Mish' Fiction

“Geet, mere cabin mein aana,” Maan told her on the phone.

When Geet entered his cabin she saw two men in the room sitting on the visitors’ chairs. They were wearing their employee badges which told her that they were from the bank.

On Maan’s indication, Geet sat on the chair next to him. He had permanently put a chair next to his own in his office, which was Geet’s seat, especially when others were there in the room. She didn’t think this special treatment was necessary in the office, but he insisted on it; so she complied.

“Geet, in papers par sign kar do.”

Geet took the paper and started signing. Just for information’s sake, she asked, “Ye kya hain Maan?”

“Abhi batata hoon.”

After she had signed the papers, the bank employees took their leave.

“Geet. Maine tumhara naam mere personal bank account mein include karwa diya hai. Ye tumhare ATM aur Credit Cards hain. Tum inka use kar sakti ho, jab bhi zaroorat ho.”

Geet hesitated, “Lekin Maan. Inki kya zaroorat hai. Mujhe koi zaroorat hogi to main aapse ya Dadi Ma se maang loongi.”

Maan smiled and held her at shoulders, “Geet! Mujhe pata hai ki tumhein apne liye kuchh nahin chahiye hota hai. Lekin ab tumhare oopar aur zimmedariyan bhi hain. Hamare parivaar ki. Agar ghar mein koi zaroorat hui to kya tum har baar Dadi Ma ko pareshaan karogi?”

She nodded in agreement. Dadi Ma had talked about her responsibilities post-marriage. That had sounded natural to her. But somehow Maan talking about responsibilities made it sound like a huge thing to her. She wondered why was that so. Possibly because in his presence, she never had to take any responsibilities. He always had all the answers, he always knew the way. So, she had gotten used to being carefree like a child in his company. Probably that’s why the word responsibility struck her. But she was thinking too much. It was just another one of his ways to include her in his life as his wife, as the daughter-in-law of his family. He was saying something.

“Aur agar tumhein bhi koi zaroorat hui to tumhein kissi se kuchh maangne ki zaroorat nahin hai, samjhi tum?”

Geet smiled and left. They both had work to finish.

She had finished her work and peeked into his cabin. He seemed to be working on some blueprints. She decided to wait for him.

Her eyes fell on the credit and ATM cards lying on her table. She picked them up to keep them in her purse, but suddenly stopped. These were another symbol of her inclusion in his life. How would she use them for the first time? And she smiled. This was a thought that had crossed her mind on and off. She had never given him a real gift. There was the taveez, but that wasn’t really a gift from her to him. It was more of a symbol of their relationship. And then there were flowers that she had given him several times. But for most part they were an expression of her own feelings for him, rather than being for him. The fact was, and she had never told this to herself in so many words earlier, that with her finances she could not have afforded anything that would suit Maan Singh Khurana.

But now! She laughed to herself. So, she wanted to gift him something with his own money. But now it was hers too. That’s what he was letting her know by arranging these cards for her. So, why not! She would buy him his first real gift.

The decision to get a gift for him was easy, what followed after that was far too difficult. What would she get him? She could not think of single thing that he needed. Of course, he already had everything he needed. Were there things that would make him happy? Surprised? She picked up a piece of paper and started listing the possibilities. A watch? Too cliched… Clothes? A shirt? A tie? One wouldn’t even know where they will be burried in the heaps of clothes he had. What else?

“Babaji! Ladkiyon ke liye gift khareedna kitna aasaan hota hai. Itne saare gahnon ke options hain. Ab main inke liye kya loon?”

But Maan interrupted her tête-à-tête with her Babaji. He was done for the day and asked her to come home with him.

She was still busy thinking of gifts for him in the car. Maan noticed her unusual reticence and asked her repeatedly about what was going on in her mind, but she made an excuse every time. Then she realized that he was getting worried. He cared so much! So, for his sake she decided to push the thought off her mind for the time being. She’d figure out later in the evening. They were chatting away on their way home and crossed the mall which housed the designer boutique, where they had shopped for her dresses durnig the wedding. And then it struck her.

“Idea mil gaya,” she almost screamed in excitement.

“Kya idea mil gaya Geet?” Maan couldn’t make sense of her statement coming out of blue.

“Nahin… Woh… Haan… Maine aapse kaha tha na ki main Noida waale housing project ke kitchen ke design ke baare mein soch rahi thi. To uske liye idea mil gaya. Lekin hum abhi kaam ke baare mein baat nahin karte hain. Kal office mein bataungi.”

