Chapter 25: The night of the Prom
Geet felt the cool breeze of the night touching her exposed skin and wounds. Her hair tickled her neck and she felt the urge to make them stop. She lifted her head and saw that she was lying on the road, the deserted and empty road. No fear was present right now. She simply tried to get up but somehow her entire body ached badly. Maybe because she lay on the ground for so long. She tired with all her might and out of habit the name Maan escaped her lips. She smiled a sad smile. Now, there was no Maan anymore. Maan was gone and he had left her alone. Maan was never hers, she had found out tonight. His friends had told her how he had made fun of her. Arjun and Armaan and Adi were also playing along, infact it had been Arjun's idea to start with. More tears spilled from her eyes and she burried her face in her hands. Every moment she spend with the four replayed infront of her closed eyelinds. Did they really play with her feeling? Yes, she saw it now. The veil that had prevented her to see the obvious was now lifted. Armaan leaving her at the basketball court alone, the first time she met him. For hours she waited for him so he could take her home but he hadn't come. On her birthday, she had asked Adi where Maan was, thinking he was planning a surprise for her but they had already made a plan to party with Simran, leaving her dejected. And the sweater, that she had knit for Maan was not given to the sweeper as she had tried to convince herself again and again. Maan had really thrown it away. GEET. Geet removed her hands from her face. She spun around. There was noone there. Where did that voice come from. She must be imagining it. Meine tumhe ek baar mardiya tha. Jite jee tumhari jaan nikaldi tumhe dokha deke. (I killed you once. I took all reason for you to live by betraying you.)Wasn't this Maan's voice? Where was he?
"Maan, where are you?" Geet yelled into the night. Aaj mujhe is baat ka pachtawa hain lekin main chahke bhi apni kahi hui baate wapas nahin le sakta, apne harkato ko sudhar nahin sakta. (Today, I deeply regret my actions but even if I want I cannot take back my words or rectify my deeds.) Geet started running first in one direction, then in the other. This was undoubtable Maan's voice, where was he? Why was he saying this? Did he really regret everything? All this time he was making fun of her, did he now realise how much he hurt her? Mujhe maaf kardo Geet, apne Maan ko maaf kardo. (I am sorry Geet, please forgive your Maan.) She sensed the honesty and seriousness in his tone. Maan was apologizing, the first time since she had met him, he had uttered the word sorry. How can she not forgive her Maan now? Afterall, she still loved him like crazy. Geet saw the castle, this was the only place he coul be now. She ran towards it but the closed door was holding her back. Main sirf itna jaanta hu ke main tumse bohut pyaar karta hua Geet. (I only know that I love you a lot, Geet.) Tears of happiness now ran down her face and she cried and smiled at the same time. All her pain was forgotten, all the misery she felt was gone. Maan loved her, for the first time she felt his word to be coming truly from his heart, not just from his mouth. She tried with all her might to open the door and pushed against it. The harder she tried the more she felt it weaken. Itna nahin jitna tumne ek baar kiya tha lekin karta saroor hu. (Not as much as you once used to love me but I love you for sure.) Does it matter to her now? She never expected him to love her as much as she loved him. Even a drop of love would surfise for her. His presence alone was enough to keep her alive. Meri maafi qubool hain to mujhe bachalo Geet. (If you accept my apology then save me, Geet.) Geet stiffend and she felt a strong pull at her heart. Maan was in danger? Her Maan was in danger? She gave all her force and pushed the door harder. She had to get to Maan. She was sure he was inside now. What was happening? Why was he in danger? Meri zindagi, tumhare hawale' tumhare hawale' tumhare hawale. (My live is is now in your hands'your hands'your hands.)Maan's voice echoed in her ears and then faded. Geet pushed the door with a last hard push and the doors of the haveli opened for her to enter.
Book Talk
Aami Daakini
32