FF: Forever and Always........part 43 in new Thread - Page 22

Part 27

The Mumbai Pune expressway was a beautiful road to drive through. At least that was what Geet heard from Naina and Dev from the time the plan was made. Geet, Pari, Naina, Dev and Maan are going together in Maan's car. Shasha, Adi and little Prachi will be coming later with Prachi's Nanny since Adi is having an important client meeting that popped up suddenly.

They had set out early in the morning to avoid the morning traffic. It was a good thing KE owns a resort since Lonavla Khandala were quiet crowded thanks to the beautiful Monsoon. Maan was driving and Naina wanted to seat with Dev so Pari backed out from sitting beside Maan on the passenger seat. Naturally Geet had to take that seat.

This was not the first time Geet was sitting on the passenger seat of Maan's car but first time they had company. Even without knowing the reason Geet found her cheecks scarlet.

Soon they hit the expressway and every one decided to play antakshari to pass time. Maan was not interested and even after all the pestering from Naina he did not agree. The four of them were loudly singing and bantering round and soon all the awkwardness flew through the window...

Geet would sometimes look outside the window and watch the outside scenes flying by. It had always been her hobby to watch outside the window while travelling. The monsoons had done wonders to the hilly terrains giving it a greener, fresher look.

The monsoon had helped form numerous seasonal waterfalls on the way so at Naina's insistence they all stopped the car to click some pictures near one. The three girls were excited and roaming round and shouting. Maan took it as an opportunity to just observe Geet.

Dev had been observing Maan for a long time now. He had seen him looking at Geet with the expression of yearning and longing.

Dev:" You love her so much, don't you?"

Maan:" Love whom?"

Dev:" You love Geet bro. Don't you dare deny it."

Maan smiled softly watching Geet again. He had never thought he will fall in love and more than that with someone like Geet. Geet was different from any girl he had ever met.

Maan looked up to Dev's eyes and said softly," yes I love her Dev."

Dev:" Oh bro I am so happy for you. She is the perfect one for you. "

Maan:" Don't get your hopes high Dev. There are lot of issues and major being she does not love me back."

Dev:" Oh I know. It is so sad that she had lost so much in such a young age."

Maan:" How do you know?"

Dev:" Naina."

Maan:" Yes she has lost much. And that had changed her a lot. You remember my friend from NYU Tej?"

Dev:" Of course I remember Tej bhai.Remember how many times he would visit us? Daadima had practically adopted him as a grandson. It was after he opened his own interior decoration company that his visits have been less frequent."

Maan:" Tej is Geet's brother."

Dev:" You mean Geet is the younger sister Tej bhai talked so much about?"

Maan:" Yes."

Dev:" But she is nothing like the little sister Tej bhai had described."

Maan:" yes Dev. Pain can do that to people. So you see how much Geet is not ready for a relationship."

Dev:" Hmm. But all I know bro is that she feels something for you. It is not love but it is something between attraction and reverence. You are someone special to her even if you don't understand."

Maan looked but they couldn't talk anymore. The girls were back and they resumed their journey. They reached the Khurana resort and were immediately taken to their rooms. Geet was about to enter when Maan suddenly whispered into her ears," I have a surprise for you. Hope you will love it."

Geet looked to check Maan's but he passed by her to his own room. Geet shook her head and just entered.

Since it was almost dinner time by the time Adi and Shasha reached so they all met up at the restrauant down. Little prachi was lulled to sleep by the motion of the car so Shasha had placed her in the room and joined others.

Everyone was talking and enjoying the slight chill in weather. Geet in particular had always been in love with hills and mountains more so because of her entire childhood spent in mussorie.

Geet was walking in the garden alone when Maan came near her and said," Geet, why are you roaming alone? Come join the group."

Geet:" It had been a long time since I have visited a hill station. I am reminded of Armaan.You know he always used to love hill stations."

Maan smiled. Then said soflty," Your surprise has almost arrived so why don't you come along."

Geet looked incredulously at him. She had thought he simply wanted to tease her but he was being serious. As she came along she saw the back of a tall well built man. Something about him felt like at home. She had a suspicion but she did not want to raise her hopes high so she looked at Maan who nodded slightly understanding her unasked question.

" Teji Veerji!!!"

Geet ran. It had been years they had met. At first it was Teji being out of country and then her own pain that never let them meet.

Teji turned back. His baby sister had grown up so much. Gone was the little girl with two piggytails. This was a stunning woman. But nothing mattered to the brother and sister at that moment; not years of separation or loneliness or the changes in them. Teji hugged Geet for his dear life and whispered softly," Geetu you have grown up so much. My little baby sister has grown up to be such a beautiful lady."

Geet:" I missed you Veerji!!"

Tej:" I missed you too Geetu!"

Adi:" Who would have thought our Tej is such a big softie?"

