Part 46: Patience

Maan made Annie sit on the chair and himself in front of her on his knees

“Bhai, what are you doing? Please take a seat” He ignored her and held her palms in his “Is my little princess upset with her brother”

“No way Bhai, never. Bhai whatever we have today, this name, this luxury, our family name back in the world, Dadima enjoying her old age, everything we have is due to you Bhai. Dad’s and forefather’s, we have nothing left. You have built everything from scratch and now we are at this position due to your hard work and talent. You are my brother but you are doing things for me not any less than any father would do for his child. How can I ever be upset or angry with you Bhai”

“Crazy, I didn’t come to listen to all this from you. I am just sad that I have become the reason for sadness for my sister.”

“Bhai, I have a question.” “hmm, just say. I am all ears with all patience.”

“If I go to Rohan, will you disown me?”

Maan sighed “How did you fall in love with him so soon?” he said rubbing her palms

“Bas ho gaya, kya karron. You didn’t answer, will you disown me?”

“How can I? I cannot let any trick of anyone take my little sister away from me. I will rather keep trying to show you his true colors”

“But in case you are not able to convince me, then?”

“Then I will have to take care of you more and pamper you more because you will be upset with me for forcefully not letting you go to him” Maan said it simply but sending shivers through Annie. Her Bhai sounded too soft but his determination to not let her go to Rohan was clear.

“If I run away” she poked further. Just trying to figure out how far her chances are?

“You can leave your Bhai for him?”  “I won’t ever but if, in case I go crazy”

He laughed “That ‘if’ will never come. Don’t think of giving it a try, you won’t ever be successful and it may ruin Rohan in the worst way.” He got up, placed a soft kiss on her forehead “Good Night” scaring Annie with his blunt decision.

Maan did not know what was Geet up to taking leave for the day. He has been watching everyone for a few days, letting them quietly do whatever they want but only till he does not lose his patience. He had enough challenge and complexity in his life, he was ready to take no more. But at the outer look of him, Maan was silent and accepted whatever weird wish they came up with. His silence was only encouraging them to do whatever they wished and it was all piling up in him. The day his threshold will break, it will take all by storm.

He was silently observing how Geet’s family suddenly wished to take charge of Mohinder Uncle’s treatment. He did not interfere and backed out, at least that’s how he let them feel. He, in reality, could not risk uncle’s health in their guilt playing games.

He was observing how Geet had not discussed with him about uncle’s treatment. She was contributing most of her salary for the treatment. He did not mind what she was doing but the way she was hiding it from him, pained him. 

He has also observed Dadima’s expression and words when he mentioned about Mohinder’s treatment with Dadima

“They are his kids, let them decide. If they don’t want you to interfere much, you should not”

“I should not? It is my family, and you think I should accept their silly guilt trip games. No Dadima,Do you want to see, uncle’s video, to see his condition”

“No No. My palpitation increases if I see people in that condition?” Her complete detachment from even seeing the photo and video of Geet’s father had shocked Maan but he kept silent as it went into his list of observations.

He has not missed the way Geet these days tried all ways to do things for him and going further for Annie. On weekends, trying a new breakfast, taking turns daily with either his taste, Annie’s taste or Dadima’s taste. When he and Annie had discouraged her, Dadima had supported her.

“This is her family and she wants to take care of her family, why do you both stop her from doing things she wants to do for her family? ”

“It’s my family as well Dadima, I do not go to the kitchen. And why do we have to go? We have a line of people.”

“Annie, do you have to argue about everything?“ She  scolded Annie, making her shut up. Maan, in an observant mood, simply had his breakfast as Geet served on his plate. He found Geet was happy and content. He observed, she smiled at Dadima intermittently, to which Dadima did not return a very warm smile.

Geet’s disappearance from office today also did go in his observation list. He did not interfere, just kept making his mental note.

Maan was directly heading to Khurana Mansion as Dadima had insisted. But as he stepped inside, throwing his car keys to one of the attendants, he was shocked and surprised to see Rano and Brij being welcomed in the main hall and Geet standing behind Rano.

He looked at Geet, who gave him a smile. he could clearly see the guilt in his eyes of not informing him earlier

“What are you doing Geet, to get out of your old guilt you are piling up yourself with others.” He thought in his mind.

