Chapter 6:
When suddenly ' "Maan, hamara Dev kahan hain? I haven't seen him since I've come home" an inquisitive look on Dadi's face, as she reached out to dial his cell phone number.
Geet and Maan both froze instantaneously, and glanced at each other nervously. What were they going to say now? How were they supposed to explain Dev's absence?
*****************************************
"Dadi!" Maan called out, quickly grabbing the phone away from his grandma. "Dadi'uh Dadi'don't worry about him too much. I'll talk to him later on tonight. You should..uh'um'"
"You should worry about the wedding preparations. We'll take care of everything else" helped Geet, looking over at Maan nervously, as she tried to divert Dadi from her thoughts. Maan had been clutching her hand so tightly that she actually felt sorry for the poor guy.
"Han of course. There's so much to do with the wedding so soon na, Dadi? I'll talk to Dev tonight, and let you know whatever he says. He's actually out of town now on a business meeting, so we'll see, ok? He probably won't be back for a few more months." Maan smiled, well it was more fake and plastered, but it was better than nothing.
"But when did Dev join the business. He hates working, right?"
"Oh, He told me he wanted to be more responsible." Psht. Yeah right, Dev and responsible. What a joke, thought Maan and Geet to themselves.
Dadi was distracted easily and nodded with enthusiasm "Oh yeah! I have so much to do to prepare! But yeah, if you both are so eager to talk to Dev, just remember to tell him that he needs to come home sometime too. I want to see my grandson" she smiled, before leaving the room to tend to her work.
Maan and Geet were left standing around awkwardly, "Uh...I can leave by myself...There's no need for you to drop me off" she finally said, breaking the silence.
"NO! I have to drop you off....what if you decide to run away? Knowing you, that's not something that you would even hesitate to do"
"Excuuuuuuuuuuse you" she huffed, "I wasn't planning on running away, didn't even have that thought until Mr. Khurana here suggested it. But now that you mention it..." she trailed off, walking towards the door.
He hurriedly followed her, grabbing her by the arm and glaring at her "Don't you dare even think about it. Plus your parents, what'll they say when they find out that their darling daughter is pregnant, without getting married?" he smirked additionally.
She was cornered and she knew it. "Ufff. Fine I won't run away, can we go now?" she sighed, dejectedly, knowing how right he was.
"Chalein Madam. Whatever you say" he answered, grasping her hand in his own and heading towards the car.
*********************
"Do I look like your driver? Sit in the front" he ordered, seeing her opening the backdoor of the car.
"Humph. You might as well be. So I'm just going to sit wherever I want to" she replied, sliding into the car and slamming the door shut.
"Geet. Just get into the front seat of the damned car" he barked through his clenched teeth.
"And what will you do if I don't?" the sassy tone back in her voice, as she crossed her arms in front of her.
"I'll...I'll..." and realizing that he really didn't have any threats for her threw his hands up in frustration, and sat in the car. What was I even thinking? Getting married to this girl? I'm completely crazy.
When they had finally arrived in front of her house, he had gotten of the car immediately to open the door for her. "Wow a thorough gentleman," she remarked. "See, if you weren't always Mr. Khadoos, people might actually like you."
"Hmm. Miss Geet" he smirked, as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into himself. Bending his head, his lips brushing against her ear, he whispered "Well well, I am who I am, and it's your problem my dear. You're the one that's going to becoming Mrs. Khadoos."
As she walked away, she screamed back at him "Ughh. And by the way, don't bother picking me up. I can manage coming to your house tomorrow morning"
"Well, don't be late darling" he yelled back, getting into his car and driving away. What, in the name of heaven, is wrong with me? I am flirting with this girl like crazy. Maan get a hold of yourself. Control. Breathe in. and Breathe Out. In. Out. In and Out. Phew. You're fine now.
**********************
Geet flopped down on her bed, the events of the day running through her mind. What she had wanted and what had actually ended up happening! She was getting married to the MD of Khurana Group of Industries, THE Maan Singh Khurana. I should run away now, before I go completely crazy, marrying into THAT family? Wow Geet. Just Wow. But no, that Mr. Khadoos is definitely going to go and tell my dad, and then even my family will hate me. UGH!
**********************
The next day morning, Maan sat in his study, in front of his two best friends Angad Khanna and Armaan Mallik, along with Kripa Khanna and Riddhima Gupta, trying to figure out how to tell them about this situation.
"Maan? Oy Maan-io? What was so important that you called us here at 9 AM, telling us to ignore everything else in our lives? Hmm?" asked Armaan, the coolest one in their group, the flirt, the chillaxed dude, always happy and at ease.
"Yeah Maan. Anything serious?" added Angad, who was the balance between MSK and Armaan, sometimes serious and sometimes relaxed.
"I..Um...I...Iamgettingmarriedintwodays" he blurted out, all in one breath, not daring to look up at the people in front of him.
"What? Maan seriously, please speak a little more faster, cause we're not going to understand a word you say ANYWAY" retorted an annoyed Kripa.
