FF-Tum Kaun Ho (Epilogue) - Page 46

Tum Kaun Ho?

A Maaneet Fan Fic

Chapter 85

Aug 31, 2011 12:25 pm

"JD, hurry and eat your sandwich."

"No, I don't want it." Geet looked over at JD sitting at the kitchen table, his lip stuck out in a stubborn pout, in surprise.

"But, JD, peanut butter and jelly is your favorite. You always ask me to make it. Are you not feeling well?"

"No, I'm fine. I just don't want to eat." Since Geet had never known JD to not want food before, especially when she made it for him, his answer was very suspicious.

"That doesn't sound like the JD I know. In fact, I think I hear JD's tummy telling me it's hungry and wants food," said Geet as she picked up the yummy sandwich and held it up to JD's mouth.

JD pushed her hand down and turned his face away. Geet was even more shocked by his behavior. Even in those first few months after his parents died, JD never gave her that kind of attitude over food. Carefully placing the sandwich back on the plate, Geet sat down next to JD and gently turned his face towards hers.

"JD," she said calmly, "I'm really surprised by your behavior. I'd like you to tell me what is wrong. Why are you not wanting to eat?"

"Uncle's not eating, so I'm not gonna eat," was his reply. That was the last explanation Geet was expecting, but her mind immediately went back to what happened at the breakfast table earlier that morning.

Aug 31, 2011 8:49 am

"Geet, where is your plate," asked Maan, as she placed three large pancakes in front of him.

"Maan, did you forget that today is Haritalika?" asked Dadi, as Maan looked at her in confusion.

"Don't you remember all those years when I fasted for your Dada during Teej? Anyway, I know we told you last week that we would be celebrating with a big party as this is Geet's first Teej as your wife."

"I remember about the party, but what does that have to do with Geet not having breakfast?"

"Maan, seriously? Where is your brain? Geet is observing nirjara vrat for you. That means she is fasting without food or water for you, just like I used to for your Dada."

The fork full of pancake that Maan had been hold up to his mouth crashed back onto his plate as he exclaimed, "What?"

"Why are you surprised, Maan?" asked Geet. "This is one of the family's longstanding traditions, and it's extra special for me because this is the first time I'm fasting as your wife."

"Geet, this is ridiculous. Fasting? You know I don't believe in any of that, and here you're telling me that you are going without food and water for me? I don't like it, not at all."

"But Maan, you've always been so supportive. I don't understand why you're so upset."

"Geet...First of all, how do you expect me to happily accept the fact that my wife is putting herself through physical hardship on my behalf? Secondly, you don't even practice Hinduism, so I don't see what is the point. You shouldn't do this just because Dadi expects you to."

"Maan, I'm not doing this for Dadi, I'm doing it for you. I believe in God and I also believe that he listens to and answers our prayers. Even more so when we fast. I feel that it is a privilege for me to fast for the husband I love so much and our marriage. I hope that you can support me in this, just like you have in everything else. Please?"

When Geet spoke so calmly and requested so sincerely, Maan had no choice but to agree. However, that didn't mean he would sit by and do nothing. If his Mishti was going to go without food and water, then he wouldn't eat or drink anything either. While Maan and Geet argued over his refusal to eat, Dadi watched with a smile, and JD in fascination, even as he shoveled down his pancakes and eggs.

Aug 31, 2011 12:30 pm

"Mr. Khurana, we have a problem," annoyed Geet as she walked into his office, JD's hand held firmly in her own.

"What's the problem?" asked Maan, looking up from his computer.

"Your nephew, my darling little JD, is refusing to eat his lunch."

"What? Why?"

"JD, tell Uncle why you won't eat," prompted Geet.

JD gave Maan the same explanation that he gave to Geet, saying that just like Uncle couldn't eat when GT didn't, neither could he. Maan was shocked, having had no expectation that JD would imitate him in such a way. He looked to Geet, but she shrugged, silently telling it was his problem, so he should fix it.

