Chapter 25: Dressing Up
"Geet jaldi chalo," Anushka urged pulling Geet out of the room.
"Haan aa rahi hoon," Geet replied adjusting her duppatta while Anushka dragged her. "Magar Anu I seriously cannot dance. Ab bhi time hai I'll back out so that Chaitu's sangeet doesn't look like a disaster," she offered.
"Main kuch bhi nahi sunne waali. It was Chaitu's order that everybody participate in her sangeet. Ab tum nayi naveli to-be dulhan ka dil dukhaayegi kya?" Anushka asked emphatically.
"Ab if you put it that way, I cannot," Geet complained feeling guilty.
"Now come on. We still need to finalize the songs and then rehearsals. Uff aur sirf we have only two days," Anushka ranted shaking her head dramatically while walking to the huge studio like room where everyone had decided to meet.
Geet and Anushka walked into the room to find people gathered around in random groups and chatting. Seeing them walk in Chaitu rushed, "Thank you so much Geet for agreeing," she remarked with excitement. "First, I want you to meet Arun," she gushed pointing to her husband to be. Geet turned to smile and greet him and he returned her gesture.
"Thank you Geetji for saving Chaitu. I'm sorry I couldn't come to meet you earlier and thank you personally," he said.
"Oh please you don't have to thank me," she replied with a gracious smile.
"Geet! Thank God tum aagayi!" she heard Charan exclaim walking to them. "Come on now we need to get going, we hardly have anytime left," he added grabbing Geet's hand to her surprise. She walked behind him without a choice when she scanned around the room to see Maan. He continued to glower at her and was on the verge of intercepting them when he felt a pair of hands hugging his right hand. Annoyed at the interruption, he was about to turn around to blast the person when he saw that it was Sonia. Nevertheless, he was about to shake away from her grip when an evil idea popped in his mind. A while ago Geet had ruined a perfect moment and reminded about some silly bet. Well wasn't it fair enough that he plays by her rules. He smirked at his own thoughts and gave a charming smile to Sonia before turning around to look knowingly at Geet.
Geet felt uneasy walking with him and top of that she had seen Maan look at her making her more guilty. Although she was uneasy in his hold, she didn't want to jerk her hand away and insult him. So she decided to follow him quietly without any drama. As she was walking reluctantly behind him she looked around to find pair of intense eyes following her as she made her way through. Instantly she stiffened seeing him glare at her and at Charan's grip. Jealousy was clearly written all over his face as he saw them walk down causing him to ball up his fists, turning his knuckles white. She felt uneasy and shrugged helplessly at Maan as though saying it really was not her fault. She was about to free herself from Charan when she saw that chudail sashay her way through the crowd to wind her arms around her husband's bicep! Anger coursed through her as she watched Maan enjoy her presence and turned to look at her with a smirk.
"So people shuru karein," Anushka interrupted both Maan and Geet's dramatic conversation through their eyes by calling others to gather around.
"Yes of course," Charan began, leaving Geet's hand but made her stay close to him. "We have split up all the people and shall have four main pairs along with groups that go with each pair," he declared. "First pair is our very own dulha and dulhan, Arun and Chaitu," he announced earning claps. "Pair number two shall of course have me," he began only for the crowd to hoot in excitement. He smiled in return and let the crowd settle down before he could announce his pair. Once the shouting was over everyone looked eagerly at him; each girl hoping she would be selected, guys eager to know the lucky girl. "Actually I really wasn't going to participate but I cannot deny my little sister here," he said looking at Chaitu before continuing, "so after a lot of thought I have decided Ms. Geet here shall be my partner." His announcement brought a lot of excitement and shouts in the crowd. Girls half-heartedly cheered for Charan and Geet pair while men whistled and hooted at his choice.
Maan, who was disinterestedly looking around during Charan's announcements, snapped his head at the mention of his wife! That annoying little twit had the guts to take his wife for his partner, he thought angrily. Rage clouded his eyes as he looked at Charan take Geet's hand once again and raised it above for everyone to see. He wanted to crush him with his mere hands but was instantly reminded of Geet's reluctance and aloofness this morning making him abandon all thoughts of public assault. He hoped and wished maybe Geet would oppose Charan's decision but she had coolly stood without any reaction.
Geet on the other hand was more shocked at Charan's announcement. She didn't expect him to announce her as his partner without her prior consultation. She was in fact quite peeved at his unprofessional behavior by including her without even letting her know. She wanted to be the last person to dance but Chaitu had requested her. Unable to refuse her she had agreed to dance. But becoming his partner was the least she expected and wanted! Him dragging her had already irritated her and she reserved giving her opinion while they were alone but his announcement had destroyed her resolve and she decided to give her piece of mind right then and there. She opened her mouth to say it when Anushka intercepted her. She saw Anu whisper something to Charan making him smile and nod his head before looking through the crowd to find someone.
