Ek Deewana Ek Deewani Chap 16 up on Page 44! COMPLETED! - Page 13

CHAPTER 6. MELE MEIN DANGA

As Maan Geet and Arnav Khushi walked around the mela, trouble was brewing somewhere else. And now that trouble was heading towards the mela. The first inkling of trouble was when the noise of horses running was heard. The constant beat of hooves was enough to make everyone scatter around in fear. THEY were coming! The horror of it left everyone looking paler. Maan and Arnav were surprised to see the girls with them turn pale and grab their arms in fear. And then they saw it. Dozens of men riding the horses, face hidden and hand holding a sword came galloping into the mela. Men were slashed by swords. Women were being picked up. Kids were being trampled. As the crowd began to panic, everyone started running here and there. Maan, Geet, Arnav and Khushi were being pushed and pulled as the crowd in the mela tried to get away.

Maan could only watch with horror as Geet got separated from him. Geet may have been a headache as far as he was concerned, but Geet's family had left her under the care of Maan Singh Khurana. Khushi had left her in his care. And he would be damned if something happened to the girl under his care. "GEET!", he shouted as he started searching for the girl. "GEET!", he roared again as he started to push the crowd to make you to the girl.

Geet would have been very happy and blushing if she had known that her Prince Charming was worried for her. But as of now that was not her problem. The pushing and pulling of the crowd had not only separated her and her Prince Charming but also put her in the direct path of one of the horse riding goons. He passed by her on the horse and pulled away her duppatta. The sudden movement of his left her unbalanced and stumbling back she fell down. As she fell on the floor she looked up and watched with horrified eyes as the horse riding man, after riding for a short while, turned around and made his way towards her.

Geet knew what was going to happen to her now. She would be picked up by the man and taken to his lair! She had heard enough stories in the village! These were the looteres living in the jungle! They came into villages to plunder the wealth, kill men and kidnap the girls. Then the girls were found only after a month raped and brutally murdered. Geet was frozen in shock unable to move. She willed her body to move, get up and run! But her body did not listen! As Geet watched with alarm the man coming closer to her, she suddenly remembered her Prince Charming. And that spurned her into moving. She cannot be taken away now! Not when she had just met her Prince Charming! Not when she just got her chance with him!

Geet got up from the floor and ran. She ran as fast as she could. Inbetween she looked behind to see if the horse man was still following her. He was still there! She ran and ran. Soon the civilization was left behind and she entered into the woods. She ran as the twigs and branches snagged her clothes and cut into her skin. Her hair started to gather leaves and twigs as she ran through them. She ran for her life with the horseman still behind her. She turned around to check on him again. He was too close she thought just as her leg slipped and she fell.

Geet watched with mounting horror as she fell into the lake. Her first thought was she did not know how to swim. And her last thought before hitting the water was that she will die before getting married to her Prince Charming!

The stampede started and Arnav looked around in shock. What the! He watched with shock as people were being trampled upon, kids were left crying and then the biggest moment of horror came for Arnav. The horse riding men came into view as they killed the men close to them and picked up girls. Arnav took in a sharp breath. It did not take a genius to know what happened to the girls once picked up by these daakus. Arnav grabbed Khushi tighter as he looked around searching for a place to hide. He had to take her away from here. He looked at Khushi's scared face as he dragged her away from open area. Before he could console her or call for Maan, another horse riding man came around and trying to grab Khushi's hand as he rode by. Arnav yanked Khushi back and she hugged him from behind in fear. Any other time Arnav would have reveled in the feeling of Khushi hugging him but right now he was more focused on getting the hell out of the place all unscathed.

The horseman turned around and rode back enraged that he missed his girl. Khushi watched with wide eyes at the man's return. Hey Devi Maiyya! Enraged that the man managed to save the girl, the Daaku raised his sword to slash Arnav. Khushi watched with wide eyes as Maan' raised his hand and grabbed his the sword by the sharp end. Khushi felt her heart in her throat as Maan's hand started to bleed but he continued to hold the sword away from himself. Then with a sudden burst of strength he pushed the blade away and the Daaku fell down the horse. Taking the chance, Maan' grabbed Khushi's hand and ran away from there.

