OS :Love Story of a Cyanophobic.. not a Maaneet tale!!!

LOVESTORY OF A CYANOPHOBIC

Geet Maan Singh Khurana sat on the couch in her bedroom shocked and broken as her husband walked out of the room banging the door hard. His words were still ringing in her ears, "I can't believe that I even thought that you ever loved me." Tears rolled down her hazel eyes as she took those words in her. Six months of married life and there they stand.

He doubted that she ever loved him. It was hardly a year back that she met her Mr. Right, Maan Singh Khurana in a friend's wedding. A few girls vs boys games and then just like that they clicked. By the end of the wedding they both had each others mobile numbers. A week later Maan asked her out, their first date. He seemed to be an alright-guy. Maan worked as a mechanical engineer in a famous multinational automobile company in Gurgaon. He was charming, handsome, sexy, not-so-talkative types which was better considering the fact that she could fill his part of the cup too. His eyes twinkled everytime they met hers. As their meetings continued Geet felt like she could drown in the warmth of those earnest eyes. The best thing about Maan was that he was not too showy. It was only later from a common friend on FB that she came to know that Maan actually belonged to the Khurana family, the industrial leaders. Geet had done her internship in one of their companies. Not that she didn't have a reputation of herself. She was also working in an ad-agency as one of the Creative head in Delhi itself. Though born in a typical middle class Punjabi-Delhi family, Geet's dad had brought her up like a princess and she had it all the grace, beauty and poise of a princess and of course a heart of gold.

Geet knew that Maan was a mechanical engineer and Khuranas were mostly builders. What she didn't understand was why Maan would take up the job of an engineer when he had the chance of becoming the boss himself. She even asked this to him and the reply left her speechless escalating the respect that she already had for this man. Maan said with a faint smile, "I don't want anything in a short-cut. I want to earn it. The day I feel I can lead I would start my own wing in auto" And so they became closer sharing things that they had never done before with anyone..getting closer to each other more than anyone else in the world. Maan adored Geet's innocence. She was sensible, kind, loving, caring yet nave at the same time. Being with her was like being in a twisted roller-coaster. You never knew when next "jhatka" comes. Maan who had a monotonous life enjoyed this uncertainty with Geet. He was mesmerized by the different shades in her character and he knew that he would want this excitement all his life. And so it happened after 3 months of dating, well in a not-so-romantic-but-cute way.

They were departing after watching the movie "Ek thi daayan" with their friends. Since it was too late, Maan was supposed to drop Geet at home. It was 10:45 and the last metro was arriving at the Nehru Place station. Maan took Geet through the emergency stairs and just before a split of second the doors were about to close, he got her in. The compartment was empty. They stood their panting and laughing at their last moment adventure. Maan was about to sit on the long empty seat when Geet made her demand, "Maan wo corner wali jagah pe chalo na waha bethenge". Now in a metro, if you sit/stand on the place where two compartments join, you would feel extra bumpy on every single turn. It would feel like a cradle.

Maan : waha kyu, abhi to seat khaali he..

Geet : phir bhi waha bethne ka mazaa nhi ayega na. jhula jhulte jayenge. Chalo ab ap..

Maan rolled his eyes and followed her; There was no point in arguing with her when she was in form. They stood opposite each other resting their backs on the soft wall of the train. There was a pleasant silence lingering around. They were looking at each other lost when suddenly the announcement tone started in the train. Both looked away. Geet cleared her throat took an effort to talk in order to ease the situation, "waise ap mujhe station tak drop krte to bhi chal jaata. Saath me aney ki kya zarurat thi? Itni der ho gyi. Apko bhi to ghar jaana he"

Maan : saath le jaane ko bola he to raaste me kaise akela chhod du tumhe?

Both of them looked at each others eyes. They knew that their words had deeper meaning.

Geet : lekin destination to alag he na..

Maan : agar tum kaho to destination bhi same ho jayega..aur ha tab bhi me pure raaste tumhara saath dunga..

Geet :ap..kehna kya chahte he?

Maan looked away and then turned to her with that sly smirk. He sat there on his knee and asked, "Mujhse shaadi karogi Geet?"

Before she could reply the train bent on a curvy path and she lost balance and she shriekded, "oh nooo..." She landed straight on his thigh. Maan lost his balance due to the sudden weight, and sat on the floor with Geet on his lap. It was chaos for a few seconds and then they looked at each other and laughed. Geet kissed on his cheek, "kab shaadi karenge ap mujhse?"

Maan : kyu tumhara jawab bhi usi pe depend hota he?

She wacked him still sitting on his lap, "uffoo ap bhi na.."

