Woh Humsafar Tha

“Geet Geet,… where are you” shouted Tayijo, frustrated at Geet’s regular habit of disappearing

“Biji, let her be. You know she need to seek the moments with her own self”

“No Rano, stop supporting her in her madness. We have been trying to make her understand it since last one year but she is not understanding”

“Yes Rano, it is time she accept the reality of her life” said Mohinder

“And Tayiji, it is not only her but the whole family is bearing the burn of her stubbornness. First we just used to listen from people from our village, now things are spreading like fire”

“Rano, you are understanding right? Darji is not ready to take any more defamation”

“Chodri hui ladki… Daarji ki poti.. Chi… what all we have to bear for this stubborn girl?” Brij had now lost all his patience with Geet. Rano knew, same was happening with Daarji. He was losing any patience with Geet. His respect was way above Geet’s emotion for him. Now they have started looking for a prospective groom for her so that they can send her off. The groom and family will be granted a huge chunk of land on top of hefty amounts in bank, cash and jewelry for Geet to be accepted by the groom’s side. Rano gulped saliva under her throat feeling the humiliation her daughter has to undergo in addition to her emotional heartbreak.

But her Geet was not ready, maybe will never be, to marry anyone else.

“Rajji, go find your Geet di, wherever she is. A very nice proposal has come for her and the Groom to be and his family is coming to see her.” Tayiji ordered in a strict tone. Is Tayiji this heartless, maybe not. Not for Daarji’s so-called respect but for Geet. She needs to move on, come out of her one sided devotion to her so-called husband. Smile like before, play around with Titu and Rajji or stay happy forever in her new life with her new husband. So what if they have to buy her a husband by pouring wealth. Their Geet will smile again.

“Mumma, I do not know where Geet di is?”

“Rajji, no drama with me. Go call Geet, things need to be set up straight into her head now”

Rajji was walking in the farmland which will lead her to the machan where her sister must be having some peaceful time.

“What is Geet Di’s fault in all this? She always did what these people asked her to do. One fraud was caught on the mandap and the other – Na, can’t even think anything against him, it will hurt Geet Di. But did these people not compel her to marry Jiju. Geet di gave her heart to her husband, what’s her fault in it?”

Geet eyes blankly looking at the farmland when Rajji reached up to Machan.

Geet was lost looking at the farmland but has she even once observed how the grown up crops were dancing as the wind blew, how the color of the farm changed from yellow to green on the movements of the plants or did she even remember these farms were her home long back, were she loved to run for hours and hours. She knew each and every path of this farmland. But all these were alien to Geet now.

Looking at the farmland, all she could imagine was him coming to her, tearing the farmland, to take her away with him. But she very well knew it was impossible. He will never come for her

“Nasur ho tum meri zindagi ka… samjhi Geet. Why don’t you just leave me and go”

Woh humsafar tha….

Woh humsafar thaa magar us sey humnawai na thi…

That night when she was silently packing her bags he was in the room all the while. Not once did he stop her from packing but when their eyes had met, did she wrongly read that he wanted to stop her?

She let the small laugh as tears slid down her cheeks. She knew it was just her inner hopeless wish that she felt he wanted to stop her. Same as when she was leaving, he just kept looking at her, never stopping her but his eyes told her another story altogether

Tarq-e-taaluqaat pe…

Roya na tu, na main

Lekin yeh kya ke chain se soya na tu, na main

Bicharte waqt un ankhon mein thi hamari ghazal

Ghazal bhi wo jo kisi ko kabhi sunai na thi

But where was she wrong in her hope? Even though tied with her in the marriage just because of his Dadima’s words, he had been there for her. She had felt his unsaid care for her, protecting her silently between his family. Family whom he loved more than himself. He could never go against his family for the girl he married only in a situation. But was it only the situational marriage between them? Nothing more?

“Geet Di”

Rajji’s words broke her terrain of thoughts and Geet gave her a smile.

“Di, they are all looking for you and the house is on fire” Geet nodded and got up. Why do they want her there?. As per them, she has not been able to please her husband and thus have been left by him.They were all ashamed of her then why do they need her when she is trying to calm the unending storm within her heart.

“Di, they have found a proposal for you” Geet looked at Rajji confused

“Proposal? I am already married” Geet voice cracked while making that claim. Rajji could feel the pain her Di was going through. She didn’t know why Di left Jiju and came back to stay here and why Jiju has not yet made a single contact with Di.

“Daarji and Veerji are not going to listen to anything, Di.”

