CHAPTER 30. MAAN ACCEPTS HIS LOVE FOR GEET
Place - Room No. 207, VIP ward, Goldline Hospital
Soni kept on looking at the door hoping to have a glance of her Maan while NT blabbered on about how she missed Soni's chattering. Dadima was calling up Dev informing him about his Bhabhi. Soni absentmindedly nodded at NT's words while keeping her eyes trained on the door. Hey Babaji! Jab main uthi thi tab toh yahin the ab kitthhe gaye? Please Babaji ek baar unse milaado. Mere uthte waqt toh woh keh rahe the ki mere baghair jee nahi paayenge. Aur ab jab main uthi hoon toh mujhse mile bhi nahi. Dadima noticed her expression and spoke, "Achcha Soni beta, ab hum ghar chalte hain. Kuch chaahiye toh bataa dijiye, shaam ko lete aayenge. Aur Naintara aapke saath poora din rahengi. Kuch madat chaahiye toh unse maanglijiye." NT nodded and smiled at Dadi. Dadima kissed Soni's forehead, patted NT's head and walked away.
Place - The Parking Lot at Goldline Hospital
Maan stood at the parking lot leaning on his car with his hands folded against his chest. Soon, Dadima arrived with a frown on her face. "Yeh kya hai, Maan bete? Soni ke jaagne tak aap bechain the. Aur ab jab woh uthi hain tab aap unse ek baar bhi nahi mile. Aisa bhala koi karta hai kya?" Maan said nothing but sat in the car. Dadima huffed but she had no option than to follow him. Even though Maan seemed stubborn, she understood his reason for not meeting Soni. But she had enough. It was about time Maan stopped avoiding his feelings and acknowledged them. And Dadima would do anything including using hammer on his thickheaded skull to beat some sense into him. "Maan bete, ek baar toh unse mil lijiye. Do din se aapne theek se khaaya nahi, naa hi aap theek se soye ho. Unhein bhi aapse baat karne mein achcha lagega." Maan acted as if he had not heard one word of what Dadi said.
Place - Khurana Mansion
It was afternoon and Dadima kept on pestering Maan the whole time during lunch but Maan refused to budge. After finishing his lunch Maan went off to his Study and locked himself there not wanting to face his Dadi. But Dadima was also Maan Singh Khurana's Dadi. Hai toh ek hi Khoon! Agar pota ziddi toh unki Dadima bhi kam nahi! Dadima thought to herself.
At around 4 in the evening, Maan felt someone knocking on the floor frantically. Maan raised an eyebrow. Who was bent upon breaking the door? He opened the door only to see one of the servants panting and pointing away. "Kya hua?", Maan asked in a stern voice. The servant gulped. He was new here and had heard that Maan Saab had a very bad temper. And the way Maan Saab was glaring at him, he would have given anything to escape from there. But it was Dadima's orders and he had to follow it. He gulped again and spoke up, "Saab, Badi Maalkin…….behosh….." "Kya?", Maan looked at him in shock. Then not wasting any time he ran towards Dadima's room. The moment he entered Dadi's room, somebody closed the door and locked it from outside. Maan turned towards the door in shock only to hear a "Maan Bete" from behind. He turned to see Dadima hale and hearty sitting on the bed, munching on apples and papayas happily. "Dadima aap theek hain. Toh yeh naukar bol raha tha ki……" "Woh jhoot humne hi unhein bolne ko kahaa tha." Maan looked at his Dadi in shock. What was going on here? "Aapko kya laga ki aap apne aapko study mein bandh karlenge toh humaare sawaalon ka saamna nahi karna hoga. Toh sunlijiye Maan bete, hum bhi aapki Dadi hain. Hum jaante hain ki aapko humaare paas kaise laana hai. Jab tak hum na kahein woh Darwaaza nahin khulega. Aur aap jab tak humaare sawaalon ka jawaab nahi dete tab tak hum us darwaaze ko kholne ko nahi kahenge." Maan glared at his Dadi and turned away. How could his Dadi expect this from him? Dadi got up from the bed and folded her hands against her chest.
