New FF: New York times with Maan and Geet - Page 95

Hey...great update as usual..she confessed and yet did not confess...

hey hasini
splendid
thanx for skipping office & giving us this yet another wonderful part
that was just too good for an FF wish this was playing on the episodes
lovely update guess they dream about kissing
make geet wear a saree she looks good too & the way maan looks at her is just toooo much
waiting for the next update

luv u
nisha

Part 46 Pandora

Shrivastav:"Madam ji aur Maan baba ab bhi so rahe hain"

Daadima:"Aur kya khabar hain?"

Shrivastav:"Dono ek hi kamre main hain"

Daadima:"Voh to hume pata hain kuch aur"

Shrivastav:"Maan baba diwan pe so rahe hain aur madamji bed pe"

Daadima:"Hmmm…Geet ko madamji mat bulao..."

Shrivatav:"Teek hai Daadima…aur kya karna"

Daadima:"Aur kuch nahi, bas un pe nazar rakna"

<Daadima's monologue>

Maan kitne badal gaye hain. Hum itne saal se try kar rahe hain, aur woh ladki ki aaye huhe kuchi hi din me itni badlaav…yakeen nahin ho raha hain. Pata nahin Maan kya aur kya nahi karenge, lekin mujhe toh Geet hi chaiye.

<Geet's monologue>

Daadima was already having her breakfast. Main bhi na, kisi aur ke ghar mein itni der tak so rahi thi.

I brushed my teeth and came down stairs to get some water.

Daadima:'Geet beta, ab aapka pair kaisa hain?"

Geet:"Teek hain Daadiji. Vutna dard nahi ho raha hain"

I was still limping trying to be careful not to put any weight on my left foot.

Shrivastav:"Geet bitiya, aap kuch lenge?"

Geet:"Ji garam pani. Bas"

Daadima:"Geet, aaiye aap yahan aakar batiye hamare paas"

I sat next to her and she was having a very simple breakfast. I didn't understand. There was something different about his family. They were all so down to earth.

Daadima:'Toh beta, aaj ka kya plan hai"

Geet:"Ji mera counsulate main appointment hain, aur main Hoshiarpur vapas jaa rahi hoon"

Daadima:"Aise kaise jaa sakte hain aap. Abhi Abhi toh aaye hue hain, thode din hamare paas bhi rahiye. Maan tho kabhi ghar mein rehte nahin.."

Maan:"Haan Daadima. I was asking her to stay back as well…shayad aapki baath maanjaeygi"

I didn't see him come to the dining room. He looked pretty tired.

Maan:"Acchoon"

Daadima:"Aapka zukhaam abhi tak teek nahi hua?…aap aapka khayal nahi rakte beta"

He came and sat on the chair next to me. He put his head behind and was resting on the chair. He was really coming down with something.

Maan:"Tumhara pair kaisa hain Geet"

He asked me with his head resting behind and eyes still closed.

Geet:"Ji Teek hain…"

Shrivastav:"Aapka pani."

He placed the water glass and left. Daadima just left to wash up and it was just us in the room.

I wanted to know if he had fever as well.

I got up and went close to touch his forehead. He didn't expect that. He opened his eyes to look up at me. They had lost its lusture and his skin was pale.

I wished I could stay behind, but after last night, I didn't want to stay back and test my own self around him. I still had a long way to go.

Geet:"Chai peyenge Maan, main bana de thi hoon"

Maan:"Pehle bolo ki tum Hoshiarpur nahi javogi"

His tone was very serious. I was glad he was just being stern and not out of control unlike last night.

Geet:"Maan you are not going to give up are you? If my people call up what will I tell them? Where should I tell them that I'm staying? They wont understand all this"

Maan:"Yeh sab behas ke baath bhi tum jaana chahte ho, toh jao. Tumhari zindagi hain."

He was so adamant about me not going to Hoshiarpur. His eyes spoke anger all the way.

Geet:"Please think through this ok. I have come here from NY and my family is in Hoshiarpur. Then why would anyone understand me staying in Delhi? With my boss?"

He didn't like that statement. He looked up in surprise that I even said something like that.

