Chapter 8
'Oh no' all three thought just with the prospects of the future adventure. Like it wasn't bad enough to pretend in front of Geet's parents, but tonight itself was a big ask. Especially for Maan who single-handedly had signed off his new life to Geet and her baby. Even if it was for a few months, it was still a few months of his life with an unknown woman and the child she called theirs.
'All three found themselves in the living couch once again, each wearing a face of their own: Geet scared, Sam worried and Maan was the hardest to comprehend; maybe something that was a mix of scared and worried. After all he was just about to find out what he consented to; he hadn't even met his ex-girlfriend's parents and here he was meeting Geet's, a fake partner and still very much an outsider.
'Sam you know I love you but at times like this I wish I could kill you' Geet delivered with a little rage and Sam urged closer to Maan, holding onto his shoulder as he slacked marginally away still not wanting to give the girl any wrong indications. After all he knew the likes of Sam, who needed just one look to pounce onto him and rip his life apart.
'I love you too baby' Sam piped looking over Maan's shoulder and Geet continued breathing in and out like the instructors taught her at the care centre for new mothers silencing the curses that tipped at her tongue.
DING DONG
'It wasn't a moment too long, when the three jumped up hearing the loud bell of the door, all three froze for a second noting the time which read 10:55, frankly it was too late so there was no point in wondering who it could be? Finally it was Sam who walked out the room and Geet followed with the help of Maan.
'Geet can we talk?' Mohinder asked after the initial introduction, after the girls were taken into a loving hug by both the parents they then settled on the sofa in the living room; which again witnessed an awkward situation with everyone either staring at Maan or Geet who sat beside one another turning to the ground. It was Sam who eventually announced Baby Daddy' earning a few giggles from Rano and a scowl from Mohinder but nevertheless both said nothing afterwards hoping their daughter would at least speak; when she didn't Mohinder was forced to start the conversation.
'Geet we respect your decision, but we at the least expect to be notified with the happenings of your life' Mohinder rebuked in a silent tone, covering the hurt he left as Geet brew in tears noting the sadness in his voice. She had realised then how bad of a daughter she was, yes before she was careless and stubborn but now she was deceiving and covering. Maan sat there uncomfortable with the display in front of him.
'Daddy I..*sob*.Dev cheated...*sob*..I met Maan...*sob* Father of the baby' was all they could make out between her mumbles and crying, it didn't take a second for her mother to leave her dads side and run beside her, enveloping a warm motherly hand over her shoulder.
'I suppose all's well that ends well' Rano joked gazing warmly at her daughter's hand which was secured in Maan's strong hold, something which Mohinder also noticed but he still hadn't finished so the next second they heard him say 'we had every right to know of our first grandchild yet you told us much further into the pregnancy, then you hide the identity of the father and now we know you are living with a different man, a complete stranger to us. It's not fair Geet that we know of your life through video clips or through Sameera' Mohinder now walked the length of the room and Rano asked for his quiet compliance seeing how their only child reduced into further tears. Sam had ran off to the kitchen to fetch glasses of water and a box of tissue. Once she arrived both parent's watched how a caring Maan ushered a glass of water to a weeping Geet; who lay onto him for support, Sam forwarded a tissue once in a while which Maan used to clean her face and even the nose uncaring of her parents or the audience. Something which delighted the hurt parents, knowing their only daughter was with a man who cared and loved, dismantling the shield of anger that surfaced on Mohinder's demeanour.
'Mohinder forget that, can't you see we have a new damand' Rano cajoled looking at Maan who immediately stopped in his act and looked up in surprise, Geet too had stopped crying and stared between her happy parents and a shocked Maan mentally willing they don't think of anything new which would hurt the already complicated situation.
'Ok now can we expect a formal introduction?' Mohinder asked in a calming voice with his daughter perched to his side in a loving hug, she had cried for the best part of the last hour. Somewhere the strong faade she kept onto broke seeing her parents, a whole part of her wanted to disclose the reality of Dev and his scheme but then her tongue zipped into dullness, tying in a knot so words escaped her. Rano and Mohinder however where happy, it seemed even if their daughter was a crying mess but somewhere it felt like they had finally got their easy girl back, the girl that was ignorant to their hurt in the tight grips of Dev. It was almost as if she was blind, deaf and dumb but now she was becoming herself again, which they knew was possible due to Maan.