Maan watched with wide eyes as the Daaku pursued Geet. Maan was far from them but he could still see them as Geet ran away from the fair and into the wilderness. He ran after the Daaku trying to reach him before he grabbed Geet. As he ran, he found an abandoned horse nearby. Realising that he would have better chance at saving Geet with the horse, he jumped on the horse and nudged the horse to follow the Daaku's horse.

Maan could only watch as the Daaku neared Geet. He urged his horse to gallop faster. He would not loose Geet to this Daaku. She may be annoying with her stammering and blushing but she was an innocent girl and does not deserve being tortured. As he rode the horse, he saw the Daaku stop and gallop another way. Yeh yahaan se chala kyun gaya? Maan observed the man and realised that he guessed right. The Daaku was leaving the wilderness. Why? Geet ko kyun nahi pakda? Kahin Geet ko kuch... He hurried the horse to the spot where he saw the Daaku stop and his eyes widened. Right in front of him, was a vast lake and there in middle of it was Geet floundering. She was drowning!

Maan wasted no time in jumping off the horse, pulling his mobile from his pocket, removing his tie, vest and shirt and jumping into the water. He swam towards her and grabbed her. Her eyes widened once she calmed down and realised who had saved her!

The stampede was over! Phew! Arnav closed his eyes. He was exhausted. Hiding under an abandoned cart with a girl tense and worried about being found was not easy! With a sigh of relief, he got out of the place and pulled Khushi out. He looked around wanting to search for Maan and Geet. Where are they? Are they alright? He pulled his phone out and called Maan but there was no response. Must be hiding too! Arnav tried to convince himself.

"Hey Devi Maiyya! Humaari Geet theek toh hogi na?", Khushi wondered with worry.

"Don't worry! Maan hai uske saath! Use kuch nahi hoga!", Arnav mumbled absentmindedly as he looked around.

"Kya?", Khushi asked and Arnav's eyes widened. Damn! How could I have been so foolish!

"Aapne Maan kyun kahaa? Aap Maan haina?", the girl looked at him suspiciously.

Arnav smiled uneasily, "Haan! Main Maan hun! Main Maan nahi hun toh kaun hoga! Main Maan hun...", Arnav realised he was blabbering and he shut up. Maan! Calm down! Then he realised what he thought and mentally huffed. Damn! You are Arnav! Not Maan! Yeh Dream Girl ke chakkar mein main apna naam bhool jaaunga!

"Humein kuch samajh nahi aa raha!", Khushi glared at him.

The girl was still suspicious of him! Arnav shrugged, "I said Maan ka dost hai uske saath! Not Maan hai uske saath! Got it?" Saying this he tried to walk off, eager to get away from her poking holes in his lie.

Khushi wanted to question him as she was sure she heard Maan instead of Maan ke dost but her voice died in her throat when she saw his hand bleeding heavily.

"Hey Devi Maiyya! Aapke haath!", Arnav heard her say and he turned around to see her scurrying towards him. She grabbed his bleeding hand and looked at it with wide eyes. Oh! Yes! My hand is bleeding right? Arnav thought absentmindedly as he observed her get teary eyes over his wound. The way she was worried he was half expecting her to tear her duppatta like he had seen Hindi film heroines do and tie it around his hand. But instead of that, she simply asked him if he had any kerchief with him. When he handed it over to her, she softly cleaned the wound. Arnav watched with smile as she cleaned the wound. It warmed his heart to see her worried for him. May be... may be she was warming towards him! May be he was winning her heart too!

"Waise agar rumaal nahi hota toh kya karti? Apna duppatta faadke ghaav pe lagaati?", Arnav asked amusedly as Khushi started to wrap the wound with a clean part of handkerchief.

Khushi gave him a look that said are you an idiot and spoke, "Hum kyun apna duppatta faadein? Aapka tie haina? Kis din kaam aayega? Aapke gale se tie lenge aur haath pe tie kardenge!"

Saying her piece Khushi focused on tying the kerchief around the wound while Arnav watched with wide eyes.