"Toh bataayiye Maan bete, Aap kyon nahi Soni se mile?", Dadima spoke and Maan closed his eyes. He did not want to answer this question. The answer will give way to more questions whose answers Maan did not wish to acknowledge. "Humein jawaab chaahiye Maan bete, kyon nahi mile aap Soni se?", Dadima went and stood in front of him. Maan looked at her and turned away. Dadima caught hold of his shoulders and turned him towards her. "Kyon nahi, bete?", Dadima whispered but Maan kept his mouth shut. Dadima glared at him.
"Toh aap nahi bataayenge. Theek hai. Hum bataate hain.", Dadima told Maan and he looked at her, his eyes pleading for a respite. But Dadima had enough. She refused to relent. This discussion was necessary for the future of the Khurana household and for her grandson. Maan needed to acknowledge his feelings and give it a name. Or else he will live a life of regret and pain. "Aap isliye nahi mile kyonki aap darr gaye the.", Dadima spoke in a stern voice. Maan looked away. "Maan Singh Khurana kisise nahi darta." Dadima shook her head at his stubbornness. "Aapko darr tha, Maan bete, ki kahin aap apna aapa na kho baithe. Aap kahin apni bhaavnaaon mein behkar kuch aisa na kehdein jo aapke dil mein hai. Jab Soni ko aapne uthte hue dekha aap darr gaye ki kahin aapki sachchaayi woh na dekhle. Kahin woh sach na jaanle." "Aisi koi baat nahi hai, Dadima. Yeh sab aapka vehem tha aur kuch nahi." "Theek hai. Toh phir aap hi bataayiye ki aap Soni se kyon nahi mile." Maan looked at his shoes. He had no answer. Dadima smirked. "Hum sahi hai. Haina, Maan?" Dadi sat on the bed with a righteous smirk on her face. She knew she got him where she wanted. Just few minutes and the truth will be out.
"Dadima aap jo kuch keh rahi hain, Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai.", Maan spoke while looking away from her. "Aapko sab samajh aa raha hai Maan, aap bas bholepan ka dikhaawa kar rahe hain." "Dadima, bas kijiye yeh paheliyaan bujhaana. Jo kehna hai saaf saaf kahiye.", Maan told her in a frustrated voice. He was facing the wall with his back towards her. Dadima spoke with a smile on her face, "Hum sirf yeh kehna chaahte hain ki aap Soni ke saamne isliye nahi gaye kyunki us waqt aapka dil kiya ki aap unhein gale lagaayein, aap unhein gale lagkar royein, aap unse kahein ki aap unke baghair jee nahi sakte." Maan had tears in his eyes. Dadima was right. He was scared where his confession would lead. He did not want to take the risk. He wanted to keep his heart safer. Dadima slowly whispered, "Aapko darr tha ki kahin aap unhein sachchai na bol dei. Wahi sachchai jo humein aapki aankhon mein dikhti hai. Wahi sachchai jo aapko hi pata hai aur humein bhi. Woh sachchai yeh hai ki aapko unse pyaar hua hai. Unke pyaar ka rang aap par chad chuka hai. You are in love Maan bete, you are in love."
