Part 29
Throughout the flight trip back to NYC, Maan was thinking about her.
It had been a week since he had spent the weekend with her. They exchanged text now and then. It was more of a causal chat. He got caught up with his work. She would text narrating what happened each day to him. He did the same. Every night, she would call him and they would talk until one of them would fall asleep. It was like she was not away at all. Like, she was just right there beside him
It was a month after since the trip. She was really keeping busy. He met up with Sasha, Vicky and Raghav friends in the bar in Manhattan.
Vicky - how is us GF?
Maan looked up from his phone
Raghav - aren yaar don't start again
Maan - seriously we are just friends
Sasha rolled her eyes
Vicky - what u don't like her?
Maan - nahi yaar it is not like that.. I liked the moment I say her first. And again.. And every time I have been with her
Raghav - then whats ur problem
Maan - its complicated. U know she is the Geet Handa. And right now I don't want it to be more than this. I am really very scared of losing her
Sasha - she won't wait forever Maan
Maan shook his head - she is not waiting.. We are just friends and she knows that.
Out of bloom he got a call from Geet asking for a favor later that week. He was more than happy to do anything for her.
Geet - I am really sorry, to bother you like this. Could you please make sure they don't break anything
Maan - why do you have to move out of the apartment in Manhattan
Geet sighed - actually it was company lease and I didn't realize the lease was expiring.
Maan - don't worry shall move the stuffs.
He went over later in the evening and cleared all the stuffs. She had requested to put her belongings in separate suitcase. He doesn't know why he volunteered for the job, but the next thing he knew, he was offering to take her stuffs to his apartment.
Geet - That would be great, jaan! I will move it when I am around next time.
Maan - You do me all sorts of favors anyway. It's time I make it up to you. We're friends, remember?
Geet - With benefits she teased.
Maan - Before. But that ship has sailed. He smirked. Now, let's try to be normal friends. I never was a friend-with-benefit type of guy before I met you.
Geet - You were naive when you met me, Jaan, we shouldn't have ...
Don't get me wrong she said quickly, What I meant was... the most amazing night of my life would be the end of me. He heard her sharp intake of breath. I shouldn't have started what I couldn't finish. I shouldn't want what I cannot have. There was sadness in her voice. For a while, he thought his heart was going to break.
Maan - geet
Geet sighed - I know, I'm Geet Handa, right!
Maan couldn't take it - You're my pari, geet. But sadly don't believe in pariyon ki kahani anymore. I don't want to wake up one day and find myself shattering to pieces again. Nt broke me, and you fixed me. If I break because of you, I don't think I can be fixed again. So please, I would rather have you in my life, as a dear friend. And I will love you forever.
She didn't say anything for a whole minute. Then she sighed - whatever makes you happy, jaan. she said in a broken voice.
Geet - I gotta go. I have a meeting in five minutes
He knew he made her sad with his decision to stay friends. Someday, she would understand. He felt they both had to accept that this was the way they should be. Close friends that were there for each other and do each other crazy favors.
Since he was doing favors anyway, he decided to keep her stuffs nicey at his place. He arranged her stuff in one cupboard. He also redid his kitchen with her favorite stuffs.
He really wanted to do her a favor. It was nothing compared to what she has done, but when he looked at his house that had her taste in every corner, made him feel contented. It was such a small thing to do for her... in return for all the things she did for him. He wanted her to feel welcomed. He wanted her to feel her belongings were kept safely. He didn't want her to feel homeless in NYC. He didn't realize how it became his life.
Friday, he finished with another house before midnight. Geet surprised him by picking him up at the countryside where the house was.
Maan - I didn't know you were coming
Geet - Then it wouldn't be a surprise she giggled
Maan - lets have something I am famished
Maan called sasha & informed he handed over the house. He looked really tired.
Geet - lets go to your place. I am here only for couple of hours. I can cook something for you.
Maan too wanted to take her home. He has been virtually living with her.. Lets say her belongings.
He drove to his place - Drinks
Geet just stood mesmerised seeing the place. She just hugged him - thanks
Maan - you're welcome, It's not much compared to .. he trailed off ..but I'm glad you liked it
After a few seconds, she was in the kitchen wearing her apron and cooking for him.
She served the dinner and whispered - I love it, she stared at him for a long while, her eyes held lot of emotions he couldn't understand.
He raised a brow at her in question. She sighed and then she smiled weakly. That smile seemed sad... frustrated even.
He looked away from her, unable to look at her looking like that. She was his rock. And he didn't want to see her breaking because of him. But he didn't want to break because of her, too.
Maan smiled - I love the dinner.
Just then Priya called. Maan spoke to her in umms, and hmms.
Priya insisted on talking to geet.
Priya - aap log aa rehe ho na anniversary ke liyen?
Geet looked at Maan, who looked reluctant.
Geet sighed - ji aunty.
Priya - mama - papa
Geet - hanji aunty wo bhi aa rahen hain
Maan dropped her at the airport, he hugged her dearly - u don't have to come for the anniversary.
Geet - I will be there, I shall tell adhi to coordinate with Sasha for booking the tickets.
Maan kissed her forehead.
Thanks for all the likes and comments
Cricket
Indian Mythology
741