Hello everyone! I know I'm late yet again and I apologise. Here's the next chapter.
Chapter Eighteen
When G drops me back to my hostel after the gathering at Maan's place is dismissed, I decide to call Mamma and ask her why she has agreed on letting me and Chhoti stay at the Khuranas' house. Mamma's reasoning is simple. She says she couldn't let Chhoti stay in any hotel all alone and she can't stay with me in the hostel either. I ask her why not G's place and she very patiently explains that G has a small son and a husband to look after. She doesn't want to burden her more by sending us there for a week when I'll be busy with my studies and Raya won't bother helping G out with the excess work. I'm still skeptical about why she agreed on letting me stay at someone's house whom she doesn't even know, so it comes as a surprise when she reveals that she's known about what kind of a woman Mrs. Khurana is for some time now. I ask her how but I should have known it's G.
I hold my tongue when a question that won't be very appropriate, tries to stumble out. Does she remember it is Maan's house? She seems to have understood my unspoken query because she answers it. 'I trust my daughters a lot.' I stay silent and she continues. 'I know they'll never do something that can hurt their parents.' Her words ring in my ears even after I hang up. I won't break your trust at any cost, Mamma. I promise. I drown myself in studying until my eyelids start closing, after which I put my things away and drift into a dreamless sleep.
-------------------------------------The next day at college is busy to say the least. We're informed of the revised schedule for tests. From the very next day onwards till the exams, we will have revision tests everyday, maybe even more than one in a single day. On top of that, end of the year assignments have to be submitted and that takes up most of the free time we get. Since most of them have to be done individually, none of us gets a lot of time to sit and chat. We work through more than half of the lunch hour and even keep our noses stuck in front of the thick references books after the classes end for the day. Amidst all this, I'm unable to manage talking to Geet.
I don't even know what I'm going to say about the date! When we walk out of the library in the evening, Anaya and Ayush offer to have some snacks at the cafe but neither I nor Geet agree to it and so they head off, leaving me and Geet behind. I quickly think over what I'm going to say, not wanting to lose the chance I've gotten.
I clear my throat and she looks at me with a smile.
'Wednesday isn't going to be the day then, I guess.' She appears puzzled so I tell her I'm talking about the date.
'Oh yes. Sorry, it slipped out of my mind.' Even though I feel a tinge of disappointment knowing that she had forgotten about the date, I cover it up with a smile and quickly shirk off all negative thoughts.
It must be because of the assignments. As we slowly walk to my car, a part of me rejoices that she hasn't even tried to object, rather she walks by my side without any hesitation.
'You're right. It won't be Wednesday.' We reach my car and I walk to the passenger's side and open the door for her, cursorily offering to drop her. She smiles as she sits in. I close the door, walking over to my side and strap myself in before continuing our conversation.
'How about Thursday then?' She smiles, shrugging her shoulders.
'I'll be fine with it.' Thinking over it, I realise Thursday won't be feasible since I will have no time to prepare.
Dumb Maan! Did you never think you need time to prepare? I look at her gazing out of the window silently.
'Not Thursday.' My voice startles her as she turns to look at me.
'Sorry.' She shakes her head.
'You were saying something?' I bite my tongue, holding back from asking what she was thinking.
'Yeah. I was thinking we can make it Friday, instead of Thursday.' I avoid looking at her face so that she doesn't question me on the change. I certainly don't want her to know I'm going to plan something instead of taking her to a simple dinner.
She might even laugh at me or feel uncomfortable if she gets to know about it at the moment. From the corner of my eyes, I can see her studying my face for a few seconds before agreeing on Friday.
-------------------------------------The next day passes in a jiffy with the classes and the research work. Any free time I get, I think over what I'm going to do for the date, mulling over how typical dates are supposed to be, how I can modify it to be something special, but I discard the very few ideas my brain comes up with. A thought of asking Ranbir's opinion crosses my mind but it is quickly shoved away because I don't want to be a stock of fun for him
again. I consider asking Ayush thinking he must have been to a date or two with Anaya but that idea is rejected as well.
