Intezaar – Scene 2

Maan was on his way back home. It must have been just two hours in flight and strangely, unexpected to him, more than missing Sam his mind was getting pulled at his home. Yes, it was natural to be excited to meet his family after such a long gap. But his inner heart knew, there was a deep guilt within which had captured his mind and somewhat his heart. But he was thinking in vain, he consoled himself. 1 year is a long time and why would he be remembered when he has not contacted. 

There was movement all over in Khurana Mansion in India. Most awaited moment was there. Maan, their eldest, was coming after a year. They wanted to do all so that he stays longer this time.

“Sandhya, calm down. He is our son and he loves his family”

“How do I calm down? Usko dekhti hoon to .. “

“Where is she…? I have not seen her since morning”

“She has been in the kitchen since morning… kisi ko kadam nahi rakhne diya.. Khud kerna hai sab and now when it’s time of his coming, she has locked herself in the room”

Maan’s car entered the mansion and the news spread in the house… Everyone gathered in the hall except her. She was tightly holding on to their marriage photo as she heard the noise outside. She wrapped the photo in her pink dupatta and placed it close to her heart.

She did not know what the future held for her.  Not a word was exchanged, he left the next day of marriage stating the business. She had heard that he went for two months, three months or maximum six months. Why did it go for a year this time? She consoled her heart, business can hold one up, she should think positive. But not a single words exchanged even from distance, that scared her

“Geet, you have kept your patience and calm all through. You have confidence in your relationship, you were true to it.. Sab theek hoga”

She touched her head, there were sweat when AC was running on low temperature

“Geet, is this how you will welcome him? this is how you will win him? Have faith… itna Intezaar kiya hai.. leave everything on fate” she paced

She picked a small diary and softly rubbed her hand on it

Geet came out of her room after gathering lots of guts and she dared to look down at the hall.. Everyone was there, his siblings, parents, Dadima, uncle-aunt, and his friends. The way he was surrounded and not getting even a glimpse of him told her he  was so famous and loved among all.

But his friends who never welcomed her indirectly blamed her for coming into his perfect life as a piece of imperfection. Mann had till now got things of his choice, she was the only piece of his life who he did not choose nor did she suit his style in anyways.

But Maan had married her without a word when her Darji was in hospital and before Maan would leave for the trip he should marry her. Darji feared that if he does not make through the ICU and if Maan leaves then what would his girl do.. how would she survive with her cunning uncle and aunt.

Her mother in law has seen her in a marriage gathering  and liked her for her son who had no time to think about getting into relationships.

He had okayed to the alliance as he had no time to fall in love and he trusted his mother’s choice. He would have later met her and then they would finalize. 

But her Darji in ICU and his fear landed them to get married the next day. Maan had come to visit her Darji and his family with his mother whan Darji was hospitalized. He had come just as a gesture of normal antiquate. But she had seen the surprise or say Shock on Maan’s face, when he had seen for the first time the family his alliance was fixed.

When her Daarji, in ICU, had held his hand with pleading eyes, lots of expectations and his mother had requested him, he had been unable to deny.

Geet had been waiting outside for the meeting to be over when they came from the ICU. She had turned her face

“She is a very nice girl, Maan”

“Must be Mom… but not my type.. This whole setup, this entire family is not my type.. A completely different world.. I don’t even know what I will talk to this girl about and here I am to spend my entire life with her… I thought you knew my choice”

“I know.. Isliye pasand kiya hai usse… Okay if you are that unhappy then I will decline… aise bemani se toh…”

Maan had looked at the sad face of his mother. And then looked at the ICU

“Nahi aapne pasand kiya hai toh kuch socha hoga and that man in ICU…you have given your word… I will marry her tomorrow”

“Maan, only if you promise to keep this marriage intact your whole life. If you break it going further, her life will be ruined. She is from such small town and not upbringing like ours”

“Mom, you know me. If I had given my words to a man on ICU bed and to my mother.. I will keep it but…”

“But… I will have to go to London tomorrow… I need some time to set up the project and …”

“And??”

“Let’s go from here Mom. We can talk at home” and they left. She did not know what was after that ‘and’

Only knew that he had left for the airport for London just after  marriage and never contacted her. She knew she was not his type or his choice but his agreeing to marry her for his mother’s word and her sick Darji, whom he hardly knew had won her heart. Her Daarji left the world after a week and then Geet could not thank enough to the man who, unknown to her, gave her a safe life and his family.

Suru suru main toh bas intezaar tha – to thank him for his kindness later the same wait turned to love … when and how she doesn’t remember. But her diary does,it remembers how she fell in love with her husband who never even contacted her… Kab uske intezaar ka karan badal gaya – From thanking him to be with him.

But then the fear was big – she was not his type and he has not contacted her ever..

“Geet dear” her sweet mother in law called out, making her break her trance. In shyness, the first thing she did was check if he had not looked at her. 

Hearing her name, Maan immediately looked around, thus making his eyes meet her. Maan looked at her blank face but her eyes spoke. Even from that far he could see that her beautiful hazels had a story written within them. Something hit his heart, a pain or a guilt, Maan didn’t know. But one thing that Maan didn’t realize is that, since halfway of his journey till now, he had not once thought of Sam but had been worried of this girl’s reactions and what their relationship held.. Was he ready-not ready? Was she ready-not ready.. Were the only thoughts in his mind