Knock, Knock! Who's there? Pt 21/22 pg 80, 82 23/04 - Page 33

Chapter 13

'Hey Maan?' Adi slapped Maan's in welcome, the last 3 day's Maan had opted for night shift working endlessly from 6pm to 8am. Of course this was his plan to reduce Geet time, ever since the morning where she woke up in his arms; both had been carefully ignoring each other. It was because of the awkwardness that followed, heart-beats increased randomly just with the thought of each other.

'I thought you'll be off today' Adi added looking through his text, it was the first break of the morning; 10:15am, so the staff room was naturally a little quite.

'No' Maan answered reading through a journal, 'Diet and thrombosis risks', the article read. Other than the night shift, he also moved back into his flat with the aim of applying all resources onto his research. Of course in the midst, he also visited Geet for an hour or so to keep the act on, the excuse they used was 'on-call biomedical scientist', so both Rano and Mohinder raised no fuss, simply knowing he was working over 18 hours a day and yet he made time for their daughter eased their tender loving heart. But the time away, was exactly the problem now it seemed.

'You look crap' Adi noted pulling away the latest Haematology issue, Maan had signed but said nothing instead he picked his phone and touched against Geet's contact but stopped half-way.

'You two ok?' Adi asked now a lot more serious, the phone he was busy with now firmly tucked into his trouser pocket.

'That's the thing, I don't know; I really don't' without another word, Maan picked up the tea cup and walked to the basin, once the clean cup stood upside down on the rack to dry had he bothered to turn to Adi who looked slightly scared.

'I can't go back to sleep on her bed today, even after 3 days I still can't make myself understand' he muttered, saying out his thoughts for the first time. It sounded strange even to himself so Adi's confused looks were understandable

'It's like I'm sleeping with her; her nutty fragrance, her sincere warmth, her persona penetrates through me Adi' Maan muffled in delusion, still walking around with her scent and a memory spiralled within. Just the thought of her double bed excited his sleepless eyes.

'If sleeping on her bed wasn't bad enough, now I can feel her hands fastened around me' Maan edged sitting back down of the low sofa, the memory of Geet clasped to his sides plastered an endearing smile of his otherwise swollen face. Sleeping in his bed had become a mission, often he'd find himself on the sofa of his apartment working through the research instead of relaxing after a hard nights work.

'Sounds like you've been hit bad!' Adi mocked flipping out his phone completely ignoring Maan and his dilemma. It was as if he hadn't spoken a word

'Are you still dating that crazy cow?' Maan asked now annoyed, Adi was supposed to have the answer to his problem instead he giggled away at a stupid joke on his phone

'Well my crazy cow is still better than your stupid cow' Adi joked getting up and walking out the staff room, it wasn't until the door slammed shut that Maan understood the implication of his words; initially he was smiling but then his brows furrowed 'how dare he?' he gritted with the thought of Geet being called 'stupid' completely overlooking the 'cow'.

'What's going on?' Geet wobbled into Sameera's room, her face slightly flushed with the sight of the heap of clothes on the bed. 'So much for sleeping' so instead Geet found herself sitting in front of the dressing table as Sam continued to try on dresses and then discard it within minutes.

'Sam' Geet repeated getting angry, if pregnant wasn't bad enough then Maan and his games were also playing on her nasty side. Everyday her parents would come seeking a new exclamation, and she was frankly sick and tired of lying. Not to forget Sam's hushed up personality, all she'd do these days would huddle in a corner and giggle at the phone. Of course being her best friend, Geet felt both scared and jealous because she had no one to her side; Maan ran away like he'd seen ghost.

'I've got a date with Adi' she smiled singing an out-of-tune version of Thinking out loud' forcing Geet to slap her hands across her ears.

'Isn't it too fast?' she asked once Sam stopped twirling after she countered the look of the day. Sameera turned to look at her but didn't say anything, rather she took out her make-up and started to apply it standing over Geet in front of the dressing table mirror.

