KHURANA MANSION
[Geet's POV]
I couldn't sleep a wink post that anonymous phone call. Everything was fine, all were so happy but now this call had again made me restless. The caller probably was keeping an eye on us and he very well knew about Maan's birthday celebrations. His words still ringing in my mind!
"Bahot khush hogi aaj Geet Khurana aakhir tumhaare pyaare pati Maan Singh Khurana ka birthday jo tha, badi party sharty ho rahi hain. Accha hain kya pata yeh mauka agle saal mile na mile! Ha ha ha ha..."
Who was this man and how does he know about us...what does he want? So many questions raided my mind all of a sudden. His tone indicated probably he was planning to harm our family specially Maan. No I won't let this happen again. Maan had just recovered from that accident and now...
'Geet shant ho jaa, kya pata yeh kisi ne aivey hi phone kiya ho darane ke liye, waise bhi Maan ne poore parivaar ki security ki aarangements kar di hain. Tu na bekaar mein fikar kar rahi hain...hain na!'
'Nahi...Main koi chance nahi lena chahti Maan apna khud liye bahot laaparwaah (careless) hain, mujhe hi kuch karna hoga...lekin kya?'
I was thinking hard pacing in the room. I had to think fast and find a solution before Maan gets up, and appear normal then so he doesn't doubt me.
'Perfect!!!! Aaj se main poora din Maan ke saath hi rahungi, iss tarah main Maan par har waqt nazar rakh sakti hoon, hain na. Aur koi bhi mere Maan ko takleef nahi pohucha sakta. Maan ne meri safety ke liye kya kuch nahi kiya ab meri baari, main chup chap unke chaaro taraf nazar rakhungi!'
'Shabaash Geet kya idea aaya hain...tu toh badi smart ho gayi hain. I am proud of you!' I mentally patted myself.
'Ab lag jaa kaam pe!'
[Maan's POV]
'Pata nahi aaj subah se Geet ko kya ho gaya hain, mere peeche peeche saaye (shadow) ki tarah ghoom rahi hain, aisa toh pehle kabhi nahi kiya?' Fixing my tie and checking myself in the mirror I couldn't help thinking about Geet's weird behavior since morning.
'Maan jaldi se office ke liye nikal jaa, warna yeh sach much tujhe paagal kar degi!' I warned myself.
Before I could put my plan in action my Hoshiarpur Express barged out of the washroom nearly banging into me and jabbering out.
"Chalo chalo der ho rahi hain."
"Kahan?" I asked appalled.
"Office!" She replied simply.
"Huh!" I grunted.
"Geet...main office kaam karne jaa raha hoon." I asserted.
"Maan...mujhe bhi pata hain ke aap office kaam karne hi jaate hain, garden samajh ke ghoomne nahi."
Catching a breath and calming myself not wanting to overreact I tried to formulate a few words but she hadn't finished yet and I just kept gawking at her while she announced her plan for the day.
"Maan hamaari shaadi ko kitna waqt ho gaya lekin aaj tak maine hamaari office nahi dekhi, issiliye main aaj aap ke saath office aa rahi hoon. Ab jaldi chaliye warna aap hi kahenge ke meri wajah se der ho gayi." She stated and grabbing my hand as she swiftly headed towards the door.
Recovering from the shocking surprise of what exactly she had declared few moments back. I halted her and spoke.
"Geet...Geet ruko! Dekho Geet aisi haalat mein yunh bhaga daudi (running around) nahi karte, tumhe toh ghar mein rest karna chahiye. Aur waise bhi aaj main bahot busy ho toh tum office mein bore ho jaaungi. Issliye aaj tum office nahi aa rahi ho. Samjhi tum." Finally I blurted out in one breath, satisfied that I had tackled her well. But my happiness was short lived as she countered back immediately.
"Maan pehli baat main pregnant hoon bimaar nahi, aur doosri baat ke main office aa rahi hoon, koi marathon bhaagne nahi jaa rahi hoon, samjhe aap."
"GEET!!! Zidd mat karo! Tum mere saath nahi aa rahi ho and thats final!" I growled. Her mouth open in a wide O and she was all set to argue but not giving her a chance.
"BAS!!!" I finished.
