CHPATER 15
Re-Living the Past . . . Part 3
"NOT NOW" Maan barked.
He strode away banging the door behind him while Pammi seethed. She couldn't let all her hard work go down the drain. It had taken her a whole lot of planning to get that Geet Handa out of Maan's life, and no ways in hell would she let all of it go down the drain. She had tactfully sent Savitri Devi away to London, she'd made sure Savitri Devi knew none of it, she'd set up everything in Hoshiyaarpur, she'd bribed people to lie, and what not. She couldn't afford to let all of it go waste.
It was then that her phone rang . . .
*******
"Why do I feel you are hiding something?"
"No Dadi ma . . . I am absolutely happy and I am not hiding anything from you"
"What went wrong Geet" Savitri tried once again. She was somewhere hopeful Geet would open up to her.
What went wrong! This was a question which she herself had no answer to. All she remembered was when it all fell apart.
~Flashback~
Geet smiled as she humbly said "Aunty I'll take my leave now. See you in the morning"
Turning around, Geet exited the room just as she crashed into him. Looking him, she found him stare at her blankly.
She hugged him as her hands went round his waist. "Missed you"
And then . . .
He pushed her off of him as he strode away while she staggered backwards.
******
"Maan what's wrong" She said as he held him hand which was about to hit the window glass.
He held her by her shoulders painfully as he rasped "I hate you". She forgot to breathe.
"I HATE YOU" He shook her shoulders. Her head shook in denial as tears pricked her eyes.
"I don't want you in my life" He hissed. She gaped at him with hurt in her eyes.
"You're a mistake that I made" He ranted. She felt her world stop at her.
"We're over" He bit out. She froze.
"You and I . . . we are done" His nails dug into her shoulders. Tears spilled down her eyes.
"I hate you" He pushed her away. She mumbled "I love you"
Then he stormed off. Minutes ticked off. She just stood there like rock . . . motionless.
She heard the roar of an engine. She looked out of the window. She saw him drive. She ran.
******
The cold wind cut right through her as she ran after him. Terror seized her soul as she saw him drive away from her. Tripping over a stone, she fell onto the ground and tiny stones cut through her salwar and pierced into her skin. Her chin hit the ground and her chest collided against the ground. She got on her feet as she ran wiping her tears. Her skin cut at the palm and her elbows were oozing blood. Her knees bled as her shins pricked with pain.
Stumbling, she forced her legs to keep moving on as his car sped away. She screamed for him to stop . . .
Her heels broke as her ankle twisted and she collapsed on the ground. Extending her bleeding arm outward, she called out to him but his car moved away into the darkness.
******
She begged . . . pleaded . . . demanded . . . cried . . . But nothing seemed to deter him. He'd become a cold mean hearted man, who gave a damn about her. She questioned him why he left him. She demanded to know just what the hell her mistake was. She cried for him to have her back. Two months of torment and running behind him but he didn't budge. He refused to talk with her, he disregarded her presence. He had her chucked out of his house whenever she tried to meet him. He trampled on whatsoever they shared.
Then finally the day came when she gave up and left it all on almighty. She went to his house one last time.
"Do you not love me" she asked through tears as she barged into his cabin.
"I never loved you" she heard his hollow reply.
"You can tell me you don't love any more for all I care because I know that is plain lie . . ." Tears cascaded down her cheeks "Although just for a fleeting moment but your eyes betray your words before you conceal them the next second . . ." she walked over to him. "In that one passing moment when you say you hate me I see a tinge of pain in your eyes and that is enough for me to know you love me . . ." she stood before him. "You can try as hard as you want, may be try killing me" She smiled ruefully "Try tearing my heart into shreds . . ." Her heart bleed to see him stand unperturbed in front of her. "Try ripping my soul, whatever you do . . ." She fought back her sobs "I will love you no matter what . . . only yours FOREVER." She took a step away from him. "But I will no longer beg for you, I won't plead for you to take me back." She looked into his cold eyes as she continued "I have understood you don't want me in your life and I will not force you into anything which isn't to your likes. But I promise you, wherever I am, whatever year it is, whichever place I live in, I will pray to god . . ." she smiled through the tears "That someday you will once again hold me in your arms, whisk me off my feet and kiss me senseless, call me yours . . ." She turned to leave. "I will pray to hear those three magical words from you again . . . Maan ki Geet" Said that she walked away.
