MG: DARMIYAAN#12/epi/pg88/4aug// - Page 37

Happy friendship day guys 😃⭐️

EPILOGUE

Maan stood near the door watching his 8 months pregnant wife as she stood in front of the mirror checking herself. He smiled as he saw her caressing her big belly and making a face, as she tried to check her waist size. But when he started laughing seeing her antic, she immediately covered herself wearing her kurti.

"abhi you look more beautiful" he said as he hugged her from back, giving her a kiss on her cheek, but she simply refused to accept his words. Well that's his life since the day she got pregnant, i.e. soon after holi. She was going to be 21 and before that will be the mother of his child.

He still remember the day she came back early from her college, she was having severe ache and vomiting that day. On being asked she told him that just now doctor confirmed her pregnancy, she was carrying a 6week foetus then. he was completely shocked and so was his family, still wondering was it a dream or reality.

And after that she was being so conscious of herself especially since when she started gaining weight. And now when she is in the end stage of pregnancy, she was being so shy, whenever he will come inside, she will start being conscious and stiff, wondering did he saw how she would pamper her unborn child. And whenever he will compliment her about how beautiful she looks, she would just start throwing tantrums on him as if he is making fun of her.

"har waqt Mazak banate rehte hai na aap mera, dekhna jab mera beta aayega na to mai use btaungi how you make fun of him" she would warn while he would just chuckle at her warning and kiss her lips, leaving her shy and breathless.

Maan made her sit on the bed as he kept hot water bag near her waist, trying to sooth the ache which troubles her badly these days. Soon his mother came with her food, and lovingly fed her. From the day she heard she is going to be a grandmother, she would just find ways to pamper her and her grandchild.

"geet bte kaisa lag rha hai ab, kal se swelling to kam hai na" said savitri as she lovingly touched geet's forehead, while geet just smiled with a nod. Savitri lovingly made her lay on the bed, ensuring she isn't comfortable and then kept a pillow below her legs to support her and then sitting beside her said, "I know in these days, a woman just want to be close to her mother, so that she could be all pampered and loved, but bte am not less than your mother too. Janti hu sometime I scold you or shout too, even you had changed so many things in you to accommodate as per my wish, but that doesn't mean I would have differentiated between you or my son, ha I love that badmash more, but doesn't a real mother be strict too, and scold her child when she feels that he or she is wrong."

Geet took her mother-in-law's hand and said, "why do you think ki I feel burdened with all the restrictions. I understand maa, ha kabhi kabhi bura lagta hai but then next second I realize you aren't wrong in your place too. Aur aap hi meri maa ho, maine to kabhi apni maa ko shi se dekha bhi nhi, bas aap hi hai jo bhi hai."

"geet aj ye sab isliye keh rhi hu because I know now you are going to be a mother, shayd tab I would have been seemed bad to you, but they say na ki jab aap khud maa bante ho then you understand other's situation better. Mai ye nhi kehti ki mai hamesha shit hi, but har waqt galat bh nhi thi"

Maan was sitting on the corner listening their talks. He knew these days geet stays emotional most of the time and soon she would be crying buckets. Knowing he would get in trouble if he stayed a second longer, he immediately made a run outside.

He sat in the hall as he thought about his maa's words, a woman needs her mother more at this time, but how can he bring them for her. He thought about the god's play with her destiny. The parents who gave birth to her, left before she could even express herself to them and the parents who gave her life, grow her up, left her when she needed them the most that too in the hand of a stranger about whom they don't even know anything.

He thought about the day when they had went to the village and his mother was angry on them. When he had left the house to give them space, he had went to Amritsar to meet his friend where he came to know about the harsh reality of geet's life.

******************

He was going to return back in the evening when he collided with a young man. Seeing his face, he recognized it was brij, chacha-chachi's son. He wasn't present at their marriage but he had seen his photo in the family album. Brij didn't seemed to know him and thus he introduced himself to brij.

Hearing that he was the one whom his parents married geet off shocked brij for once, but then gaining his senses, he formally introduced himself and took maan to him home. Maan expected to see geet's chacha-chachi there and was fully reading to blow them off, comeon how could they just marry off a kid without even turning and asking for once about how she is…how cruel can one be.

