Part 44
Geet landed at tirusalem airport. The last time she had been here was when she was when she had been bidding goodbye to Armaan. She was hit by a strong wave of nostalgia. She could still feel Armaan hugging her and bidding goodbye... his last words of parting...how clearly Geet could remember every little detail... I love you too Geet. Don't miss me. I am always there in your heart. You will find me in the drizzling of rains, soft murmurs of winds, vast expanse of sea. Good bye dear
It was like she could almost feel the presence of Armaan in the air. It was midnight so ofcourse the last local had long gone and the air of tirusalem had gained a strange tranquility. Geet took a deep breath. This is where she had lost Armaan in true sense and her eyes got little teared up.
Taking her cellphone she called up Maan, he would be able to help her. But his phone was switched off. Geet cursed herself. Of course Maan would be resting. He did not have an ounce of rest after landing in Mumbai.
Geet slowly approached the pick up point to find Sid and Meera standing there. Meera came and hugged her tight. Geet was too emotional and hugged Meera trying to get some amount of semblance back.
Meera:" What's wrong sweety?"
Geet:" This is the first time since Armaan's accident that I took a flight. And see the irony of the situation. I came back to exact spot where I had bid him good bye. You know Meer, that day I was worried how I would spend bloody three days away from him... I never knew that was the last time I would have ever seen him..."
Meer:" oh! Geet..."
She hugged her tighter and even Sid joined them making it a group hug. Geet controlled herself after a moment and said," I will always miss him you know... No matter if I have moved on with another man or that years have passed of that accident... a part of me would always wish that I should have been him beside him on that flight."
They all were speechless for a moment. Sometimes some moments are so emotionally draining that you have really nothing left to say.
After a while Geet asked the most obvious question.
Geet:" Umm where are we staying?"
Sid:" Well I have a friend who has a two bhk apartment here at Tambaram. His roommates are not there so he said that we can use one of the rooms. I figured that would be the best bet for us."
They all agreed. They got on the cab Sid had reserved so that they can soon reach Tambaram soon. It was a good thing that Tambaram was not that far from Tirusalem. They retired for the day almost as soon as they were at the apartment. Geet slept off. Tomorrow they have to report at their college at 9.30 in the morning. It was a big day for all of them and they were going to enjoy the day. Geet also was determined to have little talk with Yash. She had missed Yash over the years.
*****
The college was beautifully decorated as most of them made their way to the place where they would get their temporary badge for the day. Also they had to rent their graduation gowns. They had met many of their friends. It was like the place was filled with excitement.
Geet found Yash and Pari huddled among some of their friends and both of them passed her a smile. But Geet was feeling a strange kind of anxiety. It was like a feeling of foreboding of something going to be wrong. It was like she could already feel that her whole world is going to change or something.
Sidhdharth who was observing Geet came to her and took her to a relatively secluded place.
Sid:" Hey Geet, what's wrong? You seem like tensed. Tell me dear, is everything okay?"
Geet:" I don't know Sid. I am feeling a strange fear that my life is going to turn upside down once again."
Sid held her and looked into her. In a soothing voice he said," Geet, nothing is going to happen. Maybe you are just affected by this place and its memories."
Geet:" Yeah that must be it."
Sid:" Okay, I and Meera are going to the canteen to have some break-fast. Come."
Geet:" I am not feeling like eating anything. You guys go ahead. I might just take a chance to go and have some much needed chat with Yash."
Sid:" Fine. Do you want me to bring you something?"
Geet:" Nope. I don't think I can stomach anything down."
Sid left. Though Geet had agreed with Sid but something about the feeling was telling her that it was not because of her past memories. Rather it is what you can call as your intuition... Something is going to happen for sure. She just hoped that it wouldn't be another life altering event.
