Geet sat on the floor of her room . resting her back against the bed she sat hugging her knees hugged by her hands
Zaria sat on the bean bag , sunanda had taken the chair . nobody was talking to each other . but their thoughts were on same track .
They have done a huge mistake . which was beyond repair .
All their thoughts wandered off to where it all started .
Sunanda grimaced as she remembered vikas to propose that first . and her seconding that , when geet was in a state of beyond understanding . even zaria tried to stop them . wish she had listened .
If zaria was thinking the same . she didn't express it . not wanting to sprinkle salt on her wound .
At that moment the mobile rang .
A name flashed on it .
Sunanda picked up ..not wanting to disturb geet .
Hello .
Umm.. is geet there .
Err . geet's bit busy . any msg to pass . I can take it .
Well I m in your college and I m here for a file that I m supposed to reach dadaji .
Oh just a sec .
sunanda covered the phone by her palm and asked geet .
Geet , some dev,s here .. he wants a file .
Oh now ? I cant su . just cant see anyone .
Hello dev . can you give us some time .
Err . yeah okay . listen is she alright ? I mean I got the news now .
Uh . she's perfect . I will get back to you in 5 mins .
Okay . I m waiting in my car . the place is congested .
Who is dev geet ? he seemed concerned about you . sunanda asked hanging up the phone . and how the hell he recognized by a hello that it was not you ?
The duo shrieked in chorus .
Dev was watching the crowd picketing ahead of them when a hurried tap on the window made him look beside .
Geet said shooting glances at the mad crowd .
She had a girl standing beside her who oozed sibling instinct for her . may be the same girl he talked with a few minutes ago .
They took him to an area that used to be an old basket ball court .
Geet are you okay ? he asked as soon as they settled there.
Geet mildly nodded handing over the file .
Dev took the file , kept it beside him and looked directly at geet .
Geet seriously . you look awful . that bruise on your lips . . did that pervert bas***d do something else to you . god geet ! you can tell me anything . I pervs like those shouldn't be allowed to walk free on earth .i wish I can kill him . Harvard my foot !!
Dev clenched his fists as he talked not noticing the colour wiping off her face .
Geet looked like somebody punched straight on her face.
Dia banged crazily on his door . the bangs became louder and the frequency increased as arjun didn't respond even after couple of knocks .
Arjun sir .! open the door .
You are a nice girl geet . things like this shouldn't be happening with you .
Dia first gaped him wide eyed .
Then turning around laughed at geet . a sarcastic snorting laugh.
So now He is your fiancee . wow ..! that makes things pretty clear .
How many colours have you got raichanda ?
Geet flinched at her blatant suggestion .
Dia .. !!
she warned her but dia had already grabbed her by arm and yanked out of dev's embrace .
Forgive me for being rude Mr Fiancee ! but I need to talk to her , like now !! that's the door . see yourself out .
A stunned dev stood in court watched a fiery girl on her toes dragging his fiancee out with all her might , who is struggling to get free . another girl who seemed like her sister trying to free her from the vine grip the other girl held geet in.
*** day 2 == 3.00 pm @geet 's dorm room
I cant believe arjun sir trusted you . cant believe this !! dia exclaimed .
Geet stood in the middle of the room trying process things watching a livid dia pace around her. she understood at her demeanor that dia knew arjun didn't do anything with her . but how could she tell ? how she was still having her faith on arjun sir when an ant too was despising creature called arjun . why is she acting so out of character ?
Look dia . I don't know what is going on with you ? why are you here and what are you ranting about !. but you are the last person I wanna see now . just get out of my room .
No . geet . I m not getting out so that you can carry out your "activities " with each time a different man.. god geet !!. So this was your true self . all along ?
Stop it dia !! you have no idea what you are talking about . don't bring dev in this . he is an outsider having no idea about me what so ever .
does arjun sir have any faintest idea you are having a fiancee of your own ?
Such a perfect actress you have been . no wonder arjun sir couldn't see the real face of urs .
Dia '.!! I m warning you . you are crossing your limits . geet wiggled her finger at her boiling with anger .
Really or else what will you do ? You bloody manipulative bitch !!. bring a molestation complaint against me too ? dia challenged her back shoving her off on her shoulders ..
That's enough dia basu !!
