Ripped Apart ~10~(Maaneet) Updating Note:) Pg 52 - Page 23

Originally posted by: Loquacious_Aash

WHAT OS😡

mujhe koi kuch nahi batata😭

Originally posted by: euphoric

*innocently looks* 😳 😳

Originally posted by: Loquacious_Aash

😡😡😡

Mu ferring and walking away!

Originally posted by: Trisha4evr

update na please... :'(

Kitna tarpaogi Hume aur...

Originally posted by: euphoric

Trish... honestly, the update is ready but my net is giving me troubles i hope its working tonight

Originally posted by: -lakshmi-

will be waiting eagerly

"This Maan is a permanent goner!" Dadi Ma grumbled, going red with embarrassment. "Is ladke ne kabhi college main bhi koi aisi harkat nahi ki... aur ab!" Nandita chipped in. "Mumma, Pyar deewana hota hai" Anu answered. "Ah! Lazy lamhe!" Vicky contributed shamelessly earning a smack from Dadi Ma. "Besharam! Main toh kehti hoon yeh Maan ke hi karnaame hain! Bechari Geet!" Dadi Ma concluded. "Why are only guys blamed?" Vicky cried but the majority on the table ignored him.

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"Yeh sab aapki galti hai" Geet mumbled to Maan. "Meri?" Maan asked perplexed, yes he got carried away but he sure wasn't the one who had initiated it. "Ofcourse, naraz hone ke liye ghar pohunchne ka intezaar karna chahiye tha na aapko" she whined. "What?" He raised his eyebrow trying to gauge the meaning and the possibilities of how far it would have led had they been home. He tried to say something but then shut his mouth tight. It wouldn't be healthy if he let the memories of their intimate moments and the unintended offer behind her innocent words start painting red in his mind. With the wedding approaching, it was anyways hard for him to keep a check on himself. They had been through so much; he had pined for her so much that now he was too keen to erase all earthy distances between them. He wanted to make her his, claim her for himself and mark his possession on her. He knew how terribly chauvinist it sounded but he couldn't help it as he could feel the need for her building and mounting in him every moment. She was his greatest strength and his biggest weakness. "Baba jii... aapko mujhe phasa kar bohut maza aata hai na. Papa is coming here. What am I to do now? How will I face him?" fidgeting with her dupata, she wondered out aloud, making him frown.

"Not just you Geet... WE! Hum Dad ko kaise face karenge?" he corrected her. "Ae lo, aapko ab bhi apni padi hai?" she asked peeved. "Excuse me! He's my father!" he said as if to remind her. She exclaimed, "Maan! Aapki baat aur hai; Men generally are the brazen ones, not women...So don't fret, take a deep breath Maan, stay strong... kyunki papa ke saamne mere muh se toh awaaz nahi nikalne wali" she said the last bit to herself, biting her nails. "Right! Geet, mere saamne toh tumhari bolti kabhi band nahi hoti? Mujhe pareshaan karne ka ek mauka nahi chodti, tab toh tumhe dar nahi lagta. Ab kya hua?" he snorted. "Insensitive!" she remarked and stamped hard on his foot. "Ouch!" he yelped and glared at her holding his foot. But then she pouted, "Maan, what if Papa rejects me? Humari shaadi cancel kardi toh?" horror reflecting on her face. He gave her an incredulous look, "What?? How does it jeopardize the wedding?" he asked genuinely confused. "How would I know? You should know" she grumbled. "And why should I know, when you raised the doubt?" he asked clenching his jaws. "Kyun? Aap toh antaryaami ho na? Baba Maan Singh Khurana ko toh humesha sab pata hota hai." She replied and he gawked at her. The thought of their marriage being postponed or revoked was absurd in its superlative degree! And even in this thwarting situation she was not falling short of her jibes at him. Oh, how he wished to go for her throat right now. Shutting his eyes, he tried to calm himself, "Maan, deep breaths... You always knew she's challenged, right? Yet you signed up for it, now stay calm and deal with it!" he murmured to himself while she passed him a murderous look. She was just about to stamp on his feet harder this time, when she saw Viren entering with Dev in tow and all she managed to mumble was, "Papa!"

