Distorted Lives..FOUW..Thread 2..... updtd note pg 105 - Page 13

Part 23

Come Back

Pari watched Geet. She looked more sombre than ever. It was like she was more heart broken than when she had first come to Mumbai to file Divorce.

"Geet, what's going on?"

"Nothing really; I am worried about Muski. I hope our divorce won't affect her adversely."

"Geetu, you really can't think like that! We are all here for you. You don't have to do it all alone. It is not like you before. Of course life is not going to be easy but Muski will have every one of us. Truly speaking, I feel like selfish."

"You, and selfish"

"You know right that after... After Yash you were my biggest support. I guess I am happy you and Muski are here to live. It will take away some of the loneliness."

"Oh Pari, we love you Pari... Someday everything would start making sense again..."

"Three cheers to silver linings!! But we are talking about you Geet... what happened? Give it up Geet. Tell me about your talk with Dev. Was he being an asshole again?"

Geet gave a withered look. But Dev's confession about his reason for cheating had broken her somewhere.

"He and I had some talk. He told me his point of view and it hurt Pari. It was like for ten years I was living a lie. How could I have been so blind?"

"They say Love is blind Geetu. Sometimes we choose not to accept that maybe the one we love is not worth it. "

"How could I have been so little to the person who had been so much to me?"

"Come on Geetu. You can't break now. You have a second chance at life. You can rebuild what was destroyed by Dev. After all you have Muskaan to think about."

"Yeah, I have to be strong for Muskaan."

The one word that could help Geet gain her composure and Pari knew it; she took Muskaan's name to remind Geet of her most important responsibility.

"So Geetu, what are you doing about muski's schooling?"

"Oh I and Dev had a talk about that. There's a branch of Muski's old school here and I and Veerji already had a talk with father at this school. I have explained the situation and father has agreed to allow Muskaan to transfer provided she did well at the test. "

"That's good. Anything else?"

"Of course you know that they had requested a face to face interview and I told Dev about it. He is going to try and come so he can attend the interview as well."

"So he is not going to be the irresponsible father like he was an irresponsible husband?"

"Dev had many flaws. But again who doesn't? But one role he never did ignore was his role as a father. This is not about him or me. It is about our daughter. And we promised each other that we won't let Muskaan down as we have let each other down."

"You didn't do anything wrong Geet!"

"I did Pari. I did not do everything I could. No one person can wreck a marriage like ours was wrecked. After all it takes two to tango."

"You are different."

"We change everyday Pari. But enough about me, what are you upto?"

"My life is pretty simple Geet. I get up in the morning, go to work, come back, do some house chores and go to sleep."

"Don't you think it is time for you to move one Pari?"

Pari who had been sipping her tea looked up sharply. Her expression was cold.

"What the hell are you speaking about Geet?"

Geet took a deep breath and tried using her most soothing tone for Pari.

"Look at me Pari. I know you love Yash bhai too much. I have seen your love grow in front of my eyes; I have seen my flirty brother grow up serious in love enough to go against his family to marry you. But that was past Pari. It has been five years Pari. In the beginning we thought you needed timeto get over the shock of losing Yash bhai... But now it is getting ridiculous.You have to move on Pari. Life cannot stop at one incident."

Pari's eyes were filled up and tears were rolling down her eyes. She was continuosly shaking her head as if the word were poisoning her insides.

"GEETU... I love Yash... I can't even imagine anyone else. Don't ask that of me."

"I know you love my brother Pari. And Yash bhai loved you too. But the truth is he is no more..."

"GEETU"

"Our sugarcoating the words would not change things Pari. YASH BHAI IS DEAD. And as much as you want we can't allow you to die with him. Do you know why? "

Geet paused watching Pari's crumbling face. She felt sad but Pari needed to hear some harsh truths.

"Do you know what Yash bhai loved the most about you?"

"What?"

Came an almost whisper.

"He loved your naughty smile after you played some prank on him. That's the Pari he fell in love with. Playful, naughty, cheery... You see where I am going with this."

"I don't."

