CHAPTER 73. LATE EVENING RENDEZVOUS AND MONDAY MORNING POOJA!
Day - 3 Sunday
Sheeshmahal
Geet was lost in her thoughts as she roamed the hallways of Sheeshmahal. Her mind kept on going to the moments spent with Maan during the riots, the hug in the rain and finally the way Maan pushed her away and walked off. Kyun Maan kyun? Kyun jab hum dono khush hote hain toh aap mujhe apne aapse door kar dete ho? Kyun? Maine apna pyaar bhi jataaya aur har waqt aap pe jaan bhi chidki lekin aap pe kuch asar hi nahi ho raha! Lagta hai yeh plan kaam nahi kar raha! Ab aapko paane ke liye mujhe koi naya tareeka sochna padega! Abhi raat bahut hogayi hai! Kal main AB se jaake baat karungi! Unki bhi toh love story wahin ke wahin atki padi hai! Toh kya pata! Dono baithke baat karenge toh, dono ko apne problems ka solution mil jaaye? Haan! Yahi theek rahega! Kal maine AB se jaroor baat karungi!
Geet was so lost in her thoughts and problems that she did not notice her feet taking her to the threshold of Maan's door till a loud cough brought her out of her thoughts. She looked at the room only to see the door open and Maan sitting on his bed coughing. Geet frowned, Aur khaaso! Aisa hi chaahiye aapko! Kisne bola tha baarish mein bheegne ke liye! Jiddi insaan! Then her eyes widened. Hey Babaji! Maine hi toh inhein ghaseet ghaseetke baarish mein bhigaaya tha! Aur main inhein kos rahi hoon! She bit her lip and fiddled with her duppatta nervously. Yeh sab meri wajah se hua hai! Inhein sardi aur khaasi meri wajah se hui hai! She felt very miserable as she heard Maan cough again. Nahi! Maine problem diya hai toh main hi solve karungi!
Fifteen minutes later, Geet huffed as she stormed over to the kitchen. For last fifteen minutes, she was searching for her AD so that AD could hand her the medicine box but AD was nowhere to be found. She searched the AD's room, AB's room where Arnav sat sneezing too and even Naani's room but no AD was found. Finally Geet got the idea of searching in the kitchen and went over there only to see Khushi making something.
"KB? Kya banaa rahi ho?", Geet questioned.
Khushi was so surprised by her appearance that she did not notice what Geet called her.
Khushi smiled, "Sardi ke liye kaadha!"
Geet frowned, "Par kiske liye?"
Khushi replied absentmindedly, "Arnavji ke liye!"
Geet's eyes widened and Khushi realized what she had said.
Khushi amended her words, "Aur Maan Veerji ke liye bhi!"
Geet nodded solemnly but inside she huffed; Veerji my foot! Mujhe pata hai ki yeh mere AB ke liye hai!
As Khushi filled two glasses with her kaadha, Geet got an idea.
She took one glass from Khushi's hand, "Khushi! Ek kaam karte hain! Tum yeh glass AB ke paas le jaao aur main doosra glass Maan ke paas le jaati hoon!"
Without giving Khushi the chance to refute the idea, Geet walked off swiftly. Khushi looked at the glass in worry and then slowly walked off to Arnav's room.
Geet entered Maan's room with smile on her face.
"Maan!", she whispered softly and Maan looked up. Noticing her he smiled absentmindedly but came to his senses soon and looked away.
Geet shook her head; Maan! Aapke dil aur dimaag ke khel mein meri band baj jaani hai!
Maan sat on the bed with his head on the headrest when Geet sat beside him and held the glass in front of him.
Maan looked at her with confusion.
Geet smiled, "Kaadha hai! Khushi ne banaaya hai! Aapki sardi choo mantar hojaayegi ise peete hi!"
Maan was about to take the glass but then looking at her he shook his head and looked away.
Geet huffed, "Uffo Maan! Problem aapko mujhse hai! Iss kaadhe se kyun naaraaz ho rahe hain?"
Maan still continued to look away.
Geet growled and cupped Maan's lower mouth with one hand and pressed the kaadha to his lips with other hand.
Overcome with shock at the attack, Maan took few sips before he pushed her hand away and glared at her in anger, "Tumhein yeh sab karne ki koi jaroorat nahi hai!"