None of these mattered to Geet anymore. Any shouting, demeaning words, people’s words, her Tayiji’s concern for her life or her mother’s fear for her. She was like a smooth surface from which all these matters passed through without an impact.

Geet must have just stepped inside the house when she was pulled harshly by Brij and thrown inside to land on her mother’s arms. Brij closed the door and stood in front of his aunt only to pull Geet away from her arms

“Brij aaram se. Waise he hosh nahi hai kudi ko” Rano pleaded

“Brij please, you can talk calmly as well” called out Mohinder

“Kudi, listen to me now” came loud voice of Daarji, silencing everyone else in hall with his authoritative tone

Geet looked at him. Everyone knows, since she has been back from her husband’s house, she has become stubborn like stone. She obeyed them in all matters except this.

“Listen, we have found a very nice proposal for you. The family is well reputed, and the groom has good business as well. It’s not that we are pushing you anywhere. We have also ensured that even if you are not able to keep your groom happy, he will not leave you.”

Geet was simply looking at Daarji with a stone-like expression.

“I am already married Daarji, how can I marry again” Geet said in low yet calm and confirmed tone

“Gee-eet!!!” Brij came to her in anger “Brij stop. Let me talk to this girl”

“If you are married, why are you staying here for the last year? Leave apart come to take you back, why have your husband not even once tried to check on how you are doing.Why don’t you even let us go there to talk to them?”

“It’s between my husband and me, there is nothing that you can talk to him about. I do not want anyone to question anything from him as once again I repeat he has not left me, I left and came here”

“And how long are you planning to stay here?”

“Daarji, this is my house as well. Can I not stay in my house for as long as I wish without any condition”

“Enough of your talks now girl. I am three times your age and I know this world better than you. I very well know, your marriage has ended. Whatever you may claim but I know your husband has left you. Or else he could have come to take you back. Listen, my respect is above this stubbornness of yours. I cannot let people badmouth my reputation. Get that clear”

Tayaji came in front “Daarji, let me talk once”

“Geet Puttar, do one thing, make us talk to Maan once.” Geet stumbled back after hearing his name from her Tayaji. Just his name ‘Maan’ in the air could bring elective waves into her veins.

“Fine, the groom’s family will be here by six. If you are able to make us talk with that so-called husband of yours by four and depending on what he says, we will decide to stop the new alliance. If not,then without a word you are coming down all decked up to present yourself to a new family.”

“No Daarji”

“Rano, Chahat, Meenu take her and start getting her ready if she is unable to fulfill the condition by 4. Due to her, even my opponent got a chance to demean me. This needs to be stopped”

And he left Geet at hands for her sister-in-law, her Tayi ji and and mother

All the ladies entered the room “Meenu, close the door” ordered Tayiji and held Geet’s arm tight. At least this pain can bring some sense into this girl

“Kudiye, get your husband on call right now. Let us all know where you stand in his life.”

Geet looked at her Tayiji – again blankly.

How could she call him? What will she say?

“Maan come and take me with you”

And why will he even come for her? Has she not packed her bag on her own and left from there? And did she not do it because he asked her to. Did she not wish him to move ahead in life before leaving? What if he has already moved on with Sameera, Mummy ji’s favorite girl? But even that thought scares her- him being with anyone The only thread of hope that she has is he has not yet sent her the divorce papers.

In her one year stay with him as his wife, he had not been her companion by all means. He had never countered his mother when she talked about her, he also did not support Dadima’s words in her favor. He had shown his frustration on her, shown her how stuck he was in his life due to marrying her. He had cleared that he would not proceed in life with her till his mother accepted her, which eventually never happened…

But even with all this, she has always seen him keeping his distance from Sameera. In private, he had respected the relationship they had been tied into.

Adaavatein theen..Taghaaful thaa, Ranjishein theen Magar..

Adaavatein theen..Taghaaful thaa, Ranjishein theen Magar..

Bicharne walay main sab kuch thaa

Bewafai na thi…

But now it has been a year. How could she forget that he has disparately asked her to leave?

How can she call him when she knows calling him will bring her into the reality she has been running away from?

Geet was again lost in her pool of thoughts

“Call him, NOW” scolded Tayiji.

“I can’t call him. He will call me when he has time”

After that no one listened to her, some for their respect and some to fix her life.

Geet did not wish to waste her energy on arguing with anyone on this topic. She did not want to make the mockery of her deep feelings for him. Her feelings for him is all she has left now and it’s her own, she will not share it with anyone here. Let them do what they want to, she in no case can even think to be anyone else’s.