"I don't know what you are punishing yourself about but stop. I am not sure what happens to souls after someone dies. Some say they go on to some other world...either heaven or hell... some say they reincarnate...some say they watch over their beloved ones and some don't believe in anything beyond death. But whatever it is I am sure Yash bhai wouldn't have wanted you to live a life like this. He loved your carefree liveliness. I think the best way you can honour him is by living. Stop punishing yourself Pari. You show symptoms of survivor's guilt which is weird because you were not involved in the accident in any way."

Pari didn't know what to do or what to say. She started crying earnestly as Geet hugged her tightly letting her cry her heart out. It was as if a dam broke free and years of pain and anguish rolled down her eyes. Geet didn't disturb her and just let her cry.

The doorbell rang. Geet knew that Pari was in no position to greet anyone. She somehow made Pari stand up and took her inside her room. Making her lie down Geet told her to stay.

Meanwhile the person at the door was ringing the doorbell insistently. Geet was very irritated. Who the hell is that? Don't people have any manners nowadays!!

Jerking the door open Geet shouted without really checking who was at the door.

"WHAT? Don't you have any manners? Is that the way you ring bell at somebody's place??"

Geet stopped abruptly as she looked up. The man standing was equally surprised as well.

"Chutki!! It has been years, hasn't it?"

Geet was engulfed in a bear hug. Geet did not even get a chance to respond.

*******

By the time Maan had returned at the mansion everyone had been dead asleep. He had freshened up but sleep had eluded him. If last time he had been affected by Geet this time he cannot even begin to describe what he had felt.He didn't think any words were adequate to describe them.

Maan had given up on trying to sleep and had gone for an early morning jog. Running had always helped him gain some semblance. These two days seemed like a lifetime. He came back and was on his way to prepare a cup of black coffee when he was enthusiastically greeted by his daadima.

"Arey Maan beta, you are back from your trip to Darjeeling?"

Maan turned back and hugged his daadima in a greeting. He realised belatedly that it had been so many months he hadn't truly shared anything with his beloved grandmother.

"Daadima, I came back."

Something about the way Maan said the words made Savitri Devi realize that Maan was speaking more than just coming back from a business trip.

It had been a long time really that Maan had been burden free.She had lost her son and Daughter-in-law long ago when both Maan and Annie had been very young. Though Khurana Empire had strived under the capable guidance of their CEO Mr. Gill who had been a dear friend to Maan's father, her home had suffered.

Savitri had tried hard to be a pillar of support to both Maan and Annie but somehow Maan had grown up before time. Maan had joined office at the age of eighteen. He worked part time along with college and under the guidance of Mr. Gill he learned the tactics of business. In fact, the only one who had ever had seen Maan seek support was Mr. Gill. Maan had loved him like he was his father.

Now a decade and half have passed and that boy seeking guidance in world of Buisness makes bold moves that changes course of business. Maan is called shark' by his rivals; rightfuly so because Maan is ruthless when it comes to business.

But somehow during all these years it was Maan who had lost the most. He had grown more and more apart with the years passed. It was as if Maan had built a wall around himself to protect from hurt and heartbreak.

Savitri knew that even Sameera had never been completely inside the wall around Maan Singh Khurana. Sameera was a lovely girl and Savitri had loved her bahu like her own grand-daughter. She had encouraged Sameera to pursue her career. But Sameera wasn't really the right one for Maan. Sameera had her own insecurities and conflicts that hindered her from completely opening up to Maan. Savitri had never really acknowledged but she had the inclination of impending divorce long before the couple had decided upon it. May be that was the reason Savitri had never really opposed the divorce too much.

"Beta, when did you come back? You look like you didn't sleep well."

There was a pause and Savitri observed Maan immersed in deep thoughts.

"I came back alost early morning. I don't know why but inspite of being tired I didn't get much sleep. That's why I went out for a jog."

"You work entirely too much Maan beta. Maybe you need a vacation of some sort. Take a break beta!! You look like you are burned out... that cannot be healthy Maan."

Maan hugged her just like old times way before he had joined business concreating her belief that something had indeed changed.

"I am fine Daadima. I can't take a break now. The divorce had affected our share price. I need to make things okay again."

"Rehaan is there to manage all that Maan. You are more precious than our share prices Maan."