"HAAN! DADIMA HAAN! MAIN SONI SE PYAR KARTA HOON!", Maan roared as he turned and looked at Dadima with anguished eyes. "Pyaar karta hoon Soni se! Nahi reh sakta uske baghair." Maan slowly fell to his knees as tears leaked of his eyes. Alarm bells rang in Dadima's head. He should be happy to declare his love then why he is not! Humne socha ki woh bas zidd mein aakar is baat ko sweekar nahi kar rahe hai. Par yahaa toh baat kuch aur hai! "Maan Bete!", Dadima whispered and Maan stood up. He sat on the floor near Dadima and hugged her. Dadima threaded her fingers through his hair while his tears soaked her saree. After few minutes, Maan spoke, "Mujhe pyar se darr nahi hai, Dadima." He wiped his face and got up. Dadima looked at him in shock. He walked to the window and looked out. "Pyar toh bahut khoobsurat cheez hai. Ise mehsoos karna meri khushkismati hai. Aur main toh kabse us humsafar ki talaash mein tha jiske saath mein main apni poori zindagi kaat sakoon. Jise har khushi de sakoon aur jiske saare gham le sakoon. Par naseeb ne hi dhoka de diya. Pyar hua toh bhi aisi ladki se jo apne aapko bhi nahi jaanti. Jise apne baare mein kuch nahi pata. Agar kal uski yaaddaasht waapas aayi aur usne Mujhe chod diya toh! Main marr jaaoonga Dadi, mar jaaoonga. Ise achcha toh yeh tha ki main accept hi na karta ki I love her. Mujhe darr hain ki kahin woh mujhse door na ho jaaye. Aur waise bhi use khone ka dard aise hi jyada hoga, agar mere pyar ke izhaar ke baad woh Mujhe apna le aur sab yaad aane ke baad Mujhe chod de toh woh dard Mujhe maar daalega." Maan had tears streaming down his face while Dadi was in no better condition.
Dadima got up from the bed and placed her hand on Maan's shoulder. Maan turned and hugged her. Dadi held his hand and dragged him to the bed. She sat down and made him sit down beside her. She spoke up, "Maan, pyar ek tohfa hai jo Babaji ne humein diya hai. Is pyaar ko aise jaane mat do. Us par vishwas karo. Dekho Maan, ek na ek din sabko yeh duniya chodkar Babaji ke paas jaana hota hai. Par kya is marne ke darr se hum jeena chod dete hai? Pyaar karna chod dete hain? Nahi puttarji. Hum phir bhi jeete hai, haste hai, pyaar karte hai. Aap hi bataayiye agar unhein sab yaad aa gaya aur phir bhi woh aapke saath rahi toh kya guarantee hai betaji ki aapko ya unhein kuch hoga nahi. Agar unhein, bhagwan na kare, Cancer hogaya toh kya aap unse pyaar karna chod denge? Nahi na. Jinhein jab tak jeena hai tab tak hi woh jeeyenge. Toh kya uske darr aap pyaar nahi karenge? Nahi na. Toh Soni se pyaar karne se kyon aap itna darr rahe hain? Dekhiye, agar aapke naseeb mein woh hai toh woh aapki hi banke rahegi. Babaji har cheez ke baare mein sochte hai. Unhonein kuch soch samajhkar hi Soni ko aapke Jeep se takraaya hoga. Babaji par bharosa rakhiye, woh sab dekh rahe hai."
Maan looked away, "Aur agar woh sab yaad aane ke baad mujhe chodke chali gayi toh.." "Toh Maan beta hum khud aapse aake kahenge, ki aapki mangetar Soni mar chuki hai. Aap yeh mat sochiye ki woh aapko chod kar gayi hai. Yeh sochiye ki Babaji ne aapke Soni ko apne paas bula liya.", Dadima spoke in a tired voice. Maan looked at her in shock. "Haan Maan! Agar use sab yaad aaya aur aapko woh nahi apnaati toh woh aapki Soni nahi hai. Soni toh woh hai jo aapke bimaar hote hi raat bhar aapke paas rahi. Woh toh aapko chodne ka kabhi soch hi nahi sakti. Agar woh gayi toh yahi sochiyega ki aapki Soni mar gayi." Maan looked away. Why everything seemed painful today? He always heard love brought color into your life. Then why he felt only pain in this love? Kyon dard hain itna tere ishq mein?
