Part 16
"Truth and roses have thorns about them
"Don't say such things ...It makes me want to steal you away. It would make me want you, He mumbled to himself before he was asleep due to tiredness. Geet on the other hand decided to give equal attention to Dev too. She reflected on her actions and found his complaining to be correct. "Why do I always hurt him, She slept with thinking these thoughts. Maan woke up early and left after preparing breakfast for her, he did not want to face her with her words still ringing in his head. Geet woke up to find his note to have her breakfast properly before leaving for school as they are going to have extra curricular activities soon.
Maan went to his site to look at the work. "It will make me want you ..., He thought.
His mind was still filled with her thoughts, "No, I should kill these thoughts, deaden these feelings, or we ...could never be together. He was thinking that and was going to step ahead when Adi pulled him back, "Sir, are you alright, you could have fallen, if you took a step ahead. He said making Maan to look below, making him realize he was standing on the third floor. "I'm fine Adi thank you. The progress is good, I'm happy with all of your hard work, He said. Adi knew something was troubling his boss, he was never so lost but decided not to ask further. "Sir we are taking care of everything properly, we will tell you if anything goes wrong, Adi said. Maan nodded and then got back to his car heading for office. "I should stop thinking about these things and concentrate on my work. I should not think of these things which I buried long back deep within, He thought.
Geet reached her school only to see Naina bullied by her so called friends. She went to them and pushed them away, "What are you guys doing."Well she wants to participate in the haunted house theme we have chosen this year, One of them said. "So...can she not, Geet asked. "Well why are you siding with her Geet, she was the one who bullied you, One of them said. "Oh, please don't give me that, you guys think I'm a fool, you too were the part of that so don't blame her at least she accepted her fault. You guys are hypocrites, just leave her alone, She said. Naina was ashamed of her deeds but she was grateful to Geet for saving her, now she understood how she must have felt when she was in her place. " Thank you for helping me,She said. "No problem we are friends now right, Geet smiled. "You have changed a lot Geet, you were never social, but it is good to see this change in you, Naina said.
"People change, and I'm happy since I got my family back , it made me trust people. I was scared at first but then, when I reached out I understood people did the same to me, She smiled. "Do you need help in anything, Geet asked. "Umm...we have a month for the preparations and I was making a ghost costume, but guess they did not liked it, She smiled sadly. "Forget about them, let's get started, She said. Geet helped her and both got along well. On the other hand, Dev helped Kia who was happy to be with him. She secretly liked him, but for him it was just a task to get over with so he can go to Geet. He was annoyed at the wrong answers she gave but poor Kia was trying her best just that she was a beauty without brains unlike Geet. "Kia, I can't believe you could be this stupid, Dev said annoyed. "I..I'm trying, She said. "Its a simple equation, if Geet were here she would have done that in minutes, He spoke irritated. "Well I'm sorry I'm not as smart as Geet, every person is not the same Dev, I think its high time you should stop comparing two people, She spoke annoyed. After the school, Geet waited for him, and they both went to her home together.What happened you look annoyed, She asked.
"Kia ...I can't believe shes that stupid, He said. Geet thought to divert his mind so she asked, "Dev why do you like me. "Ah I guess because you are pretty and..., before he could complete Geet spoke annoyed, "So you like me only for my looks huh , then you should have chosen Kia shes the prettiest in our class."I don't like empty heads her IQ level must be less than even Sameera, He said. "Then why ...leave it ..., She pouted. "Geet, you know something about roses. The wild bushes are needed to be trimmed to make the rose bloom . You are like that rose which even facing the trouble to go through the trimming blooms beautifully . You have faced mant troubles still you have faced them bravely and decided to bloom. So that is I want this Rose to always bloom with or without me, He finished looking at her.
Geet was shocked to see the love he harbored for her he was willing to do anything to keep her happy. "Could I love him like that. Am I even worthy for this affection ", She thought. She hugged him and tears escaped her eyes .They were happy not knowing this is just the calm before the storm. They reached her home. Upon entering Dev questioned, "Your house seem quieter than usual."Sameera Di went back to the States so ..., She said.
"Oh so you must be living with Yash bhai an..., Before he could complete she interrupted, "Nah, Yash bhai moved back to his place yesterday after she left and me and Maan are living here. Somehow, the idea of them living alone made Dev insecure, but he tried not to make it obvious. "Hey Dev, help me with this question, She said opening her textbook. "Okay, let me see it, He said taking his seat next to her. They completed their homework and Dev was leaving when he saw the photo frame which was broken by Sameera. "You fixed it, He asked. "Yes, actually I could not find a replacement for it so I used tapes to fix it. It is the only thing we have left as our family picture, She said. "That is really good, He smiled. "Okay, I should get going now, will meet you at school tomorrow, Dev said. "Geet...do you...ah forget it, bye, He said taking his leave. "I'm having weird thoughts, I should not ask her if she still ...thinks of him as family, Dev thought. On his way back he found Maan returning from his work, "Hi Dev, you are leaving. "Uhh...yes, He spoke. "Thank you for taking care of Geet, I could only rely on you, Maan said. "I..Its nothing...I will be leaving then, Dev said leaving as he noticed something different in both of them. Geet oblivious to it, while Maan hiding something. He smiled sadly knowing that he would be hurt eventually but if needed he will do anything for her. "A Rose has thorns Geet, though beautiful it does hurt , but even it is painful ...I will do anything, He smiled sadly looking at Maan's retreating figure.
