Chapter 10 : Sweet and Sour

Third year was crazy for Maan in college. Again not only study but he was member of so many clubs, sport, innovation and research and Cultural. He loved exploring every side of him and excelled in all. So focused and time management that he had. Now Maan had also started making plans for his business now. He wanted to start soon. He had made plan of doing Management from London and thus had applied for scholarship. With his result, hardship stories and continuous increasing performance graph, he qualified for best colleges with 100 % scholarship. He would start his business there itself. He had all plans in place. He would start executing them from last year. His career plans he kept to himself as in that he did not want any hindrance. He will talk to Uncle Aunty at end of final year. He will promise them; he will be available for family service anytime they need him.

But that was his plan of sweet bye, with promise to keep in touch always. But sweet or sour bye, is not all in one man’s control. It depends on other’s wish as well.

Geet, on other side was doing good study with regular guidance from Maan on phone. He would somehow take out day or two in between to guide her but he could not make for long break. Brij would also guide her when he was in break but that did not suit Geet as she was completely into Maan’s way of studying. Maan in these one or two-day visit, made her study between family so that she does not divert and they can do power pack study and time was fully utilized. Geet, for sure had signaled him to spend few minutes alone but he had completely ignored. She would call him boring, but that was him, designed to be focused.

But for her pre-board, Maan was in Third year 2nd semester. Maan had somehow, managed his stuff and tried to stay home for her whole pre board. He would commute to college from home. Geet had been so happy, Maan was coming for so long. Studies, she was not worrying, with her brain and his guidance she will do great.

But whole period of his stay during pre-board, Maan had made her study like hell and there was no scope for her romantic ideas.

one day at last he agreed to her regular cribbing “It’s only Pre-Board, we can chill a bit. It’s 4-day break” she had complained.

“Ok, only this evening. You can chill with friend” 

She had come closer  “I want to chill with you. Popcorn with movie”

“Let’s pull Brij and Meera as well. Luckily all are here” she made face, this was not her idea at all. She wanted to get cozy with him. Geet, childish heart, felt so proud sometimes, she had Maan to get cozy with while Meera Di, being elder to her, had none.

“But you sit beside me.”

“Ok, will try. With everyone around, how is it possible princess” he slightly hit her head for her madness.

Maan went to call Brij and Meera, who were having their own chit chat. Both knowing with Maan around, Geet is not going to be anywhere for sibling bonding time.

“Hey Brij, Meera, let’s do some movie family time. Your sister needed a break, so we decided on family movie time”

Meera laughed “Maan with you and Geet around, do we really need to watch a movie. You both, among yourself make good package of Romance, action and Drama.”

Brij laughed as well “Go yaar… let us have our time of peace. Not interested in your princess and her Drama around you. Anyways, we know calling us is your idea not your princess”

“What kind of siblings you guys are? Sending a young boy to watch movie with your sister.” Maan tried to give a fight to pull them in.

Meera stood and came to Maan “we know our sister is lioness, she will be fine. In this case you are a lamb. Tera kya hoga kalia” Brij and Meera laughed.

They both knew, Maan will only protect Geet and for Geet’s act, if anyone could control her it was Maan only, whatever way he may use. All Brij could do was scold Geet for her naughtiness but it would somehow end in bad taste for Maan, himself. So he better avoided that zone of interfering in these two. It was though unspoken, they had good hint of Maan-Geet feelings for each other. Somehow with time, it naturally blended in them that these two are together. For once, they can think of Maan with any girl, but Geet. Imagining anyone other than Maan beside her was impossible for them.

Maan shook his head irritated “Worst siblings ever”

“Bye, keep safe” Meera laughed  

Maan went to Geet, who was actually praying they deny to come. She so much wanted her cozy time with Maan. Maan settled beside Geet. He placed light Rom-Com. Geet wanted some other movie but Maan insisted on that one – “This is fine. Anyone can come and check, it won’t look good Geet.”