Geet searched fruitlessly for Pari knowing Yash would be where Pari is. Suddenly she felt a tap at her shoulder. Turning she found Yash standing in front of her. He was still the same guy, geeky look with the specs and all and having an aura of no-nonsense attitude yet Geet could see some subtle changes in him. He seemed to have lightened up a bit, an effect of dating Pari no doubt. Also his eyes showed the maturity his experiences had earned him.
Geet just hugged him and he reciprocated the hug as enthusiastically.
Geet:" I missed you Yash. All these years I missed you."
Yash:" I missed you too Geetu... I missed all of you..."
They were silent as they awkwardly let go of each other. They had so much to talk. They are talking almost after four years. But the place was too crowded to have any kind of heart to heart discussions.
Yash glanced at his watch and looked up at Geet.
Yash:" What say, we take a walk around the campus or something? I mean there's still time for the event to commence. That is if you don't have to be somewhere else..."
Geet:" Sounds great. Actually I was searching for you only. I also wanted to talk to you."
They both started talking. They walked along the roads of the campus. Geet was reminded that long ago almost from another lifetime she used walk through these roads with Armaan beside her. That thought itself made her eyes little teary and she rapidly blinked to avoid crying.
Yash:" You are reminded of Armaan, aren't you?"
Geet:" I hardly forget him."
Yash:" I know that feeling. I miss him a lot too. But we have to accept the truth. He will never come back Geet. He will never come back..."
Geet:" Took me years to have peace with the fact that Armaan isn't coming back ever."
Yash:" Geet, I...I get to know about you from Pari. You know how we chat almost every night. She talks a lot about you."
Geet:" She is a very nice person and she would truly make you happy. I see a lot of positive changes in you."
Yash:" She makes me a better person. I kind of introduced her with my family as well. I think I would propose her soon."
Geet:" Wow Yash! Congrats. I am so happy for both of you. But isn't it bit soon to marry?"
Yash:" Yeah I need to at least be little stabilized and be more economically sound and the same goes for her. But I want to get engaged to her at least. I know she is the woman I would spend my life with. So at the very least I want to be her fiance."
Geet:" go ahead Yash. Life can change in a blink of eye and we both know that so enjoy the time you have with her. You both deserve each other."
Yash:" I thought the first time we would talk you would yell at me for breaking Meera's heart."
Geet:" The old Geet would have. But I know that sometimes no person is wrong. It is just the situation that is wrong."
Yash:" I never thought a day would come when Geet Handa would behave wisely."
Geet:" Well, there's no Armaan to help me out now so I had to become wise."
Yash:" Sorry for not being there for you then. But are you sure you are not mad at me for Meera?"
Geet:" No real harm done Yash. Meer and Sid belong together much like you and Pari. This would eventually have happened. I know you could have handled the situation better. It was just after Armaan's... I was so broken that nobody was really there for Meer since they were busy with me...But I forgive you for that. It is easier to forgive now that Meer is really happy."
Yash:" You have really grown up Geetie pie."
Geet:" We all have to grow up one point or another."
Yash:" Thank you. Your opinion means a lot to me."
Geet:" What's wrong with you Yash? You are continuously saying sorry and thank you. Don't you know you are not allowed to use those words for your friend?"
Yash:" So you will ...you will be my friend again?"
Geet:" I never really stopped being your friend Yash. None of us really did that. Yeah we might have been mad at you for a long long time but the fact is that famous five was a family and it would always remain so. It might take some more years for Sid and many more years for Meera to stop being mad at you. But eventually you will see I am right."
Yash:" Wow! I am so overwhelmed. I am loving this new Geet more and more. So how are you really? I know how much Armaan was for you..."
Geet:" I think I am healed. I would always miss Armaan and a part of me would always love him. But I am finally moving on."
Yash:" Congrats Geet. So is there someone special? Pari had hinted something but she had been very vague and had refused to share any details saying it wasn't her secret to share."
Geet:" This is the reason I love Pari so much. She never oversteps her bounds."
Yash:" So you agree that you are seeing someone?"
