Tamanna 'nigah e yaar ki' #2|| part 15 @pg 42 on 31/07/19

Mariyam: Annie humne aapko pehle bhi samjhaya hai, aur ye aakhiri baar hum aapse keh rahe hai Geet aab aapki bhabhi hai, aur hum aapse ummeed karte hai ki aap unko utna hi Maan dengi jitna aap Horam ko deti hai, galti ki ek baar maafi hoti hai, aur ab aap bachhi nahi hai.

She had summoned Annie in her room to give her a peace of mind about her behaviour with Geet at breakfast, it was not acceptable to her that her daughter was being unreasonably rude and mean to that poor soul, already she was not comfortable being new to the place, and Annie was not helping her.

Annie: ammi hum bhi aapse aakhiri baar keh rahe hai, humari bhabhi sirf Horam bhabhi hai, aur wo ladki, she is a bloody gold-digging wh*re...

*slap*

Annie held her cheek with her hand as it stung where her mom had just slapped her! Slapped her for the first time; tears flew freely from her eyes as she looked at her mother with blood red eyes.

Mariyam was shaking with anger too; she didn't expect her daughter to use such cheap words in front of her. She was not one to raise her hands at her children. When their abbu passed away, she tried to fulfill role of both parents in her children's lives, Maan was already adolescent and quite understanding and he'd known father's love but Annie was small, just 8 to even understand what death means. She was sometimes strict with them like a father would be and at other times loved them like their mother.

But today she'd crossed the limits,

Mariyam: hame maaf kar dijiye Annie, hum aap par hath nahi uthana chahte thhe, shayad humse kahin kami reh gayi aapko sanskar dene me, shayad aapke abbu hotey toh aapko humse behtarr...

She couldn't complete and broke down in sobs, Annie's revolt evaporated in seconds and she hugged her moment in a second, but she wouldn't reciprocate, she was stiff and still crying. Annie knew she had hurt her mom big time.

Annie: I am sorry, so sorry ammi, hum aapka dil nahi dukhana chahte parr hum kya kare?

She stopped and sobbed for a second before she continued

Annie: ammi... Hum, hum Horam bhabhi ki jagah kisi ko nahi dekh sakte...

She sobbed hard and this melted mother's heart, she hugged her back now and rubbed her back to calm her.

Mariyam: thik hai bete, hum samjhte hai, parr ye aapki problem hai, Geet ki nahi. Aur agar aap unhe accept nahi kar sakti toh unhe insult karne ka bhi aapko koi haq nahi, aap unse achhe se pesh nahi aa sakti toh aapko unse baat karne ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Waada kijiye hame ki aap Geet ka aur dil nahi dukhayengi?

Annie looked at her mom, she was right there is always a middle way if we looked for one, at least now she doesn't have to accept Geet as her bhabhi, she can happily ignore her. She nodded slowly and went to her room.

*****

"Come"

Maan stretched out his hand to Geet as he opened the passenger door in front of the restaurant. He'd brought her out for the dinner as per his promise to the elders last day compensating his going to work the previous evening.

The day had gone uneventful for Geet; she doesn't yet seem to know what is expected out of her in this big house. There are so many servants to do household work, what should she do? Just sit in the room and arrange the already arranged shelves!

She held his hand and came out of the car, she looked elegant in silver sari, light jewelry and light make up; she was perfectly complementing him as they walked hand in hand inside the restaurant after he passed car keys to valet for parking.

They occupied their seats, and placed some orders. All the while her eyes was down-casted, Maan noticed, but there was something, something on her face maybe that little smile on her lips, or little redness on her lips, or the little shyness that marred her forehead, he didn't know which of them, or it was their combination that made her look... "Ethereal" only that word came to his mind.

Or maybe it was the first time he was seeing her in the light of their relation- as his wife, he had a very hard time convincing himself, after he'd decided to give a fair chance to this new relation he was very restless.

Last night after his meeting, he'd directly gone to mosque to find some peace of mind. He was not a hard believer of God, though he was particular about his prayers, he never bound Allah to a single building, but occasionally he visited mosque when even his prayers cannot give him required peace. He sat there for long finding answers of his life, sitting in Allah's house- as people called it. He sat there for long listening to the excerpts of Quran being recited and other Islamic rules, that's when his attention went to what one of the qazi was saying.

