FF: Forever and Always........part 43 in new Thread - Page 26

Part 28

They both had been walking silently and had come quite far away from the resort. They talked about different stuffs except about themselves. They both could feel anticipation about something waiting to change. As if on cue the clouds darkened and all of a sudden it started raining.

Geet had always been in love with the rains. Armaan would always make faces while she would get drenched in rain. She found rain romantic and had always wanted to get drench with Armaan. But rains were a big no for Armaan.

Geet twirled round enjoying the rain waiting for Maan to scold her for being childish. But she was surprised when she saw Maan standing and getting drenched spreading both his arms wide like wings. His eyes were closed and it was like he was absorbing the raindrops within himself. His white jacket and grey tracks were completely wet and his hairs were unmanageable for getting drenched.

Geet could not help but find the contrast with her last memory of Armaan and rains...

Geet and Armaan had gone to the lakeside to enjoy an evening. Armaan was totally against the idea since it was monsoon and there were chances of getting drenched. But when had he ever won an argument against Geet Handa.

As predicted it suddenly started raining and Armaan ran for the shades calling Geet to join him.However Geet was in no such mood and twirled round enjoying the rain.

Armaan:" Geet come her now, you will get sick."

Geet:" You are so unromantic Armaan. This beautiful weather, rains and all you can think about is diseases."

Armaan came out and pulled Geet towards himself and brought her near him to his chest closing the gaps. Then he whispered huskily," Now that you point out Miss Geet, you are looking utterly ravishing drenched in the rains."

Geet who had been acting boldly just lowered her eyes and turned red blushing. Armaan slowly raised her face and brought his lips on hers. The kiss had been magical and out of world and also their last kiss...

Geet was brought back to reality. She smiled and cried at the same time with the memory. Armaan had after all fulfilled one of her fantasy even without knowing. Her last kiss could not have been any better.

Suddenly she felt her shawl being pulled away as Maan said almost seductively,"You are already wet so what good will it do. Enjoy the rains fully, I take you like rains?"

Geet looked up and sai softly," I love rains."

Maan:" Another connection between us, I love rains too. It makes me feel closer to my parents. As if they are caressing me lovingly.."

Geet threw away her shawl and twirled around dancing to the rythms of rain. If at first Geet was admiring Maan, now Maan was completely mesmerized by this beauty dancing infront of him. Maan knew Geet was beautiful but right at this moment he realized how utterly sexy she was! Oh he felt some forbidden desire to carry her away from the world and have his wicked way with her. In that moment he wanted to touch her, love her. It was as if he had been thirsty for years and only she can quench his thirst.

Geet was dancing oblivious to the emotions Maan was feeling. Maan reached her with predatory steps ready to devour her and caught her by his hand and turned her towards himself. The sudden movement caused her hairs to slap across her face hiding her from Maan's eyes.

Maan ofcourse did not want any barriers in that moment and very slowly he removed the hair strands and tucked them behind her ears as he looked deep inot her eyes. Geet's eyes seemed like whirlpools of emotions he could drown into. She was so soft, so beautiful. Geet looked into Maan's eyes getting lost there with the amount of repect and love for her.

Maan said softly, " Since last time you really weren't dancing with me how about we dance now?"

Geet asked softly," Maan, we don't have music."

Maan:" Oh let me lead senorita and you won't need music."

Saying so, he started swaying in the plitter platter sounds of rainfalls. Geet closed her eyes but it was as if he was etching himself and she could feel his each touch more acutely. Maan and Geet danced in the morning rains in lone road of Lonavla with only nature to witness them. When he stopped and softly caressed Geet's cheecks Geet opened her eyes.

Geet's eyes were questioning him and Maan did not know the answer. For a reason Maan did not want to let go of Geet and slowly brought her nearer. Geet was more confused than concerned. She was confused about her response than Maan's advances. Maan was bringing out forbidden emotions in her, emotions she had not felt since Armaan's death.

Geet looked up at Maan and in that moment she knew Maan and her were not just friends. She asked softly ," Maan, what are you making me feel?"

Maan:" What are you feeling Geet?"

Maan asked her as he slowly caressed her cheecks and whispered softly," What are you feeling Geet, hmm?"

Geet shivered and said softly," Maan this this...emotions..I am confused."

Maan soflty kissed her forehead and said," Just feel. Let this moment be etched in our memories forever. Don't be afraid of your emotions Geet."

Geet:" I love Armaan Maan."

Maan:" Yes and you will always love him but don't be afraid to feel. He is gone but you are still alive. Don't be afraid to fall in love again."

Maan left her and picked her shawl up. Her shawl was totally dirty and muddy. Loosing his jacket he draped it over Geet and said softly," Come let's get you back to the resort before you catch cold."

Even being drenched from head to toe, she still felt warmth as Maan side hugged her.

*****

Pari was totally frustrated with Yash. He was not picking up the call from last night and it was just making her more worried. It was almost morning and suddenly the rain started. Pari went near the window to have a good view of the valley. It was slightly chilly due to the weather.

