Hey all! Some of you might have read this one already since this is my entry for the recently concluded Summer Romance OS Contest. For those who did, please comment to let me know your views and for those who didn't read away(and then comment😆)
A big Thanks to everyone who read and voted for the OS. Its because of you guys, my lovely readers that I am inspired to make attempts to write. Hope you will keep the love and support coming😳
I Just wanna spend my Life with You...
Geet had always been, for lack of a better word, fidgety. She just HAD to be doing something at all times, and that something didn't include sleeping-except for the imperative night-time sleep that she allowed her tired body to cherish. And this habit annoyed Rano no end. She, unlike her daughter needed her rest-an afternoon nap to recharge her after slogging with her kids and household work since morning. So, often she would force her to sleep besides her, if possible, holding her hand.
Geet understood that her mom needed to rest, as she had explained to her. But, she couldn't help it! She could NOT sleep in the afternoon! Why waste your time sleeping when you could be out doing something more interesting, more fun? She loved to do a lot of things. She loved reading the story books her mom brought for her; she loved to paint and would often use up her stock of colors within a week. She also loved to play, but there weren't many kids nearby to play with and her own siblings found her too young to play with her- she was 5 and 7 years younger to her old brother and sister respectively. Thinking of painting again this evening, Geet slowly and very cautiously slipped out of her mother's hold and without making any noise, slipped out of the room. She had a doubt that her mom knew that she slips out every afternoon, but they sort of had a silent understanding that Geet wouldn't go out of the house and her mom would sleep in peace.
Humming to herself, the 8-year old made her way to the other part of the house-one that was named Bhoot Bangla by her, simply because of the fact that when their decade old tenants vacated the place a few months ago, the place seemed to scary, too ghastly without them. The name had stuck and it was referred to by it by everyone in their family of seven now. However, there was nothing even remotely scary about the place. It was more like a collection of storerooms now, one of which housed her painting supplies and had a small window. It was there that Geet would sit and paint silently, sometimes staring at the sunlight streaming in from the window. Before she could enter, her Daadi came out and smiled a knowing smile looking at her youngest grandkid, who could not sit idle for a moment.
Geet made her way inside and began to paint. After several failed attempts and spoiled sheets, she gave up. She was bored! She didn't feel like painting; she felt like going out of the house to play. But, she knew Rano would be angry and would forcefully make her sleep from the following day. So, she sadly went out, thinking of going to the terrace but was stopped by her Daadi.
"Geet!"
"Je daadiji",, she stopped to listen to her Daadi.
"Aaj painting nahin karni?", Daadi asked looking at the slightly sad expression on her poti's face.
"Nahin daadi. Main bore ho gayi. Mujhe bahar jaana hai. Par'", she stopped thinking of her Mom.
"Par mummy ki daant se darr rahi hai, yahi na?", Daadi asked.
When Geet nodded, she said, "Koi nahin! Khurana uncle hai na, hamare padosi, unka Pota aaya hai do din pehle chuttiyon ke liye,tu unke ghar jaake uske saath khel le.Uncle ke ghar jaane se mummy bhi naaraz nahin hongi, aur tum dodno bachhe bore bhi nahin hoge"
Geet's face lit up as she swiftly ran up the stairs to her terrace and gleefully climbed to the other side of the wall connecting her house to the Khurana house. She always used this way, and the Khuranas, who had been family friends for over 10 years now, were used to this. So, it came as no surprise when she climbed down their stairs and straight away entered the kitchen, and asked Daadi for her new friend and playmate.
"Maan! Idhar aana beta", called out Daadi and Geet came to know the name of the kid who was supposed to stay for the duration of the summer vacations.
A boy, who looked almost her age, or maybe a bit older came into the kitchen and she immediately introduced herself and dragged him to the terrace.
"Pata hai, I was sooo bored. Mujhe khelna hai,aur yahan koi bhi nahin hai", she pouted as Maan looked on shocked by the girl who came as a whirlwind and dragged him here.
"Par ab tum aa gaye ho na. Batao kya khelen?", she cutely asked him and then without waiting for an answer started her rant once again.