'Daddy Mommy this is Maan, the father of my baby' Geet smiled guilty introducing the man that sat opposite them with a tight smile, the discomfort was tangible and Geet knew she was exploiting a kind man's gesture but this was a life or death situation for her. The distraught woman within her couldn't admit her failure to recognise a cheat and a scammer, and the daughter just wanted to please her parents even if it was a lie.
'Nice to meet you Maan...' Mohinder paused still firming shaking Maan's hand who added to the name 'Maan Singh Khurrana' quite proudly and Mohinder repeated the sentence but this time stating the full name 'Nice to meet you finally Maan Singh Khuranna and welcome to the family' he jerked Maan into a warm overwhelming hug. It was Rano's turn next, hugging him with all the love and care she felt building on Maan's guilt who directed a look towards Geet who again sneaked her gaze away, mentally running away from the frontage she was creating. Sam was the only one unbothered by the whole scene, instead she asked whether they wanted to taste Geet's splendid pasta, and like that the direction of the conversation went onto food and cooking, something all the members willingly contributed to.
'Sameera please go change beta' Mohinder eventually asked when the members found themselves in the living room again. The desperate attention she asked for was too much for a father-figure like Mohinder, who time and again looked at Rano to say something, but the wife seemed too busy admiring Maan. For the first-time that evening, Sam appeared red and ran upstairs shouting out a totally shy sorry. Yes her appearance wasn't parent friendly especially compared to Geet who again wore an oversized jumper dress and a pair of tights looking very much pregnant like she was. Even Maan wore a nice formal white shirt with black trousers, the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows screaming the stress he has undergone in the last several hours and ofcourse his hotness.
'What do you do for a living?' Rano asked Maan as Sam and Geet forwarded mugs of drinks
'I'm a lead Biomedical Scientist at the London Bridge Hospital' Maan answered accepting the hot black coffee Geet forwarded his way, he for a minute looked into her eyes which seemed surprised and almost pleased. That evening while pretending Maan and Geet knew of different facts of each other: like how Geet only drinks Nesquik chocolate milkshake before going bed, or how Maan hated tea and drank black coffee with no sugar, and more significant things like: how he belonged to a family of 6 siblings; him being the 3rd eldest after an older brother and sister both of whom are married and parents hence the pressure on him was on; or how he moved from East Lancashire to London 7 years ago for better job prospects. Geet however belonged to London, she was born in the hospital close by and the senior Handa's moved to the outskirts of Leyland a few years ago wanting a slow and steady country life in comparison to the busy and upbeat life in Kensington, London. Of course Sam spoke of childhood stories: of how she and Geet met in nursery aged 3 and till date were the best of friends, almost sisters. A conscious attempt on her part to supply Maan with as much information as possible. However in all this Geet remained silent, quietly listening and absorbing the new family environment.
'That's a wonderful job' Mohinder beamed being from a science background himself, Mohinder was a lecturer of Cancer in his prime time even till date he gave guest lectures, Rano herself worked as a Microbiologist; before joining lecturing, which is how they met really. So to hear of Maan's interest in science pleased both of them as Geet tore away into a field of accounts and maths, but nevertheless they were still proud of their daughter however having something like Maan who shared their passion was an amazing find.
'Ok I think we should call it a night' Mohinder instructed putting a stop to all conversation, noting Geet's loud yawn and then the time.
'Good night sweetheart and see you tomorrow Maan' Rano wished joining Mohinder to the stairs as Geet, Sam and Mohinder remained at the bottom of the banister in confusion.
'Are you not going to bed?' Mohinder asked aloud noticing their halted moments
'I've actually got an early start?' Maan jumped in lying about how his shift starts at 3am; with it being 2:15 he was easily let off the hook and shown to the door by a worried Geet.
'Where will you go? She asked slipping the door shut behind her, looking every bit worried in the freezing cold night.
'I'll go home and to work in the morning, I'll be back by 6 tomorrow evening' he informed
'Thank you Maan, thank you for everything' she thanked honestly once again as tears collected at the forefront making him weak, with a side hug he left and she stood watching him exit the gate and walk towards the bus stand at the very end of the street. Did he not have a car?' She muttered to herself as the bus arrived and he disappeared into the night with sparkly street lights.
Nest: A day in Maan's life
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