********************

It was a beautiful evening from the grand balcony of Maan Khurana’s balcony. Sipping his whiskey, Maan’s eyes were fixed on the beautiful sunset at the far end of the long running beautiful garden of Khurana Mansion. By the look of it, anyone will say he was enjoying the pleasant view of a beautiful evening. No one could say that he was so lost in his own thoughts that his eyes were just fixed blankly on the horizon.

“Maan, why are you sitting all alone dear”

Maan looked at his Dadima and smiled. Dadima settled herself in the chair opposite to him

“Why are you so lost, son?”

“Dadima, they fixed her alliance today” there was a deep crack in his voice

“Maan, you sent her away. Still you keep track of her, Why dear?”

Maan looked at Dadima and smiled, turned away to take a sip from his glass, shook his head and looked back at Dadima, with a smile. The smile was nothing but mocking his own self. Words were not needed for why he kept track of her.

“For once go and meet her. Bring her back“

“With what Rights, Dadima? Why would she want to come back? Why would she want to come back to me, this family, why Dadima? Those words of mine that day, broke that delicate string of our relationship that she had been holding onto”

As usual they reminisced that uneventful day which had made Maan uttered those words

Everyday burning under the guilt of breaking the heart and trust of his mother, seeing the tears in the eyes of his so strong mother , he had felt so helpless that day.

The restlessness of the guilt, tears of hurt in his mother’s eyes, the son that day overpowered the husband in him.

“Naasur ho tum meri zindagi ka, why don’t you just leave me and go Geet” He had said at last, frustrated by the daily drama in the house.

That time he was not sure of his feelings for her but he knew he loved his mother. Due to his guilt towards his mother, he was failing daily as a husband. His mother had not accepted her, and he could not till his mother accepted her.

Frustrated that he could not stand for her. The Maan Singh Khurana, who was known to the world for his strong stand on his life, could do nothing to protect her from daily humiliation. Why was she hanging on with such a man? Wanting to free her from this daily humiliation and tears in the eyes of his mother had made Maan uttered such words. The words that are still piercing in his heart.

She would have still been here had the darkness of that day not further consumed everything .

Encouraged by Maan’s disrespectful words to Geet, Sameera took a chance to insult her further.

Sameera’s insult was sugar coated but lethal. She had the backing of his parents, especially his mother.

Geet was in such a shock with Maan saying “naasur hi meri zindagi ka tum” that Sameera’s insulting words passed over her head. Maan lost his patience seeing such an insult of hers in front of him. He just wanted to shut up Sameera, but that would hurt his mother. But, why was Geet listening to such an insult?

“Geet, Kitni begairat ho tum. Why are you still standing here, have some self respect and just leave this place”

All Sameera’s insults surpassed her brain but his second words hit the core of her heart, tearing it into pieces.

“BEGAIRAT!!! she repeated in low yet the deep crack. Maan knew there and then, what a big blunder he had done

Geet quietly turned and left from that place

Woh humsafar tha…. Woh humsafar thaa magar us sey humnawai na thi…

Kay dhoop chaaon ka aalam raha

Judai na thi…

That night when he entered the room after stabilizing himself from the shock of his words, she was silently packing. How will he face her now? She had been bearing all the insults so far just for him. She understood his situation but what had he done, placed the last straw by his extremely hurtful words.

Never had he thought that she would pack her bag like this. But what else can he expect after his such demeaning words to her?

He kept looking at her silently, did not have guts or words to ask her not to pack. How could he?

Next day when she was leaving and one last time as their eyes met, not with words but he wanted to convey his heart from his eyes. Geet kept looking at his eyes. She tried to read his eyes, and waited for him to speak. But his guilt did not let a word out of his throat

Bicharte waqt un ankhon mein thi hamari ghazal

Ghazal bhi wo jo kisi ko kabhi sunai na thi

“Maan, aap theek hain” Dadima brought him back

“I am fine Dadima. Woh theek nahi hogi” Again his voice cracked. He got up and left.

Maan closed his files and system and was about to retire for the night

“Maan”

“Mom you, now?”

“Can we talk?”

“Of course Mom, come in.”

“You look very disturbed today. What’s the matter”

“Nothing Mom”

“I am your mom, Maan. You may think otherwise but I love you deeply”

Maan immediately took her palms into his “Mom, you don’t have to say it.”

“If you think so, share with me” Maan made his Mom sit on the bed and settled beside her, his hands still holding hers

“It’s about her?” she asked, seeing his hesitation. Maan gave a nod.