Maan : me kya?

She shied as he looked intently into her eyes and leaned over gently. His grip around her waist tightened and they kissed in that deserted train. The rest was, as they say, history. Their families met. Everybody was happy and then they got engaged and were about to be married in three months. Everything was perfect till that moment, like a fairy tale.

Maan didn't live in his mansion as it was too far from his office. He lived in his apartment. Geet wanted to go to his apartment soo... much when she came to know that Maan actually wanted them to live in his apartment alone after their marriage. That's how Maan sent the pics of his apartment in watsapp to her. There, at that point ended the dreamy fairy tale sequence when Geet saw that the witch had already casted the spell on her. There was one pic of Maan where he sat with his best buddies. There were five of them. 3 of them were huge and two were small. Geet went pale and cold seeing them. She remembered Maan had earlier asked her if she liked pets and she said she loved them. She had a gold fish and she loved it a lot. That's why she told him that she loved it a lot. But this five canines almost hugging Maan all around made her feel weak at the knees. Were they lying on the same bed which she was supposed to share with him??

OMG!!! Maan, her Mr. Right was a dog-lover and she was a CYANOPHOBIC!!! She wanted to faint but she didn't feel like it. She felt nauseated but couldn't vomit. Hell, she wanted to scream and run away from the reality but all she could do was sit and stare at the picture of Maan and his five canine friends. Dexter-the Labrador, Caesar- the German Shepherd, Robin- the Golden Retriever, Tiger-The Dachshund, and Lucy- the Pug. They all looked like one big happy family. Fear gripped her body like a tornado whooshing away a multi-storied building. The five beasts were roaming literally like hungry-dogs around her dream of a perfect married life with her man. She could imagine herself and Maan in each others arm on a paradise like meadow in beautiful church wedding attire. Maan was about to kiss her and Geet was about to throw her bouquet. As soon as he closed in on her , she saw that Lucy caught her bouquet with her mouth. Geet snapped out of her weird dream.

Geet :nhi..meri shaadi me ye nhi hoga..waise bhi humari shaadi me ye sab hota to nhi he. Thank God..lekin agey ka kya?? Shaadi ke baad me us ghar un kutto ke saath..kaise rhungi?? Nhi mujhe Maan ko kehna padega..me ye sab nhi jhel paungi..

Just then her phone rang and it was Maan. Geet picked up determined to say the truth that she was a cyanophobic!! She can't even tolerate the sight of one weak dog let alone living with five giant beasts.

Maan : did u see the pics Mishty?

Geet : yes

Maan : kaisa he?

Geet : lovely!!

Maan : I knew it!! I knew it you would like them. Tumne to pehle hi kaha tha that you love pets. Aur me aivayi pareshan tha. They r my babies Geet. They are like part of my family. Pata he why I don't live in the mansion. Dadima ko pets ache nhi lagte. She is sort of hygene conscious u knw..(chuckles)That's why I decided to move out. Yeha me apne tarikey se reh skta hu. More space. Bas ye dar tha ki tumhe problem na ho.. Now I'm the happiest man in the world. And I bet, these kids are gonna love my Mishty..

Geet on other hand closed her eyes tightly trying to block the image of the five kids(!!) licking on her face. And then within a matter of time it happened, the wedding. A perfect jolly wedding. It had all the masti and dhamaal of a punjabi wedding. Maan was there every moment supporting her and cherishing every moment..be it the sneak-peek during haldi and mehandi or the playfullness during jaimala, the way he took the vows with seven pheras, the elegance with which he tied the mangalsutra, the gentleness with which he applied th sindur on her forehead. She was overwhelmed by his love that she wished her life just remained trapped in those golden moments. Well there were some other reasons too for that wish. As Savitri Devi hated dogs, no animals were allowed in the premises of the mansion or the premises where the grand reception took place. Geet knew that till they lived in the mansion, she was safe. But in the joy of the moment she had forgotten all about the impending crisis and enjoyed the whole ceremony to the fullest.

The happy moments were replaced with anxiety moments once they entered their room after all the ceremonies. They were really famished after all the waking up at nights and following commands from all directions. Geet got rid of her heavy clothes and finally felt relieved. Maan was in his black vest and tracks. He was walking on the balcony making some call. Geet waited patiently on their bed with anticipation and a bit of shyness. Maan came back with a smile.

Geet : itni raat ko bhi log wish kr rhe he?

Maan(smirking) : wow,lagta he Mrs. Khurana fultu suhaag raat mode me he. Waise I expected ki tum ghungat odke mera intezar karogi..