It was light hearted movie and both laughed a lot. Only in some cozy scenes Geet would place peck on Maan’s cheeks. Whenever the Hero of Movie would express love to heroine, Geet would pull Maan by arm ‘I love you’

“Hmmm” is all he would respond. Night time, Geet sticking to him, pulling him towards her like anything, kissing him, he unable to do any, how hard it was to control, only Maan knew. It would not be easy for even mature people to have self-control in such scenario but Maan had learnt to control. With Geet always out of control, he had to be the one.

Maan knew, this one night, would calm her down and she will start focusing from next day. With him around, she wanted to do so many things and completely avoiding would irk her.

Later, in mid of movie, Geet slept. Maan placed blanket on her, set her up and drifted to his room.

This was their relation. Geet would completely shower her love on him openly, never hiding how she wanted to enjoy time with him. But if pushed back from him, sometimes, especially when she felt he was rejecting her wish, she would blow out all beautiful moments. Then sourness is all that kept hanging between them.

This had what had happened when Maan had visited during her Final board exam. His third year has completed. Campus had happened and he was selected for one of the biggest company. He also had offer directly from abroad. He took that offer, but he knew he will decline. To allure the talent like him, they had offered him the record breaking package. Everyone at home was excited. Mohinder has his plan for Maan but Maan had his own plan. He preferred to keep quiet for now. All he had done till now was for his career and that part he will himself take charge of.

His final year will start but he had break now and Geet had board, so here he was to make sure she topped.

Geet’s exam had gone well and Maan had checked all her answers after her exam and he was satisfied. Today was her last paper and Maan would leave tomorrow. Geet definitely had plans with Maan.

Rano was in kitchen and Maan went to meet her.

“Aunty you need help?”

Ranoo caressed his cheeks “Actually son, my hands are so full. If you can help, rounding these Ladoos. I will see something else. Tomorrow is Brij is also leaving. And you know he like my hand made.”

“Sure Aunty. I will do.”

“And pack 10 Ladoos for yourself too. Nahi tou sochega, Aunty does not think of you. Aisa nahi hai… hmmm”

“Aunty, Uncle and you are so much to me. How can I even think that way” And Maan started rounding the Ladoos and placing them in a big plate in circular fashion. He then felt hand inside his T-shirt

“Geet – remove you hand. How was the paper?”

“Nice. No one is around. I have checked” and she snaked her hand all up, feeling his strong stout back. Sending thousand sensations through him.

He was young boy, turning to man, having bad crush on her, she all over him and his hand tied. It was so tough. How many times, he had urge to throw her on bed, flat, be on her top and show her exactly what he felt and what he really was. But he always took deep breath and brought all sanity in him and talked to her.

“Geet move away”  but Geet as always ignore “Board finished, I am so happy. But sad, you will be leaving tomorrow” she came behind him and brought her hand to his front, still from inside his T-Shirt, feeling his front well-formed muscle.

“Geet move yaar” he closed his eyes with smile as she brought her hands up to feel his small nipple on his well-shaped chest

“You are blushing, I can feel” she came in front and winked. “Let’s spend time together tonight. I turned sixteen now, a big girl”

“you talk too big for your age” he commented, still making Laddos

“Only with you. I can always be myself with you. You don’t start judging me now”

“When have I?”

“Chalon na.. we will explore something tonight”

“Not we, say you”

“Whatever, say yes, pleeaaasee” she pleaded

He changed the topic “You must be hungry. Today’s lunch menu is very nice. Go have lunch”

“No, I want to eat your Pasta. It’s the best. You are best” she kissed his cheeks, stretching herself on tippy toes.

He knew she was very hungry and thus her craving for his pasta. He washed the apple he had picked from fruit basket in the kitchen slab, washed it, wiped it and handed it to her

“Ok. Have this in meanwhile”

Geet took the apple and sat on the kitchen slab. Biting her apple, looking at him as he took out the veggies for pasta, got all seasoning, milk, butter etc. Maan finished the cutting the veggies placed pan on stove as Geet was looking at him. Maan sensed, something weird for sure running in her brain, so he just kept himself busy.

