Wooden legs of "fragile bed" creaked every time,he turned and tossed in his bed...Maan was once again staying in the same "lounge" and to his surprise,same room was allotted to him by Lounge manager.Sleep had ditched him as his heart was busy reminiscing the "call dinner" he had enjoyed with his wife in the same room last time.He had already called at his home to inform his safe arrival to Agra at 8 pm.He checked the time on his watch,It was showing 10 of the night.Only two hours had passed but they seemed "eternity" to him.He was actually experiencing the state of "missing someone desperately" for the first time in his life. He hated the "reluctance" his heart showed in calling Geet. Somewhere he was scared of her "rejection".What if she did not talk to him???What if she disconnected his call?? He was not able to bear slightest of aversion from her side,Then how she would have endured his "slap"??? He thought and felt more guilt. His one mistake had changed everything between them..Putting all the "negative thoughts" aside with much effort,he picked up his cell phone and dialed her number...
"Hello..."
Aaarav's voice did not surprise him as Kiran di had already told him about Kids sleeping with Geet tonight,when he had called at home earlier.
"Hello champ..You are not asleep yet???"
"I am taking care of aaravi Mamu till Maami comes out of bathroom.."Aarav replied patting his little sister with one hand.
"Thats like my good boy...!!!"Maan said in appreciating tone.
"Mamu,you have called at wrong time..Mami won't talk to you now..."Aarav said in a thoughtful manner oblivious to effect of his words on his uncle.
"Why beta???Why won't she talk to me now???" Maan asked in a scared voice.
"Because She has promised me to tell a bedtime story.."Aarav answered causing much relief to his uncle.."Right maami???" Maan heard aarav confirming his statement from geet who was back to the room.
"Ofcourse champ.."Next,he heard geet answering to little boy.
"Maami..Mamu is on call..Ask him to call in the morning.."Aarav exclaimed giving the cell phone to Geet..
"Hello.."She spoke forcing a smile on her lips.
Maan could feel the awkwardness lingering between them.."I heard what aarav said,geet.."He said in a meek voice.
"So you would call in the morning???" She asked settling herself on the bed beside aarav.
"No..I am going to listen that bedtime story with aarav.."
"What do you mean maan???"
"I mean,I would be on call while you would narrate your wonderful story for me and aarav.."
"Hmm..Interesting ..Lets start then.."Geet spoke before she started with her story.
Maan spent a quality time enjoying the wonderful story of "white and red mouse" told by his wife.Story was result of geet's brain and It had all the "fictitious things" ever possible ranging from" racing car which could be converted in to plane,ship or bike according to need of the mouse"s,to "candy houses and river of melted chocolate.".
Geet finished her wonderful story as she secured the quilt around aarav,adjusting the cell phone between her ear and shoulder.
"You still there???" She asked Maan after some time.
"Yes,I am.."She heard his deep sigh as he spoke further.."That was an amazing story..I am glad Mouses defeated the "witch" with the "laser beam" at the end.."
His statement gained a sweet and audible smile from geet which was able to calm his anxious heart..
"You had your dinner???" She asked caressing aarav's hair.
"Yes..I was on time today.."
"Maan..I talked to "aarav" today..Poor kid..He was suffering from these insecurities since a long time.."
"I wish,he had shared his insecurities with someone in the family,geet..."
"He did so but he chose the wrong person..He told everything to Maya aunty, maan!!! and she encouraged his misconceptions rather than clearing them and making him understand.."
Maan could feel the "subtle" anger in her words..
"Sometimes,her behavior scares me geet.."He exclaimed in a defeated voice..
"Don't worry maan..Di can handle everything quite efficiently.." Geet said in an attempt to console him..
"Hmm.."Maan answered with a deep sigh.."Di and kids would be leaving tomorrow, right???" He questioned further.
"Yes, they would leave tomorrow morning.."
"and "You"???"He asked suppressing the slight tremble in his voice.
"I would leave in evening.."She answered with little reluctance and sadness.
"Is it necessary geet???"
"yes maan"..She said with sigh.
Her "yes" was followed by a long silence between them which was broken by Maan as he said,"Why are you behaving so maturely geet???Can't I get my "child wife" back???"
"I am same maan.."
"No geet..you are not same..!!" He exclaimed with little irritation.."Do you remember your "second lesson" geet??? You had said that we can be "childish" by "not holding grudges".."
"I don't have any grudge against you maan.."She retorted coming in to sitting position.."Its just I am hurt..I am in pain like I was hurt that night when dad had scolded me for the first time..."
"And this time, My hug is not your "medicine".."
Maan's defeated voice interrupted her.
"I would find my "cure" soon maan...I just need some time.." Geet said in a feeble voice..
"Come back soon geet..I am waiting for you..!!!"
"I have not gone yet maan.."
"You have geet..You have gone away from me the moment I raised my hand at you..."
.It was impossible for her to continue the conversation without shedding her tears now and she knew,her tears would hurt "him" more,that was why she decided to cut the call..
"Good night maan.."Geet said somehow swallowing the big lump in her throat.
"Good night geet..Sleep well and don't lock the door of our room.."
She heard him saying before disconnecting the call..
***********************************
Slight click of door opening broke geet's dreamless sleep as she jolted up in her bed..
"Who is there???" She asked immediately as her hand fidgeted with switch of bed lamp..
"Easy geet...Its me..!!!"
Kiran's voice calmed her panicked nerves as she let out the sigh of relief..
"Di..what are you doing here at this hour???Are you fine???Why are not you asleep yet???"
Geet's unremitting queries welcomed Kiran to the room..
"I am completely fine geet..Stop worrying too much..I came here to check..."
"to check aarav and aarvi ,right???..." Geet intervened her in a disappointed voice. Even Kiran di did not trust her with aarav and aarvi in the absence of maan..
Kiran gave an amused smile watching geet's pouted lips..
"No..you are wrong..I came here to check my laddu's wife because he has specifically requested me to do so..." Kiran spoke in an amused voice.
"What do you mean di???"
"Maan had requested me to check once during the night whether his dear wife is properly tucked in her blanket or not. .I am sorry but I am aware of your habit of throwing the blanket away in sleep now and all credit goes to your husband.." Kiran exclaimed in a teasing voice.
A strange warmth covered geet's heart witnessing the "care" of her husband as she put more effort in controlling her tears now...
Important-
Those who want PMs for life partner and The parent please add "pilliPM" in your list...!!
I am sorry but I won't send pms next time from this account...
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
1.4k