"JD," said Maan apprehensively, unsure if he could adequately deal with the pouting six year old, "you are a growing boy, and growing boys need to eat their lunch if they want to grow big and strong."

"But Uncle, you are eating lunch and GT isn't eating lunch, so I won't eat lunch."

Maan looked helplessly at Geet, before saying, "But Dadi is eating her lunch." Seeing that get his nephew's attention, Maan continued, "You see, JD, GT is doing a very special Hindu ritual for married ladies, and because I'm her husband, I have to support her. JD, when you get big enough and you get married and have a wife, that is when you can not eat when she doesn't eat. Right now you need to do as GT tells you and eat your lunch."

JD thought about what his Uncle told him and then to clarify, asked, "When I'm big and get married, then I can not eat my lunch?"

"That's right, JD, but only when you are big and get married. Until then, you have to eat your lunch."

"Okay. GT, I'm ready to eat my peanut butter and jelly sandwich now." Maan heaved a sigh of relief at having taken care of the problem. Now JD would eat his lunch, and Geet would no longer blame him for his nephew's difficult behavior.

Aug 31, 2011 8:45 pm

Maan watched as Geet flitted from one guest to another, acting as the perfect hostess. He had received so many compliments on his choice of bride from Dadi's friends, that his ears wouldn't stop ringing from them. Not that he wanted them to. There wasn't a compliment that could be given to his beautiful wife that he wouldn't agree with. Tonight it seemed that she had an extra glow and sparkle in her eyes.

His Mishti was dressed to the hilt in a lovely green lengha, mehendi covering her hands, and looking every bit the beautiful, new bride. Often she would glance his way, her face lighting up with a gorgeous smile as their eyes met. As Teej was mostly a women's function, Maan stayed out of the way with the rest of the husbands, just content to watch his happy, carefree Geet enjoy herself.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?" called Dadi, bringing everyone's conversations to a halt.

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate with us today. As you may know, this the first Teej that my Bahu Geet will be observing since she and Maan were married in July. We are very fortunate to have her as part of our family and..." Dadi paused, becoming overwhelmed with emotion, which forced her to stop speaking. Geet hurried up to her, wiping her tears and giving her a loving hug.

"Well, anyway," continued Dadi, "it's time for the fun to begin. For the ladies who have their husband's name hidden in their mehendi, now is the time to see if they can find it. Afterwards we will have singing and dancing in the ballroom. There are swings set up in the garden, but I would ask everyone to be considerate of the neighbors. We have quite a large and lively group tonight, so please do remember not to be too loud outside."

When Dadi finished talking, Geet quickly came over to Maan, her hands outstretched, a twinkle in her eye. "Your name isn't hidden beneath my rings this time, so you are actually going to have to look hard," she said with a cheeky smile.

"Thank you for that information," responded Maan, "but I'm not intimidated. I believe that I told you before, anything that gives me an excuse to touch you is a favorite in my book." Maan grabbed Geet's hand and ran his fingers slowing down her arm and onto her palm, loving the blush that appeared on her cheeks.

Aug 31, 2011 9:20 pm

Geet could see Maan out of the corner of her eye. He was watching her as she danced and sang with the other ladies. Even when her face wasn't turned towards him, she knew he would be looking at her. That was all he had done the entire night.

Some people might consider his behavior strange, unreasonable, or cavemanish, but Geet loved it. Geet loved how he always wanted to spend time with her. She loved how he did everything he could think of to impress her. She loved how he would look for excuses to touch her, even if she scolded him for being too bold in public. In short, she loved everything about her husband and his behavior towards her.

All these thoughts swirled around in Geet's head as she twirled with the others. Eventually she twirled a little too much. She could feel herself getting dizzy, and thought it would be a good idea to sit down for a bit of rest. Before she could make it to a chair, she experienced what sounded like a loud buzzing accompanied by fuzzy vision. The last thing she heard was Maan yelling her name, before everything went black.