Dadima took a deep breath and cupped Maan's face in her hands, "Beta, Aap lekin yeh sab baatein kyon soch rahe hain? Aap yeh bhi toh sochiye ki shaayad unki yaaddaasht waapas hi na aaye. Ya yeh sochiye ki yaaddaasht waapas aane ke baad bhi woh aapse pyaar karti rahe. Maan bete, har cheez ke do pehlu hote hain ek achcha aur ek bura. Aap bura hi mat dekhiye achche ko bhi dekhiye." Maan nodded his head and got up. Dadima realized that he was yet to be convinced. Suddenly, she remembered one thing which her husband had told her once. She smiled, "Maan beta, agar aapko phir bhi aapke naseeb par aitbaar nahi hai toh ek kaam kijiye." Maan turned and looked at her with hope in his eyes. "Aap unse itna pyaar kijiye ki aapka pyaar unhein aapse door hi na kar paaye. Woh aapke pyaar mein itni jakad jaaye ki woh aapse door jaane ke baare mein soch hi na paaye. Unhein aapka itna deewana banaayiye ki woh aapke baghair saans bhi na le paaye. Unhein apne pyaar itna uljha dijiye ki woh aapko chodkar kisi aurke baare mein soch bhi na paaye." Maan looked down. Dadi's words made sense but still. "Mujhe sochne ke liye waqt chaahiye Dadima." Dadima nodded but had a smile on her face. Atleast he is considering what she said. Hey Babaji mere bachche ko sahi raah dikhaana!
Place - Dadima's room at Khurana Mansion
It was nearly 5:30 and Dadima was sitting on the bed reading the latest magazine. Suddenly Maan barged into the room with a smile on his face. "Dadima main thode der mein hospital jaa raha hoon. Kuch bhejna ho toh bataa dijiye." He ran back out leaving Dadima shocked. "Maan!", Dadima called and Maan came back into the room. "Ji Dadima?" "Aap abhi hospital jaa rahe hain! Humaara matlab hai ki aap toh Soni se nahi milna chaahte the na phir kyon jaa rahe hain. Naintara hai wahaan unka khayaal rakhne ke liye aur raat ko Dev wahaan par honge. Kal bhi NT aur Dev rahenge unke saath. Phir Sunday toh woh Ghar bhi aa jaayenge. Toh phir ab kyon aap jaa rahe hain.", Dadima was shocked but she also had a smile on her face. Itne jaldi humaare lecture ka asar ho gaya. Waah! Humein toh professor banna chaahiye! Maan fumbled a bit not knowing what to say. Then he remembered he was Maan Singh Khurana. And Maan Singh Khurana never fumbles. He straightened his back and spoke, "Dadima, Soni meri honewaali patni hai. Uska khayal rakhna mera farz hai. Mujhe usse milna hi hoga." He walked off leaving Dadima to smile foolishly. Toh Maan ki akal thikaane aa hi gayi. Suddenly, Maan came back and kissed her on her cheek and said, "Main usse pyaar karta hoon Dadi. Aur iss baat se main ab nahi darne waala hoon."
Place - Maan's room at Khurana Mansion
Dadima would have had a heart attack if she had a look at Maan's room now. Clothes covered each and every part of the room and all the wardrobes looked nearly empty. And there stood Maan Singh Khurana in front of the mirror holding two shirts in front of him checking which one looked better or rather which one Soni would like. He threw both the shirts away. Why can't he find one right shirt for the occasion. It was first time he was meeting her after acknowledging his love. It was the first time she was meeting him after the accident. He had to look good right? No, not just good, he had to look perfect. Tired of not finding the right shirt Maan decided to dress up in his regular three piece when his eyes fell on a white kurta. Few months back, it was becoming fashion to wear kurta over jeans and NT had bought it once for Maan, Dev, Arjun, Arnav, Akash and Shyam in their favourite colors. While Dev, Arjun, Akash and Shyam tend to wear it now and then, Maan and Arnav stashed them away never to be seen again. While Maan was not interested in wearing kurtas, Arnav was shocked that NT had actually got him bright red kurta. Poor Arnav! He had nearly fainted imagining himself in it. Maan pulled out the kurta and smiled. Soni loved Indian wear. Maybe, she will like him in these!
