Chapter 47 – Close Escape

“Can I come in Dadima” Savitri Devi  placed bookmark on the book she was reading, closed it and turned to look at her grandson

“You do not need to ask son, come in” Savitri Devi smiled at him. He came and settled beside her. Maan smiled at his grandma. 

“You were about to sleep, did I disturb you?” She caressed his cheek. This was her grandson because of whom they were here, in this lavish life, this respect in society of being one of the most respected, was all due to him. She has left him to handle his childhood on his own but the day he stood on his feet independently, the first thing he had done was picked them from a rugged state and took them both under his wing. He has kept growing and working harder each day and kept increasing their comfort, their status and their name. Still, unlike Annie, who would just run and come to her Dadima without thinking once of knocking, Maan always knocked, took permission and entered her room. 

She knew it was her who was responsible for this formality from her grandson who was otherwise ready to do anything for her. 

All their childhood time she had given to Annie, left Maan on his own. She knew Maan was fighting his own battle at Handa’s but the fact that he was with the family, who were giving him shelter and education, she took it as an excuse to take care of Annie, who had no family like Maan had. Few initial years Maan had made a call to her and wished her to attend grandparents’ days but she could not make it. One, she was busy with Annie but internally she was avoiding going there and facing the situation. He was getting a good education and Nice family. He can pay a little in return. She was old and could not take responsibility for two children.  Later years Maan stopped calling her. Maan, being Maan, did not want to place his grandma in guilt.

But then automatically things had fallen in place when Maan had completely left Handa’s and he grew in his career, took heights with Dadima and Annie. Life has been so perfect. But then Maan’s past had knocked the door. Initially it was just a past and respect for people from the past who have done for Maan.But slowly the reality had hit her, the past was not just past, it was integral part of Maan. She had not been part of his childhood, they were. It was another family of Maan, the childhood memories where there was no formality. Slowly sourness has started taking place in her heart for them. She was looking for a reason to justify her sourness and Geet’s pouring out her guilt has given her that.

She left the thought to ponder on it later

“Dear, how can my grandson ever disturb me? Boliye kya baat hai”

He sighed, “Why I felt you are in some stress Dadima. Wanted to make sure, is all good?”

She caressed his cheek “All good dear. We will start the preparation of your marriage soon”

“Okay Dadima. I will not interfere, you can do the preparations as per your wish. I have a few dreams for Geet regarding our marriage..”

“You don’t need to take my permission dear” 

“I don’t want to hurt you either, Dadima. Waise Geet kitni pasand hai aapko”

She gave a small laugh “Pasand nahi hogi toh kya shadi nahi karenge usse” she said in a small taunt 

“Nahi….” Maan said straight, surprising her “But then won’t marry anyone else either.”

“Okay, tell me any reason why you may not like her. I mean knowing the fact that she is part of me, my heart and soul belongs to her. What would you find in other girl to give her points above Geet for me”

“I know there is no one for you other than Geet.”  “Thanks Dadima, Good night “

“Good Night bete” Both ended the conversation leaving many things to be discussed to be hung in the air. Few things should be left on time to clear on their own. 

Geet was in office, working sincerely on her project. Now that there is an official Go for project All initial planning has taken off with full speed. 

Geet was busy looking into some documents when there was a knock on her door. She looked up and smiled

“Annie, come in” Anwesha took her seat “All set for your meeting with Rohan? Did he agree to meet you?”

“Annie all set. Don’t worry. I will meet him this Saturday and let you know if he is innocent or not”

“Geet, I know you are my friend and now going to be my Babhi. But in this case, I want to see and listen to your conversations” Geet thought for a while

“But if Rohan knows, he will not openly talk to me.”

“We will get the system setup and he will not know. I want to listen his talks directly”

It was Saturday, Dadima, Annie and Maan were seated on the dining table for breakfast. The server started placing the food and fruits bowl

“Where’s Geet?” Maan enquired. Today he has something special to share 

“Bhai, can’t you have one Saturday breakfast without Geet” Annie said teasingly but nervous within. How will Bhai react if he knows Geet has left to meet Rohan for her. But it was not time for nervousness, she had to show him the live streaming of Geet’s and Rohan’s meeting. This was the only way to prove Rohan’s innocence. Geet had no idea that this was Annie’s plan, to show it to Maan or else she would never go with the plan. 

One meeting with Rohan and closing his chapter forever, is all Geet had planned.Maan will not be dragged in this mess and she will be able to convince Annie about Rohan. But Annie had her own plans.

“But why is she not picking my phone” 

“Maan, she must be busy. She is always here, relax dear”

But Maan felt something unusual. Annie looked at her phone and Maan looked at his. Annie typed something on her phone and Maan typed something on his.

“Bhai, relax. She had to go somewhere and didn’t get a chance to tell you. Remember how busy you were yesterday”

“Hmmm…” Maan nodded. They started with breakfast, stress in both their heads, both keeping their face calm.

