hello there! i really loved ur comments and appreciation guys. thanks a lot. 😊
here you go with the next part. and it is a long update. and it does contain Maaneet. 😃
Chapter 3: Of
Homecoming, Kiss, and The Marriage Proposal
Back at the Khurana mansion, dadima had been eagerly waiting
for her grandbabies to return, especially the youngest male of the house. With
moist eyes, she decorated the pooja thali. She felt a sense of dj vu. All
this had been done before. Yes! Once, when HE was to return, almost five years
ago. A fresh bout of nostalgia hit her, as she resumed the preparations with
the memories of the past. The doorbell brought her back to the present.
Vicky.
Dadi smiled. Gopal Kaka opened the door.
Vicky grinned seeing
her beloved Dadima, Pratham veerey, and bhabhi. Oh how he had missed his
whole family! As he was about to step in, he was stopped by dadi.
"Rukiye bte. Pehle hum aapka welcome karenge", with that,
she lifted up the pooja thali, and welcomed her dear grandson home.
Geet and Arohi followed. Vicky met everyone and hugged them.
As the meeting session was going on, something struck Geet. She had seen all
this before. With these thoughts, her mind transported her back to the past.
PAST(Geet's POV)
"Geet bte! Aap jaldi aayie. Kaafi kaam baki hai tayaari ka abhi. We
need to throw a grand party tomorrow. Uski sab tayaari karni hai. It's a
surprise for him. Toh hum unke saamne nhi kar sakte na. In the next fifteen
minutes, I need you here, at the mansion.", Dadima ordered me on the phone.
I was excited, enthusiastic. HE was coming back. After two months. I
just could not wait to see him. It had been ages! And I am going to confess
today! No matter what. Whether he accepts, whether he rejects. Whether he loves
me or not, I am going to confess. He wont eat me up now would he? I mean, we're
friends. And he would understand even if he would not reciprocate my feelings,
right?
Well, Geet! Stop being nervous. He is Maan. He would understand!
"Jee daadima. I'll be there, along with Vicky. Waise bhi, he has a
flight today. I am just helping him with the packing. As soon as its over, I'll
be there with him and the stuff. And don't you worry daadi! This would be his
best homecoming ever for him!", I smirked at the thought, and exclaimed.
"OK bte! Bas aap aa jaayie. 2 hours reh gaye hain unki flight land
hone me bas.", daadima informed me.
"Sure daadi. Would be there in another half an hour.", I assured her.
And hung up.
I rushed outside to the living room only to find Vicky asleep on the
couch!
"Ey lo! Yeh janaab so rahe hain. Kabhi sudhrenge nahi yeh bas!"
"Vicky! Get up. We don't have time. We have to pack, and go to the
mansion then. C'mon up!", I called out to him, while packing some of his
clothes.
Period.
"Vicky? Uth na!", I raised my voice a bit now.
Period.
"W*F!", I thought
"Toh yeh aise nahi maanega!"
"FINE!"
I got an idea, and I smirked inwardly at my brilliant brain!
I went to the kitchen, and found what I was searching for. I poured the
water into the bottle's cap, and tiptoed back into the living room.
"Perfect!"
I leaned over to the couch, and emptied the cap full of water into
Vicky's mouth.
*cough cough*
He fell down on the floor coughing, and I fell down on the floor
laughing.
"Geet! What the F***!", he screamed at me.
"You wouldn't wake up when I called out to you. You wouldn't even budge
when I moved u a bit. And you left me with no other option. Now! We have to
finish the packing, and head to the mansion.", I said, trying to put up a serious
face. Inside, I was still laughing at his state.
He glared at me. But he knew I
was right. He knew he slept like a horse.! So he was silent. And followed what
I said. I swear I could die laughing- the kind of faces he made- were so funny.
After an hour and a half, and the countless phone calls by daadi, we
were at the mansion.
"Daadi! We're home!", I and Vicky exclaimed in unison.
"Aayie! You are so late! See, maine saari preparations khud hi karli,
Arohi ki help se.", Daadi complained.
"All because of Vicky's sleeping skills daadi!", I put the blame on
him, and giggled.
Vicky glared at me again. I rolled my eyes.
Arohi entered the hall. She hugged me.
"How are you Geet?!", she asked me.
And before I could even answer, she added.
"Oho! What kind of a question am I asking. Bhai is coming back today.
