Rule Breakers – Part 1

The university campus was fairly empty at this mid-afternoon session break. The campus will come to life in the evening when the finale for ‘The Miss University’ pageant contest starts. It was a tradition that the Miss University pageant contest was run for the final year girls finishing college. 

Geet had already surprised everyone when she had signed up as a participant. No one had expected the rowdy, tomboyish, and carefree Geet Handa to sign up for the beauty pageant. But Geet was known for surprising everyone with her sudden decision. 

And one challenge from Sameera Singhania was enough for Geet to take up the challenge.

Sameera has confidently filled up the form for the contest and saw her arch rival, Geet seated on a bike and whistling.

Sameera came to her, “You can sit on the bike like a college goon, break the rules by rash car driving, whistle at classy girls like me. If you have guts, try to do what I am doing and prove to be better than me.”

“Sorry, not interested in your stupid beauty pageant contest. Not me. I have more in life to do than prove men and get their confirmation,” answered Geet. 

“Stupid hnnn… if it is that stupid and easy, then take up a challenge and win this pageant. Defeat me.” 

Sameera had provoked Geet and then she had decided to defeat Sameera in the contest – The contest which was not at all designed for her, surprising everyone.

Now that Geet has decided to defeat Sameera, she has taken it seriously and is doing all to win the pageant.

So Geet had gathered a crowd in the silent afternoon of session break. Tonight will be the contest finale, and I want to ensure a win. 

Geet didn’t bother to play by the rule book. She had to win, and she would do all ends meet to win from that Richie rich Sameera Singhania.

“Guys, let me share some of the most painful stories from my life. Can you believe that life can change in just one day, or even a single event? It’s been a series of events, but this change is so sudden. How do I process it all? Is this actually happening to me? My parents have been forced to send their daughter away from them, into the unknown. Finally, my Daarji and Brij Veerji have succeeded in getting my parents to do what they wanted. Can you all believe it? Can this ever happen to me? Can this Geet Handa, standing before you all, ever face such a fate? She moved her hands up and down to emphasize her point.

The nerdy boy of her class, who was lost in sassy Geet, moved his eyes up and down along with the dramatic movement of her hands.

Geet was in her casual crop top and loose cotton mini shorts and sports sneakers on short sports shocks, standing, supporting herself on the window,

“Geet, stop your melodrama. People have bigger problems in life than moving out to London for study,” Scolded Pinky in whispers 

Geet ignored her and her eyes went on that nerdy boy, whose eyes were fixed on her belly button in the center of her extremely petite waist, peeking between her crop top and her mini shorts. She moved around her eyes, and most boys were ogling at her. Well, she enjoyed their attention. Geet didn’t get much affected. They all knew if any crossed their limits with her, her one punch would be enough to bring them back to their senses. None dared.

But this was the time to use their fondness for her and all her girlfriends who loved her, except Pinky, who kept her grounded. 

Pinky was her childhood friend and knew in and out of Geet’s mischiefs. Well Pinky will be on her side in any condition, so at this moment, she can be easily ignored.

“Guys, this is the only chance you all have to show me that I will be missed. Your votes for me tonight will show me how much I mean to all my dear friends. 

Being crowned ‘Miss University’ – This love and admiration of my friends will be my memories to savor in the foreign land.”

“Geet, now stop. A little more overacting and they will know this is a vote appeal.”

Geet heard Pinky this time.

“Okay – My friends – hope to see you all in the contest hall tonight,” and she left, leaving the girls to admire her style, look, and body. How bold and beautiful she was. Most girls wished to be like her, and boys, absorbed her beauty – their tonic for the whole.

“Geet, all of us are parting ways. Exams are over, and in ten days, when the results are out, that will be the last day for all of us to meet on this campus. What was this, making it all about you and asking for votes? I bet you don’t even know the names of many”

“But they know me, that’s what matters at this moment.”

“Geet, I feel there’s more going on behind this ‘just vote’ thing. What’s going on inside you?”

“Pinky, leaving all this forever and going to an unknown world is scaring the hell out of me.”

“Darling, you are going there for higher studies. Many of our batchmates will go and most are excited to get such an opportunity.  Many don’t get such opportunities, you are getting them. Better appreciate it, “ Pinky warned her.

“Do you really think this opportunity is the same as others? I am being sent to stay with a family which I have never known. Now I came to know they are like family to my parents. Dad’s best friend. And this is no ordinary family – they are ‘The Khuranas’, London-based indian entrepreneurs, one of the richest in the UK and our country.”