Geet and Anaya are very different. They might not like the same kind of dates. I admit to myself the major reason of not seeking any help. I want to do something for Geet
myself, something that'll be my own idea exclusively planned and executed for Geet rather than implementing the tips which aren't originally mine.
-------------------------------------To have a proper place for dance practices, Ranbir and I push the furniture of the drawing room to the walls, creating a wide space in the centre. Mom has suggested to use the drawing room since this is the largest and rarely used room of the house and it'll be easier for the youngsters to practice there while the elders sat in the living room. As everyone reaches there in casuals, the practice is commenced without much of a delay. G and Zara act as our choreographers, telling us which steps to do while at the same time discussing with each other what can be done on which part of the song. The first one that we practice is the pair dance. It isn't really a pair dance except for a few steps which need one to hold the partner's hand or the guy having to do a little bhangra while circling the girl.
My eyes, on their own accord, move towards Geet dancing beside Neil and I feel the green-eyed monster rear its ugly head when Neil holds her hand twice, though the original step includes holding hands just once. In my attempt to balance between keeping an eye on Neil to know that he isn't using his flirtatious ways with Geet, and trying to dance with Anaya, I feel a stomp on my foot and look at Anaya as she immediately apologises, admitting that she wasn't paying attention. Throughout the whole time, the music is stopped multiple times, the steps are revised, the whole song are restarted, and mistakes occurring. Apart from Anaya stepping on my foot, I see Ayush bumping into Jess once, Neil stumbling over his own feet and Jess being mean. In one of the steps, she moves a little away from her partner and with an exaggerated attempt to make it seem like an accident, she collides with Geet, making the latter lose her balance and bump into Neil who steadies her, asking if she is fine. Apparently I'm not the only one who has noticed Jess' failed attempt to cover her act as an accident.
'That jerk!' I curse Neil when I see him holding Geet by her shoulders at the same time that I hear Anaya mumble
'that witch' while looking at Jess. Ayush takes a good revenge from the chit of a girl who happens to be his dance partner. He pulls her hair inconspicuously, sarcastically apologising at once. I and Anaya snicker as Ayush winks at us.
-------------------------------------Neil is a nice dancer, and a patient one as well because he calmly lets me learn the steps at my own pace. The only discomforting thing about him is his behaviour. His numerous attempts at dancing while standing too close to me, holding my hand with the pretense of guiding me through a step and his grip on my shoulders when I accidentally knock into him, all of these make me wary and I keep a strictly formal attitude with him, not wanting to give him any wrong ideas by being friendly. After we practice the song twice, Ranbir calls it a day and G comes in with some juices for all of us. All of us sit down on the floor, using the sofas as a support for our backs. I carefully choose a place to sit which will let me be away from Neil for a little while so I end up being seated between Anaya and Maan.
Ranbir announces that he wants dance practices to be everyday since we don't have a lot of time before the wedding. Zara objects at first but both of them mutually decide on asking the students who are going to have exams. Zara questions if we will have any trouble giving an hour and a half to dance every day. None of us seem to have any issues with it so the final verdict is that practices will be held daily rather than every three days. I hear Maan sigh exasperatedly and mumble close to my ear.
'There goes our date!' I look at him to see his lips turned slightly down at the corners and I smile comfortingly.
'It's alright Maan. Some other day then.' He smiles faintly before turning to listen to G tell everyone which third dance has been decided. It's going to be a ladies' dance with daandiyas. It will only have the elder ladies in it. The group dance which was earlier planned on will be practiced the next time, that is, tomorrow. Dinner gets served and we're all summoned to the dining room before scattering away to our respective residences.
