Distorted Lives..FOUW..Thread 2..... updtd note pg 105 - Page 25

Pari knows how to convince Geet in ne of brij she can do everything pari shared hr thoughts about Geet relations with hr brother's and told they didn't have normal childhood like them so they can judge them which mental depression they went through

Geet went with Maan to hospital brij and arjun was amazed seeing Maaneet understand each other too much Maan don't know yet what he share with Geet he clearly told he was not in love with sameera and brij with Maan in this matter but Geet don't want to trust love any more bz dev betrayal how he made fool of hr with hr best friend . Mrs Handa is really weird WAITING fr next

Well that was another interesting one.

Geet got ready to go for brij.

She didn't feel it for her father.

But maan tried not convinced her.

Pari n Maan had a heart to heart over the relationship geet n her siblings have with their parents.

Maan could see it through a different perspective. N he could now understand it to some extent.

Brij, arjun, maan, geet have a talk about relationship, love.

Geet tells her views.

Gt well soon n take care

Thank you everyone for such overwhelming response. Thank you so much for your lovely wishes

Before I start I would just say this is not just an ordinary story. Neither Maan nor Geet are perfect people here. they are both imperfect and here's a story of few people who are no where near perfects. This is the story of their flaws...their imperfections...their incompleteness. Do comment and press like. They inspire me to write better. In case anyone wants pm please add me as buddy.Awaiting your honest opinions.

This chapters might be triggering for certain people. It contains toxic parents and their nature of blaming everything on their child.

Part 27

The story of us

Arjun was feeling a bit uneasy entering the colossal Khurana Mansion. He wasn’t a new member here as in the long term friendship with Maan he had been to Khurana Mansion a number of times. And then there were times he would find any pretext to meet Esha.

Life was much different then, he supposed. You can’t turn back time; there is nothing he can do about them. But now wasn’t the time for what ifs. Brij needed him and he would be damned if he let Brij down. Parking his car on the driveway he took a deep breath preparing him for the next step.

He carefully escorted Mrs. Handa to the main doorway. It took a bit of time before he heard Esha’s voice answer with a short‘coming ‘. Arjun was in no way faint-hearted yet a simple sound of her voice makes his heart skip a beat. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that he was hopelessly in love with Esha.

Annie was waiting for Maan to return. She was bit surprised to find Arjun at her doorstep and he could feel her public mask come over.

“Hello Arjun.... what brings you here?”

“Hello Es... Anwesha!! I am hereto ask some help on behalf of Brij. I am escorting Brij’s mother for an overnight stay. She is distraught and needs rest. Can we settle her first before I explain everything to Daadima and you? Is Rey here? He might be a great help.”

Annie couldn’t help but smile. He does have this adorable habit of rambling whenever he is unsure of himself.

“One question at a time Arjun;of course we will help Brij bhai and Mrs Handa should be settled in first. But you have to fill in us later. Rey is here. I will settle Mrs. Handa in and inform Daadima and Rey about it. While I do that why don’t you have a sit and be comfortable.”

They entered the drawing room and Arjun released Mrs. Handa to Annie’s capable hands. But they were unprepared for the loud shriek uttered by Mrs. Handa.

Annie left her hand instinctively but tried approaching her calmly so that she can settle down a bit.

“YOU!!! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE... YOUR FATHER IS IN HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF YOU.YOU SELFISH BRAT... ALWAYS HAD TO HAVE YOUR OWN WAY DIDN’T YOU... FIRST YOU TOOK AWAY YASH FROM ME AND NOW YOU WILL TAKE YOUR FATHER AND THEN BRIJ.... YOU WANT ME TO BE MISERABLE DON’T YOU GEET….”

Her shouts were echoing all over the rather calm and silent house and Rey was in the room trying to find what the hell was happening.

Signalling to Annie he mouthed,”What is going on?”

Annie gave a shrug showing her helplessness. Rey was intelligent enough to realize that he needs to remove this woman before any explanations can be obtained. Taking control he questioned Arjun next.

“Arjun can you tell me who this lady is”

“umm this is Mrs Handa, Brij’s mother. She needs to stay here for few days. Annie was just about to take her to some guestroom when she started behaving like this.”

“Let me see if I can manage her any better.”

