FF: Beetein Lamhe Prt 7 pg104 2/25/13 - Page 58

Present

As he poured himself another glass, Maan thought back to the time he'd spent with Geet in his house. Those months that Geet had been in his house were the best…or so Maan thought. Just having her around made him feel so much better; happier even. Just by mentioning "Thriller" she managed to make him laugh and have a heart attack, all at the same time. Thinking about that song brought back another memory for Maan.

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Past

It had been weeks since Geet had caught him dancing shamelessly to the Michael Jackson song. One particular day, Maan had come home for lunch which was something that usually didn't do. He knew that Teji and Pammi were out doing some more shopping for the baby after they had dropped off Daadi at a pooja in the neighborhood. Maan knew that Geet would be home and he wanted to use this opportunity to clear up the whole "Thriller" incident with her. He had been so scared of her bringing it up that he had avoided her ever since. But now, enough was enough – it was time to face the music, so to speak. As he ventured into the house, Maan heard music coming from the entertainment room. As he got closer he pinpointed the music to actually be "Thriller". He soundlessly opened the door and what he saw next took his breath away.

There she was, Geet, standing in the middle of the room with her back to him, dancing away – just like he had, the same moves and all!

"Ooo, look at me, I'm Maan Singh Khurana…business tycoon!" she said in a mocking tone. "I have a secret passion for Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'. I can dance, hell ya I can!" She continued to shake her hips just like Maan had. "Oh, yeah…shake it!"

Maan just stood there and watched her, careful not to make a sound. When the music finally stopped and the dance was over, Maan applauded her. That caused Geet to stop in mid-bow and whip her head around. Her hair was sticking to her face as she moved. That is when Maan noticed she didn't have her dupatta, it was on the arm of the couch. The expression on her face was priceless, she was shocked. Slowly, just like Maan had done, she brushed her hair away from her face – giving Maan a clear view of her beet-red face. Not knowing what to do, Geet just looked down to the floor.

"Why did you stop?" Maan asked. "Please continue. I like your dance much better than mine," he teased. "And I must say, you do a very good Maan Singh Khurana impression."

Hearing this, Geet blushed even harder. She grabbed her dupatta and made a mad dash for the stairs. Maan couldn't help but smile – he got her. Now he didn't have to worry about Geet spilling his secret, because now it was hers as well.

That incident had brought about a change in Maan and Geet's relationship. They were no longer strangers who spoke only in the presence of family, they were more like friends now. They both teased each other about the same, Maan more than Geet. It had become like a secret code for them and Maan couldn't be happier. He even dared to flirt with her shamelessly, but only when no one else was around. At first he was surprised that she flirted back, to some extent – this just showed him that she was interested as well. As badly as he had wanted to ask her out for dinner, he couldn't. He knew that she was here for Pammi Bhabi, not to go on dates with him.

When Pammi Bhabi entered her 7^th month of pregnancy, Geet arranged a Goodh Bharai (baby shower) for her with the help of Dadi. It was a strictly ladies function, no men – this led to all the males being set up outside on the lawn…again. Maan had learned is lesson at the mehndi ceremony, he had no desire to go inside; at least that is what he kept telling himself, although he was dying to see Geet. The whole men-on-the-lawn idea didn't go down too well with Teji Veerji though.

"Ok, we have to see this. It's my baby too yaar!" Teji Veerji protested. "Come on, let's draw straws…or…if SOMEONE volunteers…" he said while he looked at Maan.

Maan didn't miss that look. "Oh no, no you don't! Not again! Last time I got stuck and I'm not doing it this time." Maan looked to the house where music and laugher could be heard, then looked back at the guys, "This time, they will beat me for sure!"

Teji Veerji was in no mood to take 'no' for an answer. He went over to Maan and put an arm over his shoulder, "Come on Maan, don't be stick in the mud. We saved you last time didn't we?" Before Maan could answer, he continued, "Besides, you have a vested interest in seeing the ladies too. Actually, SOMEONE in particular."

Maan shrugged out of his brother's hold as he looked at Teji in horror. Did he know about his feelings about Geet? The best thing that had happened to him after he was forced to put on the burkah and go into the ladies mehndi was running into Geet.

"What? W…who?" Maan asked.

Teji frowned at Maan and said, "Aare, your niece or nephew, who else? After all, you are the Chacha."