Maan saw her shrinking in her seat as she mumbled, "Papa!" He looked up to see his dad, entering the police station. Even during his school days, he had never been as afraid of him as he was now. He wished if there was any truth in the phenomenon of earth tearing apart, he sure wished to be devoured. His eyes fell on Dev who silently followed their dad but he could read the laughter crinkling at the edge of his lips, he would deal with this perpetrator, he vowed. But then Viren cast a direct glare in his direction and boy, Maan Singh Khurana had never been so scared.

Gathering his wits, Maan stood up and slowly walked towards his dad while the inspector gave him an account of the whole incident. Did his dad appear suddenly taller, he wondered. Geet was on her heels tugging at his arm, once in a while stealing glances to look past him. If looks could kill, he knew his dad's look right now would have chopped him into pieces. He had heard these kind of accounts when his friends were caught in similar situation during his university days... oh how he had enjoyed their ordeal but it was only now he knew how it felt to be in the line of raging storm! Unfortunately for him, he didn't even have age or teenage hormones to blame for the fiasco. Gulping hard, he called out "Dad..." but Viren stopped him. "I apologize for the inconvenience,Inspector Shinde." Viren said shooting daggers at his son. Maan avoided to look at his dad but then glared at Dev who was inturn trying to avoid Maan. "Nahi nahi, Mr. Khurana... aapko yahan aana pada uske liye, I should be sorry" the inspector replied, intimidated by Viren. "You did your duty!" Signing the necessary documents Viren handed them over to the inspector. "Sir, aapne ek hi jagah sign ki" Shinde pointed believing it to be a mistake on Viren's part but Viren simply shrugged. Dev along with Geet and Maan stood waiting, confused. "I'm only here to take my daughter, Geet back home!" Viren clarified to a stunned audience. Dev and Inspector gasped, Maan was surprised and Geet marveled at the man in front of her. Her grip on Maan's arm tightened as she registered the sincere implication behind his words. The moment took her to times when she would call up Mohinder for any trouble she would run into. She remembered her Bauji and tears stung at the back of her eyes. As she stiffened, Maan looked at her and one look at her, he realized her emotions. He smiled just a little and placed his hand on top of hers. He was grateful to his family for wholeheartedly welcoming Geet. He knew how much she missed her parents and longed for them. This was the least he could do and his heart swell with joy realizing his family was on the same page as him.

"Geet chalo" Viren called, breaking his thoughts. His tone reminded Geet where she was and why. So the emotional moment was once again eclipsed by her embarrassment. "Dad, Veerji?" Dev asked. "Dad, you can't be serious!" Maan cried. "Try me, son!" Viren challenged and peered over Maan's shoulder, "Geet!" he firmly called her and turned around to leave. A bewildered Maan, looked on as Geet took a tentative step ahead. The constable who had arrested them leaned in close to Maan and whispered, "Sahab aapki toh shaadi se pehle hi band baj gayi. Biwi ghar pe aayi nahi aur aap bahar" Maan snapped his head at the guy who was sympathizing with him and passed him a defiant stare. He shrugged and went away muttering, "bhalai ka toh zamana hi nahi hai". Dev sniggered at the comment and Maan squinted his eyes at him.

