We had landed in London, finally. I thought I would go crazy in the plane if I had stayed close to Geet any longer. My own daughter was making me drive crazy with her antics. She was, unknowingly, bringing me and Geet closer making me mad. After that whole feeding incidents my emotions went out of control. God. Maan groans as the car starts to drive off. Geet was sitting across from him with a blush still adoring her cute little face. Now, she is not only avoiding him but also does not look at him without blushing. Her eyes never left the ground, as if she was searching for something precious from the ground as she walked.
Anamaika was on the baby seat next to Geet while Vicky, as usual, sat on his lap looking out the window. His hands were on the either side of his plastered face on the window, looking at the new world outside. Truth be told, I love that smile on his face. I am glad that he finally was happy.
Once in a while, Vicky would point out to different buildings or people as the car zoomed by. He never got to enjoy London when he was here for boarding school. I had given strict instructions not to take him out of the school with anyone. Not because I wanted to torture him but because I was scared for him. I didn't want anything happen to him but was scared to confess my feelings. Instead, I masked my feelings and fear with anger. The same anger that everyone was afraid of.
"When are we reaching home?"
"In 10 minutes."
I looked over at Geet to see if she was also enjoying the view but she remained in the same position since the car started driving 20 minutes ago. Her hands twisted and untwisted the end of her sari dupatta while her eyes were on her lap dazed out. He knew she always did that whenever she felt nervous and right now boy was she nervous.
"You know Geet, your sari pallu will rip if you keep twisting the poor thing so harshly"
Geet looks at him finally trying to decipher what he meant. She looks at her sari pallu on her lap which was wrinkled due to her habit. Well, she can't help it. Whenever she is nervous this twisting the pallu helps her take out all the tension within seconds. Today, this is not helping at all. Ever since that feeding incident I can't even fathom myself to look at him without blushing. This whole living thing was going to be harder than I thought. If plane ride was like this then how will the rest of our days here be like?
I quickly let go of the sari pallu looking down again. I could feel my cheeks burn in heat as I felt his eyes on me. Vicky wasn't doing much either by distracting his eyes from me. This ride seemed even longer than the plane ride.
I knew I was making her nervous by staring at her. And I knew, she knew, I was staring at her which is why she kept looking at me from the corner of her eyes. I would advert my gaze but I don't forget anything. I still remember the angry glares she gave me for yelling at Vicky. Well, this would be just a little payback. He smiles to himself as he kept Geet under his eyes enjoying her little restlessness.
After half hour, much to Maan's dismay, they were home. Vicky makes a big O face as he looks at the house in astonishment. It was a big house made of glass (Imagine the house in Tarapmpm movie) Vicky opens the door and runs inside. Maan picks up Anamika's baby seat, gently taking out Aanamika. He hands Anamika to Geet as she looks at Maan confused. Both walk toward the entrance of the house as the servants bring all the stuff inside.
Geet noticed there was a kilash full of rice at the front of the door step waiting for them to kick as they enter. Maan picks Geet up who was still holding Anamika by surprise. Maan enters the house carrying all of them. Vicky jumps up with a smile...
"Now, my turn..you have to carry me..."
"why don't you hold on to my leg like you do" (He says sarcastically which of course Vicky did not understand the tone)
"okay"
Vicky grabs Maan's leg as he comes inside the house. Geet laughs as she notices Maan trying to balance everyone. He is Maan Singh Khruana after all and he will not be defeated this easily. He smiles at Geet trying to mask his anger toward Vicky.
"umm please put me down."
Maan looks at Geet and reluctantly puts her down after seeing Anamika stirring in her sleep. Maan picks up Vicky in his arm as he shows the whole house to them. Maan opens up a room that was filled with toys for Vicky.
"Can I play with them?"
"Sure. I will show the rest of the house to your di"
Geet quietly follows as he leads her around the house toward various different rooms. He opens a room door showing a big suite. Right in the middle of the room there was a big queen size bed, Geet slowly walks inside. There were big windows all around, the sunlight made the room even look for magnificent. In front of the windows, there was a big couch facing the view with matching tables and chairs.
A big flat screen TV adored the wall across from the bed. Right below the tv there was mahogany counters with all her perfumes and other hair accessories she might've needed. He opens a big walk in closet with all her new stuff already neatly placed. Every inch of the closet was covered with her stuff, shoes and jewelry everything was displayed nicely and very organized.
