FF: Beetein Lamhe Prt 7 pg104 2/25/13 - Page 65

Present

Even after all this time, Maan could still see the sparkle in Geet's eyes when they'd exchanged glances at that one moment years ago. She had gorgeous eyes at it were. They were almond shaped and the most luxious shade of hazel with flakes of gold in them. But that night – that glance – her eyes were more beautiful than he could remember them being at any other time. All because that was the moment that Maan knew the girl he loved reciprocated his feelings.

That one look had changed Maan's life – his brother and Bhabi had made him a very happy man the day after the Godh Bhara.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Past

It had been a terrible day at work for Maan. He was now handling a lot more work because Teji was busy with Pammi. At the office, contracts were a mess, work was not getting done, big board meetings were being canceled – all because it was Maan. Teji had always been the one to take care of the domestic affairs so he knew all the people they were dealing with. These people were more comfortable with Teji and were willing to wait until he could get back to work full time. Maan had had enough and figured he would just go home and rest. As he left the office, just the thought of seeing Geet made him smile. Only one problem - when he got home he didn't see Geet.

After that split-second glance the previous night, Maan hadn't seen her but once in passing that morning. He decided to go up to his study and try to get some work done. That's where he was 45min later when he heard Teji come in. The conversation that was to follow was going to drain all color from his face. At first he thought that conversation had been a dream because no way this was happening to him – not now that he was in love.

Teji came in saying, "Maan, I have to talk to you."

Maan came around the desk and sat with Teji on the couch, "Sure Veerji, is everything ok? Is Bhabi ok?" he asked worried.

"What?" Teji asked confused until it finally clicked. "Oh yeah! Pammi is great. That's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Then what is it about?" Maan asked.

"It's about…well…" Teji hesitated.

Maan couldn't figure out why his brother was having such a hard time getting his words out. "Come on Veerji, this is me. You can tell me anything. What's up?"

Teji waited a few seconds before he continued. "Well, you used to be friends with Dev, right? You knew him well?"

"Oh yeah," Maan said as he relaxed a bit, "We were good friend in college but lost touch after graduation. Everyone got busy with their own lives. But why are you asking?"

Maan couldn't figure out why his brother was asking about Dev after all these years.

"Nothing serious," Teji said as he got up and walked around the room. "What kind of person is he? You know, in terms of getting married and stuff…is he marriage material?"

"Dev? Oh, he is great! He is really respectful, kind hearted, warm and very family oriented." Maan paused to think for a second before continuing, "As far as I know he isn't married. Why?" Maan joined is brother by the mantle and put a hand on his shoulder. In a joking voice he added, "Are you playing match maker Veerji?"

Teji shrugged but admitted it, "Well, as a matter of fact…I am."

Maan let out a hearty laugh. "Cool, our new business – 'Khurana Marriage Bureau'. Do you have a girl in mind?" he asked, "Anyone would be lucky to have him as a husband."

"Actually, yes I do have a girl in mind. She is also very nice, kind, warm, beautiful and family oriented," Teji said.

"Well that sounds perfect!" Maan said as me moved back to his laptop, "I'll talk to Dev personally - it's about time we caught up."

Maan began looking for Dev's contact information when he saw Teji leaving the study.

"Hey wait!" Maan called behind Teji, "You didn't tell me, who is the lucky girl?"

"Oh, I didn't…hmm…must have slipped my mind. Any way, it's our very own Geet."

"What?!" Maan yelled, before he could stop himself.

"Yeah, Pammi has been bugging me about finding a good guy for her. Apparently Geet is at 'that age', whatever that's supposed to mean," Teji said as he retreated back into the study. "That's when I remembered Dev, so I thought I'd talk to you first. What do you think?"

Maan was lost in his thoughts until Teji placed a hand on his shoulder. "What? Oh yeah, Geet and Dev…"

When Maan heard his brother say Geet's name, his heart literally stopped. There was his older brother, going on and on about how he planned to give Geet away to another man. His Geet – Maan's Geet – to another man! No way! She was his no matter what. Maan couldn't let them take Geet away from him; he had fallen in love after all this time and now he was going to lose it…no way!

"Maan? Hello, Maan?" Teji called as he tried to get Maan's attention.

"Huh? What?" Maan asked, coming back to reality.

"So how about you go tomorrow and talk to Dev," Teji suggested. "Tell him about Geet. Tell him how she is a traditional Indian girl – no affairs, no boyfriends. She is completely innocent…if you know what I mean. I bet Dev is more experienced in 'that' area," Teji said as he let out a chuckle.

That was it, that was what finally broke Maan. His blood boiled just at the thought of another man touching Geet. No one had the right to touch her except Maan…No one! That was the last straw.

Maan walked away from his brother as he said, "No Veerji! Geet can't marry Dev!"