You are one who should be called bitch ! sunanda yelled coming infront of geet .
Just shut up sunanda . I never talked with you . and never want to . this is between me and geet . I m here to settle scores and will go nowhere without doing them .
Dia pushed aside sunanda and jerked geet by her arm .
Geet look me in the eyes ..and tell me again what you have said to the principal .
Arjun singh khurana forced himself on you ? The Arjun Singh Khurana ????
Did you even listen to yourself before uttering such heinous things about him .
So you are advocating him now ? geet snapped back .
Seems like you have quite a faith on him. oh wait ! why wont you ? you are the one sleeping with him miss s**tty pants ! you dare to go out one whole nighters date with him . stay in hotel in one single room and have "FUN" . and come back call me bitch ?? ofcourse you would go any level to support him . hah ! why m I not surprised ?
What the hell you are ranting ? dia retorted .
But geet ignored her totally .and kept going on ..
You know what they call them who sleeps with man for a favor , like getting scholarship ! they called wh**e !!
Geet yelled eying her disgustedly .
You bitch !! dia 's hand came on geet's cheek in a lightning speed . zaria and sunanda gasped at that .
But it didn't reach the destination as geet caught it in mid air ,eyes shooting daggers at her .
keep your hands to yourself s**t ! or I will break them .
zaria and sunanda both on her sides shooting furious glances at dia . but she didn't notice them . dia didn't retort back , just stared at her with disbelievingly
so that's why you are doing these things to him ?
oh my god ..!!
oh geet..! poor geet ! I pity you geet ! you are such a poor insecure little thing geet !
I wish I had slept with him !
I wish he noticed me .
I wish he stopped being so smitten with you !
What ? what the crap you are talking about ?
Crap ? now I m talking crap ? hold on ! now you will tell me you don't know he is in love with you .
hell confused with dia's contradicted confession . she wished she slept with arjun? he is in love with me ?
Geet stared at her incredulously .
Geet don't tell me you don't know that ?
Geet didn't answer , just gaped dia .. not grasping it quite . arjun is in love with me . for real ?so last night he wasn't trying to win her over saying that ?
he loves me ? that too coming that from dia ? she couldn't understand head and tails of it .
He loves you geet . he is madly in love with you . and here you think he is sleeping around with me ?poor you geet !
That's why you are going nuts ? you trusted vikas over arjun sir ? cant believe this girl . you so not deserve him .
Listen to me you insecure little thing . he didn't go Kanpur to help me with the viva / interviews .
He went to buy a ring for you .
he planned to propose you .
is that how you honor him ?
What ?
The sharp gasp was barely audible
Geet felt the earth slipping beneath her feet .
A ring geet . the one he took 4hours and 25 minutes to choose . scoured through 7 biggest shops in that town . and the girl brings molestation charge at him ?
Ironic !! isn't it ?
Geet felt thousand glass shreds fired at her . piercing her body at once . .! the pain was excruciating . somebody has clutched the heart in his fist and squeezing it tight . she cant breathe. .
I suspected him because he couldn't tell me that he bought a ring ..? for me ?
I love you geet ..
I have been in love with you since I have known you
You are lying !
she feebly attempted to justify herself . once again
Really geet ? do you really think that ?
geet mumbled dumbly .
A Ring ??
Yes raichanda ! he has got a ring for you ! a ruby on the crown .
In flash geet was reminded of the red shimmer in arjun's hand . not a very few days back .
About the scholarship . I requested him not to tell you . because you don't need that kind of money . but I do . and you would have never let me get that , just because I m your arch nemesis .
Geet not everybody belongs from filthy rich family like you sunanda zaria vikas .
I have my father bed ridden for last 3 years . a tiny brother to feed at home . its only his pensions and the few tuition's I take in the city keeps my study going . I don't have money to fill up the form of fifth semester . unlike you , people have real problems . I didn't beg that scholarship . I scored optimum to have that . just wanted a scope to study geet . wanted to be something for my family .
But you wouldn't understand . you guys have plenty of free time in your hand to plot against a god like arjun khurana !
Dia's voice choked with tears ..but she continued .
I seriously pity you . because of that man . he had fallen so hard for you . I cant believe you did this to make him pay back , pay back because he went behind your back to buy a marriage ring for his sweetheart .planned to make you as his own .