“Theek hai,” Maan felt confused. Something was up with Geet, but she seemed to have found the solution to whatever was bothering her. So, he did not dig further.

‘Ab kal kitchen ke liye kuchh soch kar jaana hoga. Babaji – madad kijiye,’ Geet thought to herself.

The next day Geet excused herself early from work. She told Maan that Dadi Ma wanted her back home early for some work. Maan did not like her leaving without him, but she had used the ultimate excuse – Dadi Ma. He could not stop her.

Geet had to rush through her selection to ensure that she had bought his gift, the first gift from her, and reached home before him. But she was satisfied with it.

When Maan entered his room, he felt annoyed at not finding her there. She had left only two hours ahead of him, but he had missed her too much already. And the drive from the office to home felt too lonely. He wondered about how much had changed in his life in less than six months. He was someone so used to his solitude. And now, even couple of hours without Geet would annoy him to no end. But it wasn’t the time to analyze and philosophize. Where was Geet? The only thing he wanted then was to see her and hear her voice.

“Geet,” he shouted out, as he loosened his tie and sat on the bed feeling exhausted after the tiring day. And then he noticed a nicely wrapped, small packet on the bed. The note on it read “Us Dusht Danav ke liye, jo meri duniya ban gaya”.

His first reaction was that of surprise and then he smiled. So, this was her business with Dadi Ma. He had laughed at Geet when she had told him that she liked the idea of hosting a reception because they got so many gifts. The idea of being happy about getting gifts sounded childish. Why does one need gifts? If he wanted something he could always buy it. But right now, he himself was feeling very elated. Getting a gift had not only cured his annoyance, but also made him genuinely happy.

He looked around to see if she had come in yet. She wasn’t to be seen. But he could not wait to open the gift. So, he unwrapped it. Inside a beautiful case, was a diamond pen with the body of white gold. The pen had his name inscribed on it – Maan Singh Khurana. She had clearly given a lot of thought in selecting and preparing the gift. It was expensive, but it looked classy and sober and not over the top. Just the kind of thing Maan Singh Khurana will carry. He already knew that his heart and soul were transparent in front of his Hoshiyarpur express. But he realized that she knew his day to day needs and persona very well too. Could his life get more perfect with her? He took the pen and put it in his breast pocket.

Suddenly he found her in front of him. She ran her hand over his pocket, also running it over his heart in the process and asked, “Kaisa laga?”

“Geet! Mujhe hamesha lagta tha ki mujhe jo chahiye main khareed sakta hoon. Phir kissi gift ko le kar khush hone ki kya zaroorat hai. Lekin aaj mahsoos hua ki insaan apni zaroorat ki sab cheezein to khareed sakta hai, lekin khushi dene waali cheezein use wahi de sakta hai, jo usse bahut pyaar karta ho. Thank you Geet. Aaj phir se tumne mujhe zindagi ki chhoti-badi cheezon mein khush hona sikha diya. Main bata nahin sakta ki mujhe kitna achchha laga.”

Geet was obviously overjoyed to see him happy. Suddenly she brought him a pad and said, “Ab is pen se apna pahla sentence likhiye.”

“Abhi?” Maan wasn’t expecting this request.

“Haan!”

“Theek hai. Kya likhoon?”

“I love you, Geet!” she had already thought of that.

“Kya?” Maan laughed slighly and then looked at her patronizingly. She was a child, wasn’t she?

She had started making faces seeing him laugh; so before she got angry he decided to obilige.

As he opened the pen, he noticed something and a naughty smile formed on his lips. He controlled his expressions before she could see him.

“Lao Geet. Pad do, main likhta hoon.”

She was immediatly happy again and he gave him the pad.

“Geet! Ye pen to chal nahin raha hai,” Maan told her as he tried to write.

“Kya? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai. Maine unse kaha tha ki ink bhar ke dein. Aap theek se likh rahe hain na?”

“Geet! Tumhein lagta hai ki mujhe pen se likhna bhi nahin aata,” Maan faked irritation.

“Nahin. Woh to… Dijiye main dekhti hoon,” she took the pen and tried to scribble, but to no avail. Then she jerked the pen couple of times to make the ink flow to the nib. It still didn’t work.

“Geet! Aise jhatka mat do pen ko. Diamonds nikal kar gir jayenge… Waise tumne khareedne se pahle pen chala kar nahin dekha tha?”

