never really asked me."

"Well I would have to remedy that won't I? But not today. But soon I will make your every wish come true."

His kiss effectively robbed her of all thoughts and questions.

A few days later a brand new luxury sedan was delivered to Geet Handa. In front of the curious neighbours and the family, Maan Singh Khurana proposed to Geet Handa. Many were left wondering why Mr. Khurana was wearing a driver's uniform while doing that!!!