-------------------------------------Two days later, we inform everyone that we need to study and so we take a day off for a group study. As per the plan, I reach Anaya's house, meet her mother and then I'm led to a room at the farther end of the first floor. It is her father's study, Anaya tells me. She often uses it for project or group studies, like the one we have planned for this evening. The room is quite vast with a large mahogany desk placed in front of the racks holding some files. In front of the window which gives a view of the backyard, is a sitting area with a low table standing on a rug, a few comfortable chairs and a two-seater placed around it. I notice a stack of books resting on the table as Anaya leads me towards the sitting area.
I sit down on the sofa, putting my bag on the floor as Anaya tells me that Maan and Ayush are on their way. We begin discussing what we are going to study and a few minutes later, the door to the room opens wide to give way to a sight of a sulking Ayush and a smiling Maan. As they greet us, Anaya asks Maan what's the matter with Ayush and he laughs, telling us he's had to drag the sulking boy here who doesn't want to study. The boy in question slumps down on the sofa just as I sit cross-legged on the rug. Anaya makes fun of him, laughingly saying he looks like a whining kid.
'No wait. Not like
a whining kid, you are
a whining kid!' Maan and I laugh with her this time and Ayush irritatedly reminds us we need to study.
Maan gives us all the notes he has brought and I go through them before Anaya explains the strategy we are to use this evening. She tells us she has a list of the questions which we have to attempt individually and then check each other's answer sheets. Oral questioning will follow after that. Half an hour is given to go through the notes and we begin right away, the only sounds being the turning of pages and the occasional doubts that we ask from each other. As submerged as I get in reading the notes, I jump with a sudden sound which I realise after a moment of perplexity, is an alarm. Anaya suppresses a smile, Ayush laughs openly and Maan chuckles slightly at my reaction as my cheeks turn pink when Anaya says she set this alarm to keep track of time. Anaya tells us to put the notes away. As she puts the sheet of questions in the centre of the table and gives all three of us a few loose sheets, the door swings open and all our heads turn that way to see Sia entering with a tray in her hands, Pia following her with a jug in her hands. Ayush, who lies down on the sofa a moment ago, immediately sits up and rubs his hands in glee, asking the girls what they've brought. Both the girls walk to the table and tell Anaya to make space. I help Anaya in emptying the table, putting the books on the rug. Pia answers Ayush, pointing towards the sandwiches and when Ayush makes a face, she sticks her tongue out a him, turning to Maan and greeting him with a dazzled smile. I look at Maan as he smiles back at Pia awkwardly. Anaya rolls her eyes and Ayush doesn't react. Just as Sia dreamily comments on how long it's been since they saw Maan, Anaya interrupts and shoos her sisters away so we can get back to studying.
As the door closes, Ayush pats on Maan's back.
'You've got fans, buddy!' He grins and Maan rolls his eyes.
'Yeah right!' Ayush pulls his hand back before dramatically exclaiming,
'Why don't I have any fans like that?!' He sneakily looks at Anaya and before she says anything, he quickly adds that we need to study which successfully diverts Anaya's but not without a loud 'humph' from her. The written pseudo-test begins and continues for another hour as all of us attempt the five questions. Halfway through, Ayush starts whistling and Anaya shuts him up, scolding him not to disturb the others if he can't solve the questions himself. Pens feverishly scribble across the papers, page after page filled. The alarm sounds and we put the sheets down as Anaya asks how many questions we were able to attempt.
'Two,' Ayush says proudly and Anaya scoffs.
'I did four, you snail-paced!' She asks me and Maan.
'Four and almost a half.' She nods appreciatively at me.
'I've done four.' After Maan tells that, I say that none of us seem to have much problem keeping up with the time duration of the exam. Anaya adds an 'except Ayush' before I continue telling that we just need to attempt a few more questions like this and we'll be good.