Geet looked at him feeling stupid, “Nahin. Mujhe laga ki itna mahnga pen hai, aur itni badi si dukaan hai to itna to dhyaan rakha hi hoga unhone.”

“Ab Geet. Pen ke mahnge-saste hone se kya hota hai. Pen to pen hi hai. Likhna to chahiye na. Ab isse achchha to yahan ghar ke paas se koi sasta-sa pen khareed lete.”

Geet sat down on the bed and was totally disappointed.

Maan loved teasing her, but only till she fought back. He could not stand seeing her sad or disappointed.

“Geet,” he touched her shoulders and took the pen from her hand. Then he took out the thin protective cap from the tip of the nib, which was preventing them from being able to write with the pen. He started smiling. Geet was first surprised and then furious.

“Aapko pata tha, aur aap phir bhi mujhe pareshaan kar rahe the,” she hit him on the shoulder, and pretty hard because he almost fell on his back.

“Geet! Sambhal ke. Ab cap nikal aayi hai, kahin nib toot gayi to?”

“Arre haan!” She forgot her fury for a moment as she became concerned about her pen. Then she saw him grinning and realized that he had teased her once again.

She got up from there and started going away pouting. But how could he let her go? He pulled her back on the bed, “Ruko Geet. Mujhe apna pahla sentence likh to lene do is pen se.”

She made a face as if she did not care any longer, but she stayed back. He picked up the pen and the pad and started writing.

Geet pretended not to be looking at what he was writing, but she was stealing glances when she thought Maan wouldn’t know. It couldn’t take him so much time to write what she had asked him to. What was he up to? Was he planning to tease her again?

He gave her the pad after he finished. She started reading it.

“Meri pyaari Mishti,

I love you. Main ye baat hazaar baar kah sakta hoon, hazaar baar likh sakta hoon. Lekin in lafzon se phir bhi ye nahin pata chalga ki main tumhare liye kya mahsoos karta hoon. Isliye tumne jitna kaha tha, main usse thoda zyada likh raha hoon.

Waise to maine bahut kuchh tumhein bataya hai ki kaise tumne meri zindagi badal dee hai. Aaj ek baat aur batana chahta hoon. Tumhare saath main apna aaj jeeta hoon aur aane waale kal ke sapne dekhta hoon. Lekin tumhare aane se sirf mera aaj aur aane waala kal hi nahin badla hai. Mujhe lagta hai jaise ki mere guzre hue kal ke din bhi main dubara jee raha hoon. Farq itna hai ki pahle woh andheron ke pal the, par ab unmein roshni hi roshni hai.

Tumhare saath maasoom khel khel kar main apne bachpan ke un dinon ki kasar poori karta hoon, jab unmein bholapan aur masti nahin rah gayi thi. Tumhein chhed kar, pareshaan kar ke, main un doston ki kami poori karta hoon jo maine kabhi banaye nahin the. Tumhari tarah pyaar kar ke main us 18 saal ke Maan ko bhula deta hoon jo samay se pahle bada ho gaya tha. Uski jagah ek naya 18 saal ka ladka ban jaata hoon, jo tumhari tarah khush rahna jaanta hai, sapne dekhna jaanta hai, pyaar karna jaanta hai.

Geet! Kabhi kabhi mujhe dar bhi lagta hai ki kahin main apni zarooraton ke liye tumhein bahut zyada pareshaan to nahin karta. Lekin jab tumhein muskurate hue apne saamne dekhta hoon, to phir laalchi ho jaata hoon.

Thank you Geet. Mujhe khush rahna sikhane ke liye, aur mujhe hamesha khush rakhne ke liye. Bas ek cheez aur maangta hoon, tumse bhi aur bhagwaan se bhi – Kabhi mujhse door mat jaana. Agar maine kabhi tumhein zyada pareshaan kiya; ya mujhse koi galti ho gai, to mujhe sazaa de dena, par mujhe chhod kar mat jaana.

Geet! Main tumse sirf pyaar hi nahin karta, main tumhari pooja karta hoon. Kyonki agar hamein zindagi dene waala bhagwaan hai, to woh khud tumhare roop mein mere saamne aaya hai – mujhe zindagi dene, mujhe jeena sikhane.

Aur kya likhoon? Tumhara pen to bahut achchha hai, lekin mere lafz jawaab de rahe hain. Lafzon mein kamzor hoon na! Baaki ki ankahi baatein khud hi samajh lo.

