Distorted Lives..... FOUW...Link to Thread 2 Updtd - Page 23

Part 5

Trust

Geet had been right. She had not been transmitted any kind of disease for having unprotected sex with a stranger. She smiled at her own heart. Even after being shredded into pieces by one somehow her heart had still not forgotten to trust.

Her strange smile caught Pari's attention.

Pari:" Why are you smiling in that weird way Geetu?"

Geet:" It is strange that after everything I went through I can still trust. I was sure that Maan would not be knowingly transmitting me some STD."

Pari:" You want to say you trust Maan, a guy you know nothing about save that he was cheating on his wife with you."

Geet:"He was in pain. He just wanted a moment of reprieve that's it."

Pari:" Having sex with an unknown girl when you are married is disloyalty Geet, no matter what th circumstances were."

Geet:" You won't understand this pain Pari. You were lucky to have my brother."

Pari smiled a sad smile making Geet want to slap herself for being insensitive.

Pari:" I was lucky Geet. Yash had been a loving and caring husband, compassionate friend and tender lover. Yet no marriage is without difficulties. We had our very own set of difficulties and fights but then we chose each other over and over again. Marriage is always about how well you adjust Geet."

Geet:"I respect you Pari. You know I do. However certain things cannot be adjusted with like killing your unborn child or cheating you with your best friend. And don't be so harsh on Maan. I literally begged that guy for sex... I wanted to forget the pain...I wanted him to forget the pain...he deserved this moment of peace I gave him even if for seconds. Maan was just as much in pain as I was. And he resisted, I was the one who wanted it. You can say I downright seduced him to bed."

Pari smiled and shook her head.

Pari:" So this is what they call it nowadays is it?"

Geet:" What?"

Pari:" I don't know how you don't see it Geet. You are affected by that Maan guy. You are being defensive about him Geetu. You don't want me to bad mouth him."

Geet:" Bull shit!"

Pari:"It's no bullshit Geet. "

Geet:" Pari, I don't know if you would believe me or not but even if I had known Maan for one night I know some aspects of his character. He is a gentleman. I can tell that by the way he treated me with absolute respect even if it was just a one night stand."

Pari :" Geetu... let's not talk of Maan anymore. Anyway it's little likely for him to ever come face to face with you. Maybe he will always remain as a memory."

Geet:" Maybe..."

Yet was there a sound of wistfulness Pari couldn't tell. Pari personally felt that Geet and Dev had married too young. Maybe if they had waited out few years they would have understood how incompatible they were as couples. Geet was in her final year of graduation when she and Dev kind of fell for each other. Yash and Pari had already been married to each other for a year and half by then.

Pari thought that a girl like Geet needed a different type of man, someone with more shades in his character. Dev was bit immature and they used to have lots of fights. Not the silly fights between the lovers but fights on serious issues and choices of life. Geet did not like Dev's idea of settling in Darjeeling to look after his father's tea garden. However she accepted it.

Maybe Dev shifting to Darjeeling was the major factor for their early marriage. Long distance relationship was something both Dev and Geet feared so he just proposed her and she accepted. Geet got admission in St. Jo** college in Darjeeling for her Masters. Their marriage had been a simple court marriage. Brij had come though Rano and Mohinder were absent. Despite her inner apprehensions Pari had wished for Geet to be happy.

The Handa siblings were loyal to their relationships. May it be Yash and her or Brij to his parents or Geet with Dev. But Pari had seen Geet get wearied down over the years. Geet had been a mother to Muskaan when she was just 25. And that was also the year Yash lost his life.

Pari had seeped into a depression worrying both Brij and Geet. It was decided then that Geet and Muskaan would stay with Pari for a longer stretch while Dev started his new venture based on Delhi. The switch had been difficult but the couple tried to adjust. However the marriage which till then had been in an working condition started moving towards its doom. All the cracks and crevices in their relationships came out in the open.

Dev wasn't really wrong. He had tried for the marriage to work. They had married when Geet was 21. A marriage wouldn't have existed for so many years had Dev not worked behind it along with Geet. However the prolonged absence of Geet along with work stress was the reason the foundations of their marriage started shaking.