"Yeh kya ho raha hain? Kyun subah subah lad rahe aap dono? Parents bannewale hain aur khud ki harkatein baccho jaisi!" Dadimaa nagged.
"Thank God! Dadimaa aap aa gayi. Yeh Geet bekaar hi zidd kar rahi hain ke aaj mere saath office chalegi. Ab aap hi isse samjhaiye ke aisi haalat mein sirf ghar mein rest lena chahiye." I urged.
"Maan Geet pregnant hain, bimaar nahi! Infact aise waqt mein toh jitna ho sake utna active rehna chahiye aur thankfully Geet ko koi complications bhi nahi hain, toh jahan chahe aa-jaa sakti hain." Dadimaa asserted making it clear to me that she is gonna side Geet as always!
"Yehi...yehi baat main kabse inhe samjha rahi hoon Dadimaa lekin yeh hain ke mujhe apne saath le hi nahi jaana chahte." Geet pouted.
"Maan jab Geet ka itna man hain toh le jaayiye na unhe apne saath aur aap Geet apna khyaal rakhiyega aur hum ghar se jo khana bhejenge wohi khaana padega, samjhi aap." Dadimaa affirmed.
'Geet ke Babaji, meri aur meri office ki raksha karna!' Having no other option we headed to Khurana Constructions.
KHURANA CONSTRUCTIONS
[Geet's POV]
It has been a couple of hours at KC. I had a very good time meeting up with the staff, looking around the whole place with Pinky, had lot of fun until she resumed back to work as Maan was out on his usual round in the office. There is a very positive working atmosphere here though not to forget my DD's fear is quite evident in the staff but still they have a lot of respect and gratitude for our family.
I spent some time with Dadaji, Shergill uncle and Papa (Rajiv) too but Maan...
Here I am sitting on this couch from what seems eternity but Maan is least interested. He has just buried himself in his work. I shouldn't have come here in the first place, there is lot of security here so he will be safe here, at home also there is nothing to worry, I just have to make sure that he doesn't go anywhere without security and for that I need to take some immediate steps, but that I will deal later for now lets irk Maan!
"MAAN...MAAN..." I whined
"Hmmm"
"Maan main bore ho rahi hoon." I complained getting up from the couch and walked upto him but he was engrossed in his laptop to distract him I purposely started playing with my dupatta around and it got entangled with him.
"Geet...." I was expecting him to burst out on me but he calmly untangled it and resumed his work.
Not getting the desired reaction I settled myself on his desk.Awaiting him to shout at me but he didn't react at all, I guess he was ignoring me and that was unacceptable to me so I tried again.
"Maan main kabse yahan baithi hoon mujhse baat karna toh door aap toh meri taraf dekh bhi nahi rahe hain. Maan main aap se baat kar rahi hoon, suna aap ne." I raised my voice this time and he looked up.
"Geet maine tumse pehle hi kaha tha ke aaj main bahot busy hoon lekin tumne meri baat nahi suni ab table se utro yeh office hain hamaara bedroom nahi." He ordered.
"Accha toh issiliye aap mujhe ignore kar rahe hain taake main dobara yahan na aavu, hain na!" I exclaimed.
"Geet baat ko kahan se kahan le jaa rahi ho tum. Dekho mujhe abhi Aadi ke saath site pe jaana hain tum tab tak Pinky ke saath time spend karo." He asserted getting up preparing to leave.
"SITE" I blurted out loudly only to meet his questioning gaze on my sudden reaction. Not giving away my fear I masked myself and started cribbing.
"Main pehli baar office aayi hoon, mujhe sabse introduce karwana toh door yahan cabin mein bandh kar diya hain aur upar se jata (notify) rahe hain main bekaar mein hi yahan aayi aur ab khud bahar jaa rahe hain mujhhe yahan akela chod ke." I pretended to be very hurt with his behavior.
"Geet yeh nautanki (drama) bandh karo aur maine kab yeh sab kaha. Subah se toh tum hi bole jaa rahi ho, baat kya hain mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hain ke tum mujhse kuch chupa rahi ho?" His eyes boring in me but Aadi came to my rescue and grabbing this opportunity I continued dramatically.