Tumhara

Dusht Danav”

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She kept the pad aside and leaned on him as he pulled her into a hug.

She spoke while still hugging him, “Maan. Aap please aisa kabhi mat sochiyega ki aap mujhe pareshaan karte hain ya aapse koi galti ho sakti hai. Aapka kiya hua koi bhi kaam mere liye galti nahin hoga. Aur mujhe sata kar agar aapke chehre par ek pal bhi hansi aati hai, to aap chahe sata-sata kar mujhe maar daalein, mujhe koi shikayat nahin hogi.”

“Bilkul chup Geet. Dubara marne ki baat mazaak mein bhi mat karna.”

Their hug became tighter.

Note on the OS

This scene is supposed to happen during their honeymoon in Shimla.

—

As Maan entered the room, he saw Geet hastily putting down the phone’s receiver.

“Kise phone kar rahi thi Geet?”

“Phone?” she was taken aback because she had thought he didn’t see her on the phone and was not prepared with an alibi. But as usual she was quick to make up one, even if it was not so  believable, “Haan! Woh – Housekeeping waalon ka phone aaya tha ye poochhne ke liye ki hamein kissi cheez ki zaroorat to nahin hai.”

Maan wasn’t convinced, but she distracted him with her question, “Aap chaat le kar aaye? Dijiye mujhe. Main to kab se intezaar kar rahi hoon.”

“Kab se? Geet – abhi main aadhe ghante pahle hi to gaya tha. Aur tumehin resort ke restaurant ki chaat nahin chahiye thi. Us market waali shop se hi chahiye thi. To wahan se laane mein thoda time to lagega na.”

“Haan, haan. Pata hai. Lekin ab baby ka wahi khane ka man ho raha tha to main kya karoon?” she made an innocent face.

“Geet baby ke naam par mujhe pareshaan karna band karo,” Maan pretended anger, but they both knew he was joking.

“Baby! Dekha? – Papa kah rahe hain ki aap unhein pareshaan kar rahe ho.”

“Achchha Geet?! Maine ye kab kahan ki baby mujhe pareshaan kar raha hai. Pareshaan to mujhe tum karti ho! Woh bhi baby ka naam le kar.”

“Baby! Dekha? Papa Mamma ko kaise daant rahe hain.”

It was not possible for him to win against his Hoshiyarpur express! He finally succumbed to a smile and slight laughter. Geet started eating the chaat sitting on the bed. She looked like an innocent child enjoying her candy. Maan pretended to watch TV sitting beside her, but he was stealing glances at her through out.

Suddenly the phone rang. Maan got up to pick it up, but Geet sprang ahead, “Main dekhti hoon.”

“Par Geet tum apni chaat to kha lo.”

She had already picked up the phone by then, “Achchha theek hai. Hum aate hain.”

“Kya hua Geet?”

“Chaliye – hamein market jaana hai.”

“Market? Par kisliye? Abhi to main market se aaya hoon.”

“Haan, haan pata hai. Par mujhe bhi jaana hai.”

“Tum mere saath pahle kyon nahin gayi?”

“Offo Maan! Itne sawaal poochhna zaroori hai kya? Waise bhi hum yahan baith kar kya karne waale hain? Chaliye na. Mujhe abhi jaana hai.”

“Aur tumhari chaat?”

“Woh baaki main aa kar kha loongi.”

“Geet! Tum bilkul pagal ho.”

“Pata hai. Sangati ka asar to hota hi hai na. Aapke saath jo rahti hoon har waqt.”

“Kya?”

She practically dragged him out to the black jeep that was waiting for them.

“Jeep mein? Market? Main abhi car mangwata hoon.”

“Nahin Maan. Car mein ja ja kar to main bore ho gayi hoon. Isliye to Jeep mangwayi hai.”

“Car mein… Bore..” Maan wondered if she has totally lost it due to her pregnancy mood swings. But what could he do except to follow his Mishti’s wishes! He couldn’t have denied her even the craziest things in the world. Going to the market in Shimla in a Jeep was still pretty sane.

But Maan was again worried when he saw the route Jeep was taking. He addressed the driver, “Suno. Ye kis raaste par le ja rahe ho? Ye to market ki taraf nahin jaata.”

Geet replied before the driver could even turn to him, “Mujhse baat kijiye. Aap use kyon dara rahe hain apni bhari-bharkam aawaaz se? Hum doosre market ja rahe hain. Is taraf aas paas ke gaon waalon ka ek market lagta hai. Hum wahan ja rahe hain.”

