I parked my car in front of the hospital and slowly walked inside. Everyone smiled at me while most looked at me with jealousy. I don't know why. I looked down at my dress. I was dressed normally then why are the nurses looking at me all weird? Anyway, I tried not to pay attention to them. I stopped in front of the office door. My hands stopped mid-way before I was able to knock. This always happens to me. Every time I come here, every time I tried to knock the door I stop mid-way. I hold myself back. I just can't go through this.
I turn myself around to walk outside and wait by the car. It would be better that way until I heard my voice. I knew it was his voice. I slowly turned around and half smiled at him. My finance. Armaan Malik.
"You know I always know when you are here. You know how?" (I shake my head no) "Because I immediately starts getting messages on how lucky I am and how jealous they are of you." (He hugs her. Geet wanted to hug him back but couldn't. She just can't get herself to open up in front of him.) "Are you shy?"
Geet looks around.
"I am such a fool. I forgot we are out in the open. Come in my office. I am about to get off then we can head your home for dinner." (he holds her hand while bringing her inside the office. He closes the door.) "I just have one more file to check after that we can go. I promise it won't be that long"
I smiled. Not much I could say to him. He knew I was quiet. Sometimes, I felt bad for him that he tried so many times to make me smile or laugh. Although, I do those thing for his sake not wanting him to feel bad. I know I have to move on but it is really hard to forget everything especially my first love. Maan. To my dismay, my mom and dad had to choose a guy that rhymes with his name reminding me what I lost. That is why I never called him by his first name. Ever. Thank god he had a nickname that everyone close to him calls him by; Raj.
"okay sweetheart, ready to go?"
"yeah" (I stand up as he was about to come around the table when the phone rang.)
"Hello, Dr. Malik here. Okay (he looks at me with a sorry expression I just smiled at him knowing how important his work is for him) yeah I will be there now." (he hangs up the phone) "Sorry I have to check my little GF. She is not taking her medication."
"Its okay. I understand. I will meet you at home than. I have to do some grocery shopping anyway."
"Okay. Sorry" (He hugs her before leaving. Geet looks at him before walking away to her car)
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Maan came home tired from work. He just wanted to go to the gym and relax. He saw his Dadima sitting at the table with a smile. What is she so happy about? He walks up to her slouching down on the empty chair next to her.
"beta I have a good news. I made an appointment to meet with the decors for the party on Saturday"
"Ohh that's good. Did you eat?"
"Hmm no. I was waiting for you to come home. I thought we could eat together"
"Dadima, how many times do I have to tell you. Don't worry about me. You eat on time."
"I know beta but I can't help it. You are the only person that I look forward to coming home. Beta, when are you going to get married? You are 25 now."
"Dadima, not again. I am not in a hurry to get married. You know that"
"I hate that bimbo of yours. Excuse my words. Sameera is not good for you. I don't understnad what you are doing with her. During these four years god knows how many time you guys are going to go on and off in your relationship.
"Its time pass Dadima. Anyway, I am going to go out now. Bye"
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Today, the weather seems so crazy. It was more windy than usual. I could tell any moment now, rain will pour. I had so much to do when I get home. I knew mom was waiting for me to bring the grocery. In a way, its good that Raj is back at the hospital. It will give her enough time to make his favorite food.
We have been engaged for three months now and I still don't know what is his likes and dislikes. I know he loves to talk. Sometimes he reminds me of how I used to be. Meera had to cover my mouth with tape to shut me up. Those were the days.
Good thing the grocery shop was near the hospital. I could easily walk there and back to my car. Such a hassle to find good parking in this town. Everyone is in a rush all the time.
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I hate it when Dadima brings up my marriage business. I could remain single all my life, if I have to. I don't need anyone. Why can't she seem to understand that I am not ready. Marriage and kids is not everything. *his phone rings.* Great, another problem. Sameera. I can't hear her voice right now. I need time to myself to think about everything. I don't even know why I am with her, still but what can I do. She knows me so well especially in the bedroom department.
*he opens his window letting the cool air hit his face* God, I love this weather. I love the wind on my face. I hope it rains soon. The rain blocks out all of his inner thoughts and turmoils. The rain blocks out the noises from outside. The only sound is that of waters hitting his car. He loved that.
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Geet came out of the store holding grocery bags. It was getting winder now. She covers her face with the dupatta only showing her eyes as she was walking back to her car. Soon, she felt some drops on her hands followed by rain.
I had to walk to the grocery shop. Run Geet before you catch a cold.
She starts to walk faster not paying attention to where she was going.
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Maan starts to drive leaving his window open as he felt the rain drops on his right arm. He smiles as the rain drop slowly travels down his arm. He looks ahead and breaks quickly.
What the hell.
Geet was not paying attention to where she was going as it was hard to see. She drops her bags on the ground when a car stops close to her. She tried to look at the driver's face but failed. Maan looks at the girl with anger but all his anger vanished when she turns around to look at him. Her face was covered with the dupatta except for the eyes. Those eyes. They seemed familiar. They reminded him of someone. Who?
He got out of the car towards her. Geet bends down trying to pick up the grocery bags when she felt someone near her. She gets up and was shocked to see the last person she had hoped to see. Maan. He was staring at her without blinking. Geet clutched the dupatta near her face. She couldn't look away. There was something in his eyes that captivated her.
Unknowingly, Maan raises his hand to remove the dupatta. Geet notices his hand moving but couldn't do anything. She was looking at him from up close after a really long time. He was more handsome in person than on tv.
She jumps back when she felt him touch her face. She bends down to pick up her groceries. Maan comes out of his thoughts when she was not in front of him anymore. He was about to bend down to help her when she quickly got up running away. She looks back at him one last time.
Maan runs his fingers through his hair remembering those eyes. He goes back in his car still looking toward the way she went. Why those eyes look so familar?
Geet gets in her car closing her eyes. I can't believe he was in front of me after this long time. We should have never crossed paths. I have to make sure we don't again. I am engaged. I can't think of him anymore. She jumps when someone knocks on her car window. She roles down her window to see Raj standing there.
"What are you still doing here? Waiting for me? Why are you wet?"
"Woh I went grocery shopping by walking since it was close by"
"you are something. Anyway, lets get you home before you catch cold"
"okay. Can you drive?"
"Sure. Anything for you." He winks as he takes over the steering wheel.
Ishaani
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