For checking the tests, we pass our sheets on to the person sitting on our right. I get Maan's answer sheet. As he hands it over to me, my fingers accidentally fall on his and I immediately pull back which leads his sheet to be dropped on the floor. I mumble an apology and pick the sheet, getting down to reading it. My sheet goes to Anaya, hers to Ayush and his to Maan. As I read through Maan's answers, I notice he has an ability of putting across his thoughts in a precise manner, all his answers impress me with the way they've been written. Though his handwriting isn't something very noticeable, the overall work is neat. After we check through each other's work, Ayush insists we take a break to eat the sandwiches. As we eat, we discuss the answers for a while before the conversation drifts to the dance practices we've been doing side by side. The bloopers which have happened during the previous practices are shared, which include Anaya stepping over Maan's foot, Ayush deliberately pulling Jess's hair and then acting as if it was a mistake, Neil stumbling in one of the moves. After quite some time, we realise we've been talking for a longer time than we should have so we begin the oral questions, taking turns to ask objective questions as the other three answer. When my turn comes and I ask the questions, Anaya answers a few, Ayush is a little serious as well, once in a while saying the correct answers but Maan is the most active participant. He answers the fastest and I keep shooting questions looking directly at him. As I fall silent for a moment, I realise the other two have been quiet for a while so I look at them quizzically. Ayush is staring at me and Maan incredulously as Anaya sarcastically exclaims that we both got a bit
carried away so they didn't interrupt. With a slight embarrassment, I ask Anaya to take her turn now, discreetly avoiding Maan's eyes. Shortly after that, the group study is done and I take my leave, politely refusing Anaya's offer of dinner.
-------------------------------------During one of the dance practices, Ayush, Anaya and Geet reach my place earlier than the rest so the two lovebirds decide to have some fun. As Geet and I sit on the sofas in the drawing room, Anaya plays a romantic song and the two begin swaying to it, though it isn't anything like a romantic dance. They hold hands and match their steps, Ayush twirls Anaya and she laughs. I just watch them dance to their heart's content since they can not dance this way in front of anyone else. More than once, I look at Geet just in time to see her removing her gaze from me. I resist the urge to ask her for a dance but it seems like God has other plans. Anaya signals me and Geet to join them. As Geet refuses, Anaya pulls her up and sternly calls me as well. She excitedly says that while she and Ayush are dancing, I and Geet should dance too rather than sitting like audience. She pushes Geet towards me and winks at me while Ayush grins. I suppress a grin which is fighting to break off as Geet stands beside me. Anaya once again orders her and me to begin dancing as she resumes hers with Ayush.
Geet doesn't say anything but by the firm set of her lips, I can say that she isn't up to it so I try to convince her, not wanting to lose the golden chance I've gotten.
'Come on Geet. There's no harm in it.' I shrug to appear casual about it as I see her open her mouth to protest. I cut her off.
'I won't believe it if you say you can't dance. I know better than that now.' I smile and put my right hand forward.
'So shall we?' She sighs, giving a small smile as she places her hand in mine and I step a little closer. Our first dance begins with a slight hesitation on her part and nervousness on mine as we sway a little side by side, her hand securely held in one of mine, my other hand lightly resting on her waist as her other hand is placed on my shoulder. Anaya notices us hesitantly matching our steps and she butts in, telling me to twirl Geet out and then pull her back in place. As I act on this and Geet comes back into my arms, I look into her eyes, getting mesmerised and so our real dance begins. Without either of us holding ourselves back, we freely dance to the beats of the song, attempting a little ball dance, I twirl her away and pull her back, let my hands graze her arms and I step away and then pull her with me, picking her up from her knees and spinning both of us before slowly putting her back on the floor, both her hands on my shoulders and mine on her waist as we look into each other's eyes. Clapping hands and a few low whistles pull us out of the spell of the moment and we look around to see Anaya and Ayush, along with Zara, G and Ranbir standing there and grinning at us.