"Papa" Geet meekly called Viren and he stopped in his tracks. When she didn't continue, Viren looked at her to inquire and she gestured towards Maan. Viren raised an eyebrow. Geet pressed her lips tight together and pleaded softly, "Papa please" And when he sternly denied her request, the pout that formed on her face immediately reminded him of Anu. Viren gave Geet a solemn look letting her know that he was not happy with the whole episode and Geet dropped her head in shame. He couldn't help but notice how similar Geet and Anu were. They just had to pull this poignant look on their faces. It was true that Viren felt as protective towards Geet as he felt towards Anu. He knew it was hard on her to not have her parents around and Nandita and Viren had silently vowed a long time back that they will not let the girl miss her parents. They will stand by her... it was like they had two daughters instead of one and in all honesty who wouldn't be proud to have a daughter like Geet? In all sincerity it was because of Geet that he had come here. He didn't want anyone to snigger or pass comments on her. "Sorry papa... but please Maan ko'" Geet trailed off. He sighed. This was the first time Geet was asking something of him. He looked back at Maan, "Dev! Do the needful and get this Romeo home!" he ordered and this time holding onto Geet's arm he pulled her along, ushering her in the car and taking her home. And as soon as he left, Dev burst out laughing, "Romeo!" he repeated while Maan flushed but glared at him dangerously to show indifference. Dev muffled his laughter and finished the formalities.

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"Dad is here, with Geet" Vicky peeked through the door and snickered. "And Maan?" Nandita asked to which Vicky shrugged just when Viren walked in with Geet following closely, head hung and cheeks as red as a tomato. Nope, she didn't dare to check who was staring... though she didn't have to be a genius to guess every member of Khurana house had their eyes on her. She kept walking following Viren's trail... this was awfully awkward... "Babajii", she mumbled to herself when she heard a mumbled laugh. It was Vicky! She winced a little not realizing that Viren had stopped moving, and she walked into him. "Ouch" she yelped, looked up to see Viren who turned just a bit to see whether she was alright and took a hasty step back. "Umm... Geet, You ok?" Nandita asked coming to her. "Ji... ji Mumma" Geet replied and looked away. Her eyes fell on Anu was sitting on the couch looking at her, amused. And just then they heard another car pulling into the driveway.

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"Chaliye Veerji... I'm sure aap hi ka intezar ho raha hai" Dev said turning off the engine and speaking for the first time on the ride. "Tumhe bohut hasi aa rahi hai na?" Maan asked squinting his eyes. Dev chuckled, "Well Veerji... this is an epic moment. Sure to be marked in the history of Khurana family. You can't blame us now, can you?" he winked. Maan passed him a sharp glare, "Ofcourse yes! The architect of the plan is bound to bask in the victorious glee, now wouldn't he? I told you to not let anyone know!" Maan accused him. Dev put his hands up in defence, "Not my fault Veerji... (laugh) Mom took the phone from me... (laugh) and put it on the speaker... (laugh) she wanted to scold you for being late but you truly knocked us all" Dev finished having his fill of the fun even as his shoulder shook while laughing. Maan flinched to imagine what the scene would have been. And before he could say anything he received a message from Dadi ma, "Police Station toh aap bina invitation ke pohunch gaye par ghar aane ke liye kya koi special summons chahiye aapko?"

Standing beside Anu, Geet waited for Maan to come in. No one had told her anything but she was right now a bundle of nerves. Who wouldn't be? And then Dev walked in, humour so visible on his face. She peered discreetly and as she turned to look at her side, and saw Anu looking at her with a raised eyebrow. Geet gave her petulant looks as if asking to help her and Maan but instead Anu simply rolled her tongue and clicked. She silently whined. Maan entered, looking straight ahead. But he was well aware of each and every eye in the room. Vicky stood near the mantle right next to the door. His dad stood across the bar counter, pouring himself some wine but eyes now on him. His mom and Dadi Ma were giving him disapproving looks seated on the couch. Anu stood behind them and Geet beside her, half hiding. Apart from her, everyone was looking solemn and she; well he could bet she was having another private chat with her Babaji.