Maan finally took a breath that he didn't realize he was holding; he was almost sure his brother was talking about Geet. Maan thought for a moment – if he did go in, a big IF, then he would get to see Geet unleashed. She would be herself because she would be totally oblivious to the fact that he was. So what if he ended up getting a few shoes thrown at him, it would still be totally worth it. After giving it a long thought, and after being constantly bugged by Teji, Maan finally gave in and agreed to do it. This time, they didn't dare to actually send him in – they may be stupid, but the guys were not suicidal!

Teji and some other guys had already scoped out a relatively vacant store room next to the main hall where Maan could go. Once Maan had managed to get inside and settle in, he somehow convinced Teji to join him, but only after he promised that it was safe.

Once the function started Maan got to see what he wanted to see – Geet dancing. First she danced to the song "Sola Singar" from the movie Filhaal; it was a very touching song that brought tears to everyone. Maan noticed one particular thing in that song – it mentioned the baby's Chacha. Maan was hoping, just like in the movie, the baby's Massi and Chacha would end up together too. The next song completely threw Maan off – it was "Didi Tera Dewar Dewaana" from Hum Aapke Hai Kaun. He knew that the song was directed towards him; not that he minded because he got to watch Geet dance to it perfectly. Again, it was a movie in which the baby's Massi ended up with the Chacha.

The song was just about over and Maan thought it was a prefect time to leave; all the ladies were concentrating on Geet's dance, it was just the right time. He had barely opened the window to climb out, when suddenly the door to the store room burst open and in came Geet with another girl. Geet went straight for Teji and the other girl went for Maan. They took the guys by the hand and dragged them out into the main hall which was filled with women. Each and every one of them were looking at them disapprovingly, especially Dadi.

Teji Veerji was dying – he was so afraid of what the women would do to him; forget the other women, he was petrified of Dadi and Pammi Bhabi. Maan on the other hand could think of only thing – why hadn't Geet been the one to grab his hand instead of the other girl he didn't recognize? Before they knew it, they were standing in the middle of the main hall, with all female eyes on them.

Geet was the first to speak.

"Didi, I told you naa," she said as she walked over to where Pammi Bhabi was sitting. "I told you that they would sneak in."

Pammi Bhabi folder her arms over her chest and shook her head in shame, "Oh you guys are bad!"

Teji Veerji then quickly went over to his wife and knelt before her, "It was all Maan's idea!" he said as he pointed at Maan. "He dragged me in with him. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen!"

Maan stood, unable to speak in shock. No way this was going to turn out to be his fault.

"What!? No way you're pinning this on me! It was entirely your idea." Maan shrugged out from the other girls grip and went over to where his Teji and Pammi were. "This was all his idea Bhabi, you have to believe me."

"Oh come on, my Jiju is so innocent," Geet said, "No way he came up with something like this. He knows better then that. After all, he has a pregnant-hormonal pregnant wife to worry about."

"No, no no…I didn't do it! Tell them Veerji," Maan ordered.

"What? You heard Geet, no way I came up with this idea," Teji said as he shrugged his shoulders.

Then when no one was looking, he winked at Maan.

"Ok, fine…swear…swear on Dadi that this was all my idea," Maan challenged; he knew that Teji Veerji would never swear on Dadi and lie.

"You know, whatever, quit being so petty." Teji turned to Geet, completely ignoring Maan, "How did you know that we were in there?"

Geet came over to Teji and put an arm around his shoulder, "Jiju, we knew that you guys were going to try to get in. We just didn't think you would actually use the most stupid way possible." She then looked Maan square in the eyes, "The store room, really? That was too easy. You were waiting to get caught."

"Well, that…umm…errm…" Maan was tongue tied. After Geet looked at him like that, he couldn't think – it was a temporary brain malfunction.

Pammi Bhabi came in and changed the subject, "Dewar ji, if you are so interested in seeing a ladies function why don't we go wife hunting for you?" she asked.

At that moment, Maan looked at Geet for just a second. That one look told Geet exactly what and who Maan had in mind for his wife; they wouldn't have to search far. Immediately he looked at Pammi Bhabi not wanting to give anything away. He didn't know if his Veerji or Bhabi had seen that look.

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Present

Gulping down the last drops of the amber liquor Maan thought about how thankful he was. He was thankful that Teji Veerji and Pammi Bhabi had seen that fleeting glance he had given Geet. What they did after that changed his life. He would always be thankful to them for knowing him so well, that even in the midst of chaos they had picked up on that glimpse he'd taken of Geet. That once glance…that one moment…changed his life forever.