You know geet . when he was buying that ring . I was so jealous of you .you have got whatever you want on a silver platter in front of you . yet you don't value .
Shame on you geet .
You know what geet . you don't deserve him .
I loved him too .. but I let go cause he had chosen you . he had eyes only for you .
Now I wish I competed for his love . so that he wouldn't be there locked up in a closed apartment , nursing a bad wound alone , hiding from the crowd that are shouting at him , like he has raped someone ..
geet felt her knees buckling beneath her . she couldn't see anything .the whole world blurred infront of her
The truth she didn't want to see , yet had been ahead her the whole time stared at her .
The girl she hated most made her realize she was not capable of love .
Geet raichanda didnt know the first thing of love .
.
Geet slumped on the ground . the earth swaying in front of her eyes . she couldn't keep her head steady on her shoulders . she let it touch the ground . shattered .
He had got a ring for me ?
She knew at that moment .. every word came out of dia's mouth was true .she was not lying even about the part where dia said , she didn't deserve him .
I don't deserve his love.
I don't ..
How could I do that to him .
Geet knew at that moment she had been played by vikas , not arjun .
She knew arjun was pure , purer than Caesar's wife .
His frantic cry after her ..
Geet '
Geett..
Geeettt..!dont go ..!
I love you geet ..!
Did you do it after I confessed ?
I love you geet ..
He has got a ring for you ? a ruby on the crown .
Geet listen to me baby ..!
I love you geet '
Dia was right , she had everything served in front of her ..yet she refused to see ..
Her abandonment issues got the best of her .
She let herself being played by the jerk vikas .
Moments of blinding anger taken everything away from her .
Regret wouldn't be the word she would describe what she was feeling .
It was way more than it . a mere word wasn't suffice to describe the repentance she was drowning in .
She lost it .
She was lost by her own demons .
A sheer panic washed her over as arjun's eyes of this morning flashed infront of her ..
The warmth gone , forever .
She had this feeling .
It's the end ..
She has ended it herself .
Now all she was left with self loathing and neck deep fear of loneliness .
She has got no reasons to live anymore .
Dia looked at the curled up geet on the floor and swallowed the curse on tip of her tongue .
That bitch deserved worst . but can you kick someone who is already curled up in a ball by kicked on the gut ?
Wiping off the tears dia looked at sunanda and zaria .
She was the one who was scorned . you ? you were supposed to guide her in right direction . but what you did . you lodged a false allegation against your teacher . the most shameful one . sexual harassment ??
How could you ?
I cant believe being her friend you let her ruin her own life like this .. zaria you ? how could you do this to your 2 years friendship for the one month's relationship with that scum vikas .
Are you this blind or you are dumb ? vikas is using you zaria . he had seen us everywhere , because he followed us . we barely spent 15 minutes in that hotel room .
Did you ask him what was he doing in Kanpur . let me guess he had covered it with a lie again ?
He has got a fiancee in there zaria . who stays beside aliya's place .a fiancee that his parents have chosen . guess what else he didn't tell you .
I wonder how you will manage to look into the mirror after what you did to that honest man ! everybody is spitting on his face .
A sexual harassment ?
Are you really this immature geet ?
Do you have any idea how dangerous that is ?
With that , she stormed off leaving three guilt ridden woman stupefied on the spot
*** day 2 -much late at night
It would be late..very late , because she couldn't hear anything .. anything other than the soft purring sound of deep breathing of sunanda beside her , calmed by sleep .
She wished she could sleep too . everybody was asleep , but sleep evaded her . how desperately she wanted a lullaby to lull her to a world where pain didn't exist.
She tossed and turned . but his eyes haunted her , the cold hatred sliced her . had she not seen it coming ! what was she thinking before reaching the heights of stupidity .
It was her fault she let her anger control her , it was her stupidity that she let her be played by vikas .
She wanted revenge ?
Then why seeing him in pain was hurting her so much . didn't she know she loved him , way too much . out of spite she inflicted pain on him . that pain came back as boomerang thousand times stronger at herself .
Had she been this foolish !
She wondered how right dia would have been . she didn't deserve him ..actually she didn't deserve love . may be that's why god deprived her of it , because she was incapable of it .
All she wanted , him .. his love. Her crazy need of love made her insecure time and again .
