Enchanted – Charmer’s Charm

She wanted so badly to believe his words

“All lie”

“In this picnic, give me the chance”

“If I say no, anyways you won’t listen” She indirectly allowed. By then the hot noodles and two cups of tea arrived. 

***********

They settled in a beautiful four bedroom cottage, with a traditionally decorated kitchen and sitting area.

It had a big private ground around it and the resort was at the periphery of the Golf course.

The lady came in with the food materials that Rano had ordered and prepared the tea and breakfast. Geet herself brewed coffee for Maan.

After, warm liquid and breakfast, Maan took Brij with him in his SUV, while Geet loosened up and went behind to check the golf course landscaping.

Rano came from behind “Beautiful, right? Such a relaxing trip. Maan has taken care of minute details.”

“Hmmm…it’s beautiful” Geet said, still lost in her thoughts

“Geet dear, whatever has caused you pain, don’t you think Maan has realized your pain and is working hard to please you. Don’t make him work too hard.”

“Mumma, do you think I like him doing all this? I am happy doing things for him, to keep him happy. Why is he troubling himself by adjusting to our middle class life? He is not used to this life. His room in Kalsia or in KM is more grand than our whole house. There, the huge king size bed looks to be just a small piece in his bedroom and here, we have just a few feets on either side of the bed and those places are stuffed with side tables and Tv stand etc… Don’t you think it must be uncomfortable for him? Do you think I like him taking all this discomfort? How can I be happy when he is giving himself hardship for no reason?

“For no reason? Is that so? Don’t you know the reason he is here? And I guess you know him well.. He is deep enough to not be uncomfortable with such materialistic things. Or have you not understood your husband yet?”

That triggers Geet “You are actually right Mom, I have not been able to understand him. All the while I thought, like me our relationship is the most important thing for him but I was wrong, he has bigger things in life to handle, his responsibilities are much bigger than just one crazy relationship”

“Yes, it is not important to him, that is why he has left all his important work on the backfoot and taken it as his priority to convince you. Is this what you want? You will be happy if he leaves everything and roams around you?”

Mohinder came from behind “Rano, why are you scolding my daughter”

“You too, don’t spoil her. Damadji is already taking too much of her attitude?”

“Don’t forget Rano, our Geet loves Damadji as well and when he is repeatedly telling us that it was his fault and he doesn’t want us to interfere”

“So our duty is to just sit and watch him roam around pleasing her. Geet is hurt, I understand but is it not enough that he has realized his mistake. Geet, talk and sort out and listen to his view. You are making us guilt ridden to sit idle and watch him continuously please you. Geet, he is Raja Saheb. Don’t you have an idea of his responsibilities… But it’s on you, you can pamper your anger ”

Geet had tears in her eyes “Mumma… I am aware of his responsibilities. Do you think I am so selfish that I want him to leave all his work and spend time with me.. Mumma,  that is why I am not liking him leaving everything and staying here  but… ” she turned her face away

Rano cupped her face and turned her towards her “Phir aisee kya baat hai beta”

Geet didn’t want to tell but now the pain inside was suffocating her  “I can take anything Mom…. even the distance but his life….” tears rolled down her cheeks “How can i forget he risked his life… mere bare me ek baar bhi nahi socha unhone”

Rano had tears in her eyes now

Mohinder this time took a step ahead and held her shoulders “Beta, your fear and anger on this is not wrong. As we cannot yet forget the time when he was admitted to the ICU. But that does not mean he disrespects your relationship or thinks less of it or loves you any less. He respects and that is why he had extreme security in place and he was confident that he is way smarter than those people. 

Saying so, it doesn’t mean he did right, if he knowingly risked his life for any mission. But bete, galti toh insaan se hoti hain na and he has realized his mistake. He is repenting his mistake.”

Geet nodded 

“Bete, the reason your Mom is disturbed is we don’t feel comfortable Raja Saheb trying so hard to please you…”

They later took a stroll around. Geet was lost in her thoughts. Is she being selfish? In her own fear and protecting her own heart, she is making her Raja Saheb roam around pleasing her and that in return is making her parents feel guilty. They want to do so much for him but because of her they are feeling that all their efforts are going in the drain. And Raja Saheb, why is she forcing her love on him. He has responsibilities and he has his priority. Why is she forcing him to make her his priority? Why is she bounding him with her love? She loves him and then why does she want him to consider her love as his priority. Why is she placing conditions on her love? 