“Maan, I never had idea that she had this huge effect on you”

“I didn’t know either. But the way she left made it worst” he left his words hanging there

“You must be blaming me. But Maan, was I wrong in my place? “

“No Mom, you were never wrong. Did I ever say that? Have I ever supported her above you?”

“Maan, had I known that she really meant this much to you, I would have given up. I would have explained Sameera. All I knew was that you were trapped in that relationship as well .”

There was silence for some while

“For that unknown girl, my long time promise to my dear friend was broken. You very well knew how important that promise was. My friend has left this world, trusting her daughter’s future at my hand.I had promised her that I will secure her life with my son, My Maan. Was I wrong in not being cordial with her? Every Time I saw her, she reminded me of my promise being broken. The shattered dreams of Sameera “

“Mom, I’ve never blamed you; it was my fault. But when I had to handcuff the man Geet was marrying at the Mandap, it felt like everyone’s eyes were on Dadima. Daarji, an old friend of Dadaji and Dadima, looked hurt, his respect at stake. Dadima’s head was lowered in shame because I handcuffed Geet’s Groom in the Mandap. I couldn’t let Geet marry that fraud. No one believed me the day before; if they had, she wouldn’t have been there. Luckily, my team gathered enough proof against him before the wedding. The accusations against Dadima for my acts, the shame for Daarji from the villagers, and Geet’s blank stare at her family were all heart-wrenching.”

He held his Mom’s hand tightly “ I was unable to let Dadima down. It was that situation Mom It does not mean Dadima’s promise is above yours”

He paused for a few seconds “But Mom, why did you raise her topic today?”

“Your Dadima was giving me angry glare all the time after she came out from your bedroom”

“Dadima ..” he shook his head

“Maan, you really fell in love with her. I had no idea. Trust me Maan, any of my promises were never above you or will ever be. ” She paused

“Maan, when did you fall in love with her and how? Your marriage was not your choice, she was not your type, you married under pressure, then how and when?”

Maan was lost in his thoughts. When and how did it happen

‘*

It was their first night together in Khurana Mansion. She had been waiting on bed for him, when he had just passed on to his wardrobe to get his change of clothes.

She was not expecting much from him either. Her welcome in the house has told her the story. Other than Dadima, who had single handedly done all the process of welcoming her, while others had shock, anger and accusation on their face.

On her entry to this Mansion as his wife, his mother had called out

“How could you, Maan? You very well know Sameera has been waiting to be your bride for years. You both were soon going to tie the knot, how could you do this to her and to me, my promise? I will never accept this girl as my daughter in law, never. You can very well start your married life with this girl but can never get my acceptance, never.”

“Mom, this all happened in the situation I have explained to you. I have made a promise to her, she is my wife now. That is the fact but I promise you, I will not start my married life with her till you accept her as your daughter in law”

“I will never Maan. This girl is nowhere a match to be your wife and above all you will have to ultimately leave her and marry Sameera”

She had heard it loud and clear.

Ignoring her expectation of any conversation, Maan had thus moved to get his clothes. He took his pair of night suits and as he turned, he found her standing right in front of him.

The moment his eyes went on her, he got lost in the stark beauty, so close to him. Her almond shaped hazels met his dark brown orbs. So deep they were; he was drowned in them. Nothing seemed to be in his control at that moment. Before he could realize, she was sitting on the ground, her hands on his feet. He was stunned by her act. He bent to pick her up, held her shoulder when he felt the teardrop on his feet

“Geet, get up. Don’t do this” he lifted her up and then she suddenly hugged him

Maan’s hand automatically went around to hold her when he realized his promise to his mother. He then immediately pulled back his urging hands

“Geet, before my mother accepts you, this is not possible” he spoke but seemed like she was in her own zone. He hands joined in front of him

“You saved my life. I am getting scared to death even imagining what would have happened had I been married to that criminal. You saved me like a God”

Maan felt shocked, what had he been thinking “Geet, don’t fall on my feet and join hands like this in front of me. Being a police officer, it is my duty to stop any wrong and catch the culprit. I was just doing my duty”

“No, you are the God of my life. Not only did you save my life, but for the respect of my Daarji, you married me. Had you not married me, my Daarji who has always held his head high, might have had to bow his head down in front of all. I would have died before seeing this”

“Geet, it was not your fault that the groom they selected for you was a criminal”

Tears streamed down her eyes through her cheeks “You are no less than God to me. I know it is not easy for you to accept me as your wife. But today I promise to be yours from my soul and body till my last breath. In this relationship, you are not bound to any husbandly duty but I promise, I will be your wife and do my wifely duty towards you till my last breath. I give you my words, I will be there for any of your needs without any question and expectation. Jo kiya aapne mere liye, zindagi bhar ka farz nibha diya”

Maan had kept looking at her. Does this girl even know what she is saying? This big stature for just doing his duty. He kept looking into her eyes, which was full of love, admiration, respect and submission for him.

