Chapter 37: Kiss Kaam
"Haan! Abhi leke aayi!" Geet hollered over the loud music while picking up the empty plate and hurrying to get the necessary flowers instructed by Arun's mother. She rushed to the empty storeroom where the loud noises had receded to a mere buzz. She looked around to find baskets of loose marigold flowers. Finding them in the other corner of the room she dodged towards it.
She was almost done piling the flowers neatly on the plate when she heard the door creak. And before she knew it, the door closed with a slight bang. She gasped in shock and turned to see who could have shut the door. Stream of daylight passed through the small window illuminating just her and leaving the rest of the room dark.
"Kkaun hai?" she stuttered in fear. Hearing no reply, her heartbeats rose. She could sense the movements of her predator. "I asked, who is it!" she repeated this time a bit louder as she clutched the plate closer to her chest.
"Shh..." she heard as the person neared her, placing his finger over her lips. "It isn't good for gazelles to scream while being hunted," his baritone voice dropped to a mere whisper as he brushed his thumb over her cheek.
Ray of light fell on his face revealing his well-trimmed stubble and perfectly chiseled face.
"Maan," she whispered shocked yet relieved by his appearance. "Aap yahaan?" she asked unsure of his sudden presence.
"Koi bhi kaam adhoora chodna Maan Singh Khurana ko accha nahi lagta," he declared coming to stand right in front of her. "Especially kaams like these," he added eyeing her lips with a wolfish smirk.
"Maan," she gasped catching up to his devilish intentions. "Dekhiye, koi aajayega," she tried to reason.
"It has been taken care of my dear, I have locked the storeroom door," he assured inching closer to her.
"Ma has asked me to rush back. Nahi aayi toh, she'll start searching," she gulped hoping this excuse would put him off.
"Everyone is busy with shaadi ka kaam. No one is going to miss your presence." He winked asserting his upper hand in the issue. "Ab like a good girl, is plate ko kaskar pakdo, varna gir jaayega." His tone dropped to a dangerous whisper.
She realized he had cornered her allowing no escape route. Pinning her wrists tightly over her head, he pressed himself closer to her. Before she could comprehend his actions, he captured her lips, preventing her from protesting further.
The enrapturing kiss clearly stated his exploding desires while his hand slipped to sensuously wrap around her petite waist. She gasped at the sudden feel of his fingers making her noisily drop the plate filled with flowers. He broke apart hearing the sudden noise only to see the plate clattering on the floor with flowers flying in all directions. "Oh well," he shrugged before bending to complete his unfinished job.
"Maan please," she pleaded breathlessly covering his mouth with her hand.
Maan gazed her at her slightly dazed state. Her chest heaved as she took a shuddering breath to stabilize her racing heartbeats. Her lowered lashes prevented him from reading her feelings yet a rosy scarlet discolored her otherwise fair complexion. He reached out to touch her cheek contented his efforts were worth it.
"One more time you chew my lip, I will seriously die of embarrassment in front of everyone," she uttered biting her lower lip.
"Haww Geet," he frowned removing her hand off his mouth. "I didn't chew your lip. Let me see," he countered lifting her chin and examining her lips.
"Maan," she groaned at his lack of understanding. "Aap na bahut besharam ho gaye hain." She buried her head in the crook of his neck and making herself comfortable while winding her arms around his neck.
"Biwi aisi hogi toh har waqt besharam hona zaroori hai," he replied coolly hugging her by her waist.
"Aisi matlab?" she asked scrunching her eyebrows.
"Sexy with a very cute' tag attached," he winked, slightly grabbing her nose and pinching it.
"Maan," she admonished slapping his chest. "Hatiye, mujhe bahut kaam hai!" she said pushing him before picking up the now fallen plate. Not wanting to use the soiled flowers, she filled the plate with fresh flowers from the basket and once again arranged it neatly. She was about to walk away when she felt a tug on her wrist.
"Tussi mat jao na," he whined with an adorable pout.
"Please Maan," she pleaded placing a peck on his cheek. "Aaj raat I promise to spend more time with you," she said looking hopeful.
"Pakka?" he asked his eyes glistening with excitement.
"Pakka," she replied with a dimpled smile. He loosened his grip allowing her to run out of the storeroom with a shy smile adorning her beautiful lips.
"Vadhu ko le aayiye!" the priest asked pausing from chanting the holy mantras.
Parents of the bride and groom along with few close relatives and friends surrounded the holy pyre as the groom sat solemnly repeating the holy chants like asked by the priest. Marriage hall buzzed with excited chattering of the guests as they eagerly waited for the bride.
Maan stood right beside the groom overlooking to see if Arun or the priest needed anything. As Chaitu entered, loud chatter dropped to silent murmurs of appreciation. Adorned in traditional white silk saree she descended down the stairs while being carried on a palanquin. Few older ladies including her mother followed behind her. Maan looked up to see the bride arrive but someone else caught his attention; his bride.
Carrying a plate of flowers Geet followed down Chaitu as she was being carried down to the dais. A contented smile adorned her lips revealing her cute dimples, as she glided down the stairs no less than a beautiful angel. She looked up to see a heated gaze fixed on her causing a crimson hue spread around her cheeks. She bit her lips and shook her head as though ordering him to behave but in return he simply winked at her. Realizing there was no point in trying to make him behave she kept her eyes below and silently followed the bride to the main mandap.
Chaitu settled beside Arun with her head bent low while he adored his beautiful bride. The priest began to recite the holy chants and instructed the groom to follow along. Trying his best to repeat after the priest he bent forward putting the articles into the holy fire.
Geet placed the plate of fresh flowers beside the holy pyre and began to walk around when she felt someone tug her from back. She turned to see Maan holding her wrist and forcefully pulling her to stand beside him by the small pillar erected on the mandap for the holy rituals. Not wanting to refuse him, she went to silently stand beside him and watch the proceedings. The bride and the groom stood up for walking around the holy pyre. And unbeknownst to her, she let out a contented sigh winding her fingers around his.
Maan felt her lean onto him while her fingers thread around his. He looked down to see her fingers secured around his as though it was the most natural thing between them. He looked up to see her serenely smile as Arun and Chaitu took turns leading around holy fire.
Nothing could describe the ineffable joy bubbling inside him with her unconscious act. He had completely lost hope of leading a happily married life with her yet never gave up fighting for her. And here he was, standing hand in hand with the love of his life watching the duo entering into a permanent bond of love.
Life had given him another chance and brought her back to him. He would remain ever grateful for allowing him to prove his worth in her life. Tightening his grip around her fingers, he promised himself to never let her regret the decisions she had taken for him. Her happiness was his priority and he pledged his life to just see her smile.
Maan's reverie was broken as he felt something falling on his face. He touched to see people throwing flower petals on the newly weds. Geet too turned to see petals falling on her from all direction as she stood by the mandap and was about shake them away from her when she felt Maan stop her. She quizzically looked up to see him shake his head.
"Rehne do na," he whispered softly against her ear. And it came again, the reddening of her cheeks and the shy flit of her eyes from his. That was when she felt him kiss her hair, his action almost reverential. Guilt began to tug her mind, and she wondered what had made her shun him away all this while. Well, didn't they say it was better late than never? She tightened her grip around his fingers and turned back to see the newly married couple receiving blessings from the elders of the family. 
Thank u Madhu ,,,,for the much awaited part...finally they both realised their love for each other...hoping for lot of Maaneet scenes ...already waiting for the next part 😆
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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