“No Geet.. you should have confidence in your love. What have you been doing? You are loving with an expectation, this is not right?”

“Let him love you the way he likes to, you should keep loving him the way you do? Is your love that weak that it should change if it does not meet your expectations? You are becoming his weakness… no. You should be his strength. Let him do his duty, your duty is to make sure he is always safe.Make your love strong enough to protect him”

After a beautiful stroll they entered the cottage and Maan and Brij entered at the same time. They enjoyed a leisurely family lunch.  Later Maan took Geet for a walk around the golf course.

“Geet, tonight we are going out somewhere”

“Okay.. I will let Mumma, Papaji and Veerji know”

“Gee-eet!!! you need permission from all to go out with me”

Geet looked at him surprised “no… I mean.. Mean they will have to be ready on time”

“Geet, it’s just you and me. Samajlo, Hamari date night hai.” Geet looked at him. He was making so much efforts and what is she doing, pressuring him under the weight of her love

“Ji….”

“I will be there, you  get ready and my driver will bring you”

“Ji…”

Geet was taken to a place which looked very secluded. It was a dark night, with no one to be seen with only a camping tent with some fairy lights over it and few local benches and tables. A little fear encapsulated her but then the thought that Raja Saheb had called her, calmed her down. He will think of her security above all.

Maan coming from the other side had his eyes fixed on his beautiful wife, who looked angelic in her cream churidar. 

Geet was waiting for him. 

Geet turned to see Maan approaching her in an off white , casual shirt and black jeans. Her heart beat raised as always. Was he so handsome or it was her, to whom he looked more handsome every time she looked at him.

Maan with gaze fixed at her, reached her. Their eyes met, Geet lowered her eyes in hesitation and stepped back, stumbling a bit, resulting in Maan observing that she was in high heels.

“Wooo…” Geet hesitated

“I thought”

Maan, keeping his face stoic “You thought, we will meet in a restaurant”

Geet nodded her head in yes “And that’s why this high heels” She again nodded her head

“I wanted us to meet in a place where there is no one around and under open sky, so that we can talk our heart”

Geet again nodded in agreement

“Thanks for this chance Geet” Geet looked at him surprised

“Aapka haq hai” 

“No, it’s not about my rights, it’s about your wish. Come let’s sit and talk” Geet again nodded and turned to move still looking at him and due to high heels and low focus on steps, she again stumbled. Maan held her arm and straightened her. 

Maan came closer in slow steps, bent and picked her in his arms and carried her to the bench

Geet kept looking at him as he moved to take his seat. But then she saw him sitting on his knees before her

“Pleaasee..”

“Shhhh…” he placed index finger on his lips, indicating to stay still.  Surprising her further he held her feet in his palms and looked at her. Geet hesitated and pulled her leg behind. But he looked up at her and the silent request in his eyes and she could do nothing but just watch him for what he was doing.

Maan lifted her feet securely in his palms and with utmost care removed her high heel sandals  from her feet

“Maan…..”

“Don’t stop me today Geet. Give me your trust for one night” he looked at her face and she could see a deep sea of guilt in his eyes. The request which was not in her capacity at least, to deny.

Maan then took his seat opposite to her, kept looking at her and turned away. He had so much to say but didn’t know how to start

“Gee-eet” he held her palms in his 

“I have hurt you, your feelings and disrespected your love. How could I take such a decision on my own? I was so wrong in doing so. When I think of you taking such a risk on your life without informing me, I can feel your pain, hurt and fear. I know it’s an unforgivable mistake still I want to say – I am sorry Geet. Sorry for letting you down, sorry for making you feel your importance less in my life, sorry for not showing you that I am unaware of my importance in your life, sorry for….  ”

Geet took her palm from his and placed it on his lips. Tears twinkling in her eyes, ready to fall

“Nahi…” she shook her head. Maan feared, she is not going to accept his apology

“I can’t bear you saying sorry to anyone, then how can I bear you saying sorry to me. Aapki galti nahi hai, app galat ho hi nahi sakte… It’s all my fault”

