"There are winds of destiny that blow when we least expect them.
Sometimes they gust with the fury of a hurricane, sometimes they barely fan one's cheek.
But the winds cannot be denied,
bringing as they often do a future that is impossible to ignore.
~~ Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle
Unaware of the events of the day, Geet was dressing the wounds of a boy who fell from the top of a tree.
"Champa hold him still. I need him still. He has broken a bone it seems.", she ordered around as she was treating him without looking or thinking about anything else. She wiped her sweat on her left arm as her hands were covered with blood. The boy hurt his leg pretty bad. Geet was dressing him up but he kept moving.
As she was about to complete the dressing a messenger waited at the door.
"Lady Geet (Malkin Geet!) , Maalik wants to see you now in his chamber."
Geet frowned. She knew the guy. She saw him struggle with a cold and offered medicine. The man mocked her saying men didn't need medicine everytime they sneezed. Why would he respect her by addressing her as Lady Geet now? Perhaps she might have saved a relative of his.
Anyhow she was in no state to leave the boy, "Not now. Can't you see I am dressing him up now."
"I'm sorry Lady Geet but Maalik said the moment you get the message you are to meet him."
"Look, I am busy right now alright. If it is so earth shatteringly important ask your Maalik to come visit me. I am sure he will understand. Or else you can wait here till I am done."
The man looked puzzled and returned. In another fifteen minutes she found none other than Maalik Maan Singh Khurana at her doorstep. By that time she was done with the boy who was now sleeping peacefully on the care bed. Maan waited patiently by the door till she looked up.
One glance from him and the others left the room except for the sleeping boy.
Geet could almost feel her heart beat rise now that she was grasping the grave situation. Something serious must have went down otherwise Maan wouldn't come looking for her, she knew that. Did he get a chance to look for Mahishmathi, she feared!
Geet stopped in her tracks looking at him holding the rest of the dressing kit in his hand. He came in quietly and took the kit from her hand and placed it on the table.
"You might want to sit down, Geet", he gestured her to take a seat, the only chair that was next to the care bed.
"What is it Maan?", she couldn't help but ask.
"Look, there is no easy way to say this. But before I let you in, I want you to know that I would never go ahead with my plan if you don't want that. If that means war, then so be it. Only with your consent would I move forward. It matters to me. It is most important to me."
He sat on both his knees opposite her as he spoke.
Geet was getting impatient the more he delayed it, "What is it that you need my permission for?"
Her voice was hesitant as if she had a clue where it went. But never in a million years Geet would have guessed what he was about to say.
"I intend to marry you, Geet Handa". There it was plain and simple. Their eyes never left each other, not even for a moment. They didn't convey any sign of hatred towards the idea. But Geet had a reality of her own and Maan his own. And so with horror, fear and confusion she listened to everything that he had to say which led him to make such a proposal.
In the end he waited for her to speak. "Geet, it' is completely understandable if you don't want to go ahead with the idea. A marriage without a lady's consent is worse than a war, I reckon."
He saw her almond eyes comprehend the idea once he was finished. Her heart was pounding and he could hear it.
The whole situation seemed to Geet like a nightmare inside a nightmare. Yet, she didn't know if she had to be relieved about the idea that there was hope as Maan - a strange man in this strange world-himself offered her a way out from going in to the hands of Handas who apparently were too eager to kill her- the nuisance- the stranger.
Her tone was even as she spelled it out loud to him, "You are telling me that these are my options? Either surrender to the Handas and get myself killed? Or stay here and watch you lead thousands of men to death? Or I have a choice to marry you and avoid both?"
Maan sighed, "Yes, my Lady!", he held her palm, which was placed on her lap, gently.
She looked at him, for the first time noticing the fact that he was addressing her this way.
Her eyes welled up. She was getting into this deeper and deeper. An alliance with Maan meant she was choosing to stay rather than leave. What would the marriage mean to her? To him? What was she committing herself to? She didn't know. She had no idea. But what other choice did she have?
In the end she summed it up herself, "Well, I guess the answer is simple then. Maan Singh Khurana, I accept your proposal."
"You have thought through it Geet?", he inquired once more.
"I cannot be held responsible for the death of even one life, let alone those numerous men whom you would be leading to war. Besides, you don't have to repay me by putting your life at risk. I saved yours and you saved mine. We are even.", she smiled through her tears.
He stood up and chuckled, "That bad, huh? Am I that bad that you are crying at the thought of marrying me, eh?"