Few days after their last meeting, she'd gone to the market only to come back and find her house incinerated.
Then she'd left the city.
~Present~
"Beta you can tell me" Savitri Devi urged bringing Geet out of her trance.
"Dadi ma . . . trust me . . . Nothing went wrong . . . we were just not meant to be" Geet said "I am happy with my life"
*******
"No you are not coming home" Pammi yelled into the receiver "You hear me, you are not coming home"
"NO arguments"
"You've done enough damage already, you were suppose to get rid of her"
"Oh you shut up' don't give me that bullshit. I am not buying any of your lame excuses"
"Oh so he saved her . . . what the hell were your men doing, watching him take her away like cowards"
"I am in no mood to discuss all this crap now"
"I'll meet you tonight"
"NO not anywhere near the mansion."
"I'll let you know where"
"Bye and Take care"
*******
"Geet why didn't you move on if you're happy" Savitri Devi prodded "Is there something you want to tell me' I've always loved you as my own, you can confide in me"
"Dadi ma" She gulped as she continued "I . . . Am . . . truly happy believe me and as of now I just want to take the best care of my daughter." She squeezed Savitri Devi's hand "I will someday find someone and not like there's anything holding me back. I am just waiting for my" She winked "Mr Right . . ." Tears brimmed in her eyes as her heart felt burdened with guilt for having lied to a woman who was more than just a grandmother for her. Her mind drifted down the memory lane . . .
~Flashback~
Maan was away on a business tour when it happened.
The accident . . . it had happened in a hilly area . . . the car had smashed into a lorry and fallen off the cliff . . .
A corpse had been laid out on the ground . . . covered with a sheet of white.
Her hands had been shaking as she had been fighting back her tears and hoping . . . hoping by some miracle her father was still alive . . . and this body was not that of her father.
The wind flapped away the cover off of the body.
She was devastated . . . her heart cried . . . her breathing stopped . . . her tears burned her eyes . . . she screamed.
Her father was no more.
******
She needed him . . . more than ever.
"Maan . . . papa" her voice cracked "Please come back . . . I need you"
"I'll be there by the next flight . . ." Maan replied as he rushed out of the office.
"Maan . . . I . . . need . . . you" she cried between the sobs.
"Geet please . . . please don't cry." He got into the car. "I am on my way to the airport."
"Papa" she cried.
"Geet listen to me' you have to be strong. You hear me, you will be strong." He said as he drove recklessly.
"Maan . . ."
"Geet you will not stay alone. OK. You will stay in Khurana mansion till I come."
"Hmm . . ."
"Please Geet . . . I can't bear to hear your cries"
"Come to me"
"I am" he said as he rushed inside the Airport "I AM"
******
She sat curled up in a corner, with her hands wrapped around her knees and her knees and her head downcast.
It was then she felt a hand over her shoulder. With swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks she looked up as she sprang to her feet and threw her arms around Savitri Devi. "Dadi ma papa" she snivelled.
******
She lay with her head in Savitri Devi's lap as she shed silent tears while Savitri ran a loving hand through her hair. Hiding her face in Savitri Devi's lap Geet clung to her Dadi ma, locking her hands behind her back.
"Beta, always remember you have me and Maan with you no matter what" Savitri whispered softly "And you are my granddaughter . . . you know that right" Geet merely nodded.
The next morning she'd woken up in Savitri Devi's lap . . . it was then she felt what a mother's love was like.
*****
She was sitting on the swing when Maan had come running to her and literally pulled her into his arms, sitting next to her while she let her sorrow flow in the form of her tears.