Everyone else just stared at him with expectant looks, and sighing he tried once more. "I'm getting married in two days."
The room became as silent as a graveyard, before Armaan burst out laughing "HAHAHAHAH. Maan. You are so good at these jokes. Is it April 1st already?" he guffawed, holding onto his stomach as he laughed.
"Guyssssssssss. I'm serious. I'm getting married in two days. Ask Dadi if you want" he answered seriously, twiddling his thumbs, not really knowing how else to continue this.
Now it was Armaan's turn, along with Angad, Kripa, and Riddhima to just stand there, not knowing how to respond. He was serious. Maan continued "I...I know this is coming as a shock...I mean, me the MSK getting married-"
Angad interrupted very seriously, "Maan. It's not that you're getting married. We're just wondering who on earth would be crazy enough to get married to you" and only paused two seconds before he cracked up along with Armaan.
"Oy Angad! That was amazing yaar. I didn't know you had these kidns of jokes in you" laughed Armaan as he high-fived his best friend. Meanwhile, Kripa had just slapped Angad on his shoulder "Stop it. You're making fun of him now? Seriously Angad. Act even more immature. Please" yelled an annoyed Kripa.
"Maan, that's great!" smiled Riddhima as she went over to hug Maan, someone who had been a brother figure to her since she had met him. "So when can we meet this lucky girl?!" she continued, a twinkly in her eyes.
"Um...Soon actually. She's coming over today." Maan answered hesitantly. And just then the doorbell rang.
The two couples rushed downstairs, followed by the reluctant Maan, only to have Dadi standing at the door, next to a young woman in a white and red colored salwar.
"Hi! I'm Kripa and this is Riddhima!" she smiled enthusiastically, grabbing Geet by the arms and pulling her into the living room. And those few words were the beginning of a whole new friendship, one which would leave the guys feeling completely left out. Dadi just chuckled to herself as she saw the lost looking guys in front of the girls who were chattering away as if they had known each other for years.
"Arreh yaar. Yeh ladkiyan. They forgot that we even exist" complained Maan to Armaan and Angad.
"Sigh. You don't know anything yet. Just wait till you're married" replied Angad, rolling his eyes.
Luckily, Dadi took pity on the poor guys and interrupted the girls. "Geet, I want you to meet Maan's friends, Armaan and Angad. They're more like family than anything" she smiled.
"Hi Geet! Or should I say Bhabhiji" smiled Armaan, while Angad just nodded a polite Hi. Geet furiously blushed at Armaan's words. She was becoming Maan's wife. It had actually hit her. Bhabhji! Wow.
"I'm so happy. Now we've completed our little group" laughed Riddhima. "Han Maan, We thought you would never get married" added Kripa.
"Well. He got trapped in Geet's jadoo. By the way Geet, what did you do to this guy that suddenly he's all gung-ho about getting married?" asked Armaan, his teasing tone back on.
"Arreh Armaan. Meri bahu ko kyun satarahe ho?" questioned Dadi, a fake angry look on her face. "Anyways, enough of all this. I want all of you to take the next few days off. We have a wedding happening soon and I have so much to do!" she ordered.
"But Dadi..." Maan began to protest, "Why do we have to take off from work? The girls can manage everything right?!"
"Oy Maan. Just shut up. Dadi ignore him. It's his wedding and he wants to go to work. What kind of a man is he?" asked Angad, rolling his eyes, as he punched Maan in the shoulder.
"Dadi. We're ready to take off from work whenever. You just tell us" added Armaan, while Maan just growled at him.
"Kaam Chor" giggled Kripa and Riddhima. "Heyyy! We're not kaam-chors" defended Armaan.
"You guys act like little kids. Ab bas bhi karo" said Dadi, shaking her head. "Anyways, Riddhima and Kripa and Geet will go shopping, while you three men head off to work."
"Shopping!" the girls faces lit up like thousand watt bulbs at this one word while Armaan and Angad groaned instantly. Kripa and Riddhima got up and marched over to their respective partners, "Wallets please" they demanded, and the guys had no other option other than to hand over their credit cards and surrender, defeated.
Meanwhile, Geet just stood in the back, not really knowing what to do. She sure wasn't going to go up to Maan and ask for his credit card; however, she sure would love to wipe his bank account out, leave him no money, after he marries her. Humph! That's exactly what I'll do. Perfect Punishment for Mr. Khadoos.
"Geet. Don't you want money too?"
"Um...It's ok. I can manage" she began, only to be interrupted.
"Geet, you're getting married to this man. Trust me, that's what they're here for. The money for our shopping" Kripa winked as she pushed Geet forward towards Maan. He slowly took out his wallet, and handed her his credit card, "Um...This should be fine. Buy anything you want" he smiled, as he saw the unsure look on her face, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh Mr. Khadoos. Don't you worry. I'll make sure even one penny isn't left in your bank balance" she whispered so that only the two of them could hear, twitching her nose and turning away.
"Wow Maan. Be careful. You're setting yourself for a big trap for later on" warned Angad, while Kripa looked at him angrily "Angad. Shush. Just because your friend is more generous than you are doesn't mean you can poke fun of him."