Geet felt her heart skip multiple beats as she stared at the chiseled face of her Prince Charming. Her hands were around his bare neck and she gulped as she realised he was shirtless. Her cheeks reddened as her Prince Charming trudged out of the lake carrying her in his arms. Hey Babaji! Agar yeh sapna hai toh yeh sapna kabhi na khatam ho! But before she could drool over her Prince Charming anymore, her Prince Charming dropped her on the shore and walked away. Geet's jaw dropped open as he walked off. Suddenly, he turned around, "Yahi pe raho! Main apni mobile, wallet aur kapde lene jaa raha hun!"

"Kapde nahi bhi liye toh chalenge!", Geet mumbled as she stared at his upper body.

"Kya?", he asked in confusion and Geet shook her head. As he walked off, Geet tried to calm her racing heart.

She was in his arms! She was in his ARMS! Geet grinned happily. She would have started dancing but the running in wilderness had left her exhausted and she just happily grinned as she mentally replayed the feeling of being in her Prince Charming's arms.

It was to this scene Maan arrived. He was shocked to see the girl grin. Is she mad? Maan was alarmed. Kya bewakoof ladki hai? Abhi iski ke peeche Daaku pada tha aur phir yeh taalaab mein doobne waali thi aur yeh hai ki batteesi dikha rahi hai! Daadima! Aapne iss baar saari hadd paar kardi iss bewakoof ko mere liye chunke!

"Suno!", Maan spoke harshly, "Khushi aur Arnav ... I mean... Maan' se maine baat karli! Dono humein direct ghar pe milenge! Both are alright! Chalo! Tumhein ghar le chalta hun!"

Geet grinned eagerly and got up. She was tempted to ask him mere ghar ya tumhaare ghar but her nervousness left her unable to speak. She trudged after him as they walked towards the Handa Haveli.

And that was the update!

Did you like it?

Next up, lets me at the terrace!

And drool or get annoyed depending on which lead we are talking about!

Thanks, take care and have fun,

Kalpana

Awesome update
Loved it
Well written
Plz continue soon

Loved chapter 6 👏
Geet and Khushi saved by their heroes 😃
Eager for the next part 😃

Attack during the mela was unexpected.Arnav n Maan saved their girls.Arnav expecting khushi 2 tear her duppatta n tie around his hand like in films😆but she asked if he has his kerchief.but if its his kerchief she cleaned her wound.Arnav n Maan slipping the wrong name n covering it up was so funny

superb update ...
full on action packed ...ab har koi action mode pe hi toh tha 😉
continue soon...

nice update..
waiting for next update..

CHAPTER 7. MEET YOU AT THE TERRACE!

"Maan! Guess what I saw just now!", Arnav spoke as he walked into Maan's room.

Maan, who was checking his mails on his laptop, did not even look up, "Kya?"

"Geet and Khushi are going up to the terrace!", Arnav spoke with excitement as he sat on the bed beside Maan.

All four had come home few hours ago. Rano and Mohinder were aghast seeing them like this, all tattered and hurt. Khushi looked teary eyed and her clothes were dirty. Arnav sported a wounded hand and his clothes were dirty too. Maan's clothes looked haphazardly worn and Geet even had twigs and leaves in her hair and seemed soaked to the bone. Once the Handa parents got the whole story out of the youngsters they had thanked Maan and Arnav profusely for saving Geet and Khushi's life. Then Rano sent them up to freshened up and relax and spent the rest of the day mothering over them. Now it was after dinner time.

"Toh?", Maan asked as he continued to type a reply to one of his clients.

Arnav huffed, "Don't you see? Khushi is up there! I can go talk to her!"

Maan rolled his eyes and finally looked at Arnav, "Shaam ko itna baat kiya woh kya kam tha! Mele mein poore time uske saath akele the! Uske baare mein itna poocha ki if you want tum uspe ek poori book likh sakte ho! Aur kitna time bitaaoge uske saath?"

Arnav made a face, "Maan! Are you sure you are a businessman? Coz right now tum ek dumb insaan ki tarah baat kar rahe ho!"

When Maan glared at him, Arnav shook his head, "Don't you understand? Unless main uske saath time spend karun, she won't fall in love with me! She won't become crazy for me the way I am for her! And then there is the fact that I am crazy for her! When you go crazy for someone, you want to spend more and more time with them! Don't you see?"