Geet:"Accha teek hai...boss nahin, mere…chodiye voh baat…lekin logon ko tho ye pata nahin na. Aur Daadima kya sochenge? Kya in sab ke baare main socha hain aapne"

<Maan's monologue>

I didn't want to get stuck on naming our relationship. I know what we were to each other and I was also sure from last night that she needed some time for acknowledging the same. I went on.

Maan:"Geet logon ke baare main mujhe parva nahin. Actually after treating you like that, I'm sorry I have lost all my respect for your family…aur rahi baat daadima ki…I know she knows"

Geet:"Yeh kya bol rahe aap."

She was surprised.

Maan:"I'm sure she knows…and for all you know…"

<Geet's monologue>

He got up from the chair and walked towards me. He came close and lifted both my hands to his chest and looked straight into me.

Maan:"She probably has someone watching us right now..."

Geet:"Maan…chodiye mujhe"

I struggled to let go of his hold and ran upstairs.

He shouted aloud as I ran

Babaji inhe kya hogaya hain? Kal tak soch soch ke paas aa rahe te, aur aaj…beech hall main who bhi, daadima ke hote hua.

I shrugged the analysis and went and took a shower. I quickly changed and got ready for the appointment. I decided I would not meet him after that. Trust me he can be pretty convincing. He had many tricks up his sleeve.

I went down with my bag and file. Daadima and Maan were still in the dining room. They were talking about some business deal.

Maan:"Nahin Daadima, inke deal main sign nahin kar sakta hoon."

Daadima:"Lekin Maan aap ye bhool rahe hain ki vun se zyaada, hame is factory ki zaroorat hain"

I walked in and they stopped their conversation. I was the focus now.

Geet:"Ji ab appointment ke liye late ho raha hain. Main ab nikhal rahi hoon…Daadiji, thank you. Aap mere bahuth khayal rake the…"

I split from the room and Maan walked me out.

Maan:"Toh?"

Geet:"Main appointment ke baad phone karti hoon"

I didn't want to discuss anything else. I was already nervous about the appointment and he was behind me not to go back to Hoshiarpur. Babaji, if there is nothing in my life, you always package something or the other for me.

The counsulate was crowded. I got in at the time my slot was given, but there were hundreds waiting before me, inside.

It was already 11.00 AM and my turn had still not come. Finally I was called in and I stood in the line. First one was approved, second, third and fourth was a reject. Fifth one was "Insufficient details". Sixth was me.

After the basic questions, he went on to my recent job experience.

Counsulate Officer:"So you work with Payments? You mean Finance?"

Geet:"Actually I work with IT"

Consulate Officer:"But your papers here say that you are from Payments Analytics. And I see that you don't have a degree in Finance. How are you qualified to support this job?"

Babaji main tho gayi. They say that once the officer starts questioning your qualification then that is the first indication for not going the approval route. I was right and my case was put under enquiry.

I came out with an indeterminate future. How long was it going to take? I casually enquired another person who had the same issue and she answered months. Babaji, please don't tell me that I was going to be stuck in Hoshiarpur for that long. I wondered about all plans Brij and the family can whip up in the meantime.

I was pretty heatbroken but was not deterred. I had to move forward.

I picked up the phone and called him. I couldn't guage his emotions over the phone. He was still mad that I was going back.

I sat in the car and couldn't help thinking about him. I wondered why he was still cold sometimes. This spread of personality he had, confused me. Sometimes he talked so much like the Niagara trip and this morning, there was just his anger. Last night, his eyes made me speak every word that had not made sense to me until that moment. Then his passion…I covered my face thinking about it. Was it even right?

How is this closeness justified? I know I would slap another guy if he was to even hold me by my hand and here he was acting like I belonged to him. I don't want to question why he does what he does, but what should I do? How far can I let it go? Should we have limits? How will I tell him that we should?

I can't. Kahoongi bhi toh kya kahoongi? Yahi ki…Maan please mujhe chuiye mat. That sounds cheap and that is exactly why I want to stay away from even getting into such situations. Hoshiarpur and then Frisco.

It was a seven-hour drive from Delhi to Hoshiarpur. We were 5 1/2 hours into the journey when we stopped at Ludhiana. I saw a nearby Dhaba and asked the driver to get some food.

I called him back to check how he was doing. He picked up the call and couldn't even talk because of the congestion.

