~RISHTEY~(Maaneet FF)Part 7 pg 104 UPDATED - Page 40

Geet's head drummed loudly, she could feel a major headache imminent in the near future. Why did he do that? What were his intensions? He had always being careless of other people feelings but this was his fiance. Why would he bring up their past history in front of Sam. He was supposedly going to marry her in three months. Suddenly as an epiphany, it struck her, she realized, he wasn't thinking of Sam. He wanted to spite her. He had wanted to harm her. He didn't want her to get this opportunity. God! How foolish she had been to think that she could carry this facade. Until a few minutes ago planning this wedding had looked like a dream. But now that dream had quickly transformed into a nightmare. She feared Sam's reaction. No bride would like to get her wedding planned by an Ex. She gave a quick glance to Pinky who looked as worried as her. They both knew this was all over before it had even started. All thanks to Maan.

His eyes never leaving Geet's face, his hands formed a tight fist as he kept his anger in check. How easily she had said it was all over. She hadn't even flinched a bit. Life seemed to drain out of him. Was she the same girl, he had fallen in love with? She seemed cold, distant and aloof. At the moment, he felt nothing but contempt for her. It opened all the wounds she had given him years back. He was positive, she didn't have any guilt over what happened. She didn't regret all that she had destroyed with her own hands. Here was the proof if he but needed it. All she cared about was her and the damn contract. He cursed himself for all the memories he treasured. Geet had been a part of his life as long as he could remember. Even in childhood when he was far away from Hoshiarpur, his mind would often drift back to her memories. Her memories were etched in his heart and he would never be able to erase them from his soul even if his life depended upon it.

~Flashback~

Maan wore a smile as he drove the across the long dirt road towards his house in Hoshiarpur. He was coming here after ten long years. This homecoming was different than the last time. He was forced that time, this time he was eager. He had begged his mom to let him drive to see Daadima. Apparently she hadn't being keeping too well and he had vowed to take her back with him. There was another thought in the back of his mind which he refused to admit. Thought about Geet. Every single time in these past ten years he closed his eyes, he would see her tear stricken face. His last memory of her. He had her face imprinted in his mind forever and forever. He would often wonder how she was doing. He did hear from Daadima about her but he never made it too obvious. The day his dad died and she came and held his hand, he had fallen just a little for her, though he never admitted it, even to himself. But today he was nervous and excited at the same time as he drove across the familiar roads. He was so lost in his mind that he didn't pay attention to the red scooter his car bumped into. But he was brought back to reality when bouts of filthy words were thrown his way. He got out his car to look at the damage done.

"Ullu...paagal...…gadha... naalayak…..khota.. andha kahi ka… dekh kar nahi chala sakte? Bhagwaan ne do badi badi aankhein di hai, uska islemaal karna seekho." She screamed as loud as she could while she dusted off the dirt from her clothes.

He stared at her in anger. Ok he admitted he wasn't paying attention to the road, but this girl had a big mouth. Didn't anybody teach her how to talk to others?

He moved a step closer as he tried to help the girl lift her scooter "sorry" he mumbled.

"Oye, haath mat lagana mere scooter to. Kaat ke phaink doongi." She blew a puff of air from her mouth, causing a strand of hair to rise and fall back at the same place on her face.

"What is your problem? I am just trying to help" drawing his hands back, he replied.

"Oyee angrez ki aulaad. Tumhare help ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Pehle hi bahut help kar chuke ho meri dhanno ko maar ke"

"Dhanno??" he asked in amazement. What was this girl talking about?

"Haan.. jaise Basanti ke paas ek dhanno thi…vaise hi yeh meri dhanno hai" she chuckled as she cleaned the seat with her dupatta and flashed a big smile at him. Her smile reminded him of someone but before he could react, it was replaced by a frown. He tried reading her face, her eyes, the particular way her hands moved as she talked. There was something amiss but he couldn't place his finger on it.

"Side do"

"Huh?"

