Chapter 3
Her mother would be waiting.This didn't came to her mind..That strange's thought occupied her..She took turn to broad street, going toward her home..5 minute of distance.. She covered in 10 minutes
Her unconscious mind directed her..Where to go n stop.Even she didn't notice her worried mother, waiting for her at main gate...Rano sighed in huge relief..at first glimpse of Geet.. Returning home safe and sound
" Why you were not answering phone ?" anxious mother asked.. inspecting around..So her words couldn't reach any ear..It brought Geet out of trance..
" Mummi Ji aap yahan..?" she felt alienated, in her real world..How she reached home ? " I mean why are you at gate ? "
" Come inside, then ll tell you the reason.." furious mother dragged her in..She couldn't match Rano's feet
Geet put her head down..Her mother was gonna give huge lecture now..But she deserved it.
" Wo Mummy Ji, I got late.coming out of school.So I missed first bus " She lied to save herself...not to be victim of mother's raised temper.
"It happens some time..You missed bus thats not a matter..But I think you have a mobile phone too..Papa Ji gifted you..Haina " resting hand of waist Rano questioned..On this Geet nodded up down in yes..
She felt guilty..Both daughters got everything..they wished from their parents.She also had some responsibility toward them too..Then why she didn't bother..about her worried mother..
" That is not just for selfies n chat.. Also to stay in touch with family.. Why didn't you pick my call ?" Rano jerked her hand..When hell tired Geet collapsed..on chair ..
At the name of selfie Raji giggled aloud..Who was enjoying..Her sister's class taken by their mother..side by side sipping her tea..
"Mummy Ji you know, I keep phone on silent in class.Forget to put at ringing mode" she replied lazily..Rubbing forehead..
"Its your everyday affair..Your Papa ji bought scooty for ur convince ..You learnt how to ride..Still you hesitate..to take it to school." Caring mother's..nonstop session was unbearable now..
Geet listened to her mother calmly..Leaning her body against chair support Raji left empty cup on kitchen slab n joined them..
"Mummy Ji, What if Di gets scared to ride it..main to nahi darti scooty chalane se.." she self praised her skills.
Raji steamed up Rano more..Her daughters had madden her..One had totally engrossed in teaching..Other wonder aimlessly for whole day on scooty..
" Yes what to say about your skills..After graduation you left studies.. never help me at home.But to meet 10 years old friends is important Besides this social work..to help every village lady in shopping.. Bangs in Inders office anytime with new demands...I think call it aeroplane instead of scooty " She twisted her ear harshly..Raji jumped in pain..screaming enough..to rapture anyone's eardrum..
Geet couldn't hold self ..to burst in laughter..What definition Rano gave for a two wheeler Joyously she clapped..at Raji's miserable condition now..
" Mummy Ji, please forgive me now..I need tea..Papa Ji bhi aate hongye..Mai change kar lu.." Much tired girl got up taking support of Chair arm
" Both of you..ll never come on line..Inder over pampered you."glaring both sisters.. Rano marched toward kitchen.
Their elder one was in tension..It was not hidden from loving family..She helped her mom silently in preparing dinner..Even answered her father's questions in limited phrases.. Otherwise family always discuss..daily affairs enthusiastically..
" Geet Beta , whats the matter..you seems much worried since evening Everything all right at school ? " Inder creased her head..While strolling over terrace..for fresh air..
She looked here n there..What to answer now..She couldn't hide..anything from caring father.."Not to worry Papa Ji..its bit hectic to take extra classes...for students who lack behind in studies..But have to help them..Its matter of their future..And a big task to prove my ability .." she pretended to be normal..with huge smile..
"You do this job..to help students,in achieving their dreams..not for money..You need not to prove your capability..all know it well..Why you take stress ?Aapke Papa Ji aapki har kushi pura kar sakte hai.." He encircled arm around her shoulder..A proud father of such brilliant daughter..
"Nothing like that Papa Ji..environment is new..So ll take little time to settle..I promise, I ll talk to you..if ever need your help.." she replied in high spirits...Same like father always saw her..
