CHAPTER 29. MAAN WORRIES FOR GEET, ARNAV GETS A SHOCK
Place - Room No. 207, VIP ward, Goldline Hospital, Delhi
It was Wednesday and while Arnav spent the whole day moping around about his feeling and coming to know that he is in love in the evening, Maan faced a very different day. When on Tuesday Soni was attacked, Maan had taken her to the top hospital in Delhi, the Goldline Hospital immediately. After Soni got admitted, Maan called upon his family and soon Dadima, Dev and NT arrived. While Dev gave him support, Dadima cried hugging NT while NT pretended to stay strong controlling her tears for the sake of Dadima.
While Soni's injury was not serious, she was very much weak and the injury put a setback to her recovery. But the whole stress of memory loss along with the attack got to her and she slipped into coma in the night. Doctor assured Maan that it was not serious and this was expected. Soni will soon be out of coma once her body and mind recovers itself, Doctor informed Maan. While Dadima, NT and Dev left for night, Maan stayed there the whole night expecting Soni to open her eyes. He did not sleep as he wanted to be in front of her the moment she opened her eyes.
In the Afternoon, Dev came over and sat beside Maan. Maan was sitting by the sofa in Soni's VIP room. "Bro, go home please. Kal se aap soye nahi ho naahi kuch khaaya hai.", Dev told his brother. Maan shook his head. What if Soni woke up? No, he had to be there for her when she opened her eyes. Dev understood why his brother refused; after all he would have done the same if it had been NT at Soni's place. But someone had to be practical here and it had to be Dev. He spoke up, "Bro, Doctor ne kahaa haina, ki Soni ko hosh aane mein ek din kam se kam lagega. Toh bhabhi ka aaj uttna possible nahi hai bro. Please aap ghar jaayiye. Main hoon na yahaan." Maan leaned back, folded his arms against his chest and closed his eyes. Dev had to try more. "Bhai, kya bhabhi chaahegi ki aap aise suffer karo? Bhabhi ke liye maan jaayiye varna uttne ke baad woh yeh sab jaanke shaayad aapse jhagda karle. Aur phir humse mat poochiye unko manaane ke raaste." Maan gave a sad smile as he remembered the earlier days when he tried every trick to make Soni accept his apology. Why did those days go away? If he had known about this accident, he would have spent more time with her talking to her, loving her. Loving her? Where did that come from? Maan opened his eyes. What am I thinking? How that thought could enter my mind? Maan looked around in shock. Yes, Dev was right. He should go home. He was already having absurd thoughts. One good night's sleep and his brain will stop giving him such stupid thoughts.
Place - Maan's Room at Khurana Mansion
When Maan reached home, Dadima had compelled him to have some food and sent him off to bed. Maan had slept for two hours but had woken up with a nightmare where Soni was falling of a cliff and he was unable to stop her. Maan had woken up with a shout of 'Soni' and his whole body was bathed in sweat. Unable to bear the pain of missing her, Maan took a bath and walked off downstairs He was told by Nakul that NT and Dadima had gone to visit Soni as they did not meet her after yesterday. As he reached the living room, he saw Soni dressed in white chudidaar setting the dining table. Maan's eyes widened and he ran towards her. But she vanished and Maan realized he was imagining her. He closed his eyes. Suddenly, he heard a noise in the kitchen. He went there to see her making parathas. He leaned on the door and smiled sadly. If only this scene was true! How he wished it was her and not his imagination! He walked off to the upper room and passed the storeroom. He remembered how she had fell on him. He walked to his room only to remember her sleep in his bed after the nightmare. Maan groaned. Everywhere he went all he saw was her. She had made her imprint in each and every room of this house. Suddenly Maan remembered that she had yet to visit his study. Yes, I will rest in study. He wandered off to his study room and sat on his chair. He felt at peace at not being haunted by her mirage here. Suddenly, wind blowed through open window and Maan went to close it. As he caught hold of the window, he saw Soni dancing in the rain. Maan groaned and slammed the window shut. Stop haunting me, Soni! Please Soni stop! Maan pleaded and sat on his chair. He was frustrated, tired due to lack of sleep, annoyed at himself for being so attached to Soni, angry at himself for not protecting her properly and guilty for her current state. And in this state of mind Maan got a phone call from Arnav. Poor Khushi's Arnavji!
Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan
Arnav paced his room to and fro. Poor Carpet on the floor! He did not know what to do. How can he fall in love? How could he? It had to be Khushi's fault. What else could it be? She must have done something to him. How else can he fall in love with her? Yes, it was Khushi's total fault. And he will make her pay. He had to make her pay for making him fall in love with her. Arnav sighed and shook his head. No! How can he give her pain knowing very well that he will be hurt more by her tears? That plan cancel. Stupid love! Making him so confused! Plan B - He can stay away from her. Yes, he can do that. Then he remembered his state of mind after not seeing her for so many days. No, he can't ignore her. He will be the one who will suffer. This love only makes you suffer it seems! Why the hell do people say love is beautiful? Arnav was beyond frustrated now. Arnav was angry. He wanted to smash something. What to smash? What to smash? No! If he smashed something, darling Di would be worried. No! Arnav, think of next plan. Yes, he had to talk to somebody, someone who would understand him, someone who would give him right advice, and someone who was as practical as him but who….. Maan! Who else but Maan.
Arnav picked up his phone and dialed Maan's number. "Hello Maan..", Arnav told Maan everything - how he had met Khushi first, how he had teased her, how she had acted to throw him off her track, how he had saved her life, how she had tried to apologise for two days and succeeded on third day, how they met daily and now how he had fallen in love with her. He ended his speech with, "Yeh sab uss Khushi Kumari Gupta ki galti hai. It is all her fault. Yeh sab uska kiya dhara hai. How dare she make me fall in love with her! How dare she try to control me through such a stupid emotion! I think she wants my money, isiliye woh yeh sab kar rahi hai. Bloody gold digger! I will destroy her, destroy her totally. I will not leave her. How cheap she can get! How low life…….", Arnav was cut off mid sentence by an angry Maan with "BAS! SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP, ARNAV!" Arnav was shocked into silence.
Place - Maan's Study at Khurana Mansion
Maan listened Arnav's love story with an incredulous expression on his face. Maan could not believe so many things could happen in barely 20 days. But then had not his whole life changed in these few days too? And what is this about Arnav falling in love? Anjali lo. Tumhara sapna poora hogaya. Your Chote is finally in love. Finally, his wish of someone teaching Arnav about love had been fulfilled.
As soon as Arnav starting ranting and calling Khushi bad names, Maan could not bear it. He felt his blood boil with anger. In these few days, Khushi had made a soft place for her in his heart by her antics and her cheery behaviour. Her sunny nature and always smiling face had made her very popular among his staff. And as she was never scared of blurting out whatever she thought, she soon became Maan's favorite for her refreshing honesty. Unlike other employees, she never tried to butter him and Maan appreciated her for that. Even at such a young age, she showed a great maturity for which Maan respected her. Because of her small age, he always felt like he was coming across a kid whom he had to protect. Infact, recently he had even teased her about Arnav like he would have teased his own siblings. She was like Annie for him and to hear Arnav badmouth his almost sister Khushi had sent his temperature soaring. "BAS! SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP, ARNAV!", Maan roared across the phone. He took a deep breath and decided to speak with Arnav in a rational manner.
Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan
Arnav sat on his bed in shock at Maan's roar. Maan was his idol from young age and hearing him roar made Arnav feel very terrible. He heard Maan take a deep breath and realized that Maan was trying to control his temper. Maan spoke up, "Arnav ek baat bataao. Tum usse milna chaahte the, woh nahi, right? Tum use pick up karne aate the, usne tumse nahi kahaa ki use tum pick karo, right? Toh how is she at blame here?" Arnav swallowed. Maan was right. Khushi was not at all at blame here. He was the one who wanted to spend time with her. He was the one who liked her company. She never showed any indication that she wanted to be with him. It was him all along. It was his fault. He was at blame here. Maan spoke up again, "Look, love happens alright. You can't blame anybody. Just like you can't blame anybody when you feel sad or angry or happy. Love is an emotion just like anger, sadness, and happiness. No one is at fault here. Please understand that, Arnav." "Ab main kya karoon?", Arnav whispered. "Tell her what you feel. Aage ka dekha jaayega." "NO! Main use kuch nahi bataaoonga. Why should I tell her? So that she knows that she has a hold on me. I won't let anybody control me like Pa controlled Ma. No!", Arnav shouted across the phone. "But…", Maan tried to speak when Arnav cut him off. "No! Maan please don't expect this from me." "Fine! But whatever you do, do not hurt her. I repeat do not hurt her. Or else you will face my wrath.", Maan threatened Arnav. "Ok! I will behave normally with her. Aur waise bhi soon her college will start and then this pyaar-shyaar will fade away." Arnav disconnected the call.