Maan:"Bolo, are you ok?"

Geet:"Maan, aap toh teek se bol bhi nahi paa rahen hain"

Maan:"Haan so how far are you?"

He didn't care about my question. He was ignoring me. Maan….my inner voices were screaming at me. How can I do this? I remembered how he was by my side at the hospital all the time and even at the apartment. He nursed me back to the person who I'm today, else I would have been in an institution from the trauma.

The driver came back from the dhaba.

Driver:"Lijiye Madam khana"

He saw me in tears.

Driver:"Madamji, sab teek tho haina?"

I got the food and tasted it. It was absolutely delicious but I couldn't eat it. How could I have missed it? For the first time it dawned on me. He had literally given up office, sleep and food and had been by my side night and day. Babaji and now I'm concerned about Ma and papa who didn't visit me even when they knew that Dev left me, about Brij who slapped me for bringing up the word Divorce. I was not measuring each of their love for me, but now it was a question of how much each one cared at the needed moment. I decided, I will stay one more day with him, before I go back. He had to leave to NY too, and perhaps after that ….I didn't want to think about it.

Geet:"Ji, agar main aapse vapas jaane ke liye kahoongi toh kya bura maanenge?"

He sighed in relief.

Driver: "Agar aap yeh naa kehte toh main tabhi bura maanta. Fikhar mat kijiye 5 gante ka rasta hain, lekin hum 4 gante main chal sakte hain, doosri raste se"

Geet:"Ji…ek aur order le jaa sakte hain. Khana bahuth acha hain…shayah vunhe…lekin voh toh beemar hain, bahar ka khana kaise kaa sakte hain?"

I was talking to him and questioning myself. The driver laughed.

We got another order just in case.

I slept half way and as we neared the place I grew restless. It was already 9.00 PM. I knew he would be happy to see me, but what reason would I give him for coming back. I had nothing come to my mind.

We were there. Shrivastav came and took my bag.

Geet:"Maan kaha hain ji?"

Shrivastav:"Ji who bahar garden main gaye hain"

I left the same instant I came in. Bahar itna tand hain, aur yeh kya kar rahen hain? I couldn't see him in the open space. I went around all corners of the garden and then I came by the swimming pool. What am I seeing? Could he be in the pool? I saw a towel by the pool chair. I ran to check if it was him. He was completely immersed and was very still. What is wrong with him?

Geet:"Maan….what are you doing?"

He didn't hear me. His eyes were closed and still no movement. I didn't have a choice. I jumped in.

The water was cold and I tried to go deep as he was and nudge him. He was surprised to see me as well.

We both swam up to get some air. I first moved the hair out of my face. He was gasping.

I turned towards him and pushed him.

Geet:"Yeh sab kya hain Maan? Aapko tho zukham hain?"

He was still breathing hard.

Maan:"Tum yahan kyoon aiye ho?"

He was angry.

Geet:"Lekin main aagayi na…ab tho yahi pe hoon"

Maan:"Tumhari marzi se…aur mera marzi se yahan pe kuch nahin hota hain"

He kept walking towards me and I walked backwards too. I didn't realize until that instant that his chest was bare and he was just in his tracks. I couldn't move further for I had hit the pool wall. He was close, too close and his hands barricaded me to the spot I was in. His eyes spoke anger and his eyebrows narrowed questioning my change of plans. He was almost about to close the distance, when I had to stop him with my hands. It landed on his chest. He was warm and without my knowledge my fingers were slipping on his wet skin. He looked down at my hands and at the same instant looked at me. He moved aside and got out of the pool.

He didn't help me come out. He took the towel and was waking towards the mansion, wiping his hair…and "Acchoon" sneezing too. Kya zaroorat hain ab pool main jump karne ki?

I tried to catch up to him. I couldn't my feet hurt.

Geet:"Maan…I can't run like you…It still hurts"

I called out to him and just stood there. He stopped where he was and turned around with his hands on his waist. Classic Mr. Maan Singh Khurana. I smiled.

He came towards me and we started walking together. He didn't take me in his arms? But why am I expecting that? I stopped him and came close to him and looked into his eyes. It was red and he was still pale. He needed rest and he needed it that minute.

