"Time has no dominion over love.
Love is the one thing that transcends time."
~~~ Jeaniene Frost
The morning came and the brutal reality of the day hit Geet hard. She was here in the past which meant she had to face the trial. The only bright side of it was the man who was sleeping peacefully next to her. Geet ruffled his hair affectionately and kissed on his forehead before getting out of the bed.
The uncertainty loomed over her but Geet knew she had to show up. Champa helped her dress up with all the grandeur of the Lady of the Haweli. The saffron colour lehenga with the light yellow border carrying heavy traditional emboridery work accentuated her feminine beauty. With the tradtional jewellery her look was complete and empowering. Yet her eyes had a tint of nervousness.
Contrary to her Maan was looking rather confident about the whole process. He left for his office chamber as soon as he dressed up. Geet expected him to accompany her to the trial durbar but Champa was left with that task. This morning when Geet walked through the hallway to the durbar for the trial Geet saw mixed emotions among the people. There was fear, respect and even both in some cases.
She saw Nandini standing at the front already at the space meant for defendants. Geet walked to the spot and gestured Champa to stand back. She walked alone and joined Nandini. The tradtional announcements were made as the Maalik himself entered the durbar. The people cheered for him loudly despite the events of the past days. Maan gestured with his hands for them to stop.
"My beloved people of Samaypur. I know you have lots of questions and I assure you that all of them will be answered today. About the events of the last few days, it might have appeared that I have acted according to my personal interests. But then again, as the Maalik of the Khurana haweli, my first and foremost interest will always be in upholding the law of the land. Our land!"
The crowd roared in approval.
"A trial was held here the judgement of which I had revoked. By all means the trial was rushed and short sighted. I know Bade Maalik meant well, but mistakes happen to all of us. He was eager to protect his people which is why he wanted to imprison the people accused of sorcery."
Maan glanced briefly at his father. Yash remained cold as always. The rest of the family members looked strained at the turn of the events.
"Healing and practicing sorcery are two different things. But not many people understand the difference. Sometimes what the common eye sees might not be the truth. Which is why we cannot punish both Nandini and Geet on the account of what people narrated here the previous day. We need the right amount of evidence. Geet had stated that she didn't know about sorcery and admitted that Nandini helped her in curing dadisa..Savitri Deviji. None of us could be the judge of what she used was sorcery or not."
Geet looked puzzled at Maan. His eyes comforted her gesturing everything was going to be fine.
"If Geet's method was sorcery, then it stands proof to the accusation that Nandini indeed used sorcery to cure illness and together they had comitted a crime according to the law of land with or without their knowledge. Fortunately, in order to judge the method of healing, we are joined by the man who I bet no one among us would doubt for his knowledge and reputation. Our honourable guru Aswath."
Maan signalled Aadi who went inside and was accomapnied by a sagely looking old man wearing a red Sadhu dhoti and Angavastra. His eyes looked wise and old detached from all the earthly attractions around the room.
Everyone stood from their place as the Lord got up to to greet the Guru. Maan folded his hands to a pranaam and bowed in front of the old guru. "Honorable Gurudev. In this tough time, help us and guide us in the right path with your wisdom."
Guru Aswath smiled peacefully and took the seat next to Maan and looked at both Geet and Nandini.
Geet could tell he was not being judgemental towards either of them but his eyes had the power to see through them, as if he knew what no one else knew. She was not sure whether to feel comfortable with it or not.
The guru spoke in calm tones,"I will have to ask each of them a question. But I don't want them to hear each other's answer."
Adi gestured Champa and she led Geet away. Geet was made to wait in the Maalik's office chamber. The place had many memories there but Geet was too nervous to dwell in them. It was one thing if the decision was in Maan's hand but now he had given it away to Guru Aswath. Geet had no idea how that was going to turn out or what the guru had in her mind yet she trusted Maan to do good by her.
After what felt likes ages, Champa came back to take her to the trial room.
The guru gestured her to come up the podium where he was seated along with Maan.
He made her stand in a way that she was placed alomst next to Maan. The guru had a bright smile on his face and for the first time Geet saw some emotion in his eyes. A fatherly emotion which she never saw around here not even in Yash.
"Aaah...the pair made by divine will. I have seen Maan's horoscope. It was supposed to go in two different directions." He remained silent and thoughtful for a few seconds, "Perhaps it is for the best that he found love! I didn't expect that. The Gods are kind!"
Geet looked at him and then Maan puzzled colour flushing through her cheeks.
Maan gave her an encouraging nod. It seemed to sooth her temporarily.
