Distorted Lives..... FOUW...Link to Thread 2 Updtd - Page 9

Part 3

Innocence

Geet was waiting at the lobby of Muskaan's hostel when Muskaan appeared at the corner of the corridor. Muskaan ran up to Geet as soon as she saw her.

"Mummaaa... I missed you sooo much..."

Geet immediately hugged her tightly and tears started flowing down from her eyes. Geet had only one thing in the world she was thankful of it was the presence of Muskaan in her life. Muskaan was the only reason Geet was still going strong.

"Mumma are you here to take me for an outing? Will you be making me cheese and macaroni for me?"

Geet smiled even as she would be missing her a lot. Her daughter can make her do that. It was like muskaan had a strange obsession for Macaroni and Dev used to love it too. Remembering Dev was inevitable in such moments yet the pain of betrayal was too much.

"No baby."

"Why mumma?"

The cute pout and Geet could feel her heart melting into true unadulterated love.

"We would obviously answer that but let's go and sit at the garden outside first."

Geet checked if Muskaan was properly draped properly and then took her outside in the garden. Muskaan was still pouting being denied her mother's pampering. Geet's heart went out for the little life. Geet was about to disrupt everything Muskaan thinks of her own. But staying with Dev was not an option anymore.

Once they settled Geet pulled Muskaan on her lap and kissed her chubby cheeks before using her most patient tone.

"Muskaan baby, you remember the last time I and D...I and your papa had visited you?"

"Yesh Mumma..."

"Remember what we talked about?"

"That you have some work at Mumbai and papa has some work at Delhi."

"Yes baby. Mumma will be leaving for Mumbai today. I love you soo much beta."

Muskaan's eyes were filled with unshed tears and she clutched Geet tightly with her tiny arms. Geet hugged her and pressed kisses and murmured soothing words.

Once Muskaan's cries subsided a little she asked," Mumma, are you angry at papa?"

"Why are you asking this Muskaan?"

"You came alone. Papa and you never call at same time. That day also you were not talking to papa. Are you angry with papa?"

Geet sighed. Her Muskaan has always been too perceptive and now the rift between Dev and Geet had become so obvious that even a mere five year old could feel the tensions between them. Any other day and Geet would have soothed her little angels with lies but then Muskaan is too young to listen to the harsh truths as well. Geet settled for what is polite version of truth.

" Muskaan...Baby sometimes mummy papas fight and get angry at each other. But I promise you today Muskaan that no matter what we would never stop being your mummy papa. You are very precious to us Muskaan."

"I love you mumma. I love papa too."

"I know beta and even papa knows. We love you too beta."

"Yes Muskaan, we love you too."

Geet turned to find Dev standing behind them. She was bit surprised since Dev wasn't supposed to come here. She looked at Dev questioningly.

Dev came and took Muskaan from Geet and kissed her forehead before replying to Geet's unasked question.

"Geet, my flight is scheduled today as well. So I felt that maybe we could travel together after you know having lunch with Muskaan like a..."

Geet whispered softly," Like a happy family...like what we used to be..."

Dev's eyes showed genuine regret. Geet stopped herself from flowing away in her own whirlwind of emotions. She was here for Muskaan and she would never let Muskaan down. After all they say whenever there is a fight between the wife and the mother, the mother always wins. Wiping away one stray tear Geet looked at Muskaan and said," So what does my baby want to have?"

"Pizza..."

Geet smiled. Muskaan can be such predictable little thing sometimes. Dev said softly," You get her to car; I will just inform her warden that we will be taking Muskaan with us."

Geet nodded and got hold of a jumping Muskaan. She wished to turn back time so that she was blissfully unaware about Dev's infidelities. Then right now nothing would have changed and she wouldn't have needed so much effort to smile and pretend for Muskaan that they were one happy family.

Soon they came to the pizza hut and ordered as per Muskaan's choice. Muskaan was chirpily talking about her classmates and teachers and funny incidents at school. It was easy to get lost in her words and Geet did just that.

Soon it was time to bid goodbye. Muskaan was teary so Dev and Geet both tried as much as possible for them to cheer Muskaan up. Dev even went ahead and promised a father-daughter day the next time he comes to Darjeeling. Once Muskaan was settled Dev looked at Geet.

"I hope Geet you won't have any problem with me going along with you up to Bagdogra."

