New FF : Silken Shadow#1 (New thread Link @ Pg 141) - Page 60

Maan came back to his car, silent and lost and completely drown into a new wave of emotions which were sweeping him away to a new person, who had sneaked into his life. It was Geet. First time in life he had feared for a girl as if losing her would cost something much bigger could've imagined. When he couldn't find her among wild waves, within a little time he realized he wouldn't remain happy thereafter. Something was pulling his heart out of body, slashing his skin and getting blood out. The pain was unbearable. This new feeling was a matter of thought for Maan. It wasn't used to happen commonly and when happening, he was in need of time to accommodate this fresh events.

"Maan Bhai, where were you been? You know how much worried I was for you. I had got scared looking at these Stormy clouds" Nishad blabbered when Maan stepped in home but as if he didn't hear her.

Maan bhai?" She patted his shoulder. Maan woken up from his dream, startling he looked her.

"What happened? Are you okay?" she asked worried.

'I am fine" He gave blurred smile. I just feeling tired, want to sleep for sometimes" saying he walked into his room when Nishad called him from back. She came running something taking in hand. "Bhai Jaan someone has given this envelope for you. A guy had come from photo studio"

Maan understood it was Geet photograph he had given to get it cleared. Thanking her he walked in and closed the door. He rested on wooden frames. Raising envelope up he looked it for a half minute as if was composing throb of heart. He knew what had been kept inside will disturb his heart to the extent he would not be able to control its rapid beats. He decided to keep it as it is, will not open it but then his heart again ignored this decision. It cried to see Geet. He took photo out of envelope and her face came into sight. The photograph was little blurred. But her face was clear. Maan smiled remembering the moment he had clicked this photo. He laid on bed looking at her and once again their every meeting danced before his eyes.

"What is happening you Maan? What's this new feeling that not letting you live in peace? Why every moment spent with her is not enough and this heart wants more. It seems something is pulling me out, toward her without my permission and strangely, I have no complain' suddenly he became serious. He sat up thinking it's not good whatever was happening. He has a goal for what he had come India. "How can you forget Maan you've a different life. You can't forget the job father has given me, for which he's sent me here. You can't waste your time behind a girl acting like a mad-man! Just forget her!' He scolded himself. He kept photo on table and withdrew to get shower. After getting in fresh clothes he left the room to have a talk with Ali Khan regarding his theatre.

##

Geet was running impatiently. Her condition was not composed. After having encounter with the same guy which had been kept her thoughtful was making her leg fly in air. She was breathing heavily and her heart was thumping against chest in wild. She wanted to hide in a safe place where could be able to catch some breathes quietly. When suddenly she clashed with Rano.

"Geet what are you doing?" Rano looked her up to down. She touched her cheek. "What happened Geet are you okay?" She mistook the reason of her abnormal condition could be her bitter anger. She hugged Geet dearly "I'm sorry my child. I shouted on you. I'll not do it again, forgive me"

"Maa. Please don't. Nothing happened me, I'm fine" Geet said, while forcefully composing her sense. Rano moved back. She smiled. She didn't want Geet to know what had happened outside home. She just wanted her daughter to live in peace and happily without knowing what this world is actually planning for her. She will not let the dark shadow come over and touch and blemish her. Her Geet will shine always like the moon in black clouds.

"Maa what did you say to Khan Chacha?"

"I didn't go to him Geet. I had gone mad in thought that he could plan something wrong for you but I know, he is a nice person and when I remembered how he's been helping us, I dropped idea to visit him and came back. Now go and change your dress. You're totally wet! Till I make something for dinner"

Geet nodded. She walked in her room. Closing the door behind and taking steady steps she came near bed still thoughtful about the day episodes. She slid back-zip of her dress down and removed Kurti from shoulder when suddenly heard him saying,

"You're so beautiful, Geet"

Startling she turned around clutching her Kurti on place. She hid behind curtain and peeped out. Her eyes wondered at every corner but didn't find him. And then, she saw him standing inside mirror. Instantly she looked back but couldn't find his body and then, she smiled. She was hallucinating him. She dripped her Dupatta over mirror and covered it. Her own reflection had been bounded when suddenly someone swirled her around grabbing her arm. She gasped. It was he' and she was in his embrace. Geet looked him wondering while his eyes were embroiling her eyes to fascinate him. And his eyes had anger. "What was you doing in that wild water Geet!" He tugged her closer. "You could've drown!"

She didn't find reply. She was trying to grasp the situation when Rano shouted from outside, her to come out. "Coming Maa!" Geet shouted nervously turning round and when she looked back He' was gone. Geet looked everywhere. But there was no sign of him'. She got frightened. Without changing her dress she came out running in scare.

"Why didn't you change your dress yet Geet?" Rano was amused. She also found Geet fearful. "What happened Beta?"

"Wo... he is in my room" Geet spoke shaking.

"He? Who Geet? Let's see who it is. Come with me?" Rano held her hand to but Geet denied. Rano went alone but she didn't find anyone inside room. "She must be scared of rats" She chuckled.

"There is no one inside Geet. I'm sure you were scared of rats" Rano laughed and went in kitchen. But Geet was not convinced. She knew he was there, inside and it was not dream. Rano again told her to change her dress otherwise could've caught cold.

"I'll change in your room Maa" Anxious Geet said. She didn't gather heart to go back into her room because, he must be hiding somewhere inside' she was sure.

##

Maan was back in room. He switched the fan on. He had forgotten about Geet when was among people but now, again she sneaked into his mind. He went to take her photo which had kept on table but it was not there. For a second his heart sank. Again fear of losing her covered his heart but suddenly he found it laying on floor. Window was open. May be due to wind it would've been flew away. He picked it up and found, her photo was covered with dirt. He hurriedly brought a wet piece of cloth and cleaned her picture. "Don't worry Geet. I wouldn't let any dirt touch you" He caressed her face softly and smiled. "Your face will always shine bright like glittering ray of moon, my moon-girl" He carefully kept the photo in his diary and slept.

##

Geet was laying on her bed. She had understood, everything was only her illusion, nothing else. Sleep was far away from her eyes and she was looking up toward ceiling and thinking about him'. "He was worried for my safety" She whispered. Geet realized, she had actually liked the way he had shouted on her for taking the risk in this wild weather. No one else, other than Rano had ever showed this authority and upper of all, he was a man. Alone man who was worried for her security but not hurried for taking advantage of her wet flesh. The fact touched her heart. She turned another side anxious. She closed eyes once again thinking may be this time slumber would embrace her but failed. She sat up irritated. Geet could still feel his hand over her waist and his hold on her hairs. His wet hand was emitting fire over her skin and his heavy and rapid breathes touching her face. And then his question. "Who are you Geet?"

She stood up and came near window. Cool wind shaken her body. Geet tried to find the answer. What if he would ask it again someday, what would she say? "Who I am? What is my identity? " but nothing came in her mind. Even she doesn't know exactly, who was her father? How did he looked like? Who was her family? Where do they live? She knows, nothing.

"I'm no one" she whispered. She held the wooden rod of bed and slowly sat down on the corner of bed. She folded her knees and rested chin on top of them, hugging her own legs. She smiled. "But I liked when he talked to me. I liked when he wanted to know about me. I liked his worry for me and his red eyes in desperation. And when, he shouted my name in yearning, "Geet".

She hid her face between hands in shy.

Shayad khushii ka daur bhi aa jaaye ek din Faraz,

Gham bhi to mil gaye thay tamanna kiye baghair

~~ Ahmad Faraz