Geet:" It's more like I am in love with someone to the point I can actually thinking of spending my life with him."
Yash:" Superb!!! So who is this lucky guy?"
Geet was about to answer Yash's question when she got a text from Meera. The ceremony would be commencing soon and they are supposed to take their seats in the college auditorium. Meera said that they will be saving her a seat but she should come quickly. Both Geet and Yash started walking back towards the auditorium with Yash being busy with Pari over call asking her to save him a seat. Once inside the auditorium they parted to search for their seats. It was crowded and mobile signal reception was poor inside but with a little difficulty Geet finally spotted Sid and Meera. They had taken seat at the very front just behind the reserved rows for staffs and other guests.
Geet settled down. Slowly all the buzz died down. Geet saw that coincidently Yash and Pari had ended up beside them. The sitting arrangement was like from left Meera, Sidhdharth, Geet, Yash and then Pari. Meera and Sid noticed Yash and Pari but they didn't show any annoyance or made any move to change seats. Geet felt that it was a positive change.
The ceremony began by some speeches from vice chanchelor and dean of college. It was getting montonus and the entire group was chit chatting. Though Meera was not talking directly with Yash, Sid was making some small comments. Overall they were getting along fine without any sign of awkwardness.
Suddenly there was silence as dean made the announcement," Please put your hands together for Mr. Maan Singh Khurana. Mr. Khurana is presently the co-MD of the Khurana Enterprise and also one of the trustees of this college. He had taken time out of his extreme busy schedule to attend this ceremony as our chief guest and we are truly thankful to him for that. Please welcome him with a grand applause."
Geet was surprised and her surprised was mirrored by every one in that group even as deafning claps filled the room. Geet mumbled softly," He could have told me yesterday. We could have come together. Might have wanted to surprise me or something..."
Suddenly she heard Yash say," Adi bhai never told me that Maan bhai is coming as well..."
Geet:"Adi as in Aditya Malhotra? CFO of Khurana enterprise? How do you know him? "
Yash looked at Geet incredulously and said," Yes Geet. He is my elder brother. Don't tell me you couldn't recognize him at your office. You had seen him millions of times when we were young at mussorie."
Geet:" Really?"
Yash:" Yeah..."
Sid piped in and said," I remember Adi bhai. He was fun to hang out with. And you and Meer used to always pester him for chocolates. Really Geet, don't you remember?"
Geet was reminded of faint memories but she could not seem to grasp on it. At the pit of her stomach she felt like she is forgetting something really important and it might cost her really high. But she could not continue as the deep baritone voice she had grown to love filled the entire hall...
"Good Morning everyone! I am Maan Singh Khurana..."
Part 45
"Good Morning everyone! I am Maan Singh Khurana. I am honored to have been invited here as the chief guest. I had been here many times especially when you all were still studying but this is my first public speech for you here in the college campus. I have a deep connection with this batch and am glad I had the opportunity to have my say and I am thankful to Mr. Murugan, the dean here at XYZ engineering college."
Geet could feel excitement and anxiety at the same time and she did not realize what was she so anxious about? She could feel Maan directly looking at her as he said the next set of words ruining her world once again...
"However today I am not here as the chief guest or even the celebrity I am. I am here for a personal reason. I am here as a guardian like any other proud parents here today. Why or how you may ask me? Look back four years when you all were just in your first year engineering. 8 of your college mates had lost their life untimely due to a flight crash while going to inter- college quiz competition at Bangalore. I am an unfortunate guardian of one of them. I had lost my younger brother in that unfortunate accident. Many of you might have known him personally. His name was Late Armaan Singh Khurana. He never used his last name to avoid getting undue attention both from media and his peers. I am sure most of his very closest friends didn't know that Armaan belonged to Khurana family. This is a happy occasion as all of you here are graduating today as engineers but I could not help wishing that Armaan should have been sitting here graduating with you. It seems unfair to have lost them even before they could have lived properly. And this ceremony cannot be completed without mentioning those 8 lives lost. Tomorrow all of you will be going out in the real world making your name in the society. You would be may be in corporate, or some PSU s. Some of you might choose to go for higher studies and stay in the academic line. You are the future of the nation. But whatever you do or how successful you become, don't ever forget your past. Past keeps us grounded. Always remember that as important as it is to become a good engineer it is even more important to become a good human being. Never ever compromise who you are for what you can become.
