Chapter 40: A Pinch of Reality
With the semester done, Geet was preparing for board certification examinations. Geet was trying her best to concetrate on the lecture notes in front of her but the task seemed almost impossible with Maan's thoughts constantly surrounding her. Unable to keep her mind off of him, she shut her book and decided to take a stroll in the garden. She was about to walk out of the room when she heard her phone blare to life with Brij Veerji' flashing on the screen. Wondering what was the need to call at this hour, she hesitantly took his call.
"Hello veerji," she spoke softly.
"Haan haan," Brij grunted from the other side. "Pandit ne kaha aaj maa ka shraadh hai toh ho sake toh kuch annadaan karo kisi mandir mein ya gurudware mein. Samjhi?"
Geet's phone almost slipped out of her hands hearing the news of her mother's shraadh. How could she forget that she had lost the one person who had supported and fought for her? Tears stung her as she tried to digest the information she just received.
"Samjhi?" Brij's tone turned a pitch higher.
"Jji," she managed to whisper as she tried to suppress a sob. Cutting the call, she fell on the bed and let out a muffled cry. Thoughts of mother's last day flashed in front of her while she sobbed uncontrollably. How could she be so careless and forget her mother's death anniversary? She remembered the days in her childhood when she used to spend most of the time tagging along her mother holding her mother's pallu. She was refrained from playing outside with her friends and her brother never considered her presence. Most of the time, she kept herself away from her father's angry gaze and hid in the kitchen where her mother spent most of the time cooking for the many friends and aqaintances of her father.
Geet had always faced the wrath of her father and always it was her mother who came to her rescue. If not for her mother, Geet wouldn't have been allowed to step outside the house. Her mother had insisted on Geet's higher education and wanted her to be able to support herself. Her mother had hoped Geet's education would give her the freedom she never imagined having. In spite of many insults and beatings she managed to get Geet into a good medical school. And now Geet had blatantly forgotten her mother's death anniversary. She knew even Babaji wouldn't safe her for this act of hers.
She tightened her grip on the pillow and blinked to focus on the photo on the far end of the table. Among the many things stood their marriage photo in a neat frame. That was it! This was what had come to completely blind her. She had let this marriage take front seat. She should have walked out the day she was brought to this mansion in the name of marriage. This marriage had caused her to forget her mother's sacrifice to the point where she had even forgotten the day she died.
Her tears had dried leaving blackish salt streaks all over her cheeks. It was no less than a crime to forget the mother who had shed blood to protect her. She sat up with a determined look. Things had slipped out of her hands but she wouldn't let anymore of her thoughts run wayward from her goals. Getting off the bed, she walked towards the bathroom.
She walked out after washing her face and heading towards their closet. Staying with him would just give him hopes so she decided to move in with her friend just for the finals. Right after the finals she decided to leave to the US where she can pursue her final step in achieving her mother's dream. After finding a small duffel bag hidden behind the dresser, she cleared out bits of dirt sticking everywhere. Placing the bag on the bed she went to pick out the bare necessities for herself. She rummaged through the many dresses and suits to pick a few simple ones. She was about to pick a few salwars when she found the beautiful saree Maan had selected while they had gone to Chaitu's marriage. As much as she hated this marriage, she could never come around to hate the man who gave a new meaning to love. Before she could change her decision to move away, she hurriedly shoved the saree into the bag and moved to the closet the remaining things.
She had packed almost everything and went to take a last look to see if she missed anything. She shuffled few things and was about to turn when she found something shiny. Getting hold of the shiny stuff, she brought it out to get a closer look only to gasp the next second. It was the same black beaded chain that had bound her into this foreceful bond. Anger clouded her mind, without second thought, she threw it away.
Tears burned the corners of her eyes and trickled down. Biting her lower lips she let out a sob. Covering her face, she let the remaining tears run down and stain her face.
***
Maan's phone buzzed to life for the hundredth time. He hurriedly picked up to hear the person speak from the other side.
"Very good then," he finished with a huge grin on his face. Without wasting another second, he picked up his files and hit the road.
Maan couldn't wait to surprise his Geet today. Although their life had settled into a beautiful routine, he wished to claim her love. Weaving many dreams together, he stepped into the house. Learning of daadima's visit to her relative's place from Nakul, he raced up the stairs to their bedroom. Pushing the doors he stepped in only to find the place eerily quiet.
He slowed down his pace and looked everywhere to see if he could find Geet. Not finding any trace of her, he dialed her number to find it was switched off. Srunching his brows, he tried calling her again. Hearing the same switched off' message, he threw the phone and rushed out of the room.