Geet laughed despite herself, "No, no, it's not that. You are just too good to be true for me."
Maan looked into her eyes this time, "I understand Geet, what you are going through. We have never even shared any kind of feelings towards each other and now this. I promise you here and now. I will fulfill all my duties as your husband and respect your wishes. We will be equal and one in this marriage. I will not force you to do anything that you don't want to."
The tears came down easily now that she was overwhelmed by the gentle manners of this man who was soon to be her husband. It was like finding one shining ray of light in this darkness
.
"I wish I could say the same. But, if I am being honest, I have nothing to offer you. But, I will always remember and be grateful for what you are doing for me. I know it is as much hard for you as it is for me. I...I will try to keep my dignity as your wife and not bring you any disgrace."
He nodded gravely, "Well then, I will let you get on with it. Enjoy your day My Lady, this will be your last day at work! We get married in three days"
Leaving behind a puzzled, disappointed and apprehensive Geet, Maan went ahead to prepare for the wedding.
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"Sasu maa, I am not sure. We don't know anything about the girl except what she says. The Handas don't even accept her as one of them. What if she is some low-born? Maan, my son is to be the Lord after his father. People already call him that. His Lady should be equally worthy of the title! Gods, you know how much the Lady of the House has to do in order to keep the house functioning. And that woman could not even manage the stables... I am happy if my Maan is happy. But, I wanted the one marriage in his life to be for love, not a power strategy! And look now what happened."
Dadisa was done with the Moong dal halwa as her daughter-in-law kept worrying while lending a hand. It was her grandson's favourite sweet dish. And this was a special day for him. She had been waiting to hear the news. She lend a spoonful to Anuradha for tasting.
"Sasu ma, I am worrying here and you are making halwa? Say something please.."
Savitri Devi had that gentle smile, "How is it?"
Anu had to smile as she ate it. This Moong Dal halwa was her son's favorite dish of all of his dadisa's recipies. She had tried so many times, but never did it come out so beautifully.
Maan loved it so much that he learned from his dadisa how to make this. Surprisingly, as if like a reward for his devotion, the end product was at par with his dadisa. Only two people in the haweli knew how to make it this balanced and perfect.
"Wow...Sasu ma, this is just the way Maan likes it", Anuradha complemented.
"Right? I knew it. Just like I knew the very first day when Maan brought Geet here.", she commented casually much to the shock of Anuradha.
"What? Are you telling the truth? You think Maan actually likes that girl?", she voiced her disbelief.
"Well, why would you think he insisted she joined them back to haweli? Why would he personally be responsible for her? It was there all that time, whether he knew it or not. Whether they both know it now or not. The day I saw them, united together by our Shankarji's idol I wished this to be true. And now, after waiting for all these years, I heard what I always wanted to. My Maan is getting married to a woman who fits him like the pieces that were incomplete in his self. His better half!"
Anu smiled as tears flew down her eyes, "You really believe that? huh..Sasuma?"
"Trust me Anu!", she reassured.
"Sameera will be back tomorrow after visiting her cousin in Ajmer. I don't know how she will take this news!", worried Anu.
"It will work out. Maan is responsible for Sameera. But he never made any promise to her and she knows that."
"I hope you are right about everything saasu ma. And if so, I will be the happiest woman in the world.", Anu hugged Savitri Devi and bowed to take her leave.
"Where are you off to?", Saasuma asked lovingly.
"To prepare the jewellery and wedding garments for my daughter-in-law", she left smiling.
Savitri Devi sighed thoughtfully and then went on to call her handmaidens to serve the halwa.
**************************
Maan stood in front of his father who had the same frown on his forehead that he saw in the durbar.
"Pitaji, I know what you told me. Trust me, I never intended to be close to Geet in any way but..this was unavoidable."
"Inevitable, I might as well say", Yash Khurana's voiced boomed in the room.
He got up from his chair and walked close to Maan, "Maan you are my son more than anything else. I am happy for you. The strategy you applied shows how you are worthy of being the Maalik!"
He patted Maan on his shoulder. "I can only hope that it wont cost you too much. This girl, should live up to be your lady. In the future, she is to be the Lady of the House. These aren't the good times son. Dilli sultanate is getting weaker and weaker. The Marwar royalty might prepare for war in the coming years. And as far as east goes, the news is not good."
Maan nodded gravely, "I hear it too Pitaji. Traders from the far land are slowly becoming invaders. This could be a threat."
