PART 14
15. Awakened
The call from the hospital came in the morning to remind Geet about the scan that was scheduled for the morning. They were at the breakfast table. Geet had managed to come to the dining room on her own, walking slowly with the help of the walls and rails. Though her leg was better in the morning, she was not confident about going to the hospital, for her leg was starting to throb again. She wondered if she could postpone, but Daadi wouldn't hear of it.
"Maan will take you. Wont you Maan?" Daadi asked Maan who had just come to the table.
"Wont I what?"
"Take Geet for her scan. The hospital called to remind of the NT scan. Geet wants to postpone..."
"Maan looked at Geet, who seemed determined not to look at him and that irked him.
"Sure, I'll take Geet. When is the appointment?"
"At 110'clock" Daadi answered.
"11 o' clock..." Maan thought. "okay."
Geet lifted her eyes to his. "My legs are better now, I'll manage. Besides you have an appointment with Mr. Mehra at 10:30"
"So...re-arrange it!"
"But..."
"Do it Geet" Maan ordered. "As my secretary it is your duty to follow my instructions without arguing with me.
"Okay sir." Geet answered demurely.
Daadi observed the exchange with interest. Was something wrong? She decided to check.
"Maan did you enjoy the movie? Which one did you watch?" She knew perfectly well Maan avoided watching movies!
"I ...how...?"
"How did I know? I couldn't find Geet when I went to her room to check on her in the morning. So I went to find you, to seek your help and found you missing too. Finally I found you both in the home theatre. You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't have a heart to wake you up."
Mid way thru' her talk, Geet shifted her gaze from Daadi to Maan...when Daadi mentioned about them sleeping, Maan chocked on his food and Daadi calmly offered him a glass of water. Then stood up to thump his head. Maan's eyes were drawn to Geet who was looking down with a mortified expression, her cheeks red with embarrassment. Daadi sat back as if nothing was amiss.
"Woh...Daadi...Geet fell asleep on the couch after the movie...and since I was feeling sleepy , i..."
"Of course Maan you shouldn't leave Geet alone in a strange room at night. Especially after..." she sighed." You did the right thing." Daadi reached over to press Maan's hand to show her approval.
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The sense of being safe and content had registered in her sleep hazy mind and she had kept he eyes closed, unwilling to face the day. The strength and the warmth of the arm that encircled her made her feel protected... made her wish to snuggle deeper and to hold on for ever...to go on with her slumber like a child who had no care for the world...to be selfish and think only about herself...to dream that she had found her haven at last...dream!...she hadn't had any nightmare last night...his arms held her safe from them...the warmth and security of his presence had permeated into her sleep...holding the demons at bay...the monsters whom she was sure would invade her once she fell asleep. Ah! The beauty and relief of waking up in the arms of your love...LOVE! She loved him... The realization made her open her eyes in shock...no sudden moves! Her heart pleaded...let me savour these moments...relish in his nearness...prolong these moments as long as you could...let the eyes take its fill of his nearness...
He looked so serene while sleeping...his perfect face relaxed...yet strength was etched in every feature of his face. She shifted her hand to skim it over his face, just a hair breath away from touching him. Her hands moved over his high forehead, traced his shapely eyebrows, skimmed down his majestic nose, traced his 'm' shaped lips to move to his cheeks...to imitate the way he touched her cheek. His eyes were closed...those gorgeous eyes that filled with care when he looked at her...but there was something else too last night at the party... For a moment she had been scared to see in his eyes the reflection of hunger, of passion...what will they hold if he opens them now, she wondered...but he will never be mine once he wakes up...her heart whimpered, making her close her eyes again...the image of Maan's eyes around Sameera as they danced, sneaked in unbidden
....they looked perfect together, cried her heart..they are perfect together, you silly girl her sanity mocked...Sam is perfect for Maan ...they belong...see her ...so beautiful, sophisticated, accomplished and what more, with no scars on her...no blemish on her past...the image of them as Maan kissed Sam's hand tenderly projected itself on her mind...making her cringe and open her eyes...nooo..she moaned in anguish. Maan woke up instantly at the sound and felt her distress.
"What is it, Geet? Is your leg paining?" he asked, concerned at the pain in her eyes. She shook her head, fighting back the tears that threatened at his tender concern.
"What is it then? " he asked again, lifting her head with a hand under her chin to search her face.
"I ...I..didn't mean to..." she stopped and her sanity screamed, "what where you about to say... you didn't mean to fall in love? Perfect!"
She pulled her eyes away from him, looking down. The rush of blood that turned her cheeks rosy fascinated him. Maan cupped it, feeling their warmth on his hand, and forced her to look at him again. "You didn't mean to?" Maan asked softly moving closer.
" I didn't mean to...to fall asleep." Her eyes were desperate. 'hold me...never let go..." her heart pleaded. 'move away...break free' commanded the brain. Her hands moved to hold his and gently tug, even as her eyes closed in surrender, inviting his touch. He hesitated for a split second and let his hand drop, turning away to break the moment.
"I'll take you to your room." Maan said as he stood up.
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Now riding with him to the hospital silence lengthened as she was in her musings ...keeping her eyes averted, desperately trying to keep her secret hidden from him. Yet the silence seemed to carve away some of the ease they had developed with each other. "Say something, anything" she pleaded silently, casting a glance at Maan. Maan seemed to be deep in thought too, concentrating on driving. Suddenly he turned to look at her and caught her eyes on him. That seemed to have made up his mind for him and he steered the car into the parking area of the hospital. Once he stopped the car he turned to face her, " Geet, I ..." He paused before he continued, " I would like to be present with you during the scan." He took in her confused expression and reached forward to take her hand on his, " I mean, I want to see the baby, while they do the scan." He felt her hand flutter in his, "only if you allow it." He waited for her to decide. She thought about it, her head bend. Then she nodded her head in acceptance. He gently lifted her head and turned it slightly to look at him.
"Thank you." He said resisting the impulse to run his fingers on the cheeks that had turned rosy again.
Part16 on page 84https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/45426919part 15...hw was it? Geet is the first to put her feelings in words, though not aloud. thank u for the reassurances that poured in...as always let me knw ur suggestions nd comments...ur contributions go a long way to make the story better👍🏼
Edited by bangalores - 13 years ago
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