Knock, Knock! Who's there? Pt 21/22 pg 80, 82 23/04 - Page 61

Part 22

'Geet Namaste karo beta. Greet your uncle, my brother' Anita added as an afterthought knowing by Geet's confused look she didn't know what to do. 'Sweetheart fold your hand and do the namaste' Rano intervened with a gentle smile as Geet followed looking at the elderly man with endearing eyes, 'Tuhadi Nooh kinhi sohni hai (Daughter-in-law is so beautiful)' he gleamed with a proud smile looking at Maan, she was draped in a red saree by Anita, though it was hard but they still managed. Maan himself was wearing a sherwani, and her parents had also worn something nice to compliment the occasion even after the short notice given by Maan and Geet, after all they were too pleased to miss the occasion. Sameera had complained over the phone, and had promised herself a bigger real wedding, apparently even if Geet was against it, she would make it happen by hook or by cook.

They stood in Maan uncle's living room, he stood tall and in command instructing them of the required steps and how to perform. With it being performed inside the house, they couldn't light up a fire however repeated the vows and Maan applied Sindoor, before securing a beautiful Mangal-shutra which previously belonged to his grandma, they stood all through-out the ceremony with the guest, which only consisted of the Khurana's and the Handa's also standing in the small room. Pinky and Natasha had arranged petals, which formerly was for Natasha but now used to shower Maan and Geet with blessing. Uncle then officiated the ceremony by making both of them sign a documentation, a proof of the hindu ceremony.     

'Mama don't rush my wedding' Natasha joked when everyone sat down after coming back home, with Anita's brother also joining them. He was a widower and a priest by profession. 'Oh Bilkul nahi ji...Mainu tan pura ik saal lag jana tuhada vyaah krwande krwande (of course not I'll take a year to complete your marriage)' he jested making everyone laugh, Vicky was the one who was the loudest though. Geet sat with Anjali and her daughter as Maan stood beside Raj looking at her lovingly, who would have thought they would be married when she first knocked at his door; pregnant and claiming him as the father. Life was truly a roller-coaster ride. 'Maan she's your wife now, so stop looking its alerting everyone' Karan whispered from behind holding down his shoulder, 'Or mum might just separate you on your suhagrat' he ventured further finally breaking Maan's awe. 'Geet beta, we better go. It's really late and your father needs to drive' Rano got up to hug her daughter and son-in-law before bidding goodbyes. 'Oh eh ki gal hoyi? Hun tan apan rishtedaar han...bas tuhanu rukna hi paina...meri kudi da vyah dekho...khao peeyo...maze kro te bas hun vyah toh baad hi jana.. (What is this, no now we're relatives. You'll stay and witness my daughter's wedding, eat and have fun, and then leave after the wedding is over)' Anita held Rano by her hand and ordered almost to which Rano could only abide, after all they we're newly related. Both Mohinder and Rano also liked the idea, having only witnessed a handful on Hindu weddings. They promised to stay the 2 days for the wedding, and Anjali was quick to escort them to her house which was a 20 minute drive away from her mums. Most of the other relatives were at Karan's. 'Teri Vahuti Kitthe hai (where you wife?)' Anita remembered at the end of the day seeing how she wasn't there all day, 'Maa she's not feeling well, you know how she like in the first semester, always vomiting always tired' Karan had mindlessly listed the several problems with his wife however each registered into Maan's head and made him worry all the more. 'Come with me' Anita ordered entering the kitchen to pack a few things for her eldest daughter-in-law. 'I might stay there tonight' she informed her husband walking out the house with her son in tow.  

'Geet we are married now, we can SHARE a bed' he teased as she danced on one foot to another at the end of the bed seeing him resting. It didn't take him twice to say the same thing, for she heeded to his words and slowly made an entry, sitting at the every edge of the bed.

'Good grief Geet, I won't eat you' he complained pulling her closer by the shoulder, so now she nestled into his chest and sat in the middle of the bed. They didn't say anything for a long while, taking in everything that's happened. Geet then touched her head where the sindoor still shined in bright red, a symbol of marriage for most hindu women. She felt proud to show it off, apparently it increased the longevity of one's husband, an ideology Anita believed in however both her daughters and Rano dismissed. But Geet still wanted it to last at least the night, she then played with the beads in the necklace as Maan also held it in his hands, 'Dadi always wanted me to have this also, blimey first her ring and her mangal-shutra. Though I don't believe in destiny Geet, I reckon we were made to be together' he voiced a little dazed but both his eyes and lips spoke of his happiness, his voice was caring and happy too.  'We're married' she added, 'Yes we are married' he repeated with a knowing smile, 'Together forever' she asked, 'Yes together forever' he confirmed taking her subtle lips into his, unlike the morning, this one spoke of promises and soon was heated in passion. 'I love you so much' he muttered against her lips making her smile and repeat the same words.  