Yash sighed,"Hmmm, even if I don't want to say it out loud these are the times of war. I hope the one you chose stand by you at times like that."
Maan didn't yield either, "I hope for that too, Pitaji."
"What do you plan to tell Sameera?", he questioned.
"I will find her a good man soon enough. You know that I never intended to marry her. She is my Jai's sister. I have always looked after her like my own sister. I promised Jai that come anything happens to him I would take care of her. I have been doing it ever since and will always do. Just because I am marrying Geet doesn't mean anything else changes. I could not protect Jai and..Mira. Well Geet can not be another Mira! I know Rana. He still wants his revenge. Geet is innocent, father. She need not be dragged in our rivalry. I hope you will bless our marriage."
"Well, You always have my blessings", the smile that Yash had was either cold or formal, no one could tell. Certainly, not Maan who was so plain at heart.
****************************
Maan came rushing to the training arena. So much had to be done in such short span of time. He was running out of time. Whatever anyone said, to him it was a once in a lifetime event and Maan wanted it to be special.
Earlier in his chamber, he opened his safe chamber and took out the rarest of the metal that he had collected in one of his trading trips. A black rhodium. It glazed as the sunlight penetrated through the metal which was placed on a blue velvet cloth inside a beautifully carved wooden box. He took the box with him to the arena. It was to be taken to the smithy to make a ring.
The Khuranas had a tradition of presenting a gift to their brides on their wedding night. Maan had in his mind a solid rhodium ring. The keeper who found it from the mining party actually told Maan that, "Here in behold, My Lord, a metal - a black gold- which will stand the test of time and last forever. Present it to your bride when the day comes and she will be yours forever in all times."
When he held that black gold, actually rhodium, he knew that he wanted to give it to Geet so that she would be his in this time and all the times that may come. He smiled at the random thought. Was he already falling for his bride? He blushed.
As he opened the door to the arena, Maan was surprised to find Ranjanmal giving the lessons instead of Dev.
Everyone stopped and bowed as they saw the Maalik.
Maan kept the box in his pocket and entered the arena. His face was stern and hard.
"Ranjanmal!", he called him aside.
"Wasn't Dev supposed to give these lessons?", he questioned.
Ranjanmal stuttered, "Wo...Maalik..Chote Malik asked me to take over.."
"Just today?", inquired Maan.
"hmm...yes yes..", he hesitated.
"Well then may be I can call one of the students and ask what Dev taught them?", Maan's tone was deadpan but Ranjanmal knew he meant business.
He fell on his knees, "Forgive me! Maalik! Chote Malik ordered me to. I am just a servant. He warned me not to tell anyone. I was only obeying his orders."
"On your feet, Ranjanmal!", ordered the Lord Maan Singh Khurana.
"You are a teacher in this arena. Don't beg in front of your students. I don't want to scar these students by bringing out your lies. But once you are done here, with this batch, I will not see you anywhere near the arena! A man who has no dignity for truth is not fit to be a teacher. Neither you, nor Dev!"
Maan walked out with a stern gaze at Ranjanmal and curt nod to the students.
He later found Adi and asked him to take the box to the smithy.
"B..b..but Maalik wo...to make a ring, we need measurement", Adi replied with a nervous grin.
"Yes, I know that", Maan tried to cover up. "Tell Champa to get those measurements."
Adi laughed, "He he he..." "Maalik, if you tell Champa, you might as well tell the whole village what your bridal gift is on your first night"
"Adi", Maan glared at him making him go quiet immediately.
But the man had a point. The bride's gift was special. It was always between a man and his wife. No one else should know. Although the handmaidens might get a jolly good idea afterwrads. But never before the wedding, the bride should get an inkling about her gift. It was the man's job to take care of that.
Well, Maan Singh Khurana was nothing if not traditional in these sort of ways. He had to get that measurement from Geet, without her knowledge that too.
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PRECAP : How will Maan manage to get the measurement without her knowledge? đł đ
So, I hope this part was good enough to match with your enthusiasm. đł
I wanted to keep things simple since they are not yet in love with each other ot anything. So, a wedding is in cards already!! đ
Let me know what you think about it!!
I love how you all are questioning a lot of stuff. A lot of them are the right questions, which I know you should be asking by now đ
Some of it, perhaps even I didn't think of but will find a way to incorporate. So keep questioning people. Each update will reveal itself.
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Happy reading!! Enjoy...
waiting for your detailed comments!!
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