Of course you'll be fine, and happiest today. Right?", she asked again, in a
teasing tone.
I blushed. My heartbeat quickened just at the mention of him.
"Look at you! Ms. Oh-he's-coming-home! Crimson. This is not the color
of your cheeks now, is it?", Vicky teased me too.
"Shut up!", I rolled my eyes, and said, embarrassed.
Yes! I blushed. How could I not? Hadn't awaited this moment every day
for the past two months? The time had felt like eons to me.
I loved him. Simple.
I could not stay away from him now. Not even a moment. I had fallen in
love with him the day I sawand talked with him. Everything about him- his
attitude, his gentleness, his care, his friendship, his words, his demeanor,
his elegance, the poise, his dashingly handsome looks, HIM- everything I loved
to bits.
He was my prince charming- suave, tender and masculine. His deep
chestnut eyes- Oh boy! They spoke volumes. His lips- I had wished to feel them
upon my own. No! I did not lust over him.
Passion. Attraction. LOVE.
I did not like things complicated. I never had. I knew and had accepted
my feelings the day I had realized. My thoughts were disturbed by a voice.
Deep, rich masculine voice.
"Squadron Leader Maan Singh Khurana is home"
My lips curved into a smile. I turned around.
And I fell in love with him, all over again.
He looked strikingly handsome- in his white uniform.
Squadron Leader Maan S. Khurana- the words played in my mind. So this
was it- the reason for the grand party that was to be held tomorrow.
A yet another step to his success- to our success.
He was welcomed inside. Arohi and Vicky ran to hug him, together. It
was a sot of a group hug. I wished I could be a part of it too. But I stayed
back. My turn would come- I thought and blushed again. He then bent down to
touch daadi's feet.
"God bless you Maan bte.", she gave him his blessings.
"Pratham veerey?", he questioned.
I was disappointed. Had he not noticed me? Or had he simply ignore me?
The former option seemed more likely. I waited.
"I'm here Maan.", Pratham veerji exclaimed.
They hugged each other.
"Bhabhi!", he smiled and gave Naina bhabhi a side hug.
Everyone was done. My turn now?
"Hey Geet!", he turned to me. He definitely would have noticed the hope
in my eyes.
He walked towards me. I walked towards him. To hug him.
I stood in front of him.
"Hey Maan! Its nice to have you back", with this, I moved in for a hug.
He stepped backwards.
I was confused.
He simply held out his hand for me to shake. My face fell. I was sad. I
sighed.
We shook hands.
"Chaliye aap sab log dinner ke liye ready ho jaayie. Maan bte aap
fresh ho jaayie mai dinner lagaati hoon.", Daadi commanded everyone.
Sometimes, I felt that it was daadi who was the military woman. I
chuckled inwardly at my stupid thought. Maan went inside. We settled at the
dining table.
After a while, he came down, in his black vest, and his night PJ's. I
gaped at him. The vest gave me the full view of his toned body, as it hugged
his muscles tight. I was awestruck. How could somebody look so dashing! He was
a Greek God.
As he settled himself at the table, everyone started the dinner. I too.
At the dinner table, I would have stolen glances at him more than
10,000 times, if not less. I could not take my eyes of him. Was it because I
was seeing him after whole two months? Or was it just the love that I felt for
him? I did not know.
After we were finished, everyone resigned to their rooms, except daadi,
who stayed back.
"Maan bte! Aap Geet ko ghar chhod kea a jaayie.", she told him.
"Nahi daadi its okay. Mai khud hi chali jaaungi na.", I assured her.
"Geet! I'll drop you home. C'mon.", he butted in between.
"Great!", I thought.
After the ignorance back there, I had least bit wanted to be with him
alone.
But he was stubborn, as always. So I agreed. Daadi went back to her
room.
"I'll be right back.", he said, and rushed back to his room.
Before I could say "rabbit", he was back.
"Chalo.", he held my hand and we walked outside, to his car.
We drove off.
While in the car, I switched on the radio. 95.00 FM. My favorite song.
Breathless- by Corrs. The song for the moment.
"Urgh!", I screamed in my mind.
Go
on, go on
Leave
me breathless
Come
on
The
daylight's fading slowly
The
time with you is standing still
I'm
waiting for you only
The slightest
touch and I feel weak
And then suddenly, while he was changing gears, his hand brushed mine.