Geet : uffo Maan..usme itni garmi lag rhi thi mujhe..aur ap bhi to phne pe the..kaha hero style me meri taraf aa rhe the.

Maan: Mishty call mene kiya. Wo mere kiddus ke barey me pata kr rha tha..

Geet : kaun?

Maan : arey unko waha dog hostel me chhod kar aya hu. Bechare would b missing me..wo Gopal keh rha tha ki khana bhi sahi se nhi khaya. Phir phone pakda ke meri awaaz sune tab jake maan gaye.

Geet gulped hearing that. Again the fears that were buried in her mind resurfaced. She smiled weakly and tried to change the topic.

Geet : Maan...ap abhi bhi time waste kr rhe ho..

Maan looked at her surprised and moved towards her raising his eyebrows. Geet looked away shied. Maan smirked and pounced on her for a wild night. The first one month went in the honey-moon and family rituals. Another two months passed, and Geet still maintained that she had to spent some more time in Maan's family and try for a transfer. In reality she never forwarded the application for her transfer. Four months after the marriage, Maan was really exhausted. The travel and the demanding job was taking a toll on him. He was working on a new project and had to stay back for long. It was affecting their lives. They hardly got time for each other. Geet would make one excuse or the other whenever he mentioned the topic of shifting.

Maan : Mishty, is baar I'm really serious. Khan ko bola he mene waha ghar ki safai wagera sahi se kr le. Tumhara samaan waha leke a jayega. Office ke baad tum seedhe humare flat me jaogi.

Geet : Maan, ye kya baat hui. Aise thodi hota he. Ap bas apne man ke krte hon mujse to nhi pucha.

Maan : Mishty tension lene ki koi baat nhi he. Maid ke liye bhi bol rakha he. We vl manage evrything 2gether.

Geet : baat manage krne ki nhi he. Waha akele flat me mera mann nhi lagega

Maan : akeli kaha me hu na

Geet : apko kaam se fursat kaha?

Maan : tabhi bol rha hu. Paas rahenge office se to zyada time spend krenge saath me.

Geet : aur mere office ka kya? apka bas chale ap pura din office me rahenge. Me akeli sad jaungi! Nhi ana mujhe..

Maan : Geet bachpana bandh kro..wahi humara ghar he.

Geet : bachpana hi sahi mujhe nhi ana nhi ana nhi ana..

Maan sighed. He knew she wont budge at any cost.

Maan : theek he! Mat ao tum. Par me aj shaam ko wahi ja rha hu, humare flat me.

Geet looked at him with complaining eyes, "ap mujhe chhod kar jayenge? Ye kya baat hui? Shaadi krke 2 din nhi hue ap ye."

Maan pulled her closer and wrapped his hands around her waist.

Maan : chup bilkul chup!! Mera bas chale to me tumse ek pal ke liye bhi dur na jau..par Geet this is just nt gonna work. Isliye mene soha that I will stay at our flat on weekdays and come home on weekends Saara weekend tumhare naam.

Geet hugged him tightly, " I'm sorry Maan"

Maan: oohh shona tum kyu sorry keh rhi ho. Tumhari galti thodi na he. Just a few days aur phir hum koi na koi solution nikaal lenge.

Geet kissed on his chest and Maan on her forehead. They remained in each others embrace assuring each other silently. The fifth month went like that. Maan's kiddos were back from the dog's hostel. He went to office and stayed in the apartment on weekdays and rushed to his Mishty on weekends. And finally Maan decided to sort it out himself. He is the Maan Singh Khurana, after all. He could make people do things. He moved his cards in Geet's office and contacted her project head.

Maan : Dekhiye Mr. Roy, Geet Khurana ki posting jitni jaldi ho jaye Gurgaon wale office me kara dijiye. I don't understand why you are making such a delay!

Roy : but sir how could you its delayed when we never got any such request..Infact Mrs. Khurana se mene kaafi baar kaha he that she should go and handle the Gurgaon clients. They are tough people and she is the one who can do a much better job there. But she said her family wants her to be in Delhi.

Maan : umm..well actually I want to support her career as well. So make arrangements for relieving her and shifting her to Gurgaon.

Roy : definitely..

Maan fumed as he thought of his wife's lie. What was even more frustrating that he couldn't find a reason why she would do this to him. He took his car and drove straight to the mansion. He stormed into the house. The servants saw his foul mood and tried to hide themselves. He pushed opened the door of his bedroom and roared, "Geeett...!!!"

Geet looked at him surprised, "aj to thursday he phir ap yeha.."

Maan snapped, "kyu bura lag rha he tumhe ki me tumhare paas hu?"