Every glare in the room was making him all the more conscious. Arghh! What a situation to ever find oneself in, he grumbled to himself but didn't let it appear on his features. Or else he knew his siblings will tease him to death. He wondered if anyone would have told her a thing. But then giving his dad's behavior towards her it seemed highly unlikely, he pondered. "Main change karke aata hoon" he said to get away from the situation and everyone's prying eyes. "Rukiye!" Dadi Ma's firm voice made him stop him in his tracks and he shut his eyes for a moment only to come face to face with Dadi Ma who looked at him as if he had grown two horns. "Hmm! Maan Bete, aap kahe toh aapke honour main party organize ki jaaye?" she asked sarcastically foldi ng her arms across her chest. Somewhere in the background Geet gasped. "Er... Dadi ma..." Maan stuttered to explain but words failed him. What could he explain anyways? "Maan, kam se kam Geet ke baare main toh tumhe sochna chahiye na? Agar yeh baat Pammi ji ko pata chali toh kya kahengi woh?" Nandita admonished. Geet bit her lip while Maan scoffed remembering the idea was hers after all to placate him. "Mumma'" Geet called tentatively to admit she was guilty. It would be mortifying but she wouldn't let Maan bear the brunt of his family alone. "Mom... I..." Maan began cutting Geet off swiftly, not letting her face the mortification. "Dekha mom, isliye main Geet ko Maan Veerji ke saath akela nahi chodti" Anu interjected. "Thats Interesting... Bachchi, you talking out of experience?" Vicky winked at her clearly enjoying the situation.

"Aur nahi toh kya Veerji... Maan Veerji just can't stay away from Geet, I have even caught them kissing once" Anu boasted and Viren spilled out the drink he had just sipped on. Dev and Vicky snickered as Maan's eyes doubled and Geet turned a shade darker in crimson. Nandita and Dadi Ma simply looked at each other and then everywhere. "Aur pata hai..." Anu continued but Geet elbowed her to silence. Viren coughed, "I... um surely won't be interested... um... to know the escapades of my outwardly hormonally challenged son" he said shooting another indignant glare at Maan.

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Nandita ushered everyone towards the dining table to diffuse the path that this conversation would lead to. Instead of sitting beside each other, both of them sat facing each other. Everyone had their eyes on them and an occasional chuckle will pass through the table. Dev nudged Vicky when he once caught Maan covertly trying to attract Geet's attention who was so fascinated with her food that she refused to spare anyone a glance. Maan passed them a threatening stare that escalated their fascination with the food too. Anu kept glowering at Maan, irritating him all the more. "What!" he finally snapped at her. "So much to rebuke my Mills & Boons and Yashraj movies!" she huffed and Dev and Vicky started laughing all over again. "Dev Veerji, mujhe na ek gaana yaad aa raha hai" Vicky said ignoring the killer looks Maan was giving him, ofcourse with the elders at the table he knew he was safe. "Kaunsa?" Dev asked having a spoonful of his food. "Hum tum ek kamre main band ho, aur chaabi kho jaaye" he hummed and the youngsters muffled their laughs while the elders rolled their eyes. "Veerji... there should be a slight variation" Anu chipped winking at Geet joining in with her brothers to tease the couple. "What?" Vicky asked curious. "Simple Veerji... hum tum ek gaadi main band ho aur police aa jaaye..." Anu hummed along and laughter roared around the table. Geet whimpered sinking in her chair while Maan shot an incredulous glance to the trio who were busy merry making on their expense. Even the elders chuckled secretly. "Veerji gaana hi toh gaa rahe the" Anu defended, "haan... dekha maine... enough now... chup chap khaana khao" Maan roared and with great difficulty they controlled themselves.

Silence prevailed for sometime and then it was Dadi ma who burst out laughing taking everyone by surprise. Ofcourse to put up the show of the stern matriarch she had been holding herself back until she couldn't hold herself anymore. Carefully wiping her mouth with the napkin, she doubled up as everyone watched till they too joined in her mirth. Except the two people, everyone was having a gala time. "Maan you never cease to surprise me when Geet is concerned..." she said as happy tears rolled down her cheeks. "Maa... honestly I was of the opinion that you guys will have a tough time asking him to settle down, lest I knew he's already gone bonkers!" Viren added gesturing to Maan. "Dad... I think you are blowing the matter out of proportion" Maan said sternly. "Toh kya aap highway par gaadi khadi kar ke tare gin rahe the Veerji?" Vicky asked seriously to which Maan snorted. "We just wanted to discuss something" Maan growled lying through his teeth. "Highway par?" Nandita asked raising her eyebrow. "Mom..." Maan began to counter but Dadi Ma beat him, "Nandita, don't doubt your son, after all it had been such important 'talks' that pushed Maan to even abduct Geet at times, hain na Maan bete?" she teased garnering a mix of shock and amused expressions from Nandita and Viren. And just then Nandita's eyes fell on Geet and she saw her squirming uncomfortably in her seat. Considerately, she announced to put the matter to rest and they nodded in agreement, letting Maan and Geet breathe a sigh of relief, until Dadi ma threw the next bomb, "Koi ab is baare main baat nahi karega and Maan, kaan khol kar sun lijiye, Shaadi hone tak aap Geet se akele nahi milenge" she affirmed. "What!" Maan yelped but when he found three elders... boring their eyes into him, he grumbled and left the table, displeased. Anu hugged Geet, who was as shocked as he was, and did a small happy dance sticking her tongue out at Maan.

