Chapter 1 :C L A ND E S T I N E
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Secrets, concealment, hidden closets- these were something which she feared the most!!
Gladly that was never present between them!!
She can't remember the first time she met him, the cause might lies in the beginning itself as she has known him forever her whole little life!!
"Geet...Hehehehe...No no no...No tickling please...I will do all the homeworks... The little boy who was running for his life from his devilish naughty best friend was trying hard to clutch into those floating invisible oxygen!!
"Yeah!! You better...D!! D for dev and D for devil...But also D for... A little Geet screeched while glaring at her playmates residing in her cute room!!
"Doll... Dev immediately chanted while gaping at Geet lovingly!!
"Right...Which is me..So... Tapping his small nose Geet was about to boast but got hindered by her another friend's sharp voice!!
"Nahin...Geet..D for dayan bhi toh hain...Tu woh hain... A cute boy in his glasses put his remark and initiated his running spell instantly!!!
"Harsh kiya kaha tuney...Rukk...Dev nahin aab toh tere se karwaungi main homework... A furious Geet too stretched her small legs and ran after Harsh like a tornado!!
"Yaar kaisi ladki hain ye...Ghar pe mehmaan bulake aise kaun homework karwata hain... Panting heavily Harsh finally gave up being cornered by Geet!!
"Main karwati hoon..Waise bhi, Mera kiya kasoor...Jaake miss Lucinda ko koi samjhaye...Maine thodi na diya hain...ye!! Said a pouting Geet looking at Roohani, her another bestie and she cutely patted Geet's back in condolences!!
"Geet betey?? Rano's loud voice disrupted all their playing session the very next moment as Geet jumped out of fear because she was in her threatening avatar to get the homework done by all her besties which her mother definitely would not like if revealed!!
"Thank god aunty aa gayi...Ufff Harsh sighed relief immediately in eagerness, later got burned by Geet's scowling!!
"Ji mummy?? Keeping the most innocent face possible Geet turned over and face her mother!!
"Beta idhar aao...Ye kiya baccho tum sab yaha pe kiya kaar rahe ho...Udhar tumhara ek aur dost akela baitha hain naa...?? Rano was standing at the door and she waved her hand by calling her ever so innocent (!) Daughter closer!!
"Kaun dost?? This time Gehna, the elder sister of Geet spoke who was chatting with her friends at one corner of Geet's room!!
"Maan... Rano informed that unfamiliar name to both her daughters, "Wo dekho...Kaise chup chap akela khada hain...Khurana sahab ke betey hain woh... Pointing her fingers towards the huge party room she made them look at the furthest corner where a boy wearing white was sitting silently, alone, fidgeting a little!!
Meanwhile, Amrit Handa, elder brother of Geet also reached their direction as Rano called him too!!
"Paar woh hamara dost thodi na hain mummy...Hain naa...?? Geet who was inside her mother's hug she blurted out in confusion while looking at that boy called Maan, he seemed of Gehna or Amrit's age to her!! Meaning quite elder than her!! Had long eyelashes and a very affectionate pair of eyes, as if those two orbs are the mirror of his heart!!!
"Koi baat nahin...Main milwati hoon na tum logo se... With a warm simper, Rano called the calm and timid Maan towards them while reluctantly enough yet he stepped forward to meet Rano!!
"Ji aunty?? His soft meek voice entered their senses!!
"Beta tum uss koney mein akele kyun baithe ho...Ye hain Amrit..mera beta...Tum dono ek hi class mein ho na betey?? Aur ye hain meri badi beti Gehna aur choti beti Geet... Introducing everyone to each other Rano cupped Maan's face lovingly, "Aur ye sare unke dost...tum yaha raho...kisi cheez ki jarurat ho toh sharmana maat...Party toh abhi abhi shuru huwi hain...Enjoy...Ok beta..Mwah... Kissing his forehead followed by ruffling his hair that warm lady left with a soothing smile plastering to her face while Maan looked at his new companions who were got a meek smile from him in return of their wait!!
"Hi Maan Bhaiyaa... He looked at the doll like creature who addressed him as brother and for some reason, he felt a little awkward as none calls him "bhaiya like that even Annie!! She calls him dodo and bhai!! Yeah, a peculiar pet name!!
However, swallowing the sudden uneasiness he faked a smile and proceeded with the greetings with all of them!!
That party was one of the reasons why he hated parties and denied to accompany his father most of the time when he had to attend similar events!!
On the other hand, Geet's memories long forgotten the one she ever interacted into her father's birthday and her life was going in a full swing!!