"Chup, Bilkul chup!", Maan said sternly when he saw that she was in no mood to listen to him.
"Dusht Dhanav'.",he heard her mutter under her breath and almost smiled at her cute expression.
He thought for a moment. He had been there for two days and was utterly bored himself. So,he suggested a game and they played till dusk when she ran away, promising to meet him next afternoon. He too went back, happy to have found someone to play with.
So began their friendship, as every afternoon Geet would slip out of her Mom's grasp and Maan would be waiting for her either on his or her terrace and together they would play tag, or other games or go find those coloured rocks that Geet liked from the construction material on the terrace adjacent to theirs. Those two months of summer vacations, they became inseparable.
And then, it was time to depart. They said a tearful goodbye to each other. They would remember each other and for a few days, both were sad, but then, young kids move on quick, they had their school friends back. They met again, the following summer and renewed their friendship.
Every summer, he would come back and they would spend two months together blissfully. As they had turned older, he continued to go there, for the girl that was now becoming a part of his life-even if he saw her just two months a year. He had seen what a sweet girl lay within the Chattery exterior. He adored her kindness and affection towards everyone. For that he had nicknamed her Mishti. They had discussed the prospect of keeping in touch via letters, but then decided not to, to keep the excitement of the precious two months alive.
10 years later (from their first meeting)
Geet took a deep breath as she prepared herself to go meet him, trying hard not to cry. He was leaving the next day-for the US; for 5 long years. He had told her just a week back and they had tried to spend as much time with each other as possible in the last seven days. Though they were both grown-ups now, both 18, they still loved to do simple things together. He knew she loved going to the park, playing around and he went along with her. They would go when it was dark and the kids left and play. She knew he liked to sit by the stream that flowed close by and so they would go there in the afternoons and sit under the shade of the Mango tree there. They had been friends for a decade now and their families had no problem. In the morning, they would get up early, take their bicycles and ride on deserted roads, soaking up the early morning freshness.
Though they had been friends for so long, this year, he had become something more for her. She had accepted to herself that she liked him as more than a friend. But, she didn't know how he felt. Add to it the weird ways of their relationship-meeting just for 60 days and then almost forgetting each other for the rest of the 10 months. There was no doubt about the fact that they had never really forgotten each other, but her fears were not unfounded. So, she kept her feelings to herself. Sometimes when they sat by the stream, she would feel him watching her in an almost revered way, but then she would scold herself for imagining things. After all, had he felt something, he would have told her. If there was one thing about him that she admired the most, it was his forthrightness. If he felt something, he believed in accepting it. So, if he felt something, he would say it. Right?
Pushing the thoughts away from her mind, she made her way out for their time by the stream. They were unusually silent that day. They didn't speak much anyways, but that was because they understood each other pretty well. Their silences were comforting, not uncomfortable. But, today was different. The silence that hung between them was heavy- heavy with emotions; as if both had a lot to say but no words to say it. The impending goodbye hung heavy on their minds. He had to leave in the night so this was the last time they were meeting before they left. Geet had refused to come see him off. She couldn't see him go away. The stormy weather reflected the thunder storm brewing within their hearts.
Lost in thoughts they didn't notice the sky changing color, the minutes ticking away, till a faint red in the sky signaled the end of their meeting. They both rose.
Trying to bring some fake enthusiasm in her voice, Geet started, "So, all set for tonight?"
"Hmmm'", Maan replied slowly, looking at her as if trying to read something on her face.
Geet averted her eyes, afraid of them reflecting her heart's desires.
"Geet'"
The way he whispered her name, she couldn't stop herself from looking towards him and in that moment, she saw her own feelings reflected in his eyes, along with sadness and helplessness at the distance that would invariably creep between them in a few hours.
After a moment, he said a soft Goodbye and left, leaving her standing there, fighting the conflicting feelings of happiness at what she saw, and sadness at what could never be.
Maan had left. Her first love had remained incomplete. But, he would stay within her till eternity.
5 years later
It had been 5 years since he had last seen him. About the same duration since she had last heard of him. After all, he had left no contact number with her and the Khurana family, struck with unexpected tragedy just a week after his departure had shifted to another city.
5 years in which he might have forgotten her.