“Ye tumhein kaise pata chala?”

“Main aas paas ke logon se baatein karti hoon. Aapki tarah akad kar apni duniya mein nahin rahti.”

“Achchha – jab koi mujhse baat karne aaye to tumhari to naak chadh jati hai.”

“Kya? Maine kab aapko mana kiya logon se baat karne se?”

“Kyon? Swimming pool par woh ladki mujhse baat karna chah rahi thi to kaun bhadak raha tha.”

“Maan! Woh alag baat hai.”

“Achchha. Kyon? Kaise alag hai?” Maan teased her.

“Woh..” she was unable to put words to her answer, “Kuchh nahin – bas alag hai. Ab aap is baare mein kuchh nahin kahenge.”

Maan smiled and put his arms around Geet’s shoulder. She looked at him and then rested her head on his shoulder as they waited for their destination to come.

They were on a dirt road going through a jungle-like  area, when the driver stopped, “Madam, bas yahan se 10-15 meter andar jaana hoga,” he indicated towards the trees on one side of the road.

“Theek hai bhaiya. Aap wapas chale jaiye. Jeep yahin chhod jaiye aur Sir ko chabhi de dijiye. Maan! Aapko raasta yaad ho gaya hai na?”

“Haan Geet. Par…”

She did not let him complete, instead asked the driver to leave.

Then she held his hands and led him into the woods.

“Geet! In jangalon mein kaun market lagwata hoga?”

Geet ignored his question.

“Geet! Main tumse baat kar raha hoon.”

“Aap thodee der in ped-patton se baat kyon nahin karte? Ye to aapka favourite shauk hai na.”

Maan sighed, nooded his head in disbelief and did not reply. He had never indulged anyone like this in his life. Even his Dadi Ma, brother or sister could not have gotten away with something like this. But it was Geet. She gave him the life as he knew it today. She ruled his life. With others, even their slightest attempt to take him for granted would have annoyed him to no end. Even now, he sometimes found it hard to believe that he enjoyed Geet’s antics. He enjoyed giving in to her wishes – however childish they may be. He enjoyed being ruled by her. He had irrevocably fallen in love with this child-woman.

It was not difficult for him to guess that Geet was planning a surprise for him. But the surprise still surprised him as he saw a tent set up near a pond. It was still sometime before it would turn dark. The logs for fire were set up, but not lighted.

Maan looked at Geet in surprise. She was smiling with just a hint of pride in having prepared a surprise to his liking.

She walked to face him, “Agar aapko surprise pasand aaya ho to kya aap mere valentine banenge?”

Suddenly Maan looked away from her, “Nahin, bilkul nahin.”

Geet was shocked, “Kya?”

“Aur kya Geet? Main aisi ladki ka Valentine nahin ban sakta jo Valentine day ki din mujhe bina dinner ke, khali pet ek tent mein sulane ki soch rahi ho. Tent to tumne lagwa liya, ab dinner kya tumahre Babaji de kar jayenge?” Maan suppressed his smile with difficulty.

“Oh! Nahin. Babaji ko itni mehnat karne ki kya zaroorat hai. Dinner mere pati banaynege.” Geet understood his trick and replied in the same tone.

“Kya?”

“Haan. Aapko pata nahin hai, unhein jangalon mein rahne ka bahut experience hai aur woh bahut achchha khana bhi banate hain.”

“Achha!” Maan’s voice suddenly become seductive, “Lekin khana banane ka koi samaan to yahan dikh nahin raha hai. Lagta hai tumse hi kaam chalana padega.” He had come very close to her.

She poked on his shoulder to push him away, “Jee nahin! Iski zaroorat nahin padegi. Shararat karne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Saara samaan andar pada hai khana banane ke liye.”

“Achcha Geet! Tumhari samajhdari to badhti hi ja rahi hai. Sach kaha tha tumne, sangati ka asar to hota hi hai.”

“Babaji! Apne munh miya mitthoo banna to koi inse seekhe,” Geet muttered under her breath.

“Kya kaha?”

“Kuchh nahin.”

“Geet!”

Geet started laughing and ran away from him. He ran behind her. She escaped him several times, but he finally caught her. By that time both of them were laughing like crazy and hardly had any strength left in them. They sat down near the logs gathered for fire and Maan started the fire.