She was growing up and was one of those categories who were not so fascinated by the concept of love!! The harsh reality which our society offers had a lot to do with it!!
Her mother was also a working woman so most of the time she has been pampered by the maid Sushma who was appointed specifically to look after Geet!!
The tales of Sushma's daily life intrigued Geet to a great level!! Slowly enough yet she certainly developed a prenotion about the human society and was focused into her career vowing to escape from the cruel treatments society offered to the less fortunate or less educated ones!!
Good thing is that she was neither a feminist nor a misogynist!! Her practical mind has grasped it somehow that the coins can be dirty from both sides!! She firmly believed in equity!!
The secret of evil deeds lies in that flipping of coin!! Amidst all this there were a few bizarre incidents she faced; some by accident and few with sheer luck!! Or bad luck would be the correct pick!!!
In these 21 years of life, she was always the one reluctant to love amidst her social circle. Her friends even consulted her to see a doctor to check up for her uneven messed up hormones until that one day she met him in a wedding function. Today's similar ambiance is reminding her about all of that!!
He was handsome for sure but more than that she was attracted to his behavior... Such a gentleman he was with his extremely decent demeanor as he was firstly greeting the guests lovingly and then when that was done he was sitting in a corner with some old lady and was taking extreme care of that woman.
She was already 17 yet for the first time in a long time, her heart was beating fast just to capture his one gaze.
Maybe it was his remarkable personality which made him look more good looking like a prince!! Or it was the way he was walking with a straight attitude!!
However, The best thing about him was that he was treating everyone equally. No excused gazes were spared for any girls present there but just like Geet a lot of girl's attention was towards him.
Later however she got to know from the random gossips hovering over that he was probably committed to some girl... Yeah right that just totally got out of her mind. He must have a girlfriend which is why he is not even interested in anyone around him and was ignoring all the suggestive lewd tactics ploying around him.
For the first time, Geet could feel the definition of having an innocent crush on someone but her poor fortune was already hell bent on savoring her the bitter taste of heartbreak. Still, his loyalty for his ladylove was making her fall more for him. Admiring his loyalty she felt her faith in men was getting restored a little!!
She herself felt clueless about the whole squeezing feeling happening inside her heart. Even before she could celebrate and relish for having a crush on someone, she was experiencing grief...
Rest of the wedding days become critical and the anticipation of never being noticed by him, being invisibly unknown to him-twistedly multiplied the infatuation which was clouding in her naive heart!!
This first crush saga got over with herself crying in agony and scolding herself vehemently as within those few meetings how can she get so much obsessed with someone that was out of her own comprehension.
Taking more or less one and half months she got herself moved on from that crush which she started calling the funniest thing after getting her sanity restored slowly slowly. She didn't miss to boast about her crush as they all sighed relief that their bestie is indeed normal without any certain hormonal issues!! She too has a heart which can feel inclined to someone who probably hasn't even noticed her!!
However, that was definitely not the last crush she would ever feel... There was a few more to come but for that time being it was just a confirmation that she too was indeed an emotional creature who was too emotional as well as critical of sustaining any sort of romantic love for someone!!
Her study and getting independent being the first priority she ever held until now!!
But there ruining every plan of hers that guy stood on the other side throwing his huge smile as if doing some advertisement of some toothpaste company!!
And oddly she is nostalgic about that first crush of hers while she is about to get engaged to that shop of teeth!!
"Papa...Ye namuna chun ke laaye hain aap mere liye?? I can't believe this... Sach mein yehi milna tha... She was peeking from her room at the distance where a handsome guy in suits was standing with a big smiley face!! As if he was mocking her fate!! Every time she was seeing that smile it just burned her intolerably!!
"Beta... Aisa kyun bol rahi hain meri jaan... Ekbaar thandey dimag se soch..baat toh kar le... Mohindar smiled weakly at the naivety of his loving daughter, "Ladka dentist hain... Sharab nahin peeta, cigerate ki laat nahin hain... bohot accha ladka hain Geetu... He was lost in Geet's mind somewhere as she muttered in a low tone, "Usi kaa toh darr hain... Itna perfect?? Which her father didn't hear!!
"Tujhe aur teri career plans ko bhi acche se samjhega... Ek mauka toh deke dekh... Khurana khandan ko acche se jaante hain hum... Mohindar was continuing his convincing session as he placed his hand on Geet's head and caressed his fuming daughter!!
He knows she is young and vibrant. Which means the lack of experience and her young heart might not be ready for the new adaptations of her life!! Hence he was ready for her retaliation. It's just that he loves his crazy daughter to some extreme extent as she has been the only thing after Rano's sudden demise 1 year ago who have kept him going, gathered him strength!!