Maan got a ping, Annie got a ping. Maan frowned, Annie smiled.

Maan immediately typed something on his phone “What’s matter Maan. Relax son”

“Nothing Dadima.” he gave her a smile.

Annie got a ping “Annie, leave your phone and focus on breakfast” Scolded Dadima.

But Annie got up “Bhai, Dadima… come to the theater room. I want to show you both something”

“What?’ they said in unison. But she ran to the theater room and Maan and Savitri devi behind her.

Maan again got a ping and now he was extremely nervous, he typed more instructions on the phone. 

“Bhai, for once leave the tension and phone. Give me your phone and focus on what I am showing you” 

And she snatched his phone and threw aside “What is this Annie?” she switched on the TV and there was Geet in the godown

“What the hell is this?” he looked at Annie shocked

“Why are you looking at Annie in anger Maan, Geet is not a child”

“I know Dadima. These two have planned something and Geet is there, Annie can only answer me?”

“Bhai, I had to do this, just watch. Geet will be safe, I guarantee” She was sure, Rohan will never harm any girl, especially Geet who is going to be her Bhabhi.

And then Rohan appeared. “What?” Maan exclaimed and took his phone from the couch where she had thrown

“Bhai for once have trust”

And then they heard Rohan’s voice “Geet”

“Yes Rohan, I am here. Now tell me what is your intention”

“Ha ha ha.. Once again you lied to your Maan and that too because of me. I definitely has some charm above your Maan that you meet me behind him”

Annie was shocked to hear Rohan’s tone. No, he must be joking. He loves her and he is the sweetest boy ever.

“Why are you after Annie? leave her”

“Do not give yourself too much importance. Annie is Maan Khurana’s sister. She is part of my revenge from that Khurana and she will bring with her his hard earned money to me. That  way he will pay all my business that he has ruined.”

“And you think Maan will let Annie go with you”

“Just one night I have to spend with her, that’s it. And I have just say few sweet words, that fool sister of that cunning Khurana will hand over herself to me”

“Stop it. I can’t even slap you, can’t have my hands dirty. Do you have no fear for life? You know who Maan Khuarana is and what power he has? Are you dreaming of that young Maan. Ohh, why to forget even that Maan had showed you your place every time”

“Ha ha, you left him for me, do you forget”

“You were just a pawn in my game of anger with Maan. It was always between me and Maan. There is no space for anyone between us, you know it very well.”

“Yes, no one can come between you too but in the case of only Maan. You have always let me seep in to make a difference between you too. Today too you came to me hiding from him, hahaha”

“Whatever rubbish you can say, I care less. From today all your game ends”

“I had started this game with his sister but now I can enjoy and tarnish his Jaan”

“Don’t dare. He will burn you alive” she warned 

Annie scared and in horror looked at her brother , who was busy typing on his phone and her Dadima who was looking at her in horror and scared

“Bhai..” he showed his hand to her and placed his phone in ear “Ask them to take position and enter the premise”

Annie turned to TV “Don’t take a step ahead, you idiot” 

She moved back as Rohan moved his hand to grab her shirt and hit a wooden slab, stumbled and another slab from top hit her head and she fainted. 

“Ha ha” Rohan laughed and stretched his hand  to grab her shirt. Annie shouted Bhai and there on TV she saw men with arms entered and grabbed him before he could even touch Geet.

Annie had tears in her eyes. She looked at her Bhai, who took a deep breath. She looked at Dadima who had tears in her eyes, stumbled, and sat on the sofa. 

Couple of hours later:

Maan was racing  in the hospital lobby. Annie was holding Dadima and both were crying at their foolishness, one for forcing Geet in guilt and other for being blind in love, pushing her to the edge.

Nurse came out “Sir she is fine now” Maan took a breath of relief “You can meet her after an hour”

Maan relaxed and sat beside Annie and Dadima. “Sorry Bhai. It’s all my fault”

“She is not a child. Are you over your love now?”  She held her ears “Sorry Bhai. Thanks for locating where she was.

Maan was always aware that Geet can land in danger any time  by the way she was in guilt mode and doing things behind his back. So he had presented her the bracelet with a tracker and his men were always alert. Geet not picking his phone and her being unreachable via phone, altered Maan and he came into action. He could have stopped Rohan at the very start but then he let the conversation proceed for Annie to see the true face of Rohan. 

After an hour “Sir , she is in sense now. You can meet” Maan nodded but stayed seated

“Maan jaiye bete.” Said Dadima knowing very well how his heart must be aching to see her

“Dadima, Annie, you go meet her. I have some important calls to make” They were surprised as he got up and left.

