Partner of Life – Chapter 15

Maan wiped her tears “You are such a gem Geet. No one can afford to lose you. Only fools can. And I know Megha is not that fool or else how can she be this close to your heart”

Geet smiled. The way he gave her confidence and made her feel so special.

***********

Maan made a few calls as he left Geet to explore the farm house. Compared to the big land that it covered, the house itself was good enough and consisted of four rooms in total. It was two floor house, ground level held open kitchen, separate dining area but small breakfast dining area along with Kitchen and perpendicular to all this was a big Living area hall with two long comfortable sectional sofas, a big projector covering the wall opposite the seating and from small alley lead a bedroom set with full bathroom and walk-in dressing area.

Circular stairs led to the first floor which had three good size rooms with big glass French windows.. There was a full bathroom in common for all the rooms and an extended small sitting area for coffee or reading. It had a window which led the view to the long running land of the farmhouse.

The feeling of freshness brough relaxing smile on her face. After a divorce, being around Maan was a best cure, as being around him only led her thoughts to him or the things connected to him. Just like this farmhouse which felt so much like a home to be and relax. From the window she saw the vast running of the farmland. She could only vaguely see the boundary. There were horse stables as well and Maan was there with them patting them and feeding them. She could not get a close look of him but how well his strong physique matched with the strong well built horses.

She came down as she saw Aakash’s car closing in. As she reached down, Megha, Aakash and Rimmi stepped down. Megha and Geet shared a big hug.

“Are you Ok?” asked Aaksah

“Yeah. I am busy admiring this wonderful place. We will explore together, it’s huge.”

“Nice you came here and decided to spend time with friends”

“I didn’t get a chance to decide. Maan just brought me here”

“Maan?”Familiarity” Megha raised her eyebrows.

“Aakash please ask her to shut up” she then saw Maan approaching them with a smile. He again side hugged Geet without any hesitation. Geet hugged him as well but her eyes went on observing eyes of excited Megha.

Maan forwarded his hand to Aakash “Hi” “Hi”.

“Hey meet me” Megha forwarded her hand.

“Hearing so much of you from Geet, I feel I know you already,” Maan said, forwarding his hand to Megha, who went forward to hug him. Maan was taken aback but he hugged her

“Wife, at least be sane when your husband is here.” Maan laughed and Aakash said “And she claims she is the most loving wife. Do you want me to believe”

“I bet you believe her words.” Aakash smiled and shook his head and then looked around

“Magnificent and beautiful place.”

“Thanks”  “No, thanks for inviting us. It is not in everyone’s luck to be invited by Maan Singh Khurana, himself. It’s beyond my dream” Maan laughed and shook his head.

“Geet this time needed to be with her friends. I alone would have bored her”

Akash and Megha were surprised by this side of Maan. He was so grounded. People cribbed that he was picky in giving appointments.But they now realize, it was not his show of importance but because he really was always busy. 

Megha’s eyes then went on Geet, who has her soft look continuously on Maan.

And then a jeep entered the premises.  “Okay, you guys roam around and settle in. Feel completely at home.” and he left towards the jeep. 

Maan got busy, getting stuff settled with the help of his men, while Megha pulled Aakash bit far away and Rimmi in her arms.

They stood far in pretext of seeing farms but their eyes were on Geet. The way she was lost in Maan. 

He was setting up the big grill for the barbeque. Local man and his wife got out the marinated chicken and veggies and some raw veggies for marination. As the fire in the grill brought the heat, Maan removed his blazer and opened the buttons of his shirt to beat the heat and let the air cool him.

But the effect that his act had on Geet, she gulped her saliva as Maan turned and the air breeze made his shirt flow and expose his well chiseled torso. Unaware, she rubbed her neck. She was having so many feelings, her hands itched to feel his front. She controlled by rubbing her own neck. Never ever had she had such a feeling that Maan’s presence evoked her. Such a good friend, how can she think that way? But was it at all in her control? No, she knew by now. But she had to keep all these stupid butterflies running in her belly, when around him, in control. In this avatar and evoking such a feeling, was it even possible for her to think even once about the divorce paper she signed for her name sake relation with Dev.

Megha and Akash could clearly see the new Geet that they have never ever seen. Ohh.. it was so clear, she was in love, very much in love with Maan Singh Khurana

“She deserves him, don’t you agree Aakash”

“She does deserve someone like him. But this man is beyond our circle Megha”

“Yes, but can you imagine, him not only coming as her witness but making sure she is fine after that. He invited us for her. Do you think she doesn’t mean anything to him”

Rimmi was playing and would have stumbled when Maan immediately reached and picked her up.  Megha and Aaksah ran to him. They had been lost in observing Maan And Geet and Rimmi had just slipped, getting bored.

“Ohh, Thanks” Megha said, taking Rimmi from him. “She generally cries in new arms” Geet reached there by running.

“Ohh, I am a Dad to a six year old. Even when she was little, my daughter used to stop crying the moment she came into my arms.”

“Girls like being in your arms” Commented Megha and then looked at Geet. Aakash gave her a warning look, to be in control. Maan simply laughed, not getting where she actually was hinting at.