"Haan haan ab toh aap yehi kahenge ke main hi nautanki karti hoon, meri feelings ki toh aap ko koi kadar (value) hi nahi hain. Jaayiye meri fikar mat kijiye main ghar chali jaaungi akeli." I stressed hard on the word akeli. Before he could say something I raised my hand stopping him and continued.
"Bas mujhe aap se koi baat nahi karni, aap jayiye."
As expected Aadi intervened and assured Maan that he will handle the site visit and will update him on the developments soon. Aadi left and Maan turned to me, I could see he was fuming but still keeping a check on his temper.
"Geet tum...tum na..."
"Jab yaad aa jaaye na tab daant dena, ok!" I replied coolly.
Giving up he turned around to go...
"Kahan jaa rahe hain aap?" I asked him instantly.
"Washroom jaa raha hoon...wahan bhi aana chahti ho mere saath...Chalo chalo...kahin wahan se main bhaag na jau." He sarcastically divulged.
"Nahi aap jaayiye main yahin rukti hoon... lekin jaldi aaiyega." I retorted.
Oh! His expressions were to die for! He looked so adorable, My Maan, My Dusht Daanav!
'Sorry Maan aaj maine aap ko bahot pareshaan kiya na par main aap ko akele bahar nahi jaane dena chahti thi. Mujhe jald se jald kuch karna hoga, zyaada dino tak mein Maan iss tarah nahi rok paaungi.'
KHURANA MANSION
[Maan's POV]
Phew!!! Finally we were home!
I still can't believe Geet had been so difficult today, I just can't relate to this Geet. All of sudden her behavior was so unpredictable and irritating. She has never behaved such earlier. Not only did I had to skip the site visit but had to also cancel all my other appointments for the day.
I just laid down on the bed comprehending the happenings of the day. Something was wrong somewhere but what?
Just than a love filled caress calmed my worked up nerves.
"Mom..." I muttered.
"Maan aaj bahot thake aur pareshan lag rahe ho?" She inquired.
"Kuch khaas nahi Mom, main theek hoon." I assured her sensing worrying lines on her forehead.
Placing my head in her lap and softly massaging my head she queried again, this time firmly. She always was able to sense my discomfort, no matter what!
"Kya baat hain?"
"Mom...Geet! I don't know whats wrong with her, today she behaved so unreasonably that I just can't relate to her. She has all of a sudden become too cranky, snappy and too demanding."
"Aaj subah se woh mere aage peeche ghoom rahi hain, ek pal ke liye bhi mujhe nahi chod rahi, office aane ki zidd ki, aur wahan se ghar wapas aane ki. Mujhe apni saari appointments cancel karni padi. Geet ne pehle kabhi bhi aise nahi kiya hain lekin... Mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha kis baat pe woh kaise react karegi aur main usse kaise handle karoon." I confided in her.
"Mom main uski shikayat nahi kar raha lekin pata nahi usse aisa kyun lagta hain ke main usse ignore kar raha hoon aur apne aap se usse door kar raha hoon...yeh sach nahi hain Mom. Aap toh jaanti hain na ke main apni feelings express nahi kar paata aur gusse mein kuch bhi bol deta hoon. Mom main Geet ko hurt nahi karna chahta lekin..." I voiced out my dismay.
"Maan tum bekaar hi pareshan ho rahe ho, iss mein Geet ki bhi koi galti nahi hain." Mom calmly asserted.
"Matlab?" I asked confused.
"Pregnancy mein aise mood swings hote rehte hain, kabhi hasne ka mann hota hain, kabhi rone ka, kabhi gussa aata, kabhi ek dum chup aur akele rehna ke mann karta hain. Waise yeh mood swings kaafi early hain lekin person to person differ karta hain. Tumhe patience aur pyaar se usse deal karna hoga. Samjhe." Mom disclosed the reason of her behavior put rest to all my confusions.
[Geet's POV]
I was kind of relieved with todays visit to Khurana Constructions as there is nothing to worry as long as Maan is at home or in office and while having a word with Dadadji and Papa (Rajiv) indirectly I got to know that Maan's security has been doubled post the accident.
I felt so relaxed now...but my relief was short lived as Aadi who was back from the site informed Maan that they had to leave in a day or two for finalizing the land deal for Dadaji's dream project. This project was Maan's top priority and in no way will he compromise on this. It was hence decided that Maan and Aadi will be leaving day after tomorrow.
