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Part 30 - Five-Star Hotel Ya Dhabba
As the captain announced the plane was ready to land at the Ludhiana Airport, Geet grabbed Maan's hand in apprehension. In response, Maan looked over at Geet and saw that not only was she clutching his hand but she also had her eyes closed tight. Maan knew that Geet had never flown in a plane before and he did his best to reassure her.
Leaning over, he used his free hand to begin rubbing her clenched hand with soothing motions. "Geet, it will be alright. There's no need to be stressed. You can open your eyes."
Geet just shook her head and kept her eyes shut tight. After a few seconds she said in a strained voice, "We should have taken the train. Even a bus would have been fine."
"Geet, we've been over this. There is no way that I will allow you to travel by bus or train in your condition. Do you realize how much faster the trip is by plane? It's also much more comfortable."
"That's your opinion."
Maan didn't know what else to do except to keep murmuring reassuring words to try and keep Geet calm. Eventually the plane landed and Geet finally let go of her death grip on Maan's hand. Maan asked if she was alright now.
"Yes, but I still would have preferred the train." Maan just shook his head in exasperation.
Once they exited the plane, Geet looked back at it and said, "My very first plane trip, that too in a private plane." Turning back to look at Maan, she added, "Who would have thought?"
After arranging to have their luggage put into the jeep he had rented, Maan got first Geet and then himself settle in it also. Then they were off, driving through the streets of Ludhiana, on their way back to Hoshiarpur. When they were nearing the edge of the city, a gust of wind came along, blowing one end of Geet's dupatta right into Maan's face. Geet quickly snatched it away and apologized.
After a few minutes of silence, Geet couldn't stand it anymore. In her most mischievous voice she asked, "Do you remember the last time we were in a jeep together? You were very angry with me, yes?"
As Maan recalled that day, instead of responding with a similarly light tone as Geet had expected, he said in a heavy voice, "Geet, I shouldn't have said the things that I did. I shouldn't have left you alone. It was..."
"No, Maan, don't say anymore." Geet did not like how serious and sad he looked. "I didn't intend to bring up bad memories. In fact, I don't want to think anything but happy thoughts today."
Seeing that Geet was looking at him expectantly, Maan agreed, "All right, nothing but happy thoughts."
As they drove through the countryside, Maan would occasionally smile at something Geet would say, but he rarely responded. It wasn't really necessary, as she was perfectly capable of carrying on a conversation by herself. Instead, he took pleasure in seeing her enjoyment of the familiar surroundings. The past two weeks had been hectic as Geet had continued to work on the Chopra project, especially getting the launch party ready. Maan had also been very busy, and had not been able to give her as much help as he would have liked to. He thought that this mini-vacation would be good for both of them, giving them a chance to put the pressures of work aside.
The drive was uneventful, and soon they had almost reached their destination. Maan had Munshiji arrange for them to use the same house that Maan had occupied last time. When Geet complained of being hungry just as they were entering Hoshiarpur city, Maan encouraged her to wait until they got to the house. Geet didn't want to wait that long. She asked Maan to stop at a dhabba. Maan gave a grimace, which Geet saw.
"Oh, I forgot who I was with. Maan Singh Khurana doesn't eat desi food, only continental food. He never would eat in a dhabba, only five-star hotel food for him." Maan could hear the sarcasm in Geet's voice.
"I can't believe you are comparing five star hotels with dhabba," said Maan.
"No, there's no comparison. Dhabba food is the best!" Maan snorted in response. Geet continued, "I guess you wouldn't know because you've probably never eaten at a dhabba before. In fact, you probably couldn't because you're only used to closed in, boring restaurants."
"Please, Geet, if I can cook for myself while camping, I'm sure I can handle anything."
"Alright, then, let's go to the dhabba." Maan still didn't agree. Geet gave a little smirk, and then said, "What, Maan, are you scared?" As she knew it would, her little challenge prompted him to comply.
When they finally stopped at the dhabba, it amused Geet to see how unsure of himself Maan was. She continued to goad him, knowing that her words would prick his pride, and help him get over his uneasiness. Since Maan was clueless, Geet ordered for them. While they were waiting for their food, a nice looking Sikh family, with two cute little boys, came in and sat down near Maan and Geet. The father scolded his two boys for running around like little hoodlums, and sternly told them to sit down. Geet smiled at them and said hello. The man and his wife responded back the same.
"Your dupatta is very pretty," said Geet, trying to make conversation.
"Thank you, thank you. I'm Simran, and this is my husband, Sukhramji, and our two children Veer and Vikram."
Having realized that Maan must be Geet's husband, Sukhram greeted him also. Maan was clearly uncomfortable, and only gave a brief "hmmm" in acknowledgement. Sukhram and Simran looked at each other, obviously surprised at the unfriendly response, when Geet was so bubbly.