A month after her father's death she's handed over the entire Handa Empire into Maan's hands saying she never wanted to work as the CEO and that it really wasn't her cup of tea. Although Maan had been reluctant to accept but when she made him swear on her, he couldn't refuse. Once he had accepted she'd sighted another reason why only he filled the bill perfect and not her. After all she wasn't an expert at yelling at people like he was. He had scoffed at her remark about his temper while she'd let out a soft chuckle. With him by her side, she could face anything.
~Present~
"Are you sure you are not lying to me" Savitri Devi's question brought her out of her trance.
"Why would I" Geet chuckled as she tried to mask her real feelings.
"But'
"Dadi ma, believe me I would have told you if there was something to tell . . ." She smiled warmly at Savitri Devi who although was not satisfied with the way things were shaping up rather had already taken form into. She could read the hurt in Geet's eyes. She tried one last time "Was your break up with Maan really mutual"
"I just remembered I had some work calls to be made. I'll see you at dinner" Saying so, she lifted Meha in her arms as she walked over to the guest room.
*****
Lurching through the hall way, he stopped in his tracks as he heard his grandmother ask Geet that damned question "Why did she not move on". Although he knew the answer all too well, he still wanted to know what she would tell Dadi ma. He heard her tell the lie . . . he heard her say she was happy . . . He heard her say she was waiting for her Mr Right. She was a smooth liar. He knew she wasn't happy and that she was holding herself behind. He knew the hurt he had inflicted on her was way too deep and the scars on her soul were to remain forever. She wouldn't move on, he knew it. Not that even if she would want to move, he'd let her . . . No way was he allowing her to ever . . . EVER move on. She would live a damned living all her life. He'd make sure of that.
*****
"Hello"
"I am fine beta"
"I need you tell me everything you know about Geet . . . About the past two years she'd spent in Amritsar" Savitri Devi said into the phone. "Alright, give me a call when you're done" She cut the call as she took a deep sigh. She would set all right. She just had to but for that she needed to know just what the hell had transpired in her absence. Somewhere she got the eerie feeling, whatever it was, was definitely something gravely horrendous.
*****
"Dost . . . Dost" Meha cried as she bit Geet.
"Bacha please . . . Mamma will get you chocolate"
"Dost . . . Pas jana" Meha wailed "Dost" Meha pulled Geet's hair.
"Ok . . . Meha wants to play with her new friend. Mamma will take her to her friend" Geet said as she walked towards Maan's room with heavy steps. She wasn't sure if she should go to him but then she also knew how stubborn Meha was.
She knocked at his door . . .
She gulped as the door flapped open and she met his eyes "Meha wanted'
She didn't have to complete her statement as Maan extended his arms forward and Meha clung to him merrily. Then he slammed the door shut over her face as she smiled ruefully and walked back to her room.
******
Sitting at the window she remembered the day when for the first time Maan had been rude with her.
~Flashback~
Opening her eyes, after having done with her prayed Geet turned to leave only to find Mind standing at the end of the stairs. Walking over to him, Geet smiled as she held his arm but much her to her surprise he pulled his hand away as he abruptly left.
*****
She charged inside the room as she yelled "You left me alone". Seething, she walked over to him and prodded him in the ribs as she tried to gain his attention though while he sat stiff on the bed.
"How dare you leave you me alone" She raved "I had to walk back to the hotel as I couldn't find a damned cab." She realised he wasn't listening and that infuriated her. First the man leaves her alone in some temple, and now he had the nerve to avoid her. He was the limit. She poked his arm as she ranted "Hello . . . I am yelling at you"
That was it. He wasn't reacting. She held him by the shoulders as she shook him violently and accidently he fell onto the floor while he bit her tongue. Damn! She didn't mean for that to happen. But well he deserved it. How dare he leave her alone?
Crossing her hands over her chest she waited for him to react and a moment later she felt him grab her shoulders forcefully as he bit out "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT"
She cried as she rushed out of the room screaming "Don't you dare come after me"
~Present~
She heard the rumble of distant thunder and her reverie was broken as she started out at the seamless sky.
******
Maan yelped as Meha pulled his cheek and shrieked "Cutie"
"I am not cutie" Maan pouted.
