FF: Forever and Always........part 43 in new Thread - Page 4

PART 23

Geet knew she had to reply Maan. Maan is not the type to let go easily but that was not it. Geet did not know why but she was really comfortable sharing things with Maan. The place had its own way of soothing you.

Maan probed her once again.

Maan:" Hey Geet, what is it? Are you not comfortable sharing with me?"

Geet:" No Maan, I didn't mean to make you feel like that. "

Maan:" its okay Geet. I just want you to share. I have noticed that you are not being yourself for the entire week. If you don't want to share things with me that is fine. Just share with someone."

Geet looked up at him. His deep chocolate brown eyes were full of compassion. How can a man be so compassionate? How did she ever become so lucky that this man could love her?

Maan raised his eyebrows a bit as if questioning her. Geet looked down smiling shaking her head negatively. Maan said softly," So, will you share??"

Geet looked up again. He truly won't let it rest. But something about Maan always put Geet at ease. Right from their first meet it is as if he provides her with the feeling of safety.

Geet smiled and said," I had fight with my best friend. I hid stuffs from her and now she is not talking with me."

Maan:" Geet I can't comment anything before I know the entire thing. Do want to tell in details?"

Geet looked at him and then started telling him all about the triangle between Meera, Pari and Yash. Maan listened to everything and then asked softly the question that had always been in her mind but she could never think the answer of.

Maan:" Geet, do you think Yash was wrong?"

Geet paused and pondered over the question. Then taking a deep breath she responds in a low voice," Maan I don't know the answer. I mean if I think about Meer then I hate Yash for hurting her. But if I think about Yash's perspective then he is not that wrong. Maybe he could have done it differently, in a bit matured way but he should have broken up. If you don't love her then you should not stay with her."

Maan:" Hmm, so do you really think Meer is mad at you?"

Geet:" I don't know. Maybe she is. Or maybe she is just taking time to sink in the information."

Maan:" You are her best friend. You both had been practically sisters for so long. So I think you know the difference."

Geet:" Not anymore Maan. After the break up she had changed. She is hardly the girl I had known for my entire life. She had grown up but not only that. She has chaged as well. I don't know if I really know her anymore."

Maan watched her. Her shoulders were slumped down in defeat and her face was laced with confusion.

Maan:" So have you Geet."

Geet:" Huh!"

Maan:" You are not the same girl you used to be as well. I didn't know you personally back in those days but from what I heard from you, you used to be quite different from what you are now."

Geet:" Come on Maan, I just grew up. Nothing more or nothing less. We all grow up one time in our life. That does not really change who we are from within."

Maan smiled and said," Same goes for Meera. Yes she suffered after her break up. But that really cannot change who she is. Maybe she has become more matured and also bit wary about love; but not realy a change in her real persona."

Geet looked at Maan. How can he just solve her each problem so easily? Giving a cheecky grin she asked softly," Maan how do you always be so reasonable and make my problems look really stupid?"

Maan:" Oh that's easy Geet. I am almost six to seven years older than you. But no Geet, your problems are not stupid."

Geet watched him trying to find any sign of mischief or amusement but there was none. He was being serious.

While they both were having all this discussions the sea waters were approaching nearer for the high tide. Maan looked at Geet and said softly," Let's go back Geet. It is going to be time for the high tide."

Holding onto each other they walked over the rocks and reached near the shore. But Geet was not in the mood of going back so she said softly," Maan can we sroll around for a bit?"

Maan answered her positively by nodding his head as they started walking slowly. There was a nice silence between them and as they walked along the shore. Quite unintentionally their hands touched each other and soon even without thinking much about it they both were holding each other's hand lightly.

*****

Meera was watching across the table to Sid sitting. He had come today an hour ago to make sure she was fine. He had always been the best friend to her. Maybe he was being the nicest to her than anybody had ever been. Strangely Sid had been a very close friend to her than Geet. Looking up she said,

Meer: "Sid its awesome that you are here. I really needed you."

