CROSSING PATHWAYS
PART 5
The sweet clamour of anklets grabbed his attention halting his exercise midway as he listened carefully to the sound. It wasn't a sound which he had heard in the 2 days forcing him to wonder about it and follow it. Maan stood at the window trying to spot the source of the sound when he saw a figure a few yards away from the house. It was definitely a girl and by the looks of it; he was sure it could be none other than Geet, still he wanted a closer look at her. Curiously Maan walked out towards the back of the house and stood there watching Geet. Of course it was her, besides that she looked completely different and she was dancing. He stood there gaping at her, the morning made her look more gorgeous than she was, the light wind that blew across the lawn filled it with the fragrance of the flowers that were neatly braided into her hair, garnishing her beauty. The only sound perturbing the silence of the morning was the chirping of the birds along with the clinking sound of her bangles and anklets. Maan watched her intently as danced magically, the most attractive part of her dance were her big and round hazels. The way she moved them, anyone could loose themselves in them. His gaze on her was disrupted when he spotted her loosing her balance and ran towards her. Geet shrieked lightly loosing her balance after stepping onto the water on the ground and before she could fall, a hand gripped her by her waist while the other one held her hand. She opened her eyes to find Maan looking down at her. For the first time she had seen his eyes, they were chocolate brown, so deep yet so charming. Maan looked at her innocent face, the panic was evident on her face and the moment she saw him, it changed to relief. His hand was tightly gripping her bare waist, it was the light chill of the morning against her warm and soft skin. Geet on the other hand was oblivious to the presence of his hand on her waist. Maan noticed her wide hazels blinking breaking his trance as well, that's when he realized, for the first time he was actually admiring a girl. That was so not him.! Maan quickly snapped out of it and steadied her, looking away embarrassed. Geet realized what she had been up to and quickly fixed her saree and looked back at him.
Sorry, I didn't see the water. She meekly mumbled and scooped down to untie her ghungru ( anklets ), embarrassed by her own staring session. Maan slowly looked back at her and thanked his luck that she hadn't noticed him behaving unlikely.
No worries. Are you okay.? He asked walking behind her as she walked towards the table kept at the side and packed her stuff.
I am fine. Thanks. What are you doing up so early.? I thought you don't wake up early. Geet said laughing looking in his direction. Maan joined in and stood beside her looking at her things, it was fascinating for him.
I usually don't. But as it happens, I am not able to sleep these days, well it's a different place and atmosphere, I guess it will take a few days for me to adjust. I woke up early so I thought if exercising when I heard you. What were you doing.? Maan asked sitting on the slab beside the table .
I hope your sleep comes back to you soon enough. As for me, I was practicing dancing Maan. Geet said amusingly and sat on the slab along with him a few feet away from him.
Very funny. Even I know you were practicing dance Geet, what I was asking is, what was it.? Maan asked but found her looking in the other direction. He followed her gaze but he could only see the glow of excitement on her face.
Wow, today's sunrise is going to be beautiful. I haven't missed it yet. You want to see it.? It's just a 5 minute walk from here to the farm, it's beautiful there. I usually miss it. Either I end up waking up late, or I get too busy in the work and if not that, Tito is always there to make my life crazy. But since you are there today, you can take a look as well! Geet quipped excitedly. Maan laughed at her excitement and nodded, it might as be a chance to know her more.
Lets go. He said and started walking bedside her.
I was practicing Bharat-Natyam, it's a classical dance practiced in Tamil Nadu. I have been practicing it since many years, but these days I hardly find any time to practice so I try practicing it thrice in the week every morning. I love dancing and teaching it to the kids. Though I don't find time to practice, but I teach it on Sundays to the kids. Mom used to love it too, she is the one who taught me how to dance though there was a lot more I needed to learn from her. Never got that chance.! How about you.? Geet said suddenly going quiet. Maan understood her effort to change the topic, he could see the sadness over face.!
Me.? I am an average dancer. Not professional, but nothing compared to you. Now if you say classical dancing, I am clueless as I have never been close to anyone who dances. Maan laughed.
Ofcourse, classical dancing in London should be an unusual scenario. Geet laughed but the laugh didn't reach her eyes. Maan hated to bring the topic up again but he also wanted to know more about her.
Geet, if you don't mind me asking, can I ask you something.? Maan hesitated. Geet looked at him and nodded, smiling at him.
How is that you and your mom love Bharat-Natyam when you are punjabis.? Maan asked unsure of how she would take his question. Hearing his question, Geet burst out laughing and he watched her in amusement.
Maan, you were so scared to ask this.? I'm not going to eat you up for asking this.. Geet said and sat on the grass asking him to sit as well. Maan took a place beside her and followed her gaze. His face lit up into a smile as he saw the sun emerging out of the ground or so it appeared. Geet was right, the sunrise was indeed breathtaking.