Pari was standing near the window rubbing her arms to keep herself warm when she watched two figures entering through the resort gate. Even in the semi darkness she could figure them as Maan and Geet. They were both drenched completely indicating that they had been outside caught in the rains.

Pari wasn't an idiot.She had seen the occasional glances these two give each other. She was sure about Maan's feelings but Geet she was unsure of. Yet she wanted Geet to move on. Right now standing by her window and watching both of them return from what she presumed was an early morning walk she felt hope arising. May be Geet was falling for Maan...

Pari waited another fifteen minutes to make sure that Maan was back to his room before leaving her room and pounding Geet's door. To her surprise the door was unlocked so she entered.

Geet was sitting on the couch and was buried in deep thoughts. Geet was wet from head to toe with water dripping. She was wrapped in a white jogging jacket and had a muddy shawl bundled on her lap. As much as Pari wanted to question Geet, she knew her questionare could wait. Geet would fall sick if she lets her remain this wet for another minute. In fact there were high chances Geet can still fall sick due to getting wet in the monsoon rains so early in the morning in a hillstation.

Shaking Geet a bit Pari said," Geet, go and take a shower. You need a hot water bath. You will fall sick otherwise."

Geet got up like a robot and went about taking out her clothes and soon got inside the washroom closing the door.

Pari was worried even more. Geet seemed happy while entering the gates of the resort. So what had happened in these fifteen minutes that Geet was so mechanical??

Geet came out after sometime and Pari was still there waiting for her. She knew Pari had questions but how can see answer Pari when she herself did not know the answers...It seemed like the questions were increasing and answers are unavailable.

Pari:" So, are you going to talk about it?"

Geet:" There's nothing to talk about."

Pari:" Of course there is."

Geet:" What do you mean?"

Pari:" For starters how about you tell me why were you like a living robot when I came inside your room? You did not bother locking your door even"

Geet:" Nothing much. I was just ...just messed up. "

Pari: "You got up so early, got wet in the rain at a hill station because you were messed up? Even if I forget about the fact that you were perfectly happy yesterday still things don't add up."

Geet:" I was missing Armaan. Is that a good enough reason or you want to probe me some more?"

Pari:" So Geet Handa is lying? I did not think you had it in you to lie?"

Geet:" I am not lying Pari."

Pari:" But you sure are hiding facts. And in this case it equalizes to a lie."

Geet:" How can you be so sure that you can accuse me?"

Pari:"Aside from the fact that I actually saw you entering the resort with Maan sir I know for a fact that when you miss Armaan you become sad, depressed but not irritated or agitated. There is nothing wrong in you and Maan sir going for a walk together as well. So why are you trying to hide this from me knowing that I am not a judgemental type?"

Geet squirmed about in her place trying to form a reply yet she could not. It was strange but she did not want to share about Maan or the things happening to her. They seemed private and intimate. Yet the real reason was in her mind she was still committed to Armaan and those moments were like cheating Armaan.

Pari sat beside Geet trying to compose herself and form a neutral expression before speaking out.

Pari:" Geet, you know I am your friend. You can share this with me."

Geet:" I don't want to share it."

Pari:" Geet you know you can trust me. Whatever this is you need to share it with someone or it will kill you. Please Talk Geet."

Geet was frustrated with everything. She hated Armaan for leaving her alone, she hated Maan for evoking forbidden emotions in her, she hated her parents for being the way they are, careless and she hated Pari right now for pestering her. Taking out all the irritations Geet shouted out," Stop trying to be Meera. I am not going to tell you a thing even if you pester the whole day."

The hurt flashing across Pari's face made Geet cringe as she realized what she had blurted in her mindless anger. Meera- Yash- Pari's life was mingled in a triangle and this would have been a sensitive topic for Pari. No woman likes to be compared to another woman but especially not to your lover's ex.

Pari composed herself swallowing her hurt. Over the months she had started loving Geet more like a sister and the words hurt a lot.

Swallowing the lump forming in her throat Pari said," so this is it right? You became my friend because you needed someone to be your Meera here? Wow ! Why does everybody want me as Meera's replacement? Why can't I be pursued because of myself? Am I not worth that?"

Geet shook her head as tears fell from her eyes. She had hurt Pari the worst way possible and that also when Pari had just acted like a true friend trying to help her.

Pari raised her eyes as unshed tears glassened her eyes. Wiping the tears angrily Pari said,"I am sorry Geet but I am not Meera and I will never be. I am sure Meera is a wonderful person but I don't want to be her. I am perfectly happy being Parineeta Chopra and I wouldn't change that for anything or anyone in this world."

Geet tried to say something but Pari just shook her head and left the room. But in those few seconds Geet could see her body shaking with sobs. Geet sat at the edge of the bed dumbfounded. As tears rolled down she could feel the storm come in shaking her entire world. Not even a day in Lonavla and the world she created was already turned upside down. She dreaded what will happen by the end of this trip?