Geet narrowed her eyes in anger. She placed the glass on the bedside table and then grabbing the collar of his shirt she pulled him close. They were so close that their nose almost touched.
Geet glared into Maan's eyes, "Mujhe karne ki jaroorat hai kyunki main aapki honewaali patni hoon, aap maane ye na maane. Samjhe aap ya likhke doon? Phirse aisa kahaa toh main aapko aapke poore gharwaalon ke saamne daantoongi. Phir aapke image ki jo band bajegi woh alag aur Daadima aur AD iss baat ka kya kya matlab nikaalenge so alag! Samjhe!"
Maan looked at Geet in shock as she left his collar and then took the glass and held it in front of him all the while glaring at him. Maan continued to look at Geet in shock as his mind took him back into the past. He remembered the day after they soaked in the rain. Due to his sneezing he was unable to tie his tie and Soni had tried to do it for him. When he refused her help, she had said something similar too. She had threatened to expose him in front of his staff. As he looked at Geet in shock, Geet huffed. Yeh aise nahi piyenge! She pressed the glass to his lips and Maan shocked her by drinking it all the while staring at her with the same stunned look on his face. Geet frowned; Ab maine aisa kya kar diya jo yeh aise dekh rahe hain? Then she shrugged. Inka dimaag kaise chalta hai mujhe kya pata! She huffed and stormed away still angered at his behavior while Maan continued to stare at her with shock in his eyes.
Arnav was sneezing and coughing when Khushi entered his room. She neared him and stood close to his bed. Arnav was seated similar to Maan but unlike Maan who was annoyed at his lady love's presence in his room, Arnav was grinning at who he saw in front of him.
"Khushi!", he whispered as he tried to get up in excitement.
Khushi was alarmed at his stance and she pushed him down gently, "Arnavji! Aaraam se! Aap bimaar hain!"
Arnav looked at Khushi in wonder. Why do you love me so much Khushi when I have given only pain to you? He wondered the umpteenth time. His mind flashed back to the time when she gave him kaadha just after the day they were drenched in the rain.
He sat quietly as Khushi handed over the kaadha. With smile on his face and eyes glued to her face, he drank the kaadha in one gulp.
Khushi bit her lip, "Aaraam se Arnavji! Kadwa hai!"
Arnav handed the glass back to her and smiled softly, "Nahi kadwa nahi! Kyunki tumhaare haath ka toh karela bhi meetha lagta hai!"
Khushi's eyes widened and she turned around and walked away feeling uncomfortable.
"Khushi!", Arnav called her just as she reached the door.
She turned around and Arnav smiled, "You still love me and I will prove it soon!"
Khushi was shaken by the conviction in his voice and she scrambled away.
Day - 4 Monday
"Par AD! Yeh pooja kyun?", Geet asked Anjali as they along with Paayal and Khushi decorated the thaali and got the other stuff ready for the pooja near the mandir in the hall.
Anjali smiled, "Kal jo kuch bhi hua uske liye!"
Geet frowned in confusion and Anjali explained, "Kal tum log dange mein phas gaye, phir Chachaji ke aane ghar mein bawaal hogaya, humaare Chote aur Chutke ki shaadi cancel hone ke kagaar pe aagayi aur upar se kal baarish mein bheegke Chote aur Maan Saab bimaar bhi gir gaye! Yeh sab na humein dara rahe hain! Kuch bura hone ka sanket de rahe hain! Isliye humne tey kiya ki aaj hum shanti pooja rakhenge taaki yeh shaadi ab bina kisi rukaavat ke ho!"
"Di! Aap aur aapki pooja!". They all turned to see Arnav standing nearby with his hands in pocket and an amused smile on his face. He had just come back from the garden after tending to his plants and was dressed in casual clothes. Anjali was reminded of his prank the other day and she smiled softly. How far had her Chote come from the broken boy with no wish to fall in love and get married! And now her Chote was getting married! Anjali felt the excitement spread through her body again and her lips gave a wide grin.
"Aapko kya lagta hai Di? Ki har problem ki solution pooja hi hai?", Arnav asked her amusedly.
