Winter was on its way out and the air was getting pleasantly warm. Six months had passed since he had found where Geet had hidden herself. He looked at his watch and then up at the sky. The car would be here any moment. He would soon be on his way to Kulu.
The flight from Delhi to Kulu took its time. He grimaced at seeing the small airplane that seemed ill-equipped. But he turned a blind eye to that and hoped he'd reach as soon as possible. He had been waiting for this moment since months and it had finally arrived. Despite being nave, Geet had covered her tracks pretty well. She had fled from his house after that fateful evening. She didn't bother to wait nor explain. She perhaps had a right to her privacy.
The little plane began its descent and lowered itself on the runway. It halted and the handful of passengers quickly moved towards the exit. On reaching the airport after the short walk on the tarmac, MSK completed the formalities and left the airport. He had asked for the car to receive him. The chauffeur quickly came forward and touched his forehead. Maan got into the car.
"How far is it to Manali?" he asked.
"Over two hours, sir," the man answered.
"Hmmmmm…" said his boss.
The journey was silent. MSK put his head and closed his eyes. He had gone over that scene time and again. He had dissected every little nuance. His brother, his sister-in-law, his grandmother and Geet were present that evening. It was the first time his brother and Geet came face to face. It happened during the dinner arranged by Gran to introduce Geet as Maan's fiance to his brother and wife. He was not likely to forget the expressions on the faces on everyone present there at that time.
His grandmother had made elaborate arrangements for the dinner. She had been excited to finally see her favourite grandson settle with a girl of his choice and hers. MSK knew Gran had loved Geet and had been happy to see them together. He smiled. He had known why she had insisted on sheltering Geet. All along she had wanted to make a match between them. He had chased Geet and had almost bulldozed her into a sham engagement. For him it was real, but since she had been reluctant, he had asked her to masquerade.
Presently he looked out of the window. The car was lapping miles quite fast. The flat ground was covered with fields and people were scattered there doing their piece of work. At a distance, the mountains came into view. The sun was subdued and was getting ready to lower itself into oblivion. MSK rested his chin on his knuckles as his mind shot backward once again.
The table had been set. Geet had entered the room wearing a beautiful crimson red chiffon saree. It had a gold border with the tiny golden florets spread out on the whole saree. The gold on the saree had enhanced the colour in her eyes and had added to their lustre. Ruby earrings hung delicately from her ears and round her neck the blood coloured stones had nestled snugly. She had looked enchanting and he could feel the rush of blood in his veins.
"Come," said Gran. "Let me introduce you to my other grandson and his wife."
She had led Geet forward. Dev had risen from the sofa and had turned to greet his sister-in-law to be. Naintara came forward with an almost evil glint in her eyes.
"You!" exclaimed the three together. Gran was taken aback and looked totally surprised at the outburst.
"Oh what a clever little rabbit you are, Geet," Nanny had been the first to recover. MSK hadn't liked her suggestive statements one bit.
"You seem to know each other," said Gran. She had turned to Geet and had been shocked to see her stricken face. Tears had gathered in her eyes.
"No….." she said and had began to back away.
"You little humbug ……. Getting engaged when you are already married! Oh! How could you Geet?" Nanny had smiled like a sick woman and had raised her eyebrow. She had taken full advantage of Geet's confusion and inability to speak up at that instant.
"That's not ……" began Geet.
"It's not true? Aren't you married? I attended the ceremony myself….. remember?"
"I want nothing to do with you……." Geet began to speak "with any of you!"
"Really?" asked Nanny sarcastically.
"What's going on here?" asked Gran who was getting upset by the turn of events.
MSK came forward. "Wait Geet. Let's sit down."
"No….."
"Geet, we need to talk……." Dev said for the first time.
"How are you involved in all of this, Dev?" asked MSK, his eyebrows coming together in a frown.
A sob had broken from Geet. She had turned and run out of the room. MSK was about to follow when he had seen his Grandmother almost faint. He had gone to attend to her and had settled her down.
"Dev!" he barked. "Take care of Gran."
A good ten minutes had passed. He had sprinted up the steps two at a time and had reached Geet's room. The door had been open. He had entered hoping to cajole her into returning downstairs. Her saree lay strewn on the bed and the jewels had been kept on the dresser. The dove had flown taking nothing with her. Even the small bag with her belongings lay in the corner. He had searched every room but she had gone. Without a trace.
"Damn!" cursed MSK.
Geet was not going to get of his life. He was going to make sure of that. He would track her down even if it was going to be a Herculean effort.
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Arjun
Cricket
Indian Mythology