Geet "ap ye kya bol rhe he? Mujhe bura kyu lagega?"

Maan came near her and pinned her to the wall, "phir kyu..kyu kiya tumne aisa Geet? Itna bada jhut! Dhoka?"

Geet clinched as his proximity was intimidating her, "ap kya keh rhe he?"

Maan : batao Geet tum ye ghar chhod kar mere saath kyu nhi ana chahti?"

Geet : Maan aisi baat nhi he..

Maan : phir tumne jhut kyu kaha apne transfer ke barey me?

Realisation dawned upon her.

Geet : ap mere office gaye the?

Maan pulling her closer, "mere sawaal ka jawab do Geet!"

Geet : wo me..

Maan : kya tum huh? Bata kyu nhi deti ki tuhe is bade ghar aur naukar chakar ki aadat lag gayi he..tumhe Maan se nhi, Maan Singh Khurana se pyar ho gaya tha...paagal to me tha, jo ye sab pehchaan nhi saka..bewakuf to me tha ki tumhari asliyat dekh hi nhi paya..

Geet : Maan pls meri baat..

Maan : bas!! I can't believe that I even thought that you ever loved me. Aur ek baat dhyaan se suno..tumhe is alishan ghar se is luxury se pyar he na..to tum yehi rho..lekin me humare..mere flat me rahunga!! Aj ke baad tumhari shaqal tak mere saamne mat laana

He left her and turned his back.

Geet : to bas itna hi he humara saath?

Maan : haa! Nhi rehna he mujhe tumhare saath!!! Samjhi tum?

And he stormed out of his rooma dn the mansion. He took his jeep and went out.

Geet sat on the bed broken and shaken. Her simple fear had risked her happy married life. If only she had told him the truth earier, things wouldn't have gone bad. But she was afraid of losing him, afraid of disappointing him. He didn't think before leaving his dadi just to live his pets. Would he marry her if she told him earlier that she was a cyanophobic.

Geet : nhi..me is choti wajah se apne Maan ko nhi kho sakti..apne pyar ko nhi kho sakti. Agar mujhe apne pyar ko paane ke liye apne darr ko kaabu krna he to wo hi sahi.

She resolved to over come her fears and took her purse and left. She kept her mobile back and took some essential change of clothes in her tote bag.

Maan was disappointed at himself for shouting on his Mishty. This was their first ever big fight after marriage. Maan knew he lost his temper beyond limits. He never lost control himself like this but with his Mishty everything was beyond limits. He went to the forest for camping. Two days passed. Maan came to his apartment. Tiger and Robin jumped on his lap happily. Caesar and Dexter sat on the ground near his feet. Lucy sat opposite sulking. Maan smiled looking at them and caressed them. He casually checked his phone and found 56 missed calls from dadima. He immediately called back.

Maan : kya hua dadi? Apne itni baar call kiya

Dadi : Maan, Geet kaha he?

Maan : kaha he matlab? Wahi he ghar pe

Dadi : apke sath?

Maan : nhi dadi mansion me hi to he.

Dadi : waah bete waah! Apko ye bhi yaad he ki apki shaadi hui he!

Maan : ap kehna kya chahti he dadima?

Dadi : jis ladki ko ap shaadi krke saath janam saath me jeene ki kasam khake layi wo do din se laapata he

Maan : common dadi, laapata? Gayi hogi apne maaike! Thoda fight hua tha

Dadi : wo to mujhe laga hi fight hi wajah hogi. And for your kind information, Geet apne maike bhi nhi he. Mene puch liya he. In fact hum sab uski talaash me he aur apko to pata hi nhi ki kya chal rha he

Now Maan was worried. He knew that Geet was impulsive but he never had any idea how she would react if he kept himself unavailable for her. His heart beat rose. His forehead started sweating in spite of the AC.

Maan : dadima ap fiqar mat kariye. I will bring her back safely.

Dadi : you better do that!

Maan didn't know what to do. He called his friend in the police department, Karan and asked him to trace Geet's phone or any ATM transaction. Her phone was left in the mansion itself but Karan located the last ATM transaction from Geet's card. It was from Gautum Nagar near ring road. Maan looked at his kiddos and asked them to get on duty. He reached Gautum Nagar and gave Geet's scarf for sniffing and signalled them to follow the scent. He trusted them and followed his pets. They lead him through a busy market and crossed a park to a much calmer residential area. At a corner there was an institue, actually a help-centre. "ANTIPHOBIA CLINIC" Maan was taken aback. Why would Geet be here??