Geet decided to not look at Maan or be around him as she was getting all types of forbidden thoughts. She went around to see the horse stable. Megha took Rimmi to get a round around the farm and Aakash offered his helping hand to Maan.

But Megha and Aakash secretly kept their observation on Geet and Maan.

Akash observed how Maan would once in a while look at Geet and a smile would form on his handsome face.

Megha saw Geet looking at the farm, but she would keep stealing glances at Maan and she closed her eyes a few times after looking at Maan. As if trying to absorb him within her.

First round of the grill was ready. “Let’s call the girls,” said Maan, taking the piece of grilled chicken breast with barbeque sauce and some onion with lemon.

Akash got some ideas. “I will take a plate for Megha and my kid. I will send Geet here” 

“No worries, I will take a plate for her. She is enjoying the evening with greenery. This mess of food around will spoil her scenic feel” Maan laughed

Akash simply nodded knowing very well, this type of care was much more than just friendship. It was something deep.

Geet was lost in the sunset and the patterns that it made with different colors of shade. She was following the cloud as it met the horizon when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Maan with a tray, having a plate filled with various grilled items and some sauce with two coke cans. 

“You should have called me. You are making me feel bad”

“Come on Enjoy. Don’t be formal. You deserve all this.” He handed her a Coke can and raised it to her “To the beginning of your new wonderful life”

She gave a small laugh “Wonderful?”

“Why? You doubt my capability? Will I let it be any less than wonderful”

“You being around, I forget everything Maan” she simply said in flow but it touched his heart. It meant a lot to him but he will never let her know.

“And above me, you should trust yourself. Try to live positively and work hard for a wonderful life.”

They shared the same plate. Both realized but both ignored. The feeling was all together different.

“Wow, you are such a good cook” Maan laughed on her compliment

“Oooo.. I just grilled it. It was marinated by the caretaker’s wife. She gives a unique local flavor to food.”

“But it has to be grilled properly. They are crunchy as well as juicy. I bet, I would have burnt from top and it would have been uncooked from inside.” Maan laughed and shook his head.

Two pairs of eyes were having their own fun, enjoying the love birds with yummy food.

“Akash, this has to work. They look so wonderful together. I have never seen Geet blend in this way with Bhai. Don’t they look as if infused with each other”

“Now forget taking Geet’s name with Bhai. They are separate now. Let’s not compare. See them with fresh eyes. And yes, I think you are right”

“Then how can they not realize”

“Maybe, both have it separately but they are keeping it to themself.” said Akash

“Let’s see how it goes. Nice she is coming to Mumbai, we will be there to help her out in this.”

Something popped in Megha’s mind “Is Maan Khurana not based in Mumbai too. Ohh Yes, he roams around but is based in Mumbai and his family is there.”

“You are right and Geet is moving to Mumbai. I am doubting, he advised her” Akash said getting ideas

“And our Geet readily accepted,” added Megha.

“Maan, can you really ride horses”

“What do you think I have them for, show?” Geet pouted and Maan laughed

“I love to ride them. They are my partners in Polo. You should come to my game and watch me winning the trophy”

“You play national level” her eyes popped out

“No, we play with clubs.”

“Ohh, that’s a level up rich people high society thing. And you belong to top of that list”

He laughed, “Geet, stop it. Don’t start making me feel alien from your world”

She shrugged her shoulders “It’s a fact” “Geet!!” he warned and they both laughed.

Later Maan and Geet joined Megha and Akash. Geet picked Rimmi in her arms.

“So guys, how was the food?” 

“Awesome. Having food prepared by Maan Khurana himself, it’s a lifetime opportunity”answered Megha

“Not you too.” He looked at Geet “She doesn’t leave a chance to make me feel from an alien world” Geet laughed out openly and Maan’s eyes got stuck in her beautiful free laugh and Megha and Akash followed Maan’s eyes.

Maan immediately averted his eyes when Geet turned to him.

“Come on, lets have some more and celebrate Geet’s new journey”

They took some more on their plates. 

“Geet where’s your plate” Akash intentionally pocked to see their reaction.Geet got confused as to what to answer. Maan saw Geet’s awkwardness

“Ohh, she had it with me. We were busy discussing horses and didn’t even realize when the plate emptied” Maan efficiently handled

“Yeah, it’s just grilled items” Megha covered.

To make it not very obvious, Maan continued with forwarding his plate to Geet. He didn’t want to make a big deal by giving her a new plate. Megha and Akash too diverted the topic to discuss the grandeur of the Farmhouse and let the two enjoy their moments. 

They all cheered with a beer bottle. They just took one bottle in the name of celebration.

They then settled in the room for a movie night. There were two sectional sofas. As Geet went inside, Megha Akash and Rimmi settled in one sofa. So when Geet returned, she had room only to have on the sofa where Maan was seated. 

Geet had no problem sitting beside Maan, they had enjoyed watching TV beside each other in Paris but with Megha’s teasing smile she felt a bit uncomfortable. But she could not offend Maan and let him alone. She quietly went and settled beside Maan.

