Chapter 11: Shaken Courage

Geet’s all packing was done, she will leave in couple of days. She was surrounded by nervousness. However hard she tried to explain herself that she was going to her Maan but still a different type of nervousness, fear and guilt were engulfing her from all side.

His anger, that she had seen in his eyes in their last meeting, always haunted her. She had tried to talk to him, but he was not ready to listen to her side of story. Her sorry, that came from her heart, he had simply shaken his head, to show her that it was just one of her excuses. She was at fault; she had agreed but it all had happened in feat of anger. She didn’t mean it. She was his only his, how many times she had told continuously but he had just closed his ears in irritation.

His expecting eyes, in that party, still haunted her. Those eyes that were looking for her desperately to stand for him, haunted her now. That time she was in no sense to realize her response was needed, for his dignity, that he was depending on her words. She was lost in her own guilt. The guilt of letting that Rohan, even touch her for few seconds. She was lost in her pain and self- loath of letting anyone else, other than Maan touch her.

She sat on the ground of the society park. The fresh air of evening, could not help to get her out of suffocation she felt. As she thought of that last incident between them, she herself found hard to forgive herself, how could he. Still there was small hope. Hope because he was Maan and not her.

“Veerji and Di thinks I don’t love you. Even you think I don’t love you. My love is true Maan. I love you only you. Whatever it takes, I will prove you this time”

She closed her eyes and tears slid down her cheeks in thin stream “I will take all your punishment, just don’t separate yourself from me Maan. It’s so tough to even breath without you around.”

She again for thousandth time wondered his disappearance. Was it because of that incident that he never met anyone in the family. Maan would never do that, he will never take out her anger on whole family. Then what had happened. Something more had happened, she felt. Something so big that he never ever showed up after that and he simply disappeared from their life.

Mom always keeps quiet when she asks her. Should she again ask Mom, one last time?

Geet checked her packing once again. Her nervousness was at its peak. She went to her parent’s room. Saw her Dad in the wheel chair. She went and hugged him. Mohinder wanted to hug her back, place his hand on her head, but alas, he could do none. She looked into his eyes

“I am going to him Dad.” Mohinder tried hard to make his muscles work to bring small smile on his lips and tears automatically fell down his cheeks.

Ranoo came from behind and placed her hand on Geet’s head Geet got up and hugged her Mom

“Mumma I am so nervous. Those last look of his eyes, I shiver with those.”

“Beta, you love him right? Hold on to that.”

“Mumma, I want to know one thing, this time please let me know. Why did he leave forever like that”

Ranoo looked at Mohinder, he signaled her to tell the truth to Geet. They have to gather courage to accept their fault.

She took deep sigh – “Beta he didn’t leave us like this on his own will”

“What?” “Yes. We went to his hostel after that party day along with those Malhotras. Beta they actually force us to convey him that he should keep away from our family and never look back”

“What? How could you guys Mom. He was my life, you both knew that very well. Still”

“Beta, you know the condition we were in that time. With your relation set with Rohan and that charges on Maan, we had to bow down to their request.”

“Mom, those charges on him were fake, that Rohan framed him. He used me as device in that”

“Geet, puttar we knew Maan could never do anything like that. He had been Day and Night with you, but what could we have done”

“No Mumma, how could you guys, how could you” Geet felt chocked. Her own parents took away her life from her.

“Puttar” Ranoo tried to calm her

“No Mumma. You knew he was my life, you took him away from me.” Geet ran away.

Later Ranoo went to her room and calmed her down

Geet hugged Ranoo tight “How will I even face him?”

Khurana Mansion – London

A petite tall girl, pinkish fair sharp feature face, in her single piece flower printed dress, above her knee was with binocular and looking in one direction from her balcony.

“What is this Annie. Your Bhai will not reach faster by your continuously looking through binoculars”

“Dadima, don’t disturb. I have so much to talk to Bhai. I simply can’t miss his entry in style and run to reach him first”

Dadima kissed her head from back, shook her head and left. Both brother sister simply loved pampering each other. As if still catching up on missed year of family. Just three of them in family, and they simply pampered each other for bringing full family vibe they had missed.

Suddenly Savitri Devi heard Annie’s excided shout “BHAIIIII” and she ran out. Maan saw his sister standing in huge elegant patio. He got down of car and asked the driver to park it and walked towards his sister. Big smile on his face – Ohh his family, his world.

Annie could not stop and ran towards him and hugged him – “Welcome Bhai”

“Hmmm welcome to Bhai. Here, your Bhai was supposed to stay here and be there for your welcome”

“I know your work Bhai. And you fixed the perfect person for my welcome. Mr. Aditya Singh. He made sure the welcome was so awesome. Felt special in all ways”

“Don’t give credit for his effort and arrangements to me. Happy you liked it but I missed it.”

Then Maan was inside. Hugged Dadima and set off to freshen up. Annie and Dadima got busy arranging lavish lunch in his honor.

Maan came down in casual, loose white T-Shirt, slight hoodie and broad open front and track. Always stylish, now the affluence just added to it effortlessly.

He came down to see Annie and Dadima busy arranging the dining table. Ohh… this was his family, doing things for him.

“Thanks to wonderful girls of my life. Can we all now settle down and have lunch in peace.” He announced to gain their attention

All settled down and as they were having lunch, Annie was busy telling him all the stories. Maan never got tired of her sweet stories. Kept listening patiently absorbing the feeling of family. It was his, his own family. Same was the case with Annie. She had her own Bhai, her guardian. Who pampered her, made her feel special in all ways. Protected her like strong fort. With his love and care, that he has showered on her since last eight years, she has almost forgot the tough childhood she had spent in that hostel till 10th grade.

“Annie abb bas beta. Your Bhai has just come from hectic tour.”

“No Dadima. Carry on Annie. Dadima her stories are much relaxing than those meditational music.”

“Bhai you are so sweet in home, in office I have heard, they call you – The Terror”

“You will get the same boss in office Annie. Not Bhai there” Annie pouted

“That doesn’t melt MSK – The Terror” he smiled on his own name, given to him by his employees. They never said on his face but he knew it. Pari – the informer.

“OK Boss”

“Maan Sir… you be in sync with other peers in addressing me in office”

“Ok Sir” “Better. And you are reporting me exactly at 11:00 am on Monday. Clear?”

Later they drifted to their own rooms for their work.

Two days later, Whole family came to see-off Geet at airport.

Geet looked at Veerji and Di “I will all make effort to keep him happy. Anyways he wants. Trust your sister, she is strong and she really loves your friend. I just can’t go with this distrust in your eyes”

Meera placed her hand on her head “We don’t know what will be his reaction Geet. Just make sure to not hurt him this time. Rest is all between we two.”

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