We both pull away from each other as we pant, our faces red, from the dance or embarrassment, I can't tell. Zara compliments about the dance being wonderful as Ranbir excitedly comes forward and suggests that we can add a couple dance to the list of dances, where only Geet and I perform. Geet doesn't agree and neither do I so they drop the plan as we start the usual practice for the day. Even though I am embarrassed when I hear Ranbir humming the tune of the song which Geet and I danced to, or when I see G's teasing grins, but I can not deny the fact that I have enjoyed the dance. A lot. I enjoyed the feel of Geet in my arms. I enjoyed it when we both matched our steps to the beats of the music. But most importantly, I enjoyed it that Geet danced with
me. Seeing her dance with the Neil guy day after day has only acted as a fuel to the jealousy and anger bubbling within me; jealousy at Neil being the lucky one to get to dance with Geet and anger at his ways of trying to flirt with her. Numerous times, I grit my teeth and keep a check on myself so I don't go and pry his hands away from her.
-------------------------------------'Geet I'm sending your pink lehenga along with all the accessories.' I crunch my eyebrows as I try to recall which one Mamma is talking about.
'The one with the short shirt which has a hint of purple as well?' I ask her as I turn another page of my book, concentrating on what she is saying over the phone at the same time. As she confirms my doubt, I try to discourage her from sending this particular dress since I feel it's gaudy but she doesn't pay heed and goes on to discuss the rest of my dresses to be sent. After being shushed from giving my input for the choice of clothes she is sending with Chhoti, I just listen to her explain to me which dresses, which matching footwear and which accessories she is packing for me, occasionally suggesting which dress I can wear on what function. Mamma has always known I like to dress up simply rather than dabbing layers of makeup on my face and wearing accessories like over sized jewellery so all the things she collects for me are subtly pretty, not glaringly eye-catching.
Except of course that pink lehenga!-------------------------------------With the busy schedules these days, Maan and I are unable to go on the promised date even after two weeks of the agreement. I command myself to concentrate more on the studies rather than pondering over how I feel about the delay. It certainly is disconcerting to feel disappointed when I have clearly promised myself not to cross any boundaries and not to lead Maan into a romantic relationship, let alone walking that path myself. Neither Maan nor I really talk about the delay, a silent mutual understanding of it happening when it's bound to. I believe there isn't any use crying over or discussing what could not happen, it's better to think of ways to make it happen in the future rather than dwell on the past. I had thought Maan thinks the same because that will be the only explanation for him not saying anything. I realise I have been wrong until I chance upon a conversation between Maan and Ayush where I witness one of the sullen moods of Maan. I'm surprised to see him all gloomy and complaining because there hasn't been a single time when he has acted so; not when he told me about his father's demise, instead he was supportive of me at that time, not when he lost the match, he was quiet and upset but not gloomy and complaining.
Unnoticed, I slip away from where Maan and Ayush are talking to walk in the opposite direction, deep in thoughts. However uncomfortable the nervous butterflies which come whenever the thought of the coming date crosses my mind, make me feel, I don't want Maan to be upset over it. I don't want him to feel burdened by
anything so I decide to talk to him. That evening when he offers to drop me to the hostel after college, I find a way to broach the topic. I know he will not complain to me about the delay like he did to Ayush rather he will act all fine with it. As I think for a few moments, he notices I'm very quiet and asks if I'm alright. When I answer in positive, he hesitantly asks what I'm thinking and that makes me crack a soft smile. His answering smile relieves me of my reluctance and I talk much freely, trying to convince him of postponing the plan of the date at least till after his brother's wedding. It doesn't take much of an effort, some cajoling words do the magic and he agrees saying it will be wiser this way than hanging between the
'will we go' or
'won't we go'.