Maan opens another door where there was another room attached for Anamika. Her crib was in the middle, with spinning toys at the top just low enough for Anamika to grab and play with. Inside the crib, her favorite stuffed bear. Along the room, Anamika had everything that a child might need, from toys, to her changing tables and even clothes from all different types of designs and styles.
Geet walks to the crib and puts her inside so she can sleep peacefully. Geet looks toward Man who was staring at her with a smile making her heart beat faster. He slowly walks toward her and places his hand on top of hers which she was holding very tightly.
"Don't break the crib or else I might need to get a new one"
"woh uhh main bathroom"
Geet removes her hand from the crib running out of the room to go freshen up. Maan looks at Anamika one last time before slowly walking out of the room. He heard the water tap running, Maan was about to sit on the bed when he heard a scream from Vicky's room. Geet who had soap on her face also comes running out of the room hearing his scream. Both run toward his room in panic. Maan opens the door and was shocked with what he saw.
Vicky was playing fruit ninja on xbox kinect using his arms and legs kicking and screaming in the process. Maan looks at him with anger. This little boy will give all of us a heart attack if he keeps this up. I looked over at Geet and before I knew it I busted out laughing. Vicky stops playing and notices Maan laughing, Vicky too joined him shortly after pointing at Geet.
Geet looks at both of them with anger as they shamelessly pointed and laughed at her. Confused, she looks at herself in the mirror which was inside Vicky's room. Her face was shocked. She had soap bubbles around her chin and upper lip making it look like she had white beard.
She looks at both of them with anger before stomping off. Maan runs after her knowing how angry she might be. Geet goes inside the washroom to wash her face. She was about to close the door when the door was stuck half way. She looks down and saw a foot. Maan was standing there smiling.
Geet ignored him and went to the sink to wash her face. She heard the door close and locked as Maan entered. Geet gulped as she didn't expect this. He stood right behind her caging her between his arms and body. Geet quickly closed his eyes unable to look at him straight. This close proximity was killing her.
Geet leans back as Maan leans closer and closer toward her. Her lips were starting to tremble on its on as if they knew what was going to happen next. Her back touches the mirror, the coldness of the object made her senses scrabble more. Then she felt something warm touching her face. She opens her eyes and saw Maan wiping her face with warm water looking at her with a smirk.
"You okay?"
"woh uhh huh yeah"
"Geet are you okay?" (He looks at her amused as he leans even more closer looking at her face attentively to get all the soap out) "I have been noticing that your vocabulary has been decreased to only woh uhh huhh and yeah ever since we got out of the flight. What happened did" (He puts the towel down slowly bringing his hands on her waist pulling her towards him in a jerk. She puts her hands on his shoulders for support) "Did cat got your tongue?" (He looks at her amused. Geet looks at him not knowing what to say.)
"woh uhh" (Geet smacks her head as she says the same lines again. She saw Maan smiling while she is embarrassed. She tries to come out of his grip to get out of this situation but Maan being Maan didn't loosen his grip...)
"Maybe I can help you get your tongue back..." (He winks before dipping her. He supports her back while Geet holds on to his shoulders tightly to support herself. Maan fans her face with his breath giving her chills.
"I missed seeing this blush on your face, Geet. I never actually knew how beautiful it can be." (Geet's face turns even red hearing the compliment. Geet hugs Maan tightly when she felt him loosen his hold on her waist. Maan had of course done this on purposely, he was never going to let her fall again. Geet puts her head on his shoulder enjoying his warmth. She looks at him slowly, peeking her out out from his shoulder.)
"I will never let you fall Geet."
He puts his palm at the back of her head bringing her face closer. Maan pecks her lips slowly while Geet stood there paralyzed in his arms. She didn't know how to respond. He always took the lead when it came to kissing, in a way this would be her first genuine kiss. She tried to remember some kissing scenes from movies but her brain didn't work.
Her body was hypnotized with his closeness and his scent. Her arms slowly wraps around his shoulders almost as if she was hiding herself in his arms. Maan was about to nibble on her lips when both heard some knocking on their door. Maan groans in frustration knowing it must be his brother, disturbing him yet again.
"Di am hungry"
Geet chuckles hearing his voice, thank god. Just what she needed before anything else happens. Maan lets go of Geet looking at the door with anger.
"I will kill that boy" (he whispers before heading toward the door. Vicky looks at both of them in shock. He pushes Maan away and hugs Geet from her waist, making Maan more mad. He couldn't do that but Vicky could. Not fair, he thought)
"I am hungry...could you make me my favorite food? I want macaroni and cheese."
