FF: KAUN HO TUM? 26th Mar: Chap 22 on Pg 99! - Page 56

CHAPTER 17. SOME SWEET MOMENTS!

Maan and Dev entered the house and as Dev walked off to search for his wife, a hand came out of nowhere stopping Maan from moving ahead. He looked at the owner of the hand only to see his Geet standing beside him, facing away from him, her hand straight positioned in front of him. Maan raised an eyebrow. This is going to be interesting, he mused.

"Kahaan the aap? Mujhe chodke kyun gaye?, Geet asked with a pout.

Maan bent down and whispered into ear, "Tumhaare liye kuch lene gaya tha!

Geet spun around with a delight on her face, "Kya?

"Woh main nahi bataaunga!, Maan shrugged.

Geet frowned, "Kyun?

Maan smiled at her, "It's a surprise!

Geet's eyes lit up as Maan handed her a small box. Maan watched as Geet opened what seemed like a jewelry box. He had bought it while coming back with Dev when they had crossed a jewelry shop and Maan decided spontaneously to buy Geet a gift.

Geet shrieked excitedly as she saw the necklace her husband bought for her. It looked simple but elegant, just the way she liked it. She jumped right into his arms shouting thank you to him. Maan let out a chuckle at her enthusiasm and felt glad that he bought something for her.

Suddenly, Geet pulled away and Maan was dragged away from the doorway. His eyes widened as Geet dragged him with such a fervor. Suddenly, he found himself in a nearby room, where Geet locked the door and looked at him coyly.

Maan looked at her with mock surprise, "Geet! Yeh tum kya kar rahi ho?

Geet started to walk towards him, "Wahi! Jo mujhe karna chaahiye!

Maan felt the urge to smirk he continued to act as if he was scared as he stumbled back, "Geet! Sharam karo! Ek ladka..., he continued to walk back as she continued towards him, "ek ladki..., his back touched the wall behind him and stood still, "akele ek kamre mein... Just then Geet reached him and placed a finger on his lips.

"Chup!, she said in a quiet voice, "Aap bahut bolte hain! She placed her hands around his neck and let it drift down his neck and onto his chest. Maan looked down at her hands and looked back at his wife, "Geet...

"Shssshhh!, his wife shushed him, "Iss kamre mein ek ladka nahi, ek pati hai..., her fingers nudged open the first button on his shirt. "Aur saamne aapke ek ladki nahi, aapki hi patni hai!, Geet said in a whisper as she opened another button on his shirt. Maan grabbed her hands with one hand while other snaked around her waist and pulled her close.

Geet continued to speak, "Aur agar aap iss biwi ko apne shohar ke saath romance karne nahi denge, yeh biwi badi naakhush hogi!

"Achcha?, he asked as he bend down and with his teeth tugged Geet's dupatta away from her shoulder. Geet took in a sharp breath at his move. Maan smirked as he placed a kiss on her neck making her shiver.

"Haan!, Geet whispered. Maan pulled back, pushed away the dupatta on the other side with his hand letting it pool on their arms, "Aur agar pati patni ke saath romance karna chaahe toh? Kya yeh allowed hai?, he let his hand go back to her waist.

Geet stood on her toes and went close to his ear, "Yahi toh yeh patni chaahti hai!

Maan's hand tightened around her waist at her words. She pulled back only to be captured by the expression on his face. Her heart started to beat faster as both leaned towards each other.

Just then... "Geet! Geet Puttar!

Maan and Geet both froze and looked at each other with wide eyes, both praying that they didn't just hear Daarji calling for Geet.

But no, they weren't that lucky. "Geet betaji! Tussi kitthe ho? her father's voice echoed.

Geet's face crumpled and she looked like she wanted to cry. Why doesn't anybody allow me to romance my husband? Atleast kiss toh karne do, phir bulaate mujhe!

"Geet puttar! Chetti aa! Khaana khaane ka time hogaya hai!, Rano also hollered and Geet huffed. Maan, who was looking at Geet's changing expression, chuckled.

Geet pouted at his reaction, "Aapko hasi soojh rahi hai? Yahaan mere gharwaale humein romance nahi karne de rahe, aur aapki hasi nikal rahi hai?

Maan smiled at her as he let her hands go and let his other hand snake around her waist too.

"I think Geet, humein na, romance Khurana Mansion ke liye bachaake rakhna chaahiye! Kyunki yahaan toh kuch hone se raha!, Maan quipped and Geet nodded, still looking quite miserable.

Maan sighed, "Its ok Geet! Itne din ruke hain, kuch aur din sahi!

Geet nodded and Maan let her go. It was only after she left the room that Maan sagged onto the bed in the room, letting his disappointment and sorrow show.

How much would I have to wait for you, Geet? As if our separation is not enough, Preet is also between us!

