Chapter 51: Showers of Love
Maan hurriedly rang the bell of the same hostel room he visited some time back. He had suspected Geet would end up coming here and his doubts were confirmed with the call he received before he headed out of the house. He was about to ring the bell once again when he heard some movement inside. The door creaked open and he expected to see the same short and petite girl only to see the woman who stole his heart on first sight.
Meera found her in a dishealved state in the middle of the road and forced her to come along with her. Geet insisted she wanted to be left alone but Meera had managed to bring her back here and cleaned her up. Geet sat without saying anything and staring out the window. Because there was really nothing to tell. In spite of Geet's refusal, Meera managed to shove some warm soup into Geet's mouth.
Few hours passed in silence. Geet occasionally wiped away tears streaming down her cheeks. But other than that she never spoke anything. Meera gave up trying to make Geet talk and let her be for sometime. Knowing Maan would come looking for Geet, she excused herself with some emergency at the hospital.
Geet stood rooted to her spot as she opened the door to see the man who had occupied her thoughts since the day she met him.
"Really Geet?" he said jutting the papers and the note she left behind on her face. "This is how you want to end this? You just decide to leave behind a note and run away like a coward?" his screams echoing through the corridor.
Her lips trembled as tears gushed out seeing him right in front of her. Words failed to form as she stood in front of him.
"I'm talking to you damn it!" he screamed jerking her shoulder.
"Voh mmaain," she stammered her voice still shaking.
"Tum mujhe aazadi deni chaahti thi na?" he roared flashing the papers in front of her. "Yeh lo, ab hoon main azaad" he said throwing the papers near her feet before walking away.
Geet saw him walk away without a second glance. Tears pricked her eyes as she eyed the divorce papers below. The force of the throw had caused the pages to scatter around the room. And the page with their signatures stared harshly at her. She bent to pick it only to be confused to see something other than his signature. She blinked away her tears to read something other than his signature above his name. She hurriedly wiped away her tears only to read, I hate you!'
Maan walked down the stairs recalling his conversation with Anushka.
"You hate her remember?" Anushka reminded calmly.
"Haan I hate her for making me fall irrevocably in love with her. I hate her for teaching me how to dream. I hate her for making me laugh when I had almost forgotten how to. I hate her alright, I hate every little detail of her!" he broke down, tears flowing continuously.
Anushka rushed to his side and assured everyone over there that she would take care of it. Knowing Maan would need to let everything out before things could get back on track, they left Maan and Anushka alone.
"Why me Sweety?" Maan spoke in between hiccups. "Why me? Don't I deserve a chance at happiness?" He clung to her like a child while she rubbed his back trying to calm him.
"Shh Bujji, calm down first," she said rubbing his back.
"First she wanted divorce and then she decided to give us a chance. But all of a sudden she said she wants to walk away, and now she wants to come back into my life. Don't I have feelings? Am I a piece of tissue that can be used when wants and thrown when done?" he sniffed.
"No you do have all the rights to be angry with her. Tumhe haq banta hai," she assured cupping his cheeks. "Magar ek baar sirf ek baar hear her story out." Anushka voiced for what seemed like the first time taking Geet's side.
Maan was about to walk out of the hostel gates when he felt her hug his back. "I love you," she sobbed. Her grip tightened as she continuously chanted I love you'. He stood still absorbing her tears as well as her declaration of love.
A tiny drop of water landed on his nose causing him to look up to see heavy thunderous clouds gathering in the sky. Soon, it began sprinkling. Little droplets of water drenched his hair, skin, and dress. The water droplets began growing larger and falling frequently. The light pitter-patter of rain turned into wet thuds as the water raced to meet the ground. The sound of thunder rolled through the area as a lightning bold split the sky. Yet nothing seemed to bother them as they stood drenching in it. Maan had never fancied rain however it had come to become a blessing in disguise for him.
A small smile appeared on his lips as he looked up to send a silent prayer. Unclasping her arms from his shoulder, he slowly turned around to face her. Her sobs had died down with her hiccups remaining. She had her head bowed down unable to face him.
"Geet." She heard him whisper in spite of the heavy pouring rain. She immediately looked up to see his eyes shining with relief and love.