"Sure, sweety. Lets go"
She holds his hand going toward the door. Maan moves away looking at both of them especially Vicky with anger. He, too, follows them toward the kitchen to show Geet where everything is. He watches Geet and Vicky with amusement as Vicky talks non stop about the house and everything he has seen while Geet patiently listens to him.
How did he miss so much bonding between them? Was he that blind? Maan notices some eye signals between them. What are they up to? He thought. He notices Geet encouraging him and pointing towards him. Vicky reluctantly stands in front of Maan with his head down. Geet pretends to be busy with cooking but he knew her eyes were on the current scene looking nervously.
Vicky's hands were behind his back while his head was bowed down. He looks at Geet for some sign but she turns her face away leaving him to deal with this alone. Maan notices Vicky slowly bringing his hands in the front. His one had was open while the other hand was closed tightly, hiding something.
Maan holds his closed palm and slowly opens it up revealing a bracelet made out of beads. The bracelet spelled out his name with different color beads and fonts. Vicky looks at him worried. Maan remembers the moment when Vicky had made a bracelet when he first brought Geet home. He remembers how he had taken the bracelet throwing it on the floor telling him to buy expensive things. So much pain he has caused to everyone espeically Vicky's.
"I uhh made it for you."
"its nice." Maan holds it in his hand while Vicky looks at him with worry and fear. Maan gives the bracelet back to Vicky who was almost on the verge of tears thinking Maan has rejected the bracelet again.
"won't you put it on me yourself?"
Geet and Vicky looks at him with smile. Vicky holds the bracelet and places it on Maan's wrist while Maan smiles looking at Vicky. He pulls him up on his lap as Geet brings food for both. She feeds Vicky while Maan frowns.
"Vicky, your di is really bad. She is starving me. Don't you think she should feed me as well?"
"No. This is my favorite dish. Di knows I don't share." (Maan looks at him baffled. He was ruining all of his plans. Geet smiles and puts pasta dish on the table surprising Maan.)
"Di can feed you pasta."
"Yes, she can since I am busy holding you with my both hands. Right?"
"yes."
Geet looks at both of them while Maan smirks. She sits close to both of them doesn't matter left or right side since she is doomed either way. She feeds Vicky first and than she brings the pasta fork towards Maan's mouth. Maan takes the fork throwing it on the table making them both jump.
"With your hand Geet, not fork. That's cheating" (he winks)
Geet makes an O face. How can she feed him with her hands in front of Vicky?
"I am waiting. Geet I am so hungry. Please don't starve me"
"Di, feed bhai or else he might cry out of hunger" (Vicky laughs at his own joke."
"shut up and eat Vicky." (he says with fake anger.)
Geet grabs some pasta in her fingers bringing it toward his mouth. Maan opens his mouth as Geet puts the pasta in his mouth. He holds her hand kissing her fingers as she brings the hand out toward the food again. She blushes making no eye movements what so ever with him.
After lunch, Maan carries Vicky to his room so he can sleep after long flight hours. Geet goes to Anamika's room to feed and change her. Maan watches this from the door with a smile before he goes to change as well. Geet brings Anamika inside the room making her lie down on the bed in the middle. Maan looks at her little antics with amusement.
"woh its a big room. What if I need to feed her at night"
"Its okay. Am glad she is here."
He picks Anamika up putting her on his chest. She snuggles close to him while Geet looks at both of them from her side. She was trying to maintain as much distance between them fearing the closeness. Although, both are moving on, there was still some fear inside her.
"She looks exactly like you when she is sleeping. Her eyes are big like yours and her nose as well"
"No, her eyes are like yours big sometime scary like yours when she is angry; like a rawan."
She says absentmindedly as she thought about this closeness and his presence. Maan stares at her shocked. Did she just call me a rawan? He looks her way. She was lost in her thoughts again. She didn't know what she said.
Maan touches her hand bringing her out of her little thoughts looking at her with anger. She looks at him confused not knowing why he was angry.
"Did you just call me rawan?"
"Huh..." (Then she replayed everything in her head and realized what she said..."oh no") "woh uhh main" (She avoides eye contacts with him. Maan puts Anamika on the bed while he gets going around toward Geet's side. She sits up looking at him fearing what he might do now. She cursed herself for not paying enough attention to what she said. He leans over her, hovering dangerously with a faint smile.
"A rawan? huh?"
He tilts his head slight while Geet looked here and there not knowing what to say or do. She tried to move aside to maintain some distance but it only made him lean closer and closer until she was lying on the bed.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
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