KHURANA MANSION
Looking over at the sleeping Geet in my arms, couldn't help but think about the day. It had been a tiring day today and now this emotional outburst had exhausted her. While I was pondering over how to comfort her as she completely broke down crying her heart out, but she slowly just fell asleep in my arms.
I wanted to make this day special and memorable to her but it ended up tearing her heart, all the special moments lost in the pool of sorrows.
"Kal ek naya din ek nayi shuruaat hogi, yeh tumhaare Maan ka vaada hain tumse Geet!"
HANDA HAVELI
"Maine aap se kahan tha na ke jeet hamesha sach ki hi hoti hain, buraai (bad) chahe kitni bhi taaqatwar kyun na ho usse acchaai (good) ke saamne harna hi padta hain! Main apni Preeti ko toh nahi bacha saki lekin meri Geet ab sarakshit hain aur main jaanti hoon ke aap toh kya Bhaisaab aap ke saaye tak ko Geet tak nahin pohuchne denge. Tum haar gaye Sukhdev Handa...haar gaye...haar gaye...ha ha ha..."
[Darji's POV]
"NAHI...Main kabhi nahi haar sakta, samjhi tum, chali jao yahan se, chali jao..." I got up with a start yet again. I looked around and as always I was all alone, it was just my nightmare. Ever since Santosh (Daarji's wife) had died every night she would come in my dreams to trouble me, even sleeping pills didn't help. Since that fateful day I haven't slept a day in peace, why doesn't she just leave me alone. I can never loose!
"Main kabhi nahi haar sakta!" I mumbled to myself like assuring myself when suddenly the door of my room was pushed open and all the family members barged in.
"Kya hua Daarji aap chilayen the?" Rajinder inquired looking around the room probably suspecting someones presence here.
"Haan woh mujhe zara si bechaini ho rahi thi issiliye maine bulaya tha lekin ab main thik hoon. Aap log jaake so jao." I asserted firmly trying to mask my discomfort.
"Aap kahen toh Dr ko bula le?" Mohinder urged, his gaze piercing clearly indicating he wasn't satisfied with my reason. I nodded and laid down pretending to sleep, luckily Rupinder's question regarding Brij's whereabouts drew everybody's attention towards Pammi as he was the only person absent, to which Pammi meekly replied that he was fast asleep. Assuming him to be heavily drunk and must have crashed on the bed they let the matter go and made way to their respective rooms.
[Rajinder's Self Thought]
'Daarji main jaanta hoon aap kyun pareshan hain kal Raj ki maut ne Khurana's ki kamar tod di thi aur ab Maan aur Geet ki maut ke saath unki hasti (existence) hamaari zindagi se mita doonga!'
[Mohinder's Self Thought]
'Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hain ke Daarji kuch chupa rahe hain, kya baat hain ke woh iss tarah se neend mein chillate hain, sirf aaj hi nahi kai (many) baar aisa hua hain. Mujhe pata karna hoga.'
[Brij's Self Thought]
'Daarji aaj main sab ke saamne nahi aa sakta par main vaada karta hoon aap se bahot jald main uss Maan aur Geet ka namo-nishaan (existence) iss duniya se mit jaayega!'
[Teji's Self Thought]
'Kuch toh gadbad hain aaj jo kuch bhi hua uske baad yeh log chup nahi baithenge mujhe aur bhi chaukanna (alert) rehna hoga bas kal ka din nikal jaaye.'
KHANNA HOUSE
"Mom aap itni subah subah kahan gayi thi?"
I was swiftly and carefully making my way in the house but to my bad luck Dev stood right in front of me inquiring where I had gone at this early hour. I tried to appear calm so he doesn't suspect me, gaining a grip over myself I answered.
"Woh main walk lene gahi thi, kal jo kuch bhi hua uske baad main kaafi disturb thi toh socha walk lene se main relax ho jaaungi. Tum itni subah subah kahan jaa rahe ho?"
"Mom meri ek meeting hain wahi jaa raha hoon, mujhe der ho rahi hain main chalta hoon."
"All the best Dev!" I wished him and he looked at me confused.
"Dev mujhe tumpe bharosa hain, Khurana's pe nahi lekin agar tum kamyaab hue toh mujhe khushi hi hogi, kar lo apni koshish." I stated and he smiled and left.
'Dev tum apni koshish kar lo par main jaanti hoon mujhe kya karna hain, ab tak toh sirf Maan mere raaste ka kaanta tha lekin ab Geet bhi aa gayi hain aur unhe raaste se hatana (get rid of) bahot zaroori ho gaya hain.'
"Hello...Dev nikal chuka hain tum taiyaar ho na?"
TEMPLE
[Maan's POV]
"Maan achanak itni subah mandir kyun laaye hain?" Geet queried acsending the steps of the temple.
"Kyun tumhe mera surprise accha nahi laga?"