Just after the unfortunate accident I had personally informed your dean that we will be starting a special scholarship programme with your graduating batch. It would be Late Armaan Singh Khurana scholarship and we would be providing 100 percent full scholarships for any Masters program for the top two student of the batch and coincidently this year the winners of the scholarship happens to be two very close person to Armaan and am proud to announce their names. Please welcome on stage Yash Malhotra as the university topper and the winner of the scholarship. The second position is held by Miss Geet Handa and she also will receive the scholarship. Congratualtions both of you!"
Geet had almost stopped breathing when Maan had announced that he happens to be guardian of one of those 8 students who had lost their life. She desperately prayed and she did not even know what she was praying for.When Geet heard the name she had been dreading to hear she was numb while Pari, Meera and Sid shouted together," What the f**k !"
Yash looked at Sid incredulously and said," You didn't know?"
Sid:" You did?"
Yash:" Yeah. Aditya, my elder brother was best friends with Maan bhai. We are kind of family friends. You all knew that I know Armaan even before Musoorie. We came together. And you all know Maan bhai as well. Till the time he was in country, he used to always come to pick Armaan up along with my family for the holiday breaks. Armaan's father was always busy and then when we were in eigth grade his mom, dad, uncle and aunty passed away in that awful road accident. Remember how devastated Armaan was? He was even considering leaving the boarding because of the financial crisis his family was facing."
Sid nodded his head as he remembered. He really couldn't blame Maan. It must have been so hard for him. But one look at Geet who was sitting numb and his anger returned. Let this ceremony be over and he is going to beat the crap out of Maan Singh Khurana for hurting Geet no matter what the consequences were.
Geet could feel waves of betrayal were over her as she heard Yash tell all the details. Armaan didn't even trust her with his last name. He never said anything about his family or even him losing his parents. He had always been protecting her. He never trusted her to be strong for him. And Maan... She couldn't even fathom the extent of his betrayal. He had known all the time that she had been Armaan's girlfriend and he never bothered to inform her that Armaan was his brother... She felt like she is suffocating...
Tears of betrayal rolled down from her eyes as Sid and Yash both held her. When Yash and her name were announced for the scholarship she couldn't help but laugh at the mockery of the situation. Yash helped her get up as they both approached the stage.
She looked at Maan with hurt and accusation filled eyes. To the world Maan seemed composed but she could read him like a book. He was afraid, pleading and helpless. His eyes cringed at what it saw in her eyes and it pleaded her to understand. It also showed love... However she was no longer sure if she had any trust left for this emotion called love. After all both the men she loved had betrayed her...
Geet silently took the degree, her medal and the document for scholarship. Then as silently she had come she went down the stage with Yash supporting her. Maan knew in that precise moment that maybe he had lost Geet forever.
The ceremony was over soon. As soon as they were allowed to leave the hall Geet ran away before anyone had the chance to stop her. She was suffocated by the mere presence of Maan at the college campus. She knew only one place can provide her solace. Strangely that place was now connected with both the brothers. Both Armaan and Maan...
Geet ran as fast as her tired legs could take her. She was flooded with memories...memories of Armaan...memories of Maan... their love...their betrayal. Love is the worst poison ever. She realized in that moment what love is! Love is what makes you live... it is the elixir of life... It also is that deadly poison that kills you...
