FF: Forever and Always........Updated link to Thread 2 - Page 67

PART 17

The party hall was looking magnificent with all the lights, music and beautifully dressed people. It seemed like another world, a world she did not belong to. Everybody was smiling, drinking and dancing. Standing in one corner sipping on her soft drink Geet envied Dev and Naina for the first time. They were happy together and she was standing alone. She envied Pari's ability to talk and mingle instantly. She had become a loner ever since...well ever since her life was jeopardized by one flight crash..

Taking her drink she started walking away from the hall, it is suffocating to be here. The party, the happiness and merriment of it all are trying to collapse on her as if..

Geet wasn't really paying attention to where she was going when she heard a scream bringing her attention to herself.

A girl was standing holding her hand and was giving her murderous glare. The girl said in a high tone," Hey Girl! Do watch where you are going! You could have slammed right into me with your drink and spoilt my dress!"

Geet realized that the girl in front of her was right. She did have the right to be mad.

Geet:" I am really sorry Miss..."

Girl:" I am Shalini Sanyal."

Geet:"Miss Shalini, I am extremely sorry for my absent mindedness."

Shalini:" Oh, its okay. You seem like you are alone here. I have never really seen you around here before. Who are you?"

Geet:" I am here with some friends but they are kind of busy dancing. I am Geet by the way."

Shalini:" Geet as in song...nice name. It matches your musical voice."

Geet remembered the way Maan calls her Miss Song. She couldn't help getting a little flustered.

Shalini:" You are all red. Does someone special call you Song or what?"

Geet was flustered some more but managed to reply," Nothing like that Shalini."

Shalini:" Oh call me Saasha. That's what people call me. Shalini is way to large name. But how are you related to this event Geet?"

Geet:" Oh,I am actually an intern under MK. He was having an issue with arranging this party and I kind of helped it resolve so he kind of invited me as a way of treat."

Saasha liked the girl. She was different. She had a way to attract people. No wonder Maan is so under her spell.

Saasha:" Well, I am sure we will be meeting more often now. I am the head architect of Khurana Construction that is under Khurana Enterprise. I am sure we will have a chance to work on a project together. It was great meeting you. So you want to head where you are going or you can join me, I am near the bar."

Geet:" Oh Ma'am, I will just head out for a minute or two."

Saasha:" Ok but no Ma'am. Just call me Saasha."

Watching Geet walk away Saasha smiled. Then she proceeded towards the bar counter and stood beside Maan. She silently took the drink passed by Maan and took a sip.

Maan: "So?"

Saasha:"So what Maan Khurana?"

Maan:"Come on Shalu, tell me what do you think??"

Saasha:" Oh Maan, you really look adorable. Okay sir, I completely approve of your little lady love. But it would be tough man. She is quite sweet young girl while you are an oldie."

Maan: "Shalu!!! You can be really mean! Instead of boosting up my courage you are making me nervous...so much for being best friend!"

Saasha:"Ok Maan, my dear old best friend... Go and get your girl!! You will have a tough time handling her. She is not as eager as you though she might feel a little something for you. I think she is guarding something within her. It feels like she is afraid of opening up."

Maan:" And where did you have such a great epiphany? You cannot get any weirder can you?"

Saasha:" Oh Maan, stop being so mean. And remember I am a girl and girls have something called intuition. We kind of understand others a lot more than you guys."

Maan:" Stop acting like a freaky and tell me how you really knew about her?"

Saasha:" Well Maan, it's not me only who observed the changes in you. Naina had observed things as well and she had a chat with me."

Maan:" What? You guys gossip about me?"

Saasha:"Maan, even with the fear of boosting your ego, a lot of girls apparently gossip about you. But no, we were not gossiping. We were talking about Geet. Naina had coincidently talked about her and their life together. And you know how much Naina can talk given a chance. So I had a fair idea about Pari, Geet and also about you."

Maan:" No wonder you womenfolk are called Gossip queens."

Saasha:" Yet you can't help but love us..."

Maan:" You always have to say the last words don't you Shalu?"