Rey approached Mrs. Handa very calmly and took her by hand and turned her away from Annie. He used his most charming smile and said in a soft voice,” Mrs. Handa, I am Rehaan, a friend of Brij. Do you not want to rest for some time? I am sure you are tired and maybe a bit hungry as well. Let me take you to the guest room where you can freshen up and I will send you some light food... maybe a soup and some toasted bread.Yes that’s right, come with me.”

Between talking soothingly helped Mrs. Handa away. Arjun and Annie both were quite perplexed at the turn of the situation. They looked at each other and grimaced at the turn of events.

“I don’t know who this Geet is Arjun but I feel for her. That is too much of hate and she doesn’t sound sane to me at least.”

“Annie, as far as I can understand Geet is Brij’s only sister.... That makes this outburst even sadder.I suddenly feel so lucky to have such a family.”

“hmm.... let me go and get Daadima and you can tell us why we are saddled with such a house guest.”

Coming from his Esha that was as rude as it gets and he can’t blame her a bit. He made himself comfortable on the sofa and started arranging his thoughts so he can explain the preceding events.

Once everyone was seated Rey was the one to break the silence.

Rey: “I have settled Mrs. Handa in the Guest room on our floor and instructed servants to be careful and only send male servers or elderly female servant into her room. The housekeeper has been informed about the precarious situation.”

Annie: “One minute Rey!! Are you implying that Mrs. Handa has some problem with young females?”

Rey: “I can’t be sure Ann but seems like it. I haven’t heard the entire outburst but she happens to have immense hatred for this Geet. I think this Geet is of a similar age group as you Ann and may be that’s what triggered her. It’s prudent therefore to take actions to avoid this as much as possible.”

Annie:” Geet is her daughter and as far as I understand from Brij bhai she is a year or two older than me.”

Daadima:” I did hear some shouting and Annie did tell me what happened here so I think I agree with Rey’s analysis and decisions but why is she here?”

Arjun: “Actually Daadi I am going to tell you what I know. Today evening supposedly Mr and Mrs. Handa had been talking about their children Brij, Yash and Geet and their life choices.Somewhere Geet’s recent divorce had finally caused Mr. Handa to introspect what is wrong with their family. They had a rather heated argument when Mrs. Handa after her usual fashion started blaming their daughter Geet. While Mr. Handa was giving his wife some home truths about the true culprit he had a heart attack. Luckily Brij was there and he took his father to Leelavati immediately.His mother was in shock when I reached and I sort of calmed her down. Maan reached their as well and we decided that for the time being Mrs. Handa can reside here so Brij doesn’t need to worry about his mother while also taking care of his father. So I brought her here.”

They were silent for few minutes before Rey posed the question that was in everyone’s mind.

“That’s all fine but why isn’t Maan here instead of you?”

“There are two reasons for it.One is that I was the one to calm down Mrs. Handa and we didn’t want her aggravated though I had no idea she could be this bad. “

Annie was the one to ask the next question.” And, the second reason?”

“Brij’s sister Geet lives in Andheri and she has prior acquaintance with Maan. So it made sense for Maan to bring Geet to the hospital as it was obvious Brij can’t leave the hospital.”

Annie: “So this Geet doesn’t live with Brij bhai? I am guessing she lives with Pari at her place.Interesting! So Mrs. Handa might truly hate Geet to blame her for everything.If she wasn’t the youngest I would say she was a step daughter. But that can’t be possible. Weird! “

Rey: “But Annie you are missing the main point of the story.”

Annie: “What can be more important than the fact that a mother can actively hate her own daughter?”

Rey:” Oh that is something we can deal later. That lady has some mental illness and needs medical help. Probably it is better if both Brij and this Geet go to some counselling sessions as well. But the most important thing is that our own corporate shark Mr. Maan Singh Khurana happens to have a prior acquaintance with this Geet. And point to be noted is that he has enough cordiality to barge in her place in place of Brij.”

Arjun: “Now that you mention Rey I suddenly remember something. I got the feeling that this Geet might not be ready to come to her father’s bedside due to their previous estrangement. So our Maan must need to do some convincing to bring her with him.”

Annie: “So not only is my brother friendly with this lady but he has enough friendship to convince her to do something she is not ready for? That’s big. My brother should be ready for some grilling session in future.”

Daadima had been silent till now but spoke with mock seriousness, “Be that as it is but we should not forget the reason Arjun is here. Mr. Handa is in critical condition and Arjun needs to return back so he could help Brij and Maan.”