The fire reflected in his eyes when he looked up at Geet. She was also lost in him. Both of them were reminded of the time they were stranded in Manali! There was snow outside and fire within. Then there was a hesitation, a wall between them. They had not openly confessed what they meant for each other, although they knew it. Today it was different. They not only knew about each other’s feelings, but were also married. No walls – neither personal, nor social.

Maan came to Geet, who was sitting on a low bench near the fire. He kneeled in front of her. This brought both of them to the same height. His gaze was penerating her, she started looking down. Maan took her left hand in his right and kissed her hand. He did not stop with one kiss, but planted kisses on her entire hand. Could she ever get used to his touch and kisses? He always managed to set her on fire. When he reached her upper arms, he got up and sat beside her on the bench. By that time she had completely lost herself and he had to support her with his arms. But he continued kissing her on the neck, just above her arms.

“Maan…” she whispered.

Maan stopped, looked at her and then picked her in his arms. He took her inside the tent. Geet gained some of her senses back and she remembered that one wall that still stood between them. Medical wall. Doctor had warned about baby’s health.

When he put her down inside the tent and continued to explore her, her face this time, with kisses, she stopped him, “Maan. Ruk Jaiye.”

Maan stopped and looked at her questioningly. Geet hesitated and was clearly embarrassed as she said, “Woh… Doctor ne mana kiya hai… Kahin hum…”

Maan understood what she was saying. He seemed to think for a moment before he withdrew, “Chalo Geet. Dinner banate hain. Thodee der mein bhookh lag jayegi zoron se.”

Geet was surprised at his calm voice. Was he upset and was trying to hide it? His voice betrayed none of the feelings he had given in to just a few moments ago. Confused to the core, Geet just followed him and they took the vegetables and other cooking material out to the fire.

Maan used the fire to barbecue the vegetables. They had some spices and salt to marinate them. Maan fed the barbecued vegetables to Geet. He kept asking her if she liked  them and she nodded everytime without saying a word. When she noticed he wasn’t eating anything himself, she fed him too.

After they were done eating, they started walking near the tent, hand in hand. Geet was still wondering if he had upset Maan by stopping him earlier in the evening. She finally gathered courage to ask him, “Maan aap gussa hain kya?”

Maan was surprised, “Kyon? Aisa kyon kah rahi ho. Maine aisa kya kiya?”

“Nahin aapne nahin, maine kiya. Woh khane se pahle…”

Maan did not realize what she was referring to; so he waited for her to continue and looked at her with questioning eyes.

“Maine… maine… aapko rok diya tha. Aap gussa to nahin hain?”

“Kya!” Maan was genuinely surprised

“I am sorry Maan. Meri wajah se shaadi ki baad bhi aapko khud ko rokna pad raha hai. I am really sorry…” Geet was crying by now.

“Geet!” Maan was almost angry as he held her at her shoulders and pulled her close, “Geet. Khabardaar jo tumne dubara aisi baat bhi ki to. Main kya tumhein itna bewkoof lagta hoon ki mujhe ye bhi pata nahin hai ki hum kya aur kyon kar rahe hain…”

“Nahin Maan… Woh…”

“Meri baat suno Geet. Agar dubara tumne aisi baat ki to main sach much gussa ho jaunga aur kabhi tumse baat nahin karoonga. Geet. Humne jo bhi kiya hai, hamare baby ke liye kiya hai. Aur ismein humme se kissi ko bhi bura lagne ki ya dukhi hone ki baat kahan se aa gayi. Geet hamara saath sirf abhi ka to nahin hai na. Hamein to poori zindagi saath rahna hai. Phir kuchh dinon ki dooriyon ko lekar kyon dukhi hona hai. Aur is thodi si parehsaani ke badle hamein itni badi khushi bhi to milne waali hai. Phir?”

While her original guilt was blown away by Maan, a new guilt took over her. She had offended him by her question, “Sorry Maan. Main aapka dil nahin dukhana chahti thi.”

Maan smiled, “Geet ab agar tum apni sorry ki dukaan band karo to main kuchh kahun.”

Geet looked at him without saying anything.

“Mere paas bhi tumhare liye ek surprise hai.”

“Kya?”

“Lekin main woh tumhein tabhi doonga, jab tum ye promise karogi ki kabhi hamare khushiyon ya pareshaaniyon ke beech mein mera-tumhara nahin laogi.”

“Main waada karti hoon Maan. Yakin maaniye mera aisa koi matlab nahin tha. I am really Sorry,” she bit her lips as she realized that she had said sorry again, while he had asked her just a while back to not do that.