"Bahot accha laga!!!!" She exclaimed moving closer to me giving me her bright smile. Her smile just calmed my restless being. I was happy that she was distracted from yesterdays happenings.
'Geet kuch hi der mein tumhe saare sawaalon ke jawaab mil jaayenge ke hum yahan kyun aaye hain. Tumhaari yeh muskaan main kabhi khone nahi doonga.'
I promised Geet mentally gazing at her who was busy in looking around. We reached inside the temple and suddenly her hold on my arm tightened, her eyes brimmed with tears on the verge of cascading down. I followed her gaze and saw Mohinder Uncle, Rano Aunty and Teji had already arrived.
I caressed her hand and blinked my eyes assuring her as we slowly made our way to them. Every step towards them she moved closer in me, her eyes glued on them but her reluctance quite evident as if she was battling between a daughter and a daughter-in-law. I bent to seek blessing on Uncle and Aunty but Uncle just hugged me tight. His hug spoke all those unspoken words, his relief that his daughter was safe, his anxiety to meet his daughter after so many months. Aunty weeping resting her head on Uncle's arm not deriving enough courage to meet Geet's eyes.
Uncle turned towards Geet joining his hands apologizing to her.
"Geet maafi maangne ka haque iss baap ne kho diya hain, apni hi beti ki zindagi inhi haathon se maine barbaad kar di, teri barbaadi ka tamasha chup chap dekhta raha, apni kamzori ko majboori ka naam deta raha, tere gunehgaar hain hum jo chahe sazaa de de hume shayad isse hamaare paap ka boj kuch kam ho jaaye." A father pleaded but Geet could never let her father down. She immediately held his hand and cried nodding a no.
"Aap maafi mat maangiye Papaji, main jaanti hoon aap ne jo bhi kiya meri jaan bachane ke liye kiya tha. Main aap se jhoot nahi kahungi mujhe bahot gussa aaya tha uss waqt aap par, ke aap ne mera saath nahi diya mujhpe vishwaas nahi kiya lekin uss raat jab aap mere kamre main aaye the tab mujhe ehsaas hua ke aap ne kyun yeh sab hone diya." Geet spoke hugging her parents.
Aunty just burst out crying caressing Geet like ensuring herself that Geet was actually here in flesh and blood , safe, right there with them, back in their life. Geet's hearty hug to Teji her Veerji in all sense, the love and security which any sister expects from her brother which was always showered on her by Teji. Had Teji been here Geet wouldn't have been put through all this.
It was such an emotional moment for all though Teji and I did try not to give away but still couldn't hold on. Sometime back I had faced a similar situation and could relate to Geet totally and believing in the saying 'to err is human' ! We all make our share of mistakes and sometimes even our elders too but forgiving and moving on makes life more simple. I guess thats the beauty of relations!
Geet's face glowing with happiness, her beaming smile and a distinct calm of getting back her family was so evident. Today somewhere even I felt relieved off a burden to keep Geet away from her life, away from her family, all her happiness but now she was free! She could live a normal life without any restrictions.
After done with the puja Aunty and Uncle stopped us and requested us to tie a sacred 'Raksha Dhaga' on our wrists.
"Jab humne Geet ke salamati ke liye puja rakhi thi toh Panditji ne hume do dhage diye the tab hume samaj nahi aaya lekin ab pata chal raha hain ke woh tum dono ke liye hain. Bhagwaan tum dono ki har buraai se raksha karenge." Aunty urged us. Geet and I forwarded my wrist to respect their faith and emotions associated with the sacred thread.
We descended down the steps and I called my driver to get our car, Teji moved to get their car while Uncle and Aunty got busy at a nearby stall to pick up some puja articles. Geet nudged me reminding me for paying the stall owner for the puja thali. I made my way to the stall to pay the owner.
[Geet's POV]
I was so shocked with the sudden assault when some bikers just brushed passed me, making me loose my balance. Luckily I caught hold of the nearby stall so didn't fall but in the process my dupatta slipped off and fell in the nearby puddle. Maan who was paying money to the vendor rushed to me instantly.
"Geet tum theek ho na?" Maan asked in concern and I nodded assuring him I was fine. I turned to pick up my dupatta when I saw a young boy of 8-10 yrs washing my dupatta with water, he came up to me and handing over my dupatta he spoke.
"Yeh lo memsaheb aap ka dupatta, yeh saare tapori log yahan yehi sab chalugiri karne aate hain. Aap ko chot toh nahin lagi na?" He inquired.
"Nahi main theek hoon aur Thank you! Mera dupatta saaf karne ke liye!" I thanked him and nugding Maan to give some money to give the boy, whose next set of words just brought a smile on my face.
"Mensan nat (mention not) memsaheb, apun ka toh nature hi aisa hain, halpfol (helpful)!" I took time to comprehend his statement as his pronunciation was so typical but Maan was busy scanning through him, I guess he was suspicious about his out of the way help to me.