Geet was smiling and talking to Rano and Brij, welcoming them but from within her heart was filled with guilt. As Maan approached, Geet ran to take his bag. “I am fine, you go and attend your family”

“Your family?” she said with pain words 

“Why, did I say something wrong”

“Give your bag, I will take it to room”  he looked at the attendant and handed him the bag and moved towards Rano and Brij. Maan touched Rano’s feet and gave a look to Brij and settled

Geet ran to the kitchen to get the snack. 

Maan looked at Rano and Brij, “Dadima, Aunty, I will just be back”

Geet closed her eyes to absorb her pain of giving him pain and took a deep breath when she was harshly pulled by a force and in blink pinned to the kitchen wall behind the door and Maan was boring his eyes deep into hers, his face cold. 

She took a deep breath, finely ignoring the pain caused by his harsh angry hold.

“Do you want something?“ she asked. He looked intently and then slammed his lips on hers, crushed her hand harsher ignoring her pain and forced his lips inside her. Geet, like hungry, opened it for him and for herself, letting him get his frustration out and herself pouring her guilt. Their tongue rolled, saliva mixed, they drank each other and after harshly sucking and biting her lower lip, he left without a word.

She kept looking at his retreating figure “Maan, all I am doing is to undo the pain that I had caused you but why are you not happy. Am I wrong? I know only you can guide me but what to do, I promised Dadima. She doesn’t want me to say anything to you. Why Dadima cannot see, her condition is giving you pain” Geet didn’t know how long she could hold and see Maan in pain.

After half an hour, everyone settled in the hall 

“Maan, we kept this visit of Mrs Handa and Brij as a surprise from you” Said Dadima. Maan smiled

“We have decided that Geet and you will get married soon.”

“But Dadima, I want Brij and Richa to get married first. They have been waiting for Geet to settle down. Now me and Geet are together, we should first plan for their marriage”

“Maan, puttar. Your Dadima is right. She is eldest we all should listen to her”

“Maan, I want to see my two crazy in love people settle first.” added Brij

“Ohh wow.. Bhai and Geet’s marriage. That’s such pleasant surprise”

Maan turned to Geet “Did you not want Brij and Richa to be married first. You told me they have been waiting for longtime. ” Geet looked at everyone and then her eyes met Dadima’s.

“Dadima must have some reason if she is deciding.” Maan got up

“Okay, when everything has been decided then please decide everything further. Tell me the important dates so I can keep them free. or if you all think, I just need to attend my own function, you can as well tell me just the day before” he got up and left.

Geet got up to run after Maan but Brij signaled her to wait and went to talk to Maan

“Maan, yaar. Here we are all excited about your marriage and you just came up here. What’s with you yaar”

“What’s with me? With all the drama going on for the last few days, you are asking me, what’s going on with me. What’s going on with you all? For some reason, I understand Aunty, she has been like guilty since we have met after eight years. Though she does not need to be, not at all. She is always a mother to me and that is the only thing that I yearn to get from her. Haq jatayen mujhpe, yahi to bas chata hoon main. Yesterday, when I was child, I was not capable but now I am capable and want to do as much for my family. Why don’t I have the right Brij to do for my family. What is the use of earning so much money, if my family is in pain. Off all, I least expected this from Meera and You.”

“Maan, It’s nothing like that, yaar. And please don’t be upset with Geet for all this, she loves you like crazy”

Maan came forward and pointed his finger in front of Brij “Don’t even try to give me any advice on Geet. I have not given any rights to that to anyone between Us. She is doing her madness and I know that. I will handle her my way. I will handle her in a day. She is not my worry. My worry is Aunty. I can’t even raise my voice and ask her why she is doing it. Expecting me to stop supporting my family.”

“Okay, we will talk and sort it out Maan. For now, just forget and please happily enjoy your marriage discussion.”

“Now, from where did my marriage talks pop up before yours.” 

“Teri hee Geet ko man kiya apne Maan se jaldi shadi kerne ka”

“Meri hai, isliye usse sabse jyada janta hoon main. You know she wanted your marriage to take place first. And it makes sense, you guys are a decent couple, staying apart till marriage. For us that’s not the case. I am not staying apart from Geet for this society.Ours are insane, we are insane. You guys are keeping patience for society and our marriage will delay yours coming together. Also, I wanted uncle to be fine to witness his little princess’ marriage” 

He paused and frowned “Is my staying with Geet worrying you all?”

