PART 4. MAAN RELIVES OLD MEMORIES - II
Geet had just said her goodbyes to her friend and opened the door when she froze. Maan? Idhar? She watched with wide eyes as her husband stood in front of her. He even smiled at her friend and did small talk with her. Geet was shocked. Hey Babaji! Kya ho raha hai idhar? Main koi alternative reality mein toh nahi aagayi?
Soon Maan smiled at her, "Chalein?"
Geet nodded hesitantly and followed him to the lift in a daze.
As Maan pressed the button for ground floor and the door closed, Geet spoke up, "Aap? Yahaan? Kaise?"
"Kyun? Apni biwi ko koi lene nahi aa sakta kya?", Maan asked her as he looked at her with smile.
Her heart skipped a beat and Geet had the bad urge to run away. This cannot be happening! Yeh mere dil ke taar nahi ched sakte! Especially jab inhonein hi iss dil ko kuch dino pehle toda tha!
Suddenly, the lift, which was going down, gave a jerk and both Maan and Geet stumbled a little. Geet froze as lift came to stop.
Unnoticed by Geet, Maan had a smirk on his face. Lift mein band waala plan in progress! When Maan had come to drop Geet, he saw the lift and remembered his lift plan. And that is when the idea sparked and he decided to bribe the repair guy and watchman to get the lift to stop for a while when he and Geet would be in it. But how to get Geet and himself in the lift? That is when it stuck him. Instead of picking her up from parking area he would pick her up from her friend's house! That way he and Geet would get to be in the lift together. And that is how Maan found himself standing by Geet as the lift came to stop.
He schooled his expression when Geet looked at Maan with wide eyes.
"Yeh lift kyun ruki?", Geet asked in scared voice.
Maan could not stop himself from sarcastically retorting, "Mujhe kya pata? Main kya tumhein lift repairman lagta hun?" Maan internally winced. Yeh maine kya bol diya! Romance ka chance tha maine use jung ka moment bana diya!
Right on cue, Mount Geet erupted, "Nahi! Lift repairman nahi! Aap na mujhe paagal lagte ho! Koi insaan kisiko pick up karne ghar ke darwaaze tak aata hai kya?"
Maan felt his anger rise too. Here he was, coming up to her friend's house to pick her up and she is showing him attitude! Granted, he did come to travel in a lift with her and relive one of his favorite plans but she did not know that right? As far as she knew, he came up the lift to 13th floor to her friend's house to pick her up and she should respect that, not get angry.
"Arre! Common courtesy dikhaayi maine! Tumhein ghar se pick up kiya! Aur tum ho ki thankful hone ke bajaay mujhpe naaraaz ho rahi ho?" Till now Maan had adopted a casual pose but right now he was facing her aggressively. Geet also turned around and faced him with her hands on her hips.
"Main kya paanch saal ki toddler hun, jo ghar tak aagaye mujhe lene? Neeche car mein nahi ruk sakte the?", Geet was annoyed right now.
Maan rolled his eyes, "Toh tumhein kaise pata chalega ki main tumhein pick up karne aa chukka hun?"
Geet huffed, "Maan! Mobile naam ki bhi cheez hoti hai! Aap mujhe call kar sakte the!"
Maan opened his mouth to argue and then shut and then opened again and then shut up.
Geet smirked in triumph and turned away to face the door. Maan sighed as he turned to the door too feeling a little defeated. He enjoyed their fights. He loved them. Kaash mere paas achcha response hota! Reply karta aur hum aur ladte! Sigh!
For few minutes there was silence, then Geet commented, "Pata nahi aur kitna time lagega!"
"Ek ghanta!", Maan responded absentmindedly.
Geet looked at him incredulously, "Aapko kaise pata?"
Maan bit his tongue as he realised what he had replied. Maan! You are loosing your touch! You can't even lie properly.
"Uh...", Maan stuttered, "Maine andaaza lagaaya tha!"
Geet narrowed her eyes, "Achcha lekin aap toh bol rahe the aap repairman nahi ho, aapko nahi pata lift kyun ruka. Toh aapne kaise andaaza lagaaya agar aapko maaloom hi nahi ki problem kya hai?"
"Oh for your Babaji's sake! Faaltu sawaal poochna band kardo!", Maan was beyond angry now, "Kya problem pata lagne se hi mujhe pata lagega ki kitna time lagega? Arre! Dilli ki repairmen ki timing mujhe nahi pata kya? Aane ko aadha ghanta, theek karne ko aadha ghanta!"
Maan moved towards her and towered over her, "Ek toh main tumhaari bakwaas sun raha hun aur tum ho ki mujhpe ration paani leke chade jaa rahi ho? Uff! I had enough of you!"
Geet gulped as Maan's anger filled eyes glared at her. He turned and took the other side of the lift and Geet let out a breath. Geet! Jhalli! Aise koi baat karta hai kya? Pooch liya inhein kaisa pata? Main bhi na! Ghusse mein kuch bhi bol deti hun!
Maan closed his eyes and hoped that Geet did not catch his lie. What if I was too defensive and she caught my lie?
