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Part 5
To say that maan was shocked with the recent revelations was beyond understatement, he was beyond flabbergasted. He didn't know where to go or what to think and he'd promised the day to antara. How would he give his attention to her when his wits were scattered all over the place?
He decided to make alternative arrangements for antara and called his sister.
"Yes Maan.
"Annie... I needed a favor from you if you're not occupied today.
"Tell me.
"Can you take care of antara today, she can play with rithvik, I wanted to spend time with her but something came up last moment. I know its Sunday you must be busy with arjun and rithvik.
"It's okay Maan, actually I and Arjun are going out, one of his friends had accident but she can play here with rithvik, mummyji will be with them.
"Thanks I appreciate it.
"No problem. And I wanted to speak to you too, I heard that the Kapoor's said no to the alliance.
"Yeah... I... I just need some time to figure it out.
"Sure... but don't think that you lack...
"Annie don't go there...
She stopped when he said sharply.
"I will send antara with driver to yours
"But...
He cut the call not wanting to hear anything else. He spend the day trying to distract himself with his works, it gave him strange peace to fix his professional problem when he couldn't do anything about his personal ones, it was like a moral boost, it kept him going through most of the morning.
Latter he had lunch with his dad and dadi, usually his mom would be there for weekends but she cancelled this time. He was silently eating not wanting to meet his eyes with either dad or dadi for both would expect his comments on the current situation. Worse would be face off with dad, he only wants to prove himself right in judging them. Dadi looked helpless caught in this, she only wants happiness in the family and he wonders how long she'll have to carry this burden of making sure of happiness of family all alone. Just as he was about to get up his dad stopped him handing him a file.
"I called a broker today and asked for some proposals for you. I want you to look into this and shortlist I have marked my choices.
He opened his mouth to say something but closed it next moment. Not wanting another argument with his dad, he silently accepted the file and left. He could see disappointment in the eyes of dadi from the corner of his eyes but he wasn't in the right frame of mind to console her just then.
He returned to his home office but unable to concentrate with that file on his desk he decided to join kids. He has to apologize to Annie also for hanging up on her earlier; she was looking out for him making sure that he didn't feel rejected.
"Mamu mamu...
Rithvik ran and hugged him as soon as he entered followed by antara and he lifted them both on either side. He greeted Annie's mother-in-law and decided to take kids out with her permission after all he promised burger to his princess.
They were joined by arjun and Annie on their way back. Though maan wanted to go back home but couldn't refuse when arjun asked to join in for a coffee.
"So you ready to talk yet?
Annie asked him, as she settled with her cup after serving both him and arjun. Kids were already playing in next room after having their milk.
"Hm... honestly I don't know. It seems unreal you know. I've never been here before. And also sorry about the morning.
She brushed off his sorry and continued.
"I know maan, first I was shocked to hear that you said yes. I was happy sure, but the way you've been avoiding the marriage topic only I know how I managed to fix that meeting without letting you know. I thought my efforts have succeeded, never even in my dreams I thought it would take this turn.
"Well, you know how life is.
"So, what next?
Asked arjun, he was looking out for maan and antara too.
"Dad's given me some prospective bride's images I was looking through it.
He commented casually.
"You WHAT?
Asked Annie horrified. It was almost like their mother trying to marry her off to a minister's son years back. And maan helped her that time.
"Relax... I said I was just looking through it.
"But I thought you wanted to marry geet.
"Wait... Isn't she the same? One of your friends from college?
She immediately pulled out her mobile and opened maan's Facebook profile. She scrolled through the pictures and landed at one from his fresher party taken on his first here. There she was, tagged geet handa. She turned the phone to show him.
"Don't try to lie to me.
"When did I lie to you? You didn't give me chance to respond. Yes she is the same.
"So only you agreed to marry her...
She didn't complete, there were various ways to look at it.
"That and I heard she loves kids, I am only looking out for my daughter first.
Arjun nodded in agreement. There wasn't much input to give on this from his side. Nevertheless he asked the next question.
"Why did they say no?
"I don't know.
"Maybe they didn't know about your history.
Annie offered.
"There's no history.
Maan added strongly as if to make a point. Before they could react he added
"Besides there could be n' number of reasons to refuse to a marriage alliance.
"No harm in finding out.
"Do you think the world comes to an end after they said no? There are millions of girls out there who would marry me and be a mother to antara, there's a folder full of pictures on my desk right now.
Maan almost shouted already his wounds were open with the history' thing and his frustration piling up since morning came out.
"Don't shout at me Maan. And who do you think you are trying to fool here? You have been eluding from the topic of marriage ever since we discussed it with you. Even after you agreed for antara's sake you made sure to excuse every time we arranged meetings. And finally when I trick you to meet a girl you said yes immediately. I didn't know before, but it turns out that she's your friend. And it obviously means that you care for her and want to see her settled as well.
He looked at her shocked hearing her speech. Well he has constantly underestimated his sister. They are just one year apart and have always been more like friends, no wonder she understands him so well.
"Then why are you trying to shut out some emotions that have surfaced in you after so long. Don't do this maan. Find out what's gone wrong and fix it because you sure know this is your way to happiness.
He nodded when she continued to lecture not sure what to say anymore. She was right. Didn't he just promise himself the other day that he wouldn't take a no for an answer? One hint of problem and he's already retreating! And why? Just because it may show a hint of his heart? That he wants this to work badly.
Whole ride back he was lost in thoughts, also failed to answer back antara most of the time. But his decision was made. He was seeing Mr. Kapoor first thing in the morning.