Geet:"Maan, this has to stop. Please aap mujhe baatiye ki aapko kya chaiye"

He pushed me aside and went ahead. I followed him slowly to his room. He was taking out his clothes to change. I saw him take out a white Kurta. I had never seen him in one. I couldn't wait.

I was still dripping. Mera bag? I tried to look for it but I couldn't find it.

Geet:"Maan mera bag kahan hain?"

Maan:"It must be in your room"

My room? I'm not moving back. What should I do? I preferred yesterday's arrangement.

Geet:"Shrivastavji..mera bag kahan hain"

I called out to him and to my surprise, he was in the nearby hallway. What was he doing here?

Shrivastav:"Ji bitiya main abhi leke aata hoon"

He came and gave me a towel. In the time I could get my hands on my bag, he had gone inside to change.

Shrivastav was already here. I was about to grab the bag from him, when he came out from the changing room…He looked like….There was no better word to compare…he was my Maan. I was lost in him. "Aaahhh". I didn't grab the bag that Shrivastav handed me. It landed on my same left foot. He ran to check on me. It didn't ache anymore, for it ached elsewhere. My heart was pulsing, and gushing blood to my cheeks. He was so close and I was about to faint. My legs were weak and I doubted it could carry my weight. I instantly kneeled to catch a moment and he kneeled next to me. He checked on my feet.

Maan:"Geet tum teek tho ho?"

It didn't matter how angry he was. I always came first and I liked that about him.

Geet:"Aapne abhi tak mere jawab nahi diya"

Maan:"Pehle jaake change kar ke aao phir baat karenge"

I digged into my bag. That was the last change of clothes I had. I took it out and it was a white kurta and salwar. I couldn't be happier to match him.

I showered quickly and changed. I walked out determined to have him talk to me.

<Maan's monologue>

No, please not white. That was one color she had not worn often and today, it was more special because she was in my room. I had lost all my restraints for I was already tied to her in all ways. She had confirmed it yesterday. I no longer had any inhibitions; just love in its pure sense was left behind.

She walked towards me and her hair was still wet. She was wiping it down with the towel I had given her.

I didn't know how to stay away from her. I waked to the bed and lay down. I pulled the covers to act sick.

She came and kneeled right next to me and her hands were folded and resting on the bed.

She looked at me for a moment and then checked my forehead.

Geet:"Bhukar nahin hain…"

Maan:"Toh kya hua"

Geet:"Matlab, sirf zhukam and iske liye mere paas perfect medication hain. Ginger and lemon tea"

Maan:"Mujhe kuch nahin chaiye"

<Geet's monologue>

He was still upset if not mad and I wanted to take care of that too.

Geet:"Maan, mujhe pata hain. Aap mujse naaraz hain...please atleast talk to me….Main aapke liye almost 5 hrs + 5 hrs travel karke aai hoon"

Maan:"That is stupidity. Tum pehle yahan se gayi koon?"

I was mad. He was not appreciating the fact that I came back.

Geet:"Main aa tho gayi na…Why are you not considering that?"

<Maan's monologue>

She got up and sat next to the window sitting. I sat myself up in the bed. I thought about it for a second. I was indeed glad that she was back, but she didn't realize how much I wanted to spend time with her. I wanted to wish her at the stroke of midnight too. The whole day I was upset and tormented that she was gone and I that I had lost the opportunity. It had to stop. It always cannot be about her. I had to matter too, if not always atleast soemtimes. I knew I promised her that I didn't expect anything out of her, but I guess I'm human too afterall.

I went and sat next to her.

Maan:"Did you eat?"

Geet:"Aapne kuch kaaya?"

Maan:"I asked you first"

Geet:"Nahin…aur mujhe pata hain ki aapko pharak nahin padta hain"

Maan:"Hmmm..mujhe who chai jo bhi…ginger lemon wala…banake degi"

I tried to maintain a stern tone. I didn't want to soften up on her not yet.

She got up and walked up to the kitchen. I followed her.

Acchoon. My sneezing didn't stop. She came close to give me a tissue.

Driver:"Maan Sir, yeh khana geet ji ne liye the. Ab tak khaye nahin"

She turned and looked at me.