Once she was at the lakeside she dropped on her knees and cried. She let all the anguish of her heart out and cried with heart wrenching sobs. She cried for Armaan and his death. She cried for Maan and his betrayal...their lack of trust on her. At one point she did not even realize what she was crying for , only that if she did not let this out all these overwhelming emotions is going to kill her... In that moment her broken heart broke again.
******
Yash and Meera together could barely hold back Sid as three of them barged into the visitors' room where Maan was sitting along with the vice chancellor and dean.
Dean looked at them sternly as Pari barged in as well. Yash was holding back Sid physically while Meera was whispering him to calm down. So none of them noticed as Pari went ahead and slapped Maan Singh Khurana right on his face. The incident was so unexpected that even Sid calmed down. The dean and Chancelor were stunned as Pari held Maan by his collar and said," YOU...YOU are the reason he is dead."
There was deep intake of breath by every single person. The dean got over his surprise and said in a grave voice," Appologize to Mr. Khurana right now. And still I would make sure to black list you."
However Maan spoke out," No Mr. Murugan. I deserved that slap and you won't take any action against her or any of them. I am ordering you as the trustee here. Now will you both please excuse us?"
Maan's supporting Pari was even stranger than the slap. Once they were alone Maan said to Pari," You don't need to remind me Parineeta. I know I am the reason Armaan is dead. I live with the guilt every single day Parineeta."
There was pin drop silence. Yash let go of Sid seeing that Sid wasn't in a position to do any physical harm.
Yash:" Stop it Maan bhai. You know it is not like that. Please don't do it to yourself. Armaan would have killed himself before watching you do that to yourself."
Pari:" Funny! Armaan won't ever come back here to prove that statement of yours Yash."
Yash:" What's wrong with all of you? Pari, you were never such a bitch! Why are you doing this?"
Maan:" YASH! Is that a way to speak with Pari?"
Yash:" Sorry but will someone explain me what is going on... why are all of you so enraged at Maan bhai and Pari, what is in it for you anyway? You hardly knew Armaan."
Pari:" But I care for Geet. She is the closest thing to a best friend that I have..."
Yash:" How is Geet related to any of this?"
Pari:" Geet had everything to do with this. What did you think, Geet was crying only because Armaan was mentioned? No. Geet was crying because her heart was broken again. She again lost the person she loved, who had healed her and made her who she is today. That was the cry of betrayal Yash. Geet was crying because for the past half a year or so your Maan bhai was dating her and never ever bothered to tell her that he and Armaan were brothers. "
Yash sharply took in his breath as the pieces of puzzle fell in palces. He looked at Maan half expecting him to deny but his expression told that Pari was stating the truth. Yash slumped down his shoulders as if he suddenly had the weight of the world.
Yash:" How could you Maan bhai? She was already so fragile. How much more betrayal can she bear?"
Maan:" I love her Yash. I didn't want any of this. It all happened. But I do love her. "
Pari was about to retort but one look at his anguished eyes and she knew he was telling the truth. She realized as well that Armaan was his own brother. The guilt of killing him must have been eating him from inside. For the first time she felt pity for this man. Suddenly Meera went ahead and slapped him continuously.
Meera was crying hard even if she was slapping him with all the strength in her body. "This " SLAP' "was for hurting and breaking Geet's heart once again... This" SLAP'" was for pretending that you cared about me like Armaan did... This" SLAP' "was for killing Armaan."
Yash quickly went ahead and stopped Meera. Meera hugged Yash and cried out loud. Sid was soon beside her and both of them together made her sit on one of the couches. Strangely Meera was leaning on to support on her ex and holding the hand of her present love. Life is truly the best drama. Yash said to her softly,"Meer, you are better than this. Do you truly think that the man standing there had pretended to care for you? I happen to know Maan bhai from the day I was born. If even God comes and tells me he had been doing something wrong I won't believe it. He is simply not that kind of a man. You all love Armaan. Just imagine that Armaan learnt everything from Maan bhai. How can Maan bhai be a bad person if he can give someone the upbringing Armaan had?"
