She was trying to sleep holding Garv close to her, but sleep was far away from her eyes. Finally giving up she stood up carefully not disturbing Garv and started to work on her next day tasks. Two persons who were watching her from outside her room couldn't control their tears. It has been like this since she returned from India. She never cried, never broke down in Rano's arms like she used to but closed her miseries to herself. She smiled and talked as if nothing happened. But her loved ones could see through it, she was devastated. The hurt, the pain was too much for her to bear, that made her unresponsive to any feelings. She wanted to protect herself from getting hurt further. It was her heart, her life that crushed that day with those words, which kept on vibrating in her ears. Even though the divorce had shattered her dreams, still she was hopeful, she wanted to live a life for Garv, keeping all those happy memories they shared with Dev. But when the memories which she was trying to preserve were a facade, she couldn't have the strength to withstand. The pain had made her numb to any feelings, she feared that if she let herself feel anything, she will break down and won't be able to recover from it.
Mohinder and Rano knew that it was something related to Dev, but couldn't understand what. Even Brij tried to get her speak but she told to leave the matter of Dev there and she doesn't want a discussion about him. Brij obliged not wanting his little sister to get more hurt than she already was. She wanted to leave India at the earliest and Brij made the arrangements soon. After reaching London, even Yash and Meera couldn't open her up. She worked every single moment except when she was with Garv. She smiled for namesake and shrugged off every question about what had happened making it appear like everything was alright. They all were getting really worried seeing her, but could do nothing to bring her out of it. Only Garv couldn't make out the change in her as she pretended to be happy before her always giving reasons for his father not being with them. However Garv was not convinced with any of her reasons. One such day, she was finishing her work after putting Garv to sleep answering his endless questions, when Rano came to her. She sat near her while Geet gave a small smile to her before getting back to work. Rano sighed and asked her running hands over her head, "Beta, kab tak aise chalega? Tumhe patha hena aise rehne se kuch fayda nahi he. Apni zindagi ko ek aur mauka do. Khusiyan aise mit nahi jathi he, zindagi bhi nahi rukhti. Ho sakhta he ki khusiyan aas paas kahi pe ho, jisse tumhe sirf apnana he. Soch lo apne liye, aur Garv keliye." Before Geet could protest with those white lies, she left kissing her forehead. Geet sighed leaning back to the chair, she had stopped thinking about anything which gives her only hurt. She knew Garv needs the love of a father, but she can't take any risk when it comes to him. She can't trust anyone with him, for her anything doesn't matter; she doesn't have any hopes beyond Garv. Her life begins and ends with Garv, only him and his happiness. She closed her eyes due to fatigue but sleep was still far away from her eyes.
Next morning in Khurana bunglow, London, Maan woke up after a disturbed sleep. Ever since that incident, Geet's thoughts never left him. He couldn't understand why but he felt a need to see her and know whether she is alright. The two months were hell for him with her thoughts constantly disturbing him. Finally to put an end to all that, he went to London for signing a deal and of course to meet Geet Handa. Dadima also accompanied him when he told that he will be coming back only after six months. He freshens up and decided to jog before dadima wakes up. He went to a nearby park where he used to go whenever he comes here. After finishing seven laps, he saw a little boy who appeared nearly four years sitting in a bench watching the father-son duo doing their exercise. The expressions in his face clearly told that he missed his father. He felt a need to console him. He went and sat next to him. The boy seemed obvious to his presence. To start a conversation he told, "Today it is too cold. Is it??" The boy was startled and turned to look at him. He looked ahead continuing the conversation, "But it doesn't seem to affect anyone." The little boy told, "Yes". He looked at the boy who turned his head again watching them. He asked, "You miss your father, don't you?" It brought a tear in that little face. He told looking ahead, "I miss him terribly." A pain shot through him, seeing the tear. He moved ahead and wiped it telling him, "I am sure your father also misses you a lot." The boy turned again to face him and told, "If he really misses me then why he left me and mumma alone??" Maan was surprised at his question but told, "You know sometimes we may not have our loved ones near us, but that doesn't mean they don't love you or miss you. They will be missing you, but they might have done it for your good. May be we won't understand it now, but as time passes by you will know that it was the best decision they took." The boy looked surprised and happy with his answer. He smiled at him and told, "Thank you uncle." The boy looked at him for a while and asked before he could reply to his thanks, "I come here daily, but I haven't seen you here before." Maan smiled at his cute question and told, "I come here whenever I am in London. I am Maan. And you?" He smiled and told, "My name is Garv. Mumma kehthi he ki mein unka Garv hoon.. Oops sorry.. I spoke in Hindi.." Maan interrupted him, "Go on Garv, I am also from India." Garv was even happier hearing him, "Babaji ki shukriya. I wanted a friend from India and see I got you." Garv told, "Uncle, mera yaha koi acha dost nahi he, kya aap mera dost banoge?" Maan smiled and patted his cheek forwarding his right hand to him, "Ok handsome, Friends." Garv took his hand and shook smiling happily. His words brought a smile in Maan's face and he somehow reminded him about Geet.
Before his thoughts could process further, he heard a familiar voice, "Garv.." He looked in the direction only to find the owner of his dreams from past few months in a grey jacket and tracks walking in their direction. Garv jumped up and went towards her. He held her hand and took her near him. Maan was all the while looking at her thinking it to be his imagination. But when her surprised eyes met his, he understood she was there for real. Geet was searching for Garv in the kids play area in the park where she left him before jogging. She got worried and searched for him frantically when she found him talking to someone who had his back towards her. She called out for Garv and moved towards them. Before that Garv came running to her and took her to the person whom he was talking. But seeing Maan Singh Khurana, she was pleasantly surprised. Before their thoughts process further, Garv told, "Mamma, yeh Maan Uncle he, mera naya dost. Yeh bhi India se he." Maan stood up and came near them. Geet asked, "Mr. Khurana. Aap yaha? Ah.. Sorry if Garv troubled you." Maan smiled and told, "I came to London for a deal and to have an interim meeting on the project progress. Hope my assistant informed you. I stay nearby" and told looking at Garv, "Garv is a cute boy. He can't trouble someone. Right Garv." Garv smiled and told holding his hand, "Right uncle." Geet was amazed by the ease at which Maan talked with Garv. Garv had become little introvert after coming to London and never mingled with people. She wondered how he became so friendly with Maan Singh Khurana. She was happy at one side that he was opening up but was concerned as it was Maan Singh Khurana. She told, "Ok Mr. Khurana, we have to leave now." Maan told, "Ok Geet, see you in your office today.. Bye Garv. We will meet tomorrow." Garv smiled and left with Geet. Maan looked at them for a while and left with a smile, his day couldn't have had a better start.
While going Garv told Geet about how they met and what he told about his father. She was happy to see the smile in her little one's face which was missing from past few days due to his turmoil of not having Dev with them. She never thought that the tough MSK has a lighter shade also. She smiled at her own thoughts, when could she understand people and their intentions. She couldn't even understand her own husband. She sighed and shrugged off the thoughts which made her weak. Maan was thinking about Garv while going back after jogging. He felt immense hatred for Dev for leaving him to suffer. How much pain the little one was handling at an early age, when he was to be pampered by his parents? The dark circles around Geet's eyes and the blank face never left his mind. He decided that he will do anything to bring smile in the little one's face. Garv's face reminded him about his loss, his baby.. He closed his eyes composing himself and made his way back home.
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