Pari had never thought tough that Dev would cheat on Geet, but then Dev had always been a coward. In all these she felt for Muskaan the most. That poor child didn't deserve so much pain.

Geet:" Pari where are you lost?"

Pari:" I was thinking about something Geetu!"

Geet:"Would you share?"

Pari:" You know how I feel about Dev. I had always told you that...you both aren't compatible. You are way deeper for him to comprehend and he is too shallow for your liking."

Geet:" Pari... I loved him."

Pari:" I think you though you loved him. But you never really loved him. You liked him, you were attracted to him, you lusted after him, you loved his companionship...but you never really loved him. Love doesn't fade away Geet...nothing can fade true love."

Geet:"We are never really going to agree on this topic Pari."

Pari:" Someday...when you fall in true love you would understand the difference."

Geet:" God!! What's wrong with you and Dev. Both bent on making me fall in love... Pari did you forget that I am thirty and a mother to a kid."

Pari smiled and said," life is full of surprises Geet."

They both walked and crossed the road to enter one of the coffee shops at Powai galleria. They had come here for shopping as young girls and had enjoyed a lot. All those fond memories always made Geet smile.

One their coffee arrived Pari brought on another serious topic.

Pari:" So have you informed Brij about everything?"

Geet:" Actually I never had the guts...I think I would do it today. Hey is veerji free today?"

Pari:" Dude, I work there as a receptionist. But let me give a call to shweta, she is his P.A and would be able to give you a definite answer. But why don't you give him a call? He would come at our place and meet."

Geet:" I am not going their today for meeting my eldest sibling. I am going there to meet advocate Brij Handa. I would need a legal adviser, won't I?"

Pari gave a nod and simply called up her colleague to get the information and booked an appointment for Geet.

They hurried but the entry way to Brij's firm was blocked. They found that some actress was in the locality creating the buzz. Pari said in a distasteful voice," God what did I ever find attractive about the glamour world I don't know. I mean such harassment and absolute lack of privacy!! Gosh I am glad I am not a part of that world anymore."

They finally reached the entrance.

Pari:" Gosh I would sure have been late if it was my working day."

They enquired with the watchman if he had seen the actress who created so much fuss.

WM:" Yes Madamji, it was Sameera..."

Geet:" Sameera??"

WM:" Sameera Khurana, Madamji."

Geet was little miffed. She felt like she had heard the name somewhere before yet she couldn't pin point.

As they were alone on the elevator Pari spoke out," Just imagine if she was here with her husband... I would have loved to watch."

Geet:" Who is her husband?"

Pari:"The Maan Singh Khurana, Duh!"

Geet was struck only by the first time. Maan is not leaving her alone...

******

Sameera:" I swear Maan, I didn't know how the news got leaked out. I did not tell a soul."

Maan was quiet. He absolutely hated paparazzi. It took all his body guards to get them out of the building. Thank God it was a normal office building and the media didn't get an idea about their visit to divorce lawyer or it would have been too damaging.

Sam:"Maan, don't you trust me?"

Maan was brought back from his deep thoughts as he turned back to his wife and said," Sam, of course I trust you. I know you detest lack of privacy as much as I do. "

Sam:"How do you think they got the news?"

Maan sighed and looked back at her.

Maan:" Come on Sam... You are a famous actress. Everybody recognises you. Anybody could have informed the media."

Sam:" You yourself are no less mister. Girls still die for you Maan."

Maan:" Do I smell jealousy?"

Sam:" Do I really have the right to be jealous Maan?"

With one simple question they were crashed back to reality and the lightness of the fun filled banter was gone.

Maan was back to his thoughtful mode when Sam asked the next inevitable question.

Sam:" Maan, have you informed your family about our impending divorce?"

Maan:" Nope. I think Daadima would be heart-broken. And I am actually dreading Annie's reaction."

Sam:" She will get over it. But even I am worried about Daadima's reaction. "

Maan:"Hmm."

Sam:" Do you want me to be there with you?"

Maan:" Huh?"