"NT! NT! NAINTARA! Open the door dammit!, Dev hollered as he banged on the door. He was getting worried. NT was not opening the door. Just then he got the idea to call her on her phone. He rang her and she picked it up, her voice still shaky, "Dddev! Aap! Kahaan hai aap?

"Main humaare kamre ke darwaaze par hun NT! Open the door!, Dev replied. In ten minutes, the door opened and Dev saw his wife standing there. But gone was the put together, graceful looking NT. She looked totally different altogether. Her hair was messed up, as if she ran her fingers through them numerous times. Her eye makeup were all smudged and her Saree was totally wrinkled. He just opened his arms and she ran into them. She hugged him tightly as if she was scared that he would vanish anytime and started to sob her heart out. Dev walked her into the room and both sat on the bed. He comforted her with soft and soothing words and she continued to cry.

It took him almost ten minutes before he could get anything coherent out of NT. And once NT told him the whole story in between her sobbing, Dev was shocked. How can Soni exist? And does that mean Preet is also a real person and not someone that Geet created to repress the trauma that she faced? Is it one of those cases, where the other personality was based on a real person? But then who is this Preet? And how did Geet learn about her story? Or maybe Soni was some family member who must have known this Preet's story, after all Preet did say Soni was related to her, and Soni must have told Preet's story to Geet who got MPD because she identified with Preet in some way and started imitating Preet at nights. But how to get to know the truth? How to confirm? Idea! His eyes grew wide as the idea took root into his brain and he decided that next day he would speak to Maan about it. Or should I tell Maan about it tonight itself? Nahi! Let him spend some time with his wife this noon when she is Geet and there is no use going out in evening or night. Might as well go tomorrow! And if I tell Maan now or in evening, he will be restless till tomorrow! Better let him into my Idea tomorrow only!

Soon the family had lunch and after lunch Maan found himself once again being dragged away. Geet wanted to show him her family fields. Maan had asked Dev and NT if either of them wanted to join them but both refused as NT had headache thanks to all the crying and Dev wanted Maan and Geet to spend some time together. As Maan and Geet reached the fields, Maan was surprised to find Geet dragging him into the middle of one field where the crops they were surrounded with reached almost their height. If someone was to look from the border of the field they wouldn't have been able to see Maan and Geet. And this was the exact reason Geet brought Maan here.

As soon as they reached the middle, Geet let go of Maan's hand and put her arms around his neck. Maan was surprised, "Yeh kya kar rahi ho Geet? Koi dekhlega! Geet gave him a coy look, "Koi nahi dekhega! Aaju baaju dekhiye! Itne lambe faslon ke beech kisi ko kuch nahi dikhega!

Maan looked around and his eyebrows rose totally. She was right! He turned to her and she smiled at him. He snaked his arms around her waist and tugged her closer, "Oh! Toh yeh baat hai! Geet nodded as she looked delighted. "Waise..., Maan spoke with mischief, "achcha Idea hai yahaan aane ka! Koi bhi interrupt nahi kar sakega humein yahaan! I can romance you as much as I want! Saying this, his arms tightened around Geet's waist. Geet smirked, "Why do you think I brought you here hubby? As she looked at him flirtily, Maan felt his heart beat built up.

"Ab hum dono ek dum akele hain!, Geet whispered, "Koi bhi nahi aayega yahaan! Both leaned forward for a kiss.

Suddenly, a voice came, "GEEET!

Both stopped and looked at each other with wide eyes. The echo came again, "GEEET!

"Koi bhi nahi aayega yahaan..., Geet whispered, "Sivaay mere saheliyon ke!, she slapped her forehead.

"What?, Maan looked miserable.

Geet huffed, "Jabse maine aur meri saheliyon ne DDLJ dekha hai, tabse mera sapna hai ki main ek din apne pati ko khet mein le aaun aur thoda romance karun!, she sighed dreamily as if remembered DDLJ. Then she pouted, "Aur yeh baat in sab kameeniyon ko pata hai, isliye aagayi yahaan!

As if on cue the voice came, "Humein pata hai tu wahaan hai! Woh bhi apne pati ke saath! Tera DDLJ ka sapna jo poora karna hai! and they heard some giggles.

Geet hid her face into her hands and Maan chuckled at her reaction.

Another voice came, "Arre Geet! Jiju ko apne paas hi rakhogi kya? Zara humein bhi toh unse milaado! Humein bhi dekhna tere Raj ko!

"Raj?, Maan frowned, "Who is Raj? Your Ex?, Maan glared at Geet in jealousy.

Geet looked at him with a frown, "You badly need to watch a movie, Maan! Raj from DDLJ! Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge! You know! The movie!