Sid:" Wow!! This day should have been written in the history that Meer is saying me SID that she needed me."

Meer: "Stop being sarcastic Sid. I am trying to enjoy the evening here."

Sid:" If not sarcastic then let me be serious Meer. Did you call u Geet?"

Sid's question was answered by a silence. Sid knew the answer and said in a firm tone," Meer, you need to call her up. You know how sensitive Geet gets about this stuff especially after Armaan. Don't you think your not talking to her might affect her?"

Meer:" Don't you think I know that Sid? But somewhere I am still in the process of accepting things."

Sid:" I know it is not easy. But why not think Pari as just another girl?"

Meer:" Pari is not just another girl. Pari is that girl who is now with the guy I had loved."

Sid:" Meer, this will really pain you more. Let go sweetheart, let go..."

Meer:" Did you ever let me go Sid?"

Sid felt being stabbed in the heart and for a moment by her words and the hurt flash through his eyes. Meera felt like the biggest monster taunting him of his feelings.

Meer:"I am so sorry Sid, that was way out of line. I am really sorry for that comment. It was just heat of moment thing, I did not mean anything."

Sid smiled a sad heart wrenching smile and said softly," You and I both know you did not mean any harm but when you have asked a question then let me answer it."

Meer:" No Sid, I don't need the answer."

Sid:" Maybe you need. There is a difference between giving up and letting go. Letting go does not mean you are giving up. It is simply acknowledging that you have enough courage and love to let the one you love be happy with someone else. "

Meer:" Ohh"

Sid:" Letting you go was not easy Meer. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. But ony watching how happy Yash made you made me do it. So can't you do the same?"

Meer:" Am trying Sid. Trust me I try every moment."

Sid:" Maybe the reason you are not able to let go is because you are trying so hard to do it."

Meer:" What?"

Sid:"Yes. You try so hard to forget Yash and maybe that is costing you too much. Don't try anything. Just accept life as it, take new oppurtunities, meet new people, fall in love again. Let your heart lead the way."

Meer:" How do you do it Sid?"

Sid:" How do I do what Meer?"

Meer:" Be so selfless. You love me. I see it in your eyes everyday. But here you are telling me to fall in love again."

Sid laughed loudly. It made him look much younger and Meer could find the old prankstar Sid. They all have come a long way from being crazy teenagers forming F square. But maybe they have not really changed much deep within.

Sid:"Maybe I am hoping you would give me a chance this time."

He himself laughed loudly at his own joke and said softly," I have done it once Meer. Seen you fall in love with someone else and have accepted it. Maybe I can do it again."

They both were silent gazing into eah others eyes trying to figure out what is going on in the mind of the other one. Sid paid the bill and they both got into Meer's car driving towards her house. The drive was a silent one. Even when they went inside none of them spoke.

Sid was staying at Meer's place. But tonight he was a man of mission and knocked Meer's door. Hhe entered and softly said Meer," Call Geet up. We both know that you guys should talk. And you want it too."

Meer who was busy contemplating the same thing wordlessly took her cell and ringed Geet.

Geet:" H..hello?"

Meer:" I am so sorry Geet. I have been so rude to you. I am so so sorry baby.Can you forgive me?"

Geet:" No Meer, please don't say sorry. I should have said something to you earlier."

Meer:" No Geet. I am not you guardian Geet. You don't need to tell me every single thing. And I am sure Pari is a wonderful friend to you. And that is all I have been wishing for you ever; being surrounded by the ones who love you."

Geet:" I do know you are not my guardian Meer. But you are and always will be the sister I never had. You are my family Meer. I have grown up looking and thinking you as that. Your parents had been parents to me. Your home had been my home, for every sense of that word. You are and always be my guardian Angel Meer. Nothing is more important to me than you, not even Armaan I think."