Maan shook his head. What is wrong with Arnav? Woh Arnav kidhar hai jo har waqt serious rehta tha? Mere saath aise bakwaas ke bajaay important business issues pe baat karta tha! Jo har waqt uske Bluetooth se chipka rehta tha aaj ek ladki ke saath chipak raha hai? Sahi kehte hain log, pyaar insaan ko deewana kar deta hai!

"Ok! So you went to spend time with her?", Maan asked and Arnav nodded.

Maan huffed, "Toh mujhe kyun bataa rahe ho? Jaao! Go and talk to her on the terrace! Abhi yahaan khade rehke time kyun barbaad kar rahe ho?"

"Because Khushi ke saath Geet bhi hai!", Arnav pouted.

Maan frowned, "So? Tumhein Khushi se matlab! Why are you thinking about Geet?"

Arnav huffed and spoke in a tone that is generally reserved for five year olds, "Because I can't just go there and say Excuse me Geet! Can I talk to Khushi alone?' Especially when I am supposed to be the suitor for Geet!"

"So you want me to...", Maan froze, "No no no no no!" Maan shook his head, "I am not doing what you are expecting me to do!"

"Why not!", Arnav cried out.

"Because Geet is annoying! She stutters and stammers and is ridiculous! Always blushing! Do you know what her hobby is? Cooking! Aur use Indian khaane ke siva kuch banaana aata nahi hai! Meri phooti kismat jo Daadima ne ise mere liye chuna! Achcha hua ki yeh log tujhe MSK samajh rahe hai! Uss ladki se baat karne se main bach gaya! And now you want me to talk to HER? No way! That girl is too annoying for my tastes! Dopahar ka ek dose kaafi hai mere liye! Baaki ka quota kal ke liye!"

"What the! No way man! You are not backing out of your promise to make sure me and my Dream Girl get together!", Arnav warned.

Maan rolled his eyes, "Funny Arnav! I don't remember promising anything like that to you! I just agreed to help you! Koi waada nahi kiya tha!"

"Damn!", Arnav mumbled as Maan chuckled.

Finally Arnav sighed, "Look man! I just want some time with her! Can't you help me with that a little? Remember Maan! Main tera ek lauta friend hun! Can't you do one thing for your one friend?"

Maan chuckled, "You know tum hamesha complain karte ho that your sister emotionally blackmails you and how that is so unfair! Aur aaj tum hi emotional blackmail pe utar aaye?"

"Maan!", Arnav was out of patience now, "Are you gonna help me or not dammit?"

"Fine fine! I will help you!", Maan spat, "Friendship ke liye itna toh kar hi sakta hun!"

"Thanks Maan! You are a great friend!, Arnav grinned.

Maan mumbled, "Says the guy who was blackmailing me few seconds ago!" as they walked off to the terrace.

When Maan and Arnav entered the terrace, both were relieved to see both girls standing away from each other. Geet chose one corner and Khushi chose another. Both were staring up above. Both Maan and Arnav shared a look. Atleast separating the girls by using some flimsy excuse was not necessary.

Khushi sensed someone come and stand behind her. She thought it was Geet and spoke up, "Aaj yeh aasmaan kitna khula haina? Har ek taara dikh raha hai!"

"Haan!", came a voice and Khushi turned swiftly. Arnav stood beside her grinning at her and Khushi looked away. Yeh sardard kahaan se aagaya? Phir se humaare baare mein sawaal poocha toh baal noch lenge!

"Its beautiful here!", Arnav mused and Khushi looked at him only to find his eyes on her.

She gave him a polite smile and looked up wishing she was anywhere but here.

Geet was looking up when she sensed someone behind her. Thinking it was Khushi she turned to smile only for her eyes to go wide at the looming figure of her Prince Charming. She turned back as her heart started to thud in her chest. Prince Charming! Mere peeche! Hey Babaji!

Geet started fiddling with her duppatta in nervousness.

Maan sighed. Now what! He looked at the other side of terrace and saw Arnav talking to Khushi. I have to say something! Warna Geet yahaan se gayi toh Khushi bhi chali jaayegi! Lekin bolun kya?