5 years in which she should have forgotten him. But she didn't. She couldn't.
She liked to believe she tried, but in her heart, she knew, she didn't want to. She didn't want to let go of him. She still yearned for him. More than anything, she yearned for the friend that made her summers colorful.
It was her friend's wedding day. Pinky's wedding day and she was getting her ready, somewhere imagining herself in Pinky's place, getting ready for him.
But, she was alone. He wasn't there. Maybe that was her destiny.
One of Pinky's younger cousin sisters' rushed into the room and said, "Geet didi! Please Chalo na! Adi Jeeju's friends are very Akkhadd! They are refusing to give us our Shagun for entering the Mandap"
Getting into her happy mode for her friend and the kids waiting for her, she took her hand and said, "Chal! Main bhi dekhti hoon kaise nahin dete! Aakhir ham bhiadiyal saaliyaan hain. Aise nai chodenge Jeeju ko", and walked away winking at Pinky.
On her way to the entrance of the Mandap,beautifully decorated with roses, the girl filled her in as to how one of Jeeju's friend was the leader and was causing them trouble.
As the girl pointed out the so-called friend, she felt everything stop as she saw the familiar broad shoulders that seemed to have become even broader, the arms that showed strength, the straight jawline which somehow seemed sexier, and those eyes that seemed''Just the Same!
It was him!
She saw the twinkle that came in his eye the moment he saw her, saw the smirk make its way onto his face. Saw as he firmly held his ground standing with Jeeju, challenging her with his eyes. All around her the saalis were egging her to help them and she decided to take-up the challenge that he silently offered. She slowly moved towards him, keeping her eyes locked with his, trying to keep her concentration at the task at hand, praying not to get lost in those pools that were sucking her in, and secretly enjoying the emotions displayed bare in his eyes.
He looked on as she made her way directly towards him; he didn't notice when she took the scissors from him; didn't notice when she signaled her accomplices to target his sweet and gullible friend,Adi, and got her way; or maybe he did!
Maybe he didn't care. Maybe that's what he wanted all along- to get her close to him, with him.
As there was sudden chaos and cheers all around and the Baaraatis merrily pushed in after the Saalis had received their Shagun, he pulled her away from the gate, to the side, which was now deserted as everyone had gone in and said, "I love you!"
That's what she loved about him. No pretences, no warnings, straight to the point. But, she had questions.
As if reading her mind, he spoke again,"Yes! I was already in love with you when I left but didn't want to bind you to myself when you had a life here, thousands of miles away from me. I couldn't take away your right to fall in love again, to move on and that's why I never contacted you while I was away"
"After coming back, the first thing I did was to come here and coincidentally, my best friend was about to get married to yours. I discreetly found out that you weren't seeing anyone so I thought I deserve a chance to at least confess what I feel for you"
Looking into his expectant eyes, she didn't wait at all!
"I love you too", she spoke out jumping in his arms and he hugged her back tightly.
"I am taking you away'very soon'.no more summer romances, I want you with me, in all seasons, throughout my life", he gave words to his heart's wishes.
"Likewise Mr. Khurana! But, before you take me away, I have a condition", she said seriously.
"What?", Maan asked confused and somewhat scared.
"Promise that we will come back here every summer, and fall in love all over again"
"Sure, Would-be-Mrs. Khurana", he smiled and gathered her back into his arms, to never let go.
The evening that did it! : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/geet-hui-sabse-parayee/1770785/maaneet-os-the-evening-that-did-it
Learning to Value: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/geet-hui-sabse-parayee/1711884/os-learning-to-value
Coz you're worth it! : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/geet-hui-sabse-parayee/2918063/2nd-anniv-spl-os-coz-youre-worth-it
Intehaa Intezaar ki (Gift for a dear friend) : /forum/geet-hui-sabse-parayee/1947585/intehaa-intezaar-ki-os-aashu-dis-gift-pt-2-pg-31
A new Beginning: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/geet-hui-sabse-parayee/2904097/os-a-new-beginning-part-2-page-5
Learning to Live with you, for You...: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/geet-hui-sabse-parayee/3131277/os-learning-to-live-with-you-for-you
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