"I know nothing like this would affect us Daadima but I have to think about those thousands of people who depend on us for their monthly income. We in the position of power might not be affected but they do. And I can't sit back until I am sure all of them are well looked after."

"Stop trying to avoid yourself by being a workaholic Maan. You are taking a break and that's an order. Rehaan would look after things for a while. Even I and Annie would help. You need this Beta and you are going to have it even if I have to force you."

Maan gave her a sheepish smile after a long time. It was as if Maan Singh Khurana had taken a back sit and her once mischievous grandson Maan had come to surface after long time.

"Fine Daadima, you win. What do you say to French toast for break-fast? I feel like cooking today."

Savitri smiled. Her old Maan was re-surfacing and she couldn't have been any happier. Nodding her acceptance she went to wake Annie up. Annie would love to see this almost playful Maan bhai of her. Whatever had happened in Darjeeling, Savitri was happy for that. It had returned them their Maan.

*****

Rehaan Gill had been born and brought up along with the Khurana siblings. His father had been a close friend to late Mr. Amar Singh Khurana. When Amar Uncle and Meenakshi Aunty had passed away at a train derailment accident along with his own mother he had been as lost as Maan and Annie. Daadima had been distraught understandably. His father who was as lost as him with the loss of his dear friends and beloved wife stood strong so Khurana Empire won't suffer.

It was at the request of Daadima that Rehaan and his father shifted to Khurana Mansion. All three children had taken to each other at the face of a grief they didn't even understand. Now after almost twenty five years of the incident Rehaan's memory of his mother or his old home have faded. Khurana Mansion had been his home as longer as he could remember and Maan and Annie had been his siblings in everything but blood.

So when he went out for breakfast after completing his morning Yoga he was not prepared for a whistling Maan Singh Khurana wearing a Kiss Me' chef apron and making French toasts.

He just looked on for a minute and whispered more to himself," Work pressure is getting to me! I am day dreaming nowadays."

A slap at the back of his head made him realize that he was indeed not dreaming. His father was standing beside him almost smirking.

"It's really happening Rehaan. A little bit of our old Maan is back."

Rehaan nodded his head as if in trance and sat down at the dining table beside Annie. Annie was gaping as well which made Rehaan feel better. At least he was not the only one amazed at the transformation of the specimen named Maan Singh Khurana...

When Maan had joined them at the table and everybody had started eating Rehaan could not hold himself back anymore.

"Who is she Maan?"

Everyone was gaping at him and he could almost feel everyone stare at him.Strangely Maan wasn't surprised at the question making Rehaan think that Maan was actually expecting this question at some point.

Maan looked at him and answered with a wink.

"What makes you think it's a she'... It might be a he'... I may have switched team for all you know."

If he was surprised with the whistling Maan this teasing Maan was too much to handle. Everybody else laughed as he watched gobsmacked at Maan who was having breakfast as coolly as if the serious prim and proper Maan Singh Khurana makes such jokes on a daily basis.

"I have lost my mind or due to some Alien attack I have been taken to an alternate reality..." muttered Rehaan as he decided to concentrate at the food in front of him. After all food were much less complicated.

Annie whispered into his ears," I am confused as well Rey. But you are right, someone had changed him. I feel out of depth...You don't change in two days."

"Ann, something is wrong. Maybe too much stress had made Maan lost his mind finally."

"Whatever it is Rey, I am thankful. It seems that the bhai we lost when he joined business is finally making his way back. And if you are right and there is truly a women involved then we have to know all about her. May be she would be the key to Maan Bhaiya's lost heart."

And suddenly it didn't matter to Rehaan why Maan was so playful again because he was thankful that the corporate world had not succeeded in turning Maan into the heartless monster they think he is... Maybe everything good and pure in Maan is not lost and they can still save Maan from himself.

But Rehaan had to answer Maan's last comment so he popped in a piece of his toast and piped in," Maa da Laadla bigda ho ya not, I don't mind as long as you feed me such delicious breakfast."

Part 24

New and old pain

Geet didn't get a chance to respond but once the stranger let her go Geet asked the obvious question.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Arey chutki, didn't you recognise me? I am Jai... Yash's best friend! I went to states remember? It had been what a decade now... You have grown into a beauty I see."

