Chapter 14
'No I believe we still have half an hour' Nikita fetched Nathan's wrist and analysed the watch before looking at Maan again in eagerness.
'So Mr Invisible finally makes an entrance. Must say worth the wait' she winked regardless of the warmth she felt against her cheeks, Nathan blew a 'pffft' but said nothing. No one liked their girl being fazed by another man.
'Or was it you Geet, did you hide him on purpose?' she probed narrowing her eyes at Geet, clearly making her feel uneasy same with Maan. Some other females and their partners came forward, and Geet was being forced to pay host introducing Maan who held onto her hand tightly, not letting it go even when people stretched out the hands, in the end they just accepted his node as an acknowledgement.
'Geet is it you that's jealous or is he reluctant to let go?' one of them asked, a little annoyed with the couple's uncommon welcome, obviously the lady in question also lost the chance to touch a hot man so naturally she was irritated.
'I'm sorry but it's the second, I refuse to let her go' Maan's deep voice swept across the hall and all the pregnant hormones sang in 'aaawww', several even teared in joy while Geet changed from a pink passion fruit to a red tomato. 'Was Maan overplaying the boyfriend?' she thought trying to remove his hand however he just held it tighter and kissed her cheek again, silencing her mind and freezing the heart. 'Oh my' her body swooned in its effect
'Ok girls' and boys' Emily shouted collecting everyone's attention, she turned smiling to Geet and Maan before redirecting everyone's gaze to the white board as if readying all for the next part of the session
'Maan' Geet called nervously seeing how he remained unmoved, still firming holding onto her. 'Let's go' she whispered moving closer to his ears, the feel of his stubble against her chin caused a fiery redness, not entirely helping the already tomato red face.
'Ok peeps, since we have a full house I thought we'd try father/grandma/sister/relative development. For this I need everyone to stand' Emily ordered and Maan immediately got up and reached a hand around Geet helping her stand. Being amongst pregnant woman and their partners made him realise just how it should be done, so instead of the usual placing of the hand in front instead he rounded his arm around her shoulder with one and the other supported her hand. 'Now I want you to face each other' they heard Emily shout standing in the middle of a improvised circle, after doing as instructed Maan glanced over the occupants in the crowd, there seemed to be a few single ladies who came with their friends or relative, however they seemed unbothered with the lovely dovely partners.
'Now for the fun part, place your hands at the front of the growing baby. Daddy's and relatives I want you to feel the child, feel that bond so a better understanding can be built prior to the baby's birth' as the rest of the participants followed the instruction, Maan and Geet stood frozen, shocked. Geet immediately tuned to the ground biting her bottom lip as Maan hands stilled mid-air unsure of what to do, he was nervous; scared and afraid. He looked at the protruding belly with apprehension, knowing that it was his baby but was it really? Ever since he found about the pregnancy he was legally and practically known as the father, but the emotional bond was still to be formed. Reasonably, he didn't see himself as a father. 'Now now no need to be coy' Emily joked pulling his cold hands and pushing them to Geet's stomach making both of them gasp with the sudden contact. Maan stared at his hands as they pinked in contrast to her black shirt and then he stared into Geet, whose eyes popped open as was her mouth making him smile. He was right the first time he saw her, she looked like an Anime character. An absolute beautiful woman.
'Geet you can close your mouth, I think baby is already uncomfortable as it is so the extra air will do it no good' he joked, so unlike himself but Geet compelled him to do stuff against his code of behaviour. While he focused on Geet's shying face, her eyes closed and her teeth bit down on her bottom lip trying to keep her emotions from exploding. They stood feeling the sensation until both felt a harsh kick.
'IT KICKED' Maan shouted shocked, there was the enthusiasm of a first time father. Everyone else either smiled or ridiculed within after all Geet was nearly 8 months pregnant so it can't be the first time the baby kicked.
'Geet it kicked?' he asked shocked as they felt a softer movement this time
'She/he kicked' she forwarded slowly still very much shy
'Sorry' he asked registering her low mumble
'The baby isn't a IT' she answered firmly as he grew red, bright red
'OK I'm sure you've all introduced yourself already but do it today again' Emily coached piercingly walking to the end where the white board was, as everyone got to their knees and kissed or simply made vague attempts to re-introduce themselves to the babies, Maan stayed still for a while and then as if finally deciding something he looked to Geet who stared unsure before he moved to her hand and placed them on her belly with his on top, 'Hiya baby I am your daddy, Maan' he smiled and then looked muddled at Geet, 'baby can't call me Maan, can he?' he asked Geet who teared unknown to her herself, 'Hiya baby, I am your daddy' he repeated looking at the baby and 'I'm sorry' he added looking at Geet who continued to stare with a happy smile and some more tears.