-------------------------------------The wedding being twelve days away, the dances have been choreographed with the final steps, the practices are in full swing, some fun being poked around. In short, the whole atmosphere is completely celebratory. Ending the practice early for the day, Mom calls all of us to sit in the living room where a dholak has been placed with G already sitting and inviting all the girls to sit down around her. As the girls surround her, the guys take seats on the sofas. The beats of the dholak echo in the room and then ladies begin to sing the wedding related songs, many of which I haven't ever heard due to them being quite old. The young girls who don't know the songs only clap their hands in a rhythmic way, matching the clap to the way G's hands work on the dholak. I look around at the happy picture that we all make, hoping that the music emanating from this room tonight transforms into beautiful melodies for the future.
-------------------------------------Even though I feel tired from all the running around for the wedding, the dance practices and the tests in college, I decide to study late tonight. With the wedding just ten days away, I want to be done with as much studying as possible since it practically won't be possible during the days of the actual functions. Opening the book to a topic I find the easiest, I begin to study, trying to keep my drooping eyelids open. When it becomes very hard to hold on, I put my head on the study table and strictly tell myself to take a catnap of not more than half an hour and then get back to studying. Closing my eyes, I fall asleep and dream of a jumbled combination of a get together, a dance practice, a beautiful face pink with embarrassment and Mom caressing my head, calling my name. I furrow my eyebrows in my sleep as I feel her voice reaching to my ears seemingly clearer than that of a dream. A slight shake of my shoulder pulls me out of my dream and I pry my eyes open to see Mom's face smiling at me.
'Here. Drink this milk.' I push my head off the table, look at the glass of milk she has put in front of me, and then at the time. She runs a hand on my head and I turn to hug her from the waist, placing my head on her chest and closing my eyes.
'Don't overwork yourself, Maan. Everything is going to go fine.' I nod, my eyes still closed and she silently runs her fingers through my hair for a few moments.
'Now drink this milk and go to sleep like a good boy. Study in the morning.' I oblige, turning to drink the flavoured milk from the glass she is holding to my lips and then getting dressed for bed after she leaves, slipping into slumber as soon as my head hits the pillow.
-------------------------------------With Ranbir and Zara engrossed in some deep discussion in a corner of the room, and Anaya and Ayush off to the next store, I'm left to sit on the low couch placed in the designer's boutique. Ranbir and Zara's fitting checks are done, their dresses sent off to be packed while Maan is in the trial room to try his sherwani. I look around at the traditional dresses hanging all over the room as I wait for Maan to come out so all of us can head out. My appreciation of one of the dresses is cut short as I see one salesgirl rushing towards me with a sherwani hanging on her arm. She asks for where
the groom's brother is and I point out one of the trial rooms. Just as she is about to step forward, her name being called by another salesgirl stops her and she tells me to give the sherwani to Maan. She informs that the sherwani Maan has taken with him is given to him by mistake and the one she thrusts in my hands is Maan's. I try to protest but the busy bee is out of the room in a matter of seconds.
Having no other option, I get up from my seat, sighing as I walk towards the set of trial rooms which are just around the corner after a small chamber. I knock on the door of the room where Maan is and before I can utter a word, the door opens wide, making me gasp as my eyes take in the form of the person standing there, flashes of an unforgotten dream playing before my eyes. As I stare wide-eyed at Maan's bare chest, a sudden thought pops up in my head.
Was his body this attractive in my dream? I try to shake the wayward thought away only to notice how his ruffled hair and the white chudidaar pyjama make him look even more appealing. With his eyes fixed on the sherwani in his hand, his fingers fiddling with something and the little frown marring his face, he is the picture of cuteness and attraction.
Shut up Geet! I scold myself to get a grip on my bearings.
Concentrate on the task at hand. I immediately lower my eyes, my cheeks inevitably turn brighter at my thoughts, and I clear my throat to catch his attention.
