"Sooswagatam! Welcome little sister and brother-in-law. You are late." Sujoy greeted them at the door.
"Sorry, I got delayed at work. Geet was ready and waiting." Maan was clearly embarrassed at this formality, but his wife was surprisingly taking it well.
"Dhonyobod, dadamoni!" she smiled brightly.
"Welcome, Geet, Maan!" Debo hurried into the living room from the kitchen.
As Geet hugged her, she enquired after Debo's health.
"I get tired easily. Wish Ma was here." She did look run-down.
"She will soon be here. What do you say, dadamoni?"
"I'm not so sure about it. Debo's younger sister back home is pregnant too." Sujoy looked at a loss.
"Everything will be fine, bhabhi." Maan offered a reassuring smile.
"Yes, I know it will because Geet is here with me now. She will take care of me, won't you?" Debo looked at her expectantly.
"Yes, di, I will." Geet felt miserable uttering these blatant lies, but she couldn't afford to reveal the truth either.
Debo seated her on the divan and subjected her to a thorough once-over. "You have changed! Hasn't she, Sujoy? Maan, what have you done to her in just two weeks?"
"I...didn't..." he said with a puzzled smile.
"She's looking awesome, confident. More calm and relaxed, happier. I expect you are taking good care of her. Is he, my dear?"
Geet dipped her head in shy acquiescence.
"God bless you both. You make such a great couple. Has he taken you anywhere, bon?"
"No, not really, work...," Maan said, overcome with guilt.
"Hey, that's no excuse," Sujoy said disapprovingly. "You have to make time. She deserves it. I will cover for you if you wish."
"But, Sooj."
"He will, dadamoni. Only yesterday we were making plans to visit Hollywood this weekend," Geet said, glancing sideways at her husband who smiled gratefully.
Sujoy pulled Maan aside into a room, offering work as excuse. Debo lamented aloud on the vagaries of men. Geet merely smiled.
Then she heard a baby cry.
"Oh, di, I forgot to ask, where is Anu?"
"Anu has been cranky ever since we returned from the doctor's office today after her shots. I had just put her to sleep half an hour ago. Looks like she is up again." Debo sighed.
"Don't you worry, di, I'll take care of her. You relax or do what you need to."
Geet hurried into the nursery to see little Anu standing and sobbing piteously in her crib. Picking her up, she rested her tiny body on her bosom and rocked her gently till she fell asleep. Later she found Debo in the kitchen, bustling around humming a merry tune, the comfort of routine activity appearing to have temporarily banished the cobwebs of worry. She offered to help. "Thanks, dear, everything's ready, even Maan's favorite dish or he'll threaten not to visit again."
Geet noticed Debo examining her curiously and realized the sari had slipped off her shoulder.
"What is it, dear? Where is your mangalsutra and sindoor? I noticed earlier but didn't bring it up."
"Umm...the chain broke. I have given it for fixing."
"Then what about the sindoor?"
"I... The whole thing fell on the carpet yesterday and made a mess. I have to go get some more."
"Geet look at me." Debo gently propped her face up by the chin. "You consider me like your elder sister, right?"
Geet answered with an apprehensive nod.
"Then there are certain things essential for a married Indian woman. It doesn't matter what your husband says; you should not take them lightly. You should never go without your sindoor because it is an auspicious symbol of your marriage, and a sign that indicates your love will prosper. Therefore, even if you don't have your wedding necklace, you should at least wear your sindoor."
"Yes, di, I will try to get some as soon as possible."
"Soon? Why not now?"
Geet felt trapped as Debo dragged her to a tiny shrine and picked up a small silver receptacle full of the vermillion powder.
"I can put it on, di, give it to me."
"No, I have a better idea. Maan!" Debo called out.
Geet was upset; her body began to tremble.
"What is it, bhabhi? Time for food?" Maan appeared, smiling along with Sujoy.
"Maan, I didn't expect this from you. I know you love your wife dearly, but letting her go about bareheaded. It is not right."
"Let them be, Debo, they are a modern couple. It's their life. You don't have to interfere." Sujoy chimed in looking acutely embarrassed.
"You keep out of it, Sujoy, I know my sister. She will listen to me."
Debo handed Maan the receptacle and urged him, "Take this and put it back where it belongs with God as your witness and don't ever let her go unadorned again."
Then as he hesitated, she asked, frowning, "Is there something wrong between you two?"
"No, of course not." He looked at Geet who had grown completely silent.
Then she said softly, "Go ahead, Maan."
He pinched a small amount of the red powder and placed it firmly in the parting on her forehead. He was not entirely certain why, but this makeshift ceremony appeared more meaningful to him than the one on his wedding day.
"Perfect! Now my mishti bon looks like a bride, a very beautiful bride."
The rest of the evening went by as a blur for Geet. She had managed to reconcile with her upcoming status, but the wound had opened again. Marriage, love, hatred, Maan, Geet"friendship, affection, Grey, Bee...feelings.
Maan could see her lost in thought looking very beautiful yet unhappy with the red streak in the center of her forehead, and it affected him. The emotion was deep enough to throw him in turmoil, and he couldn't wish it away.
During dinner Geet couldn't eat much, but agreed the food was excellent. Suddenly, she sprang up and embraced Debo. "I'll miss you a lot."
"Miss me? Are you going somewhere, Maan?"
"Uh, no. Bee... Geet means to say she wants to see you every day."
"Of course you can, my dear. Drop by any day. I will love the company, and Anu adores you already."
"Yes, di, I will."
***
Back at the apartment.
Maan said, "I'm sorry. What happened was something I was afraid of." Geet appeared not to hear; instead, she walked into the hallway bathroom and stared at the red dot on her forehead. She raised her hand then wavered...
Why can't I erase it as easily as before? Am I changing? Do I feel different? Is Bee a camouflage for Geet"a protective layer?
No, it must be done; I can't afford to gamble with my emotions, she resolved and lifted her hand again. But when he looked at me today, there was something in his eyes I haven't seen before. She wanted to cry out loud.
Maan stepped in; he had been watching silently for several minutes.
He met her gaze in the large mirror and turned her around. "Close your eyes."
A gentle puff of air swept over her forehead and erased the symbol. She felt her shoulders lighten, yet at the same time also a strange melancholy.
"Geet...Bee?"
She looked up.
"I will never force you to do anything against your wishes, never. You can trust me," He stated the words with a brief smile before turning abruptly and walking out, leaving her alone.
He didn't see the lone tear roll down her cheek.
tbc
Indias Got Talent 11
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