"Aunty...Please bachalo... Mohindar looked at the middle-aged woman whom he respects immensely because she has been another lamp in their desolated sad life after Rano's departure who have strongly bestowed so much support to the Handa family!! Madhuri Singh Khurana... The wife of his childhood friend Garv Singh Khurana... A retired government officer.
Who has one son and a daughter!! He loved living a simple life and had to travel across India because of his government job. Finally 8 or 9 years ago they have settled here in Delhi. Garv's elder brother Aadarsh is the one who owns the Khurana builders legacy now.
Mohindar has known these people his whole life so it's more like devoting the apple of his eye to his another family!! He knew they will treat Geet just same as their own daughter!!
"Lo batao itni bhi koi shareef ho sakta hain vala?? Ek kiya teen bar mil chuki hoon main... Aunty...Aab baas aap hi meri aankhri ummeed ho... Papa toh mujhe samajh bhi nahin rahe hain... Geet saw her father peering at Aayan's direction with a lost gaze while she shook Madhuri's hand who just entered her room with a heart warming smile!!
"Oho aisa kyun...Kiya huwa meri bacchi ko... Handa sahab aapne phir se danta hain kiya Geet ko??Madhuri cupped Geet's chin with an endearing gaze and put a stern voice when she glanced at a pondering Mohindar!!
"Areh...Kiyahh?? Nahin... Main kyun daantunga aapni gudiya ko... He looked at both of them and pouted sweetly, "Isko baas aapni shaadi ke baat se thoda sa chidh hain...Bacchi hain naa..Aap toh janti hain... Madhuri smiled back at Mohindar, she knew how hard it must be for him but right now making Geet calm was her top priority!!
"Accha?? Bhaisahab... Aap kuch maat kahiye... bin maa ki bacchi hain... Thoda waqt dijiye usey... Aur abhi umar hi kiya huwa hain?? Meri Annie se bhi choti hain na Geet?? Saying so with a loving tone Madhuri pulled Geet into a hug and saw Mohindar approaching outside as he saw some guests, "Haan ji... Woh dekhiye Sharma Jee... Main unko hello karke aata hoon...Aap dono jaldi aa jaiye... He pleaded with his eyes to calm a furoous Geet down to which madhuri nodded lightly!!
"Haan toh aap jo keh rahi thi...Abhi umar hi kiya hain meri...Wahi toh... Madhu aunty... Srif aap hi hain jo mujhe samajhti hain... Looking at her father's leaving frame Geet pursed her lips and was expressing all her grief to Madhuri, she loves that warm lady very much!!
For some reason, she didn't miss Rano tonight as much as she should have because of Madhuri... Who just listens to all her endless babbles and always supports her... Unlike her father who has hit his head or something that he is such inclined on this particular alliance!!
As they both were talking followed by Geet getting ready a slight knock was plastered on the door followed by his sweet yet sharp voice, "Maa...Aahmm... Geet sensed the tinges of nervousness the man behind her door tried to hide under the act of his clearing throat!!
"Haan Maan beta?? Madhuri opened the door halfway and looked at her son who was her whole world!!
"Engagement rings are ready... Guests bhi lagbhag saab hi aa chukey hain... Woh pandit jee thoda pareshan ho rahe hain... Unhe koi hawan mein jaana hain, sagai ka mahurat bhi nikalta jaa raha hain... Toh... Geet heard him vividly followed by the left profile of his sharp face was available to take a peep on!!
"Tum jaao Maan betey... Main aa rahi hoon Geet ko lekey... Madhuri looked back at Geet who was adjusting her neckpiece, standing in front of the mirror!!
"Papa aapko bula rahe hain maa...Abhi... Maan said again and with a nod Madhuri went outside, pacing her feet while Maan too dragged his legs slowly to follow his mother!!
"Ek minute Maan... Suno... He stumbled slightly, feeling confused by Geet's sudden invocation!!
Has she really called for him or he is mishearing things!!
"Haan??..😕 The question mark he had in his heart was well conveyed through his surprised facial expressions as well when he turned around, gradually, to find a beautifully adorned Geet in cherry red attire, standing before him, "Mera matlab hain, ji boliye..?? Retreating his gaze instantly to the floor he said while rubbing his windpipes of the throat, feeling his dry mouth!!
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Pardon me for any spelling , grammatical or other errors.
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Biggg update with 2600+ words!!!
Edited by Iptida - 7 years ago
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