But what took out his breath was the flower's covered photo of geet's chacha-chachi on the front wall of the house. Words failed to came as he looked at brij and then at the photo, and somehow gathered his senses to asked how that really happened.

"papa-ma took in geet and suhana after their parents death because geet's parents had left quiet a flourishing business of the daughter's name. and till one of them turned 20, chacha was the guardian of the job. The business wasn't much big, but it was enough to give them a nice living. My parents were already facing financial crisis then and took in the offer happily. They loved the daughters because they brought them their living but soon geet's chacha, i.e. my dad started getting losing the control of business and then to gather the funds, he took loans from his friends which weren't good people, they belonged to underworld precisely.

Still the lack of expertise made him lose that money too and when geet was around 14, by then out condition was really poor. I was mature by then and left the house to search for a better job to support my family then. 2 years passed and finally those lenders started asking for money. Dad knew whatever he does, he cant gather that big of the amount and even he cant go to police as they will harm our family then.

Suddenly it was suhana's marriage when one of those lenders came to warn him to return the dues by next month or they will kill the entire family and that's when their eyes fell on geet. Geet's beauty was always an eye catcher and he got caught in her charm. He demanded that they could free dad of the debt if they sent geet with him. Dad was furious with the condition but he just left giving them 3 months time or he will come and take geet himself.

Soon dad told mom about everything and she just totally furious. She asked that they left the city, but dad knew it wont be possible with the way that man had his contacts. And as 2months passed away, they realized firstly they have to save geet or she would be in trouble. And thus they married her off to you, knowing her life wont be a heaven may be but it would be far better than the life she would have lived if somehow that man caught his hand on her.

I too wasn't aware about all that, until 2 days after her marriage, when I received the call from my parents saying they are in danger and may be it's the last time they are talking with me. They told me everything and soon they cut the line. I went back and searched for them but none knew where they went, probably they were killed."

Brij sat in front of maan in tears as he remembered those tough days of his life, him being helpless not able to contact his parents, his parents life in danger, his sister married off at the young age. While maan sat their stunned hearing the truth. He didn't even had thought a second that something like could have happened to them, such a harsh truth and all they had to endear all alone.

But still he didn't approved the fact they married her off, something else could have done too, something else, may be gone to police or had left the city, atleast some try, but they didn't and chose the way that was easiest. His hand was having goosebumps wondering what could have happened to his geet then if he wouldn't have been there, handt taken her to Mumbai with him.

Ofcourse he didn't felt bad about chacha-chachi much, he had sympathy but he wasn't sad, he didn't even had the single reason to say that it shouldn't have happened with them, he just love his geet and the people who did wrong with her didn't even deserve to get his sympathy.

"please never told geet or suhana about all these, they wont be able to bear all these things, they were my sister, but because of the guilt I couldn't even gather courage to go and see them, ho sake to maaf kar dena mere maa-papa ko but never let geet know about all these, she will be broken!!!"

Those were the words brij told maan at last when he took his leave. It had been nearly three years since that truth is hidden in him but he never will disclose that to his mishty. Never!!! She is his jaan and he will never be able to see the guilt in her eyes, knowing she was the compensation for the life of his chacha-chachi.

He didn't even realized when a tear escaped his eyes remembering the hardship they faced in their relation, but he didn't regret any of them. They were their destiny and it doesn't matter they are different what matters is that they are together and that's all.

*********************

"geet… maa…. Papa…. Aryan…" maan shouted as he entered the house. As usual his wife came running wiping off her hand in her dupata as she came and asked, "kya hua, kyu chilla rhe hai". Soon his parents and his 2 year old son came running too hearing him shout. A cute small Aryan came running and hugged his legs giving him his dimple wali smile, making maan to bent down and lift him up.

Aryan was maan-geet's two year old son. His face totally on maan, those same mischievous eyes, and that small nose, getting red everytime he is angry. His tantrums, it seems he had taken from geet, getting angry on small small things, but just some tickling on his small stomach is enough to make him lose all his anger, same like his mother. And his lips, well maan is confused on whom they went, full m-shaped just like him but with the natural pink shade of his mother.