-------------------------------------I look up when I hear a squeaky throat clearing, breaking my eyes away from the important task of getting my watch untangled from one of the beads on the sherwani. Surprised to see her eyes staring at the floor and a very dark hue of red on her cheeks, I wonder what has happened to her before asking her the reason for her appearance here. She doesn't raise her eyes and answers in a voice which seems like her throat is dry. She raises her hand out to me which holds another sherwani, telling me that one is mine and not the one I've been wrestling to get past my shoulders. Achieving no success, I just took my sherwani off only to have my watch stuck to a bead threaded on the sleeve. It's then that there was a knock at the door and I opened without asking. I thank her profusely for bringing it and she hurriedly turns around just as I take the sherwani. I call her name and she halts but doesn't turn around.
'Can you please help me untangle this sherwani from my watch? A thread is stuck and I can't take it out with one hand.' She doesn't react for a moment and I see her shoulders rising as if she is taking a deep breath before turning around, her eyes immediately going towards the hand I'm holding out. I look down at my watch and then realise I am not wearing anything on my body except the chudidaar.
That must have made her uncomfortable. I control a grimace.
What do I do now? Stop her from helping me and retry it myself? Too late. She is already standing in front of me with her hands reaching out to my watch. She easily frees the sherwani and I thank her again before quickly retrieving into the trial room and closing the door. The rest of the shopping spree goes by just fine while Geet and I pretend to be normal. Though it feels like anything but normal!
-------------------------------------G picks me up from my hostel with my bag so we both can go and receive Raya at the airport. Since the wedding is now only a week away, Raya and I are directly going to Khurana residence from the airport where Aunty is waiting for us. G gets Ryan a pack of chips as we wait for Raya to come out. Her flight has landed and my eyes are fixed on the throngs of people filing out of the double doors. I scan the crowd to see that one dear face of my sister, craning my neck to get a better look. And there she is, just stepping out of the doors and looking around. I smile as I take in her features. With the deep set long greenish-brown eyes, that thin nose and those cupid-bow lips, she is a beautiful young girl. The time I've spent away from her has only made her even prettier as I see her carrying herself with poise and grace, still roving her gaze to look for a familiar face.
All her poise and grace flies right out of the window when she spots me and quickens her pace, squealing a little as she comes closer.
My Chhoti! She hastily covers the distance and lets go of the trolley in her hand to jump on me and hug me tightly, squeezing the air out of me while simultaneously squealing excitedly. An answering grin spreads across my face even as I shush her down, my own arms going around her to hug her. As she parts from me, she holds me from my shoulders, exclaiming how long it's been and she still can't believe she's here. Ryan tugs on her jeans and she looks down at him, picking him up and giving a sloppy kiss on his cheek which he wipes off with the sleeve of his shirt. G calls for Raya's attention, complaining about how she doesn't see anyone else when I'm with her.
After a few minutes of the reunion, I suggest we head home now so we settle down in the car. Raya sits in the backseat with Ryan and I sit with G as she drives. On our way to Maan's house, Raya calls Mamma and informs her of her arrival, telling her that we're heading towards the house now. I talk to Mamma too, trying to express my delight at having Raya here with me. G takes the phone from me when Mamma asks for her and they talk for a little while with G complaining that we should have stayed at her place instead of Maan's and Raya chirpily interrupts, saying that all the fun will be at the Khurana house since it's groom's house. After the call ends, I silently listen to them chatter about the clothes they both will be wearing for the functions. As we reach the house, Aunty welcomes us with a big smile. After the initial introductions and formalities, Raya, being the naughty girl that she is, looks at me with a wicked smile before turning to Aunty and innocently asking where the groom and his brother are. I resist the urge to pinch her hand which is resting on the sofa between us as Aunty informs us that the two of them have gone for some boy time with a few of Ranbir's friends and won't return before dinner. I quietly sigh in relief at not having to face Maan yet. Up until now, I haven't told him that I'll be staying here for a week and he hasn't said anything about it to me so I don't know if he is aware of the arrangement or not.