The snickering brought them back to world where they were surrounded by friends, friends who had been more than family for such a long time. Tej looked up and said,"Says the guy who can't leave Shalu for an entire day?? Don't you think we don't know how both of your business trips always manage to be at the same city."

Everybody smiled while Maan pipes in," Shalu would downright threaten me while Adi will emotionally blackmail me to help them in case they have to go their separate ways."

Adi:" It was going on about Tej. How did I become the target.So not fair."

Tej:" Oh, come on man Adi, agree you are totally whipped."

Maan:" Who would have thought that the shy Adi would end up with the toughnut Shalu!!"

Geet who was simply listening just said softly," But you have to agree that they are the perfect couple. They perfectly complement each other."

Adi looked up and said," Thank you Geet!"

Then looking at Tej Adi said," Counter that one Tej!!"

Tej:" I wish I could. But she is right. Any way I still don't get how Geetu knows you guy?"

Maan gave a devilish smirk while Naina piped in," What Tej bhai, you don't know? Maan Veerji did not say you anything?"

Tej:" All he said is to get my ass at Lonavla and he did not care which corner of world I am. All he said was that he had a beautiful surprise for me. And it truly is." Tej ended his statement side hugging Geet. They had never spent much time together so this arrangement was making both of them really happy.

Maan:" Oh I will let Geet explain things to you."

Geet:" oh Veerji, actually I am interning with Khurana enterprise under Maan. And princess here is my room mate. That's how I met them."

Naina:" Geet, stop calling me that!"

Geet:" Or what your Highness?"

Naina:" aghgh!! God you can be so annoying!"

Geet:" Oh tell me about it, Meer and Sid would be so frustrated while Yash used to just simply shake his head."

Pari:" Okay, chuck it Geet. Won't you introduce me with your Veerji?"

Geet smacked her head and immediately made the introductions. They all chatted loudly while having dinner. It was like one big family. Geet thought about her premonitions. Maybe she was just being paranoid. Her trip was turning amazing especially after her brother had come.

*****

It was a long time that Geet had not woken up at the crack of dawn. Last night she and Teji had spent together catching up on each others life. But somewhere even then she could not bring herself to talk about Armaan or her state.

It was unusual for her to wake up just like that and not because of some nightmare. Strangely she realized that after the initial one month of Mumbai she was not haunted by any nightmare. How come she did not notice?

Geet changed into a long skirt and top and took a shawl. The slight chills were actually adding to the charm of the weather and Geet thought she can have a walk.

She walked out the gate of the Khurana resort and started walking in a random direction just to enjoy the weather. Lonavla was beautiful early morning. The cloudy sky, light mist and green meadows...it was mysterious. Geet was reminded of thousands of memories of Mussorie; memories of them going for outings, or playing together in school compound, daring each other to take cold water baths or sneaking in foods in girls dorm and them having fun.

Memories of old happy days bringing tears to her eyes and she closed her eyes to hold on to them.A pair of arms heldher lightly and a voice said softly," I did not know that you were an early bird Miss Handa."

Finding the familiar arms providing the safety, security and warmth Geet hugged him as she tried to gain control on herself.

Maan who had merely been joking was alarmed by Geet's behavior and hugged her lightly asking softly," What's wrong Geet?"

Geet who had composed herself blushed realizing how tightly she had been hugging Maan. Pulling out of the hug she said," Nothing Maan."

Maan:" It is not nothing Geet. Come on tell me why you are upset?"

Geet:" I don't want to burden you all the time with my problems."

Maan:" Let me decide that. "

He took her to a bench on the roadside and gently encouraged her to say her feelings. Geet said softly," Actually after I left Mussorie, I mean my school I never had visited a hillstation. So I was kind of reminded of old times. "

Maan:" You are missing Armaan?"

Geet:" Not only Armaan, our entire gang. I miss Meer, Sid and even Yash. "

Maan:" You were telling me that your friends will be visiting you."

Geet:" Yes they will. And best part is Meer and Sid is dating. I mean I am so happy that Meer gave herself another chance after Yash. But still moments like this I miss all of them."

Maan:" Hmm..."

Geet:" What Maan?"

Maan:" Nothing."

Geet: "Now you are trying to hide stuffs."

Maan stood up and said," Come let's take a walk and I will tell you all about it."

Geet wiped her tears and held his hand as she got up. They walked slowly more like taking a stroll. While walking Maan asked softly," You remember our second meeting Geet?"

Geet:" The one where you saved me from the motor bikes?"

Maan:" Yes that one."

Geet:" What about that Maan?"

Maan:" I never thought that day that this moment could be possible in this life."

Geet looked up at him and said softly," Life is full of impossible surprises Maan. What chances were there then that I and you will be friends let alone that you had a connection with my Veerji! But you know Maan, strangely even then I had felt a connection with you."

Maan smiled and clasped her hand tightly into his and said," I had felt the same. Only I never imagined this connection."