"aap sab ready ho, I want to show you all something" he said as he tickled his son making him laugh while all looked at each other and then at him wondering what he is planning. "I am not telling anything now, just everyone get ready."

Sighing all went and reported back in 5 minutes all ready now. Taking all of them, he went down and then closing everyone's eyes except Aryans who was just getting excited wondering what they are doing.

When they reached outside, he asked them to open the eyes making all of them to intake a breath. There stood Mahindra Renault, very first car of their family. He bent and took blessing of his parents as they wished him back. Taking everyone he took them for the ride. Maan and his father sat in the front, while geet and his mother along with Aryan sat at the back.

After a nice family round they came back. As they were walking inside, his parents were in front while he and geet were following them. But suddenly he stopped and held her pallu, pulling her back to making her confused. Then calling his maa, he slowly whispered in her ear, to take care of Aryan for night, as they are going outside and will return late.

Geet just blushed scarlet hearing him say that and looked away to save himself from her mother-in-law's teasing. Savitri nodded and went away patting them while maan just pulled her by hand. Opening the door for her, he settled her and then took the seat behind the wheels.

Driving he took her for a long drive. Seeing her silent for half of the drive he finally said, "bhut badal gyi ho tum" she looked at him with a raised eyebrow while he just looked straight not giving her even a glance. "kya hua" she asked seeing him ignoring her.

"boliye na, apne aisa kyu kha" she asked twisting her saree's border. Seeing her getting nervous just with that, he said, "tum meri mishty nhi ab. Mujhe nhi pata tah after Aryan you will change so much warna I would have planned for a baby then" he said taking a sigh. Ofcourse he knew geet didn't wanted baby then, but it was his wish to plan for the baby. He hadn't given her much options, it wasn't he forced her to accept his wish, but then he knew she wouldn't refuse him if he said he want a baby.

She immediately kept a hand on his arm, looking at him confused. Not totally understanding why he said so now, after 2 years of aryan's birth… why he felt such that Aryan had changed her. Seeing that road was mainly empty at the night, she asked him to park in the corner. After he did so she cupped his cheek and made him looked at her, "kya hai aapke man me, aj aap aisi bate kyu kar rhe ho" she asked looking deeply in his eyes.

"tum badal gyi ho, ab tum wo meri pagal jhagdalu mishty nhi rhi, har waqt ek acchi wife aur maa banne ki koshish karti rehti ho par mere bare me nhi sochti" he said pushing off her hands. She took his hand in hers and said, "aisa nhi hai, ap se mera pehla rishta hai, how can I ignore you then"

"jhooth mat bolo. Pehle you were always after me, har waqt mera dimaag kharab karke rakhha tha, par ab dekho, did you even remember when we went outside like this alone in last few months or do you even remember when it was last you fought with me to bring something for you or do something for you. Pehle to har baat pe jhagadti thi aura b dekho har baat aise manti ho jaise ki khud ki koi wish hi nhi hai!!! I hate this change in you, mujhe nhi pasand aisi sidhi-sadhi si geet, mujhe wo bachkani geet pasand hai" he said as he glanced at her while she was just smiling hearing him complain like that.

"tum has rhi ho, jao main hi baat karta" he said pushing away her hands and looked away from the window while she just let lose the laugh she was trying to control since last few minutes. "aww aap bhut cute ho" she said pinching his cheek while he just looked at her in anger.

"maan is samay pata hai mera man kya kar rha hai, ki apko kha jao" she said laughing while he just looked away trying to control that smile that teased his lips hearing her say that. Then she suddenly turned serious and said, "shayd aap shi ho, may be thoda change a gya hai. But still mai abhi bhi apki whi pagal aur ha kya kaha tah apne, bachkani mishty hu. Bas difference yeh hai, ki earlier we were just two, no one else to care for, no one else to think about for, jo man me ata tha karte the, but now we have an entire family with us. Morning me aapko office ki jaldi hoti hai and mujhe kaam ki, phir whole day you stay in office working hard and getting tired and when in evening you come home Aryan takes away your time. And at night we both will be so tired ki aur kuch samajh hi nhi ata. Shayad jindagi me kaam bad gye aur pyaar ke liye time hi nhi rha." She said making him turn and look at him, making him realize how the priorities of life changed and so did they. None was at fault, but the problem would have grown if not confronted at the right time.