The trio looked contrite but none noticed the twinkle in Daadima’s eyes. Sometimes these young people just forget who it was that taught them to tease and prank. Daadima continued in the same tone,” Besides who will inform us whether Our Maan was able to convince this Geet if Arjun doesn’t return to hospital!”

It took few seconds before the words registered and all of them laughed. It was some time before Arjun took his leave. He had a funny feeling that life is about to be changed for a lot of people.

*****

Maan banged his palm on his forehead muttering a series of almost unintelligible ‘why’s as he did so.

Brij couldn’t help but quip,”What’s wrong Maan? Afraid of some grilling sessions?’

“You have no idea what a menace Annie and Rey can be together. Those two would surely be the death of me.”

“Who would be the death of you Maan?”

Maan turned back to find Geet. His lips automatically formed into a smile and they both reached each other as if drawn by some unknown force.

“Hey Geet are you okay now?”

“I am but don’t change the subject now Maan. Answer my question.”

“Well my siblings would.”

“You never did tell me about your siblings.”

“I have a younger brother and sister; Rehaan and Anwesha. Technically Rehaan is son of a family friend but we are siblings in everything but blood. We grew up together and I don’t even remember a time when Gill uncle and Rey were not part of our family.”

While Maan and Geet were talking, Arjun looked at Brij.

“Brij, don’t tell me that something is not going on there? Heck have you seen how they interact. It is as if some unknown pull exists between them.”

“I can see the effect they have on each other Arjun. I just am not sure how to name that. Geetu is not someone who shares herself easily.... That makes their interactions even more surprising.”

“Aren’t you worried about your sister?”

“I trust Maan.”

“Even after everything that happened between him and Sam?”

“Yeah.”

“You really surprise me.”

“That’s because you don’t know everything I know Arjun. Maan had never been a bad man. I think the problem was that he and Sam were not good for each other.”

“You would know.....”

“I would I guess. “

“As a divorce lawyer or as Sam’s friend?”

“Both I would think. But there is something more to it. My sister is not someone to succumb to someone just because he is handsome or charming. For her to be drawn to Maan has to be something deeper. They tell me they met in Darjeeling. “

“How?”

“I don’t know. They both have asked for time before offering explanations and I am not going to force them to it.”

“Well you don’t have to if we can witness few more of their interactions…. Look at that… For them we don’t even exist anymore.”

While Arjun and Brij had been talking about them Maan and Geet were engrossed talking.

“So Geet do you want some coffee? I was just going to get some.”

“Nope. I am fine. But do get me some chocolates if you find some…”

“Sure.”

They both looked up to see Arjun and Brij observing them.

Maan: “What are you both looking at. Anyway, as I told Geet, I am going to get some coffee. Do you want some Brij? Arjun you can come with me.”

Arjun:” Yes I need some pick me up. Brij do you want some?”

Brij: “Nope, you guys get moving.”

Once Arjun and Maan left Brij turned and looked at Geet.

Part 28

Truths

Geet shot daggers at Brij. Brij didn’t feel least bit intimidated but felt like pulling her cheeks as he used to do when she was young.

“Veerji…. What was that stunt you pulled?”

“What stunt?”

“Don’t act innocent Veerji…. You sent Maan driving to my house for a job you could have accomplished much easier with just one phone call…”

“Oh! There’s two reasons behind that act. I needed Maan to be busy so Arjun could take mother to his home. The reason being, I knew Arjun desperately wants a chance with Maan’s younger sister Annie and I did not want Maan to interfere.”

“Oh you are such a cupid aren’t you? That might be a secondary by product but it is not your main reason.”

“What makes you say that Geetu?”

“Veerji, you may be a really good lawyer but I am your sister. I have seen you and read you in your unguarded moments a lot. I know you Veerji. And you are not a sentimental fool.So when people changes their lifelong habits it begs to ask only one question…Why?”

“So you won’t believe either if I tell you I wanted to act as a cupid between you and Maan?”

“Not at all Veerji. When we are not even clear about anything in our relationship I don’t think you are a fool to act as a cupid. “

“You say you don’t know what Maan means to you Geetu. Yet you came.”

“I came for you Veerji.”

“You came willingly to stay and wait for our father to recover knowing you might meet Mother. That is not something I think you would have done even had Dev asked you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t act like you don’t understand what I am trying to convey Geetu. If you know me I know you as well.You are neither a fool nor an actor. So don’t try to be one. “

“I want to hear it from your mouth Veerji so there’s no misunderstanding.”

