FF: Forever and Always........Updated link to Thread 2 - Page 22

PART 7

It was not really easy for maan to go and mingle among the common crowd. He was even more worried about being identified. He said unsurely," Can't we go some other place Geet?"

Geet looked at him with the most innocent eyes and asked gloomily," Don't you like it here?"

Maan couldn't let her be gloomy. He said quickly, "No Geet. It is just I am not used to this surroundings."

Geet gave a wide dazzling smile leading Maan to the entrance of Chaupatti. Maan marveled. Even though his family had shifted here over a year now, he had never visited this place. It was a colorful place with vendors selling balloons, toys and different items. There were families of all sizes roaming round and kids playing round. It was a place full of life and fun.

Unintentionally Maan smiled watching two adorable kids smiling and playing around while Geet looked around with wide eyes. To Maan, Geet seemed no less than a child herself.

Geet whispered barely audible," Armaan was right. This place is just awesome."

Maan called back," Did you say something Geet?"

Geet: "No. Not really. Come along. Let's get us some yummy pav bhajis."

Maan smiled slightly and let her lead the way. Though it was Geet's first time she followed the crowd. There were arrays of shops and the typical spicy smell of the bhaji masala. Vendors were asking them to come to their respective shops promising world's best Pav bhaji.

Finally since both of them were first timers they selected a random shop. To Maan's utter horror they were supposed to be sitting on the mats spread on the sand. The mat was filled with sand but people; families were happily sitting and chatting.

Geet cleared her throat and said," Maan, you need to sit down."

Maan:" Geet it is so sandy. It will ruin my coat and my car."

Geet:" Come on Maan. You can't possibly stand and eat. Any way I am sitting. You can do as you want. I mean when you are visiting a beach you are supposed to get sandy."

Geet sat down after cleaning the area a bit with the menu card the waiter had given her. Maan stood awkwardly for a minute or two and finally decided to sit beside Geet. His stiff postures made it obvious that he was not used to this type of arrangements.

Geet was confused. There were so many types of Pav bhaji. She knew she was not getting any help from Maan as he was completely clueless. Finally Geet opted for a spicy masala pav bhaji with extra butter. She also asked the vendor to make sure that the pav s should be warm.

Maan ordered a simple pav bhaji with less butter hoping that would be the least oily among all the available options.

When the food arrived however Maan looked at the spicy and oily dish and said, "It is soo oily."

Geet:" Look at mine. Come on, try it out. It is just awesome."

Maan:" Geet, I don't like oily food. They are unhealthy."

Geet: "Who cares about all these when you are having some yummy pav bhaji? Come on, run an extra mile or something tomorrow to make up for it. I mean you are acting like those typical skeleton girls who think they are doing a great job by eating lesser than a five year old. You are not some big shot model I hope?"

Maan was thoroughly amused by her words. He chuckled slightly and said," No geet, I definitely am not any model. I am sure you will come to know about my profession soon. It is just that I don't like oily food right from childhood. Everyone else in my family loves them but I am just..."

Geet:" It is okay. Give it a shot. Trust me, it is not bad. You might actually love it."

Maan smiled as he started eating the food served to him. In the end he actually loved it. By the time they both were done with their pav bhajis it was almost 10 p.m. Geet thought she will get a taxi back to her hotel.

Maan called up his driver to get his car near to the entrance of chaupati and asked Geet," Geet, how are you going back?"

Geet:"I will take a cab."

Maan:" Where are you going to stay?"

Geet:" I am provided accommodation by the company. We interns are staying at the khurana hotel branch at lower parel. It is not that far."

Maan:"I am going that direction only. I will drop you. After all you are quite new in Mumbai. "

Geet:"Don't get me wrong Maan. I mean I don't know what you have judged by my behavior today evening. I was so excited to come to Marine Drive that I don't know if I have behaved out of bounds. I mean we hardly met and I talked and behaved with you as if we are friends forever. I will go by cab. I won't be comfortable to take a lift just yet. Please don't misunderstand me."