“No Geet, no. This time it’s just my fault and a big fault. I am a normal human and capable of making mistakes. I did make a mistake and I should not hesitate to say even thousands of sorrys if I have hurt someone most close to my heart. My acts have let you doubt on how important you are for me Geet. I can breath without anything in this world but my world is dark if you are even a bit sad or if there is even a drop of tears in your eyes due to any pain”

“Maan, it’s’ all my fault that I made mountain of the molehill”

“Geet, No, you are not taking a single blame on yourself. How you reacted was natural and was needed to tell me that I just can’t be dictator of our life. If I have rights to be concerned for your safety and show my rights to protect you, I should know that you have the same equal rights. I did steal away your rights and deserve a punishment.”

“Please do not say such words. I can’t hear such words for my Raja Saheb. It hurts”

“See I again hurt you. Yahi karta hoon main. Tumhare pyaar ke layak hi nahi hoon main. “

“Don’t say such, please” She pleaded

“Geet, Your pain hurts me and makes my world dark. You can be as angry at me because I deserve it but stay happy. If my giving you space and going away will give you less pain, I am ready for it. That will even be my punishment, which I deserve. But I want you to be happy and smiling. The charmer that you are, I want you back. Promise, will never ever break your trust again”

Slight smile formed on her face in his last sentences “Charmer? Me? Who is talking”

“Yes, do you have any idea how you have worked your magic on me? How enchanted I am by your presence in my life. You are that angle of my life who has taught me that this is one life and I too have the right to laugh and enjoy it along with trying to give happiness to others. After all, if I am not happy, how can I truly give happiness to others? And this I have learned from your charm. In return, I have hurt my angle”

It was too much for Geet. The way he was showering his love, accepting his mistakes, and not letting her take a single blame on herself and what not. He was doing things to her with his words. Charmer that he was, she was charmed.  And the very inner fact was, he had already won her heart, she was incapable of staying more upset with him and she was dying to be in his arms. She has to bring him out of this guilt and for that she played along

“Liar… bas batton se he maan jaoo mai kee itna maine rakhti hoon main aapke liye”

“Liar? Me? You really want me to show what you mean to me”

“Thordi mehnat to karni padegi na” there was smile on her face as she said so, though stealing her eyes from him. Ohhh, Maan, as if,  got his world back

Smile formed on his face “Just wait and watch” he got up and bowed down in front of her, rolling his right hand while his left hand on his back “Rani Sahiba, allow me”

While he went inside the tent to get something, smile formed on her face “Charmer”

Maan came with a guitar in his hand and smile on his face

“So you know this as well”

“Not only this, a beautiful song for The Lady”

“So you know singing as well”

“Not much, but as part of Royal schooling, I was part of all these clubs. In Fact was leader in most”

“Who else can be when he was there” she thought

Maan took a seat on bench opposite her and started playing the guitar to initiate the music and then opened his lips on his smiling face

As he played the guitar and came closer to her, held her palm in his, softly bringing her close to him, swinging her with him. Geet smiled, he left her and again picked the guitar to play the music and sang bowing down to her extending his hand

He continued playing the music as he circled around her, came closer and placed a soft peck on her forehead and then pulled her dupatta, played with it in air, inhaled her through her stole  and then placed the chiffon on his face

He kept playing the music and wrapped the material on her in between. Then while moving in sync he turned his back to her, continued with music and then kept the guitar on side. He again took the guitar to surprise her as he was fully unbuttoned, his thin shirt flowing showing his masculine physique. He placed his hand on his heart and again bowed in front of her

Maan cupped her face 

“I meant each word. I am really blessed and lucky to have you in my life Geet”

Geet looked at him “You do all these and make me again and again fall for you, even harder and then trouble me by placing danger on you… kya karoon main” she pouted and he knew, his Geet is somewhat being her own self. He just need to keep pouring more and more love to her

Maan warped his hands around her waist and softly brought her closer “Now nothing in my life will move without your permission.” 

They kept looking at each other for a long eyelock

He then pulled her closer and huskily whispered “This distance is just killing me”

Geet placed her palm on his lips “Don’t ever say that”

“Phir kya karoon…” he asked. Geet blushed, smiled and looked down “then eliminate the reason that’s Killing you…” she bit her lips, sending thousands arrows through him by her innocent gesture and then hid herself into his warm embrace