"He's a very strange fellow. Where did you find him?" questioned Sukhram.
"Definitely not around here. People from Delhi, who live in big mansions are like this. They don't know how to smile, have fun, or be friendly." Maan glared at Geet, but she just looked back with raised eyebrows, as if to say, "prove me wrong."
"Are you two from Delhi? That's where we are going." At this point, the two boys, who had not stayed in their seats, came running back and stopped right by Maan's side.
"Uncle, why are you starring at Aunty?" asked one brother.
Looking shocked to see the boys next to him, Maan replied back, "I'm not," though, in fact he was.
"Is that your jeep? Take us for a ride," said the other brother.
Maan just looked at both boys in shock, while their mother called them to come back over to the table. Geet smiled at their antics, and asked Maan if he liked children. Maan, still looking at the two hooligans who had been harassing him replied, "Bilkul pasand nahi." At this answer, Geet glared at Maan and placed her hand protectively over her baby. Turning back towards Geet, and seeing her expression, Maan immediately realized that he had dug himself into a hole.
Trying to smooth things over, Maan said, "Our baby is different." At Geet's raised eyebrow, Maan added, "I mean it, our baby will be perfect." Unaware of the small pati/patni conflict going on, Simran apologized for the behavior of her boys.
"They're just restless. We've been traveling by bus from Pathankot all day."
"Really?" asked Geet. "We're going to Talwara for a short visit."
Geet would have continued to chat, but just then their food arrived. Geet was so hungry that she immediately began eating. As she put the food from her hand in her mouth, she moaned in pleasure at the spicy goodness. Maan just looked around at the dhabba, at the food, and all he could see was the uncleanliness of everything. Geet encouraged him to eat, as the food would get cold, but Maan still just sat there. Finally Geet grabbed a handful of food and reached over to shove it in Maan's mouth. Maan was so shocked that he could do nothing, but chew the food that Geet had personally fed him.
As Maan swallowed, Geet, who had taken a bite from a chili said, "Only mirchi can bring out the flavor correctly. You should have one."
"No thanks," came the terse reply.
"It's your choice, but you probably wouldn't like it anyway" said Geet as she continued eating.
"Arre, Bhai saab, don't pay attention to her. It's alright to eat. I'll just tell you one thing. My wife once had me eat 15 mirchi, just to prove my love for her." All this was said by a smiling Sukhram, while Simran laughed and nodded her head.
"15 mirchi?" said Geet with admiration. "This would never happen in Delhi. This is only something a really brave Punjabi would be able to do!" Maan didn't like the admiring looks Geet was giving to Sukhram. Without thinking about why, he knew that he wanted her to only look at him in such a way.
"No, no, what are you saying, Kuriye? Tera sher is brave also, na? He will eat them for you." Simran looked at Maan expectantly.
Geet, who wanted to tease Maan for his reaction toward the dhabba said, "No, Auntyji, he can't eat mirchi."
Maan, who had had enough Geet's attitude, said angrily, "What do you think, that I can't eat mirchi? But I can eat it!"
Maan proceeded to grab a chilli and started to chew it. Geet was so shocked, she never thought that he would actually take what she said seriously. Maan had already started on a second chili before Geet could tell him that the chilies were really spicy. Her words had no effect, and Maan started on his third chili. Geet was starting to get worried, as she could see the tears starting to form.
"Maan, stop, you're not used to this. You'll get sick." Maan continued eating another chili as if Geet had not spoken. "Maan, I was just joking. You don't need to do this."
Geet really began to worry when Maan started coughing, but continued to eat. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and covered his hand with her own to stop him. She grabbed a cup of lassi and determinedly held it up to his mouth.
Geet's touch shocked Maan, and had him looking straight into her eyes. She rarely touched him voluntarily, and it caused all his stubbornness to fade away. He accepted her offer of the lassi, and took a drink. He noticed the worry that was still on Geet's face, and he felt her concern touch him somewhere deep in his heart. Geet and Maan continued to stare at one another, until Simran's words brought them out of their trance.
Pointing with her hand, Simran said, "See, Kuriye, now you know what your sher is made of." Geet blushed, and looked away, unconscious of the fact that she still held Maan's hand.
Precap:
People began to talk amongst themselves about the incident that had led to Geet's departure. They wondered why she was back, and discussed how the Handa family had lost the respect of the locals and had been virtually ostracized for their actions.
And Thanks Goes To:
MSK in dhabba - July 13 episode
pm list updated to include nanatoteja, MeetPremeer, Nanthini9
So, I couldn't find that they ever actually mentioned the name of Geet's village, they just keep saying Hoshiarpur all the time, but Hoshiarpur is way to big to be a village, so thanks to Google and Wikipedia, I picked Talwara. If anyone knows different, just tell me and I'll change it.
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