He trust her..After having word with Geet..he took it casually now..For her this was not normal..Her family found change in her..It alerted Geet..What ever happened..She wouldn't let this matter reach home..
She tossed on bed whole night..There was no early class next day..But her time to leave was fixed..As always she took bath..Helped Rano in kitchen..talking and laughing had her breakfast properly..In reality chocked it..
Inder dropped her to bus stand.. She always declined her father's offer to drop her..As wanted to get used of small town life..It was a boon for her now..To keep a watch on that stranger..Just in one day..He turned her life upside down..Without his any fault..
She never noticed who ever got off or got in bus..Who ever was there..at middle stop in her way..Same one where he left bus..There were two- three small shops..A tea stall..A small two wheeler repair shop..third one selling some snacks...with two benches kept outside.. Where people could sit n eat..
Today she looked around from window...With curiosity..in a hope..to get a glimpse of him..For her good luck..A man was sitting on same bench...His back facing her..As bus started towards next stop...She got up...asking conductor to stop the bus..
"Behan Ji aapko to next stop takk jaana tha ?" surprised conductor asked..He knew she was a teacher..As she travelled every day..
"Bhai saab..mera kuch saaman ghar he reh gayi..Yahi se bus le kar jaati hu fir se.. Jaroori hai.." she replied..Why to interfere anyone's personal affair..She said to drop her..Driver did so..A little away from the stop..As bus had travelled some distance..
Lots of time she had..Almost 8:30 and first lecture was today at 10:30..As she was taking senior school classes..Pattern was like any collage routine..
" Geet tu pagal ho gayi hai..us pagal k piche..haina.." she mumbled.. looking around..It was sure..He wouldn't go from here any soon..As his regular time to reach park was around 10 n 10:30..She took a few steps..Adjusting her thailla ( beg) on shoulder.. According to her she would take bus..from here by 9:30 to 10 :00
Much to amazement..He got up n walked in opposite direction..Going toward her village " Baba Ji yeh mere village ki taraf chal padda..Kya karru..Mere ghar to nahi jaa raha.." she talked to Babaji folding hands..It was so funny..How could he do like this ?..When she existed no where for him..
She was in dilemma..What to do now ? Should chase him..Or to take way towards School.. More jerk he gave..Took a muddy path..Or short cut going toward school..
" I think he is a ghost..Wandering here..Per main bhi to piche he hu na..Bhootni nahi per..Its sure he is going toward school..On feet..it takes some time to reach..But why he is doing so ? A zig zag way in between shrubs.. mud..n much to walk.. Baba Ji please be my saviour.." she prayed and crossed the road to follow him..
Lazily he walked..Trying not to make any noise..She chased him...Covering whole of her face with Dupatta..Just eyes were visible.When he stopped at narrow bridge of canal..She hide behind a tree..Broad enough to cover her lean structure..
He stared far unblinkingly..holding one of railing...at both ends..He was standing like any statue..In between her phone buzzed..Pinky was there.. She opened zip n cut it instantly " Din he khraab hai..Is Pinky ko bhi yaad aani thi.." ..It reached his ears too..He looked around no one was there..
He nodded his head.. a chirp of smile came to his lips " Maan you are getting mad really.. Who could be here..? In this deserted place..You are all alone..Wandering aloof..In search of little piece n some hope.." his smiled , his handsome face..rooted her to spot..While looking around his turned to her side..
" Kon ho tum ? Na chahte hue bhi kichi jaa rahi hu tumhari taraf.." A tear dribbled down from her eye..She was not able to decide..What way she had to take ? This unknown one or straight she chose for her life..Too be with her loved ones..or behind this stranger..
A low cracking noise of dry leaves..Which were under Geet's feet..Now alerted him.." Koi to hai yahan ?" He moved back on the way he covered..Toward Geet..Looking around " Kon hai..I said who's there ?" he said aloud..Inspecting all sides..