And saying so she left, tugging Riddhima and Geet with her. Right before they stepped out the door, Geet turned back, only to find Maan's eyes intensely on her, and blushing she turned her head around once again.
*******************
Later that evening, everyone was seated around the dinner table at the Khurana mansion, each of the three couples, and then Dadi. The girls all on one side of the table, and all of the boys on the other side, with Dadi at the head.
"So Geet, you get everything for the wedding yet?" asked Dadi. But before she could respond, Riddhima spoke "Nahi Dadi. We still have to buy so much more, the jewelry and the actual clothes for the wedding. So much shopping left."
Maan was dumbfounded and angry. "You guys were gone shopping for more than six hours today. And came home with a million shopping bags. What did you guys spend so much money on?" he questioned, irritated.
Armaan and Angad began their lectures on women and shopping, leading to an angry Kripa and Riddhima, but Maan didn't notice any of this. His eyes were focused on Geet, who was staring back at him a small smirk playing on her face, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Mr. Khadoos. Just wait and watch. You might succeed in getting married to me, but I'm going to make your life SO miserable that you're going to run away from me. Just wait and watch to see what this Geet does.
And Maan responded with a cold gaze, one devoid of any emotion, but a look that said everything, that said - Bring it on!
"Ehem... If you both are done with the speaking with the eyes, can we move on to dinner?" asked Angad, chuckling softly, as everyone gazed at the couple who were intensely staring at each other. Too bad they didn't understand what they were actually saying to one another.
And suddenly, Geet felt someone kick her under the table. Fury raged within her, as she clenched her fists and glared at Maan, who seemed completely engrossed in eating. The pig! He kicks me and is eating away. Humph. And with that, she kicked him hard on the leg, focusing all her
strength and power in that one kick.
"OWWWWWW!" Maan jumped up from his seat, howling in pain, glaring at Geet, who just sat there a smug look onher face.
"Maan beta, Kya hua? What happened?" questioned Dadi, her voice full of concern. Everyone rushed over to his side, except for Armaan, who just sat there, his face flushing red with embarrassment. Uh-oh. Did I just kick the wrong person? I was supposed to kick Riddhima.
"I...woh...Dadi...I just..it's ok..I'm fine. I think I was just imagining things" Maan muttered, seating himself down again. While everyone was turned around, heading back to their seats, Maan pulled Geet back towards him. "You Miss Geet. I'm going to deal with you very soon. Don't you worry" he growled, the anger and malice evident in his voice. And he thought he could be nice to the girl. But she apparently didn't want him nice.
**************
That night, Geet was going to head home, and Dadi told her to go tell Maan that she was leaving, along with Kripa and RIddhima, who were going to stay over at her house. So Geet made her way over to the study, where Maan was, with Armaan and Angad, just talking.
The door was slightly ajar and she peered in to see Maan refusing a can of beer, with Armaan and Angad "C'mon yaar. You're getting married. It's a reason to celebrate. At least drink today" they said, shoving the can of beer in his hand.
"Maan, seriously though. What a shock. I never thought that you would be getting married" said Angad seriously, closely observing his best friend.
"That's what love does to a man!" exclaimed an enthusiastic Armaan, who was already slightly drunk. Yes, it really didn't take much for him to get drunk. Angad continued eyeing Maan suspiciously, noticing how his friend wasn't able to meet his eyes. "Maan?"
"Hm? Hmm yeah of course" he stuttered, not really able to think of a plausible excuse for his marriage or anything.
"Remember how we thought he was gay?!" rambled Armaan. "I mean, he never talked to ANY of the girls back in university, even though every girl was all over him. I mean, what kind of a guy would refuse a girl?!" he continued, completely unconscious of himself.
Angad took over "Han, but he proved us wrong now, didn't he? He's marrying the girl he loves."
And that was the last Geet heard before her mind began racing. Maan Singh Khurana, the MSK was gay! No wonder he wanted to get married and have Dadi think Geet was pregnant with his child! It all made sense. This marriage and the baby was all a cover up for the fact that he was gay! WOW. MSK, he's gay!
And with those thoughts, Geet headed home, not listening to anything else that was happening in the study.
Precap: Maaneet: The Wedding!
*************************
Hi Everyone!
So I hope you all enjoyed that extremely extremely extremely long part. Phew. I'm soso SO very sorry about this really late update, and next part is Maaneet wedding :) I promise I'll update this week though :) And, oh yes, I didn't mean to offend anyone with the Gay part, just a side note. And if anyone has any issues with it, please do let me know. Once again, I didn't mean to offend anyone. =D
Please do read and comment, as always. I absolutely love reading the comments :) And if anyone wants to be added to the PM List, please do let me know.
And, I started another Short Story on Maaneet. It's probably going to about ten parts long, and Dev and Naintara are positive characters in this. I hope you all do go and check it out. Coffee Shop Rendez-Vous
Hope you liked this!
~Naina
Edited by Naina2127 - 15 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
Hindi TV Shows
