Chapter 4: Growing up

That day, Maan kneeled down, looked at Geet with smile and spread his arms and Geet’s frown had turned to big smile and she had that very first time itself, run to Maan and hugged him tight.

Now Geet’s homework, Geet dancing classes, art classes, her small class test, her going to park or going to her friend’s house, her friends coming and attending them – all became Maan’s responsibility. Many a times also feeding her if she would throw tantrums.

But between all these he never missed his own study time. If he has to wake up early for that or stay late night, he would make sure, in school he was on top. Driver would drop Geet and Maan to her dancing or art class and Maan would sit in waiting area doing his homework.

In school he started becoming famous by his natural authoritative talks, his result, his sports activity. He was performer and he made sure all knew it. At home he would be coy in front of Aunty and Uncle and care taker for Geet but with Brij and Meera, he would just be like friends.  

Family stopped seeing Geet’s tantrum, as now Maan was the one who would take it all on him. But life was okay for Maan. He was getting used to new environment. All he knew that he had a family in spite of he being orphan. His thoughts would once in while go to Annie and Dadima but he would let it go.

Geet being small and seeing Maan at her every service knew that Maan has two things in life to do – Attend her and his study. Little Geet slowly learnt that Maan was for her and she would make sure that he gave her even more importance than his studies. Maan made sure to make her feel that or else she would throw tantrums.

One day Maan would be doing his homework but Geet stood at his door

“Geet to Park” Maan looked at little girl and smiled

“Just few minutes princess. Just finishing this up and we will go”

“Geet to park” she said loudly second time, Maan had gone to her

“Princess just few minutes” Little Geet was hurt and she had big drops of tears filled in her eyes

“Mammmaaa” she started to cry. Maan immediately placed fingers on her lips

“Shhhh” he wiped her tears, “Come we will go to park first. Geet First umm” she hugged him immediately.

Maan got her change of clothes out. He would never look at her changing or never help her change. He would get her clothes out and would stay out of room till she was done. Maan made her wear her cute little shoe, tied her hair properly and then the little one took 10 minutes to select the color of hair pin that she will put. Maan shook his head- he definitely would have finished his homework by now.

But again in park, Maan would be his own self. He was exactly extracting from each moment that life gave him. He would drop Geet to Kids park and would himself go in the adjacent one where his friends would be playing. Brij would also be the one

Brij shouted “What happened to your homework”

“You little sis wanted to come here. Hey give me the ball Rajas”

Rajas threw Ball at Maan. Maan efficiently took the ball. Maan took the Ball and ran with it and in one jump to the goal. And immediately placing his attention to little Geet in adjacent Park. She was playing good.

“Maan is the best” Boys would shout

“I know” he would say in pride. Brij knew, Maan was way above him in all ways and how all his friends had now without a word made him the leader at ground. Brij was only proud to say that he and Maan stayed in same house.

Maan was confident enough to not shy away that he lived with Brij and his Family. All slowly came to know that Maan was little Geet’s care taker as well but Maan took it all as pride. It was fact of his life and if he accepts the truth only then can he face up and rise.

Then Maan saw Geet on swing, swinging very high all alone, he immediately left his game and ran to her.

“Brij your sister was alone in swing. Maan saved her or she would have fallen”

Brij like any kid was busy in his game but ran when heard. But Maan was already attending to Geet by the time Brij reached.

“Geet how are you bachca. Got hurt” Brij asked concerned

But Geet just hugged Maan. “I am fine. Maan is there” she said with pride.

While their way back home Brij was cribbing “Maan yaar, why do you bring her here. All we do is baby sit her.”

“You go to park yaar. Will drop her home and be back”

“Next time bring Sunita to stand in park with her.”

Maan shook his head “hmm.. as if she will let anyone else accompany us.”

Brij was so irritated. Maan then dropped Geet and was back in park in full form.

In late evening, Brij and Meera would be having their tuitions and Maan would look into small homework that Geet had. He would make her do them. Then make her memorize the words etc. Make her drink milk alongside. He would then let her play in her Doll house or Lego Blocks.