'Please ladies control your hormones' Emily joked, especially you Geet, we can't have all the ladies crying after you' she continued pointing to Geet who smiled feeling Maan wipe away the tears.
'This last song is a dedication to Geet's partner; Maan, Down in the jungle' Emily laughed followed by all the other members. Geet by then was already red and Maan himself looked flustered.
'But guys lets whisper this one out' Emily added throwing a look at the younger children in the corner who slept off leaning against their older siblings.
Down in the jungle were nobody goes
Theres a great big crocodile washing its clothes
With a snap snap here and a snap snap there
That's how he washes his clothes
They all whispered, some of the partners walked to the corner picking up their child and came back. Maan looked around noting how some of the occupants walked to the main door even before the song finished waving to the rest as they left, 'see you in a fortnight' Emily smiled once the song finished and everyone collected their things, including Geet.
'Is your sessions usually like this?' Maan asked helping Geet put on her coat, usually this would be unusual for them but seeing how everyone was doing the same as him, made it seem normal. All he was doing was helping, after all.
'Yeah kind of' she answered still mousy, so the words she released was shallow and counted to a minimum.
'I hope to you see you more often Maan' Emily called after them, they were now out in the cold night.
'Hmm I hope so to' he answered looking at Geet who shied turning her gaze to the ground once again
'It was nice meeting you' Emily smiled walking off to her car, Geet too walked to her car and Maan followed
'You have your car?' he asked incredulously while she looked confused with a 'yeah', still unsure what he was trying to ask?
'Shall I drive?' he asked directing her towards the passenger seat already, as if expecting a positive answer and she nodded as he opened the car door and helped her in.
'Maan don't you think it was a little too much?' Geet asked pulling down the seat belt, she had been thinking this throughout the session though she liked it but she coulsnt afford to get used to it, after all he was all temporary until her parents were at her place.
'Who said I was acting?' Maan questioned, deep and clear, he stared at her for a half a second before igniting the car, in that time she felt her heart dip to the butterflies that flew in joy in her stomach. 'What was happening?' she asked quietly secretly glancing his way as he did the same too.
Sameera pushed through the double doors and stood at the back of the queue awaiting for the reception staffs attention, Toro's Streakhouse, was a popular spot and had good food. So Adi's suggestion was already a hit for her. Dressed in a small black dress, she brought about the Friday feel in the middle of the week. Her loosely curled blond-dyed hair framed the softy contoured face. She had tried really hard to impress but Geet asked her to keep it natural, so paying heed to her best friend she tried to keep it as natural as possible so unlike herself.
'Hi beautiful' Adi kissed her cheek as the waiter left soon after showing her the table. Following was silence until the waiter handed the menu and walked off to another table.
'What would you like to eat?' he asked looking through the menu before resting his easy-going eyes on her, she smiled uncomfortably trying to suppress an awkward giggle. 'Gosh why was she weird with guys she liked?' she thought pinching her hand
'Hmm can I suggest the Rib-eye streak or filet mignon' he suggested with simplicity however seeing her silent he continued, 'if you're not a red meat eater maybe the jumbo prawns or chicken or a salad' he uttered flipping the keyring in his hand feeling uneasy with her continued silence
'No no the streak would be fine' she smiled finally noticing his easy manner dissipating into awkwardness, 'actually I'm a little nervous' she added truthfully flattening her hair anxiously
'Its fine, I'm nervous too. To be honest your like my first date in ages' Adi admitted making her smile, as they ordered the food, easy chatter followed, soon both lost the initial uneasiness especially Sameera, however once the food arrived so did Adeel and Maya falling to the table beside them.
'Oh Hi Sam and Adi' Maya greeted when Sam's eye fell on her, Adeel seemed unbothered however he wore a smile nevertheless. 'A date, is it?' she asked nosily and Adi confirmed nodding his head, both then tried to go back but Maya was too close to Sam's comfort. As Adeel typed away on his phone as usual, a bored Maya strolled over to their table and struck a conversation, interrupting their silent talks.