I was pacing restlessly in the room Maan along with the other men were still discussing about the project in the study. He is going to some remote area so chances of an attack are high and even if I tell him about that phone call he will not relent by any chance.
'Babaji meri saari mehnat paani mein gayi...ab main kya karoon Maan ko jaane se kaise roku. Aagr main sab ko bata doon toh sab pareshaan ho jaayenge aur Maan woh toh ulta mujh pe hi gussa karenge yeh sab chupane ke liye...Babaji koi toh rasta dikhaaye ke Maan ko jaane se rok paau.' I struggled to find a solution to this sudden ordeal when an idea struck me.
'Annie!!! Haan ab sirf Annie hi meri help kar sakti hain. Main abhi jaa ke usse baat karti hoon.'
I was so lost in my thoughts that I failed to realize that Maan was already back standing beside me with folded arms waiting for me, his penetrating gaze scanning me top to toe.
'Babaji kahin Maan ne kuch sun toh nahi liya na?' I stood rooted trying to gauge his reaction.
"Sawaari iss waqt kahan ki liye nikal rahi hain?" He queried.
It seemed Maan hadn't heard anything and I breathed a sigh of relief!
"Oooh!" I fumbled. Hitting my head lightly I continued.
"Main woh...Haan main Annie...Annie se milne jaa rahi thi, woh usne ek nayi designer dress kharidi hain na toh wohi dekhne jaa rahi hoon." I managed to reply.
"Iss waqt?"
"Haan woh Annie ko kal subah hi pehni hain...kuch important meeting hain na...toh woh chahti thi ke main bhi approve kar doon."
"Accha Arjun ki boring office mein aisa kaunsa occasion hain, ke Annie designer outfit pehenkar jaanewali hain?" He countered back not at all satisfied with my answer. I closed my eyes and burst out.
"Aap ko kya karna hain sab kuch jaan ke, yeh hamaari girls ki baatein hain. Main aap ko poochti hoon kabhi aap log raat bhar study mein kya ghus-phus (gossip) karte rehte hain."
"GEET!" He spoke sternly but the very next moment he urged calmly.
"Dekho Geet isme gussa hone ki kya baat hain, main toh sirf yeh keh raha hoon ke tumhe rest karna chahiye dress toh tum kal bhi dekh sakti ho, hain na."
"Maan main yunh gayi aur yuhn aayi." I stated hurriedly making my way straight to Annie's room.
"Baal baal bacche aaj toh Geet!" (a narrow escape)
"KYA...KYA...KYA!!!!!!" I react dramatically like a typical TV show actress.
"Main aisa kuch nahi karungi samjhi tum, yeh bhi koi baat hui...Chi Chi Babaji!"
"Oh! come on Geet tumhaare paas aur koi option nahi hain." Annie firmly asserts.
"Nahi main aisa kuch nahi karungi, agar Maan ko pata chal gaya na toh meri khair nahi aur tum logo ki bhi. Kitna bakwaas idea hain yeh." I argue.
"Geet mujhe lagta hain Annie bilkul sahi keh rahi hain aur iss waqt sirf yehi idea kaam karega." Meera who too was here for a stay over added her opinion.
"Haan I too feel this is the only option we have as of now." Pari too seconded.
"Dekh Geet, Main jaanti hoon yeh tere liye aasaan nahi par yeh idea kabhi fail nahi hota! Maan bhai ko jaane se rokna hain toh tujhe yeh karna hi hoga. Trust me!"
"Tu sirf woh kar jo main kehti ho baaki sab mujhpe chod de, saari preparations main kar doongi. Bol tu taiyaar hain na warna jaa apne room mein jaa ke Maan bhai bag pack kar de." Annie prompted me.
"NAHI!!!!! Main taiyaar hoon, mujhe kuch bhi kar ke Maan ko jaane se rok na hain. Har haal mein har keemat par!" I vowed.
"Thats the spirit! Ab jaa kar so jaa warna Bhai ko shaque ho jaayega baaki hum sambhal lenge. Kal shaam ko Bhai jab office se aayenge tab hum attack karenge. OK!" Annie disclosed the plan and we all joined in.
Part 51 contd...
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Anupamaa
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