Enchanted – At Your Doorstep

It is truly said, the inner storm is more scary and painful to handle than the outside storm. We know how to handle the storm outside, by closing the doors or planting the security, and having borders. All these methods do not work when the storms that come are from within.

As of now the Royals were facing the inner storm and thus none of these methods would work. The storm was within Dadima’s heart, she has openly blamed Geet and mercilessly punished her for the deed her grandsons did. Now can she bring the same hatred to them that she brought with Geet. No never.  How easy it was for her to throw Geet far from her but now Maan and Vicky, who were her real culprit, were continuously with her and she could not bear a moment of Maan away from her sight. She was upset with him, immensely, and was not talking to him, still the thought of the result of his risk, made her want to have him by her side all the time. By all this complete partiality in behavior, she was Geet’s culprit. She looked at Maan and Vicky, they were Geet’s culprit as well. This whole Royal clan, who were so proud of themself, were all the culprit of that girl whom she demeaned saying – a commoner. 

Vicky had his own storm. The guilt of allowing his brother to take the risk. He was blind follower of his brother, thus he had to bow down to the wish of his brother. But that made him the culprit of his Dadima, his brother, to let him take such a life threatening step and above all Geet’s. How could he meet her eyes and claim 

“You relax, Bhai is my responsibility.” The suffocation of guilt has covered him and he was mechanically doing everything.

Maan was fighting with his own storm within him with added responsibility to bring out others from their inner conflicts. He had been continuously with Dadima. 

Regarding Geet, though he could not gather guts to face her, he tried to visit his rooms intermittently. None of the time she was there. How deeply she has been hurt that she does not want to be in that room. He on the other side, wanted to take her in his embrace and console her and assure her that he was there for her. But how could he face her now? He has insulted her love for him. The deep selfless love that she holds for him, he ignored it when making the plan. No, he very well knew this will hurt her if she comes to know, still he went ahead with it. Her anger or say her hurt was genuine and very deep. 

But Maan wanted his chirpy wife back. He knew it was a very tough task, even more tough than handling huge projects or complicated office issues. This was his wife, whom he loves immensely and who loves him like mad. She is hurt and feeling emotionally  unsafe and built up a wall around her. He has to work hard and sooner before that wall makes its foundation deep and strong. Her moving out of the room was a big indication, he knew.

Geet has closed herself in the room. Her food was delivered to her room on time. Geet was in no state to meet anyone and thus kept her routine normal. If she stops eating, Maan will break this boundary and at this time she does not have in her to face him. She loved him to the level of worshiping him and he had ignored the depth of her love and risked his life. It was the biggest betrayal for her. He was her world, she has centered the meaning of her existence to him then how could he think of even going that route. She was broken beyond her own understanding and thus went mute.

It was afternoon and Geet thought of checking on Dadima. Dadima may not need her, but her sickness had also moved Geet. She had no idea if she was welcomed or if she herself was in condition to talk to Dadima, but she for once wanted to check on her health from her own eyes.

Geet stood at the door when Maan, Dadima and Vicky’s eyes went on her. Maan got up to let her in when his cell buzzed

“Yes”

“Hmmm..” saying so he moved towards Geet. Geet hesitated and moved back. Maan’s heart pained. His dear wife, who can never deny his approach or say welcomed wholeheartedly his approaches has today backed on his approach. This was his biggest punishment

He forwarded his phone to her “Your phone is switched off. Your Principal is trying to reach you”

She took the phone and went out of the room to talk to the principal and was back after ten minutes.

Maan was waiting for her outside in the broad lobby. Handling him the phone

“Can I join the college from Monday?”

“You don’t have to ask Geet. I will get the arrangements done for you to leave on Sunday. Main thorda Dadima…”

“You don’t need to worry about the arrangement. I will get it done.” She turned to leave

“Geet… “ She stopped and he turned her to him by his hand on her shoulder 

“baat toh ker lo na… aise tum.” There was pain in his voice. Seeing her this aloof was getting unbearable for him “Tum jaanti hoo tumhen aise nahi dekh sakta main..” There was utter softness and urge in the way he spoke

“nahi…shayad main kuch nahi jaanti. I don’t understand this palatial royal world of yours. I think I am a misfit here. Dadima was right actually”

“Noo Geet. Just talk to me… ek baar”

“I will leave on Sunday then” 

“Security will be there.”

“Why? What’s the need?” Maan closed his eyes knowing where it was going

“It will be there. Rest you leave as per your arrangement”

She turned and left and Maan kept looking at her retreating figure. What has he done to such a pure lovely soul? His soul… she is his soul.

Saturday, Geet was busy packing when Maan knocked the door. Geet closed the suitcase and stood to look at him. Geet averted her eyes from his, which were bored to her. Maan came closer and when Geet took a step back he stopped her with his hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes and turned her face.