The moment she felt little insecure , something snapped inside her , the fear of losing him came out as rage . the anguish of being defeated by love had led her to the extent of self destruction . or else how could she lodge complain of sexual harassment against him .
She had seriously lost it .
And now she was there to face the repercussions of her acts once again .
But this time , he would not forgive her , she knew that much .
But would it be too wrong to say .
If she was wrong then he was wrong too.
Why couldn't he tell her , that he had bought a ring ?
Couldn't he put that ring in the picture ?
The scenario would have changed totally .
She had asked him ? begged him.. waited for him ..for something to say ..for something to hold onto . what was she supposed to do ? lodging the complain had been too much . but what was she suppose to feel , if she had gotten to know he had slept with another girl , how could she had forgiven him and hugged him with that knowledge cutting through her .
She had given him chance to defend . she had promised herself she would trust anything he says . but he hadn't spoken a word . he accepted every allegation brought against him .
Why couldn't he understand how she was being whipped every time a yes came from him . couldn't he tell it was all for a ring ? the ring ?
Couldn't he just spill the truth .
Why ? why didn't he say about it ..?
Guess she would never know ..some mysteries will be never solved .
Cause she was having a good idea he will never talk to her again . she too didn't want to , because she would never want to witness the hatred once again . if being away from him saves her from the harsh pricks of the broken dreams . so be it .
She would stay away from him .
She can live her life , knowing she had been loved by a good man , she could live with the golden memories . may it be numbered .
At that time she heard a faint tune coming from distance ..
The tune makes her heart beat faster .. the tunes gives her goosebumps
She hopped down from the bed in hurry .and pushed open the window ..
The tune became louder at it .
Oh she can never mistake it .
He had never played once after he had kissed her for the first time . her being in his world had stopped him from playing the melancholy . but guess she had brought it all back .
She wiped off the drop that just rolled down from her eye and smiled sadly before walking out of her room .
He was playing randomly like raving mad . the music held the rage he felt for her..
She gasped at the intensity of it . it crushed her remnant hopes , if there was any left of it .. but she kept walking towards it like she has been drugged . she kept walking towards the music that was reminding her of the hurt she had given him . she took each faltering steps towards him as his hatred electrocuted her . but she braced herself and moved forward .
Slowly the intensity damped down , like he was breaking down .
She knew he couldn't scream in pain . so the music did .
Bejaan Dil Ko Tere Ishq Ne Zinda Kiya
Phir Tere Ishq Ne Hi Is Dil Ko Tabah Kiya
There he was , clad in a white kurta Punjabi , sitting on the boulder below the neem tree , his eyes closed , looking as transcendent as ever he played .
tearing geet into thousand pieces , he played a famous song ..
[guys i had a roomie her boy friend once used to play this . god how good he played ]
Tadap Tadapke Is Dil Se Aah Nikalti Rahi
Mujhko Saza Di Pyaar Ki
Aisa Kya Gunaah Kiya
To Lut Gaye Haan Lut Gaye
To Lut Gaye Hum Teri Mohabbat Mein
She flinched as he complained . she had to wonder if his eyes were dry ..
It killed her to be so near him , yet not reach him , sooth him when he was suffering of the torment he had to bear in love .
Agar Mile Khuda To
Poochhoonga Khudaya
Jism Mujhe Deke Mitti Ka
Sheeshay Sa Dil Kyon Banaya
Aur Us Pe Diya Fitrat
Ke Woh Karta Hai Mohabbat
Wah Re Wah Teri Kudrat
Had she been this cruel ? but she didn't want to . giving him each words of pain has cut her too . how can he not see it . how can he not know how much .. how much she loved him . how can he not feel the anguish she was bearing inside .
She had to clamp the hand on her mouth , so that the sobs doesn't reach him .
Sisak Sisakke Is Dil Se Aah Nikalti Rahi Hai
Mujhko Saza Di Pyaar Ki Aisa Kya Gunaah Kiya
To Lut Gaye Haan Lut Gaye
To Lut Gaye Hum Teri Mohabbat Mein
*** Day 3 == 9 am
A bunch of papers in his hand , arjun dwelled on the thought for half n hour . he had made these notes specially for the 1st year students . it had taken him days . he knew his career was over here . oh for heaven's sake may be his career was over forever . but before that he wanted to pass these notes to the class . so they can use these in their impending final exams .