Aug 31, 2011 9:27 pm

"Geet, Geet, can you hear me? Come on, Geet, open your eyes." Maan patted Geet's cheeks lightly in an attempt to get her to respond.

When he saw her eyes flutter and then slowly open, Maan heaved a sigh of relief. Taking the glass of water that Dadi ready, he carefully made Geet drink some. When she tried to get up from the couch she currently rested on, Maan blasted her in a manner reminiscent of his former days. He had been against her fasting from the beginning, and he now felt his concern was vindicated.

"Geet, this is the limit! You are never fasting again, do you understand? Never again!"

"But Maan, I just over did it a little and got dizzy, that's all. There's no need to get so worked up."

"No need! Geet, do you know what I went through when I saw you faint? Can you even understand how worried I was? Even now you are still so pale. No, I don't want to hear any more. You just eat this sandwich right now, that's it."

Dadi and the few friends who had come with them just smiled at the bickering between husband and wife. Maan was fully capable of taking care of Geet, so they decided to leave the couple alone and head back to the festivities. After Geet finished eating she insisted that she wanted to go back also. She explained that she felt fine, and now that she had eaten there wouldn't be a problem.

Before Maan could stop her, Geet jumped up from the couch and started walking toward the door. She only got a few steps when she started swaying again. When he caught her this time, Maan was really fearful. Fainting twice in a span of ten minutes was not a good sign.

Aug 31, 2011 10:02 pm

"Maan, I think you're making too much of this."

"Geet, I am serious. If you don't cooperate, then forget about waiting for the doctor, I'll take you to the emergency room."

Geet shook her head at Maan's stubbornness, before muttering, "All this fuss over a little dizzy spell. It's probably just a bit of dehydration."

Maan intended to respond to her muttering, but just then they both her a knock on the door. Looking up, Maan saw a woman standing in the doorway of their bedroom with a medical bag in her hand. She introduced herself as Dr. Shannon and said she was there to examine Geet. Maan had her come in and closed the door behind her, then stationed himself beside the bed. After seeing Geet's careless attitude, he was going to stay and make sure the doctor missed nothing.

The doctor began by asking Geet a few questions. Then she took her blood pressure. Geet explained how she had been fasting for almost 24 hours, and she was sure that her fainting was due to that only. The doctor listened and then asked some more questions, checking Geet's heartbeat and breathing as well. Then she asked a question that neither Geet nor Maan were prepared for.

"Mrs. Khurana, when did you have your last period?"

Geet's eyes widened and instantly met Maan's. As she fumbled to answer, Maan realized that it all made sense. It would explain her increasing tiredness and her fainting spells. It would also explain the glow he had noticed about her lately. Pregnant women were supposed to have a glow due to the hormones, Maan had heard.

"Uh...I...I don't know. I think June? Everything has been so hectic since our wedding that I didn't realize..." Geet paused, resting her hand lightly on her abdomen in amazement. "Could I really be pregnant?"

The doctor asked more questions, examining Geet a bit more, before telling them that she had a urine test that Geet could take if they were interested. Maan insisted that he go with her into the bathroom, worried about what would happen if she fainted again. When the required time had passed, Dr. Shannon informed them that the results were positive. Hearing this news, Maan put his arm comfortingly around Geet's shoulder, even as she again asked if she was really pregnant.

The doctor explained that all the indications pointed to that conclusion, but they could make an appointment at the clinic for official confirmation by blood test. They would also discuss prenatal care and possibly do a first ultrasound if the pregnancy was as far along as the doctor suspected. Geet was concerned that her fasting may have had an adverse effect on the baby, but she was quickly reassured. The doctor explained that one day of fasting by an otherwise healthy woman probably would not cause any problems to the fetus. She still advised Maan to look after Geet, making sure that she got enough rest and ate properly, for herself and the baby.