"Our next pair is Maan and Sonia," he announced to the dismay of Geet. "And finally the last jodi is Anushka along with Arjun," he finished with a smile. "Since we have quite a few people and very less time I have brought in a few assistant choreographers so you guys please split up and begin your rehearsals." The crowd dispersed with his final announcement leaving Maan, Geet, and Charan alone.
"Maan," they heard a sugary voice to see Sonia batting her eyelashes. "We need to be practicing, chalo na." Maan took one last look and Geet before walking away from them. Charan who failed to realize the strong undercurrent of emotions asked Geet to accompany him.
"Charan mujhe yeh dance nahi karni hai," Geet asserted once they were alone.
"Kya?" Charan asked at her sudden refusal. "Magar kyun?"
"Bas mujhe nahi karni," she repeated outrightly.
"Arre aap aise mere dil mat dukhayiye," he said, dramatically holding his chest where his heart lay.
"Aisa kuch nahi hai. Bas mera mann nahi kar raha," she said looking away.
"Teekhai toh main bhi nahi karoonga. I'll tell Chaitu I wont be able to do because my partner backed away," he said looking sorry.
"Nahi aap aur koi partner dhoondh lijiye na. Why me?" she asked with exasperation.
"Tumse accha kaun hai," he sang gruffly extending his arm and pointing to her while trying to imitate Shammi Kapoor. "Dil lo jigar lo jaan lo."
"Oh God Charan I don't need your life. Bas mera jaan mat lijiye," she said folding her hands and shaking her head.
"Teekhai," he dragged eyeing her, "I'll also drop out. Don't worry mein Chaitu se kuch nahi kahunga. Bas mujhe zara sa dukh ho raha ki I cannot fulfill her wish. Magar aap fikar mat kijiye Geet, main sambhalunga," he said faking hurt.
Geet chuckled at his antics while he indirectly tried to blackmail her with Chaitu's name. She of course couldn't deny Chaitu but at the same time she didn't want to dance with him, yet he refused to budge. Babaji mujhe kahan phasa di! "Fine stop making those silly faces. But I don't want to do a long number. Just a few minutes. Aur yeh mat sochiye ki I am doing it for you. Its just for Chaitu," she warned sternly.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" he exclaimed like a little kid who had just got the permission to dig into a treasure of chocolates.
Throughout the rehearsals both Maan and Geet kept stealing glances at each other hoping the other would interrupt their practice session but at the moment it seemed like a long lost dream. Maan was hurt that neither had Geet objected to her being paired against Charan nor had she anything to say to him being paired with "chudail" (in her own words). Geet on the other hand hoped Maan would clearly object if not create a scene when she was paired with Charan but he seemed to be enjoying his dance lessons with that girl monkey. By the end of the day anger and jealousy had overtaken their rational thoughts causing them to scoff at each other's decision. As they crossed paths they stared at each other angrily before stomping away to their respective rooms. Unknown to them a pair of eyes had closely followed their each movement throughout the day and smiled satisfactorily at their reaction before heading to their rooms. "Wah, kya baat hai Anu? You seriously need to become a full-time matchmaker and a part-time marriage counselor," she thought proudly, patting her shoulder.
***
Two days of intense rehearsals had finally paved way to the actual D-Day. Sangeet function was set to happen in a few hours and everyone were running around to either set up and finalize the stage or get costumes and other things ready. In the midst of all hustle bustles, Geet quietly sat in a corner. They could hardly meet practice as they were in different groups, preparing for different sets of songs and by the time she returned to her room it would be too late to meet Maan. She sighed lazily and decided to take a stroll in the back garden when she saw Anushka approach her with a huge package.
"Hey Geet, ab ise lelo. It contains all the necessary costumes and other accessories for tonight's show," she said handing over the package to Geet. "I need you to get ready in an hour so that I can check whether the fitting is proper," she ordered before hurrying away.
Geet walked back to her room dragging her steps and dropped the package on the bed. She opened to find a shortened version of salwar like pants with a few ruffles and a lot of shiny dots around it. It was a dark shade of golden yellow. And she rummaged through the dresses to find a dark red blouse to go along with it. She wasn't familiar with these types of attire so she had asked Anushka to finalize it. She had also specifically asked to have the front coved with flaps of same colored cloth when Anushka had managed to find a sample of how it would look. The back of the blouse was held by few strands of cloth, leaving her entire back open. She gasped at Anushka's choice of design and reminded herself to scold Anu for her naughtiness. Gathering her clothing she went into the washroom to change into her costume after laying out all the accessories that went along with that dress on the dressing table.
Geet came out of the bathroom in a golden yellow skin fitting kaccha pants along with her red blouse that beautifully fitted her. Flaps of cloth covering her midriff were slit in the middle allowing the viewer to get a slight glimpse of her petite waist. She had pushed all of her long hair to one side and walked over to sit in front of the dressing mirror. In spite of not wearing any make up, her face glowed enhancing her natural beauty. She lightly applied a little base and some blush on her cheeks before lining her eyes with khol and mascara. She finished her look with light gloss of lipstick and looked up to see herself. She brought her hairbrush out and began to untangle all the knots. She was brushing her hair and lifted her face to look in the mirror when she caught him staring intensely at her. When her eyes locked with his, he slowly began to inch forward as though an invincible thread pulled him towards her. Her breadth hitched as he walked towards her, his gaze unwavering. He slightly closed the door as he made his way into her room.