The rest of the evening rolled away with family spending a quality time together and ofcourse with Maan being grumpy and Geet passing him coy looks. And when Geet departed, it was Dev who went to drop Geet home adding a reason more for Maan to sulk.

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"Geet kal Delhi ja rahi hai" a man spoke in hushed voices to Arjun in his prison cell who bore an insidious smile. "Aur kuch?" Arjun asked just to make sure that nothing of significance was left from his notice. "nahi" the man shook his head, eager to put some distance between him and the possessed man. "Shaadi kab hai?" Arjun asked as if half amused. "2 weeks ke baad" he replied as he cowered against the menacing laugh that was darker than the dark corridors of the prison. "Maan... Maan... Maan... kaafi underestimate kiya hai tumne mujhe, but that's fine... She's my fancy, my love, and my love is my obsession! Geet is mine. Wo sirf meri hai!" like a mad man he repeated it to himself looking forward to what tomorrow is to hold.

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"Maan... I'm sorry" Geet apologized over the phone. When no reply came for a while, she spoke again, "Maan, kaha na I'm sorry. Mujhe kya pata tha wahan police aa jayegi" she pouted. He rolled his eyes and sighed, "Geet, I'm not angry with you" he finally said. "Really? How come?" she cried out aloud making his frown, "Geet, you ok? You almost sound offended that I'm not angry with you" he said amused. "Err... nahi woh... aap gussa the and then Dadi ma ka decision... mujhe laga ki aap..." she trailed off, after all hasn't she spent the better part of the evening mulling over how was she going to cheer him up now. He chuckled, "Oh... I thought you were upset you won't have a reason to 'pacify' me" he said in his throaty voice reminding her of the evening. Geet's jaws fell open at the indication, "Maan aap..." she began but was cut off, "Nahi Geet, tumhe disappoint hone ki zaroorat nahi hai, main abhi aa jaata hoon na tumhare pass, phir jitna jee chahe utna kareeb aa jana, I mean mana lena... poori raat hai humare pass" he teased in his husky voice. "Maan!" she gasped at his suggestion. "Kya hua Mishty? Dar gayi?" he asked, and this time his tone had no hint of humour just desire. Automatically, she clutched the sheet to herself tight, the effect he had on her was enough to mush her insides, yet she held her stance, "Main? Main kyun daru? Aap bhool rahe ho ki Dadi Ma ne humme milne se mana kiya hai" she reminded him pretending to be confident but failed miserably as he heard the nervous note in her voice. He smiled, "You think they can stop me?" he challenged her. "I know they can't. But I can" she answered cheekily. He sighed, "Not for long and as far as mom, dad and dadi ma are concerned, I'm just entertaining them by pretending to abide by their decision" he clarified. She giggled, "Aapka na kuch nahi ho sakta... chaliye ab so jaaiye" she said. "Par Geet, akele?" he asked mischeviously. "Good night Maan" said that she disconnected the call, smiling to herself.