I took the bag and opened up the packets. It was Dhaba wala khana. I went into the kitchen and yanked her to the dining table.

Maan:"Pehle khana kao, aur vuske baad baath karte hain"

She didn't want to sit.

Maan:"Bait thi hain yaa main bitavoon"

Ok. Now I understand, she was never going to get anything straight. Sirk dhamki kaam karta hain iske saat. Isne tho mujhe goonda bana diya. I smiled and she looked up at me. I turned instantly and sat next to her.

Geet:"Aapne kaa chuke hain na? You haven't answered yet"

Maan:"Haan Daadima got me some soup, tumhi ek ho ab tak khaye nahin"

She started eating.

Geet:"Aap taste karnenge? Yeh paneer toh bahuth accha bana hain"

Was I going to say no to her when she was going to feed me? I held her hand and took the mouthful. It was indeed tasty.

Geet:"Accha laga na?"

Maan:"Haan…ek kaur"

Still with the same tone, but she denied this time.

Geet:"Maan ab aapka tabiyat teek nahin hain, Sirf ghar ka khana hi milega aapke liye…"

She was sly about what she was to say.

Geet:"Agar aap chahe toh, we can go out and get it later, when you are perfectly fine"

Hmmm… I didn't mind another day with her.

She was done and instatntly cleared it up. She had a knack for such household work. I followed her into the kitchen.

Maan:"Tum batao main banata hoon"

I wanted to and I had no idea why. I just wanted to follow my instincts.

Geet:"Accha aapko pata hai chai wala bartan kahan hain?"

Maan:"It must be here"

We started looking at the cabinets one by one. She started from the left and I did from the right.

She spotted the vessel in the top second shelf and tried to reach for it. I went to help her out.

<Geet's monologue>

He was right behind me and reached out to get me the vessel. I could feel his breath on my nape.

Maan:"Ab kya karna hain?"

I asked him to get some water and get the stove running. He did as I asked.

Geet:"Ab hame adrak chaiye…"

I went to the fridge and got the ginger. I washed it clean and started taking the skin off it, when he came close and grabbed it off my hands.

Maan:"Main karoonga"

He struggled with it all right, throwing the chilka in all directions and what was left was a small piece of ginger, for he was nothing but a perfectionist.

I laughed out loudly and he was offended by it.

Maan:"Has kyon rahi ho…I cant drink with all this brown stuff"

He added the adrak to the boiling water. Then I asked for lemon, and we found it.

He cut the lemon into two and tried to squeeze the juice into the cup.

Maan:"Aaahh"

The lemon juice squirted into his eye. Yeh toh hona hi tha. He was struggling to see. I ran to get a wet tissue.

<Maan's monologue>

She tried to wipe my eyes and blew gently to make it better. I couldn't take the closeness anymore. I was loosing it.

I moved away to get the honey.

I wanted to finish up fast and get out of this place. I spooned the honey into the cup.

Geet:"Maan, aap tho neeche gira rahe hain…"

She came close to take the spoon out of my hands. She closed the bottle and honey was sticking onto her fingers. She took it to her mouth to get it clean. I rushed to her side. It was mine.

I lifter her fingers to my mouth to wipe it clean. She didn't expect that in any way.

<Geet's monologue>

Yeh…Maan…kya….Aap hosh main toh hain? His lips touched my fingers. It ached. My eyes read questions in his and mine had surprise written all over it. I couldn't afford to get lost in such moments. This was exactly why I was avoiding him and didn't want to stay behind. I knew he would not be able to hold back anymore. My one sentence had given it all to him.

I pulled my fingers out and got to the sink. I washed it clean. The tea was boiling. He went to pour the water directly into the cup.

Geet:"Maan rukiye…ise strain karna padta hain."

I searched for the strainer and got the same. I took the bartan and the glass from his hand. I stood close to the countertop and started to pour the tea through the stariner. I didn't notice, but he came close to stand behind me and held my hands and let me do what I was doing. My hands trembled. He couldn't stop there. He closed the distance between us. His nose traced down my hair, right behind my ear. Why was he doing this to me? I wanted to stay away from him. I didn't have any restraint in me for I wanted him too and that killed me, for I didn't want this want to come out yet.