"You early today, Geet asked as Maan entered . "Umm...no ..I..I just came for a change of clothes I will be leaving tonight, He said still avoiding to look at her but not making it obvious as he knew she would be hurt. "Oh okay, you are not around that much...I kind of miss our happy times, She said. "I'm just a call away Geet, remember if you need anything I will return to you, He said still facing his back to her . His messed up feelings not letting him face her. They had their diner, Maan asking Geet about school and then him leaving instructing her to lock the house safely.
Days passed with Dev helping Kia improving her grades and Geet busy with Naina to help out in the fiesta coming up. Other students who were mean to Naina apologized too after realizing their folly and now everyone was helping each other to make everything perfect. Naina now had a boyfriend, who liked her for herself and she was happy. Geet was happy seeing her friend happy. Dev on the other hand was thinking deeply when Kia interrupted, "Hey Dev why are you so gloomy, something wrong between you and Geet, Kia said. "It is nothing like that, He smiled faintly. "Why don't you just break up with her, if you are always hurt, She said bluntly. "This is nothing of your concern and don't go judging Geet,He spoke angered, he hated if anyone said anything for Geet.
"Well, I just said what I think, if you have any doubt why don't you just go and ask her directly, if she loves you or not if she doesn't answer right away that means she is doubtful about her future with you, it works just try that, She said. "Just get your textbook we will finish the important topic for the next test, He said. She did not say anything further but his gloomy face did not go down well with her. Dev went back to their classroom to find Geet missing. "Hey Dev, Geet is in the changing room, we are trying the ghost costume for tomorrow, Naina said. "Alright, I will just wait outside, He said. Kia's words echoed in his head and he thought to give it a try, "Hey Geet do you love me...Ah forget what I asked. Sor..., Before he could complete the door was opened and Geet came out in a funny ghost costume saying, "I do, I really do love you. "Hahaha, what is with that costume, He laughed looking at her looking funny. "This is the best we could come up with, forget it I won't talk to you, She pouted. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry but you are looking so funny in that, He said trying to control his laughter. "I want to go home now if you are done with your laughing session, She pouted. "Let's get you home, He smiled.
The next day, was the awaited day for the children, everyone was busy with their stalls and other preparations. Unfortunately for them it started raining due to which many guardians could not attend the fiesta but still the children celebrated amongst themselves. "We are here, Yash spoke stopping his car. "Here where, Maan spoke looking ahead to find themselves outside Geet's school. "You moron I have an important meeting today, why did you drive us here. I'm at fault to trust you for driving me to the office when my car was gone for servicing, Maan said annoyed.
Here he was trying to avoid Geet and this idiotic friend of his just drove him where he did not want to go. "Oh come on Maan, don't you want to see Geet. You are coming early to office and going late to home, you are hardly spending any time with her, Yash said nonchalantly. "I will spend all the time with her once this project which your dad loaded on me is done, so just stop fooling around and let's go back, Maan spoke gritting his teeth. "Oh Maan, you are all work and no play, and since we are here, I'm going in to enjoy, Yash spoke grinning and deliberately took his important folder making Maan to run behind him. "Get that thing back here, Yash, I'm getting late, Maan yelled. He lost him in the crowd. Dev was passing by the corridors when he noticed Maan. "Maan bhai..., He mumbled. "Dev, I'm free for now let's go and visit different stalls, Geet said. "What's wrong is something the matter, She asked looking at his gloomy look.
"Ah nothing, lets go, He said. They went to different stalls to enjoy but Dev's mind was filled with something which he was dreading to ask her knowing what she would say, but then he wanted the best for her, though knowing what he was going to ask is going to hurt her as well as him. "Geet, is Sameera back, He said gaining her attention. "Nope, strangely she isn't though Yash bhai doubts her intentions, Geet said. "Geet, do you still think Maan bhai as your brother, He said after a pause. Geet looked up shocked at his question, "We are family that is why we live together right. That is how we can be happy, She said not getting his question. "You are not related in any way, so why do you want to live with this lie, He prodded. "I'm not getting you, She said looking at him. He averted his gaze trying not to falter but then took a deep breath and asked, "Geet, didn't for once it crossed you mind that you might be in love with Maan bhai.
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