Just as she was settling in her bed, Pammi walked in. "Masi ji, ap?" Geet asked, sitting back upright on her bed. Pammi sat by her and ran a loving hand on her face, "Haan bas, tu kal Delhi ja rahi hai na... aur phir teri shaadi ho jayegi. I'm going to miss my daughter" she said tenderly. Geet smiled and lied down in Pammi's lap, "Masi ji... aap mere saath dahej main chalo" Geet winked and Pammi laughed. "Usse better idea mere pass hai" Adi said walking in with Pinky in tow, "kya?" Pammi asked. "Hum Maan ko ghar jamai bana lete hain" he said with an edge to his voice. Geet rolled her eyes and Pinky laughed, "Ma, jo humare beech nahi hua na, woh hoga phir toh is ghar main" Pammi frowned, "Kya Puttar?" Geet rose to a sitting position while Pinky sat beside her, "Aur kya Ma? Saas Bahu Drama... Adi as the evil saas and Maan as bechari bahu". The three females burst out laughing while Adi scoffed, "Maa, aap bhi in dono ke saath mujh par has rahe ho" he complained. "Puttar... tera chehra dekh... uspe saaf likha hai ki Pinky ki baat sahi hai" Pammi managed to say amidst her mirth. Geet rose from the bed and went near Adi, "Veerji, aap fikar mat karo. Aisa kuch nahi hoga and agar Maan ne mujhe zara sa bhi tang kiya na, toh main jhat se aapko call kardungi" Geet assured him. "You promise?" Adi asked. Geet grinned ear to ear and nodded her head positively. He smiled and hugged her sideways, "I'm so gonna miss you bachchi" said that he kissed her atop her head while Pammi and Pinky looked on.

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"Your marriage?" Maan asked shocked. Vicky grinned and nodded his head up and down. "And Dadi Ma, took Anu and Geet along to fix the alliance?" Maan asked sceptically to which Vicky grinned again. He rolled his eyes, "Where is this world heading?" he sighed out aloud to which Vicky laughed. "Actually Veerji, dad wanted to make the announcement around the dinner table but your stint took the lime light" he winked, teasing Maan. Maan groaned inwardly at the reminder but otherwise showed nonchalance. "And you? You wanna get married?" he turned to Vicky raising his brows. Vicky frowned, "Kyun Veerji? Aapko kya laga main sanyaas leke Himalaya pe jaane wala tha?" Maan gave him a stern look, "Don't you think it's a little early?" Maan asked. "Veerji, bechara Sasha ki yaad main devdaas ban jaaye, is se better hai ki iski shaadi kar dete hain. Sasha apne aap dande maar ke isse line pe le aayegi" Dev said as he walked in. Vicky who was smiling till now, squinted his eyes, "Veerji... that's so rude" he complained while Maan chuckled and winked and Dev, "But that's the truth" he affirmed and hugged Vicky, "My condolences" he said and Vicky looked horrified to which Maan quickly corrected himself, "I mean congratulations". Dev quickly composed himself and feigned to be serious, "Waise Veerji, aapki baatein sun ke lagta hain, ki aapki kaafi pitai ho chuki hai, Geet BHABHI ke haathon" Dev said stressing on the word Bhabhi and winked at Vicky who now doubled over with Dev. Maan squinted his eyes at Dev, suddenly remembering the evening fiasco and leapt to punch Dev who ducked and escaped the room with Vicky in tow. Maan smiled as his brothers left. He was happy -Vicky was to begin a new life and Dev seems to have slowly putting his past and Naintara behind him.