But Maan seemed too happy to notice, “To suno. Jab main market mein tha to ek phone aaya tha. Hospital se. Tumhar jo tests hum aane ke pahle karwa kar aaye the, unke results aa gaye hain.”

Geet’s eyes showed antcipation as well as the fear, not knowing what the results were, “Aur?”

“Aur complications ab bilkul theek hain. Hamare baby ko koi khatra nahin hai. Bas tumhein apne khane-peene par dhyaan dena hai aur dawaiyan time se leni hai.”

Geet’s eyes had popped out in surprise, “Sach? Iska matlab…” She did not continue as she realized what she was about to say.

Maan’s voice grew naughty as he spoke in a low, heavy voice, “Iska matlab tumehin mujhe rokne ki koi zaroorat nahin thi.”

Geet’s embrrassment took the form of anger, “To. Aap mujhe bata nahin sakte the pahle. Mujhe pareshaan karne mein aapko mazaa aata hai na. Jaiye main aapse koi baat nahin karoongi…”

There goes his bomb-shell of a wife. Geet started moving away, but Maan pulled her back by hands, “Meri Hoshiyarpur Express, meri baat to sun lo. Kab batata main tumhein. Jaise hi wapas aaya tum chaat khane mein lag gayi aur phir mujhe zabardasti yahan le aayi.”

“Haan, haan. Galti to hamesha meri hi hoti hai,” Geet made faces, but did not move away.

“Waise maine aisa socha to nahin tha, lekin achchha hi hua ki maine tumehin pahle nahin bataya.”

“Kya matlab?”

“Jab tum gussa hoti ho to tumhein zabardasti apni baahon mein lene ka mazaa hi kuchh aur hai.”

Before Geet realized what he meant, she found her in his arms for the second time in the evening.

“Maan! Mujhe neeche utairye,” she was still furious.

Maan just kept looking at her smiling, as if he did not hear her. How long could she remain angry in his arms, especially when he was looking at her like that? By the time they were inside the tent, she had melted completely.

—

The tent was dimly lit, the only source of light being the fire outside the tent. There was a make-shift bed there, a bed sheet over a layer of hay. He made her sit on it with her back supported on one of the polls in the tent. Without realizing it she folded her knees and put her hands around them. Just as she had waited for him on their wedding night.

Maan saw this and his eyes became even more intense with desire. And he could see that she was more than ready for him. But he had something on his mind.

“Geet! Aaj tumahre liye sazaa ka din hai.”

Geet looked at him with surprise in her eyes. She was already so affected with anticipation and nervousness that the words hardly came out of her mouth as she asked, “Sazaa?”

Maan tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, “Haan Geet.” He opened her ponytail, “Jab se mila hoon tumse, pahli baar se hi, bahut sataya hai tumne.” He took off the ear-ring from her left ear, “Apni in aankhon se, jo kabhi ankahe sawaal poochhti hain, to kabhi apni sharaaraton se saansein rok deti hain.”

Geet blushed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was a surreal feeling.

Maan continued while taking off her other ear-ring, “Apne is maasoon aur khoobsoorat chehre se, jo pariyon ki kahaniyon par bharosa karne ko majboor kar deta hai.”

He took off her white stone bindi and carefully pasted it on the poll she was leaning on, so that it could be retrieved in the morning. He kissed her on the forehead as he spoke, “Apni is saadgi se Geet, jisko dekh kar tum par aankhein band kar ke vishwaas karne ka man karta hai.”

He almost crushed her ear-lobes as he continued, “Apne saaf dil se, jiski pyaar ki garmi se patthar bhi pighal sakte hain.”

There was an inconsistency. His words were poetic, deep and on a spritual plane. His touch, his voice and his eyes had a animalistic lust in them. She felt the inconsistency, although she would not have been able to describe it in so many words. But somehow even the inconsistency felt all right. As if the two could actually come together and make her life, their life complete.

He was taking off her bangles now, “Aur in sab ke baad, jab main laakh koshishon ke baad bhi apne aap ko haar gaya, tab bhi tumne mujhe bahut sataya. Kabhi apne man ki baat batane ko taiyaar nahin hoti thi. Yaad hai na Geet?”

He didn’t really expect her to be able to answer that, did he? Her eyes were either downcast or closed through out. She was not able to look at him.

“Aur Geet. Aaj tumhein in sabki sazaa milegi.”

