PART 5
"It's about nandanan haveli " shallen said suddenly remembering about the very important project in store for the their company.
"Whatever " he heard Geet say as if she gives a damn to it
" nandanan haveli " she heard Maan repeat and he stopped walking .
"kya hua ? " she asked
( what happened ?)
" nandanan haveli " he looked at her and from the looks she knew that he recognized the name.
Geet agreed to visit the place. Even without Maan saying anything she knew he wants to go there. So he asked shaleen to take his own car and Maan and Geet drove in hers. She thought may be wanted to talk to her about it. Nandan haveli was ambitious project that her company acquired from government last month. It's about re-building and renovation. Since the contract was from government Geet decided to handle it personally to make sure that nothing went wrong.
" tumhe kuch kehana hai? " Geet asked looking at Maan from the corner of her eyes. He was lost thinking about something which she believed to be about the haveli.
( do you want to tell something? )
" nahi" he nodded his head.
(no)
They reached the place and Geet helped Maan get out of the car without shaleen noticing. She still has to teach him unbuckling seat belt and opening the door. Geet noticed Maan's eyes were fixed on the huge palace that stood before them. The palace was worn out with days with some cut down trees and branches covering. Geet couldn't guess when it was painted last for it looked pathetic. Human habitation was nil and to her surprise there wasn't a janitor she couldn't believe that shaleen was so stupid not to appoint a person to take care of it. Now that the palace was in their control till its complete again they need to be careful.
" good afternoon mam " Geet heard Sameer one of their head architect great her. He is supposed to assist her in this.
" good afternoon sameer. Didn't expect you here " she said. She thought shaleen was driving alone.
" i thought i am needed to discuss things " sameer said thinking his presence was not expected
" well that would be helpful " Geet said.
Her gaze turned to shaleen whose fingers were busy on his laptop keys but his eyes were constantly dropping to her entwined hands with Maan. Well that reminded her that they were holding hands and she exactly didn't remember doing that. Knowing Maan she doubted if he would ever dare to touch her its 'paap' if she is not wrong. Maan was still looking at the haveli his gaze was roaming throughout the architecture as if taking in its beauty and refreshing souvenirs.
" are we gonna stay in the sun all day ?" Geet shouted to shaleen who seemed busy in laptop. She noticed Maan didn't flinch hearing her shout that meant he is seriously thinking something.
After a couple of seconds shaleen came running to them with his laptop.
"Surfing stuffs "he said
They began to walk inside the haveli. The entrance was filled with saw dust and mud but Geet was sure it once would have been a marvelous sight to watch. The living room or should you say mini cricket ground wasn't a disappointment as they were already pictured a huge room filled with dust and spider web. If you think the palace you see in movies are fascinating then this place could surprise you. Just by the sight of the roofs and ceilings the architect inside Geet was getting inspired.
"So do you wanna me to brief history? " shaleen asked.
A couple of days ago Geet would have said no but now all she could ask was the story behind this palace.
" well google says this place belongs to chandra dynasty. And the last kind lived here was Sarasvtichandra in the year 1873 before British occupied the whole place. There are some insignificant stuffs about their 'senathipathi' being expelled and taking advantage some bad guys tortured the citizens and British invasion and some more crap. We don't need that, do we? "Shaleen made indifferent face at the article
Sarasvathichandra that did ring a bell. If Geet's memory is right then she remember Maan saying that he is from 1870 which means exactly three years later the whole kingdom was demolished. Does Maan know about it? Well that reminded her he was no more beside her. Geet's eyes wandered the whole hall before it landed on Maan who was at the farthest corner examining a picture. She took sigh relief and turned her attention to shaleen.
" do they have pictures there? " Geet asked. It is most unlikely but the last thing she wants is Maan to be recognized.
" no. Why? " shaleen said.
" nothing. So we are gonna renovate it. It's not history class so shut that thing and concentrate on the
Architecture. Take photos so that we can discuss later. Everyone who is gonna work in this
Renovation and designing will meet me in the office tomorrow at 10 and i ll decide the team,
Leaders and jobs " Geet said looking at them both sternly.
" and yeah if you need help call others now " she added. They nodded before getting to work.