Maan had come back from his last rehearsal quite peeved. He had expected Geet would atleast intervene seeing his strut away with whom she calls "chudail" but to his surprise she was as cool as a cucumber. Arun had intervened his dance sessions to inform him that his dance costumes were kept in his room and he was to try them out just in case it needed any last minute alterations. Happy at Arun's arrival he quickly left the reluctant Sonia and rushed to his room. On his way he wanted to see Geet and decided to pass by her corridor. He came to stand by her door only to be sweetly surprised by an angelic figure sitting in front of the mirror. Her back was facing him but he could clearly see her reflection on the mirror. Her milky white skin glowed, radiating freshness and natural beauty. That moment seemed to freeze making him forget everything around him. He quietly observed her apply light make-up, enhancing her already beautiful features before grabbing her hairbrush to tame her tresses. He didn't intend her to see him but the minute their eyes met, he couldn't stop himself from being drawn towards her.
Maan reached the dressing table where Geet sat and kneeled down beside her chair. He saw her frown slightly, her eyes questioning his motive. He saw her open her mouth, about to say something when he instantly shut her putting his long and slender index finger on her lusciously petal like lips. "Shh," he whispered, instantly quietening her. He didn't want to spoil such a perfect moment with worthless words. He broke his gaze for a moment and turned to see all the jewelry that went along with the dress neatly arranged on the table. He delicately picked up the heavily embellished necklace and held it with both his hands before once again looking at her to see if her eyes gave away any type of disapproval. Seeing her just intensely stare back at him, he stood up to slowly place the necklace on her neck. He continued to gaze at her through the mirror as he let his fingers subtly brush her skin while placing the necklace. His fingers seemed to create a havoc as he tantalizingly let it run through the expanse of her chest before bringing them back to tie the necklace on the back of her neck. He heard a sharp intake of breadth and saw her close her eyes savoring the moment. He securely tied the necklace and replaced his fingers with his lips, placing a small peck on back. He instantly heard her hiss in pleasure and arch her shoulders in response to his delicate yet electrifying kiss. He then got up to walk back and kneel down again. He picked up embellished yellow and red bangles and held them together before bringing her left hand forward. He wrapped his fingers around hers in order to easily slide the bangles and began to slowly slide few bangles at a time. The tingling sound of the bangles as he ran his fingers back and forth beautifully mixed with her heavy breaths causing her chest to heave up and down. Finishing up with the bangles on the left, he picked up another dozen for her right hand and repeated the same process. Having adorned both her hands with bangles, he held both her hands in his and brought them up to his lips to place a soft kiss on her palm. He saw her bite her lower lips and lower her eyes unable to meet his intense gaze while a tinge of red hue crept to her cheeks. He then turned his attention to the remaining accessories to find a pair of red jhumkas and picked one of them. He brought them near her left ear and tucked a few strands of hair that had slipped away back in place, behind her ear, and began to slide her jhumka through the tiny hole on her earlobe. She tilted her head giving him more access as he secured the jhumka by locking it behind. Even before she could let the fact sink in that he had hooked in her left jhumka, she realized him finishing up with her other jhumka for the right ear. He had kneeled behind her and slid the jhumka causing her to instantly lean onto his broad and inviting chest. Finishing up with the jhumkas he slowly leaned forward, his hot breath raising her heartbeats, and gingerly placed a kiss on the sensitive spot on her earlobe.
"Oh Maan," she rasped, her eyes closed in sheer pleasure and her throat parched in complete anticipation.
"You look absolutely beautiful," he whispered almost reverentially, completely enraptured in the moment. He continued to shower a series of kisses on her shoulder while he slid his arms around her naked waist behind the flaps of cloth. Almost immediately she tucked her stomach unable to take his sweet torture.
"Please Maan." Words escaped her lips only to sound almost like she was begging him to not stop his pleasurable assault. But her words brought him out his reverie and alerting his mind of the compromising position they were in. Cursing at himself of letting his desires overrun the actual task at hand, he removed his hands and rushed out of the room.
Cold air replaced his warm touch causing her eyes to snap open. She blinked a few times, looking around to see what had transpired a few minutes ago. She saw him walk to her and take his own sweet time embellishing her. In the process of adorning her he had intoxicated her senses to the point of explosion yet her need for his touch made her beg him for more. But before she could order him to take her breath away she felt his sudden absence. Were any of his acts real or was it just another figment of her imagination, she wondered. Reflection in the mirror showed her fully decked up with the jewelry she had carefully laid on the dressing table. Even the mere thought of him decorating her made her cheeks burn in shyness. And the fact that she was fully dressed because of him sent shivers raking through her body. Yet his sudden disappearance doubted her theories. She shook her head in denial at her own racy thoughts and got up to call Anushka. 
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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