Anjali huffed, "Haan! Humein yahi lagta hai kyunki agar hum ek saal pehle yahaan pooja ke liye nahi aaye hote toh na humein Paayal jaisi Bhabhi milti aur na Paayal ke through Lavanya milti! Toh tum yahi samajhlo ki humaare hisaab se har problem ka solution Pooja paat hi hai!"
Arnav rolled his eyes and turned to walk away when Geet ran to him and grabbed his arm. She stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ears, "Waise Di sach hi keh rahi hai! Pooja se hi aapko aapki honewaali patni mili hai!"
Arnav looked at her with raised eyebrow, "You are forgetting that I love Khushi! Aur woh mujhe ab tak mili nahi hai!"
Geet giggled, "AB! Are you forgetting? Agar AD ne last year Lucknow mein pooja nahi rakha hota toh aap Lucknow hi nahi aate! Aur agar aap Lucknow hi nahi aate toh KB se kaise milte? Aur na Veere PB se milte! Samjhe?"
Arnav looked at her in surprise, "Never thought of it like that!"
Geet looked at him sternly, "Isliye keh rahi hoon! Serious ho jaao aur iss pooja mein dil se apni Khushi ko maanglo! Kya pata DM aapke problems ko solve karde!"
"DM?", Arnav looked at Geet in confusion.
Geet smiled, "Devi Maiyya!"
Arnav slapped his forehead as Geet giggled and went back to helping Anjali.
An hour later, the family assembled in the hall for pooja except Maan and Arnav. Anjali huffed, "Yeh Chote aur Maan Saab kahaan reh gaye? Humein pata hai ki Chote Devi Ma ko nahi maante par humaare liye toh aa hi sakte haina? Aur ab yeh Maan Saab bhi gaayab hain!" Anjali pouted and looked down sadly. Shyam put his hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her.
Geet looked around in confusion. Maine toh AB ko kahaa tha na ki iss pooja main dil se KB ko maangna toh aaye kyun nahi... Her thoughts trailed off as she stared at the top of the staircase. Everyone was involved in comforting Anjali and hence no one noticed what Geet was looking at. Geet tapped Anjali's shoulder as she continued to stare. Anjali shrugged her shoulders as she sniffed in her husband's arms. Geet tapped again and Anjali continued to ignore her. Geet turned to Anjali, grabbed her arms and turned her around. Anjali's eyes fell on the top of the stairs and her mouth fell open, "Chote?"
There stood Maan and Arnav on the top of the staircase ready to get down. Maan was dressed in white Kurta making Geet breath rapidly. You have no right to look this hot, Mr. Khurana! Rest of the family looked at what shocked Anjali and Geet and when they saw Maan and Arnav they all were shocked. Now why were they shocked? You see Arnav, our Arnav, the same guy who would prefer to wear three piece suit even to his own wedding was wearing a red colored Kurta to the pooja. What the!
NT squealed in happiness. Many months back when Kurtas had become a fashion rage for Indian men, NT had bought Kurtas for all the men in her life. While Aakash, Dev, Arjun and Shyam wore them regularly Maan and Arnav had stashed them away preferring to be dead than be caught in them. Arnav had almost fainted at the red color of the Kurta! Him and red? What the! But today they wore the ones she gave them. As Anjali blinked in surprise, still unable to understand how her Chote was there for the pooja without someone dragging him and who persuaded him to wear a Kurta, Arnav and Maan got down the stairs and walked towards the families gathered.
While NT complimented both, Khushi felt her heart beat built up. Arnavji humein toh laga tha ki aap Casual Jeans aur Suit boot mein achche lagte ho lekin aaj... She gulped and looked away trying to calm her heart down while reminding her that Arnav was going to get married to her sister.
As Maan passed by Geet, Geet whispered to him, "Ek baat kahun?"
Maan stopped but did not look at her.
Geet whispered again, "White kurta mein aap itne handsome lag raho ki jee toh karta hai aaj hi aapko mandap mein bithaake aapse shaadi kar loon!"
Maan whipped his head around and glared at her, shocked at her boldness. He looked away in annoyance and Geet stood on her tip toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. It happened so fast that no one noticed it. Maan stood there stupefied as he was reminded of the time he last wore this Kurta. He had kissed Soni on her cheek that day. Geet giggled and Maan came out of his thoughts. He sent a glare towards Geet and stormed off. Geet giggled again. Haaye! Ghusse mein toh aur bhi handsome lagte hain!