Dadima, Chandu and rest of the servants looked in shock as Maan Singh Khurana, for the first time, walked out of the house in white kurta and jeans.
Place - Room No. 207, VIP ward, Goldline Hospital
Soni was fiddling with the bed sheets with a sad expression on her face. NT had got a call from Dev and she had gone to the terrace to talk to him. Soni was feeling very gloomy today. Maan had yet to come and meet her. When questioned, NT told her that Maan had stayed the whole night here without any sleep, so he must have been tired and gone home to sleep. But Soni was not satisfied with this answer. If he was so desperate for her to get up, then why he did not meet her when she woke up? Dusht kahin ke!
Soni heard a knock on the door and looked up only to feel her breath taken away. There stood Maan Singh Khurana holding a bouquet of roses smiling at her wearing a white kurta and jeans. She did not know what shocked her more, him smiling, him bringing roses for her or him dressed in kurta. Hey Babaji! Videshi kapdon mein yeh kya kam handsome lagte the ki ab yeh kurta pehenke aa gaye! Inhein itna handsome lagne ka koi haq nahi! Inhein aise dekhti rahi toh Mujhe Heart Attack aa jaayega! Hey Babaji! Bachchi ki jaan loge kya? Her heart beats sped up as he walked towards her. He gave her the roses and she took them. She smiled at him in wonder. He bent down and came close to her face. She gulped. He whispered, "Aise hi dekhti rahogi ya kuch bologi bhi. Tumhaare aawaaz sunne ko mere kaan taras gaye." Her eyes widened and Maan could not resist himself. He gave her a kiss on her left cheek. She blushed and looked away from him. He sat beside her and stared at her. She was unable to meet his eyes due to shyness and kept on looking at the bed sheets. Hey Babaji! Yeh kuch bolte kyon nahi! Maan looked at her. He did not want to ruin the moment by speaking. He could have kept staring at her for eternity when the Doctor broke the silence, "Mr. Khurana. I would like to speak with you for a moment." "I will be there in few moments, Doctor.", Maan told the doctor and looked at Soni. At the same time, Soni raised her eyes and their eyes met. Maan walked towards her and took her hand in his hands, "Main abhi aaya." He kissed her hand and then unable to resist himself, he kissed her right cheek and walked off leaving Soni in shock. She raised her hands and touched both of her cheeks. She blushed, smiled and hid her face in the bed sheets.
Place - Maan's car enroute to Khurana Constructions
Maan sighed and smiled. He could not believe how relieved he felt after telling his problem to Dadima. He also felt light because now he could express his feelings without any fear. He decided he would not worry about tomorrow and live for today only. He decided to trust his Babaji! After his meeting with Doctor who assured that everything was fine, he spoke with NT who also assured him that she would manage everything. As soon as he entered Soni's room he got a call from Dev. One of the audit officers had decided to come over for a surprise visit and Maan had to be there as Dev was not experienced in handling such things. Maan realized that he would be busy for not only the whole night but also the next day. This also meant that he would not be able to meet Soni till next day evening. He sighed and told NT and Soni of his condition. Soni did not mind it and asked him to concentrate on KC. He had smiled and given her kiss on the forehead leading NT to whistle and Soni to blush. Now here he was sitting in his car enroute to KC.
The driver broke through his thoughts by asking if he could put on the radio. Maan allowed him and soon a string of guitar notes filled the air. Maan closed his eyes and leaned on the seat's headrest.
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Rab Ne Milaaya Tumhein
Hote Pe Sajaaya Tumhein
Nagme Sa Gaaya Tumhein
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Sab Se Chupaaya Tumhein
Sapna Banaaya Tumhein
Neendon Mein Bulaaya Tumhein
Maan felt someone leaning on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked to his right to see Soni looking at him.
Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein Baat Ban Gayi
Ishq Mazhab Ishq Meri Zaat Ban Gayi
Maan smiled at her and she smiled back.