"Main," she began only for him to shut her lips with his finger.
"Shh," he silenced her shaking his head. He bent his head to replace his fingers with his lips.
There is something so heavely about a kiss in the rain, a tender moment that just cannot be explained with words. Not caring about the water that soaked through their skin he expressed his love. A sense of mutual need showed the strength of the feeling. He kissed the droplets from her lips as he smiled against hers. Unexpectedly, his hand drifted to her hip. It settled there and puller her closer causing her to inhale sharply. She was against his warm chest, chiseled to perfection. Her fingers combed through his hair as she pulled him closer towards her. He swept her hair aside and kissed her just over the collarbone. Kissing her ear lobe, he traveled down kissing her nape. He buried his face in her shoulder curve before groaning, "I love you Geet," into her hair.
"I love you Raja," she breathed unevenly causing him to jerk open his eyes in surprise.
"You remember." He said more like a statement than a question.
She bit her lips and nodded her head while her cheeks suddenly kissed like a spring rose. She looked down unable to look into his eyes as he fought hard to smile that wanted to break out. "I loved you since the day I saw you for the first time," she said continuing to look down. "The first kiss on my forehead, the way you cared for me in my sleep. But I was afraid every single time I wouldn't be able to return your love. I was scared that loving you would make me weak. I didn't realize it would only become my strength. Please mujhe maaf kardeejiye Maan."
Torrential rains pouring few minutes ago seemed to have stopped as suddenly as it came.
"Ek shart pe." His serious tone made her slightly nervous. She nodded her head hesitantly. "Since you missed a date with your husband, you will have to kiss him whenever and wherever he demands."
"Ji," she nodded without realizing what he had just asked but once the depth of his words hit her, she jerked her head up screaming, "Kya?"
"It's take it or leave it deal. Agar shart manzoor hai toh maaf kardoonga varna," he left the sentence hanging.
"Nahi! Mujhe manzoor hai," she agreed although she wasn't completely convinced.
"Good, kiss me now," he ordered casually.
"Maan!" Her eyes widedned like saucers at his shameless request.
"Tsk tsk Mrs. Khurana, just few seconds after you agreed and you are already defying it," he said shaking his head ruefully. "I might have to reconsider granting your apology."
"But that's not fair, abhi abhi maine voh," she said turning scarlet that they had actually kissed in the middle of the road.
"Kya voh Geet?" he asked trying to suppress his smile.
"I just did whatever you asked to Maan," she whined unable to mention the word.
"You did what Geet?" he asked innocently.
"Vahi jo aapne maanga," she said pursing her lips.
"Gosh Geet, it has a name. It's called kiss. K-I-S-S," he said spelling it out without batting his eye.
Blood rushed to her check and for a minute she thought her face was on fire. She suddenly felt demure and coy and went as far as attempting to hide her rosy features behind her slim fingers yet it shone through the gaps. Not having the guts to face him, she hid her face in the crook of his neck as her arms wound around his neck. He tightened his hold around her petite waist pulling her closer to him.
"Geet," he called softly after what seemed like eternity.
"Hmm?" she hummed still remaining in the same position.
"Yeh mangal sutr tumhe kaha mila?" he asked finally since the time he saw her wearing it for Diwali pooja.
"I had it all the while Maan. I took it when I left to New York with me. It was the only piece that connected me to you. Even when I wanted to go away from you, I couldn't let go of it. And I wouldn't let it go for the world," she declared proudly.
He smiled indulgently before kissing her forehead. "Promise me that you will always talk it out with me when you have any problem. You will not take decisions leaving me again in the future. I don't know how I survived this time, maga""
She didn't let him finish and closed his mouth with her palm. "Kabhi nahi!" Tears rushed to her eyes while she shook her head vigorously. "I promise."
"I love you."
She held his cheek softly while standing on her toes. He sensed her act and slightly bent to her level giving access to her. She tenderly kissed his forehead before declaring her undying love for him. "Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for holding on to me. Thank you for everything." A lone tear dropped from her eye.
Maan quickly wiped it away. "Ghar chalein?" he asked extending his hand. She smiled contentedly and slid her hand into his.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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