I help Aunty and G set up the dinner table while Raya indulges Ryan in some mindless game to distract him. Dinner, for me, remains a silent affair but the three talkative women go on and on about the topic of the month: Ranbir's wedding. They would have continued talking if it hadn't been for little Ryan complaining of being sleepy. G quickly finishes her dinner and we clear the table, helping Aunty to put the leftovers away. As G leaves, Aunty shows me and Raya a room on the first floor, telling us to rest now as the hustle and bustle of the functions is to begin tomorrow. Closing the door to the room, I turn around to see Chhoti sitting in the centre of the bed. I walk over to her as I observe the decor of the room. The neutral shades of the furniture paired with the amber shade of the walls and the white net curtains hanging on the large window give the room a classy yet comfortable feel, something which is perfect for a guest room. I freshen up after Chhoti comes out of the washroom freshly showered and we sit and talk - she talks and I listen - for more than an hour before her eyes start drooping and I tell her to sleep. I set an alarm on my phone to wake up earlier than usual so I can study and then settle down to sleep myself.
-------------------------------------An hour into my sleep, I'm woken up by some sounds outside my room.
Being a light sleeper isn't always a good thing. I hear someone whispering and focus on what is being said. Not knowing if I should go and check, I wait for the sounds to either subside or gain volume so I can be sure of who it is. The thought of a thief breaking into the house crosses my mind for once and I quietly tiptoe to the door, pressing my ear against it to listen clearly.
Two voices. I concentrate further.
'Okay, good night!' A moment later, I hear subdued footsteps going away but that seems like just one person. I open the door slightly to peek outside, seeing no one right before the door, I step out of the room indecisively, the faint light from the living room reaching up the stairs. I look around just to see nobody. As I turn to walk back into the room, I feel my wrist being held in a warm hand and my body being pulled to bump into a muscular frame. Too stunned to even scream, I look up at the face and recognise the dark pair of eyes. Mentally sighing in relief that it's Maan, I open my mouth to say something but he puts his hand on my lips. Puzzled with his action, it's only then that I notice the goofy smile on his face.
'I didn't even drink. Why am I hallucinating then?' My eyes widen at his words.
He thinks he's imagining me!
-------------------------------------Her lips under my hand feel just the way they felt that day when we were stuck in the lift: soft.
If she can't be here for real, I better make the best use while my imagination is so vivid. I notice her eyes widen at my comment and chuckle a bit.
'Why are you so shocked? I don't drink, okay? Mom doesn't like it.' Her hazels soften up a bit. I remove my hand from her lips, letting my thumb slightly graze her lower lip. She jerks back just enough for my thumb to slip away. I smile.
Even being a figment of my imagination, she is as shy as she is for real. I remove my gaze from her lips to see her eyes shut for a moment before opening and looking back at me. She takes a step back and I take one towards her. She steps back again and I move to close the distance again. The third step she takes gets her backed up against the wall so I step forward and put my hands on the wall on both sides of her head when she tries to escape.
'Maan...' Listening to her whisper my name gives a satisfaction I wasn't aware of before.
'I love the sound of that.' She smiles slightly at my whisper and I move my hand to run two fingers across her right cheek.
'You have the prettiest smile and I love it. Especially when you smile at me.' Her eyes follow the path of my fingers down her cheek and when she looks up, I see a hint of apprehension, as if she is unsure of what I'll do. I chuckle at my very active mind even imagining the appropriate reactions that Geet would have given had she been here for real.
'You know Geet, I didn't know my brain could imagine everything about you so accurately.' She raises an eyebrow.
'See? That's what I mean. My hallucination is feeling so real. Like you're actually present rather than me imagining you.' The lobby's light turns on and I blink as a voice speaks from beside us.
'That is because she really is here and it's not your over active imagination.' I freeze listening to the words as I jump away from Geet to see a greenish-brown eyed girl standing not more than two feet away from me in a night suit. I look from her to Geet - who doesn't disappear like any hallucination should have - and my eyes widen with realisation.
She really is here. I wasn't imagining it!
Edited by mayyo13 - 12 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Debate Mansion