He had no words to express like her. Accepting her in words would be disrespectful to his mother. But that first night itself, she hit that inner cord of his heart that he knew, he was hers and only hers till his last breath.

“Go sleep”

Next morning, it was Sunday. After a life changing event and not having to go on duty, Maan was sleeping late in the morning.

The sunlight had seeped into the room hitting his sleepy eyes making him turn other side and that very moment he felt water droplets on his face.

“What the…” he opened his eyes which fell in her wet curly hair. Scared from his sudden words she turned and his eyes were unable to move away from her striking raw wet beauty.

She was scared like a kitten for the water droplets on his face

“I will clean it right away? Lost in her fear she had bent down to wipe the water droplets on his face from her dupatta, taking Maan in a complete trance of her innocence mixed with her beauty.

After making him completely lost in her with her innocent act of wiping his face from her dupatta, she was about to move away. He suddenly pulled her to him “I am sorry Maan” her words brought him back and he loosened his grip from her

“Did I ask such a complicated question Dear? When and how did it happen”

“Mom, love just happens. It does not tell you exactly how and when it happens. Love has its own rule, it does not care of any promise, any social boundaries. It makes its way and reaches one’s heart surpassing all these restrictions and makes its own place. At least that’s what happened to me.I never planned to fall in love with the girl my mother has not accepted, it just happened. Maybe I fell in love with her love”

“Maan,as I have now, I will accept her wholeheartedly. Sameera has understood that she and you were never made for each other irrespective of Geet coming in between or not. Why don’t you bring her back”

“Mom, it’s not about me but her. Do I even deserve her? Can those words that I spoke to her be ever taken back? Will I ever be able to return her respect to her? She had been humiliated in front of my eyes, she had borne demeaning words from me, and had been ignoring my words in the name of my frustration. But those words that day, the disrespect that I brought to her, I broke her into pieces. I do not hold the rights to bring her back and make my wife”

Kamini wiped a small teardrop that was forming at the corner of his eyes.

“Has she moved on?”

He gave a small laugh “she will never and that’s my fear. I am scared for her Mom”

“Scared??”

“Mom, can I ask you a favor?” “Anything dear. I am an unfortunate mother who is the cause of my son’s pain. What can I do for you dear?”

***************

Geet was sitting in the center stage for the mehndi ceremony. The haveli was decorated like a bride. Mehndi was brought in a decorated bowl. Everyone there was so relieved and happy for their own reasons. They wanted to get rid of her, so she was ready to give them what they wished.

“Kudiye, now bring a smile on your face. Your life is going to take a new turn. Forget your past and be ready for your new life” She called the mehndi girl to Geet

“Do a beautiful Mehndi on bride’s hand” ordered Tayiji

As the celebration was going on, Geet preferred to be lost in her favorite world, that was him and only him

How he had been himself with her when they had been alone in the house. Those times he let her be his wife and never stopped her from doing things for him

‘*

That day after a hectic day in the office, all Maan needed was a cup of coffee. Too much hatred in his loving family has torn him in two pieces. That day no one was at home and just like some rare times she had got a chance to do something for him.

When she walked into the room with a cup of coffee for him, Maan was in his undershirt, just about to put on his shirt. She felt so shy and flushed at the sight of him like that.

“Ji Coffee” “Come in”

As they silently sipped in the coffee she had felt his eyes on her all the while. There was nothing like that between them , still she was blushing like silly.

“Okay, you take a rest, I will leave” she said, still unable to look at him. She was about to move

“Geet, I am having a headache. Can you ” before he could complete, she ettled beside him and massaged his head. She kept messaging him for hours and he never asked her to go away.

Those were some moments when they had been alone, he had also been the exact opposite to what he had been when in public gatherings.

Once his mother had a small get together of close friends and family party for celebrating his award. It was a function for her husband so even though being not invited, she gathered her guts and went into the party.

Her mother in law clearly showed her dislike of her presence there.