Geet blushed inspite of herself. To tell the truth the name Chutki' had her disoriented; Yash bhai used to call her that as well as Jai bhai. Unbidden tears stung her eyes even as she moved from the door to let Jai bhai in.

"What is wrong Chutki? Why are you crying? And where is that idiot brother of yours? I know we lost touch long ago but I want to catch up. I am here in Mumbai now finally back."

Geet looked up even as more and more tears pooled in her eyes. She just hugged Jai and gave into the impulse. And that's how Brij found them as he entered the flat a minute later.

Geet saw Brij and left Jai only to run to Brij with a crying gasp,"Veerji..."

Brij didn't know who the stranger was but a crying Geet was more important. Patting softly he soothingly asked,"Geetu... mere bachcha... what's wrong sweety? You are not a cryer bachcha... What has you crying like this? Is it Dev or is it related to Maan?"

Maan's name jolted Geet and she looked up at a worried Brij.

"Maan can never hurt me Veerji. He soothes my hurt away..."

The way Geet said Maan's name, it was as if the name itself was a prayer... Brij could feel the love at its purest form where love becomes akin to a prayer...but he doubts that Geet realizes this. Shaking his head and concentrating at the issue in hand he asked," Then what has you crying so much bachcha and who is this guy? He asked gesturing to the confused looking guy who looked vaguely familiar.

Geet composed herself and looked at Brij and said," That's Jai bhai. He used to be best friend to ...to Yash Bhai..."

Geet paused at mid sentence a bit to swallow the lump threatening to escape and continued," He called me Chutki'... I couldn't help it. I heard that nickname after so long... He doesn't know."

Geet whispered the last part as Brij wiped away her tears even if his own eyes watered a bit remembering the younger brother he lost.

Jai had been observing Geet and the other man for sometime. He could feel it in his guts that something is horribly wrong and his exurbant mood at the prospect of meeting his long lost friend was disappearing at a very fast rate.

Brij made Geet sit and looked at Jai.

"Hello, I am Brij Handa. I am elder brother to both Geet and Y...yash."

"Hello. I am Jayant Roy. Yash and Geet call me Jai for short. It was nice to meet you."

Brij nodded at Jai and shook his hand before looking at Geet and addressing her.

"Geetu, where is Pari and Muski?"

"Veerji, Pari had a breakdown just before Jai bhai arrived. She is in her room. Muski is sleeping but it's almost time for her to wake up."

"Why don't you go in and check on Pari and Muski geetu? I will utilise the time to tell Jayant here about things he didn't know."

Though it was softly spoken Geet knew her veerji doesn't want any arguments. And frankly, Geet had enough meltdown for one morning. Leaving Brij veerji to manage jai bhai Geet left the living room.

Jai had been confused but he looked at Brij Handa before throwing out his next questions.

"What is going on here Mr. Handa? Each of you is on verge of break-down at the name of Yash? ...please tell me that Yash is okay..."

Brij took a deep breath composing himself before starting...

"Jayant, I wish I could tell you that Yash was okay but it would be a lie. The truth is none of us had been okay in a very long time. I don't know when it was the last time you interacted with Yash, but... Yash passed away about five years back in a road accident..."

Jai felt as if ground ahd slipped from beneath him. In moments like this life teaches us that life can change in seconds and makes us realize our own mortality. That last insignificant meeting had truly been the last one...it was painful and sadly unfulfilling.

"I know Jayant it is hard to accept but Yash is no more."

Jai was lost in his world of misery so Brij let him have some privacy and moved inside to take care of Pari. At the door he found Pari hiding herself in Geet's arm. Brij's heart broke a little watching Pari in so much pain. He entered the room and caressed Pari's head a bit. Pari looked up to see Brij looking at her with soo much love it made her renew her tears. Brij simply took Pari in his arms offering comfort and looked at Geet and said," Jayant is outside. Go and help him. He might be more comfortable with you. Call me if you need help."

Once Geet left Brij let Pari cry a bit before pulling out of the hug and started wiping Pari's tears. More tears replaced the ones he wiped away...

"You know Pari. Yash is probably cursing me right now."