Maan, my mom was a Tamilian. She and my dad fell in love and got married. So I had 2 different cultures play a role in my upbringing. I was 11 when she passed away and Tito was just 6 months old. I still remember her dancing every morning, it was the most fascinating thing to me. That's when she made the idol for me from the same soil where I was dancing on today morning. It makes me feel like I am with her. Geet said with a smile on her face. Maan could feel that she was trying to hide her pain.
I'm sorry Geet. For breaking your idol and even now, making you go through it again. Maan apologized meekly and started at the ground.
It's okay Maan. Anyone could have broken the idol, it would broken even if I had dropped it. About now, don't apologize, remembering Mom always makes me happy. I am glad you wanted to know, it was nice talking to someone after a long time.! Geet smiled at him. His respect for her grew even more as he heard her words, she was so different from him yet he could connect to her thoughts. Something or rather everything about her was different.!!
I think we should go, I have some really important work in the clinic today. Besides we saw the sunrise, it felt good. Geet said getting up and looking down on him.
Geet, you are a wonderful dancer and you are looking absolutely beautiful in the saree.! Maan smiled in her direction. It was a compliment that came straight from his heart.! Geet lookd at him, stunned by his compliment. She could see it was a genuine compliment and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. All she could do has smile at him.
Thank you Maan. She said and quickly turned away as she felt the warmth of blood in her cheeks.! She was blushing at his compliment.! What was wrong with her, this was so not her. A thought crossed her mind but she quickly shoved it away.! It had only been a few hours of their friendship, there was no way she was going to make up her mind this quickly. Maan got off the ground and both walked home, chatting along the way.
Mohinder, Raj and Neena looked at the door smiling, looking at Geet who ran into the house, the happiness evident on her face. Running into the house, she ran to Mohinder and higged him by his waist. Hearing the noise, Maan came into the living room to find Geet excitedly hugging Mohinder.
Kya baat hai.? Aaj mera puttar kuch zyada hi khush hai.? Kya hoga Geet.? Mohinder asked caressing her hair and blessing her. Geet broke the hug and beamed at him in happiness.
Batati hoon Papaji, pehle aap mithai toh khaiye. Aaj mein bahut khush hoon, toh aapko chod diya aaj ek din ke liye. Lijiye.! Geet said holding out the sweet box to him. Mohinder looked at her in surprise, it definetly must be something big for her to allow him to have sweets.
Beta bata toh kya baat hai.? Mohinder asked taking a piece and was just about to eat it when Geet stopped him.
Aise nahi papaji, prashad hai. Kyun de rahi hoon, abhi batati hoon. Geet said and walked towards Raj and Neena offering them the box. The smiled and blessed her taking some from the box.
Ab toh bata de kya baat hai.? Kya khaas din hai aaj.? Mohinder asked once again.
Papaji, aapko Aryan yaad hain na.? Jiske baare mein hamesha pareshan rehti thi.. Woh theek ho jayega papaji. Kabse hum uske liye donor ko dhoondh rahe the. Sirf 8 saal ka tha aur uske kidneys fail ho gaye. Do saal se dialysis pe tha, aaj finally usko ek donor mil gaya. Woh itna khush tha, use khush dekh ke kitna accha laga tha papaji. Kal usko Delhi leke jaa rahe hain surgery ke liye. Bas uske liye mandir gayi thi, toh socha prashad ghar leke aa jaon. Bas itni si baat thi, par main aaj itni khush hoon.! Geet quipped happily. Mohinder smiled with pride seeing her that happy. He walked to her and caressed her hair.
Mujhe naaz hai tujhpe puttar. Tu sabko theek kar degi, main jaanta hoon. Meri Geet sabse acchi jo hai. Mohinder smiled proudly at her and placed a kiss on her forehead. Maan, Raj and Neena stood there watching the two, with smiles across their faces.
Accha, ab jaa aram kar. Tabse se kood kood ke thak gayi hogi. Poora ghar sar pe jo utha liya. Mohinder laughed seeing Geet's pout. She too laughed and grabbed her bag ready to go in when she saw Maan leaving.
Maan, wait.! She stopped him and walked towards him with the sweets box in her hand. He looked at her walking towards him with a broad smile on her face.
Everyone has already had it. I was so excited that I completely forgot you, sorry.! Here.! As for the reason, I'm sure you would have heard it, if not have it anyway. It's for a cause.! Geet smiled and offered him the box. Maan opened the box to find it full of sweets.
I'm sorry Geet, I don't like sweets. I can't have them, but I am really happy for you. I wish you all the very best for everything you do. Maan said and smiled at her apologetically. Geet who was momentarily stunned quickly recovered herself and lowered the box smiling at him.