And then off to his own study.

Mohinder had asked Maan if he needed tuitions too. But Maan had declined. He did not need. He liked to study his own way. And other, he wanted to take only monetary help that was needed. Best school in town he needed and that he got. Brij, Meera, Geet and Maan all were in same school. Best school, because he was focusing on being all-rounder and not only on academics. And that he would get from Top schools only. His Dad’s words were engraved in his heart.

Days and months passed by. Geet by now knew Maan was for hers and he was one who would never shout at her. He would take all her tantrums .Brij and Meera would not. They would scold her or jerk her. She started getting more possessive of Maan. If Maan would be playing with Meera in ground she would come all crying for something and Maan would come running to attend her. She would then force him to come play with her in her doll house. He would sit, getting bored as she would play, ask him to hold this and that. He would spread his hand for whatever she wanted to put in it. Or she would make fake food and ask him to taste and praise it. Even mothers will not have patience with kids this much, they would play 10 minutes with kid and leave asking Kid to continue. But Maan had no option but to sit there. Brij would many a time save Maan from such scenario. He would talk with Geet and signal Maan to leave.

One Day Maan and Brij were talking

“See your condition. This Geet is real notorious package” Brij teased Maan

“Na na… she is a terrorist. Chant!!” Maan added and they both had laughed. But Ranoo had heard.

Maan had been called and he got good lecture of hours from Mohinder and Ranoo.

“Sorry Uncle Aunty. It will never happen again”

“She is a child Maan. Tell us, we will not force you to be with her.”

“No Aunty, I like doing for her. I will not speak such again” So there was one rule set, Maan would never speak any word against Get with anyone.

It was almost 1 year now and Maan was also getting used to play with Geet and do things for her. It now became his natural habit to take care of her.

But when Geet would have her friends at home for night out, she would not need Maan around. Maan would first feel at leisure and have his time with Brij. Then help Meera with her studies and then would sit for his. But he would feel restless with Princess not coming with any demand.

He would go to check in her room where she would be busy bossing around her friends – Do this, don’t do that.

“Princess, you need anything?”

Geet did not like that, she was in 2nd grade now and big girl. He treating her like child in front of her friends

“No go, we are busy” but her friends would hold him.

“Geet let him play it will be fun” and Naimi had held his hand to bring him in. And that was unbearable sight for Geet. She snapped, removed Naimi’s hand from Maan’s –

“No, he will not play” and she pushed him out of door. And at door warned him in low voice “Call me Geet. They will make fun of me”

“Okay..” he smiled and left.

Then Maan got busy with his studies. Later Ranoo called him in kitchen.

“Yes Aunty”

“Your studies done for today?” “Yes, almost done Aunty.”

“Today your princess doesn’t need you, can you help aunty little in kitchen. I am making this Brij’s favorite dish. Chef is on leave”

Maan started assisting Ranoo in kitchen. That day Ranoo found that Maan was very efficient in assisting in kitchen as well. She did not know that Geet loved Maan’s Macaroni cheese.

Sunita came “Madam – all kids took pizza slice but Geet wants some Ma ches. Maan baba makes something for her”

“Ohh Mac and Cheese. Aunty she loves it. Should I make it.” Ranoo smiled. She was so happy and caressed his cheeks

“Mera puttar…” uff Maan was on Cloud Nine. Aunty caressed his cheeks so lovingly.

Maan happily made his best Mac Cheese for his princess. Ranoo was so satisfied. She was completely relaxed from Geet’s upbringing. No doubt Maan was the best.

“Puttar.. once in a while come to me in kitchen. We will work together and bond as well”

“Bilkul Aunty” Maan’s happiness had no bound today.

“I will take this to Geet and be back soon”

Thanks Dearies. Please keep liking and commenting. I am happy with your response and motivated to post regularly.

Ok, just an note – Maan here have tough life, but you will see different shade of his character as well. In short he is not a saint here. 

Though you will feel pain for his situation, he will be enjoying whatever he gets in his plate.

Luv,

Anu