“Maan, Geet is yours more than any of us. We have seen you two together since childhood. But your Dadima, it will take her time to absorb the depth you both are absorbed into each other. Give her sometime”

“hmmm….” Maan did not say anything to Brij. But he had things going on in mind. Everyone around has to know that he was not a teenager, he was a full grown man running the whole business empire and knew what he wanted for himself and he knew what he wanted from everyone and for everyone. He was just watching and letting others run the show for their happiness, till it was under control. 

Once things go beyond his acceptance limit, he knows he will take charge and run the whole show and everyone, like it or not, has to accept his way. That was Maan, from childhood. He let people do whatever with him, but that never waivered him to get what he actually wanted. Just once in life, he had succumbed to people’s wish of keeping away and it had cost him huge. That he will not let it happen again.

After all the decisions were made, Engagement to happen in a couple of weeks and marriage in a month.

Geet was with Annie

“I am so-so happy for Bhai and you Geet.”

“I am very happy too. But I wanted Veerji to get married first and then to clear things about Rohan for you. I know, I have been taking so long”

“Rohan had called me once after my birthday But after that, he had neither picked my call nor called me. Maybe he has an idea that Bhai told about him. I want to get things clear. I am not sure why is he not talking though, he always knew I was Maan Khurana’s sister”

“Rohan always had a problem with Maan. he trapped me to show down Maan. He was at first never interested in me. He was interested in me only to snatch Maan’s girl from him. If he knew you are his sister, I am just wondering”

“I know Rohan, he is innocent, in my case at least. You and Bhai have a problem with him, So whatever you have to find out ,do it soon, Geet. Or I can go and meet him on my own and get answers to my question.”

“No Annie, you don’t go. Dadima would not like you to go and meet him. I know how to handle him.”

“He is not any roadside romeo Geet that you have to handle him. He is my love.”

“Ok Annie. I am sorry. I will soon set up a meeting with him. You just don’t tell Maan.”

“Ok” But Annie had another plan. She wanted to show Bhai live that Rohan was innocent.

Rano and Brij were given separate luxury guest rooms. Before Geet or his Dadima could advise that they stay in Geet’s apartment, Maan declared that the rooms were ready and they should settle in the respective rooms. That made Geet stay in the mansion as well.

Maan was in study, when the opening of his room’s door made him turn. Geet entered with smile on her face

“lock the door” he ordered. Geet too wanted to spend some time with him alone so she locked the door behind her.

As she reached his chair, he held her wrist and placed on his head “I need a massage” Geet smiled and stood behind him and moved her soft hand on his stressed forehead taking all his pressure away. 

“stressed?” she asked after a while

“Shhh keep doing it.” he said, his eyes still closed. Geet kept moving her hands on his forehead in rhythm and in between threading his hair with her nails. After he felt better, he again held her hand and brought her in front of him, pulling her down to make her sit on his lap. Geet circled her hand around his neck and placed kiss on his cheeks

“Thanks for not being so mad at me” she said pouting a bit

He smiled “So you know, you are doing things to upset me”

“I am doing things to bring happiness in your life.” she said, holding his face in her palm and rubbing her fingers on his cheeks.

“Which you know is stressing me.”  She again came forward and kissed his both cheeks “Kuch kam hua stress” he smiled and shook his head

“Don’t ever be mad at me” she said as her eyes were filled with the the pool of love for him

“Being mad at you will be my loss.What do I do with this crazy brain” he pushed her forehead with his finger, indicating her madness

”I know till something is stuck in this crazy brain you are not going to stop.”

“I am confused” she confessed “Am I hurting you? I am trying to do things right” he shied and then cupped her face “For once, tell me Jaan. I will not stop you from whatever you want to do, trust me. But don’t hide things from me” 

Geet laid her face on his chest “Can’t say” and he felt her tears on his shirt. Hiding from Maan was taking a toll on her and Maan knew that. He actually knew her more than anyone, even herself.

He caressed her head “Shhh, don’t cry. Do till you can bear. Whenever it’s unbearable, you should know that I am always there by your side.. hmmmm” he paused and completed “Forever” and dropped a kiss on her head.

Geet left after they shared a deep kiss once again to pour out all turmoil inside their heart and brain.

Maan looked at the clock, it was 9:30 pm. He thought for a while and then got out of his room thinking

“Dadima must be awake”