Arnav stood by Anjali and frowned at her expression.
"Di! Pooja shuru karein! Ya aur thode dair mujhe aise hi ghurne ka plan hai?"
Anjali came out of her stupor and she fumbled a bit before she became normal and told the Pandit to start the pooja. All time throughout the pooja, Anjali had one question in her mind. What convinced her Chote to wear a Kurta and when did her Chote started attending Poojas on his own will?
Arnav smirked as he felt Khushi's stare on him. Plan successful! He was sure that being a lover for all Indian things, Khushi would appreciate seeing him in Kurta and she did! But Arnav had another reason to wear a Kurta! He wanted to impress Devi Ma so that he could get what he wanted. His Khushi! Suddenly, Arnav looked at the Devi Ma's murti in front of him and winced. Sorry Devi Ma! Aaj mera dimaag kahin aur ghoom raha hai! But I promise! From now on I will concentrate on the pooja! Bas aap Khushi aur meri shaadi karwa dijiye! He closed his eyes and tried to maintain his focus on Devi Ma and his wish!
Soon the pooja ended and Khushi, Geet, Paayal and Lavanya started to distribute sweets as Prasad to everyone. Khushi, Paayal and Amma had woken up early morning to make Prasad for the pooja as they were from halwai family. Anjali and Geet had taken over cooking other things with Khushi pitching in. As Lavanya neared Arnav and he raised his hand for his Prasad, Khushi shouted, "Di ruko!" Everyone looked at Khushi in surprise including Arnav and Geet who stood side by side. Khushi ran to the idol and pulled out a small thaali filled with another type of sweets. She neared Arnav and handed sweet from the plate. She turned to Lavanya to explain her action while everyone looked on curiously, "Arnavji ko diabetes hai! Isliye woh yeh mithaai nahi khaa sakte!" Arnav smiled at her, "Khushi thoda khaane se kuch nahi hoga!" Khushi huffed, "Lekin aapko yeh khaane ki kya jaroorat hai jab humne aapke liye sukhe meve ka halwa banaaya hai! Ismein shakkar nahi hai! Aap ise khaa sakte hain!"
Arnav looked at Khushi in surprise while Anjali beamed, "Humein bahut achcha laga Khushiji ki aapne humaare Chote ke baare mein socha!" Khushi hesitantly smiled back and all continued to serve Prasad and eat them.
Naani softly whispered to Anjali, "Kuch bhi keh lo Anjali bitiya par humaare Chote ke liye Khushi bitiya hi theek thi!" Anjali smiled softly, "Humein bhi Khushiji bahut pasand hai lekin Chote ko toh Lavanyaji hi pasand aayi toh ab hum kya karein?" Both ladies exchanged sad looks.
Maamiji commented loudly, "Khushi humaar Chote ka kitna khayaal rakti hai!"
Geet whispered to Arnav, "Ek dum ek hone waali biwi ki tarah!"
Arnav looked at her and they exchanged smirks.
Maamiji continued, "Khush raho Khushi bitiya!"
She placed her hand on Khushi's head and Khushi bent down to take Aashirwaad.
Geet continued to whisper, "Lo! Ab toh MJ ne bhi green signal de diya!"
Arnav looked at her in confusion and Geet smiled brightly, "Arre! Khush raho bitiya kahaa na? Aur Khushi toh tab hi khush reh sakti hai jab aap uske saath ho, right?"
Arnav rolled his eyes but his heart was happy hearing Geet's words.
Geet smiled as she gave another pose. "GM! Hows this pose?"
Her GM as in NK smiled, "Perfect!" and clicked the pic.
Geet grinned and gave another pose and NK clicked his camera.
This had been going on for a while and Maan, who was standing nearby was agitated.
The moment pooja had ended Geet had dragged NK to a nearby corner and demanded that he take pictures of her. And from that time, Maan, whose eyes refuse to move from Geet the whole time, was starting to feel angry and uncomfortable.
Maan growled and grumbled, "Yeh jyaada hi kuch paas nahi aa raha Geet ke?"