Place - Maan's Study at Khurana Mansion
Maan shook his head. When will Arnav realize that love is not a disease that will go away? It is plant which will keep on growing and becoming stronger. Maan shrugged. He can't convince Arnav. He was too stubborn. Arnav will realize the power of love in his own way and own time. Waise bhi laaton ke bhoot baton se nahi maante. Atleast he made sure that Khushi would not be hurt.
Place - Room No. 207, VIP ward, Goldline Hospital
It was Thursday morning. Maan entered Soni's room and sat beside her bed. He had tried to come to meet her last night itself but NT and Dadima were adamant that he took rest. After his vehement refusals, they coaxed him to drink milk which unknown to him was drugged with sleeping pills. In the morning, after he woke up, Maan did not have it in his heart to scold them; afterall they did this because they were worried for him. Dev had gone to Office knowing very well that Maan would not go until Soni woke up.
Maan stared at Soni's face. Why was she not waking up? Doctor had told him that she should wake up soon but there seems to be no change in her. The Doctor said they should talk to her as she could listen to them. Talking to her will help her recover faster. Maan picked her hand and held them in his own large ones. She looked so pale and quiet on the bed; so unlike her. Maan spoke up, "Tum aisi achchi nahi lagti Soni. Tumhein main hamesha baatein karte hue dekhna chaahta hoon. Aise shaant tum Mujhe achchi nahi lagti. Uth jaao Soni. Dev tumhare parathes bahut miss kar raha hai. NT aur Dadima bhi tumhare bak-bak bahut miss kar rahe hai.", Even I miss you, Maan spoke in his heart but could not say it out loud as if saying out loud will give his feelings a name; a name he did not want to give. He sighed and got up. He walked towards the window and stood by it. "Zindagi kitni ajeeb hai. Pehle tumhare baghair zindagi bahut achchi thi. Lekin ab tum aayi toh aisa lag raha hai jaise tumhaare baghair main zinda kaise raha. Isliye shaayad log Mujhe patthar dil kehte the. Tum aayi tab hi Mujhe pata chala ki mere paas dil bhi hai." He looked at her and walked outside. He could not control his emotions. Come back to me, Soni! Come back to me. Come back to your Maan, Maan pleaded her in his heart.
Place - Near the Delhi Bus Stand
It was four o'clock in the evening. Arnav checked his face in the rear view mirror. Was he looking good? He gave a smirk. Yes, he looked perfect; perfect to meet his Afreen. She was to come today. She had messaged her bus timing to him and he decided to go and meet her. He cancelled all his meetings confusing andd scaring poor Akash. But Arnav did not seem to care. He had to meet his Afreen today by hook or by crook. Damn those deals! He may have refused to tell her his feelings but that does not mean she wasn't his lady love. And he had to look perfect in front of her. Suddenly, he realized what he was doing. For the first time he was worrying about his looks. Shit! He had promised himself not to let his love change his life but he was already changing. No! He turned the mirror away. He looked in the back seat at the bouquet of red roses with a white rose in the middle he had bought for Afreen. He frowned. He never bought a simple rose for a girl including his Di and he bought a bouquet for Afreen. No! He won't allow himself to change. He took the flowers and threw it by the road side.
Soon, the bus from Lucknow arrived and he saw his Afreen get down. Arnav gave a wide smile and got out of the car. Suddenly, he realized he was smiling like an idiot. He changed his expression to neutral. She was looking around for him and Arnav waved his hand. Suddenly, he looked at his hand. What the hell was he doing? He never waved at anybody. People waved at Arnav Singh Raizada. ASR never waved at people. He could not believe it. How can love change me so much? I, who was known for controlling my emotions, cannot control my hand and face because of this thing called love. He looked away and decided; he had to go back without meeting her. Already he was changing without even meeting her. He did not know how out of character he would behave if he met her today. No! He can't meet her today. Maybe, tomorrow! He sat in his car and drove off.
Khushi looked around for Arnav's car and sighed sadly. Where was he? Did he not receive her message? Did he not come? She had so many things to tell him. Suddenly, she slapped her forehead. "Hey Devi Maiyya! Hum bhi paagal hain. Arnavji kya ghar par khaali baithe hain. Ki humne kahaa ki chaar ki bus hai aur woh daudte aayenge humein lene. Woh bahut bade company ke maalik hain. Unhein kaam bahut hoga Khushi. Humaare liye woh khaali nahi baithe hain. Bewakoof!" Then why did she feel that he was here? She shrugged and walked off only to stop in her tracks. Someone had thrown a beautiful bouquet of red flowers on the ground. Kitne nirdayi log hain? She picked it up. Jise dikha yeh uska hua! She took it with her to the rickshaw stand and got in a rickshaw.