Sameera realized how her question might have sounded to Maan and cursed herself. She spoke in a more subdues voice," I mean do you want me to be there when you tell everything to Daadima?"

After giving a little thought on the matter Maan nodded positively. They reached their mansion which had been home to Sameera for such a long time. Now that she lost her home once again she asked herself for the first time," Are all these worth it?"

For a very long time Sameera had been roaming without any roots. Maybe that is the reason she never really could make the Khurana mansion her home. As the car stopped on the driveway Maan side hugged her and said softly," You will always be my friend Sam and Khurana Mansion will always remain open for you."

Sameera smiled and said," A broken mirror can't be mended because the scar is always there. It's same with the relations."

Maan:"Yet the scars make us who we are, something I won't give up for anything in this world."

Sameera:"So you don't regret marrying me?"

Maan:" No Sam, I don't regret marrying you. Of course I regret cheating on you. I regret not able to give you an environment where we could bring our child in this world. I regret being a disappointment to my grandmother who had always taught me to be loyal to my relationships."

Sam kept her hand on his lips and said softly," Stop blaming yourselves for this divorce Maan. We are both equally responsible for this."

Maan shook his head positively and said silently," Sam, just because you are also at fault doesn't make my faults any less."

Sam said softly," Maan, you are a good human being and a good husband. Maybe we just were not meant for each other."

Maan:" The Sameera I knew didn't believe in destiny."

Sam:" Guess I did change then."

They both were silent as for the one last time they walked together for their room.

Part 6

Siblings

Geet was totally nervous about entering Brij's chamber. Weird but after the death of Yash, Brij and Geet had grown closer to each other. Maybe they wanted to find solace in each other for losing their sibling. Yet there is still a strange barrier dividing them both. Taking a deep breath she entered Brij's chamber.

Geet smiled watching her workaholic brother drown in some case file. A tender smile crossed her lips as she watched Brij after two years. Gone was the young and handsome elder brother she had had strange apathy towards. In front of her was a man in his late thirties who was burdened by his responsibilities.

A booming voice filled the room.

Brij(Without looking up): "Please have a seat Mrs. Malhotra. Give me a minute please."

Geet:" Hhmm."

However Brij was too engrossed to notice that the voice was of Geet's.

Geet waited patiently for Brij to finish up while she pondered on how to tell him everything. Brij raised his face suddenly with what can be said as his professional mask and it slipped instantly as he saw Geetu. He got up from his seat and came round for Geet and as Geet stood up and the sivlings hugged each other. Brij pressed a small kiss on Geet's forehead and said," Geetu, I missed you. Two years, we didn't meet for two years."

Geet:" And whose fault was that veerji?"

Brij:" I guess mine..."

Geet smiled as both of them settled down on their respective chairs.

Brij:" When did you come Geetu? I hope this time you are staying for few days here."

Geet smiled. If only he knew all the truth.

Geet:" I guess I will have a nice long stay in Mumbai this time Veerji."

Brij:" Hmm, that's good. Last few times you had come for such small number of days that I couldn't manage to meet you even. I really missed you Geetu."

Geet:" I missed you too Veerji."

Brij:" So why are you at my office. You could have called me and I would have come at your house to meet you."

Geet was silent for a while as she closed her eyes to clear her head. A thousand emotions clogged her heart but she got a grip on her heart and raised her eyes to look into Brij's eyes. Brij shuddered inwardly to watch the depth of pain in those eyes.

Geet:"I did not come here to meet my elder brother veerji. I am here to meet advocate Brij Handa for some legal advice regarding my impending divorce."

Brij was totally gobsmacked hearing Geet's statement. Geet herself was silent. Speaking it out loud to Brij made her realize the depth of her decision and its repercussions in her coming life.

Brij said in an anger filled voice," How dare he! I am going to kill him for hurting you Geetu."

Geet smiled. She had never thought Brij would be a possessive brother. In fact greater part of her childhood she had thought Brij also hated her like her mother.

Brij:" How dare he hurt my baby sister!"

Geet smiled. Brij indeed loves her in his own weird way.