"Terrace achchi hai tumhaare ghar ki!", her Prince Charming said and Geet's eyes widened. He is trying to talk to me! Hey Babaji! Mujhe shakti do ki main unke saamne apna mooh khol sakun!

Geet wanted to say something. Reply something witty! Or atleast talk about the history of the house! But she was unable to speak. Forget speaking she was unable to even squeak.

Maan sighed. No response! Kya ladki hai! Kuch bolti hi nahi! Ab kya karun? Kaise isko yahaan busy rakhun?

"Ghar bhi bahut achcha hai aapka!", Maan commented and waited for her response.

Kuch bol! Gadhi kuch bol! Geet scolded herself and managed to stammer out a thank you.

Maan heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God! Kuch toh boli. Warna akele badbad karte karte main paagal ho jaata!

"Waise Lucknow main kahaan rehti hai aap?", Arnav spoke and Khushi froze. Hey Devi Maiyya! Yeh kyun pooch rahe hain? Dekhne Geet ko aayein hain aur humse pooch rahe hain!

"Ji! Humaare ghar ka pata aap jaanke kya karenge? Aap toh Dilli waale hain! Waise Dilli mein aap kahaan rehte hain? Humaari Buaji wahin rehti hai aur hum Bua ke ghar pe rehte the College ke waqt toh Dilli humein achchi tarah se pata hai! Toh kahaan rehte hain aap?", Khushi mumbled deflecting his question. Ab bataayiye! Humein pooch rahe the! Humne aapka hi sawaal aap pe ulta diya!

As Arnav explained where his house actually was inside he was jumping in excitement. She asked about me! She wants to know about me! That means she is interested in me too!

"Toh...", Maan floundered as he tried to think of something to ask Geet. Ab isse kya poochun? Cooking ke siva kuch aata nahi! Sirf B.Com padhi hui hai! Aage jaake ek housewife banegi! Ab isse poochun toh kya poochun? Jaadhu kaise maarte hain aur bartan kaise dhote hain?

"Toh Rajji aur tum mein kitne saalon ka farak hai?", Maan asked curiously.

Geet replied softly but inside she was dancing. He was curious about her! He wanted to know about her! He likes me too! Babaji! Ab toh main aur mute ho jaaungi!

"Achcha? Aapki Di aapse itna pyaar karti hain?", Khushi asked faking her delight. Hey Devi Maiyya! Ek insaan apni behen ke kitne gun gaan gaa sakta hai? Aadhe ghante se pakaa rahe hain!

"Yes! She lovingly calls me Chote!", Arnav sighed happily. His Khushi was curious about him! What else did he want!

"Achcha! Ab hum chalte hain! Raat bahut ho chuki hai! Good Night!", Khushi smiled uneasily.

"Good night!", Arnav whispered back as he looked at her dreamily.

Khushi sighed as she walked towards Geet. Bach gaye iss Maan' se! Jyaada hi kuch humse chipak rahe the! She rolled her eyes as she noticed Geet blushing. Sirf sharmaayi ya isne kuch baat bhi kiya!

Saying goodnight to Arnav', Khushi grabbed a surprised Geet and dragged her away. Geet whispered good night shyly to Maan and allowed Khushi to drag her away.

"So...", Arnav spoke teasingly.

"What?", Maan growled as Arnav walked towards him and both watched the girls walk away.

"Someone seemed to enjoy his talks with Geet!", Arnav teased Maan. But he did not expect the response he got from Maan.

"Enjoy? Enjoy my foot! Kuch bolti hi nahi hai! Bas sharmaati rehti hai! Aarrgh!", Maan glared in anger. Arnav raised an eyebrow, "She cannot be that bad!"

"Forget it! Jitne jaldi ho sake Khushi ko pataao aur mujhe yahaan se mukti dilaao!", Maan spat and stormed away. Arnav blinked in surprise and followed him.

Ok! How was that?

If it was good, do comment!

If it was bad don't comment coz my birthday is coming up and I don't want to go sad right now!

Next up, the illusion breaks!

Thank you, take care and have fun,

Kalpana