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"Hmm... toh tum chahti ho ki main Geet ke liye baby sitting karu?" Yash raised his brow while he spoke to Anu on phone. "Tum ladke kya taunt mare bina koi kaam nahi kar sakte?" Anu asked in clipped tone. "Ok baba... ok... cease fire! Mallikae Anahita Khurana, aapka kaam ho jaayega" he said with a smile. "Thanks Yash" Anu gratefully replied. "Geet meri bhi dost hai" he reminded her and this time she smiled. "Yash, main bohut tang karti hoon na tumhe?" Anu softly asked. "Thank God ki der se hi sahi tumhe hosh toh aaya. Atleast you realized" he teased her and she frowned, "Fine! Itna tang karti hoon toh phone rakh rahi hoon" she grumbled. "Anu... Anu... listen, main mazak kar raha tha baba. And waise bhi, when you ask something from me, it feels good. It makes me feel connected to you somehow. Atleast you consider me one of your own" he tenderly expressed his feelings. "Yash... I don't want to hurt you" Anu replied in a sincere voice. "You hurt me more when you say that" he confessed. "Yash, try to understand... I have an awful past. I don't want you to shoulder the burden of my insecurities and issues" Anu advised. "Anu, you made a mistake and that's about it. There's life beyond that" he pleaded with her. "I'm scared Yash" she confessed. "Kyun Anu? Tumhe kya lagta hai ki saare ladke ek jaise hote hain? Ya phir tum mujhe bhi us Arjun se compare kar rahi ho?" he asked a little peeved. "Nahi Yash! Never! You were the one who stood by me... you are my best pal" she tried to make him feel better. "Ah! You mean better than Geet?" he asked cheekily. "In your dreams" she snapped and he chuckled but immediately was serious again, "Anu... don't crush your spirit. If you don't trust yourself, take a step forward and trust me. I promise I'll make it work for us" he almost begged. "Yash..." Anu began but stopped, lost of words. "You don't have to say anything Anu. Just remember, I'm waiting for you... like always!" said that he disconnected the call. A confident smile marred his lips, he knew, she would be his, he was going to treasure her and keep her guarded... and if she was unable to walk this distance between them, then he would... for both of them, he vowed to himself.

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"Geet puttar, tune saara zaroori samaan le liya na?" Pammi asked mentally ticking the checklist for the luggage she had packed for Geet and Pinky. "Ji Masi ji, sab rakh liya hai. Aap ainve pareshaan mat ho" Geet said to appease her. "Kaise na pareshaan hoon? Sun, Delhi itne waqt baad ja rahi hai... roz toh news main kuch na kuch sun ne ko aata hai... apna khayal rakhna. Yahan wahan jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Khaana time pe khaana aur haan Pinky ko bina bataye kahin na jaana" she instructed her while Pinky, Adi, Maan, Anu and Dadi Ma looked on with a smile. "Mummy ji aap kyun fikar karte ho? Main hoon na iske saath" Pinky assured her. "Fikar toh hogi na bete" Dadi Ma supported Pammi, coming near Geet and kissing her forehead. "Aur nahi toh kya? Main bhi iske saath nahi hoon, toh fikar kaise nahi hogi" Anu chirped as she took Geet in a bear hug and Maan rolled his eyes, ideally this should have been his line. Rest of them chuckled. Just then their flight was announced. "Geet, Pinky... you guys should push now. Warna flight ud jaayegi and tum dono yahin airport pe reh jaoge" Adi said handing their tickets to Pinky. "Dadi ma... Maasi ji, aap log jaldi aana" Geet said looking towards each of them while her eyes lingered a moment more on Maan, who smiled and blinked in acquiescence. With the court case lingering at the back of their minds, Savitri Devi and Pammi exchanged tensed looks but said nothing. "All the best Geet... exams main dhyan lagana, yahan wahan nahi" Adi said glancing over at Maan to which Maan narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Anu muffled her laugh while Pinky snorted at Adi.

Maan walked upto Geet and the rest followed a little behind to give them a moment, "Geet, you know you need to take care of yourself" Maan said as the memories of their last farewell came flooding back. With tears in her eyes, Geet managed a small smile, "I will!" was all that she said. Geet glanced over her shoulder to look at all the people who had come to see her off and her thoughts wandered to the day when she had reached Mumbai Airport after her escape. So much had changed since then, for better ofcourse. That day she was alone and broken and today she was strong and healed. "Thank You Babaji" Geet whispered a small prayer holding the chain she wore around her neck. Understanding the emotions in her eyes, Maan smiled and leaned to give a gentle peck on her forehead. Waving everyone Goodbye, Pinky and Geet then headed to board the flight.