Ranno entered the kitchen and saw Maan busy with pan

“Pasta again. Maan, this girl can’t let you go till you make her pasta at least once.” Maan looked at Aunty and shook his head in agreement with smile

Ranoo looked at Geet –  “We have lavish lunch prepared today. Your Veerji and Maan will leave tomorrow. But you” she left her sentence hanging

“Mamma, Maan and me are discussing today’s paper. You are interrupting with your lecture”

Maan smiled within, on her efficiency in lying with confidence.

“Ok, you guys carry on.” She looked at Maan

“Maan, Sunita will be coming with two more boxes of snack. Keep 10 from each for yourself as well, along with Laddos”

“Ok Aunty” Ranno left them.

“What? 10 from each. BAS? Such big boxes for Veerji. And only 10 from each for you?”

“I don’t eat much snack. Aunty is giving with so much love” 

“So much love… haha I can see the amount of love” Geet teased him. It was teasing for Geet but it hit Maan. He had already thought, he will keep all the snack in one box, so that together they look good quantity. Most boys will bring big boxes of several snack item for hostel days. Most mothers went crazily busy, just like Ranoo went before Brij day of leaving. Maan was happy with whatever he got. It was not actually the snack that mattered for Maan, the way all Moms went crazy for their kids, is what he got lost in always.

“Ok leave it. Maa-aan, I have something to show you” Geet said in whispering. This raised Maan’s alarm. He raised his eyebrows to her

She jumped from slab and from her bag on ground took out a CD

“Yeh, we can watch it together today.” Maan took CD from her and his eyes popped out. It was adult sex movie. He looked at Geet with anger filled eyes. Geet could see clear denial in his eyes.

Maan placed the CD in the inside pocket of his pant

“Is this the only thing going in your brain Geet? Who gave you this CD?”

“Nikki gave it to me. She saw with her boyfriend, why can’t we. I have turned sixteen now”

“Her boyfriend, that Sachin. That guy is a year senior to me and he is a bad boy Geet. You have idea what all they must have done after watching this CD?”

“Give me my CD back. I don’t want your lecture.”

“Forget about CD. Your pasta is ready. Come to dining table and eat like good girl”

“Dare you talk to me in that tone. Get that” she raised her index finger on his face.

Maan’s anger rose even more “I will. Do whatever you have to”  he said little loud as his anger was somehow not in his control.

“Mood spoiler” she stomped her leg and went to dining table. Maan took her bowl of pasta with fork and placed in front of her.

Luckily for Maan, Meera was there. Meera and Maan got busy in talking and Geet’s anger kept on rising as he not only took that CD from her, he fought with her and now was ignoring her. After Geet was done, she got up, looked at Maan, their eyes met and she left the bowl from her hand intentionally and let it fall on ground. It went into pieces.

“GEEET” Meera shouted. Maan said nothing. Meera ran and called the servants to clean the mess

“No one is cleaning. Maan will clean, if not then I will do myself” Maan took deep breath. He badly needed to control his anger in front of Meera.

“Everyone go. I will do” said Maan. 

Meera looked at Geet “What is this stubbornness for?” Geet turned other side and hand tied on chest. Meera left from there, all irritated.

While cleaning the pieces, one piece went on Maan’s hand and blood oozed out

“Maa-aan” Geet ran to hold his hand. Maan moved his hand away

“Stay away from me Geet”

“Maan, too much blood is coming out”

“Off your hand me. If not, I will crush bigger piece in my hand.” He warned her, the anger in his eyes scared her.

 Geet left immediately, ran to call Meera. Meera was so angry on Geet. She scolded even Maan but nursed him. In the process a thin silver bracelet fell from his pocket

“What’s this” asked Meera surprised to see a girl bracelet. 

He looked at Geet, their eyes met “Nothing, just bought this from my first earning. No use now” he kept it back in his pocket. Geet ran to her room, tears in her eyes not stopping.

Author’s Note: – Thanks to all readers for reading through this long chapter and liking this story so far. I made it this big as most readers want me to jump into present. But I wanted to finish past to one point and thus covered most of it in one chapter, ending up making it too long. 

Last part of most eventful past will come along with present story.

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