Geet saw samaeer go back to car to get cameras and shaleen was in phone. If she knows him well he must have been calling their other two so called friends. Geet could handle that later for now she wanted to go to Maan. She asked shaleen not to talk about history but she is not going to stay quiet. She will make sure that she knows everything that is discovered about this palace and the dynasty till now. History was never her favorite subject but then everyday a part of history don't wake beside you in the morning.
" kya dekrahe ho? " Geet's sudden voice jerked Maan out of his thoughts
( what are you seeing? )
" woh ... main... yeh... " he stumbled with words
( woh...i...this...)
" this was your palace, wasn't it? " Geet looked at him. By now Maan knew that Geet talks with him in this alien language before she realizes that he doesn't understand and then translate in Hindi which is his language.
" yeh tumare haveli hai na? " she asked
(this was your palace, wasn't it?)
" nahi. Yeh Raja Sarasvathichandra ka hai " he said. By now Geet was beside him and he turned to face her.
( no. Its Highness Sarasvathichandra's )
" whats the difference " she said to herself
" par humare ghar pass mein hi hai " he said slight excitement in voice " woh pass mein ta " he added realizing it wasn't his anymore
( but my house is nearby )...( it was)
Geet understood his situation. Just the thought of herself about a century and half from now scares her but this man before her is experiencing it. Not only he had been cursed and been inside a stone for years but now when he is finally out he is not in a place where he belongs. There is none for him to turn for.
The sadness of Maan's heart reflected in his eyes and Geet had no clue what to tell him. ' hey buddy just forget that you have landed in 21st century and living with a world filled with heartless morons and just party hard' if she could tell this and he would agree she would be happy. Because she not being around people not only left her crying alone but never taught her to handle a person in worry. If Geet had thought god was merciless with her for snatching her parents away then he has played the role of devil in Maan's life.
Looking Maan in that state can never be her favorite. She is used to his funny face, confused face, amused face, stupidity face, protective face and complaining face but she hates this sad face. Only if she could say any comforting words. Her not knowing his language wasn't doing any good.
" geeet " both Maan and Geet turned to the source of the voice.
" deepta " Geet said to one of the three musketeers , if you know what i mean.
Geet noticed deepta's eyes on Maan totally checking him out while walking towards them. Geet couldn't complain, could she? He was every girl's type. His body was to kill for, he was decently tall, his face was innocent yet his eyes were passionate if you could mix all good looking men of this century may be you will arrive at Maan.
" what are you doing here Geet? " deepta asked her eyes still fixed on Maan making him uncomfortable.
" and i thought you were talking to me " Geet said with a mock disappointment
Deepta tore her gaze from Maan and looked at Geet embarrassed.
" i was just..." deepta was trying to find proper excuse.
" seeing if my boyfriend was worth enough. I understand. What are friends for " Geet said smirking
" wait... what did you tell ? boyfriend ? " if deepta's eyes weren't fixed to her body it would have fell out.
" yeah boyfriend. Maan " Geet said smiling.
" umm. Oh.. well shaleen needed my help i ll be back " confusion was written in deepta's face when she walked away.
" aap yahan kya karne aaye hai? " Maan asked
( why are you here? )
" re-designing, renovation " Geet said shrugging
" ji? "
" look muje itni hindi bhi nahi aati ki main yeh sab samjaon " she said
( i don't know this language enough to translate this )
" ji " Maan smiling.
" haso mat " Geet said annoyed. She hates when people who knows things that she doesn't know give her that knowing smile.
( don't smile )
Maan wanted to stay there and explore the place he wanted to know what and how it happened. But Geet told him this was not the right time and promised to bring him back here. They both finally met everyone at the entrance.
" so back to office " Geet said . She was surprised that none argued which meant they have some plan cooking in their mind.
Once everyone was gone Geet settled Maan in the car and took her seat.
" aap log yahan kabi khana nahi kaate " Maan asked caressing his stomach
( you people never eat here?)
Geet began to laugh hearing his question which was suddenly replaced by guilt. She remembers shoving some toast in her mouth in the morning. And she grabbed snickers before coming here. It never occurred to her that she should feed Maan. She hated herself for forgetting that. She decided to eat before preceding anything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRECAP:
SENATHIPATHI SPEGATTI KAYEGA???
I have no clue what people would have ate in 19th century so please do help me. And if you want next update to be interesting and hilarious do SUGGEST
PM LATER
Book Talk
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
55