Meer:" What do you mean by upbringing? Armaan definitely learnt things from his family."
Yash:" I know that family Meer, way more than anyone else in this room. Armaan practically looked upto Maan bhai as father. He was practically raised by Maan bhai. Trust me, Maan bhai is a good person."
Sid:" If he is such a good person then why did he do that to Geet?"
Yash:" I don't know everything Sid. I mean I just found out about Maan bhai and Geet. But one thing is for sure, there has to be a misunderstanding. Maan bhai is not that kind of person. He is not some insensitive jerk."
Sid:" I can't let him go unscathed."
Meera:" Yeah, he hurt Geet. How dare he? I am not going to leave him."
Pari was a silent spectator watching Sid, Yash and Meera console each other. She had thought that watching Meera hug Yash would bring a pain. But all she felt was empathy. She realized that moment that maybe four of them had moved to a point where they could be friends to each other. Ironically it was Armaan and Geet who had united them together for a common purpose. Armaan was just like Geet and Yash had told her about. Even in death he was acting as glue binding all of them together in friendship.
Pari moved slowly and kept a soothing hand on Meera's shoulder. Meera looked up to find Pari. She was suddenly reminded that she had been hugging Yash who was supposed to be Pari's boyfriend. Pari read through her apprehensions and smiled a soft but sad smile.
Pari:" It's okay Meera."
Yash:"Huh!"
Meera:" I am sorry Pari."
Pari:" You need not feel sorry Meera. Yash would always be your friend. And you being friends with Yash do not bother me anymore. And from what I see it does not bother Sid as well."
Sid:" Of course not. Meera is mine. I don't have any insecurity over Yash just because they have a past."
Pari:" See Meera. I think we have reached a point where you and I can be friends."
Meera:" I think we all are being friends to each other right now."
Yash:" Really Meera? Sid?"
Meera:" Yes. I believe I have the strength to be your friend."
Sid:" You were always my friend Yash. Maybe I was just mad at you for hurting the woman I love."
Yash and Sid hugged each other and so did Pari and Meera. Meera sobbed and said," I can't believe we don't know where Geet is. I can guess though that she might be breaking down."
Sid:" We should search for her."
Pari:" Actually I think we should allow her some alone time. She needs to grief properly."
Meera:" Hmm..."
Then she looked at Maan with fire in her eyes and said," But I want to punish him."
Pari nodded her head in no. She motioned her to watch Maan with her eyes and said," Look at him Meera. What would you punish him with? He is already being punished. Everyday he lives with the fact that he is the reason his baby brother, the one he almost raised as his son or something died because of him. The love of his life will never ever trust him. And it is a possibility that he might have lost Geet forever. He was telling the truth when he said he loved Geet. What more can be a punishment than the fact that he lost his love forever knowing that nobody but he himself was at fault."
Meera listened to Pari and for the first time she saw what Pari was pointing at. In front of her was not the owner of Khurana empires. In front of her stood a man who had lost his everything for his own mistakes. She knew she can never give a better punishment than one he was already fated to bear.
Going in front of him Meera said the words she never thought she would ever say to this man." I pity you Maan Singh Khurana. On behalf of Geet and Armaan's friends I assure you that we all forgive you for your mistakes. But can you really ever get the forgiveness of Geet?"
They all stood up wishing to leave the room letting him wallow in his self pity. Meera was the last to leave. Just before she would leave she turned and asked the most important question," Most importantly Mr. Khurana, can you really forgive yourself for whatever you have done?"
Meera left the room. The group decided to sit at the canteen waiting for Geet. They were not really having any apetite for food. Strangely, they four went along quiet well. A renewed bond of friendship was formed between the four...one that was way stronger than what was before...one that was for life...old wounds had healed and they were ready for the new bonds that were formed...
Arjun
Cricket
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