Saasha:" You still won't learn. Anyway, I am going. You better go and see where your ladylove is.

Maan:"Hmm. But I will get back to you Miss Saasha!!"

Maan went out trying to search for Geet. There she was out on the lawn facing the sea. She looked like an angel shining in the moonlight. Maan knew somewhere from there earlier discussions that Geet is in love with someone else. The fact is painful for him but he couldn't help himself from falling for the uniqueness, the fiery yet the compassionate Geet. Saasha, his best friend had of course seen through his defenses and had gathered all the facts.

It was a coincidence that Geet had to arrange for the party today and Saasha could meet her. But Maan kind of knew and tried to control his heart knowing Geet is off limits. He did not want to destroy their friendship with any kind of unwanted awkwardness.

Making up his mind he approached Geet. Geet seemed kind of restless. He did not like the lines of tension on her forehead.

Maan softly called her name," Geet!"

Geet who had been lost in some other thoughts was startled and looked back with scared eyes which were replaced by a strange peacefulness once she found out it was Maan.

Geet:" Hey Maan! You ought to be inside the party Maan. You are the host."

Maan:" So should you Geet. What are you doing outside, alone?"

Geet:" I just came for some fresh air."

Maan:" I feel you are hiding something. Are you fine Geet?"

Geet:" Yes I am..."

Maan:" You don't seem convincing...You know right you can tell me anything?"

Geet:" Actually Maan to be honest I am not really a party person. And both Pari and Naina are busy either dancing or socializing not that I blame them. But I don't know anyone else ..."

Maan:" Tuck tuck, I thought we were friends Geet..."

Geet:" Of course we are Maan."

Maan held her softly and asked her in the huskiest whisper," Then why didn't you come to me Geet? You said you did not know anyone other than Naina and Pari... Why Geet? Don't I count?"

Geet was speechless and unknowingly took a deep breath. Somewhere she felt Maan's questions were not matching the emotions of his eyes. She answered softly," Ohh!! I thought you..."

Maan still held her and asked again," What Geet? What was stopping you from coming to me?"

Geet again had that same feeling. It was like Maan was asking something yet the meaning is totally different.

She looked into his eyes and said softly," I thought that was obvious Maan. You would be busy with your clients. And this is an office party so I am still just an intern who got to come in the party only because she had arranged it in the last moment."

Maan was startled a bit with her soft but firm voice and cursed himself for losing control. She was really looking beautiful and his control was slipping. Gaining his composure he chuckled and said in a light tone," Enough of business. Now let me entertain my friend. After all I have a reputation to maintain. What will people say if they come to know that you were bored at my party?"

His light tone took away Geet's all apprehensions and she said," Okay Mr. Stranger but you have a high standard to maintain. Geet Handa cannot be pleased easily..."

Maan chuckled and while taking her inside with him said in a tone of arrogance," Maan Singh Khurana never backs down from challenges. "

Geet laughed heartily as once again in the evening they entered the party hall together. Party was in full swing when suddenly the famous guitar string track of the Naqab movie's song was played and the DJ's loud announcement said," Gentlemen, please invite the lovely ladies of your life to dance on this romantic number.

Maan took all his courage and confidence and raised his hand in front of Geet and asked," May I have this dance?"

Geet was startled but nodded in yes as if in trance. Maan brought her to the dance floor and held her hand softly while his other hand was kept on her waist. He brought her near almost touching her but not quite as the song started:

Ek Din ..Ek Din Teri Raahon
Baahoon Mein Panaahon Mein
Aungaa Khojaunga
Ek Din Tera Ho Jaunga

Maan lead Geet efficiently as she followed him with ease. He twirled her round and brought her right back into his arms as the music played on...

Yeh Dil To Na Keh Yeh Baatein
Dil To Na Keh Saka

Geet however was in trance. This had been their song...hers and Armaan's song long ago as Armaan had played this on Guitar for her birthday. The security of Maan's arms, as always reminded her of the security of another pair of arms as Maan twirled her round and brought her near.