Sighing he looked at his own reflection in the mirror , adjusted the sleek silver works on grey tie. Today he dressed in three piece , once again . the last have been the first day here . .
Principal has informed board has taken the decision and left the matter to police .
He himself checked one last time and smiled at the person looking at him from the mirror.
Its all over today , his career , his respect , his ego . all because of one girl . who had deserted him years ago .
Who hadn't even want to meet her husband , just once .
Maan came back again and again . banging on her door . she never opened . her dadaji informed him , she has forgotten her maan . he also told the marriage wasn't valid .so they had broken the relationship .called off the marriage .
They nulled the marriage that kept him going alone in that foreign country for all those years. How can it not mean anything to her ?how can she just wipe of the mark has been etched on his life .
He had been angry at her , but couldn't stop himself from going at raichanda haveli once again . this time he had taken his mother with himself . thought geet will at least consider her words if not his , but anant didn't allow them to even meet her . they were warned if they dares to come back once again , they will lose their dear lives . with that anant's men had pushed her off the stairs . she has fallen on her back in such way that had proved fatal afterwards .
With no subsidence of pain , when he had taken her to hospital , he was informed his mother had a broken hip , that had been complicated by a severe variety of osteomylitis . he had immediately taken her to delhi for a hip replacement . the operation had been successful , but repairing her mind hadn't been .
She didn't get down from the bed after the scheduled post operative bed rest ..she used to lay there hopelessly seeing maan pine for the girl he can never have . broken by the sight of her young sons solitude , weakened by age , she had died within months with no drugs working on her undermined body and a hopeless soul .
Till the period she was bed ridden she had begged arjun to get married to a good girl , not pine over someone whom he will never get . but he hadn't listen . he hadn't let the past go . he had brooded alone and falsely assured ma , everything will be fine . you just get well.
He hadn't listen a word she told . kept convincing himself geet will come back to him .
Then one day , when he had taken the breakfast in her room . she had been already dead . left him all alone when he was sleep .
He had done her cremation all alone . swallowing the horrible ache of being deserted by every relationship , he had promised to avenge the death .
But he couldn't keep that promise too .. coming here , meeting her , he had fallen for her once again .
What did she give in return ?
Mistrust , allegation of adultery .
Called him man-wh**e,
now this ?
sexual harassment ?
His self respect , his maan snatched away from himself .
if he could rewind the time and stopped himself from coming here.
He sighed , and walked out of the apartment . the notes and a book in his hand . the book was from library . he needed to return that .
***day 3 == 10 am
Geet watched arjun from afar to cross the road and enter the library . before she knew what was she doing , she was following him , like her feet moving to their own accord.
But she was glad she did . or else she wouldn't have known at what extent her actions had affected his life . as arjun entered in the library . all the eyes had been on him . they stared at him like a virus crawling on its feet . geet gasped to find they stood up from their respective seats and walked towards him when arjun approached the librarian .
What is he still doing here ? a 2nd year student of physics hons had asked . he didn't even try to hide his voice from arjun .
Arjun had stopped saying , whatever he was saying to the librarian .
Who let him wander around ? another voice joined .
Look at his guts .. shameless perv!!
The last voice had been louder . geet was stunned to find he belonged from her own class. The class arjun had taught so dearly . the class never stopped praising him .
Arjun had slowly put down the book , turned around and walked out of the door.
But they didn't stop at that . a ball of crumpled paper had hit his head . he paused in his way flinched shutting his eyes tight . then walked out of there as if nothing happened.
Geet , who had been hiding behind a pillar and witnessing this with sheer mortification have shut her eyes unable to bear that , had opened her eyes and found him staring at her .
Shooting a cold disdainful look at her , that had lowered her head instantly he had walked out of there. .
Fifteen minutes later she had been called in the principal's room , which she complied in hesitant footsteps . outside sunanda zaria and few other students stood scattered in groups . this time security had been tight . she was about to walk inside when she noticed dia staring right at her , arms crossed on chest . geet couldn't look back at her . bowing her head she had entered the room where arjun's destiny was being decided .
Mr . Sahay had waved her in when she noticed arjun was in the adjoining room . he was sat facing three police officers .
She couldn't make out what they were asking him , but looking at their expression she had a sudden nauseating feelings.