Dadima entered the room with guilt as did Annie. Geet gave a smile and tried to sit but Annie ran to hold

“Keep laying down” and tears fell down her cheeks. She bent down and hugged Geet

“I am so-so sorry. My stubbornness took you so far.” she sat and held Geet hand “You had to go through so much to show me the truth”

Geet pressed her hand “You could see his real face, I am so relieved. We could have never let you go with him knowing his truth.” she looked around

“I am here… I mean, I remember I was trying to save myself from him and then… I don’t remember” She then looked at herself and fear ran down her

“Did he…” Annie placed a finger on her lips and she nodded for ‘no’. 

“He could not even place a finger on you. Can Bhai let it happen?” Geet closed her eyes and tears dropped down to make a single line stream travel through her cheeks. Maan witnessed it all. 

She looked around for Maan “He has some work dear” and Dadima came forward. She had been standing behind not able to face the girl who went so far.

Geet’s heart felt elated hearing such love filled words from Dadima. 

Savitri Devi came forward “It’s all due to me. Aapke bachpane kee itnee badi sazza di humne aapko. How will I face your family and Maan now?”

Geet shook her head for ‘No’ and held her hand “Dadima, you don’t even know this plan”

“No, had I not placed conditions on you, you would have at least discussed with Maan. Aaj kuch ho jata toh..”

 She placed her hand on her heart, not able to imagine what all could have happened had Maan not been observant of their actions and proactive. She would have been a sinner and Geet would have… No, she didn’t want to think about the dreadiest part.

But the mention of Maan scared Geet. His witnessing her going to meet Rohan, her not telling him about it was not as simple as it looked to Anie and Dadima. Rohan was the most triggering part for Maan, and she knew it and still went to meet him, alone and without asking or telling Maan. 

Why was Maan not here? due to work Or….

It had started raining as usual in London. Maan was driving absentmindedly on the roads. Same thing repeating in his mind in a loop. What would have happened had he ignored his instinct of fear due to her acts and behavior recently? What would have happened had he not made her wear that bracelet a couple of days back? What would have happened had she gone to meet Rohan before he came up with the idea of a tracker in a bracelet? Geet was disarmed and fainted in front of that monster. What if he had been able to lay his hand on her?….… 

He, at last, stopped the car around the empty field and ran to the field. Let the rain pour down his fear of and suffocation of what could have happened.

“AAAAAAaaaaaaaaa……” he screamed and slid down on the ground on his knees.

“Why Geet, Why? Why do you always do it?Aaj agar tumhe kuch…. Nahiiiiii” He felt helpless. What could he do to make her understand?

Dr. Arman has taken over to look at Geet and Pari was sitting beside her 

“What is this craziness Geet. Do you know how risky it was? Why are both of you so extreme?

“Where is Maan Pari Ma’am” It has been eight hours of Geet coming to sense and Maan had not shown up once. Her fear of his reaction was increasing now

“He is not reachable.Why do both of you have to take turns in craziness? GOSH” she placed her hand on her head. 

“Pari calm down. She is already worried for him”

“Calm down?” she shook her head “You know Arman, our love, it’s nothing, it is meaningless. Pyaar toh in dono ka hai… ekdum gehra wala. Till you don’t go on suicidal attack, love cannot be proved, right?” she scolded Geet.

“Pari Calm down”

Geet had tears in her eyes “No Pari ma’am. I wanted to convince Annie”

“There were better ways, Geet. You had Maan with you, yet you went on performing that stunt. Don’t you know that, the mention of Rohan triggers Maan, still…”

“Where is Maan, Pari ma’am. Bring him to me once, please…”

Arman came to calm her “Geet we are trying to find him, he is not reachable. Keep calm”

“Get me discharged now” Geet threw her blanket and jumped down the bed. Pari held her hand

“You want to upset him further. He had asked Dadima to make you stay here till the doctor gave the nod.

Pari then got message from Maan “I am on business tour for a week , will be back in the morning of engagement day” 

“Geet, Maan is on a business tour for a week. Now stay calm and get better in a day so we can start your engagement and marriage shopping”

“He didn’t message me…” Geet said in a low voice.

They tried contacting Maan but he was unreachable. It was just one way communication to all. 

He instructed Dadima that he was getting very busy, so if they want marriage so soon, they have to get all the functions from engagement to marriage done at a go and complete the whole process in 3-4 days.

He instructed Annie to start focusing on learning her work under Pari if she really wanted Annie’s creation to flourish. He will not do hand holding for all life. His tone was enough for Annie to know she has to focus on her work only. 

But Geet got no instruction from Maan. Dadima asked him indirectly,  “Yes, I will.” But he never called her. Nor did he ask Dadima to shift her to Mansion. She even hinted but he rubbed off “She is not a child Dadima and independent enough. Marriage will happen in a few days and she will be here with you all.” Only behind the scene he increased the security of her apartment. 

He made proper arrangements for Handa’s to land in London for marriage preparation. 

Precap – Tu Rootha toh main ro dungi sanam – (Not song but feel)