"What? But why?" Teji asked shocked. "Just now you said he was a good guy. What happened? Geet will be happy with him, I'm sure," he said, as he tried to reassure Maan.

"No!" Maan yelled, as he erupted in anger. "Geet can't marry him because I love her damn it!"

"What?" Teji asked, as his mouth opened in shock and his eyes bugged out.

Maan failed to notice the sarcasm dripping from Teji's voice and eyes. However, he didn't fail to hear the muffled laugh that came from outside the door. Maan turned to see who it was – it was Pammi Bhabi, in all her pregnant glory.

"Took you long enough, huh?" she said from her spot by the door.

"What?" Maan asked confused, "What are you talking about 'long enough'? What is going on?"

Teji by this time was laughing as he went up and kissed Pammi Bhabi. "What can I do? My brother is a little slow in the brain area, as you can see."

"What the hell is going on?!" Maan demanded. "If someone doesn't tell me right now, I'm going to scream!"

"Don't be such a drama queen!" Teji said.

"We just wanted to hear you admit to how you truly felt," Pammi said.

"We?" Maan asked, now utterly lost.

"Well yeah. Me, your bother and of course…" Pammi suddenly stopped.

Pammi had moved to the side just a few inches and that is when Maan saw her – Geet was peeking over Pammi Bhabi's shoulder. A gleam of joy in her eyes, a bright blush on her face and a sweet smile on her face. Hesitantly she looked up at him and smiled harder. It was only for a second because she immediately turned her face to the ground and left the room running.

As Maan looked up to see his brother and Bhabi smiling arrogantly and proudly at him, he finally got it – they had all set him up! They were testing him and wanted him to admit to how he felt about Geet. Maan was sure that it was Teji's idea, but as mad as he was feeling; he felt ten times more joy relief. The trick actually worked, because had they not pulled the stunt, God only knows when Maan would have admitted that he loved Geet.

That very next weekend Maan and Geet were engaged in the presence of family and friends – Geet was officially his fianc, his…only his. Teji had invited Dev, who had a good laugh over the fact that they used his name to freak out Maan.

They had decided to hold off on the wedding until after Pammi had the baby. The date was set for the very same day they had first laid eyes on each other one year ago. The next two months were absolutely blissful for Maan and Geet. He took Geet out with him all the time. Dinners, parties – you name it. Wherever Maan went, Geet went with him. People always noticed the girl on Maan's arm, and he carried her proudly. Maan showed her off because he knew that no one could ever have her. She was his…HIS…he still couldn't get over that fact. Now, more than ever Maan was awaiting the birth of his niece/nephew.

When Pammi Bhabi had the baby, Geet had been a God send. The Khurana men could handle anything – anything but this! When Pammi Bhabi went into labor, Teji and Maan were running around like headless chicken, literally. They were going from place to place with no goals in mind. They were going to call the doctor to let her know they were bringing Pammi in, but they had conveniently forgotten the phone number. Both of them had grabbed the pre-packed suitcase and pulled, causing all of its contents to spill out onto the floor. They both ran to get the car and nearly drove out of the main entrance when they realized they were missing one very important person…Pammi! Maan and Teji jumped out of the car and raced up the steps to get her, only to see Geet slowly guiding Pammi down the steps, anger and shock flashing in her eyes.

At the hospital, inside the delivery room, Teji had literally passed out on the floor but not before hitting a metal tray and cutting his forehead. This left Maan to worry not only about Pammi Bhabi but also his unconscious brother. Maan was a mess, it wasn't even his child and he was a freaking mess! That is when Geet swooped in and managed everything – she told Maan to make sure the doctors take a look at Teji's cut as she went in to support her sister through this. Maan was about to pass out himself due to the stress of the whole situation when Geet finally emerged from the delivery room announcing and they now had a nephew. Maan could hear the boys strong lungs through the doors; he had never been so relieved in his life.

Gaurav Singh Khurana had been born at 3:47am. His name, Gaurav, was picked out by Geet.

They had all teased Teji about his passing out incident mercilessly. He would never live that day down for as long as he lived. Maan had been the one to tease him the most – every chance he got. Teji had once retaliated by saying that when it was Maan's turn, he too would probably pass out. It was at the moment that Maan thought about having children with Geet. He thought about seeing Geet pregnant with his child and then having a tiny person that was a symbol of their love. He couldn't wait for that dream of his to come true.

Time flew and before they knew it, baby Gaurav was two months old. About one week before Teji and Pammi's wedding anniversary, Maan and Geet got married.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Present

As he drained the contents of his glass, Maan recalled how he still treasured that day – their wedding day. He treasured every moment, every phera, and every vow. He never thought that those would all be broken and shattered in such a short amount of time. He didn't know that his happiness was short lived. Maan had never expected to lose his Geet so soon. And never – in his wildest dreams – did he think that she'd just walk away from him just to get her way.