'Yeh Maan bhi na!'
"Sach much help karte ho ya phir koi naya tareeka hain bheekh maangne ka?" Maan finally probed him.
"Aye shaane, bhikaari kisko bola be? Kyun ke main tere maafaq hero type kapde nahi pahenta, toh main bhikaari hoon. Yeh jo dukaan hain na woh apun ki hain, jise tumne abhi paise diye na woh apun ka baapu hain. Din mein yahan kaam karta hoon aur raat ko padhaai karta hoon. Bhikaari nahi hoon main! Tumne hamaari dukaan se samaan liya issliye memsaheb ki help ki maine." Maan's face was worth watching a mere boy had given him right in his face.
"Tumhaari himmat kaise hui mujhse aise baat karne ki, tum jaante nahi main kaun hoon. Maan Singh Khurana naam hain mera!" Maan blasted him only to be snubbed off by this junior.
"Hoga tera naam Maan par iss area ki shaan apun hain! Idhar kisi ko bhi pooch le, apun ka naam Chotu TP hain, yahan sab apun ki ijjat (respect) karte hain, salaam thokte hain. Mehnat kar ke paise kamaate hain hum. Aur haan bheekh mein mile paise main aaj bhi nahi uthata. Samjha!" He proclaimed to the tongue tied Maan.
I just burst out laughing, Maan's face lost all colour but was instantly replaced with red colour of fury. I must say this boy had guts! Not wanting to get things get out of control I decided to intervene though I was actually enjoying the clash of titans!
'Ek mahalon ka maharaja aur dusra raaste ka raja!'
Grabbing few notes from Maan's wallet I spoke.
"Chotu thank-you! Inki baat ka bura mat mano main inki taraf se tumhe sorry kehti hoon aur yeh lo, yeh koi bakshish (tip) nahi hain, balki meri taraf se tumhare liye good luck hain aur mujhe yakeen hain ke ek din tum bahot aage jaaoge."
"Tum keh rahi ho toh apun rakh leta hain, Thank ku!" He smiled at me and frowned at Maan and walked away.
"Geet tum..."
"Maan gaadi aa gayi, chalo Maa-Papaji aur Veerji ko bye kehke aate hain." I announced avoiding to get in any argument right now as His Highness was in a foul mood.
We were about to get in the car when Chotu came running to us again and inquired.
"Aye hero yeh gaadi teri hain?"
"Nahin yeh gaadi meri hain!" Maan answered with equal attitude.
"Aye fokat mein bhankas nahi karne ka, woh toh yeh madam acchi hain issliye apun tumko batane aaya, teri gaadi ki break fail kar di hain kisi ne." He divulged.
"Kya bakwaas jar rahe ho tum?" Maan lost his cool now.
"Apun koi bakwaas nahi kar raha thodi der pehle main parking lot se ek customer ke paise leke aa raha tha tab maine khud suna kuch log teri gaadi ka number bol rahe the aur uski break fail karne ka plan bana rahe the, apun pe yakeen na ho toh khud check kar le." He revealed the fact. Maan immediately walked up to the driver's side to check with our driver, as we were just coming to the temple that too so early in the morning we had no security guards accompanying us.
A sudden noise broke my reverie as I saw Maan running behind the driver I too followed Maan calling out to him. Papaji's car was on the opposite side of the road, seeing us running Teji Veerji immediately stopped their car and got down. The driver whom Maan was chasing got into a moving car which zoomed away. Maan turned looking around, he seemed totally livid with the change of events. He walked back swiftly talking on his cell I assume he was calling for another car and security.
I just looked up towards the temple thanking God for keeping us safe, Chotu was indeed God sent messenger for us. Maan's sudden voice startled me.
"Geet hatt jao...hatt jao wahan se.." Maan shouted and even Papaji and Veerji shouted while crossing the road. I turned around to see a speeding car coming my way before I could react I was pushed harshly on the ground. I immediately turned around to witness that car hitting Maan and whizzed away and Maan lay on the road in a pool of blood.
"MAAN..."
Precap - Non
A/N : We all are here together because there is a special and strong bond joining us all.
GEET, MAANEET and GURTI!
Even after so many months of GEET ending we haven't moved on, reliving all the precious moments, memories and keeping GEET and Maaneet alive in our FF's
Last year Gurmeet Choudary's talent and hard work and our efforts made him
OUR GEET KA MAAN WIN JHALAK!!!
This year MAAN KI MEESHTI aka MRS GEET MAAN SINGH KHURANA is competing for the same and we need to support her too.
Please vote for Drashti Dhami aka
Mrs Geet Maan Singh Khurana
(Banner by Kavya Kaushi)
Online voting is free
Please vote on the link given below
Friends please do hit the like button and drop a comment it really means a lot to me.
Not only does it motivates the writers but also gives us a fair idea of your opinions. Please support us.
Awaiting your response
Heytal
😃
Cricket
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