Geet ? you okay ! principal asked
She nodded meekly .
At that moment , a first year English hons student had knocked on the door . behind him two other from same class.
Geet recognized him as the class representative .
Yes . come in . the principal had gotten up from the seat and walked to the other room .
Geet could hear them talking standing the door .
Prof Khurana wanted to give you the notes he had made for you . it would help you in finals . saying Mr Sahay had handed over the notes that arjun had given him earlier .
The students had laughed , then said .
Sir , sorry for laughing . but really !!
The pervert still thinks he gets to teach us ? how dare you !! one of them had addressed arjun .
Then threw the notes on his face and said
To hell with you and your notes .
then turning to principal they apologized sincerely that he had to witness such things and had left . arjun sat there with bowed head like a statue .
geet had had enough . she ran to the bathroom clamping her mouth . tears streaming down from her eyes .the lady police officer had thought she was feeling uncomfortable in presence of that "pervert"
she had taken her to a different room to record her statement .
***
Arjun sat in that neatly decorated room . two police officer had been sitting in front of him . talking between themselves . arjun didn't move though he could feel legs aching sitting in same position for an hour or so . he didn't bring up his wrist to check the time . what was the use ..
But he wished if the mockery could end a bit faster . what was taking them so long . why couldn't they just take him from here . he could breathe if he was allowed to leave this place . he didn't want to spend another second here . not anymore . he shouldn't have come here in first place .
His mind was drifting to the first day of his arrival here when he watched the lady officer at the door . waving the two in front of him to come out .
When they did , she was narrating something anxiously . which must be shocking because the police officer with a mustache had his mouth open .
What a drama !
Arjun cursed and turned away his face to look outside the window .
If he wasn't in such compromising situation he would have admired the scenery , cause it had been a lovely sunny day .
At that moment Mr Sahay had come inside the room . arjun noticed the police had been standing in principals room . glancing at him like they are waiting for him .
Him ? why were they waiting for him ?
Arjun .. lets go to my room .
His eyes shot up hearing the principal to refer him as Arjun .! before today he had never addressed him by first name basis.
Why sir ! I m fine here .
I m sure you are..! but you need to listen to this .
Arjun didn't want to go there . not at all . he knew "she" was there . he didn't want to see "her " face anymore .
He could bitterly remember how he used to crave for her sight whenever she had bunked a single class. How wrong he had been to be fooled by the pretty face .
Geet's not there . if that is why you are hesitating .Mr sahay said as if reading the disgust on his face .
At that arjun followed him mutely .
Getting inside the room he found everybody , Mr pasha , HOD English , few other two teachers and even the polices were standing with lowered head . no body was looking at him .
What was going on ? what new drama ?
He was surprised when Mr sahay who was still standing beside him indicated the lady officer to do something .
The officer pressed a button of a rectangular box .
Please tell me how all these happened . don't forget to add any details as it will secure your case . a female voice echoed from that box
Arjun had frowned at that .
But then he understood what was all about , because geet's voice had filled the room .
Nothing happened ! geet said in reply to that question .
Sorry ? the lady officer asked.
I said nothing happened .. he didn't do anything disrespectful to me , neither he meant to do . he had been very decent from the day 1 of his teaching here .he considered every students as his dear friend and had helped every one of them to his utmost from the beginning .
He never demeaned me or any other students for that matter .
Then why did you accuse him of molestation .
I lied . I fabricated the whole of it . he is not capable of such heinous act as molestation . he doesn't have a single corrupting bone in his body . he is the best teacher anybody can get . i lied to make him pay , because he had helped a poor student to get a scholarship . my father had founded the scholarship. so it had been very close to me , the thought of losing it to some other had made me do such horrendous thing .just out of petty jealousy I have done this . I m a horrible and mean person to say such atrocious thing about him . because he had done so much for me that if my father had been alive he couldn't have done any better than it .
You realize this is a punishable offence .
I do . but its better than the bite of the guilt to watch him pay for the horrible crime he hadn't done . though it wouldn't rid me of my guilt . but still .i had to come clean . I m ready for any punishment.
I have nothing more to say .
With that the static tone was heard indicating the end of that conversation .
Her voice was loud and firm . must have been very clear because arjun could hear the gasps from the crowd of students that gathered outside the door.