Maan, woh prashad hai. Geet tumhe poora box toh khane ko nahi keh rahi na, thoda sa lelo. Kisi ki salamati ke liye maangi hui dua ka prashad hai. Thoda as khane se kuch nahi hoga. Raj said standing behind Geet. Maan glared at him hearing his words.
Dad please, you very well know how much I hate sweets. I don't intend to disrespect her prayers or anyone's feelings but I don't like it so I won't have it. Please don't force me to have it, Im sorry Geet. Maan said in a low voice and left the room. Raj looked at Geet apologetically.
Beta, woh aisa hi hai, use accha nahi lagta toh kuch bhi ho nahi karega. Uski taraf se main maafi maangta hoon... Raj apologized.
Uncle please, yeh aap kya keh rahe hain. Sirf mithai hi toh hai, use nahi pasand toh kya ho gaya. Please app aise mat boliye. Geet requested to Raj to which he only smiled and left the place followed by Neena and Annie.
Aaram kar puttar, mujhe, Raj aur bhabhi ko kisi kaam se bahar jaana hai. Thoda late ho jayega shayad. Mohinder smiled and left the living room. Geet looked towards Maan's room and felt bad for him. It wasn't such a big issue as It had been made into, there were several other people in the world who didn't like sweets. She quietly walked towards her own room.
Geet peeped into Maan's room to find him engrossed into his laptop. She knocked lightly and he looked up smiling at her. She entered the room and stood by his bed waiting for him to finish.
Hey Geet.! What's wrong.? Why are you standing so quietly.? He asked placing the laptop aside and beckoning her to take a seat.
I hope you like chocolates.? She asked meekly unsure of how he would react. Maan's smile widened at the name of chocolates.
Yeah why.? He said raising an eyebrow. She sighed in relief.
Thank god. Well I.. I just.. Bought some for you.. I wasn't sure if.. You like them, so I thought of asking you first. Geet said retrieving the chocolates she had hidden behind. Maan laughed watching her tensed face. She handed it to him and he politely took them.
Thanks, Cadbury is my favourite. I don't like all, but I can have tons of these in one day. What's the occasion anyway.? Not that I mind but still...Maan smiled and admired his bunch of Cadbury, like a child who admires his most precious toy.
Actually, everyone in the house had the sweets I brought except you. Since everyone had some sort of sweet and you didn't so I brought this for you. You don't like sweets right, so I got chocolates for you hoping you will like them. I'm glad you like chocolates. Geet said with a serene smile on her lips. Maan looked at her in admiration, she was way more sweet than he could have ever thought. Everything about her was impressing him.
Thank you Geet, that's really nice of you.! I love them. Maan smiled widely at her. The happiness on her face was radiating. He looked at her expectantly when he saw her hesitating.
I also wanted to ask you.. If you want to.. Um come over to the decorators tomorrow.. With me.! I could go alone but then I thought.. You would want to come too.. Just wasn't sure how to ask you. Geet mumbled making him laugh.
Ofcourse I'll come Geet, why are you unsure to ask me.? Maan laughed. She joined in too.
I wasn't sure if you you would want to come with me after what happened the other day. She said to which both ended up laughing.
Lets forget all that happened. It was so ridiculous anyway. Only one problem, just don't ask me to come at 5 or 6 in the morning. Maan said panicking to which both ended up laughing once again. Soon they got chatting and lost the track of time. As they talked to each other, it dawned upon them that they had judged each other too quickly and they were way different from they had though of the other. Geet looked at the time and realized they had been chatting for over 2 hours.
Man, it's already been 2 hours. I never thought we could also chat for so long. I thought we could only bicker.! Maan said laughing, as she got off the bed to leave.
Lets bicker tomorrow, for now its a good idea to sleep.!! Good night Maan.! Geet laughed and started leaving the room when he replied.
Good night Geet, sleep well and thanks for the awesome chocolates. She heard him say. Looking back at him, she saw him smiling warmly at her. Smiling back at him, she left the room with the smile still on her clips. It didn't leave her as she reached her room. She looked at her self in the mirror and mentally chided herself for girding without any reason. Was it because of him that she was grinning ? Shoving her illicitly thoughts away, she thumped herself on her bed and drifted to sleep amazed at how easily they got along with each other. On the other hand Maan couldn't but helplessly be charmed by her warmth, she cared about everyone around her. Every gesture of hers was touching his heart, something he could never think of doing. It was so different than what he believed in but it only made him respect her more. Soon both of them drifted off to sleep, trying to maneuver their thoughts away from the other.
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PREVIOUS PART : PART 4
NEXT PART : PART 6
Edited by ..AnushaGeet.. - 11 years ago
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