"ek sachha musalman apni zimmedariyon se kabhi peechhe nahi hatta"

The words kept ringing in his mind as he made his way out he saw a man seeking advice from another qazi, what caught his attention was his problem, it was like Allah was helping him through this man, as he heard him seek solution of the question that has been burning in his mind since his marriage with Geet. He waited with abated breath to hear an unbiased opinion on this situation when finally the qazi started to speak...

"Beta, Islam dusri shadi ki ijazat deta hai, magar tabhi jab tum apni dono patni ko barabar ka prem de sako, tumhare pass sirf yahi raasta hai ki apni dono patni to barabar ka adhikar do."

He was stunned into oblivion, somewhere he knew he was doing injustice to Geet, but knowing that he was defying his religion chilled his blood in his veins. He could never dream of doing anything like that. That very instant he was clear in his mind as to what he has to do in life ahead, he has to consider Geet equally as Horam, give her his time, and place in his life, and try to bring in that love for her.

He was brought back from thought with a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see who it is...

"Mr. Khurrana..."

"Mr. Mehta... Nice to meet you"

He forwarded his hand for a handshake and offered him to join them.

"Oh no some other time I am in a bit of hurry, where's Mrs. Khurrana though?"

He asked, looking around to find only Geet with Maan.

The situation may get so awkward, Maan never knew, Mr. Mehta had met Horam on their honeymoon trip where he himself was on a 2nd honeymoon with his wife, besides being part in a joint venture. Not letting these things affect him anymore, Maan cleared his throat and decided to face this for once and all...

"Mr. Mehta, this is Geet, my wife. And Geet, this is Mr. Mehta, our business associate"

Geet joined her hand in a formal namaste still confused with him asking about her when she was right there, while Mr. Mehta didn't know how to handle the situation, he said a quick hi, and left from there immediately.

After a long pregnant pause which made the environment around the table heavy with his frustration and her confusion, Maan cleared his throat and asked Geet to start their dinner as it had already been served. They started to eat in total silence. And Maan was glad Mr. Mehta didn't mention honeymoon, it would be more awkward in front of Geet than it already was.

The dinner was a silent affair and they headed back home, Maan was quite frustrated with the way events turned out. He was looking forward to initiate some conversation with Geet, make her comfortable, and take baby steps towards her, but his mood was beyond spoiled now.

And as usual it was her who faced all the ignorance and injustice and still being oblivious to the same. She was not yet herself with him to ask questions that come to her mind, though she did expect him to explain the scene but seeing his mood didn't dare to ask, just followed him back home.

Maan was left in deep thoughts that night; sleep was far away only thoughts consumed him. He remembered how he'd avoided Geet when she finally muttered some courage to ask about the evening, it had been real bad and rude, he knew but he couldn't help.

All the incidences after the marriage started to play in his mind like a slide show, the dominating were the office gossip and the awkward situation this evening, he knew now was the time to do something, and he realized that his first step towards this relation would be Geet getting acknowledged as his wife.

Yes! That was right, she had all the rights that a newly married girl deserves, grand wedding, star studded reception, exotic vacation, and his love - all of what Mrs. Maan Singh Khurrana deserves, all that Horam got but she didn't.

He was also reminded of Horam's reaction to the office gossip, and assumed that she would be ok with this decision. She was out of town today on one of her assignment so he couldn't share today's incident with her, she might be busy in work he thought n decided to just drop a good night message.

Satisfied with his decision, he decided to sleep and occupied his place on the bed. He put off the lights, only the lamp on Geet's side of bed remained. He bent to switch it off, that's when his eyes fell on her face, it glowed with the yellow light of the lamp, the temptation was hard to resist. But as he bent closer with an intention to drop a quick goodnight peck, he discovered white tear marks at the corner of the eyes. He closed his eyes in regret. He was reminded of his own bhashan to her, how he expected to share her thoughts, her fears with him, but he himself never gave that equal right to her, how hypocrite! He sighed and switching off the lamp he moved to his side immediately and slept off, a little restless though.

***

Khurrana mansion glowed in lights and decorations, everything was done in such a short notice; Maan had broken the news of reception at the breakfast table making the elders happy, while Annie cleverly chose not to comment. Automatically all the responsibility of arrangements came to Maan's chachu, while Maan was allotted the work of invitations; by the time Geet's turn came only work left was getting ready for the party, an appointment to the best beauty parlor was already fixed.

It was noon when Horam finally arrived home and was surprised to find everyone all busy in some sort of preparations, on enquiry she came to know of Maan's sudden decision of reception. Though she didn't say anything at that moment; but definitely she need to talk to Maan about this. This was the first time after their marriage that he didn't discuss with her before taking any decision, be it as small as which car to take to office.