Geet smiled a sarcastic smile. How can she answer this question with just few words? Getting a grip on herself she answered," I had once planned on you going along with me for a lifetime. What harm would one last journey do?"

Dev didn't answer. He knew he had wronged Geet. Geet settled in the car and switched on her iPod and put her earphones on. Drowning herself in the music seemed better solution than actually facing the man who was still legally her husband. Dev settled and opened his laptop working on some stuffs from his office.

Geet was looking out from window as the terrains of Darjeeling passed by. Unwillingly her eyes filled up as her broken drems, unfulfilled wishes all came back to her...

*******

Maan stood few minutes outside his room door. This room had witnessed countless moments between Maan and Sameera and their conjugal life... Maan thought ruefully that the room is now also a witness of his child being born and the death of his child...

Slowly he entered the pristine clean room having a life size portrait of Maan and Sameera. Even on the photo stands there were many photos of them and their journey so far. Sameera was just stepping out of the attached washroom. Maan watched her in her red bathing robe.

Sameera watched Maan and said softly,

"Maan, when did you come back?"

"Just now Sam."

"So will you be having dinner tonight?"

"A cup of coffee would be great."

"You freshen up. I will ask Nakul to get your black coffee."

Maan entered the washroom which still had the lavender scent of Sameera's body wash. After some moment he got over the emotions and freshened up. As he came out after wearing his usual night suit he watched Sameera reading through something...

"Another script I suppose?"

"Oh Maan you are back. Yes it is another script. The one I am supposed to do with the big banner. It is a different role...not something we see a lot in the mainstream commercial movies."

"That's...That's great Sam. I am sure you would do justice to the role..."

"Thanks Maan...I am totally nervous about it."

Maan sat down beside her on the bed and had a sip of his coffee. Was it the warm coffee or something else that provided the warmth within him.

"Maan... umm about your call yesterday!!!"

Maan was dreading this conversation. Somehow what seemed easy while talking over a cell phone difficult while talking face to face.

"I don't know the difference any longer sam."

"What?"

"I don't know what the right thing to do anymore is. One part of my heart says that I should divorce you for killing my child. Another part of my heart says that we should give each other a chance... a solid chance to be with each other."

"What is it Maan?"

"What is what?"

"Something is disturbing you. I sense guilt in your voice. What is it?"

"You do know me well Sam."

"I guess. So will you tell me about it?"

"I ...I kind of had a one night stand with a woman I don't know. I just knew her first name and that she was having some trouble with her married life. I am not at all proud of what I did. I should not have given into the temptation. But in that moment I was trying hard to forget about my unborn child... and for one night I wanted to let go of the reasons and rationality...I know I am making excuses Sam but I just wanted to say that I am sorry for breaking your trust. I didn't want to. But the pain was so overwhelming, to let go of it even for a night was a temptation I couldn't resist."

The room was silent with both of them breathing heavily. Maan was agitated with Sam continuously watching him and just went and stood near the window watching the darkness outside.

Sam slowly came to him and kept her hand on his shoulder.

"So now that you have broken my trust is it suddenly okay for me to abort our child? Did you do it to take some sick revenge on me?"

"No Sam. It was purely...I don't know what it was. But I felt like, we are humans and we do mistakes. So if you can forgive me so can I."

"So it's your guilt speaking is it?"

"What are you talking about Sam?"

"The Maan Singh Khurana, you hold yourself too high on the pedestal of right and wrong so suddenly it is really wrong for you to fall down from there. Suddenly my sins weigh nothing in front of your misdoings. But someday you will get over this guilt and that day my sins will be even greater in your eyes. "

"You want to divorce me Sam, is that it?"

"You slept with another woman for God's sake Maan. And I didn't even react and all I am doing is asking you not to be guilty? Something is really wrong with our marriage Maan and deep down you know it too."

"So mutual divorce it is..."

Sam went near her side of bed and picked up her paperwork and said softly," I have lost an amazing husband in the hustle of my work life. I don't want to lose my friend too by dragging this marriage to a point where we both cannot bear the burden of it. Sleep Maan. Morning will clear your mind of your guilt and you would know I am telling the truth. And Maan in case you are wondering I forgive you for sleeping with another woman. I understand what made you do that."

Sameera left the room and Maan with him pondering over what his wife just said.