“Maan, I am leaving the party. Let her enjoy here”

“Mom No, it’s your party, please”

“She is here now, spoilt the whole party,I am leaving” and next, Maan had grabbed her hand and pulled her to the corner

“Who asked you to come here”

“It’s a party for you, my husband. How could I not?” and next, he crushed her arms so tight pushing her to collide on the wall, anger pouring in his eyes

“Baizzat hona pasand hai tumhe, yun sabke samne… why did you come here?”

“You are my husband, how could I…” “I have not accepted this relationship, then with what rights are you here”

’****

That was their relation – sometimes he was so cordial and sometimes she could not recognize him to be the same person

Kay dhoop chaaon ka aalam raha

Judai na thi…

Woh humsafar thaa magar us sey humnawai na thi…

Noises brought her back to reality. The Mehndi was done with nd Armaan written on her hand

Geet excused the Mehndi girl from there, took the cone and modified it to read just “Maan”.

*****

“Sir, just received the news”

Maan turned “What news Adi?”

“Tomorrow is her marriage. Today is her mehndi and Sangeet. She has moved on Sir”

“Only if she could in this life, Adi” His own sentence struck in his mind

“Adi, it’s urgent. You apply for my leave for tomorrow. I have to leave immediately”

Maan reached home “Mom, we are leaving immediately, you and me”

*****

It was the day of marriage and they were decorating her for someone else. She was sitting lifeless, lost. She could neither cry nor hold her tears.

Kaajal daaro

kurkura surma Saha na jaaye

Jin Nain mein pee bassay

Dooja kon samaaye

***

The Mandap was ready, Geet was looking out of world as the ladies made her sit on the mandap

“Maan, she has moved on. Why are we here?”

“Mom, I promise, if she marries happily we will quietly leave. No one will even know that we were here. But I doubt it. I am so scared seeing the numbness of her face. How could they not see?”

“You want her back?” “My wish doesn’t matter, she matters”

******

Geet was settled on the mandap, numb. Groom-to-be had just stepped on the Mandap when everyone saw Geet falling on the ground unconscious and white foam coming out from her mouth

“Geet… Geet” there was a chaos

The groom’s family started blaming, Daarji’s head bowed, Brij was on fire “Disgraceful girl” Ladies rushed to Geet.

“I will see how she does not marry?” Brij held her arm to straightened her up “Even if she die, I will make her complete this marr…” he could not even completed his sentence when he felt strong fist on his face, throwing him far away from Geet

“How dare you” And without waiting for anyone, Maan lifted Geet in his arms and moved towards his vehicle

****

Maan was pacing to and fro when the doctor came out from the room.

“She is all good Mr. Khurana. We have flushed all the medication out of her. You ca go and meet her”

As the door opened, Geet was hell scared, Daarji and Brij Veeji will now forcefully get her married. How is she still on this earth? The door fully opened and she could not believe what she saw in front of her eyes

“Maan?” He moved towards her and then “Mom?”

“How dare you do this Geet?” scolded her mother in law. Geet was scared seeing her

“Do you think it is just your life? You belong to someone, belong to a family” her mother in law scolded her. Geet could not believe, it was he mother in law, claiming her to be the member of her family “m-m-mom”

“Now enough of the drama from both of you. Both of you talk and sort it out”

She left, giving the duo time to talk

After his mother left the room, Maan settled on bed beside her and held her hands in his “This is how you planned to punish me” A single line of tear from his eyes fell on her hand

“Ma-aan”

“Geet, I do not deserve your forgiveness but this punishment is not acceptable. I could survive away from you but not under the sky where you do not exist, Samjhi tum”

“Maa-aan” she wiped his tears and placed her palm on his lips. Maan held her hand and placed a soft kiss on her palm.

“Don’t ever forgive me, but do not punish yourself this way”

“you, here? how?”

“Did I have any option? You filled my room with your liveliness and love and one fine day left it stranded. And then what did you do with yourself – kept living with memories of the man who insulted you”

Geet nodded sideways, tears slid down her eyes. His sitting there with her, for her , talking to her, was beyond her imagination. Maan could no longer see her tears and pulled her in his embrace. her tears were wetting his chest “Now, what did I do to make you cry?”

“Since we have been married, I do not remember how many times I have imagined being in your embrace like this. My head resting on your chest. How it will feel” she confessed innocently

“How does it feel?”

“More beautiful than whatever I have ever imagined”

“For that you have to live with me, make my room lively like it was in your presence and then be ready to be bored by my embrace, every now and then.”

“Meri is zindagi ki humsafar banogi Geet?”

“Humsafar” she said and hugged him tight