The way she spoke was sincere so Maan simply nodded. But her eyes looked disturbed. Maan softly said,"I did not think anything about you Geet. You refused my offer of dining in an elite restaurant and came here to have your food. That shows that you are a girl with self respect and sense of dignity. This is all I am going to think about you. Now come, let's get you a cab."

There were plenty of cabs available and Geet got into one. Maan pulled out the first paper he could find in his wallet and wrote his number and gave it to Geet.

Maan:" Geet, please inform me once you reach safely. A simple text will do."

Geet smiled at his concern. This tone of his reminded her of Armaan again. The thought of Armaan made her eyes moist. She simply nodded as the cab driver drove away.

It took a little time but eventually she reached her hotel. Once she was back to her room she did not feel like doing anything. She was sitting and looking blankly out of the window when the other girl, her roommate, came and said in a sweet voice," Hey, we did not get a chance to interact earlier. I am Naintara, naina for short. What's your name?"

Geet looked at her as if pulled back from thousands of miles away. She smiled and said," Hi, I am Geet."

The girl was different. She was tall, slim and had an aura around her. The way she spoke gave an aura of authority as if she was born to command and lead; yet her polite and friendly manner left a little space for any awkwardness.

Geet smiled as the girl sat at the corner of her Bed. She shifted a bit to make space for he and they started chatting. She came to know that Naina belongs to a very rich family, the rathods of Udaipur. But she had only got the elegance of the elite, not the vanity.

Finally Naina laughed and said," You know my fianc Dev was not at all ready for me to be in hostel. I mean he has a house here in Mumbai. But I was adamant to mix with everyone and do this job like any other person of my peer. And I am glad I took that decision. I met you."

Geet smiled at her externally even as something gnawed at her soul. She was not jealous but she envied Naina. Naina had that special erson caring for her, loving her, being there for her and she had lost hers for no fault of her own. The familiar feeling of loneliness seeped through her slowly when suddenly Maan's voice popped in her mind," Geet please inform me once you reach safely. A simple text will do."

She quickly found the piece of paper and texted back Maan,"Heya I reached safely. Good noght."

Naina left to sleep after sometime while Geet stayed awake. A part of her was guilty for envying Naina. But she couldn't help it.

Taking out her diary she started writing again.

Dear Armaan,

Guess where I am? I am at Mumbai and I think for the first time in my life I am truly alone. You know it is a beautiful city just like you described. After I had rested I decided to visit Marine drive. Remember how excited you were describing me. We had so many plans for this place Armaan!!! I wish we had some more time together. I mean I had known you as a friend for my entire life but I wish I had some more time with you as a lover. I could at least gather few more memories of us to hold on to for times like this. You know whom I met at Marine Drive? I met Mr. Stranger. His name is Maan and he is really a nice person you know. He might be a very rich person as well. You know we went together to Chaupati to have pav bhaji. It was awesome just like you said. But later I had a thought. Was it right thing to do Armaan? I mean I had hardly known that guy and I enjoyed a dinner with him like I had known him forever. Was it wrong? But I can't explain how I feel with him. It is as if you are there; like I could feel you when I am with him. Armaan, I love you and only you. But nights like this when someone unknowingly tells me of their love life I feel bad. I know I am a bad person to do that Armaan but I can't help it. We had just started being together when you left me abruptly with so many unsaid words and unfulfilled dreams. I was supposed to spend a lifetime with you but all I could have was handful of moments to be memory. I hate you for that Armaan. I hate you for leaving me alone to live. But I can never really hate you. I don't know if I am making any sense. Love you Armaan.

Forever and Always,

Yours Geet

Geet kept the diary and checked her cell only to find a text from Maan." You know how worried I was. "

Geet:"I am sorry. I was just chatting with the new roommate. "

Maan: "Hmm."

Geet:" Please don't be angry Mr. Stranger. You are my only friend in Mumbai."

Geet:" Scratch that. My roommate Naina is a friend as well."

Maan:" ok, Miss Song. As you wish. Good night and sweet dreams!!"

Geet: "Good night Mr. Stranger. Sweet dreams."

Geet lied down as she closed her eyes. Maybe Mumbai won't be that bad after all.