Suddenly, the lift started to shake and Geet stumbled. She fell on Maan who grabbed her by her arms and both tried to maintain their balance as the lift shook. And just then the lift dropped and Geet screamed. They were gonna crash! She was sure of it! She embraced Maan just as the lift came to still with a jerk.
Maan smirked as he hugged his wife. Oh those days! When he had asked the electrician to jam the lift just the way he did it today! Maan felt like he was in past. Only difference was then she was just his employee and relative, today she was his wife. He hugged her tighter as he remembered how he had wished he had more time with her last time they were stuck in the lift. Chalo! Woh sapna poora hogaya!
Geet felt her heart swell at the touch of her husband that she forgot for a while that they were supposed to be getting a divorce. Geet felt a sense of contentment descend on her. She felt safe and content and she did not want to move from the position. She forgot that she and Maan were stuck in a lift and she was scared till then. She just lost herself in the sensation and smiled at the warmth Maan's broad chest gave her. Her smile widened when she heard Maan's heart beat.
"Geet!", Maan whispered in Geet's ear. Maan did not mind standing there with Geet for ages but he wanted to talk to her and spend some loving time with her. So he softly nudged and Geet pulled away. Maan felt his breath stop as Geet looked at him with such a wonder, happiness and love in her eyes. Suddenly, the lift gave a jerk and both came out of their thoughts.
Geet pulled away as she realised that she was in Maan's arms. You are supposed to divorce him Geet! Remember? Maan felt his arms empty the moment Geet moved away. He let them drop looking away awkwardly.
Maan checked the time and mused, "Bees minute hi hue! Aur pata nahi kitna time lagega!"
Geet frowned, "Haan! Khade khade toh mera pair dukh raha hai!", then she perked up, "Ek kaam karte hain neeche baith jaate hain!"
"Kya?", Maan looked at her horrified, "Yahaan? Neeche?" He sent a glance down and looked more disgusted at the dirt.
Geet rolled her eyes, "Hey Babaji! Neeche rumaal daal lenge! Itne se pe itna bada reaction? Ek kaam keejiye! Aap khambe jaise khade rahiye, main chali neeche baithne!"
She pulled a kerchief from her purse and after spreading it down, she sat on it.
Maan huffed as he stared at Geet sitting on the floor. For a second he stood there. Then giving up, even he pulled out his kerchief and sat on it. Pyaar ke liye kya kya karna padta hai! Yuck!
For a while both were silent but Maan could not help but broach the subject he wanted to talk about.
"Yaad hai Geet?", he spoke and Geet looked at him.
He smiled at her, "Aise hi pehle bhi lift ruk gayi thi humaare office mein! Tum aur main phas gaye the lift mein!"
Geet nodded and smiled softly, her eyes glazed over as she remembered those moments.
"Kitna darr gayi thi main tab!", Geet mused still lost in the thoughts.
"Aur phir light bhi chali gayi thi, yaad hai?", Geet was now looking at him.
Maan nodded. Of course he remembered. Infact that is why he ordered the repairman not to kill the lights. Last time he got no chance to look at Geet's expression. This time he wanted that!
"Aur uss waqt bhi darr ke maare tum mujhse chipak gayi thi!", Maan teased her.
Geet blushed and then replied haughtily, "Chipakti nahi toh aur kya karti? Kitna darr gayi thi main! Uss waqt aapke jagah aur koi hota toh usse bhi chipak jaati!"
Maan raised an eyebrow as jealousy flared in him at the thought of Geet in someone else's arms. That's it! She is not travelling in a lift as long as I am not around her! Agar main nahi raha aur yeh kisi aur se lipat gayi toh!
"Achcha hua Dev Jiju ne hum sabko bacha liya tab!", Geet commented pulling Maan out of his thoughts.
Maan looked at Geet incredulously.
"Dev ne kab bachaaya?", Maan looked at her in shock.
Geet shrugged, "Toh aur kaun tha jisne electrician ko bulaake lift ko time pe theek karwaaya?"
Maan opened his mouth to tell her he told the electrician to start the lift at certain time but shut up at the right moment. Maan! Tu kya kar raha hai? Saare plan abhi ugal dega kya? Teri biwi tujhe maar daalegi!
Geet continued to speak, "Hey Babaji!", she looked up, "Kuch bhi karo lekin watchman ko bataao ki lift kharaab hogayi hai! Taaki woh repair waale ko bula sake! Warna pata nahi kab tak yahin fase rahenge!"
"Waise...", Maan spoke half jokingly and half serious, "Dev ne bachaaya toh use hug mila! Ab jab watchman ne repairman ko bulaaya toh use jaake hug mat karna!"
Geet rolled her eyes, "Kyun? Aapko jalan hogi?"
"Kuch aisa hi samjho!", Maan mumbled thinking that Geet did not hear him.
He did not notice Geet's eyes widening or her looking at him in shock.
Hey Babaji! Yeh bol diya inhonein! Mujhe iss lift se jald se jald nikaalo Babaji! Warna inki baatein mujhe confuse karti rahengi! Geet prayed.