He hadn't expected this . does she realize what she had just done ? or this is her another stupid act of impulse .
He stood still as everyone apologized to him . he didn't care .
All he had cared , for the owner of that voice .
She had truly said atrocious things about him . but now when she had come clean , accepting in loud voice she had been the guilty . arjun didn't know what to feel . his head was blank .
Why did she do it ?
This kind of statement would cost her dear . he knew that .
The police had apologized and waited for arjun to say something . but arjun found it hard to move the tongue . Mr sahay offered the officers bit tea and snacks and indicated arjun to come out .
You realize they are waiting for you to take decision .
About what ? arjun asked , fully knowing what he meant
Mr sahay sighed , he knew arjun knew what he was talking about .but what he didn't understand his nonchalant attitude about it .Sahay expected arjun to gloat . but he did nothing . like nothing happened at all . though arjun had never expressed any of his feelings but his face had been straight blank just after the moment he had conveyed geet's complain to him . after that it remained the same.
I m talking about defamation suit .
He had uttered but arjun was looking other way .
Where is she ?
Arjun had asked not answering Mr Sahay .
Sahay waited a moment before indicating a closed door ahead them outside which a constable stood awkwardly .
Arjun nodded and walked inside . sahay considered the idea of following him then decided against and watched arjun to pull open the gigantic doors and walk inside.
That was a discarded classroom . rows of at least 20 seats divided in two columns.
Geet sat in furthest bench with her head dug between her hands that rested on the table .
Arjun observed her from a distance before taking few steps towards her .
Sensing the footsteps she had looked up and the stun was visible in her face .
So she hadn't expected me to talk to her . arjun thought
standing quite a few benches away from her arjun gawked her , hands tucked in the pockets , he had kept all the buttons undone of the coat .
There's not a day he didn't look good. With those scrupulous eyes at her , unbuttoned coat and the tie loosen around his neck . top button of his shiny white shirt undone , he looked stark handsome .
He watched her appreciating eyes run over him and finally fixating on the knotted hands on her lap.
another time he would have smirked.
Why ?
Arjun had uttered after a long uncomfortable silence .
She looked up . her eyes were moistened . but he ignored that .
Answered that to the officer. she paused and continued looking at the floor .Because I misunderstood .i was jealous .
You know very well its not that "why" I m asking .
Geet instantly lowered her head further , ofcourse she knew he was not asking that why she did such hideous thing . he was asking why she undid it .
I have answered that too . she said without looking up from her lap .
Yeah , some crap about guilt . but i want to know the real reason . his voice had been very harsh .
She didn't answer to that , stayed like what she was . eyes on her lap .
did she need to answer that ?
after a long pause and feeling arjun's scrutinizing eyes boring holes on her, she said .
I m ready for the punishment will be taken against me in the defamation suit .
Arjun watched her knuckles turning whites as she pressed them hard with one another in nerve wrecking anticipation . then he came out of that room.
***Ten minutes after that .
There was 8 persons seated in the principals room .
Principal in his chair , arjun on the front right corner . beside him one officer and between him and geet on principal's left stood the HOD and Mr Pasha .
Behind them stood the two other officers .
So Mr Khurana what is your decision about it . about the defamation suit .
Arjun snorted at that startling everyone . everybody started looking at each other with a geet whose gaze fixed on the table .
What are we ? twelve !
She complains then I complain ?
No . I m not doing that .
Geet wouldnt say she had been surprised . but neither she hoped for it .
.
ask college about their views . but I doubt they would file a case against the grand daughter of a trustee .
Mr Sahay didn't say anything , just shook his head to the police officer .
Then we have no business here , Mr Khurana we apologize again for harassing a respectable person like you .really sorry for the trouble ,
trustee or no trustee Miss geet I hope you learnt repercussions of your own actions and will be acting more judiciously in future .not everybody is like Mr Khurana . a lawsuit of defamation would have cost you a good part of your life .
With that the police officers showed themselves out earning a mumbling thanks from the principal .
An awkward silence lingered in the room after their departure .
