Chapter 39: Birthday

Famous Party hall -The Amadeus, was well decorated for the birthday party. The building itself gave the look of elegance. As one was about to enter the main party hall, the standing board read – Happy Birthday Anwesha- Our Annie.

And once the guests stepped inside the hall, they were taken to a different world entirely. The hall was not only grand but the architecture was wonderful. It had classic paintings on every section of wall which had strong beautifully architectured pillars that held them and made them look strong. As part of  party decorations, string lights were running all through the ceiling, each string merging at center. Lights also  ran down the walls but not as concentrated at the ceiling. There was a stage, which was decorated for a birthday setup. Behind was lavender and white flowers, running straight which were filled with red roses tucked in then in high concentration. The contract peeing caught everyone’s attention. Golden Flowers were used between lights in the wall, again making lights and flowers peep between each other. Decorated table was placed on the side of the table. Two steps down the hall were the sitting arrangements, round tables covered with fine laced material table cover. Even the glass flower vase and beautiful combination of fresh exclusive flowers in them, could take people’s attention.  All the guests that were pouring in were of VIP status, who were used to elegant parties but still the decor took their attention. 

Among the guests were Maan’s business associates , some with family, some alone came to give attendance for business allies and the other set were Annie’s friends from personal life and office.

Geet had arranged golden heavy satin silk and net combination evening gown for Annie, strapless, started tight above her curves. Fited till her waist with delicate net front and the frill flowed down from waist to bottom. Annie wanted to keep her hair straight but Geet suggested loosely held low bun, with some strain strands falling here and there. Make-up was done perfectly to give a light look of class and elegance. Jewelries

Annie’s Gown 

Annie entered the party hall with Dadima. Most of Annie’s friends were already present there and enjoying the party with light music, light drinks and snacks. They all welcomed the birthday girl as she entered. 

Everyone was amazed with the beauty of the birthday girl and she was full of praise. Dadima felt proud of her Granddaughter.

Annie’s eyes were looking for Geet and Bhai. She was so nervous. No not for a Birthday but for her surprise gift she wanted. She would tell Geet and Geet’s job would be to convince Bhai. Dadima’s eyes were looking for Geet and Maan as well. Geet, she expected to be late as she had been busy seeing the preparations. But Maan, why was it not here yet. 

But soon, unexpected to all and taking them all by surprise, Maan entered with his arm tucked with Geet’s.

Maan as usual was looking dashingly smart, but the girl with him looked extremely elegant and classy. Who was she? this question was for most

“Why is Maan with Geet in this public gathering? That too like a couple? Why had he to bring it public now, without even mention to me” These question were running in Savitri Devi’s brain

“Wow… Bhai with Geet, hand in Hand” “Wow.. Maan sir with Geet” And all awestruck with the beauty beside him and the elegance that she was there in.

Geet’s Dress

An Hours back: 5 pm

In Geet’s apartment, Geet was holding the evening gown Maan had presented her. Maan’s gaze was fixed on her and she knew it won’t move till she goes with the gown to get it on herself.

At 4 pm, Geet had reached home after setting up everything for Annie. She got her makeup done and wore a decent dress that she had bought for herself for the occasion. She was not introduced formally so didn’t find any point in herself getting exclusively ready for the occasion.

She got herself ready not even expecting Maan to be coming to get ready for the party here. It was his sis birthday and he had all his exclusive clothes in the mansion.

It must have been some half hour and Geet was all ready, when there was click on the door and it opened

“Maan Sir? Now?”

Maan entered and handed her the packets, “Get ready soon. By the time I get ready”

“I don’t look good?”

Maan placed hand on her cheeks “I have told you several times darling, you look good to me in everything” and then he pulled her closer by her arm “or without anything”

“Maa-an” Geet turned red and hit his chest.

“But for this party, get ready for these” “But why?”

“Do you have any problem getting ready in my gift?” 

But when Geet had opened the packets, the gown and jewelry were so exclusive and she knew pricey enough for her to not try to imagine the cost, she could not understand why he wanted her to get this elegantly ready. It was Annie’s Birthday. And why was he here?