"Cutie"
"Meha baby doll' you want to play" He said as he ignored the 'Cutie'
"Cutie" Meha poked his cheek. "Cutie" She clapped her hands. "Cutie . . . cutie . . . cutie . . . cutie . . . cutie" Meha raved.
"STOP" Maan shouted and the next moment as the realisation that he'd shouted at Meha sunk in he closed his eyes in guilt.
Meha pounded fists at shoulder as she cried "You . . . shouted . . . me . . . no galti . . . you bad"
"I am so sorry baby doll" Maan hugged her close to his heart as she continued crying "You . . . bad . . . bad . . . bad . . .
Maan balled his fingers into a fist just as the words reminded him of Geet . . . Meha called him bad exactly like the way Geet had called him bad over and over again.
~Flashback~
"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT" He yelled in frustration. He was just not in his senses. What did Geet have to do with his mother's death? The words ringed in his mind.
"She could have saved her you know"
"Kiran Khurana fell at her knees but the girl didn't budge"
"Poor lady, leave alone living with dignity, she couldn't even have a respectful death."
"Hum bhi kiski baat karne lage, there is no use talking about all this. I pity Kiran Khurana"
The clatter of shutting a door brought him out of his thoughts and he realised just what he had said to Geet.
His heart beat became frantic as his breathing hitched and he ran . . . Screaming for her to stop as she ran towards the elevator, he cried out to her. He couldn't let her go away from him . . . No . . . he just had to stop her. How could he have even weighed those baseless words over his Geet? He knew just how and when his mother had died. How could he have yelled at Geet for no mistake of hers? Damn those gossip makers, who had nothing better to do so why not make rubbish stories. He'd made a mistake . . . God, he couldn't lose her. She was too precious to let go.
Then she stopped . . .
She turned . . .
He rushed towards her . . .
"I am so sorry" he hissed as he seized her in a bone crushing hug "So sorry"
She pushed him away as she cried "Don't touch me" Her eyes brimmed over and tears fell on her cheeks "You jerk"
He pulled her to him, as he encircled his arm round her wait and cupped her cheek with the other hand as he whispered "Please forgive me"
"You . . . shouted . . . at . . . me" She said between the sobs "without my . . . mistake . . . you're a jerk . . . a bad . . . bad . . . bad . . . ganda wala jerk . . . you're so bad . . . B . . . A . . . D . . . bad . . . bad . . .
He shut her up as he crushed his mouth over hers and kissed her furiously.
~Present~
A shrill cry brought him out his reverie . . . Meha was wailing . . . Again. Well, turns out she did get some things from her mother. He chuckled as a childhood memory stirred inside his mind. Meera was one hell of a cry girl, she just needed a chance to cry. He remembered how he'd called her skinny toy and she'd bawled endless for a freaking hour.
"So why is baby doll crying" He asked as he kissed Meha's cheek and walked towards his room.
******
"Give me Pinky's number. I'll talk with her myself." Savitri Devi said over phone as she waited for the person to tell her the number.
"Thank you beta" Savitri Devi replied after noting down the number. "For everything . . . Had you not informed me about Geet's accident and Maan's words . . . I would have never known"
"I know' I know she is you friend and you did it for her . . . she is lucky to have friend like you"
"I will update you soon' Bye and Take care" she said as she cut the call.
Then she called Pinky.
******
Maan barged into her room . . .
She gasped . . .
He charged towards the window where she stood . . .
He held her wrist and pulling her to him, he slammed his body onto hers as he pressed his mouth upon her, kissing her raving mad. "I . . ." He nibbled her lower lip "Love . . ." his teeth sank into her soft skin "You". He seized her mouth in a searing kiss.
******
Precap: "Had it been for Maan, the man who loves Geet, we would have always been together. But it isn't about Maan, it's about Maan Singh Khurana" he hissed as he gulped another drink whilst watching her from a far.
So sorry for the same Precap . . . I just couldn't squeeze it in . . . had thought of revealing some things but the update is already quite long and I am hell tired . . . When I had started this FF I had never thought it would be any longer than 15 parts but damn . . . This is going to be at least 25 part long . . .
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