As it was evening, the temperature around the lift started to go down. Geet pulled her duppatta down to cover her arms but it was of no use. Maan noticed her warming her arms and could not resist from moving close. Geet turned and looked at him with wide eyes. But Maan ignored her look and moved close enough that their hips were touching. Then he pulled Geet close by putting his hand behind her back. Geet realised that he was doing it due to cold but could not stop herself from taking in a shaky breath. She was so close to him! Hey Babaji!
"Tum theek ho?", Maan asked softly as he looked at her.
Geet gulped as she noticed the closeness between their faces. If she leaned a little close she could kiss him. That sent a shiver down her back and she leaned back a little. She nodded and looked away.
Maan sighed. Yeh baar baar mujhse door kyun bhaagti hai? Oh yes! She does not love me isliye! Maan sighed bitterly. No! Aise nahi chal sakta! Mujhe kuch karna hi hoga! Aise dur dur main nahi reh sakta!
Geet was lost in her thoughts when Maan's fingers started to doodle on her arms. Her eyes widened and she looked at Maan in surprise but he seemed to be lost in his thoughts. She turned her head other side and looked at Maan's fingers which seemed to doodling lazily on her arm. Her arm broke out in goose bumps at his touch and Geet tensed. Then Maan pulled her closer under the pretense of cold and Geet felt her whole body stiffen as she realised she was almost in his lap. Hey Babaji!
Maan was enjoying this new awkward position he created and could not resist from taking it further. The hand hugging Geet sideways started to move and started to play with her hair. All the while Maan acted as if lost in thoughts.
Geet felt her heart beat built up as Maan's fingers played her hair. A longing like never before filled her and she realised with horror that she wanted to be touched more by her husband. Divorce hone waala hai yaad rakh! But as Maan's fingers left her hair and caressed her neck, Geet struggled to remember why she wanted a divorce.
Wanting Maan to stop it, she turned towards him. She wanted to tell him to stop it. She wanted to tell him to move away. But words stopped in her throat when Geet's eyes did not meet Maan lost in thoughts but Maan looking at her intensely. All thoughts flew away from Geet's brain as Maan stared into her eyes. He leaned forward and Geet froze. Every part of her screamed to get away, but Geet could not move.
Maan's lips came close to her and Geet's eyes fluttered close. She felt herself yearn for Maan's kiss. She waited with anticipation for his lips to touch hers. But she felt disappointment swell in her when Maan kissed her cheek softly.
Geet opened her eyes and her eyes showed nothing but hurt and accusation as Maan pulled away.
"Sorry!", he whispered to her, "Would have kissed you lekin lift move ho rahi hai! Gate kabhi bhi khul sakta hai!"
Geet's eyes opened wide as the bubble both were wrapped in burst open. She looked away as she realised what was about to happen. Aur main chaahti thi ki yeh ho? Hey Babaji! Geet felt her eyes well up in tears. She gulped trying to push her tears away. A hand came in front of her and she looked up to see Maan smiling at her. At that moment Geet felt as if he was mocking her. It felt as if he was amused at how easily she succumbed to her desires. She got up ignoring his hand just as the lift opened.
Geet stormed out as the humiliation inside her burned into anger. Maan walked behind her looking confused. Ise kya hua? Soon both were inside the car and they drove off. Both remained silent the whole trip and were consumed by their thoughts. Maan was confused as to why Geet looked annoyed while wondering how different this trip would have been if they had kissed. Geet burned with anger and humiliation at the thought of succumbing too easily to Maan's desires when he did not even love her. They reached the house and Geet literally jumped out of the car to get away from Maan leaving a confused Maan behind.
It was only later at night when Maan was in study and Geet was pacing in their room that her anger cooled enough to notice one thing. Maan wanted to kiss her! Hey Babaji! She sat on the bed in shock. Her husband wanted to kiss her! The man who was indifferent to her for so many months wanted to kiss her. Her mind went back to their almost kiss few days back when Maan had come out of the bathroom. At that time, Geet had thought it was her who wanted to kiss Maan. But today Maan's words practically told her that if the lift had not moved, he would have kissed her. He wanted to kiss her! Hey Babaji! Her heart filled with hope. Maybe... Maybe one day Maan would fall for her.
But then Geet shook her head. No! She cannot wait for him to fall in love with her one day! Who knows when that day would come! Knowing Maan he might confess when they crossed the age of 60! No! She cannot wait! Because after the entire wait, if he did not fall for her ever, she would be too broken to carry on. No! For her sake, she had to move on. Geet made her decision and schooled her expression to neutral but the seed of hope was sown. And even though Geet did everything to squash the hope down, it was there, ready to bloom at the next signal from Maan!
Hello people,
What do you think of Maan's latest plan?
Did you like it?
BTW, the lift scene happened in Part 3 of Jab Se Tere Naina!
Next up, Maan relieving memories finally come to end with a twist!
Thank you, take care and have fun,
Kalpana
Cricket
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