Maan did not know that his words were heard by two people and the said two people stepped ahead to stand by Maan.
"NK Geet ke paas rahe ya na rahe, tumhein kya problem hai?", Arnav whispered from Maan's left side and Maan whipped his head to look at him.
Arnav gave him an amused look and Maan turned back to look at Geet in front of him.
"Haan Bro! Whats your problem? Aap toh usse pyaar bhi nahi karte ho, right?", Dev spoke from other side and Maan gave him a glare.
"Bolo Maan! Apne bhai ke sawaal ka jawaab do!", Arnav egged him on and Maan, unable to answer, stormed away. Arnav and Dev exchanged a grin and high-five and walked away. Lagta hai yeh pyaar ki gaadi line pe aate aate dono Maan aur Geet buddhe ho jaayenge! Both thought simultaneously.
As Arnav walked away, an idea for his own love life, formed in his head and soon a full blown plan was ready. He looked around till he found Khushi and Lavanya. Khushi was standing nearby looking around with a sad look on her face which Arnav interpreted as unable to muster the smile as her Arnavji was getting married to her Di soon. Ya right! As if I am going to let that happen, Arnav smirked and looked around finding La sitting on a window ledge looking out. Arnav sighed; he felt bad for the girl! If only he was not in love with Khushi he might have accepted Lavanya as she was the type of wife a textile tycoon would prefer but his heart was set on Khushi and Arnav had long since abandoned his stereotypical thinking and focused on getting what he wanted. And right now he wanted to win Khushi either by hook or by crook and he had a perfect idea in his mind.
Arnav noticed that La was in the line of sight of Khushi and headed towards her. If Maan could get jealous by Geet smiling at NK how would Khushi react if he actively flirted with Lavanya? He smiled smugly; Khushi Kumari Gupta! Let me give you the proof of your love for me!
"Hey!" Lavanya looked up to see her fianc standing there. While they had met each other many times in the hallways they never went past the hello's and how are you's and never sought out each other to talk. So for Arnav to seek her out and talk to her was a new surprise to her. Maybe there was some hope in this marriage. They may not love each other but atleast they could be friends, right? Arnav started to chat up with her but there was some tension between them. Then Lavanya brought up the topic fashion' and that broke the ice as she had been student of fashion and he was a fashion tycoon and soon they were chatting like old friends. As they chatted Arnav made sure he touched her hand or her arms while smiling flirtily. Anyone seeing them would easily think that they were a couple.
"Naaniji! Aapne dekha?", Anjali spoke in shock as she looked at Arnav and Lavanya.
Naaniji was as much shocked as Anjali, "Haan Bitiya! Humne dekha! Arnv bitwa jo apne feelings ko apne paas rakhte hain, aaj khule aam romance kar rahe hain! Gaur se dekh lo bitiya! Yeh phir se shaayad hi dekhne ko milega! Kyunki ee ko kehte hain aathva ajooba!"
"Kya?", Anjali looked at Naaniji in surprise and Naaniji winked at her. Both giggled.
Khushi looked at the scene in front of her with shock and pain. Arnavji? Aap toh humse pyaar karne ka daava karte the na? Toh yeh sab kya hai? Humein kuch nahi samajh aa raha Arnavji! Kuch nahi!
"Jyaada hi close close ho rahe hain, right?", Khushi heard someone speak right near her ear. She turned around only to see NK standing there staring at Lavanya and Arnav with narrowed eyes. Khushi sniffed and nodded, "Haan!" "This is not right, right?", NK whispered and stormed away. Khushi sniffed again as she felt tears starting to well up in her eyes. Then she stopped thinking about the scenario in front of her and looked at the place where NK was standing. Humein theek nahi lag raha, yeh hum samajh sakte hain! Par Nandkisoreji ne kyun aisa react kiya? Then her eyes went back to Arnav and Lavanya, and she huffed and stormed away. Itni aapko Di pasand hai, toh kar leejiye unse shaadi! Hum chale!
Arnav smirked as he noticed Khushi storm away. He had his eyes on Khushi all the time he was talking to Lavanya and once she walked away, Arnav excused himself and walked off. Mission Jealousy; Successful!