'I miss him' Geet finally wept; her mood, the hormones and not seeing Maan for so long finally burst her bubble. She liked the feel of her delicate hand over his hard waist, she enjoyed the smell of his muscularity as she snuggled to his chest. It was 4 days ago, the feel vacuumed a hollowing want within her yet she couldn't ask him for more. Wasn't he already doing enough for her? Could she risk ruining a perfectly harmonious friendship even if that for something that was one-sided. To be completely truthful, she wasn't even sure what caused the changes, maybe it was because the birth of the baby was fast approaching hence she mind was looking for an easy disturbance; and who better than Maan right now.

'Shall we call it a double date then?' Sam made her stand up and hugged with all her love, sometimes all Geet needed was a reminder she wasn't alone and still very much loved

'No don't be silly, enjoy your night and don't get all flustered. Remember you are very special, and very easy to love' Geet stroked Sam's cheek lovingly before pushing her to the chair and then pulled the foundation from the make-up bag and pushed it into Sam's hand, as if saying focus on getting ready; so as instructed Sameera went back to get ready.

'I've got an Antenatal class to attend this afternoon, so you'll probably be back before me but I still need to know every detail' Geet ordered laughingly and then walked out the door with a smile heading into her room; taking in a whiff of his smell she realised indeed she missed him.

'Rano aunty Geet has one of those parent craft classes today' Sam delivered to Rano standing by the door, ready to leave for her date.

'Ok' Rano smiled unsure why Sameera was repeating after Geet who left half an hour ago for a lesson on baby development'.

'Geet misses Maan' Sam knowingly placed a delicate kiss to Rano's check and headed for her parked car while a smile spread over Rano's face understanding what Sameera wanted. So the next second she walked to the living room and looked through her contacts on the phone stopping at 'Maan'.

Not that the lab was slow, but fortunately it was better than most days so Maan found more time to think of himself and Geet. Though their relationship lay in a foundation of lies and nor was it the conventional type: for Geet was pregnant with his baby even before knowing each other. If that wasn't a big enough statement, then sharing a house filled with strangers definitely was. However, common sense still failed to prevail in front of the joy he felt with his unconventional life. It wasn't like he loved Geet, but she was someone he liked and respected. So with his mind made up, he decided to finally resume their original act; today he shall return to Geet's house as initially suggested. 4 days away drilled in some points: mainly that he missed her.

BUZZ BUZZ

'Maan beta are you busy?' the text read, so he immediately walked out of the relatively quiet laboratory and entered the corridor to place a call

'Rano maa is Geet ok?' He asked immediately in fear, not knowing why else she'd contact him at such a time when they knew he was a work

'Oh no she's fine, just that I needed to ask a favour' Rano dismissed with a nervous laugh

'What time do you finish?' she asked when he fell silent, marginally alarmed with her words. What was she to ask?

'6, I finish at 6' he stuttered forcing himself out of his thoughts

'Oh great, then can you pick up Geet from the Antenatal class. Sam is on a date and I've got a swollen ankle, Mohinder is out of business, so could you?' Rano deflected everyone's plans meaning only one was left; Maan.

'Sure, yeah, what time?' he asked suddenly excited just with the thought of seeing Geet and that too away from family

'7:30 I think, thanks beta. I'll text you the address' and with that the call ended, both on either end smiled; one in relief while the other in victory.

'Today we have so far discussed physical and emotional development. So now it's time for mental development of your baby' Emily, the instructor raised her voice above the gossiping and laughing until everyone shut up and paid attention.

'These days plenty of YouTube video's and automated activities are available but I would still say it's best for the mother to train their child. There's a huge difference between playing a nursery rhyme on Youtube then you actually singing to your child: this way your baby can familiarize and recognise your voice helping with memory and also grow an emotional bond helping with emotional development' Emily continued speaking pushing forward a white board, this was the 6 out of 10 antenatal classes provided by her under the new NHS scheme, so naturally most of the pregnant students were familiar with her and she with them.

'Since I know how fabulous you guys are, I thought we'd revise some of the rhymes just in case we've all forgotten' Emily hinted looking at Geet who sat to her right hand side with a goofy smile.