Geet:" Veerji... please."

Brij:" What please Geetu? Will you still be defending that good for nothing coward after everything?"

Geet took a deep breath and said," So is this how you react for every client of yours veerji?"

Brij:" To hell with professionalism Geetu! I didn't become a lawyer so one day I can handle my baby sister's divorce case."

Geet:" Veerji please calm down so we can talk like two grown up adults."

Brij took a deep breath and drank a glass of water and told in a grave voice," I want to know everything Geetu!"

Geet:" Veerji, we are going for a mutual divorce. He is not claiming custody of Muskaan and Muskaan would be staying with me. He however wants visitation rights which I agreed. He will be sending me the papers in few days and I would sign them after getting checked by you. Meanwhile I have got a lecturer job here in Mumbai. Muskaan is still at her school and we thought it would be best for Muskaan to be there before we settle all the formalities. We have decided that we will not tell Muskaan anything until absolutely necessary."

Brij:" You didn't tell me the main thing Geetu?"

Geet:" What veerji?"

Brij: "Why do you need a divorce Geet?"

Geet:" I think we both were not meant to be's Veerji."

Brij:" Cut the crap Geet. I am the country's best divorce lawyer for a reason. There always is a solid reason for this kind of decisions especially when there is a child involved. So tell me Geet or lord save Dev if Ii have to find out by some other means."

Geet was silent. She knew her brother's connections and didn't doubt his ability to get the news from some other source. Steeling her heart she said out loud," Veerji, he is in love with someone else. I... I kind of found out them together."

Brij:" That cheating bas***d..."

Geet:" Veerji!"

Brij:" You still feel for that asshole, don't you?"

Geet:" I wish it was so easy to stop your feelings Veerji. He was my best friend, my first love, my husband and the father of my child. I couldn't just forget him even if I tried."

Brij nodded as he could feel the pain of the words spoken by Geet. Shaking his head he said," Guess you got my luck in love life Geetu. Even when I had my premonitions regarding Dev I thought you would be happy. I always thought Dev didn't deserve you but trust me Geetu I always prayed for your happiness. As years passed on and Muskaan was born I let myself think that you would be happy with him... Guess you were not"

Geet didn't say anything. It was strange finding her stoic brother Brij getting so emotional.

Geet:" Veerji, why didn't you marry?"

Brij:" You of all people shouldn't have asked me that question Geetu."

Geet:" I didn't get you Veerji."

Brij:" You know mom. That lady couldn't show compassion towards her own daughter. Do you think she would have been able to bear the rights of her daughter-in-law over her son? "

Geet:" Just that? I mean you could have moved out or something... You could have done something...why spoil your life for her Veerji."

There was a silence in the chamber before Geet spoke out again," No Veerji. That's not it, is it? There's more to it right? You did fall in love? "

Brij took a deep breath. Maybe some past wounds of his bleed hearing Geet's statement.

Brij:" Naintara. Her name is Naintara. She had the most beautiful air of eyes and I had always admired them. We both met when I was abroad for my Law degree. She was there pursuing her Phd in comparative literature. She was a gem of a person. I have never met anyone with a sweeter persona or softer heart. You knew how I was before I went abroad, stoic and mechanical. I guess she found out the hidden heart of mine and stole without my permission. "

Geet:" It sounds so romantic. So what went wrong Veerji?"

Brij:" She was ready to marry me and come and settle in Mumbai. I was in cloud nine. She was all I needed to be happy. But as we came to India things had changed here. Yash had moved out getting frustrated with Mom's interfering attitude and from what I could see you were just waiting to be eighteen before following Yash's path. I found enough courage to ask my mother for permission to marry Naintara. But she denied. She had decided that she would get some girl willing to be housewife for me. And one thing I couldn't imagine Naintara doing was spending her entire day doing household chores. She was so highly educated for Christ's sake. I tried convincing mother to give a chance to Naintara but she was stubborn."

Geet:" That witch!!"

Brij:" Geetu, she is our mother no matter what."

Geet:" Sorry veerji, but as far as I am concerned I didn't have a mother ever. Anyway, why didn't you move out and marry her?"