"but did you saw the bright side of it" she asked making him confuse as if what can be the bright side out of all that. "now we fight less and understand more. Jis tarah we get less time for ourselves usi tarah we need less words now to explain each other about our life. Even when we hardly get any outing alone, but still your presence would be around me making me realize ki shayd aap bhi mujhe office me miss kar rhe ho. And the best thing is, whenever we catch sometime for ourselves, it would be only two then, no issues, no problems and no fights. Aur pata hai tab aap jyada romantic bi hote ho ajkal" she said looking at him teasingly.

Then being serious she again said, "now from now on you have to take me outside for atleast once in a week, movie for atleast one a month aur vacation once in a year… warna aap kahoge mai apko time nhi deti" she ordered him and then moved forward to hug him but was obstructed by the seat belt. She looked at it and twisted her lips and said, "I hate this car of yours, bike hi jyada shi tha"

He looked at her as if what-did-my-car-do!!! "on that bike I could do anything, hug you, tease you and even kiss you from back when no one else looked, aur ye car hai, hug karna to chodo, beech me ye gears ne aur distance khada kar dia hai… chaddo" she said and looked away making a face.

He just laughed seeing his mishty again and just reversed the car eager to go back in the confines of their room and take her to the pleasures of heaven with him.

************************

"mumma kha ho aap" a 20 year old Aryan called as he walked into his parents room. "ha ayi, 2 minutes beta" replied geet. She came out from washroom and looked at her young son confused, "kya hua, why are you looking so tensed" she said caressing his temples.

Geet maan khurana was 40 years old now, a mature woman, a woman whose life just revolved around her family. Still beautiful and young in looks, no one could ever guess she is a mother of a 20 year old son looking at her. The girl still had the looks to make others swoon on her single look, but the man who could make her breathless is just her husband Maan singh Khurana. People say the life is too long, but for her it was just like a blink of eye. She never realized when her childhood end, when she emerged out as a beautiful girl, one which could make anyone lose their senses, and didn't she could pinpoint the day she transformed into a dutiful wife, one whose whole time was devoted to her husband… and now she is a proud mother of her young son, who excelled in each field he chose.

Taking her hand he made her settle on bed and stuttered to find correct words. Then finally getting confused he starightly said, "mumma how did dad said I love you to you" geet looked at her son puzzled and then said, "kya puch rha hai… kya ho gya tujhe achanak" she said trying to divert the topic.

"mumma btao na please, seeing the romance between you and dad, am sure he must have set up a romantic setting for you… btao na mujhe bhi soniya ke liye kuch karna hai" said Aryan with a pout similar to one maan make as he tried to think of ways to propose his girlfriend. "oh to ye baat hai, finally you decided to confess soniya ha" said geet cheekily.

"maa" groaned Aryan hearing the teasing in her voice, "jaldi bolo, aj valentines day hai, mujhe planning bhi to karni hai na" he said pleadingly.

Sighing geet stood up and started folding the clothes as she said, "your dad never said I love you to me" Aryan was beyond shock hearing that and said, "mumma don't lie, sach bolo" "sachhi baba, we never felt the need to say that,a nd probably never realized that too until you said. We were quiet frank with each other hamesha jo man me hota tah bol dete the, never felt that we really need those three words between us"

"god you guys are too much, mean never ever said love you to each other. Agar asia mai karu to pata chala soniya meri jaan hi le le. Aur kisi aur ke sath na chali jae… by the way dad kafi possessive honge na… hamesha jealous agar koi aur aapke pass ata hoga to"

Geet literally threw the cloth she was folding on him and said… "ye to puch hi mat… sahab to kabhi jealous ka J bhi nhi hue… maine even try bhi kiya tha but he was so cool with others near me ki puch mat"

Aryan looked at her with shock and said, "gosh mom mai aapko leke itna possessive hu, then how can dad not be. Waise bhi anyone can go lattu on your looks… ab to I wonder how can I be similar to dad or you. Mujhme to kafi jealousy hai an daap dono me se koi bhi jealous nhi hota. Are you sure mai aapka hi beta hu!!!" he teased her making her pout.