I struggled to get all the water into the cup and turned instantly to give it to him. I didn't wait for him, but walked staright to the room. He followed and he was done with half his cup.

I went and sat on the window seating. He came and sat on the opposite side. His right leg was folded and his left was still down on the floor. He was handsome in every way. The moonlight hit the metal strap of the watch and the reflection shot up to the roof. He removed it for it hit my eyes too.

I didn't want to dwell on what had happened at the kitchen for I didn't have a solution nor did I know how to bring it up with him. I was about to ask him how the tea was when he placed his hands on my lips.

Maan:"Chup, bilkul chup"

<Maan's monologue>

I got up and went to get her gift.

I sat back in the same position. I asked for her hand. She eyed the box in my other hand.

She got up and was about to walk away. Did the small box scare her?

I stopped her and tugged her hand closer. She sat beside me. I knew what I was doing. I scooped her to have her sit closer to me. I took my leg and rested on the seat to make sure she couldn't get away. She was habituated to slipping away from my hold easily. She was seated between my legs. I held her shoulder and rested her head on mine. Her eyes were closed as she came back.

I slid my hands around her waist and held her tight. She turned away and held my hands in place.

I looked at her. I had to have her close to feel she was mine. I was taking the moment in. She didn't seem uncomfortable, but stuck by passion.

I rested my head on her nape and sat frozen for some time. She didn't move either.

The clock struck 12.00. I turned to look at her. She opened her eyes and looked at me too.

<Geet's monologue>

I struggled with the closeness, but I didn't want to run from it either. I brought my feet closer to my body and he followed. I had completely cuddled into him. He pressed his nose against my cheek and gave me a kiss. My feet and hands tingled for his kiss was filled with such passion. He pressed his lips with such force that it spoke volumes on how much he missed me. All the years of restraint was breaking in him. He was connecting to me in a different level.

Maan:"Happy birthday Geet."

I couldn't speak. I simply turned to look at him.

Maan:"I missed you, if it means anything to you. I thought I was not going to be able to wish you on this day"

He continued with his lips resting on my cheek. It moved all along in the way he opened and closed to say what he was saying.

Maan:"Tum mujhe baar baar kyon chod ke chali jaate ho…Ab main tumse door nahin reh sakta hoon, Samji?"

He moved his head to let me turn. I did to look into his eyes.

He removed his hands around my waist and took the small box and gave it to me.

Maan:"Mere taraf se…tumhare liye…I hope you like it"

I opened the box, with fear. I breathed when I saw it was a charm bracelet from Pandora. It was one of the stores we had been to when shopping for Daadiji's gift. I wanted to buy a bracelet at that time but refrained from doing so for it was not within my range.

Maan:"I want this to remind you of what I think of you…to keep you company when I'm not there"

He pointed to the first charm and said that it was for Inner strength. The second one was a forget me Knot charm. He stopped to explain it.

Maan:"You see how these two threads are tied and if you look at it, there is no start or end to this one. Forget me Knot….like how you tie me to you"

He kissed me again, looking deep into my eyes and for the first time I wanted to take that moment in as is. He continued.

Maan:"This is a butterfly, for all the times you gave me hope to get me out of my cocoon and for all the beauty you brought into my life"

Tears were coming down my eyes. That was just me. Yeh toh kushi ke aasoon hain. This was also the first time, I was actually getting a thoughtful gift. Something picked out of love.

All my school years, I would get new dress and chocolates. When I grew up it was zaver that went towards my marriage. After Dev came into my life the first year was a laptop which he used mostly, second was a wine bottle, which he drank ofcourse. The third was a bouquet. For the fourth I was in India and the fifth it was a card written "Happy birthday to my dear wife, hope we can make it work".

Maan:"This sunburst for all the sunrises I have seen with you. I want many more of it Geet."

I was touched. The Niagara sunrise and the New year sunrise came back to me.

Maan:"This one I wanted it to be diamond alright, its not silver like the others. This is the life's wave, that you keep talking about, but I wanted to tell you that there are diamonds waiting for you beneath those waves when they hit you…and Geet…tumhe darne ki koi zaroorat nahin…Main hoon na tumhare saat"

His eyes assured me the same.