“Fine! Have it your way. I am guessing you and Maan have been well… whatever… for about a week at most. Yet he could convince you to do something which as stated earlier your ex-husband of ten years would not have been able to convince you. In other words, Maan is important enough for you to change and Geetu you don’t change just for anyone.You say that the relationship between you and Maan is difficult to describe and I get it.”

“What I don’t understand Veerji is why you are bothering with this?”

“Because you are not getting the point Geetu.”

“Then make it Veerji and in away that I can comprehend.”

“You have a sort of reverence for Maan that is very uncommon. The same could be said for Maan. I wanted you both to accept the existence of this connection even if you don’t act on it.”

“What makes you think we don’t actually know the existence of this connection already? Stop bullshitting Veerji. Tell me what you really wanted to achieve.”

“Okay. I wanted to see how far I could push you guys. I wanted to know if you both have the guts to accept things before others when you are not in some misty town away from the people you know.”

“Next time Veerji, please ask if you want to know something.”

“Would you have answered truthfully had I asked instead of forcing you to show?”

“I wouldn’t have lied.”

“Spoken like a lawyer. Not lying doesn’t mean answering truthfully. There’s a minuscule difference but it is a difference all the same.”

“I don’t like being manipulated Veerji.”

“I know and I am sorry that it feels so. But I will do anything for your ultimate happiness Geetu. At least one of us should get our happy ending and I want it to be you.”

“Then respect me enough Veerji to let me pave my own way to happiness. I am not fifteen anymore. I am a thirty-year-old single mother. I am an adult and should have your respect and trust. Just be there for me Veerji like our parents were never there. That’s all I need and that is all you can do.”

“My sweet Geetu… you have grown up…”

“I have Veerji. So let me be. In turn I promise to keep you updated and ask for advice when required.”

“And do you forgive the officiousness of an elder brother?”

“There’s nothing to forgive Veerji. You did this not in an attempt to control me but because you love me and I know the difference Veerji. But next time I won’t go easy on you.”

Just like that they both laughed off and hugged each other. They were stronger together as each understood the others’ perspective.

*****

Arjun was feeling the oppressiveness of the silence between them. They were friends, best of friends…. Will things ever be okay again?

Arjun cleared his throat loudly to get rid of some of the silence.

“Maan, Have I lost my friend as well as my love?”

Maan looked at him with an intensity that was unknown. When Arjun was almost sure that Maan won’t answer Maan finally replied.

“I am not sure Arjun. Annie didn’t tell me anything about this until very recently. Frankly I didn’t even get chance to talk with Annie face to face about this.”

He ran his hand through his hair at his frustration of his lack of words to adequately explain the situation.

Arjun knew Maan and let him have his time to express his thoughts better.

“Arjun, you have to understand that Annie is very precious to me. She is my precious little sister, the one I swore to protect every rakhi and bhai dooj. To know that my closest friend hurt her… well it hurt me. “

“I am sorry for hurting her Maan.”

“I need time Arjun. I need time not only to accept that you love my sister but that you already broke her heart.”

“I did it for her.”

“That’s the saddest thing Arjun. You didn’t do it for her, you did it for yourself.”

“That’s unfair Maan.”

“Someday Arjun you would understand.”

“If I want to understand it all now will you explain?”

“Some things Arjun you can only understand through life experience… But let me try…”

Maan walked to the counter and got coffee for them both before they took seat at a table.

“You know Arjun; it took me a lot of time but I realize that the love I had for Sam was very selfish in nature. It was all about my hopes, my dreams, my fears, my career and even my heartbreak. The problem with this kind of selfish love is that it never withstands the test of time. You can see what happened with Sam and I. It took me a year to realize why we didn’t work and it wasn’t something that complicated. It was simple.”

Maan took a deep breath and sipped his coffee. Somehow the familiar bitterness of his black coffee soothed him a bit. He could have done without meeting Geet so soon. Things were complex enough as it is.

“Love is supposed to be a selfless emotion Arjun but most of us do not have the power to love like that.But you can be somewhere in between I guess….”

“Maan you don’t make sense. You can either be selfless or you can’t.”

“I am not explaining myself very well. You can’t be selfless all the time. You need a big heart of a giver for that and most of us are after all mere mortals. But one should selflessly think of their love at least sometimes. You know like when Sameera let me go without a fight because that was right for me.”