"So, Geet it is eh?"
"Yes", she nodded politely.
"How long since you have known Nandini?", the friendly smile was no longer there on Guru Aswath's face. This time Geet knew that she was on watch and not just by the guru. Everyone in the durbar had their eyes and ears fixed on their exchange. There was absolute silence all around expect for the questions and answers between them.
"I saw her first in the night when dadisa fell sick."
"hmmm..interesting how you took advice from a complete stranger that is.."
"I was searching your medical room for something to heal dadisa..to save her life..anything"
"Why were you so concerned? You were not married to the Maalik at that time?"
"I wasn't. But that does not mean I can't care for a life. I have always healed people. It is who I am and who I will always be!"
"Is it so?", there was an edge to his voice that shook Geet somehow.
"Yes" her voice was determined.
"Tell me how you treated dadisa" his question was simple.
Geet answered it earnestly not leaving any detail. She explained the procedure in full details and Guru Aswath listened to it all. His eyes skeptical in the beginning and cursious through half the way and eevntually turning into admiration and awe.
He was pleased. Anyone could tell that but there was some kind of wonder in his eyes. "How come someone with so much expertise in healing didn't study that already. Why did you need her help?"
Geet gulped and threw a quick glance at Maan who encouraged her to speak,"I am not familiar with the methods of healing used here. Mine are...a bit different."
The wise old man thought for a moment and then waved his hand dismissively.
He stood up from his seat and turned to Maan, "My Lord, upon questioning them both I have reached the conclusion that neither of them are lying. There was no sorcery involved in saving your grandmother's life. What they did was the advanced form of heeling techniques one that requires patience, knowledge and expertise. It is a commendable act indeed."
Maan smiled proudly and there was a look of triumph in his eyes as he announced the verdict, "In the view of Guru Aswath's findings it has been proved that both these women have not committed any crime. I, Maan Singh Khurana, therefore acquit them both of their charges and apologize for the discomfort that was caused to them on behalf of whole Samaypur."
The crowd applauded for they were happy about the Lord and His Lady. But murmurs arose about Nandini as many still claimed witness to several of her acts of sorcery. All Maan could do was eventually release a statement asking people to bring enough evidence in order to start another trial against her.
Nandini bowed before the Lord and Lady and took her leave hastily. Geet wanted to go out and catch up to her but she was led away by Maan to properly meet Guru Aswath. The couple fell on his feet and took his blessings.
"My Lord, your wife indeed has a talent of healing. If you would be kind enough to let me teach her more.."
"It would be an honour guruji", replied Maan proudly.
Geet too was happy now that she could officially heal people under the guidance of Guru Aswath. Once the euphoria was off, Geet went after Nandini but by then she was about to take off on her horse.
Geet ran after her upto the southern gates, "Wait..."
Nandindi stopped short of leaving, "What do you want.."
"Who are you?", questioned Geet.
"I'm sorry Geet. I am not supposed to intervene. I did once by helping and look what it cost me. I'm leaving this place to some other village. If I stay here sooner or later they would find ways to paint me a sorceress.."
"What? But you can't just leave..."
Before Geet could complete, Nandini rode her horse far away outside the gates of the haweli. Geet stood there defeated as she met another dead end.
Inside the haweli peace was restored. Amba and Malti hugged Geet and offered her little sweet treats and small talk away from prying eyes which indeed cheered her up.
Dadisa hugged her grand daughter-in-law her eyes welling you, "You have been through hell and back, that too for saving my life! "
Geet reassured her that she had no ill feelings against anyone.
Anuradha kissed on her forehead with a remark, "Let's try to forget the last few days ever happened!"
The ladies conducted a feast at the inner parlour making sweets and holding a small ghoomar for the safe return of their Maalkin.
However, the strings once broken cannot be mended without the scars. Maan's absolute devotion to his dad and thereby to his duties seemed to have been dwindled a bit. Nonetheless he was still a good Lord, a great one and did all his duties true to his word.
There was something amiss though. The difference was now he could see what he didn't choose to see before. With her arrival everything had changed and it affected him too. Even the way he looked at things. The perspective of what was of utmost importance and what was not. He knew now that this tradition or the way of life they upheld, for which they were ready to give their lives now, would hold no meaning in another time. That kind of knowledge is dangerous and it affects you and changes you from inside out.
Any lesser man would have succumbed to such threats of future but not Maan Singh Khurana. He lived upto his name and took pride at the time he lived. These were not mere rigid customs. It was their way of life, their joy, their pride! These things were the base of their society as a whole, one that gave meaning to their existence and at the same time maintained the order of their small world. He was not ready to give up all of this without a fight.