The guard stopped his dogs from entering the premises and he had to leave them in the car. There were various departments in the centre. But as Maan reached near the anticyanophobic centre a familiar shriek hit his ears like bullets. His body became alert and he sighed, " Geet.." He didn't wait for nay permission and barged into the room. A girl was running towards him She wasn't seeing him because she was looking backwards where three cute little dogs were running towards her. The shrieking girl came running and collided with his chest. Maan secured her in his embrace and she hugged him back as if she was sticking to her life. No words or sight were needed. She knew that she had reached the home of her heart. She hugged him tightly and he cocooned her in his embrace. Oh and the dogs chasing her now looked baffled. Maan shooed them away and they ran back.

Maan : kaha chali gayi thi? Tumen to sabko dara diya..

Geet : sorry Maan..wo mujhe dhyaan nhi rha. Me to bas humari shaadi ko bachane ki koshish kr rhi thi

Maan (surprised) : kisko bachane ki?

Geet : huamri shaadi. Apne kaha tha na ki ap meri shaqal nhi dekhna chahte..

Maan(smiled) : Mishty gussey me tha..is liye kuch bol gaya. I'm sorry..I had no idea ki tum meri baat ka itna bura maan jaogi.

Geet : me apko khona nhi chahti..

Maan : par Geet uske liye antiphobia centre me akey chipne ki kya zarurat thi?

Geet : me chup nhi rhi thi. Me to training le rhi thi

Maan : training? Kis baat ki?

Geet : wo..Maan..wo mujhe..mujhe kutto se bohat darr lagta he. Bachpan me kuch gali ke kutto ne mujhe cheda tabse aisi hu. Mere haath per kaap jatey he. Me chahkar bhi tolerate nhi kr paati hu aur apke ghar me.. mera matlab he humare ghar me 5 kuttey..me..me kaise jiyungi.

Maan : aur isi liye tum ghar ana nhi chahti thi..

She nodded her head and hid her face on his chest. Maan smiled and paated her back.

Maan : Mishty ek baar mujhe bol diya hota..

Geet : ap unse pyar krte he. Me kaise alag kar skti hu apko?

He kissed on her cheeks and pecked on her rosy lips.

Maan : shona, mene kaha na jo bhi baat ho hum mil kar handle karenge. Ab chale

Geet : hmm

Maan : waise jab me aya to ye dogs tumhare peeche kyu the?

Geet : woo..yeha training chal rhi thi. Pata he Maan pehle they were giving classes with soft toys of dogs. Aur achanak ek perfume diya and kaha now dogs will like this smell. Apka test he. They will come near and you have to toucht hem. Batao ab asli dog aur soft toys me faraq hota he na. me dar gayi aur me bhaag gayi..aur wo dogggies mere peeche peeche a gaye..

Maan laughed out loud hearing her escapades.

Geet : ha ha has lo ap mujhpe..

He held her closer, "Mishty kisi janwar se pyar krna aise bandh kamre me class leke nhi seekh skte"

Geet : phir?

By the time they reached near the car and all the five buddies were eager to greet their Master and his lady love. They were about to pounce on Geet when Maan stopped them.

Maan : nhi bachoo..nhi Mishty se dur..peeche peeeche...

And they backed off wagging their tails. All of them were giving curious looks to Geet and she couldn't help but smile.

Maan : inhi maharathiyo ne tumhe dhundne me meri madat ki

Geet : ohhh, thank you dosto.. ( she waved her hand)

Maan :acha, dost bhi ban gaye

Geet : ha lekin dur se.

Maan made all the dogs sit on the back seat. He took care that nobody went near Geet. Geet sat like a statue throughout the ride. Maan tried to hide his smile.

And so the evil spell of the witch was removed as the prince kissed his princess and the true love solved all their problems. In this case, Maan made special arrangements once they were back to the apartment. He made a separate doghouse near the balcony and made them live there. The entry of dogs into their bedroom was restricted until Geet gets comfortable with them. Initially Maan took care of every need of the dogs. But then slowly yet steadily Geet started to form a strange bond with them. She started watching from a distance as Maan fed them or played with them and then slowly she too joined them. But she would still shriek like one day while playing Maan was nudging her earlobe and Caeser tried to imitate him by licking her other earlobe. And Geet ran after Maan, "Maaannn.. apne jaan pucke in bacho ke saamne ye kiya.."

Maan : arey Geet mene kya kiya, ye hi nikamme he..mujhe apni biwi se pyar hi nhi krne dete..

Geet : ab blame un ebcharo par daal do..

Maan : lo ban gayi madam ki team..

Geet : aur ap kis team me?

Maan : arey me to humesha hi team MISHTY!!!

And they lived happily ever after...