At last, she had to go get ready in those. He would not listen nor would he budge.

*******

As Maan was entering the party hall with Geet in his hand

“Why are we going to a party together like this?” Geet was confused and nervous.

“Like this, you mean like a couple” “hmm. woo”

“Are we not a couple? Do you not like my hand in hand” Geet knew it was no use arguing.

*****

Maan waved everyone as he entered with Geet and they directly reached Annie. He hugged Annie “Happy Birthday Bacha. My little girl looks so beautiful and young” 

“Thanks Bhai.. My Bhai most dashing” He  pulled her cheeks 

“And with the most beautiful girl in hand” she teased further. He slightly, lovingly hit her on side of her forehead. He then handed her the keys to one of the exclusive red sports car and excited Annie hugged him again

Geet hugged Annie “Happy Birthday Annie.” She separated and looked at Annie lovingly

“Looking so pretty, Birthday girl” 

“Thanks for everything dear. I bet it’s Bhai’s idea of your presentation”

“Hmm. when does he listen to me” She pouted

“He does great not to listen to you in such matters. You just look ravishing”

Geet was about to move “Geet listen” “Hmm”

“My Birthday gift” “yes, I am waiting for you to ask”

Annie came closer to Geet “My boyfriend” Geet’s eyes popped out and excitement written over her face

“You have to convince Bhai to say yes to him. Though Bhai will never say no to him, but if he does, you have to do this for me… pleaseee. I really really love him” Geet was sinking in the news when Maan grabbed her arm in his and led her to Dadima.

Maan hugged Dadima. Dadima smiled and caressed his cheeks but the small width of the curve of her lips told him his intuitions were right and thus his decision of bringing her as his partner was right. Indirectly officially sealing their relation publicly was his need. He had started feeling, due to their past, due to Geet’s childish craziness of the past, their relation was prone to objection and anything can trigger it. He would have not used Annie’s birthday, but what’s wrong in it. He will take just half an hour of public attention appearing with Geet, rest all time and the show will focus on Annie. His selfless love to his sister would not be dented by this minute selfish act of his. It was his dire need to bring Geet publicly now, he could not delay anymore, cannot take any chance.

Geet hugged Dadima and Dadima placed her hand on her head, with a smile. “Dadima, how is my selection? Isn’t she looking out of world” Maan said with pride

“You are looking very pretty beta” She was forced to say, though Maan knew she was not going to answer directly about his choice. Geet could for the first time feel Dadima’s hesitation for her. In private she was all loving to her but in public she hesitated. 

“Dadima, place your trademark kala teeka to your Geet” Dadima was not at all ready for it as she and Maan both were very well aware people were looking at them. New girl with Maan, so beautiful, was the girl only girlfriend whom he had brought or was she a family affair. Dadima smiled and placed Kala teeka on Geet. Geet hugged Dadima and Maan’s job was done. Geet was publicly indirectly officially accepted as family. He then pulled Annie closer and got the photographer to click them – Annie,Maan, Geet and Dadima – Family pic.

That was all and he left the stage for Annie to enjoy her birthday attention, which anyway she was getting from her office friends though her friends outside office too, were busy looking at her brother and his beautiful girlfriend.

Maan then took Geet around to meet his business associates. Geet was herself confused, why was Maan making her publicly meet everyone but she elegantly did what he wished from her. Why, she can always ask him later

While Party started in full swing – wonderful words and punches were said for Annie, Annie was brought to the center by friends and made special. 

Maan then focused on his sister who was being pampered by friends. Party was going on full swing

He pulled Geet closer by her waist “Thank-you. You made a great arrangement.” 

As mic was going from one hand to other along with Dance, drink and fooding. Someone speaking something for Annie, someone teasing the birthday girl. Geet was then pulled by Annie in their friends group “At least leave her today for me Bhai. I am taking my friend”

“All yours, take her”

And then Dadima found chance to come beside him “Bohut Bare ho gayen hain humare pote” Maan smiled and turned to Dadima. “However mature I become, I will always be your grandson Dadima and you my Dadima” 

She caressed his cheeks “Hope you always remember it” “I will always Dadima, rest assured” But another set of Annie’s words further sealed Maan’s wish “Attention everyone. I would like to thank Geet my friend and more than that my would be sis-in-law for this wonderful arrangement.” Dadima was not happy. She was not against Geet but she was not ready for public acknowledgement of their relation this soon.