She looked around the house to find him, she so wanted to sit with him, share her day, it was more than 36 hours they haven't seen each other and yet he's not seeking her as soon as she is back! This was alarming. She could sense the distance creeping in between them slowly. Nevertheless she volunteered a helping hand but works were mostly done or already been allotted to someone, so she settled to supervision.

Maan was busy inviting his close business relations, employees to the party and the media, off course he didn't want to leave out on that. While on the other side some issue had come up in office with one of the important paper getting missed and he was constantly coordinating on phone with his assistant. He got so busy that he never realized how day flew by, it was already evening.

Sultana had finally cornered Horam in her room, since the time she's back to house she'd been looking for a chance to get her to talk alone.

"Tumhe party me aane ki koi zarurat nahi hai, bekar tamasha banega family ka." she declared taking Horam by surprise as she wasn't expecting anything like this coming up her way.

"Magar Chachi jaan, hum kyu party me nahi aa sakte?" she questioned not able to see the logic behind.

"Dimag kharab hai tumhara, ye party Maan aur Geet k liye hai, aur 4 log dekhenge toh kya baate karenge, family ki izzat ka tumhe bhale hi khayal na ho, humne aur bhabhi ne ye decide kiya hai ki aap iss party me nazar nahi aayengi." saying that she left from there.

Name of Mariyam was enough to shut her up, she decided not to argue further, but wondered if her not being present would make any difference to the people who come to gossip, in fact there will be more spice! But she couldn't do anything before the decision of elders.

She sighed sadly, right now she badly wanted to see Maan, and melt in his arms, tell him that she will not create a fuss in the party, how can such a vast difference come all of a sudden in her life. She is his life partner, and all of a sudden she is not invited in his party! She felt low, helpless, dejected. She ran to her room before she broke down.

She entered her room, and it was as if her wish was granted. There stood the object of her relief, her husband, she ran to him not waiting for another second and hugged him hard.

'Geet' involuntary came out of his mouth and she stilled like chilled water thrown on her face in mid winters. She immediately separated herself from him and cried mutely facing away from him.
The reaction made Maan still too; he realized his fault but didn't know how to correct it.
He turned her to himself and tried to look into her down casted eyes. Oh! He desperately wanted to say that he'd been seeing more of Geet around him, sharing room with her, that it was a mistake! But words ditched him. Slowly he wiped her tears but she gave absolutely no reaction.

"Hor... Talk to me." he said finally, desperateness was clearly evident in his voice but she was least affected, she didn't know what would calm her heart right now? She freed herself from his hold and ran off rubbing their tears in her cheeks off from the back of her hands. She couldn't take anymore today, she wanted to just find a lone corner and cry her heart out, but there was more in store for her it seemed.

He kept looking at her retreating figure not able to anticipate her hurt; he was in her room getting ready as Geet was getting ready in his room and there were too many other women to make him uncomfortable. He had not seen Horam come back, and Geet was quite nervous with the idea of big reception and all these confusions made him do the blunder. He knew these thoughts were just to console himself, in reality he was in deep pool of confusion and helplessness, he still doesn't know how to make a balance between 2 wives himself being one person. He was about to go behind Horam and console her but was summoned for party as the guests had already started to gather. He sighed and decided to talk to her later, till then she would have some time to think through this after all he was still scared of her anger.

She passed through the corridor passing her old room which now belonged to his new wife, she sighed and was about to walk past when a voice caught her attention. It was not her thing to eavesdrop into someone's conversation, but she couldn't think of manners in this situation. She peeked in the scene made her heart burn in agony as if it was paining any less.

Mariyam: Mashaallah nazar na lagey hamari bahu ko, bilkul chand ka tukda lag rahi hai.

Saying that she took some amount of Kajal from her eyes and placed it behind Geet's ears, Geet blushed more if that was possible. And the parlor girl added.

Girl: madam Maine itni sunder dulhann nahi dekhi. Bahut pyari hai.

Her comments made Mariyam swell in pride.

Mariyam: kyu na ho, hamare Maan ki dulhann hai.

And they escorted her out to the function, Horam his immediately when she sensed them coming out of the room.

As they went away, she rushed to terrace and cried and cried and cried.

She remembered the comments of the mother-in-law for her, when it was her reception, nobody could take eyes away from her; worst was Maan, still all the pictures of their reception captured the looks he had that day. But everything had changed in a matter of minutes, now she was no more wanted in the party; it was like she had become an excess baggage. Her grief had no ending today.