Place - Room No. 207, VIP ward, Goldline Hospital
It was early Friday morning and Maan sat beside Soni's bed wishing her to wake up. He had sat by her for the whole night. Soon, NT and Dadima entered the room. While NT sat by Soni and held her hand Dadima stood by Maan and put her hand on his shoulder. Maan could not resist himself and he hugged his Dadi. Maan could not control himself and he walked out of the room. He went upstairs to the terrace of the hospital and closed his eyes. He will die out of misery if Soni did not wake up soon. Suddenly, he heard footsteps from behind only to see Dev coming towards him. Dev spoke up, "Bro, I met the Doctor. Woh keh rahe the ki Soni Bhabhi is fine. She will be awake soon." "Par kab?", Maan questioned him. "Bro, Bhabhi was too weak. Time toh lagega hi na." Maan reluctantly nodded. Soni, come back to me.
Dev placed Maan's radio on the parapet and spoke, "Bro, aap ke liye. Aapke akelepan ko door bhagane ke liye aap ise sunte haina. Shaayad is waqt bhi aapko iski jaroorat hai. I am going to Office and NT shaam tak Soni ke saath rukegi. Aap ghar jaakar aaram kar lijiye, Bro." Dev walked off hoping the radio would help ease off Maan's loneliness. Maan sighed and picked up the radio. He tuned it to a channel and set it beside him. He sat on the parapet as guitar notes floated in the air. Maan closed his eyes to absorb the music.
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Maan opened his eyes. What is life without you, Soni?
Mere Dil Ki Rani Tu
Meri Khushiyon Ka Mausam
Mere Khaabon Ki Taameel
Mere Sapno Ki Tasveer
Bin Tere Kaisi Yaar
Woh Jeet Ho Ya Haar
Tere Sang Hai Sab Kuch
Tu Na Ho Toh Bekaar
This life is meaningless without you, Soni. Come back to me.
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
As music began wafting from the radio, Maan sensed someone beside him. He jerked his head to his right only to see Soni standing there. He stood up and walked closer to her. She was wearing the pink saree which his mother had chosen for her bahu. She gave him a bright smile and Maan hugged her tightly. How will he live without her? "Tum mere dil aur dimaag mein bas chuki ho. Kaise jiyoon tumhare baghair? I think of you everytime. I dream of you everywhere. Without you my life is a painful wait."
Sooni Khaali Raatein
Rookhi Pheeki Baatein
Har Aahat Pe Chaukoon
Tujhko Harsu Dekhoon
Tujhko Hardum Sochoon
Tujhko Har Pal Chaahoon
Tere Bin Toh Jeevan
Mera Hai Intezaar
Maan opened his eyes as he realized that he was hugging the air. She was just his imagination. He closed his eyes and fell down on his knees. A tear slipped out of his right eye.
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
As the guitar notes again filled the atmosphere, Maan closed his eyes as he remembered the moments he spent with her; the fight they had, the way she fell on him, the hug in the rain, and her kiss on his cheek. He willed those moments to come back. He wanted to enjoy them once more.
Tere Saath Jiye Jo Pal
Kuch Unse Nahi Badhkar
Teri Khaatir Saans Mein Loon
Teri Khaatir Jeeta Hoon
Marne Ki Tamanna Bhi
Tere Saath Mein Rakhta Hoon
Tu Hai Jeene Ki Wajah
Kar Mera Aitbaar
Maan stood up and wiped his eyes.
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Maan picked up the radio and ran downstairs. He had to see her once. Just once. He had to say so many things to her. He ran and entered her room. Dadima and NT seeing his expression left the room and closed the door. Maan walked closer to her and sat down.
Place - Near Laxminagar
Arnav sighed as he checked the time. Where was she? After not meeting her yesterday, he could not sleep the whole night. He had to see her, hear her voice. So, today morning he decided that instead of avoiding her, he would meet her just to keep his sanity intact. He could not wait till the evening, so he decided to pick her up. Soon, she arrived swinging her plaited hair around. He realized that by plaiting her hair, she was showing his anger towards him. He rolled his eyes. As if her plaiting her hair is going to lessen his love for her. She stopped in her tracks seeing his car but frowned, turned away and walked off to the bus stand. She reached the bus stop but suddenly turned around and looked at him. By then he had already got out of the car and was marching towards her. She started walking towards him and as soon as she reached him, she avoided him and walked and sat in his car. "What the!" Arnav walked back to his car and sat in it. Before he could speak, she spoke up, "Hum abhi bhi aapse naaraaz hai. Par hum aapko jaante hain. Agar gaadi mein na baithe toh aap bus stop par tamasha khada kardenge chilla-chilla ke. Isliye humne socha ki agar jhagadna hi hai, toh gaadi mein jhagadna hi theek hoga." Arnav rolled his eyes and drove off.