Later it was time for cake cutting, Maan was standing on one side of Annie and Dadima on the other side. Annie was nervous and her eyes were stuck on the door of the hall. Geet was standing a bit far, not knowing she had been made to stand so far. Dadima had lovingly pulled Pari and Armaan closer in the group. They had entered late in the party and Dadima took this opportunity to place Geet a bit far. Geet was fine though, but soon she was pulled by Maan beside him and then moved her towards Annie, making her almost in the center. “I was okay there” Geet said, a little uncomfortable the way Maan was making her included in the family. Annie was more than happy to include her but she could feel Dadima’s hesitation.

“Geet, I want you here” Annie said before Maan. Both brother and sister needed Geet there for their own purpose.

“Annie cut the cake, what are you waiting for” said Maan

“Waiting for her boyfriend” whispered Geet in his ears “WHAT?” Maan whispered almost loud, in shock.

And then suddenly Annie ran from her center stage to welcome someone. Maan knotted his brows, who was this, Annie’s Boyfriend? 

Then the man turned towards all, hand in hand with Annie, holding her waist, shaking both Geet and Maan in different ways. His mere sight filled Maan with fire and his hand on his sister’s waist, he could never ever bear. He was about to move to throw the bas***d out but then he felt Geet’s hand held his. It was then his eyes went on Geet, the color of her face was gone, she was shaking. Their eyes kept locked, speaking so many things, so many questions with the most painful part of their past appearing from nowhere. While Maan and Geet were lost in inner intertwined turmoil Annie reached them

“Dadima, Bhai, Geet… meet Rohan” Geet felt strenthless by the presence of Rohan. No she was not at all scared of him but he was the live scene of her long separation from Maan, the separation that had torn her apart and he was now standing in front of them smiling. Her eyes went to Maan, who had fire and only fire in his eyes, his jaws tightened and his fists so tight that his veins came popping out. Without a word, Maan pulled Geet to him possessively holding her by her waist. She was his and nothing this time can come between them, nothing this time can bring the separation, he won’t let it happen by any chance. His intuition had come true and he had acted just in a nick of time.

“Hi Maan… ohh Maan Bhai now” Rohan shamelessly forwarded his hand to Maan, knowing very well what effect he had brought. Maan did not budge an inch, imagining hundred ways to thrash him “Bhai” Annie brought him back. ohh it was her birthday, he cannot let Rohan gain attention. Maan forwarded his hand to Rohan’s waiting hand. Once Rohan’s hand was in Maan’s, Maan had a crude smile on his face as he crushed the bone of Rohan’s hand. Maan continued the hand shake for a long time, continuing to crush Rohan’s hand. Rohan was trying hard to keep his smile as it was now hurting really really bad. Maan left his hand after a long time, giving him a reminder of who he was dealing with – The Maan Singh Khurana.

“Hi Geet” Rohan looked at Geet. Geet moved closer to Maan “Rohan you know Geet as well”

“Of course. I am surprised to see you here Geet ” he forwarded his hand towards Geet when Geet held Maan’s hand tight in hers, almost digging her nails in his skin.

“Okay, enough. Let’s do the cake cutting. It’s Annie’s birthday, we are here for my darling sister and all attention to her” Maan over took the charge, made all focus on Annie as she cut the cake. He made sure Annie fed Dadima first, then Geet, him and then her other friends. Annie wanted to feed cake to Rohan but by the time she got that turn, Maan had already made sure to hand over the plate to Rohan. 

“Thanks Bhai for taking care of Rohan. Rohan is so fond of you” He cannot let his sister be a pawn of his past life’s game.

“Enjoy with your friends.. we have long catching up.” he smiled at her

She went to her friends but Geet was nowhere to be found. But the party continued.