'So' she added sitting beside Sam who flared up instantly
'Why don't you keep your boyfriend busy?' Sam glared trying to keep that smile but it was becoming increasingly difficult
'Gosh Sam I'm just making sure he too doesn't run off like Adeel did?' Maya stressed pressing her hand over Sameera's in a mocking way
'Maya stop disturbing them' Adeel called shortly after, she immediately walked to him and immediately placed a kiss to his lips wanting to make Sam jealous
'What's her problem?' Adi asked pointing his glass to Maya
'She's a f**king psycho' Sam breathed trying to silence the rage within
'Actually me and Adeel dated briefly before them, so she probably takes me as a threat?' she confessed after a while
'And are you a threat?' Adi asked
'No hell no, I'm way over Adeel' Sameera answered without wasting a second sounding honest
'That's good to know' Adi kissed her palm and then returned to his knife as Sameera coloured red once again, shying like a fire in the presence of the sun.
'Sam I really like you' Adi confirmed standing at the parking lot, his hand held onto her hands softly as if scared she'd run away with his confession
'I really like you too' Sam said with a coy smile, so unlike herself
'Your breaking up with me' they heard Adeel ask Maya, they too stood not far away
'Yes I don't like how attached you are, I need space' Maya reasoned as Adeel coughed up a shock. 'You got to be kidding!' he wanted to ask but didn't instead got into his car and offered her a drive home, after all this was something he had wanted for a while now, especially more recently.
'No its ok' Maya walked to Adi next
'Could you drop me off?' she asked shocking both Sameera and Adi, 'Have you lost it?' Sam asked instead losing her shy demeanour, 'No' she answered as Sam looked incredulously at Adeel who shrugged unbothered and drove off leaving Sam and Adi frustrated.
'Get a cab' Sam wanted to reach for her hands but Adi's, 'sure where do you live?' halted her movements, the drive was silent, excruciatingly quiet. Maya was sitting at the back looking out into the dark skies, Sam stared at her though the rear view mirror and Adi focused on driving knowing of the tensions within the car.
'Sam' Adi called unsure
'Don't' she whispered walking out of the car, after dropping Maya, Adi tried to talk to Sam who ignored him like a mite too angry with the ruined date, Maya was preposterous, 'did she break up with Adeel to ruin Sam's date with Adi?' with the exact thought she turned around and landed her lips on Adi's shocking him into silence, several seconds later she pulled away, Adi smiled sheepishly holding onto her shoulder, 'shall we go out tomorrow?' he asked as she nodded 'I won't let her ruin my chance at finding love' she confessed feeling him pull her into a gentle hug.
Geet sat by the window in the living room and watched her friend skipping to the front step, once she entered she screamed in joy as Rano shouted in warning.
'Don't scream in peoples ears' she heard her mother from the passage way, the voices grew louder and entered into the living room room, Sam then fell beside and kissed her cheek hard before descending to the stomach and placed a soft kiss there.
'Ouch' Sam complained moving away and Maan laughed out loud knowing his child kicked her in the face
'Geet tell your daughter to behave' Sam warned looking at a giggling Maan who sat on the other side of Geet, his hands resting on top of hers
'I thought you said it's a boy'
'My nephew would never hit his hot aunty' she fussed throwing a look at Maan, 'it seems baby daddy doesn't like the thought of his baby flirting with me' she laughed seeing Maan's irritated look while Geet just sat back with an awkward smile.
'Stay away from my son and my friend' he warned in slight anger
'Too bad I'm his and his girlfriend' Sameera cackled pointing to Geet's bulging belly and the window where Adi stood a few minutes ago, Geet had tried to suppress the giggle but broke out with a loud laughter mesmerising Maan to stillness. Without thinking he held her cheek, stopping her laugh and with that he too came to his senses shying with the mere thought. Sameera looked between Geet and Maan, both red and shy with a knowing smile.
'Would you mind me joining you and Maan for your next sonography appointment?' Rano asked stumping a shying Geet and Maan, who still hand his hand on her soft red cheeks.
'You two don't mind, do you?' Rano repeated as Maan removed his hands and looked at Geet for an answer, 'will she allow me to go to the hospital with her?' he thought
'Hmm yeah sure' Geet answered unsurely looking at Rano and then turned towards Maan in confusion, 'does he want to come with me?' she questioned