'Man I hate when she targets me' Geet whispered to her neighbour, Nikita, already mother of 3 boys and now hoping for the 4^th to be a girl.

'Well who was the genius that wanted to know what happens if the baby doesn't recognise their mother?' Nikita giggled looking to the corner where her boys played with her husband

'That wasn't a stupid question, it was just nave of me' Geet corrected flushing in a deep blush

'OK ladies quit chitchatting, I have zeroed on a few songs. So push back the chair and stand in a circle please' Emily shouted as the students did as advised by then Nikita's husband, Nathan came back and helped her with the chair.

'Geet you should bring your partner' Nathan suggested as he saw Geet struggle with the chair, in the end he moved it away and then went back and stood beside his wife. Most of the students had their male counterparts with them, but it was only Geet who always attended alone or with Sameera, initially Dev was too busy and then she had no partner, not a real one that is.

'Ladies, gent and kids in the corner, are we ready?' Emily asked in enthusiasm as everyone responded in equal fervour especially the children

'First one is Wishy Washy, girls we can move our hips as so' she showed a slow sway from left to right

Wishy washy wishy washy

Wishy washy wishy washy we

If you want another one, come along with me

Emily sang loud, the children and the rest followed loudly behind moving their hips as shown before. Geet although left silly however let loose and sang her heart out. These classes were a means of connecting with her child and other pregnant ladies in the neighbourhood.

'Ok the next song is suggested by Jason - Hokey cokey'' Emily smiled pointing at Nikita's youngest child who was shy compared to the other children that tagged along with the mothers, but that's not to say there weren't any first time mothers, Geet was one among the 7 other ladies in their class of 23.

You put your left arm in,
Your left arm out:
In, out, in, out.
You shake it all about.
You do the hokey cokey,
And you turn around.
That's what it's all about!

Whoa, the hokey cokey
Whoa, the hokey cokey
Whoa, the hokey cokey
Knees bend, arms stretch,
Rah, rah, rah!

The children by the end where screaming and the pregnant ladies laughed joining in looking incredibly ridiculous, it was at this time Geet first left his essence but she was having too much fun to pay real attention.

;Ok I think we should relax for a bit' Emily walked to the corner of the room followed by some of the older children who passed out water bottles, as the pregnant ladies stood waiting for their partners/friends to grab a chair. Nathan had brought out two, first he helped Nikita and then moved towards Geet.

'It's ok I'll help her' they heard someone say from behind but Geet stilled knowing of its owner. Maan walked around a few chairs and stopped beside Geet looking at her hands that were firmly placed in Nathan's while she looked at his suddenly angry expression. It didn't take long for him to remove her hand and place it securely into his, his other hand went around her waist confidently, as instinct forced her to cover his with hers.

'Sorry for being late' he lied placing a soft kiss to her cheek dazing her already confused self, Nikita giggled like a teenage daughter seeing how jealous the man was of her husband.

'So is this gorgeous your partner?' She smiled dearly, Nathan as if getting the message hugged his wife to state a truce

'Hmm' Geet agreed when Maan nudged her with a soft smile, was she dreaming or did Maan actually just kiss her? With the mere though her cheeks flared up

'Sorry' she collected seeing how all three members waited for her to collect her thoughts

'This is Nikita and Nathan, and this is Maan, my...' she stopped looking at him with an unsure gaze

'I'm Geet's partner' he answered approvingly, tightening in hold around the petite woman in his arms. The nosy hall got quiet all of a sudden, everyone seemed to be too focused on the new guy holding onto Geet.

'Gosh he's hot' Geet heard most say making her even more uncomfortable

'Is the session over darling?' Maan asked instead solely focused at looking at Geet, shocking her some more. For a minute she almost forced herself to turn around to see if her parents were there but his eyes that were burning in light red forced her still. 'Was he jealous?' she asked herself as his hold on her hand tightened as a flicking glare was directed towards Nathan and his hands.

'He was indeed jealous' she enlightened herself feeling giddy with the thought

Next: Would you mind me joining you and Maan for your sonography appointment?' Rano asked stumping a shying Geet and Maan on their way to the living room.