Maan:"Aur yeh…kunki tum bhi yeh moti ki tarah anmol ho. Aur tum chahe to, you can keep this one too. But I wont compel you…"

He didn't explain it to me for I knew what it was. It was "Love me" mother of pearl. I knew the yearning he had in him to hear those words from me.

Maan:"This star for the birthday you spent with me. My best ever"

He kissed me again on my neck. He was showering me with his kisses and I was drenched in his love.

Maan:"Yeh cup tumhare hot chocolate ke liye"

He smiled at me.

Maan:"So do you like it? San Francisco javogi toh yeb sab tumhare saat hoga. Yeh to leke jaa sakte ho na?"

I turned and hugged him. He didn't expect that. He hugged me back instantly.

Geet:"Thank you….mujhe pata bhi nahin taa ki aise meaningful gifts bhi ho sakte hain…Mujhe bahuth pasand hain Maan. Lekin isme ek piece missing hain"

He released his hold to look at me. He questioned what I was talking about.

I wanted to get up and go towards my bag. He didn't let me.

Maan:"Kya chaiye tumhe? Main leke aata hoon"

Geet:"Mera purse"

He got up to get my purse and gave it to me.

I opened it and showed him another charm I had been carrying with me.

<Maan's monologue>

I couldn't believe it. She had gotten a ring put into the white crystal I gave her and had turned it into a charm. It was part of a bracelet, but I had never seen her wear it.

She was one step ahead of me.

Geet:"I got this done a long time ago, but I wasn't sure if I could…."

Her words trailed off.

I removed the crystal out of her bracelet and added it to the one I had got for her. It looked complete.

I pulled her closer with my hand around her waist. She didn't flinch but moved back closer.

Maan:"Ofcourse you can Geet…yeh toh ab tumhara hain"

<Geet's monologue>

I knew what he meant.

He took the bracelet and tightened it around my wrist. It was quite heavy for it was all-metal. Wouldn't they be? For they were all precious moments I shared with him that were carved out of metal for me…just for me.

I didn't need him to lead me anymore. I moved closer to him and leaned on his shoulder. I was shaking from the cold wind that was escaping the window ends. He took the throw next to him and covered us.

Maan:"Khal kab nikhal rahi ho?"

I was surprised he asked me. His anger had gone away. I wanted to give him an incentive for the same. I took my hand and tied it around his waist. He was taken back. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

Geet:"Kal nahi….I want to spend the day with you. But I will leave the next day. Chalega?"

<Maan's monologue>

We stayed that way for some time. She was half asleep, but I couldn't. I was not ready to lose out on any moment of her in my arms. Pata nahin yeh phir se hoga bhi nahin.

Geet:'Suniye…"

I smiled. She had given too much away. I didn't want to make her realize what she had done. I will take everything I can get.

Maan:"Bolo Geet…"

Geet:" How are you feeling now?"

Maan:"Teek hoon..."

Geet:"I think you should sleep….aise hi baite rahenge…toh aap kaise so payengi"

Maan:"I'm sleeping now…"

I smiled.

Geet:"Teek hain…Good night"

She moved to sleep comfortably in my arms. Now I have tasted life with her. I wondered how difficult it was going to get without her by my side. I had stayed away from such human needs for a long time. A strange fear engulfed me. Perhaps this is what it meant to open the Pandora box.

Hey people, this part is purely due to demand for Geet's birthday. perhaps the last Maneet for some time. Hopefully you like it and please post. I'm thinking of abating my posts for sometime due to less number of comments.

hey ............. i'm kinju..... loved ur ff. plzz add me in ur pm list....

Ok.people for some reason the pandora jewelry links didn't work. I'm blaming my Mac for I was able to do the same from PC before. I'm not used to Safari.

hey as usual amazing post.... :)

this is really good ff. really different. 👏

he plz continue dear don't stop in between... plzzzzzz and loved todays part very much....the Purity of Maaneet love was full in line... i loved it....

OMG....... I m so happy i can't tell u........ Personally i don't belive in Love or u can say i never experience dis kind feeling ........ But ur emotional n romantic parts b/w maan nd geet makes me feel really happy........ But after reading ur ff I think Love is a Crazy thing(in a good way) Agar sach main pyaar aisa hota hai toh bahut khubsurat hota hai.