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Rab Ne Milaaya Tumhein
Hote Pe Sajaaya Tumhein
Nagme Sa Gaaya Tumhein
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Sab Se Chupaaya Tumhein
Sapna Banaaya Tumhein
Neendon Mein Bulaaya Tumhein
She got out of the car and he followed her. As soon as he got out of the car, he entered a white circular room with white pillars and white curtains. There she stood in the middle in a white chudidaar.
Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein Baat Ban Gayi
Ishq Mazhab Ishq Meri Zaat Ban Gayi
He walked towards her.
Sapne Teri Chaahaton Ke
Sapne Teri Chaahaton Ke
Dekhta Hoon Ab Kayee
Din Hai Sona Aur Chaandi Raat Ban Gayi
Ho Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein Baat Ban Gayi
He gave her his hand and she took it. He pulled her close and she blushed.
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Rab Ne Milaaya Tumhein
Hote Pe Sajaaya Tumhein
Nagme Sa Gaaya Tumhein
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Sab Se Chupaaya Tumhein
Sapna Banaaya Tumhein
Neendon Mein Bulaaya Tumhein
As the music started Maan started twirling Soni around. He pulled her in and twirled her out. He pulled her close and dipped her. He pulled her up. She turned away from him. He turned her back and looked into her eyes.
Aisa Main Saudaai Hua
Dhadkane Bhi Apni Toh
Lagti Hai Teri Aahatein
Arre Haan!
He hugged her.
Maangi Na Khudaai Maine
Maanga Na Zamaana Bhi
Maangli Hai Teri Chaahatein
She pushed him away and ran off. Maan woke up from his dream and realized he was sitting in the car. He grinned sheepishly. I may have lost against love but my heart has won and I am happy for its win!
Khwaahishein Milne Ki Tumse
Khwaahishein Milne Ki Tumse
Roz Hoti Hai Nayee
Mere Dil Ki Jeet Meri Maat Ban Gayi
Ho Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein Baat Ban Gayi
Music started flowing again. As Maan closed his eyes, he felt her kiss him on his cheek. He smiled as he imagined her in the silver saree he had bought for her, both of them dancing in aa empty room without no one except both of them.
Tere Bina Pheeki Si Thi
Meri Zindagaani Yeh
Tere Sang Meethi Hogayi
He imagined them standing on the terrace, her dressed in the pink saree his mother had brought for his bahu, him hugging her from behind and both of them staring at the moon.
Haan!
Aata Jaata Khushiyon Ke Main
Gale Lag Jaata Hoon
Duniya Bhi Lagti Hai Nayee
He imagined her in his room dressed in her shaadi ka joda sitting on a suhaag ki sej her face covered by Duppatta.
Raunakein Hain Dil Ke Dar Pe
Raunakein Hain Dil Ke Dar Pe
Dhadkanein Hain Surmayee
Meri Kismat Bhi Tumhaare Saath Ban Gayi
Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein Baat Ban Gayi
He opened his eyes at the last image. Will she be mine one day?
Sapne Teri Chaahaton Ke
Sapne Teri Chaahaton Ke
Dekhta Hoon Ab Kayee
Din Hai Sona Aur Chaandi Raat Ban Gayi
Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein Baat Ban Gayi
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Rab Ne Milaaya Tumhein
Hote Pe Sajaaya Tumhein
Nagme Sa Gaaya Tumhein
Paaya Maine Paaya Tumhein
Sab Se Chupaaya Tumhein
Sapna Banaaya Tumhein
Neendon Mein Bulaaya Tumhein
P.S. The song is from the movie Once Upon A Time In Mumbai released in 2010 featuring Ajay Devgan and Kangana Ranaut. It is sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Saab. This is not the duet version. It is the reprise version.
P.S.S I used a line from IPKKND in this chapter. Can you guess which one? (Hint: It is not necessary the line taken should be a dialogue.)
Precap - Arnav makes a promise, Maan takes a decision
What is the promise? What is the decision? Can you guess?
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye!
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
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