She shivered like a dry leaf..In between corner of her pallu became visible to him.. " Geet tu naa ghar ki rahegi ..na ghat ki..( she ll not face anyone .. no one ll be there for her ).. James Bond ki beti ban rahi thi...James bond is coming to teach me lesson "she looked around and decided to flew away..hiding in between bushes..Even could cause bruises all over..
It was better to run toward school..In spite of taking narrow way..Her mind instructed from the bushes.But what if she got starches...What would she say to all ? She started to ran backward to ..So she could reach bus stop..Without getting any injury..Now he was behind him..Like a marathon..
A well built man..could easily caught a delicate girl..At last he succeeded.. To drab her wrist ..She tired herself to free from his clutch..Without looking back..
"Kon ho tum ? Aur mera picha kyo kar rahi ho..?" he yelled..
She trembled..getting sweaty..Made her mind strong..He came to front of her..Just eyes were visible..She didn't let her duppata slip down..To reveal her identity..
" I said who are you..? Tell me damn.." Irked he moved toward her..she dragged steps backward..And bumped to a broad tree..Maan pinned him to wood..
Her hazel eyes made him weak on knees..Took him back to years..Instead of looking around..She stared deeply in his eyes..Tears rolling down to her cheeks..
" Before you yell for any help..Putting any blame on me..Remove your veil..Don't judge my patience.." irked Maan gave her warning..
She didn't utter any word..Tried to free herself..He felt how terrified she was..with a man..in such a haunted place..
" Don't cry..taking me wrong..I know my limit..You are safe..But these eyes are torturing me..Like I know you.." he assured her..n to comfort her..he freed the poor girl.
She didn't move..This stranger ..his strange personality ..glued to the place..She felt secure..
"Why were you chasing me ? Just answer me and leave..Kissi kamzor aur masoom ka faiyda nahi utha sakta main.." told her in weak tone " Jab ki main khud ek kamzor insaan hu." his eyes gone wet..Words were coming out with much effort.
Ajnabi Mujhko Itna Bata
Dil Mera Kyon Pareshaan Hai
Dekh Ke Tujhko Aisa Lage
Jaise Barson Ki Pehchaan Hai
She was adamant ..Not to answer..His words..his eyes took away every fear of her..Like he was someone belonged to her.
" Theek hai nahi batanna..don't want to show me face..fine..tell me where to go..Main safely drop kar deta hu.." He dropped weapons n offered to accompany her " Oh haan.. tum apna face nahi dikha rahi.. How ll you reveal your identity or address ? Main road takk chod deta hu...Chalo.." he smiled and directed her back to main road..From where she could take bus..
What brought smile to his face..Her eyes filled his soul with happiness.. Now he was behind her..Rushing to go away from him..As soon as possible.." Don't take me wrong..I am Maan..Telling you..so you could name this stranger..On whom you were stalking.." It startled her ..She looked back..
His eyes spoke volumes to her..Filled with unknown emotions...They again started.. Within minutes main road came " Main chalta hu..per ha ek baat kahni thi..Kissi Ajnabi ka..anjaab raste per picha mat karna.. Sirf zakham hi milte hain..If possible always take straight road..safe for you.." he advised n instantly took same way...A stranger not a stranger any more now " Maan " she mumbled..Removing her dupatta from face..
Within five minutes bus came..Nothing happened in sight of this outer world..Like any passenger she was sitting on last seat..In that small part of this world..near to bridge n trees..Everything changed for her.." So Mr. Stranger your name is Maan..not just name your words reflected whole of your personality..Aap mere liye aap ho...tum nahi..Mere Papa Ji aur Mummy Ji ki tarah..Kyon aapne se lagte ho aap mujhe.. Jaise main aapkon saalon se jaanti hu."
Conductor alerted passengers of stop aloud .She came out in his thoughts "Kya aapke kissi kaam aa sakti hu main ? Kya gum hai aapko..nahi patta..? Per haan aapka picha jaroor karungi aab..I know I am safe if you are around " she smiled nodding her head.. Planning to catch him in park..As he wouldn't look at her..Even in park
to be continued
Sonia
ll find editing mistakes..as always ll correct if any...
If u have words good , nice awesome update etc etc...plz read n leave
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