Brij:" I wanted to. But Naintara was against it. She was from a joint family and she did not want to be the reason I broke my relationship with my mother."

Geet:" So, what is she doing now? I mean Mom is so old now I doubt she would have enough in her to create any problem. Why don't you marry her now?"

Brij:" Geetu, come out of fantasies. This is life. Here we don't wait for people. Somebody waiting for her lover for 10 years or 22 years is absurd. Naintara is married and as far as I know, she is settled abroad."

Geet:" Didn't she love you veerji?"

Brij:" She did love me Geetu. But she loved her parents and couldn't deny them when they asked her to marry. After all I never really gave her any promises that we would someday marry. I don't hold it against her that she had moved on. Only I couldn't move on. I tried but somehow I always searched for Naintara in every woman I looked at."

Geet had tears in her eyes. Brij wiped her eyes as he found her crying.

Brij:" Pagli, why are you crying? It's all in the past now."

Geet:" That is the reason you supported Yash bhaiya going against Mom. You knew how hard it is to live without your love."

Brij:" Maybe may be not. I don't know why I did it. But am glad I came that day to witness the marriage. At least I got my siblings back. I witnessed Yash being completely happy. He died early and I wish there was a way to change that but at least I know he died a happy man."

Geet:" You understand Pari's pain. You are suffering it."

Brij:" After fifteen years it doesn't matter anymore Geetu. Yes, if Tara would have been beside me I would have been happy. But then I think one of the things would have happened. Either Ii would have started blaming Naintara for separating me with my family at one point of time in our marriage or if I had reconciled with mom, Naintara would have been unhappy compromising for me, mom and our family."

Geet:" I don't know Veerji. A year ago and I would have shouted that at least you would have been with your love. Love makes it worth it. But now when my own marriage is at the verge of divorce, I can't say that anymore. After ten years of slogging for a marriage to work, making compromises for it and working for the marriage to be a success I am left with nothing but pain of betrayal and resentment for Dev. Yet I wouldn't entirely regret my decision because I got my Muskaan and she is the greatest gift for me. Yet I feel you, Pari and Yash bhaiya had been right. I and Dev, in order to avoid getting into long distant relationship, maybe we had rushed into the marriage. Maybe we should have given us some more years. We married too young."

Brij walked and sat beside Geet and held her hand tenderly and said in a soft tone," Let bygones be bygones Geetu. No matter what, we can never turn back Time and correct our past mistakes. However we can always try not to repeat those mistakes. Now be strong. Remember we Handa's never fall short in the face of a challenge. So let's discuss your case."

The siblings started discussing different aspect of the cases, the pros and cons.

Brij:" So you don't want any alimony?"

Geet:" No veerji. All I wanted from Dev was his love. When he is incapable of giving me that then what good would the money do?"

Brij:" Hmm. But, what about Muskaan?"

Geet:" He is Muskaan's father and will always remain so. If he wants he can give Muskaan anything he wants but I won't ask."

Brij:" Hmm. What about the assets which had both of your equal contribution?"

Geet:" You know I didn't take anything except few clothes to his house. Most of my jewelleries were gifted by him and I left them at his apartment at Darjeeling. In the Delhi house I do have few things Ii asked him to send back to me. I think I can trust him on that. "

Brij:" Do you really?"

Geet:" I don't want any squabble in the court Veerji. I want it to be peaceful. It doesn't matter if few pieces of my jewelleries are missing. When I lost the relationship does it matter if I lost some little amount of money too?"

Brij nodded his head and said at last," Geetu, I have another hearing now. I would come tonight at your and Pari's place for dinner and we can talk more there. Do you want me to drop you somewhere?"

Geet:" Nah! Pari is waiting for me outside. "

Brij:" Any plans for the naughty duo today?"

Geet:" Nothing as such but who knows!! I admire Pari. She faces life with a smile."

Brij:" It takes lot of strength to do that. "

Geet:" Yeah!"

They came out. Pari came towards them and passed a smile to Brij. All three of them moved out of the building to go for different directions.