“Come” Maan patted beside him. Geet smiled and settled beside him. The Lights dimmed and the movie started. It was a nice romcom and Megha got lost in laughing.

“Are you comfortable?” Maan asked Geet after a while in low voice

“Of course” 

“Then come” He brought her to sit in his side embrace 

“Enjoy Geet. Be yourself. Don’t change what we share with friends around. They are your true friends right?”

“Yes.”

“Then? With true friends, be your natural self. If you have to change your ways then they are not true friends”

His words relaxed Geet and she enjoyed the movie in his side embrace. By the time the movie ended, Geet was in deep sleep in Maan’s arm. After Divorce, getting the soothing side of Maan and his words had relaxed Geet and thus a relaxing sleep took over her without her knowledge.

They switched on the light and found two people asleep. Rimmi of course in Megha’s lap and Geet on Maan’s shoulder.

Megha and Akash noticed but did not say a word. They obviously were not here to make things odd for Maan and Geet. 

Maan looked at Geet, thinking how to wake her up

“Don’t worry, Mr. khurana. I will wake up Geet” offered Megha

“Mr. Khurana, really. You are Geet’s best friend, we are friends. Call me Maan”

“Okay, I will slowly get used to it . I will wake up Geet” She offered.

“No, don’t wake her up. She needs this one long deep sleep to restart her new life. I will carry her to her room. You people settle to the room in the left”

Megha nodded and acted to be busy in Rimmi. But her heart smiled as she saw how carefully Maan picked Geet in his arms to take her to the room for her.

When he left “Akash, we need to unite them”

“They already are Megha. It will take them time to accept.”

“I don’t know about Bhai, but for Geet, I can clearly see, she was in the wrong place. This is her right place, in the arms of Maan Khurana.”

Next morning they were having breakfast made by caretaker’s wife when Maan received several calls from his secretary

“Pari, why are you continuously calling me. Did I not tell you I am on personal time off”

“Dreeaammmy” “Pari”

“Sorry Sir. Sir Assistant of Nina Sharma, owner, ‘Forever 4 U has been calling continuously”

“So? Did I not tell you, be it any call do not disturb me.”

“Sir, I have been explaining to them that your calendar is not free but he is pestering me continuously. Nina Sharma knows you are in Delhi and she is requesting for your one appointment,”

“So what is your job?”

“Sir, several times I denied him but he is badly requesting an hour for Nina Sharma with you.”

“Pari, don’t call me for such silly work. See my calendar and give the next available date. This is my personal time off.”

“Sir, your first availability is after two months.”

“So give her the first time slot after two months.Now don’t ever come to me to schedule my meeting. Get that?.”

“Okay Sir” he was about to keep his phone

“Sir when will you come to Mumbai”

“Why? Are you planning to go on date with me” he said in anger, knowing very well Pari is always in her dreamland

“Kashh Sir”

“You are really planning to get out of this job” he warned her “Sorry Sir”

Maan kept the phone and smiled “My assistant.” he shook his head

“She does not hesitate to show her fondness for me” he looked at Geet. Geet gave faint smile and looked at her plate

“Nahi.. woo. She is just crazy. Harmless girl completely” He gave her explanation, didn’t know why he even needed to. But he felt he needed to.

“If you don’t like it, you should not promote such liking at the office” Geet said in a low voice.

For a few minutes Maan did not say a word “You are right, even though she is silly and innocent. I will strictly warn her. Such behavior should not be accepted”

Megha bent to Akash and whispered “Geet is going to rule between them”

“I think he likes her ruling”

Akash left with Megha and Rimmi just after breakfast. He offered to drop Geet as well but Maan said he would drop Geet. Though Geet didn’t say anything, they felt Geet wanted to have some time alone with Maan. Megha and Geet shared a hug and they left.

After their vehicle left the premises, both Maan and Geet kept looking in that direction and then Geet turned to Maan. Maan looked at Geet and smiled. Geet came closer and hugged Maan, surprising him

“Thank-you. Thank-you so much.” Maan hugged her back

“Hey. You don’t need to thank me for anything.”

“How do I not, Maan. At this moment when I would have been stranded all alone lost, because of you being by my side, I know I can take on the world. I am not even afraid of falling down on my face because I know you’re there to hold me.”

Maan tried to separate Geet, to look at her face “Let me be please. I want to feel, you are the reality of my life.”

“Geet, I am there, completely. You were lonely so far, but not anymore.”

He softly separated her , holding her shoulders and laughed at his own thought

“You are trapped actually. I am going to be a very interfering and bugging person and keep checking on you.”

“Is that not how family works? No one bothered till date to be troubling me in life for my well being or my benefit. It was so formal care”

“See, I have got it in my genes from my family to not let family members live in peace.”

“Family…” slipped from her lips in low voice, as if feeling that word

“Yes Geet. Till you choose a partner for your life, my family and I are your family. Be prepared to be troubled and interfered.”

“Why would I even choose a partner who will take away such a wonderful family that I have just found. No Never” Geet thought in her mind