The touch- HIS touch- warmed my insides. It was true- I felt weak with his
slightest touch.
I
cannot lie
From
you I can not hide
I'm
losing will to try
Can't
hide it
Can't
fight it
I so wanted to blurt out. "I Love You". I don't know why was I not able
to speak. I wanted to, I had to, or I might die. I could not hide it from him.
So
go on, go on
Come
on leave me breathless
Tempt
me, tease me
'Till
I can't deny this
Loving
feeling
Let
me long for your kiss
Go
on, go on
Yeah
come on
I wanted his kiss. Suddenly, I had this urge, to just slam my lips over
his. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He seemed unnerved.
And
if there's no tomorrow
And
all we have is here and now
I'm
happy just to have you
You're
all the love I need somehow
It was true. He was all the love I needed. Surprisingly, I did not care
if he loved me or not. I was just happy to be with him. To have him with me. It
seemed as if this moment, was all I had. Here and now.
It's
like a dream
Although
I'm not asleep
I
never want to wake up
Don't
lose it
Don't
leave it
Watching a dream with open eyes it was. I was content to have him with
me after so long. It really felt like a dream. And I just wanted to hold on,
for if I wake up, he might go away again. I never wanted to wake up.
So go on, go on
Come
on leave me breathless
Tempt
me, tease me
'Till
I can't deny this
Loving
feeling
Let
me long for your kiss
Go
on, go on
Yeah
come on
And
I can't lie
From
you I can not hide
I've
lost my will to try
Can't
hide it
Can't
fight it
So
go on, go on
Come
on leave me breathless
Tempt
me, tease me
'Till
I can't deny this
Loving
feeling
Make
me long for your kiss
Go
on, go on
Come
on leave me breathless
Go
on, go on
Come
on leave me breathless
Go
on, go on
Come
on leave me breathless
Go
on, go on
That was it. I was breathless.
"Stop!", I screamed.
He stopped the car with a jerk.
In the middle of the road.
"Geet? What happened? Are you Okay?", he inquired, worry etched over
his face.
I looked at him. I swear he would have seen the love. My love, for him.
"Maan.", I whispered.
"Yes Geet? Do u want to say something?", he asked in an equally soft
tone.
Yes yes yes! I love you Maan!, my heart screamed.
"No actually. A' wo' nothing, lets go.", I stuttered.
He lifted my face up with his fingers. Brought his face dangerously
close to mine. I felt the desire shoot up my veins.
Closer. His lips brushed with mine.
And he backed off.
"I Love You!", I blurted.
I don't know how I gathered the strength to say it. It was like, words
came out on their own.
He was staring at me. Astonished. Too surprised to say anything
probably.
I searched for words to fill the silence.
"Maan! Its okay if you do not love me. I mean. I love you, yes. But I
do not expect you to reciprocate my feelings. I mean, we're still friends okay.
And you don't have to'", I trailed off. And we were silent again.
And then he did something, that made my heart leap out of my chest. He
kissed me.
He kissed me gently. I felt so complete. The feel of those lips on
mine. I had longed this for, God knows how many days and months!
He very tenderly pecked me first, then looked at me, as if to seek my
approval. I, in return, pulled him by his collar, and kissed him deep. I kissed
him full mouth. Very very softly, he parted open the seal of my lips, and
explored the insides of my maw. His tongue played with mine. My hands moved up
his neck, and I dug my fingers into his hair. He rested his hands on my waist,
and moved them in harmony to his lips. He brought out feelings, which I did not
even know, existed in me. The kiss sent a tingle down my throat, and my
stomach. I moaned. As softly as he had started it, he pulled back with the same
gentleness. He then ended it with a peck. He increased the distance between us,
so that he could speak.
I instantly looked down, shying.
"Geet! Please look at me", he urged me to look up.
I looked up at him.
"I Love You. I have loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I will
love you tomorrow. I will love you till my last breathe, and even after that."
I was just looking at him, too overwhelmed to say anything.
He pulled out a box from his pocket, held it out in front of me and
asked me out.
"Ms. Geet Rudra Pratap Singhania. Ever since the day you entered my
life, you have filled it with joy and laughter. Will you continue to fill my
life with happiness like before? Will you be with me through my thick and thin?