The abruptness of his comment made Pari look up ad even if for a second she did stop crying.

"Why veerji?"

The use of Veerji' made Brij sad. It was only under extreme duress that Pari called him Veerji...siuations like this. Wanting to divert her attention Brij continued on with his conversation.

"When I came in I saw Geetu crying her eyes out. I somehow stopped her only to find you crying as well. I am not doing a very good job of keeping women of Yash's life very happy, am I?"

"You are perfect Brij. It's us who are weak."

"It's okay to cry Pari. I cry too. My brother had loved you very much and I understand that there is a hole in your heart which will never really get filled up and you suddenly find everything else very much meaningless. I know the pain Pari. But you can't let it consume you Pari."

"It's not easy Brij... "

"Of course it is not easy sweetie! But nothing worthwhile in life is easy."

"I will try..."

"That's all I ask of you Pari. That's all anybody can ask from you Pari... Just remember, you are not alone. You have your family right here to help you out. Promise me, this time this is not you patronizing me... this is you making a promise and you'll do everything in your power to do just that."

Pari rubbed off some of the stray tears and nodded.

"I promise Brij. I don't know if I will succeed in truly letting go but I will try doing it; for you, Geetu but most importantly for Yash."

*****

Geet entered to see Jai sitting with teary eyes.She cleared her throat so that she could make Jai prepared for her entry.

Jai looked up at her and visibly composed himself...

"Geetu..."

"Sorry Jai bhai for reacting like that... Actually it had been years since anybody had called me chutki'. It caught me offguard."

"You have nothing to be sorry about Geetu! It was perfectly understandable... I myself feel like the end of a cruel joke. Last time I met Yash was at the airport and he was joking round and now something I hardly remember was the last bit of precious memory I have of him... It's harsh."

"I see your point. I had been at Darjeeling with my husband when I got the news and for the life of me I can't remember that precious last encounter with him. But we do have his memories. That should be the silver lining to look into."

"You grew up!! So you got married Geetu? Who is the lucky guy?"

Geet paused for a bit before answering.

"Oh I got divorced recently. "

"Shit!! I am so sorry Geetu...It seems like whatever I ask about I end up causing you pain..."

"It's not your fault Jai Bhai. So how about I give you an overview so you don't put foot in your mouth anymore?"

"That would be best Geetu."

"You know how I left home and started staying with Yash bhai. That was around the time you left for states to complete your MBA. There was a girl's pg a floor up and Yash bhai fell for a girl named Pari. Pari was a Christian and mom was against the match so they had a court marriage. Brij veerji had come for the event slowly bridging the gap between us siblings. Then I got married to Dev and we shifted to Darjeeling. I completed my masters after marriage and started working as a lecturer at a local college. Soon my daughter Muskaan was born. Just few months after Muski's birth Yash bhai... Anyway I shifted with Muski to stay with Pari few months as she needed all the support we could offer. I needed her as much as she needed me. I think Brij bhai had been a pillar of strength for both of us but my marriage did suffer due to the separation. Last year both I and my husband decided that we could not really stay together so I shifted back to Mumbai and filed for a mutual divorce. I got the custody of my daughter and both of us are here to stay with Pari as you can see."

"Whoa!! Lot to take in! How long were you married for?"

"Ten Years."

"That's a long time. Are you sure you both did the right thing especially with a kid involved?"

"Yes. Trust me, we couldn't have gone on."

"How old is Muskaan Geetu?"

"She is almost six."

"It would be hard for her Geetu..."

"Yes it would be, but someday I am sure she would understand."

"So how did your bhabhi cope with Yash's..."

"Pari and I had been friends before she became my bhabhi so I call her Pari. She is struggling to cope... But I and Brij veerji help as much as we can."

"Okay Geetu, I should take my leave now. "

"You didn't even have anything. You came after so many years..."

"No need for such formalities Geetu... I will come some other day when things are bit more pleasant and you can feed me then... Plus I need to meet Mrs. Yash Handa. Give me your number Geetu so next time I don't barge in... "

"You are welcome to barge in anytime Jai bhai."

They exchanged their numbers before Jai took his leave. Geet exhaled in relief thinking what a draining morning it was and it wasn't even eleven o' clock yet.