“I love you, I love you so much Geet” he said, his voice deep and shaky. Geet turned to look at his face, right into his eyes

“What happened today that you needed to say this explicitly?”

“Tum naraz ho”

“Toh… mere ehsaas  kam ho gaye? aapko bolna pada aaj”

Not able to take this coldness from her, he cupped her face “Let me explain to you. Please give me one chance. You are so important to me, shayad sabse jyada”

“Mere liye Sayad ke gunjaish hee nahi hai… I clearly know who is above all for me” 

“Geet” he pulled her in his embrace but she stiffened and not to disobey her wish he got her out of his embrace slowly removing his hands.

On Sunday morning, after his Gym and jog,  Maan got ready and went to the palace temple to start the prayer. Surprisingly he did not find Geet there. He wondered where she was. It was Sunday, her day to leave. When will she leave? He had thought of talking to her after prayer but she was not there. Maan continued his prayer. After his prayer he checked and found that Geet left at morning hour of 4am.

The reality hit Maan, she is shrinking to her shell and he cannot let it happen.

Maan got information later in the day that Geet directly went to her parents house.  This definitely showed the depth of her broken heart but he somewhere felt relieved as her staying alone in the Mansion would have sent her more into loneliness. At least, staying with her family will keep her mind busy. Also he can talk to family and look after her from afar. At this moment, she needed space from him and he respected her wish and will let her settle for a few days. Though he could not leave her this sad for long.

There was super excitement at Handas. They were busy welcoming and pampering their Jalli turned queen daughter.

First she was bombarded with Raja Saheb’s health, Dadima’s health and then showering their love to her. Geet kept her calm all the while as she spoke to them. 

“Your Dadima was upset so we did not go to visit. But is she all well now?”

“Yes Papaji. She is better now. Raja Sahib and Vicky are looking at her”

Her heart wanted to hug her mother tight and cry her heart out. She knew that would lighten eighty percent of bottled pain but she could not do that. She can never send a negative image for her Raja Saheb.

At last Geet wanted to escape “Mumma, Can I take some rest?”

“Go dear. You are Okay, right?”

“Yes Mumma, bit tired with so much happening” Rano pulled her and hugged her tight. She did not know about her sadness with Raja Saheb but she could feel something off with her. Her coming here directly from Kalsia already set an alarm on Rano and Mohinder. But they felt it was best to not bring it out. 

Geet went to rest in her room. Not resting, basically closing herself in the room.

Rano was in kitchen when her cell buzzed with Raja Saheb’s number.She picked it up in just two ring, leaving whatever she was doing aside

“Yes Raja Saheb. How is everything”

“Mumma, please call me Maan beta. Mujhe bhi to haq hai maa ke pyar ka”

Rano always hesitated to call him anything other than Damadji or Raja Saheb. He had such a grand status and thus the hesitation came. Also, Dadima clearly showed them their status when he was in hospital. But then his request was always the same, she could understand, in all glamor of power, affluence, popularity and status, his personal heart must be craving  for mother’s love and a mother to whom he can share his heart as well.

“Achcha, Maan beta. I am there for you as a mother”

“Thank-you so much. Now that I am your son, you have to help me”

“I am always there for you, anyway you need. First tell me how are you feeling now?”

“I am completely fine now. Do you think my wife will leave Kalsia before ensuring that I am all good.”

“And Savitri Devi ji”

“She is getting better. I will be with her for a week and then will come to Delhi”

“Mumma, I have a request for you” “Hmm hmm”

“With all that has happened with me, it has disturbed Geetanjali a lot and also hurt her. And related to it, she is upset with me as well for my working style. You know, for her my safety is most important and I somehow let my safety come into question, her being upset with me and being highly disturbed is so correct” He told the truth in a roundabout way. Not giving much detail as that would disturb them as well

“Ohhh… I could see she is disturbed. Nice you told me”

“I just want to request you to keep her happy and pampered and do not be upset with her for any of her behavior. I am her culprit and I will work on winning her trust”

“Don’t worry.. I have people here to keep her madly busy. But I know if she is upset with you it means she is angry with herself too.” She conveyed her observation on her daughter’s love for Raja Saheb.

Principal had sternly warned her classmates not to discuss the incident with her. Geet invested herself in college work. At home Brij kept her busy with sibling fights and teasing.

The other day Brij and Mohinder took her to show their business growth. How Maan has guided them in the growth of their business. Then the other day, Rano took her for a whole day shopping spree after her college hours.

A week passed and it was Sunday morning. Geet’s eyes opened and when she got out of her room, a wonderful food aroma hit her nostrils.

Rano had laid the table with her kids favorites

“Not fair, your mother only cares for her kids’ preferences,” complained Mohinder. Geet’s heart smiled seeing the usual middle class cozy family vibe. Ohh this is the place that she belongs to, the place where her father will never think of risking his life because he knows how his wife and kids need him. 