Will you love me like you do now, forever? Will you be mine for eternity? And
will you grace my house with your presence as the daughter in law of that
house? Will you be my wife? Will you marry me? "
My mouth formed an "O". I covered it with both my hands, lest I would
scream, shout, yell in joy!
"YES YES YES!", I exclaimed.
No candlelight dinner, no red roses, no white horse, no carriage.
Nothing as I had wanted, or expected. Yet, it was the proposal I could have
died a thousand deaths for. The moment was captured in my mind, and it would
remain in my memory forever. A proposal in the car. With Maan, I and a ring.
He embraced me in his arms, as much as he could, in the car. I loved
the feeling. I had wanted to stay there, forever.
She was brought back to reality by another knock on the
door, and the buzz of Vicky's cellphone.
"Arjun!", Arohi shouted out.
He smiled.
Arjun Mittal, the only son of the famous businessman Lalit
Mittal, was Arohi's fianc. He was extremely good looking, humble, decent and
nice. He was good friends with the Khurana children, and respected Daadima as
his own.
He came inside, and Arohi hugged him. He took daadi's
blessings and smiled at Geet, Pratham and Naina.
Geet, who's chain of thoughts had been broken by Arjun's
entry, and Vicky's cellphone, was in tears now. The feeling of forever was
gone. A horrible sadness lingered in her heart. She just ran inside her room,
HIS room. It was supposed to be theirs after marriage. But everything had been
shattered. Her every dream was broken. And all she could do was remember those
moments and cry. The pain was still fresh in her heart, as if he had left
yesterday. It had been so much time, and still, she was no where near
overcoming the past. As she reached the room, she picked up he frame, that
contained a photograph of them, together. She hugged it, sat on the bed, and
cried. She sobbed, and her heart wrenched in pain. The agony of losing him, of
not being able to be with him, of just being helpless and not being able to not
think about his memories every instant. How she wished she could just die!
Meanwhile, in the hall downstairs, everyone had been shocked
to see this reaction from Geet. After a while, dadima understood. She stopped
Arohi from going inside.
How they wished they could take her pain away.! Just how
much they had wanted to see her happy and smiling. Fate plays games. And this
one was brutal.
During the same period of time, Vicky was on phone. He had
got a call and he had taken it before he could realize what Geet had gone
through in just five minutes.
"Hello", Vicky spoke on phone.
"Hey Vicks!", the caller on the other end literally
screamed.
"Natasha?", he asked, to confirm.
"Yes! Its I. How are you? Its been soooo long! By the way,
guess what?!", she spoke everything in one go.
"Hey Nuts! Am real good. And yes, it has been long indeed.
And you know I don't like your guess games, so please. Care to inform me?", he
told her and counter questioned.
"Not fair dude! Anyway leave that. I am in Delhi.", she
exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Oh wow! That's great news.! So when am I seeing you?", he
asked her.
"Very soon. I have some work here. I'll explain you
everything when we meet. For now, I just wanted to inform you. I'll have to
take leave now. Someone's waiting for me. See you very soon.", she spoke
cheerfully.
"Yea sure. I'd sure want to see that someone also. Bye for
now. take care.", he smiled and bid her.
"Hahah. Sure sure. Chal, see you. You too, take care! Bye!",
she said and hung up.
When Vicky returned downstairs, Daadi informed him about
Geet's sudden behavior. He understood. Something must have struck her again,
and she would have remembered HIM. His heart bled at the thought of his best
friend being in pain.
"I'll go see her", with that, he went to his brother's room.
He knew she was there, that's where she used to go, when she
had wanted to cry her heart out, or find solace. He stood at the door, ad heard
her muffled cries. It pained him to see her like that. He went upto her, and as
was his almost routine, pulled her into a hug, and let her cry her heart out.
He could offer her nothing, except a shoulder to cry on. He could not offer her
consolation. For he himself did not have it in him, to think about the tragic
loss, and not cry.
As the dusk approached, the two hearts cried. Two souls
died- for a loss, that could never be restored, a damage, that could never be
mended, and for all the memories, which would remain engraved in their hearts
and minds, for eternity.
PS: i am scared. reasons:
1. i dont know at all whether the kiss part has come out well upto your expectations or not.
2. i dont know at all whether the proposal part lived upto your expectations or not.
So, genuinely, all criticisms welcome.
Waiting for your comments guys! with crossed fingers, and eyes shut. 🥱😵
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