'Geet' he called weakly unsure whether she was asleep, 'Hmm' she answered turning around, her eyes wide awake and excited, 'We're married' she reiterated stilled playing with the beads making him laugh, 'Indeed we are married' he answered inching closer so now his hands rested on her waist and their faces inches apart. She indulged in a proud happy smile, making him feel light and airy. It was like a dream for her, when he asked her for marriage, she believed him but didn't have much trust in herself but now, with the symbols of marriage and sleeping in the same bed as him, her husband, she fely giddy with happiness.  'We are married' she repeated now caressing her tummy and looking intently at their baby, 'Our baby' she repeated and he couldn't hold himself from reaching on top of her and kissing her once again. His wife was too cute at times.

After several seconds, he drew apart and then waited for her to regain composure before asking a question of his own, 'Geet was your first semester as hard, were you sick and ill all the time?' he asked taking her soft hand into his. 'No it was easy, I think baby is just like daddy' she proudly claimed hooking her hands around Maan's neck surprising him. She then thanked him for making it so easy for her, 'Geet it was nothing' he brushed off, 'No Maan, no one else would even help never mind accept and love the recipient mother, but you did!' she expressed lowering her head to his chest, his hands once again wrapped around her waist and both lay on their back, 'But that's because I knew we'd be fall in love one day. You are too cute and I am too hot' he joked, 'You're spending far too long with Sameera' she remarked as he grimaced and then smiled saying, 'She's not all that bad... from a distance', to which she broke into a loud laugh and then quietened immediately knowing his family lived in the other rooms. That was how their first night went, knowing each more be it physically or mentally.

The next few days were like a whirlwind, super busy and hectic. All the Khuranna's especially  Pinky and Vicky tried their level best to make Geet and her parents feel welcome and at ease, Maan supported her always, she even learnt 'Maan idhar ao (come here)', 'Kuch kaam nahi ata (you cant' do anything) and 'Maine tumhe pyar karti hoon (I love you)' by the end of the wedding. Vicky also taught her a few swear words, which she reluctantly learnt seeing how over ambitious he was. All in all it was fun and lively, a complete different experience to her usual life, Sameera called often and asked keenly and then complained more for not being invited, 'it was her kind of scene' after all. When it came to the time to leave, Anita was more upset with Geet going then Natasha who left the previous day for her honeymoon, Raji even joked seeing her cry but Geet too joined alerting Maan who immediately whisked her away promising to come once the baby was born. Though they spent a little short than a week at the Khuranna residence however, it was enough for Geet to let go of her consciousness, maybe knowing Maan is her husband also helped.

'Geet wakey wakey' he blew onto her face, 'Maan let me sleep' she moaned moving away.

'Sweetheart I wouldn't have asked but baby looks uncomfortable, come on lets go. I'll make you pancakes with whipped cream' he blackmailed and somehow it worked, though grudgingly, however she still managed to get out the car and walk into the house with his support. 'Back home' he smiled feeling her lean into him, as if asking him to take her to bed to which he compiled, slowly and steady they reached her bedroom which he occupied for the last 2 months. 'You sleep' he tried to order but she instantly pulled him to her side and settled her head onto his chest, 'I like it when we sleep together' she yawned falling to sleep instantly as he stroked her back once in while loving his new life, soon sleep enveloped him too. Both seemed to be more ignited to one's presence and also naturally coming together, neither was it awkward or fast, rather at their pace, slow and steady; but each day the love they carried manifested bigger and stronger.

Note: I have posted Sahiba's comment to help those like me who don't speak Punjabi, it its rather helpful especially the side notes. Also in the previous part with the people and the wedding, that's kind of normal here, neighbours and family/friends help to make dishes etc, for mehndi function. However, it doesn't roll like that in our family so a lot was what I've seen happen, we're really uptight and prefer a quite unmessed house during weddings/parties. Usually us sisters arrange or order a package, so I can't help with other questions lol.