*****

That night after dinner was over and Geet had put Muskaan to sleep Geet was sitting by the window and was thinking about the time spent with Maan. In front of Brij veerji she had named them as friends but are they really friends?

Pari came inside and saw Geet in her usual state of unmindfulness. Something had changed. Pari could feel it in her bones.

"Geetu!!"

Geet looked up to see a worried Pari.

"What Pari?"

"Are you okay?"

"What will happen to me?"

"Are you going to tell me what happened in Darjeeling this time round?"

Geet was startled as glimpses of an almost forgotten night crept into her mind... hugging Maan had been blissful and something about that night had been difficult to describe in words. But she needed an ally, someone who maybe could explain her about what she was feeling.

Looking up at Pari Geet decided to tell her everything.

"A lot has happened in last two days Pari. You better sit down. This is going to be a heck of a story."

******

Rehaan waited outside Maan's room. Maan had very shrewedly escaped everytime Rehaan had tried cornering him. But Rehaan Gill had never been the one to get deterred easily. So here he was to confront the Lion right in his Den.

Rehaan pushed open the door surprised to find it unlocked. Maan's door was never in an unlocked state... Well never after he joined office at least. Something has changed and Rehaan is going to try every trick in the book to find out the very cause of all these positive changes.

"Are you going to keep thinking or do you plan on getting inside Rey?"

Rehaan saw Maan smirking at him. Something about the playfulness was so endearing that Rehaan forgot to retort. When you have lost something precious for a long time you get so used to not having it that you stop missing it. And then suddenly you get a glimpse of what could have been and suddenly all the old feeling of missing your precious thing comes back to you.

Maan had been waiting for Rehaan to make some playful or sarcastic retort as he usually does so when he was suddenly hugged by an emotional rehaan he wasn't sure what to do except muttering that things would be okay.

Rehaan knew that he was confusing his brother but he couldn't help it. He had missed this Maan for a long time now.

"Rey, what happened? Why are you so emotional?"

"I missed you bro."

Only in acute emotional moment does Rehaan call Maan bro.

"Rey, what's the matter? I have been gone only for few days?"

"No bro, you had been gone for years... this smiling, pranking, playful brother of mine was lost in the corporate world and I missed him. Don't ever do that to us; promise us you won't turn back into that corporate shark again?"

"I am not sure if I can promise you that. You see Rey people change. Circumstances make us change and I suddenly cannot revert back to who I was before everything happened. But I will promise you this; I will try keeping a healthy balance of your brother Maan and the corporate shark Maan Singh Khurana..."

"For now that is enough."

Both of them sat on Maan's bed and for a moment enjoy the quietness.

"Who is she Maan?"

"What makes you say that it was a she?"

"I know you enough to know when a she becomes involved... Don't you know...' an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart'... Whose act was it that unfroze your heart Maan? I know it wasn't Sameera."

"May be it is Sameera?"

"No.I liked Sameera enough but she could never make any positive changes in you. She is a nice person, don't take me wrong. But you need someone who can light your world taking the darkness away and Sameera always seemed surrounded by shadows of her own. Maybe that's why you both were attracted to each other in first place. You were kindered souls but you can only feed each others' darkness off, not overcome or lighten them... You both need someone with a purity of soul enough to overcome the darkness within you."

Maan was speechless. Many including him had tried describing his and Sameera's relationship and the cause of their ultimate divorce but none like Rehaan.

"When did you grow up so much Rey?"

"Somewhere between searching for you to finding you... You khuranas can't claim all the high and mighty thoughts. We Gills are not far behind sudden philosophical outbursts."

Maan laughed loud and said," Nope, you can be my very own philosopher to guide me."

"Stop trying to divert my attention. Who is she Maan?"

"She is an absolutely adorable innocent beauty who stole my heart the moment I laid my eyes on her..."

"Details Man!!"

"Mind out of gutter little bro, the she I am referring to is an almost six year old... her name is Muskaan."

The gobsmacked look on Rehaan's face made Maan laugh loudly, with slowly a disgruntled Rehaan joining him.

But once they had control of their laugh Rrehaan told," I know you are hiding something Maan and I will find it out someday."