"wo actually I was the jealous one in here" she confessed and told how sam would make her lose her temper by just a glance on him. He just laughed hearing her and seeing her face and run away saying, "aap dono na mujhe pagal kar doge…"

As she turned around, she got slammed in the chest of her husband. She looked at him and said, "aap kab aye"

Maan singh khurana, 50 now, would be stepping into old age soon. Ofcourse with age, his hair were white, with few strands of black somewhere in them, his face had some wrinkles here and there and his eyes looked tired, devoid of any youth, surrounded by dark circles. His body not that fit like before, but still not an extra ounce of fat could be scene on his body. Yes he was getting old and his wife was still with charm, but still they looked perfect together.

"I came when you were saying your son that I don't get possessive for you" he said and wrapped his arm around her slim waist caressing the still soft skin under his palm.

"ha to I didn't said anything wrong, when did you got possessive for me boliye… aapko to jealousy hi nhi hoti" she said pushing away his hand and went and sat on the corner of the bed.

He went and laid beside her keeping his head on her lap and wrapping her hand around his neck and said, "tum ne mauka hi nhi diya jealous hone ka to mai kya karu" she just twisted her lips knowing how well he could twist his words to please her.

"accha tum hi btao, remember when you were staying in hostel, I was really scared ki shayd I lost of now… common si baat hai there people were of your age, your generation, the one who understand you, your choices" she looked at him hearing his confession with shock.

But then he just chuckled and said, "but tumne kya kia, the every next week instead of staying with your friends enjoying your weekend with them, you came here spending your time with me and not only that day, every holiday you were here, most of the time in call with me, jab bhi baat karti thi mere bare me, ab bolo tumhare jindagi me kisi aur ke liye jagah kaha thi jo mai jealous hota."

He was looking at her so lovingly, that his gaze made her feel warm inside. She smiled hearing him and looked away saying, "aisa nhi tha"

"accha to tum hi bolo, koi aisa ladka jispe tumaha crush tha school me ya even college me"

She fumbled with words as she tried to thought of some name..

Seeing her fumbling he said, "ha ha bolo am waiting"

She saw the teasing smile of his that still made her heart flutter and said, 'ha rohan… rohan accha tha" she said thinking finally she got him but he started laughing loudly and said "rohan… ha whi rohan na jiski tumne khud hi misha se setting karayi thi and even made his parents agree for their marriage too"

She just looked at him in anger and pushed him off and went in the balcony. The atmosphere was romantic, a light rain fall was there. Wind was blowing fast, making her close her eyes as she felt the soft touches of it on her skin. He came from beside and kept his hand on the raining both side, trapping her in his arms and whispered lightly on her ear, "hmm to mishty gussa hai ha"

She nodded still closing her eyes as she felt his soft breathes on her ear lobe. Uff how could she feel the desire even after so many years of closeness, she wondered. "to kya karna hoga mujhe apni mishty ko manane ke liye" he asked like always as he planted a soft kiss behind her ear.

"wo aap socho" she relied, the same answer she is doing since last 24 years of their marriage.

Bending low he placed his lips on her collar bone and lifting a little kept his lips on her jaw. He traced her white soft skin until he reached her lips. Just an inch apart, he whispered, "I love you mishty". Her eyes opened wide as she looked at him in shock, while he just gave her a wide smile, finally finding the key that could melt her anger in a second.

"aap ne meri baate suni" she said with a pout. He just ignored her words and placed a soft kiss on her lips making her silent. After a while they distanced a bit and finding her lost breath she said, "I love you too". He immediately took her in his embrace as he said, "happy valentines day"

After this long journey of maaneet, me neha signing off this ff.

You guys gave me lots of love in this journey and I will really miss it a lot.

@lakshmi @prafulla will miss you both the most and your waiting pics…🤗

Guys this last wish, please comment and say a word for darmiyaan. Not those usual love it or awesome, but a real comment, take out a minute and spend it on this ff….

Please guys, it's a request.😭