As the doctor was leaving, JD entered their room, calling for, "GT" and rubbing his eyes. He then asked, "Who is that, a doctor? Are you sick, GT?"

"No, JD, I'm not sick. What are you doing out of bed?" JD walked over to the bed where Geet was sitting and crawled up next to her.

Putting his head on her shoulder he complained, "Nakul isn't good at putting me to bed like you. You tell good stories. Will you tell me a story, GT?"

JD's cute demand did a number on Geet's already shaky emotions, causing tears to form in her eyes. "GT, you're crying? Why are you sad?"

"I'm not sad," she said, shaking her head. "I love you, JD."

"I love you too, GT," said JD, hugging her tight. "Tell me a story."

Sept 1, 2011 7:30 am

Geet stretched her arms slowly as she woke up, feeling surprisingly rested after the events of the previous night. Feeling the space to her right told her that Maan was not laying next to her as usual. Turning on her side, Geet saw that Maan was sitting on the edge of the bed, busy with his phone.

Wondering what he could be doing so early in the morning, Geet sat up and moved so that she had a clear view of the screen. When she saw a Google search for "how to be a good dad", her heart melted and the tears began to form again. Unable to stop herself, Geet wrapped her arms around Maan's waist from behind and kissed his bare shoulder, before resting her head on the same spot.

"Geet, you are awake?" Maan asked inanely, trying to hide his phone from her gaze.

"Hmmm," she responded, continuing her hug, unconcerned with his attempts at secrecy. After a few moments she moved away and spoke very seriously. "Maan, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it, Geet?"

"We never really talked about children. Are you alright with having this baby so soon? I mean, assuming I really am pregnant, which I might not be...I mean, maybe the doctor was wrong."

"The doctor wasn't wrong," said Maan, confidently. "I'm sure you're pregnant with our child, and yes Geet, I am fine with having this baby so soon. To be honest, I suppose I thought it would take a bit longer, but I knew you weren't on birth control and obviously I wasn't using protection. With as many times as we have made love since we married, what do you suppose I thought would happen?"

Geet just shrugged her shoulders. Then she asked in a trembling voice, "But you're happy about the baby?"

Maan couldn't help but smile at such a ridiculous question. "Yes, Geet, I am happy about the baby."

Geet responded back with a smile on her own lips, which Maan just had to kiss, before laying her back down on the bed. "Geet, you need to get more rest. Go back to sleep for awhile."

Geet frowned and said, "But I need to make JD's breakfast..."

Maan cut her off, saying, "I think JD can survive on cereal for one day. Right now it's important for you get enough sleep. You've been doing too much the last few weeks, but not any more. Now you will do as I say. Maan Singh Khurana knows what is best for his wife and child, and he won't accept any arguments."

Okay, first I admit that I copied the "how to be a dad/father" straight from the serial. Actually, I didn't intend to include it, but I just happened to re-watch that old episode and thought it was so cute of Maan to google that.

Now, for those who may not know, Teej is actually celebrated at three different times, and of course it all depends on one's culture and family for which times are celebrated and how, etc. I decided to have the Khurana's celebrate the last Teej, Haritalika, as that gave the greatest time difference between the Teej celebration and Maan and Geet's marriage. That made it a bit more convenient for the doctor to easily diagnose the pregnancy at home.

That takes us to the fact that I'm not a doctor, and don't really know any doctor's well. So, even though I did do some research, as usual, I still kind of made things up, as I've never had a house visit from a doctor before, and had really no idea what exactly they might do on a house visit. In the US, most people, even rich people, would go to the doctor's office to be checked, instead of the doctor coming to them. However, I do know that rich people often employ personal doctors, but I had no idea if Chicago was the kind of place that would have doctors making house calls. It turns out that it is. In my searching I came across this website, and that is what I based my imaginary doctor visit on.

OOO that was so heavenly,,,,,wat an update,,loved it!!!!!!!