Then Brij while having breakfast switched on the television where the award ceremony for the soldiers were being telecasted.

The awards were being handed over to families of soldiers who have sacrificed their life for the country. Everyone is family sang praises of soldiers and their bravery

“The best thing is they didn’t hide from their family that they were going to war. They trusted their family to let them know. Their family was equally important to them along with their duty” Came from Geet and Raja Saheb, who had just entered and was standing quietly behind her, heard her pain loud and clear.

Geet was focusing on her breakfast when she felt a strong palms on her shoulders. Geet closed her eyes knowing who it was. Her heart beating fast with his closeness after so long. How confused  she was at the moment? She had run far away from him but again, was this easy for her. No. It has been the toughest part for her, not less than the punishment Dadima had made her go through. Her heart wanted to jump and hug him, complain to him, get pampered by him but her pain stopped her. Will he really know her pain if he did not give that importance to her love? Her acts were childish for him and same he will think of her anger. He will pamper her, but maybe only as someone explains the child.

Not wanting to show her disrespect to him in front of all or for matter of fact even in private, she got up and offered him the chair.

Whole day Maan spent with family and Geet had no option but to sit. 

“Raja Saheb is here, so our whole family being together, let’s do a family movie day” Brij offered

“Veer ji” Geet pulled Brij

“Raja saheb, doesn’t watch movies like us. He has big responsibilities in his plate” Maan heard it 

“Great idea Brij. Let’s have a family movie time.”

“Okay… you all enjoy it. I will leave for the kitchen”  got up Rano for her kitchen duties.

“No Mumma, let us all enjoy together”

“No, I will enjoy making food for my Damad ji”

Brij Geared up to select the movie “I have an even better idea” Maan gained everyone’s attention

“I mean, so much happened. I wanted to have a good break with my family. Let’s watch movie today and then go for a family picnic for a week”

Geet looked at him with wide eyes. The person who is this busy and who keeps roaming around the country for important decisions, does he even have an idea of family time?

Maan looked at Rano and signaled her for her nod

“I think this is a great idea. First time we are getting time to spend with our Raja Saheb as a family. Aur mujhe bhi kitchen se fursat milegi.”

“Wow… Mumma.” exclaimed Brij

“Papaji” Maan looked at Mohinder. 

“Can I say no to my Damadji and my dear daughter’s Raja Saheb” Said Mohinder humbly

“No. I am not ready for another attack” Geet declared. Her fear and pain was clear.

Maan went to her and held her shoulder “Bol do bharosa nahi mujhper” Maan asked softly. Other members left the place to give them the needed privacy

“Aapkee Badi badi jimedariyan hain… unhe nibhani hogee aapko”

“Usse hee nibha raha hoon. There is nothing above you.” She turned her face not wanting to hear his words which would melt her. She was fully aware of his power over her and she won’t let him get there and then break her again.

Geet removed his hands from her and moved away but soon her wrist was held by him and she was pulled to him. Geet landed on his hard chest. The moment stilled

Ohh why was she so weak in front of him. Her heart was angry with her for being angry with him. It wanted to snuggle to him and safeguard him but she knew that this heart of hers was only a childish game for him. 

“Koi dekh lega… jane dijiye” she said in low voice

“No ones around” he confirmed in a low voice. She did not say anything 

“Geet, trust me I made sure of my safety and utmost safety, just because of you”

She ignored his words “It’s Okay. You have royal duties, you know things better. Mera kya hai…”

“Tumhara kya hai? Sab tumse hai, samjhi tum” he pulled her closer. Geet felt her tears will drop anytime and she did not want him to wipe her tears, once again raising her expectation from this relationship.

“Let me go, please” her voice cracked and Maan let her go. He could feel her struggle within her, between her anger and her want to be in his embrace. He let her go. No, at present he has no right to force his wish on her. He will work any length to convince her, win her again

Later they spent the family time watching family movies. It was for the first time Maan was experiencing this middle class way of enjoying life. They laughed at silly comedies and acts. The whole experience of coziness of watching a movie in a small living area, snuggled in a sofa close to each other, was something Maan knew he craved for and it was like a dream for his sophisticated high profile life.

Geet has come into his life and elegantly mingled and adapted his lifestyle fully. Once she has accepted her love for him, she has gone beyond any limit to settle in his lifestyle. But the last blow was beyond her limit. His life – in danger… that is something she cannot adjust to.

It was not that only Geet had been married to a Royal, it was even Maan who had been married to a commoner. Now it was Maan’s turn to know her lifestyle and be there to fully lead a life that is natural to her. Not like a guest but like a family member. The charisma and the charm that his innocent wife brings, he wanted to know the life which gave him such a wonderful wife.