"Nakul kaka!" he hollered down the hallway making his old and trusted servant to rush to his aide.
"Kya hua baba?" Nakul asked trying to catch his breath.
"Geet kahan hai?"
"Yaheen kahi hogi, main abhi market se aa raha hoon," he replied with a concerned voice.
"Deepak! Mohan!" Maan called out rest of the servants. "Geet aapse kuch keh kar gayi kya?" he asked his worry lines increasing on his forehead.
"Haan saab, aapko ye dene ke liye kaha. Aur phir ek bag leke chali gayi," Deepak said handing over an envelope.
"Bag leke chali gayi?" Maan repeated aloud wondering if she had to leave for any medical camp. Dismissing everyone, he tore open the envelope only to find a neatly folded letter that read:
Don't try to find me. Goodbye.
Maan's world stopped reading those words. Rubbing his eyes, he scrutinized the letters scribbled on leaving him short of air. She had just walked out of his life without any explanation. Unable to comprehend a coherent explanation for her sudden exit, his shock turned into sorrow and finally into irritation. She just couldn't walk away without giving him a proper explanation. She had given her all the freedom and she had chose to stay back. And this sudden disappearance definitely needed explaining.
Pulling out his phone, he punched the digits angrily before putting it near his ear. The person on the other side picked it before the second ring. "I just need to know where she went," he barked without proper introduction. He shut the phone without a courteous thanks or goodbye and rushed to campus dormitories of Geet's medical school.
Parking his car in front of the huge gates, he rushed to ask the security to let him in. the watchman seemed reluctant in letting a strange man at first but some sweet cash did the trick. The man saluted and let Maan in giving him details about the room and floor number where he could find his wife.
With two steps at a time, Maan reached the third floor room number 321 in no time. He took a deep breath, not wanting his anger to consume the better of him before knocking on the door. Hearing no response from the other side, he was about to knock again when the door opened to reveal a short and petite girl with glasses. Her curly hair was scrunched into a messy bun. She had sharp features and held a pencil between her teeth.
"Aap?" she questioned scrunching her brows.
"Main Maan, Geet's husband. Now if you can step aside, I am here to take my wife home," he said with a tone of authority. Before the girl could reply, he rushed past her into the room.
"You, you can't barge into my room like that," she screamed running after him. "aaur there is no Geet here!" She tried to block his way only for him to easily push her aside and walk into the only room.
Not finding Geet in the living room, he angrily stomped into the only other room and found it dark. He groped to find the lights and switched it on to find her curled in the corner of the bed with her back facing him. He walked around and was about to call her when he saw she was sound asleep. Even in her sleep she looked distressed and tired. Trails of salty tears were smudged all throughout her cheeks and her eyebrows scrunched as though she was in pain. He didn't have a heart to wake her up so decided to settle everything between them tomorrow. He deftly picked her up without disturbing her and headed outside.
The minute Maan picked her up she automatically wound her arms around his neck, in spite of her deep sleep. A sense of peace settled and spread through her face as he cocooned her in his arms.
Meera saw Maan coming out with Geet in her arms and opened her mouth to prevent him from walking away with Geet.
"Shh!" Maan hissed angrily pointing to Geet's deep slumber. "This is between husband and wife. There is no need for third person interference," he stated before walking out. Meera tried her best from letting him leave with her friend but Maan had overpowered her with his stature and tone.
Geet had rushed into her room with blood shot eyes and disheaveled state. Before Meera could enquire what happened, Geet dropped her bag and hugged her with sobs raking her body. No amount of coaxing or cajoling helped lessen her cries. Without a choice, Meera led Geet into her room and managed to get Geet to sleep. Before Meera could think what she had to do next, Maan had barged in and taken away Geet. She had never been formally introduced to Maan as she was not present the day Geet re-joined college. Geet did confide the circumstances in which she was married to him. And from what she remembered, Geet had never complained about his misbehavior. In fact had praised his selflessness to help her in her difficulties. Things had changed after Geet came back from a short trip with him. Although Geet never claimed anything, Meera did notice a new spark in her and was extremely happy for her best friend. But before she knew it, Geet had come running to her crying her heart out.
Maan had rudely barged in the minute Geet slept confirming her suspicion Geet's state had to do something wih him. She wanted to call the cops with Maan's forced entry and was about to pick up her cell phone when she saw him soften at the sight of Geet in the room. She keenly observed his eyes reflecting nothing but relief and love. He had softly picked her up like she was some delicate petal before cacooning her in his warmth. Satisfied with his behavior, Meera decided to let the two solve their issues and hoped Geet would have her happily ever after. She deserved that after all she had to go through since she was a kid. 
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