"Maine bola side do.. EXCUSE ME" she snapped irritated at the stranger.

He turned sideways as she moved, her shoulder brushing a little with his chest as she dragged her vehicle with both hands on the handle muttering profanities under her breath. Her silver earrings swayed a little as she shook her head. Maan could feel the soft touch of her skin through the layers of fabric of their clothing. It happened in slow motion for him. The gentle feather like touch, her mellow fruity scent as it filled his nostrils. Her retreating back brought him back to his senses. She was leaving!!

"Wait, Miss. I am very sorry, I wasn't looking" he was right behind her. But stopped the next moment as he looked horrified at her next act.

She purposely banged the handle of her scooter into the side mirror of his car smashing it.

"Sorry maine dekha nahi" she said, smiling through her gritted teeth.

"Hey!!" Maan roared. He was trying to apologize here and she went ahead and damaged his car.

"You little miscreant!! What do you think of yourself? Main apologize kar raha tha. I won't leave you..chondunga nahi tumne" he barked.

She turned her face a little as she sat on her scooter, stuck her tongue out and said "Pehle pakad ke to dikhaao" she wiggled her eyebrows, scrunched up her nose and drove off leaving a huge cloud of dust behind.

He stood frozen! He looked at the smashed mirror that lay on the road and sighed. Maybe coming back to Hoshiarpur wasn't going to that exciting as he had thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Daadima. I need to go meet Yash. Will be back in some time" Maan tucked his shirt in as he walked swiftly towards the door.

Savitri Devi smiled as she yelled out from behind "Geet ko bhi mil lena"

He groaned and waved a hand in the air not looking back at see his Daadima's wicked smile.

They had been chatting for a quite a while, Maan filled him on the current situation of his family while Yash told him all about his.

"So you are not going to apply there? It's your final decision?" He asked.

"And leave Geet here alone? I don't think so Maan. It's been difficult for her as it is."

Maan sighed as Yash mentioned Geet. He cleared his throat before he spoke "Where is she?" he tired his best not to look impatient.

"She went to meet Meera" Yash faced glowed as he replied which Maan failed to notice as he was busy trying to keep his facial expressions in check.

"Hmmm" He waited for Yash to say something else about her but when he didn't, he stood up. "I guess I will leave. I still need to persuade Daadi and I have just two days"

"Two days?" Yash frowned.

"Yes, I leave on Monday" placing a hand on his shoulder "I will see you later" He added under his breath "I need to get the damn mirror fixed too"

He had hardly taken a step when Yash's question stopped him. "You are leaving without meeting Geet?"

He fumbled a little. "NO!! Of course not! As I said, I am here for the next 2 days. We have lots of time"

"Okay! Just so you know. She will kill you if you go without meeting her"

Maan gave him a tiny smile and nodded, "I know"

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~Present~

Sam's perfectly arched brows went upward as she turned to the man on her other side. "Maan, tumne kabhi bataya nahi ki tum shaadi shuda ho"

"Maine batana zaroori nahi samjha. It wasn't important" he replied coldly.

Geet scoffed at the choice of his words. So, their marriage was not important. Not to him. Her heart took another blow as she took the information of having their marriage discarded so casually. She knew she wouldn't be able to stand in the same room for another minute so she turned to her heels and walked out before she burst into tears and make a complete fool of herself.

She turned the knob with shaking hands and opened the door to her office and closed it behind her placing her head against the cool wood. She hadn't realized she was crying until she felt the wetness on her cheeks. She looked up towards her Babaji with accusing eyes. Slumping down to the floor she cried silent tears. She was back to where she was two years ago. The pain was back, though it had never left her but seeing him in flesh triggered those feelings. Will she ever be able to stop loving him? Will she ever be able to turn her heart to stone and take everything life threw her way? He had moved on with his life but she was still standing where he left her. She had secretly wished for him to come back and hold her hand and pull her towards the light. But that hope died today. It was really over.

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