Mr sahay said clearing his throat . I had called Mr Raichanda . he had let us know that we can decide her punishment on her own , he doesn't have a say in this .
geet waited with bated breath for the suspension sentence . question how longer will it be ? one semester ? or two ? or totally ?
so what do you suggest Mr Khurana ?
arjun who had his eyes fixed on the purple paper weight had looked up and said .
it is your decision to take Mr Sahay !
that's true ! but you are the one who had been affected most in this . so we have decided its up to you . you can decide the suspension duration & if transfer certificate will be given or not .
at that arjun adjusted his chair and sat facing geet .
geet who had her eyes downcast felt his penetrating gawk at her . but she didn't look up .
good .. its him who will decide her destiny.
if you ask me .. I wouldn't go for any punishment like suspension .
geet couldn't believe her own ears . her eyes shot at him instantly .
what are you saying Prof khuarna . this cant be forgiven . Mr pasha and the HOD said simultaneously
but arjun didn't reply them just kept noticing her eyes to turn wide and her lips open in an "O" ,
he took a deep breath and continued .
suspension means she gets to run from the situation she has created . but if she is forced to stay here and face the situation , that would be the worst punishment ever . because I feel the consequences of her actions won't be easy , at all. If she gets suspended she gets to flee from the mess she is in , trust me sir , the mess is not pretty !
so what do you think sir ? arjun asked still observing the change of emotions from geet's face .
smug arrogant headstrong stubborn geet raichanda ,who loved her reputation more than any thing in this world had to face a lot after getting out from this room , Mr Sahay knew that . he kind of wanted it . because if geet gets to walk out from it her dadaji would get her admitted in another good college in no time , though at this time he is pretty pissed at her .yes mighty pissed , that's what Mr Sahay had thought when he had hung up the phone half n hour ago .
I think he is right ! Mr sahay finally commented .
Geet has to experience the repercussions of her actions herself . so no suspension for her . she gets to stay and face it . I think ..
he was stopped in the middle as suddenly arjun had spoken addressing geet directly snatching words from the principal .
prove it that you are Uday Raichanda's daughter .
because till now in no way it seemed . prove your are worthy of his name . prove it you are worthy of the honorable scholarship that you claim to be your right ! prove that I hadn't faced 24 hours of utter humiliation out of nothing . prove that I had been wrong that you don't deserve the scholarship !
Mr sahay and the others nodded at that . he was glad that arjun said it . he had put it correctly .
Geet stood stupefied with her eyes locked with arjun . in every bit of his words she tried to gauge any familiar emotions in his voice .
But she found nothing .
It was chilly and aloof . it was challenging and mocking ! he was not even angry at her .
what would she do ?
With that everybody left one by one . the last two was geet and arjun . the principal stopped at the door on his way and turned back .
Geet .. I have known you for last two years , and trust me I have been proud of you disregard of your grandfathers position at college .you had been handful to tackle because of your political activities , but I liked all of your rebelling stunts . they made the college better . so I can not help but feel proud of you having as a student .
But today , I m ashamed . our duty was to guide you . but we failed miserably. I should have been stern with you from the beginning .i m sorry that I failed you geet , that's why we all are here.
With that he had left a mortified geet and an unfathomable teacher alone in his office to face each other.
All this time arjun had his eyes fixed on geet observing the change of expressions , finally settling on sheer mortification .
Then without saying anything to her he was walking out when her voice stopped him on his track.
are you going to leave ?
Arjun didn't turn back . he just stood still for few seconds which seemed pretty long for geet who waited with bated breaths for his answer .then he turned and faced her .
Looking straight in the doe eyes he uttered.
I will stay .
Geet released the breath she didn't know she was holding .
Arjun looked her in the eye and said .
I will stay because had promised certain someone that wouldn't leave .
But that's it .
Don't ever expect anything else from me .
With that he walked out on geet .
Geet stood there staring at the corner he had vanished ,letting the words slowly soak in . she knew he wouldn't forgive her . but hearing it from his mouth loud and clear stabbed her in chest .
She let her long dried eyes burn and fill with tears , then roll down kissing her cheeks .
She stood rooted to the ground with an infinite sense of desolation washing over her.
Staying here and face the college will be difficult , but staying here and face a changed arjun ?
She didn't know if she can do it .
so guys now tell me ! what do you think of it ? m too tired to do proofing so hope i will be pardoned.
another thing .. there are a few things that remained unsaid , unexplained within the chapter. you have to understand it . if i keep explaining it will lose the charm for real .
some emotions can not be expressed
Arjun
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