Meer:" Geet that is truly the sweetest thing you have ever said. But no, I don't have any competition with Armaan. He and I are both important to you and we both had known that. So sweety no worries. "

Geet:" It is great to talk to you Meer. Nothing is same without you. "

Meer:" Same here Geet. I hate fighting with you."

Geet:" Let's make a pact. Next time when one of us drops a bomb on the other we will take a deep breath and think before reacting."

Meer laughed. Suddenly hearing the background noise Meer asked suddenly," Geet where are you? It is almost midnight now."

Geet:" Oh I was sulking the entire week so Maan took me to bandstand tonight. He said that two lonely people should hang out together."

Meer:" So you are out on a date with your hot boss?"

Geet:" MEER!!"

Meer:" Okay, I won't soil your date but tomorrow we are talking and Geet and I need details Geet."

Geet:" Meer, you are impossible."

Meer hung up and looked up at Sid and smiled. Sid was being amused and ssaid soflty," See, that wasn't so hard. And you feel better."

Meer:" Thank you Sid, for being just you."

Sid took a deep breath. It is now or never. If he will not ask he will regret it for a lifetime for not having courage. He led Meera towards her bed and made her sit. He sat infront of her on the ground and said softly," Meer, what if I want more?"

Meer:" What do you mean Sid?"

Sid:" I want more Meer. I want us to be more than just friends."

Meer:" Sid, what we have is wonderful. Why do you want to spoil this?"

Sid:" I know you Meer. I have known you for a lifetime now. You are afraid of something. What are you afraid of?"

Meer:" I am bleeding Sid. I am scarred for life. I will never be able to love you in a way you deserve and someday you will think that it is not worth it."

Sid:" Silly Meer.I am not some high school teenager who wants to just make a score on a girl.I am in love with you. I will never ever leave you. Nothing can make me ever think that you are not worth it."

Meera looked up into his eyes. What if she gives him a chance and then they find that it is not working and then what they will be left with is a very awkward friendship.

Sid:" I know you want it to but you are afraid of taking the chance."

Meer:"What if we we do and then things turn sour?"

Sid:" And what if we never take the chance and then we regret when we are fifty and unhappy?"

Meer:" I am not joking Sid."

Sid:" I am not either. How will we find out if we never take that chance?"

Meer:" I don't know Sid!"

Sid:" Meer we have known each other for a lifetime. Let's know each other bit more, not as friends but something else. I am not blind or idiot to say you will fall in love with me this instant but just give it a shot. Get to know me in that way. Give me a chance to make you fall in love with me. A chance is all I ask."

Meera did not know why but she said yes. Maybe it was the sincerity of his feelings, or maybe she wanted to take this chance of being with him or maybe she really did feel something. The instant she said yes the dazzling smile on Sid's face made it worth it. Maybe Sid is really the one for her... her ever romantic heart she had kept buried deep inside of her was never really dead as she hought it to be...

******

Geet and Maan were walking when Geet's cell rang. Watching Geet talking Maan figured that the person was really close to her. Hearing her side of conversation Maan figured out that Geet was talking to her best frined she had a fight with. It was amusing to watch her talk animatedly.

Towards the end of the conversation Maan saw Geet was blushing heavily. Blushing Geet was beautiful Once Geet kept her phone off she watched Maan looking at her. Trying to remove the awkwardness she asked ,

Geet:" So Mr. Khurana, are we having dinner or are we going to be starving tonight?"

Maan:" Oh no Miss Handa, it will be absolutely a pleasure of mine to take you to dinner."

Geet:" Lead the way Mr. Khurana. I am starving."

Maan:" Let's get into the car."

Geet:" Where are we going to eat?"

Maan:" Oh there's a restaurant called Bora Bora near by. It is a great place for Chinese or Italian. I go there whenever I am around."

Geet:"I hope that is not some five Star or something."

Maan:" On the contrary that is a place where simple middle class people can have a nice dinner. It is a nice place, come one."

Geet went alongside Maan as they both got into his car. Maybe it would really be a long night for them.