*Tring tring*
"Sir shall I send your next appointment in?
"I asked you to clear my morning schedule.
"I am sorry sir I received a mail requesting an urgent appointment.
"Alright send in...
He groaned unwilling. But he can't let his personal life affect his business too.
"Right sir I am sending Mr. Khurrana in.
"Who?
He asked immediately unsure if his guess was correct.
"Sir I have Mr. Maan Singh Khurana waiting for you... shall I send him in?
The PA asked again not sure to send Mr. Khurrana in.
"Sir...?
"hmm... send him in.
What does maan want now? I've already told them we are not ready for this alliance. Is he here regarding that? Maybe he's here on some business proposal, but we renewed our supply contract just 2 months back. His contemplation came to an end with the knock on the door.
"Come in.
He plastered a smile to greet him. Maan entered inside and took a seat.
"How can I help you Mr. Khurrana? Do you want to change terms of supply agreement, I thought things are smooth as I didn't hear any complain from you...
"Raj uncle...
Mr. Kapoor stopped speaking at once hearing his informal address. He'd casually asked Maan to call him uncle in one of the parties when dadi first introduced them to each other for the first time. His father and Maan's dadaji were college friends. But whenever they met after that the situations were always formal. And it was so long back that he couldn't have recalled it if maan hadn't taken on that option today.
"... I am sorry to call your office, but it's personal.
Raj nodded in understanding and encouraging him to speak at the same time, he was buying time not wanting to reveal his thoughts already.
Maan on the other hand was in a complete different state, he didn't know how to say what he had on mind. His thoughts were a jumbled mess and he feared that his wrong words may ruin what slim chances that he still had. Well he had to try, hadn't he? After all the worst has happened, from this point on there's nothing to lose and everything to gain.
"I just... wanted to ask you the reason you refused to alliance.
Mr. Kapoor was surprised. Although he was open to possibilities, he least expected Maan to be so much interested in marrying Geet. It was strange actually because the alternatives are always abundant in our society for men, while same was not the case for women.
"I just want to know if it's something we can talk and fix.
He further clarified not getting a reply but Mr. Kapoor knew what he actually wanted to ask was whether his being a father was a problem.
"Look Maan, I couldn't have got a better alliance for Geet than you...
He started unsure what and how much to tell a stranger about his family matter.
"... But you know Aditya was our only son and losing him so early in life, I don't think me and my wife are ready yet to part from his last memory. Geet has in most ways replaced him in our lives. Though I thought I was ready to send her to another house to spread her light, I am now afraid of the darkness that will engulf our lives after she's gone. I am sorry for your inconvenience but this alliance was premature.
Maan stared straight at him not buying a word from his speech. He could see through his efforts to hide something but attacking on unknown could be dangerous.
"Well in that case I wouldn't bother you much, it's your decision. But I can't help myself from mentioning that you are being selfish here...
Maan saw surprise register on his face, satisfied by the reaction he continued.
"...I thought it was noble of you to think about your daughter-in-law after your son passed away. I mean all those talks of treating her like your own daughter are good but how many people actually think of getting them settled down, remarry them. But all the same you proved me wrong.
Raj could have shouted at maan for showing him down at his own damn office but he knew he was right. People will think that and he has to take the equal responsibility of what was happening because of his wife.
"However I would like to request you not to delay so much that there's no use taking such a strong decision.
Maan was about to leave then, this discussion was going nowhere.
"Maan wait...
He sat back not knowing what to expect next. He was here to tell him that he cared about Geet as well and somehow he got the message through maybe not that strong but it was passable.
"I appreciate your advice but may I ask your reason for coming all the way and taking it upon yourself to knock some sense into me.
He asked pointedly making maan uncomfortable. Well it is easy giving lecture like that but one should consider their position too. Here this man, who just met his daughter-in-law once as a suitor to marry her, has taken an urgent appointment on Monday morning deferring some of his own important works what for? He wanted to know his motivation.
"Well, I assume you have valid reasons for why you are here fighting a lost cause while we both know that you have a number of alternative options.
Maan decided then, to break his silence and let him on the secret as well. Because with the rate they are going, by the time they are ready to marry geet she'll be too old.
"Well I was looking out for my friend.
"Sorry...
Mr. Kapoor was confused now with the turn this conversation has taken.
"You see sir, when I came to see if you refused to marry your daughter to me because it comes with a responsibility. Yes I have a child and I want a mother for her equally as I want I wife. In that case I would have assured you that my past will never overshadow my future. But after hearing your answer I didn't know what else to say...
He took a deep breath and continued.
"...We are both trapped in our own problems but in all this that girl is spending her days in darkness. And as I said, geet is my friend. Yes, we went to college together and I have known her to be a very lively person. Seeing her that day was a shock to my system. I was just looking out for your reasons to let her spent her days like that. And I wouldn't shy away from saying that I am disappointed.
"Anyways thanks for your time, I will take your leave.
Maan was at the door now. There was a satisfaction that he tried his best, but still a disappointment of not succeeding. Well he can't do anything; it's them who have rights to make decisions of her life not him.
"Maan ruko...
He turned to find Raj in deep thoughts, maybe it worked? There was a sudden bubble of hope inside him.
"Give me a few days to work around this. I want this to work as much as you do.
Oh the relief those last few words gave him cannot be quantified in words or otherwise. He nodded and left from there, their last smile sealing the deal.
Precap: How to deal with Mrs. Kapoor?🤔
Next on 16/04/2018
Edited by Sundari. - 7 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Arjun
Cricket
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