"Oh!, Maan nodded. Geet rolled her eyes and then grabbed his hand and proceeded to drag him out of the fields, to introduce him to her friends properly and let them tease both of them. Maan smiled as his eyes fell on her hand dragging him. Lagta hai humaari Love story haath se kiss tak bahut slowly jaayegi!

Soon Maan was facing Geet's childhood friends who ribbed Geet about her handsome husband. Some even flirted with Maan, teasingly asking why he didn't meet them first. Geet took the whole thing sportingly even going to the point of boldly retorting back leaving some of them giggling and blushing. Maan was amused by the whole conversation and had great fun meeting Geet's friends. Geet explained how she played with them as a kid and that lead to some hilarious stories narrated by her friends about the antics Geet would get up to as a kid. Some even complained about how when they all were caught, they got scolded from their parents whereas Daarji didn't scold his granddaughter for a single time and instead encouraged her to get into more troubles.

Soon it was late and Maan and Geet took leave from Geet's friends. As they headed back to the Handa house, Maan's eyes fell on his watch. It was 8 PM! Aur ek ghanta, phir meri Geet Geet nahi rahegi! He turned his sorrowful eyes to his wife who was enjoying their walk to the house, a smile on her lips and happiness on her face. Just then she looked at him and he plastered a smile on his face, not letting Geet know the anguish in his heart.

And its time, Maan thought as clock struck 9. He was lying on the bed in Geet's room with Geet beside him. He was facing away from her with comforter covering him from head to toe. She had retired to her bed earlier and soon the whole family followed suit. Dev had asked why the family went to bed this early and Daarji had replied that it was Geet's habit and they all got used to it. Maan noticed Dev looking pensive as if there was a puzzle in front of him which he was struggling to solve. But when Maan sent Dev a questioning look, Dev had simply smiled and walked away with a sombre looking NT. Maan decided that he will get the story behind both their unusual expressions out of them next day.

Now as Maan lied on the bed, he kept his ears trained to any kind of noise. And just as he expected, he heard the rustle of sheets and Geet moved. He slightly turned around only to see Geet sit up looking like she was confused. Then he heard her whisper, "Main? Iss ghar mein? Kaise? She stood up and Maan froze. What if she saw me? Stupid Maan! You should have hidden somewhere, because Preet won't be amused to see a stranger in her bed. He closed his eyes and hoped that Preet didn't turn towards him. Luckily he was covered with thick comforter and she wasn't able to see his face or his body clearly.

Suddenly he felt someone place their hand on his waist and shake him, "Soni! Soni! Utth! Main itthe kee kar rahi yaan? Bol! Bolna! Preet's voice was filled with so much anguish that Maan felt his heart throb in pain too. Oh God, Geet! Main tumhein aise nahi dekh sakta! Just then his eyes snapped open. Soni? His mind reminded him of his meet with Preet where she told him about his sister Soni. Does that mean Soni is a real person and not just a character of the story that Preet created about herself?

"Bolna! Kuch toh bol!, the shaking became vigorous and Maan grabbed the comforter tightly so that it did not slip away. "Chaddo! he felt her hand slap his waist and then she moved away. "Mennu ghar jaana hai! Mennu abhi ke abhi ghar jaana hai!, he heard Preet mumble and when he sneaked a look at her, she was sitting on the bed, her arms wrapped around her knees, her body rocking back and forth. Maan's eyes reflected the pain he felt as he saw his wife act like a madwoman.

Suddenly Preet sprang up from her bed, her eyes wide and her body language depicting fear, "Mennu abhi nikalna hoga! Warna woh mennu maarenge! Maarenge woh mennu! Maan's eyes teared up. Maarenge? Oh God!

Preet ran to the door, opened it and ran outside. Maan closed his eyes and a tear slipped down his cheek. Oh God! I am sorry! Very sorry that you have to go through this. Soon Preet was gone and Maan shifted and turned trying to sleep. But he could not. How could he! How could he relax and sleep when his wife was going through so much without her even knowing about it. He tossed and turned, stood up and paced, even finished some work on his laptop but he could not sleep till almost 3 AM. And then he fell asleep but then also his sleep was fitful and the softest noise brought him out of his sleep and startled him. One such noise woke him up around 6 in the morning. His eyes opened. What was that? Just then he heard the noise again. Someone was opening the door to the room. He closed his eyes and kept his breath even as he concentrated on the door. Then he heard some footsteps coming towards him and a sigh of relief. Maan's heart lurched as he recognised the sigh. It was Geet.

"Phew! So rahe hain! Bach gayi!, Maan heard Geet whisper. He heard her footsteps retreating and opened his eyes for a fraction. His eyes popped open once he saw Geet walk back towards her side. He sneaked a look at her. He saw that she was in the dress she was wearing when she left at night. But Preet changes into white the moment she reaches there, he mused. Geet must have changed back before coming. He looked away and act like he was asleep. As he heard her settle beside him on the bed, he heard her mumbling. He frowned as he tried to hear her. And then her words trickled into his ears.