Tu Jaane Na Tu
Chaahat Meri Kitni Betaab Hai

Ho Jo Barso Meri Palkon Mein Tha
Tu Wohi Khwaab Hai

Maan and Geet kind of twisted in the and turned and Maan slowly raised her on his arms holding by her waist and then brought her down back to himself again as if pleading her to read the unsaid words from his eyes. While bringing down he could feel every part of hers touching his as a current passed through his body as he touched his love for the first time...

Geet was completely in trance of the aura of the music created mingled with her past. She looked up in trance as she saw she was dancing with Armaan and for the first time in years she smiled and blushed beautifully...

Har Ghadi Har Ghadi Yaadoon Mein
Vaadon Mein Iradon Mein
Aungaa Khojaunga
Ek Din Tera Ho Jaunga

Yeh Dil To Na Keh Yeh Baatein
Dil To Na Keh Saka

Maan made a move of holding Geet and almost half sitting down while she made a round around him. His eyes held hers reverently as she bestowed love upon him with her look. Only he did not know that the love was for someone else...

The music played on as they together danced in a symphony as if they had been always dancing together meant to be in each other's arms...

Yeh Jhukti Nazar
Jaane Jigar Hosh Lejati Hai

Mein Kaise Kahon
Ek Ajnabi Dard Dejati Hai

Geet saw she was in Armaan's arms and gave in to her heart's desire of dancing with him forgetting the world...For her all she could see was in Armaan's arms and not a single soul was there to disturb their moment together...

Maan could see that Geet was blushing and smiling even as a tear drop was sliding from the corner of her eyes. Her look was as if she was looking trough him. That was the moment he realized that she was in trance lost in some past...

As the lyrics played he bent Geet down and lowered his lips almost touching her throat but not quite and slowly made her stand up.

Chupke Se Chupke Se Teri Neeedon Mein
Khwaabon Mein Khayalon Mein
Chaaunga Khojunga

The song was more like Maan's hearts' desire even as he picked her up in his arms assuring himself that he had stolen a little moment of them together...

Ek Din ..Ek Din Teri Raahon
Baahoon Mein Panaahon Mein
Aungaa Khojaunga
Ek Din Tera Ho Jaunga

Yeh Dil To Na Keh Yeh Baatein
Dil To Na Keh Saka

With one last twirl Geet was thrown little away but how could she have parted from her Armaan and she came back and raised herself in his arms taking the support of his shoulder even as he held her waist throwing her up. Geet closed her eyes lost in the blissfulness of their moment and closed her eyes as she realized the end of song was approaching as she felt Armaan lowering her slowly.

Maan knew Geet's trance will be broken in a minute or two even as he brought her down. He was feeling mixed emotions about the dance. He was sad that Geet's dance, her passion and most importantly the love in her eyes were probably for a different person...the one she was lost in the memory of...But he was happy he got a memory with Geet, he got to know a side of Geet that was passionate and intense... It was worth the hurt for him to have that moment of bliss...

Geet hugged him tight and whispered in his ears," I love you soo much..."

Maan had been dying to hear these words ever since he had realized his feelings for her but unfortunately he knew it was not for him. These words were for that man in whose memories Geet is lost...

Both were unaware that every eye was on them after their intense, passionate dance and everybody started clapping bringing Geet back to the reality. She pulled out of the hug only to find she was in Maan's arms. Reality sunk in that she had been dancing with Maan all the while; there had been no Armaan taking her in his arms, it was all Maan... Sobs started breaking in from deep within her as she realized that minutes ago she had prophase her love for Armaan in Maan's ears, She looked at him guiltily shaking her head as tears rolled down her eyes... Worse feeling among all this was that Armaan was really gone and would never really come back.

Geet pushed Maan lightly and ran out of the hall. She could not breathe. She had to get away somewhere...

Maan had been dreading Geet's reaction midway through the song when he had realized her being lost in some past memory...but it did hurt him... He just excused himself trying to follow Geet.

Though a part of him was worried about Geet's safety and well being the other part wanted to demand some answers. Praying and trying for control he ran behind Geet as soon as he came out of the party hall. After all he deserves some answers now...