It was late in the evening when Geet finally got the time to talk to Arnav. After the pooja had ended, many guests had started pouring in for the wedding and Geet was involved in welcoming them with Anjali and NK. Even Arnav and Maan were busy as they were welcoming their corporate guests at a nearby hotel. It was already planned that family and family friends will stay in Sheeshmahal while the Corporate clients and their families will stay in the nearby hotel.
Being busy the whole day, Geet had heaved a sigh of relief when Anjali dismissed her. But when she noticed Arnav entering his room, she could not stop herself from storming in and shouting, "Yeh aur nahi chal sakta!"
Arnav frowned, "Kya nahi chal sakta? Shaadi ki tayyaariyaan?"
Geet rolled her eyes, "Nahi AB! Yeh... Yeh... Yeh Maan aur Khushi ko paane ka plan!"
Arnav looked at her incredulously, "You meant to say you want to give up?"
Geet looked at him in shock, "What? NO!"
Arnav huffed, "Geet! Specify! What do you want?"
Geet sat on his bed and pouted, "Yeh waala plan work nahi kar raha! Baar baar un dono se takraana aur puraani yaadein taaza karna work nahi kar raha! Humein humaari strategy change karni padegi!"
Arnav nodded and sat beside her, "You are right! Even I feel the same thing! We have to change our strategy!"
Geet looked at him with worry, "Par kya karein? Mujhe toh koi aur idea soojh bhi nahi raha!"
Arnav and Geet sat and thought for a while when suddenly Arnav perked up, "Ek idea hai!"
Geet looked at him with excitement, "Kya idea AB?"
"Aaj dopahar ko...", Arnav continued to explain how Maan had gotten jealous at NK clicking pics of Geet and how Khushi had gotten jealous at Arnav and Lavanya's closeness.
Geet looked at him with wonder, "Matlab? Hum un dono ko jalaayein?"
Arnav nodded smugly, "Exactly! Itna jalaayein ki woh dono humaari ore kheeche chale aayein aur phir unhein yakeen ho jaayega that they are made for us!"
Geet giggled excitedly, "Yeh toh ek dum badhiya idea hai! Lekin..."
Geet frowned and Arnav nudged her, "Lekin?"
Geet sighed, "Lekin hum yeh plan ko kab kaam pe laayenge? Kal poora din toh hum dono busy honge! Aur kai guests aane baaki hain aur woh sab kal aayenge!"
Arnav thought for a while and then smirked, "Kal aur parso ki party mein!"
Geet thought for a second and then nodded, "Perfect idea!"
When the Sangeet for the weddings was being discussed, Aakash, Dev, Arjun, Maan and Arnav had asked for Sangeet to be formal style and with Cocktail party as they wanted to entertain their Corporate guests but the elders had rejected the plan as relatives were coming over and they would not like such kind of parties. Even the girls rejected it as they preferred to give desi dhumkas rather than try ballroom dancing. Soon a debate had ensued with elders and girls asking for a traditional sangeet and boys asking for Cocktail party. Finally Anjali had found a solution. The day after Pooja, they would have a Corporate Party for the Clients and will have Cocktail. In this party none of the family and relatives except the youngsters will participate. And then the day after Corporate Party, they would have a traditional sangeet where only family members and relatives will be there while the Clients would be sent on Lucknow sightseeing tour. They will continued to do the touring next day too when the couples will have their Haldi and Mehendi ceremony.
Geet and Arnav grinned at each other. They had the perfect plan for the next two days! Get Maan and Khushi jealous! Yes! They high-fived each other and started planning for the next day!
TRIVIA
For those who have forgotten the older chapters (which is possible coz I wrote the first chapter nearly two years back) here are the details about the older chapters I am referring to in the story.
1. The tie scene which Maan remembers during the kaadha scene is in Chapter 26!
2. The scene which Arnav remembers during the kaadha scene is also in Chapter 26!
PRECAP
Why write the precap down when I have got VMs and Banners to do the job?
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7FomVqRVc[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7Xu6mR65kg[/YOUTUBE]
Thank you, take care and have fun,
Kalpana
Edited by Kalpana_Writer - 11 years ago
![FF||Deceptive Obsessions - Chapter 26 & 27 page 26 [31/05]](https://img.indiaforums.com/userimages/10/6767-650527.png)
Arjun
Cricket
741