"Hey Babaji! Achcha kiya aapne ki Maan ko jaagne nahi diya! Warna pata nahi kya ho jaata!, Geet mumbled. He could imagine her looking up with her hands joined in a prayer, her eyes looking worried but grateful.

Geet continued with her mumblings, "Pata nahi kya sochte yeh mere baare mein agar unhein pata chalta ki mujhe neend mein chalne ki bimaari hai! Maan frowned. Neend mein chalne ki bimaari? Sleep walking? Why does Geet think she has sleepwalking disorder?

"Lekin ek baat mujhe samajh nahi aati! Har raat main neend mein chalke uss Haveli hi kyun pahunch jaati hun? Gaav mein toh aur bhi saare ghar hain! Par har roz mein uss Lodge mein hi kyun chali jaati hun? Pata nahi! Hoga kuch! Ajeeb hai meri sleep walking bhi!, Geet spoke to herself and Maan finally realised. Geet didn't know about Preet. She didn't know that at night she turned into Preet. All she knew was that daily night she went to bed at Handa House and ended up waking up in the Lodge. And sleep walking was the answer she gave herself regarding the question about how she reached there without her realising it.

Just then Maan felt Geet remain quiet and he wondered what was going on. And then he felt it; a feathery touch to his cheek and he realised that Geet was caressing his cheek. He closed his eyes so that if Geet leaned over she didn't see his open eyes.

"Kitne pyaare hai mere Maan!, Geet whispered as her fingers ghosted over Maan's arm, "Aur mujhse kitna pyaar karte hain! Aur main Jhalli, inse apni Problem chupa rahi hun! Problem? What Problem? Maan wondered. Ab yeh Preet ke saath saath aur kaunsa Problem hai Geet ko?

Geet sighed, "Lekin chupaaun nahi toh aur kya karun? Bata bhi toh nahi sakti! Humaari shaadi ko kitne kam din hue! Ek Mahina bhi nahi! Humaari toh abhi tak suhaagraat bhi nahi hui!, Geet whined and Maan had to control himself from smiling. "Kya humaare rishte mein itni taaqat hai ki mere itne bade Flaw ko accept kar sake? I doubt! Mujhe Maan pe doubt nahi! Lekin meri kismet pe vishwas nahi! Kahin yeh sleep walking mere liye koi aur musibat na khadi karde!

Aha! Maan realised. Geet was thinking about her so called sleep walking as her problem. What do you know, Geet! Your problem is way bigger than that!

"Aur waise bhi abhi kuch din pehle aapse main ladi hun! Ek aur ladaai aur phirse tension ki humein jaroorat nahi!, Geet informed his sleeping form, "Aur upar se..., her voice took on a casual tone as she moved away and started to lie down on the bed, "yeh sab sirf Hoshiarpur mein hi toh hota hai! Dilli mein toh main apne hi bed par uthti hun! Yaani ki yeh sab sirf Hoshiarpur mein hi hota hai! Toh I am not worried. Kyunki main thodi na yahaan rehti hun? Kuch din ki mehmaan hun! Phir toh zindagi bhar Dilli mein hi rehna hai! Phir kyun Maan ko bataakar bina wajah unko pareshaan karna! Chad Geet! Yeh sab sochne ki tennu jaroorat nahi! Tu bas ek hi baat par focus kar ki tera yeh sleep walking waala raaz ghar mein kabhi bhi na khule! Bas kuch din aur! Phir ek baar Dilli pahunch jaaye, phir toh koi Problem hi nahi! Aur rahi baat Maan ki, ek na ek din unhein bhi bataa dungi! Aur uss din hum dono yeh meri ajeeb waali bimaari par milkar hasenge!, Geet chuckled.

Maan blinked the tears in his eyes away. Oh Geet! You don't even know the danger you are facing! If only you had told your family, or even your mother earlier, a solution for Preet would have been found till now. Thank God, I got to know about it before it damaged you irreversibly.

For a second all was quiet and Maan thought Geet fell asleep but after few minutes she spoke up again. This time her voice was small and she seemed to be just thinking out loud.

"Lekin ek baat toh sochne waali hai! Mere saath bachpan mein aisa hua kya tha jo maine sleepwalking shuru kardi?, Geet wondered and Maan's eyes snapped open. Bachpan se? This is new information. I have to tell Dev about this!

"Pata nahi!, Maan heard Geet speak again, "Lekin kuch toh hua hoga kyunki as far as I know I have been sleep walking to that place since I was a kid!

Yes! This is definitely something Dev needs to know about, Maan determined.

And that is all for today!

Hope you liked it.

Thank you, take care and have fun,

Kalpana