After few minutes of silence, Arnav could not bear it. He could not handle her silence. He preferred her bak-bak over this eerie silence. "Sorry!", he whispered. Khushi looked at him in shock unable to believe that he with his humungous ego had actually said sorry. She gave a mischeivious smile and spoke with all innocence, "Kya? Kuch kahaa aapne?" Arnav grit his teeth and spoke, "I am sorry!" "Lagta hai humaare kaan kharaab ho gaye hai. Zaraa zor se boliye na!", she told him. "I AM SORRY! DAMMIT! I AM BLOODY SORRY!", Arnav roared and Khushi shrank back and spoke, "Toh theek haina. Itna chillaane ki kya jaroorat thi. Thoda pyaar se bhi bol sakte the!" Arnav glared at her and looked away. He mumbled, "Pyaar! Yahi toh saare fasaad ki jad hai." "Kuch kahaa aapne?", Khushi asked him. Arnav rolled his eyes and shook his head.
After few minutes, Khushi could not resist herself and started babbling about the whole trip; how she had teased her Jiji and Jijaji, how she met all her college friends, how her friends had kept a party in her honor for being a topper, how proud her amma-bauji were. As she kept on babbling, Arnav felt peace in his heart. It felt as if balance had been restored in his life. How was he even alive before she entered his life? Soon, they reached KC and Khushi was about to get down.
"Arre! Hum aapko bataana bhool hi gaye.", Khushi sat back in the car and smiled at him. Arnav turned to look at her. "Humaare liye kal rishta aaya tha. Ab Jiji ka rishta tay hua toh ab humaari baari haina." Arnav felt the ground disappear beneath him. What the! She was going to get married! No! This won't happen. He won't let it happen. He gripped the steering wheel tightly. Khushi kept on blabbering, "Ladke waale toh dekhne bhi aa gaye. Ladka theek tha. Pyaar se baat karta tha. Aapki tarah nahi What the What the bolte hue. Aur pata hai woh muskurata bhi tha. Aap toh jyada muskuraate hi nahi ho. Aur woh ek dum meetha bolta tha. Dikhne mein kuch khaas nahi tha. Par achcha kamaata tha. Unhonein toh humein pasand bhi kar liya tha aur rishta pakka hone bhi wala tha par unlogon ne dahej maangli. Aur humein toh dahej se sakt nafrat hai. Bhaga diya humne unhein. Theek kiya na humne Arnavji?" Arnav just nodded his head. Poor Guy! Khushi smiled at him and walked off leaving a shocked Arnav behind.
Place - Room No. 207, VIP ward, Goldline Hospital
"Uthjaao Soni. Tumhaare baghair jeena mujhse nahi hoga. Uthjaao.", Maan spoke holding Soni's hand close to his heart. "Tumhaare baghair saans lena bhi mushkil hai toh jiyoon kaise? Bas ek muskuraahat de do taaki main ek din toh chain se guzaar doon. Please!", He placed his head on the bed and closed his eyes as tears leaked out of his eyes. "Maan!", he heard a whisper and he looked at Soni's body with a jerk. She opened her eyes and whispered again, "Maan!" He grinned, wiped his eyes and went outside to call the Doctor. By the time the Doctor and Nurse entered the room followed by Maan, Dadima and NT, Soni was fully awake. Maan stood back as Doctor and Nurse checked her, while Dadima hugged NT. "Yeh ab theek hain. Infact you can take her home on Sunday. Bas just be careful and take care of her Make sure she takes no stress.", Doctor instructed Maan and Maan nodded his head. Doctor gave some instructions to the nurse and walked away. Maan glanced at Soni to find her staring at him. Soon, NT and Dadima grabbed her attention with their talks and Maan walked off unnoticed.
P.S. Toh Kaisa laga aap logon ko mera Arnav ko diya hua Jhatka?
Ab aayega line pe, Ghadha!
P.P.S The song is from the movie Who Lamhe released in 2006 featuring Shiney Ahuja and Kangana Ranaut. It is sung by Javed Ahmad. Has anybody heard this song?
Precap - Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein Baat Ban Gayi
Ishq Mazhab Ishq Meri Zaat Ban Gayi
Maan accepts that he is in love!
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