Now that he knew, what could be done Maan was ready for the task ahead. Together they had a plan. To unite all the clans and lead the war. To provide a fighting chance till the end. To the knowledge that they did everything they could to the best of their abilities.
It was their little secret : Maan and Geet's. A historical conspiracy designed by the secret plan of two lovers. What in the world could be more dangerous than that??
But life goes on no matter what. Like they say, time waits for none. Here it didn't for Geet either. She was there to stay now. She exuded grace and confidence, instead of that puzzled meek person afraid of getting anything wrong. She played her part of the Maalkin perfectly as days, weeks and months passed.
Things were never easy but she had the greatest help of all, her beloved husband the Maalik himself. Under him she learned how to be the Lady. She devoted ample time for healing, every single day and even learning the medical science of the time from Guru Aswath who was greatly impressed by the knowledge she had. Occasionally he would frown at the language she used to describe the human body and its ailments but Geet had him convinced that a travelling healer was her initial mentor who taught her things from the Western world.
It was known now. The Western traders, their East India Company. It was all coming in now and Geet could hear her heart beat rise everytime someone mentioned about these fine traders from the farthest shore of the sea.
***********************************
It was another full moon since Geet arrived. She kept staring at it from their bedroom window. The view was beautiful with the clear night sky, the stars shining and the full moon smiling down amidst them but it made her sad. There was this pungent night blooming flower's smell that hit her with the cool breeze outside.
Geet never stopped counting the full moon although she wondered if she was counting it right. Did she miss anyone of them. It was hard to keep track as time passed by. She wondered what her family might be feeling. How would they feel about her absence? Would they hate her for disappearing like that? Would they think that she ran away? She let out a loud gasp.
Moments passed and she didn't even know it did, until she felt his warm hands engulfing her in his embrace from behind.
"You are missing home?", he asked gently and Geet knew then that it was all worth it, for him she could leave anything. A swell of love engulfed her and she replied, "You are my home...but I love them too..and miss them all"
He kissed on her nape gently and held her closer, "Do you want to go back? You know you just have to say it.."
"No...I..I don't know if I would want to now that I have you.."
"But you miss them"
She sighed and so did he, their breaths in synch now pressing against each other as she leaned backwards to him. "That I do...It is the thirteenth full moon ever since I am here. I wish I could know that they are in peace. I wish I could tell them that I am happy here"
"Have you ever thought about leaving them a message...a letter of sorts", he asked curiously.
Geet cocked her head sideways so that she could look at his face, "You are the one who found me naked. You thing anything other than us can pass through whatever that path is"
"I have been thinking...and there is thought that I got somehow. Skin...something that belongs to a living being can travel that way, right?"
"uhuh..", nodded Geet skeptically.
"Camel skin..A letter made of camel skin can pass through."
Geet looked at him amused. That could actually work.
"You want to do that?", he probed hopefully.
Geet's eyes brightened for a moment but then she smiled sadly. That was not to be done. "No"
"No?", he raised his eyebrow in a quizzical way.
"What could I possibly say? That I am not coming back? That could take away their hope if they have any. I can't hurt them like that.."
Maan made her turn to face him and locked her in his embrace again, "What of you could tell them when you are going back.."
Geet frowned.
Maan continued with a playful smile yet his eyes were serious, "I mean not now but once we have figured out a way to stop these invading foreign traders from taking over Samaypur we could go back together..that is if you want me to..."
"Maan? You would really do that? For me?", her eyes gleamed with tears that came out of joy.
"Why not? You left your world for me. It's only fair if I do that for you My Lady.."
"But what about the village? the people? Who will rule them?"
Maan smiled, "Look at the Maalkin now... "
Geet blushed and whacked him playfully.
Maan's tone was grave and distant as he continued, "I am sure Dev can be as good a Lord as I am."
Geet hugged him pressing her lips on his muscular chest, "No one can be as good as you in anything...Even then I can't leave any message to future. It is never a good idea to bring the present I lived back here. That would be catastrophic"
Geet shuddered in his arms as she thought about the Imperial powers with the heavily armed forces. It was never a good idea to meddle with the events. Then again, wasn't she doing that already?
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PRECAP : Maan : So what do people in your time do?
Geet : They get a "divorce" !!!
Maan : What is a "divorce?"
Sorry about the same precap again. I got carried away a bit in the trial and the aftermath 😆
Let me know how do you feel about this and also after you have read part 5 and 37 respectively. Eagerly waiting to hear your speculations and reviews!!!
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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