“You are nervous, most would be excited for such opportunities.”

“Pinky, this is my world yaar. My friends, our car racing gang, our hanging out in the disc, chup chup ke, getting drunk and sitting at the rooftop of an under-construction building, watching the world from there with our gang, you. I will be cut off from all these to stay with those classy Khuranas. Damn, Pinky – I can’t be the same rule breaker Geet there. It will be so suffocating.” 

“Maybe you will start liking it there.”

“Really? I am not allowed to come back, and no chance of Mom-Dad being there for at least two years. It will take at least two years for them to wrap up things. So that ensures that I stay with ‘The great grand Khuranas’ for at least two years. And Mom-Dad wants me to be a good girl there and consider them my family. How is this switching possible? Am I a toy? I am a human and have my ways of life.”

“Geet, you know they are doing it all to ensure your safety. Your Daarji and Brij Veerji will not be able to touch you if you are with Khuranas, or else their everyday life here will be filled with worry.”

“I know and I understand their worry. But then the price is high. My whole lifestyle is going to change. Geet Handa, this, Geet Handa – will have to stop all her activities and act to be a good girl to the family. They have three boys, so obviously their expectations from a single girl in the house will be too much. Pinky – I am not going to change myself.“

“Then you must have been careful. What was the need to race in the residential area and ignore the traffic? It all happened because you broke the rule. ”

“I always do, that’s me. And I will not get to do it there!! Damn!! – Staying with the classy Khuranas. Those richie rich. Here, it’s easy. Make excuses to Mom-Dad, and they let me go with a few warnings.”

“And those few warnings have turned into this. You took their warnings lightly, and here’s the result. But chill – I know you will find your ways of fun there.”

“Hmmm… I can’t let Mom-Dad down.”

“Chill – you will be all good. Let’s gear up for today’s finale now.”

The evening commenced with Geet being crowned, leaving Sameera fuming. 

Geet had worked hard for the last six months for this contest, which she took as a challenge. Geet had to transform herself in many ways. Though she never changed the  core of what she is 

Next morning – Handa House

Rano was checking all the bags and documents of Geet every time. Mohinder was busy as well. One who didn’t care was Geet. She was least interested in her travel story that would start today when she takes the flight to London tonight.

“Geet – Listen carefully.” Both her parents made her sit down to give her one last pep talk

“The home you are going to is more like a family to us.”

“Really? A family I have never heard of”

“Yes, because we all get busy in our respective lives. I was struggling to set up my business, and he had his family legacy, which he took ahead, does not mean our relationship with each other has even a small dent.”

“Geet, now listen. They are excited to have you there. And Rajendra Bhai, he is ready to treat you as a princess. The family has three sons and no daughters, and all the seniors are excited to have a girl in the house. And it’s Rajendra Bhai saheb’s word that your protection and security will be their top priority. We just request you Geet – please be a good girl. Don’t let us down and their hope down. We have been handling your crazy acts and rowdy ways here, but you would have to control your activities there.”

“In short, I need a full overhauling to be a new person.”

“Just trying to be a little decent and improved version of yours doesn’t help, right, Geet? Don’t let us down with your unconventional ways; that is all we ask. You don’t need to change the core of you – dress as you wish, eat what you feel like, and make your friends. All you need to do is cease your tendency to break the rules. ” Explained her Dad, Mohinder Handa.

“Additionally, Geet, the most important thing to note is that the family has three young boys—Dev and Maan, who are older than you, and Vicky, who is nearly your age.

You will be part of the family there, so do not forget, the three boys are part of your family. Do not encourage or promote any act that can lead both families into a fix.” 

“Hmmm… Khuranas – I have heard they are all breathtakingly handsome, but Mom, your daughter is herself a thing. Boys get turned on just by one look of mine. I will abide by this family’s rules, but what if one of the elite boys there breaks these family rules you guys are setting?”

“GEET!!! Do you even realize you are talking in front of your Dad?” Geet laughed

“Mom, I’m just joking! You just bombarded me with all those character lessons in front of Dad, as if I were running after boys. You very well know, I have far more interesting hobbies than wasting my time on boys, especially those elite ones… YUCK, so not my type. Rest assured!”

“Geet, mind your language. All we mean to say is that it will be a family, and all elders and boys will be your family. They will protect you, and you will be respectful to them, and this relationship between the two families.”

“Rest assured, I will be a good family girl. Though I am least happy about going there, I will not let you both down or do anything that would bring your upbringing into question.”

That night, Geet left the country for her new journey of life.