“You must think me a wretched person if you think I haven’t been that with Esha.”

“I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Did you treat Annie as an equal partner in the relationship or did you do what you thought was right for both of you without explaining her? You love her but where is the respect? Think back to every decision you have made as Annie’s boyfriend. And try to analyse your motives and answer truthfully,had Annie been your sister, would you have been happy with her being treated like that?”

“Maan, I can’t think Annie as sister.”

“Fair enough… Then think if you would be happy if your daughter is treated like you treated Annie in a relationship. And if you can’t honestly tell yourself that maybe you will get your answer.”

“I am sure I will pass this test.”

“Then you have failed already.”

“HUH?”

“Somethings Arjun you just have to find out for yourself.”

They continued drinking their coffee in silence. Everything was out in the open and raw. Like they had ripped off the bandage from an open wound and now the ugly wound is out in the open.

*******

Annie and Rehaan were lounging in the living room.

“Ann!”

“What Rey?”

“Do you think Arjun was right?Was it this Geet’s influence that Maan had changed so much?”

“I don’t know Rey. I am sure Arjun conveyed what he saw. But we don’t have all the information. “

“You are right. We need information above everything else. And we need to observe them together before drawing any conclusions.”

“I don’t know how but if we can get this Geet to stay with us few days maybe we can make some progress. What do you think Rey?”

“I don’t think its possible right now Ann or have you forgotten our house guest. We can’t expect Geet to be here with the way her mother abuses her.”

“Well it’s too late for brainstorming tonight. Maybe we should call it a night and think with fresh mind tomorrow?”

“You go ahead Ann. I will retire after sometime. I am not sleepy for some reason.”

“Good night Rey.”

Why does mrs handa hate geet so much. She is the one who dictated everyone's life. She is mentally sick and it would be great if she gets proper treatment . I loved the way annie,ray and dadi ma got curious to know about geet. Waiting for next dear

Hi Aditi.... how are you?

Part 27

marvelous update! superbly written!

can understand Arjun's dilemma! but great that he put all that aside to help Brij! as expected Arjun and Anwesha meet again!

hmm Arjun still loves Annie....

Adore this rambling Arjun! nice that Annie also agrees to help!

Mrs Handa is crazy! sad that she blames Geet!

great that Reyaan handled Mrs Handa!

how can a mother hate her daughter? Annie's question is justified!

nice that Ray got Mrs Handa settled in. seems like he understood her well!

of cos dadima wants to know what is happening!

at least Rey noticed that Mrs Handa has a mental illness! hmm they are curious as to how Maan knows Geet?

dadi is indeed smart!

Gosh Maan is in for an interrogation! wonderful that he knows this!

enjoyed Maaneet;s convo! Maan and his siblings share a lovely bond! Rey is the son of a family friend but more of a sibling!

wow Arjun noticed Maaneet's interaction! agree with him.

loved that Brij trusts Maan.

hmm he reveals that Maan and Geet met in Darjeeling! Brij was correct!

yes Maaneet seems to have forgotten Brij and Arjun!

Part 28

Terrific update! greatly written!

Not surprised that Geet confronts Brij. great that Brij was able to explain himself! but Geet knows him so well!

at least Brij was honest! he also knows his sister well! does she really not know what Maan means to her?

Brij was spot on.... liked his analysis!

Loved Brij and Geet's conversation! well she wanted him to ask but he had a point whether she would have been honest!

wonderful that Brij apologized to Geet! nice that he wants Geet to be happy! Geet's response was justified!

adore the bond between Geet and Brij!

as expected Arjun is worried.... Maan's anger is reasonable. finally they spoke!

can understand that Maan needs time as Arjun hurt his sister.

what did Arjun mean that he did it for Annie?

glad that Maan tried explained to Arjun... Love is indeed selfless but one tends to be selfish.

hmm Annie's curiosity is understandable! will they ever get to observe Maan and Geet?

of cos Geet would not want to meet her so called mother!

update soon... thanks for the double updates

Both pt were awesome

Mrs Handa at Khurana mansion seeing Annie she start shouting and abusing Geet rey handle jr well and told Annie not to come front of hr

Arjun told y he came insist of Maan both sibling curious to know about this Geet

Arjun and brij observing maaneet

Maan told Geet about his sibling and brij told Geet y he send him

Maan explaing arjun about love