Her mind registered the word “sazaa”. What was he talking about?  He must be joking. But it did not seem like the right time to crack jokes. Not when he was pressing her now bare hands so sensually making her feel dizzy.

Suddenly he left her hands and cupped her face. He lifted her face and commanded her to look at him, “Meri taraf dekho Geet.” His eyes were still demanding, intense and lustful. She had great difficulty in meeting them, but there was something in his voice that made her obey him.

“Aaj main tumse sawaal poochhoonga. Tumehin har sawaal ka jawaab dena hai. Aur mere sawaalon ke jawaab ke alawa main ek shabd nahin sunna chahta. Samjhi tum?”

She heard him, even understood what he said, but all of it made no sense. What “sazaa”? What “sawaal”?

“Par Maan,” she barely had started registering her protest in a weak voice, when one of his hands moved behind her on her nape to support her and to bring her closer to him and the second one landed on her mouth, shutting her up.

“Sirf mere sawaalon ke jawaab. Ek aur shabd nahin Geet. Maine poochha ki tumhein meri baat samajh mein aayi ya nahin? Aur iska jawaab ‘haan’ ya ‘naa’ hota hai Geet. Ab batao.”

“Haan,” she managed to utter when he removed her hand. She started looking down again.

He removed her dupatta and caressed and kissed her neck and nape as he asked, “Jab tum pahli baar outhouse mein rahne aayi thi, agle din hamara jhagda hua tha. Phir bhi tum mere peechhe dargah tak chali aayi thi, kyon Geet?”

What on earth was he doing? In her situation the only thing she could think of was getting crushed in his arms. Instead he was asking her questions. Why did he need any answers now? Did he not know?

Sazaa! Right – that’s what it was. His sazaa for her. He couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate time to mete out the punishment.

“Maan please…” she had hardly begun her protest, when she found his hand on her mouth again.

“Sirf jawaab Geet. Ek aur shabd nahin. Warna tumhari sazaa badh jayegi. Kyon aayi thi mere peechhe?” His hands were roaming over her neck, nape, ear-lobes, face and parts of her back and arms. But he would not hug her. He wasn’t even kissing her any longer. He knew the hold he had on her. Even his touches were enough to make her his captive; she was at his mercy.

Not that he was not desperate, but he was enjoying his little game. It was reassuring him that she was as mad for him as he was for her.

Geet had to succumb. She replied in broken voice, “Mujhe… aapki… fikr… ho… rahi…” She swallowed hard. Could he stop touching her and not torture her if he wanted his answers?

“Phir uske baad mujhe chhod kar jana kyon chahti thi? Kyon doosri job dhoondh rahi thi?”

Geet did not answer.

“Bolo Geet, warna…”

No, she could not bear any extension of her punishement. She had to speak, “Aapke paas hone se… mujhe… farq padta tha… main ye aapko… batana nahin…”

She stole a glance at him and was surprised to see that he had taken off his shirt. She did not realize when he managed to do that. His hands had never been off her. Or was she imagining his touch even when it wasn’t there?

She could not help her hands reaching out to touch him, but he held her hand firmly, “Jab main Pari ke saath Disco mein gaya tha, to tum kyon wahan aayi thi?”

“Jalan… ho rahi thi…”

“Kyon meri mangetar banna nahin chahti thi Geet?”

She was compliant now and did not need multiple urgings to answer. She knew she had no choice.

“Aapke saath rah kar… man ki baat… nahin chhupti…”

She realized that he had slid her kurti over her shoulders and she was almost undressed. He was exploring her body with his touches as well as kisses.

“Mere liye kyon apni jaan khatre mein daal kar hoshiyarpur chali gayi thi?”

“Aapko… kissi museebat… mein nahin dekh…” Her voice drowned as he pushed her on the bed and made her lie down. He kissed the various parts of her face repeatedly, but avoided her lips, making her even more desperate with desire.

“Agle din kyon bina kuchh soche samjhe subah, subah mere peechhe office chali aayi thi?”

She could not beat around the bush any longer, “Pyaar… karne lagi thi… Aapko kuchh ho jaata to… main bhi zinda nahin”

He did not let her complete that as he furiously attacked her lips with his own. The long kiss left her breathless.

“Tumhari sazaa abhi poori nahin hui hai Geet, lekin hamare beech jo dooriyan rah gayi hain, woh mere liye sazaa hai abhi, jo main nahin chahta. Isliye tumhein chhod raha hoon.”

He kissed her lips again, but more gently this time. Both of them were too eager to have each other. They weren’t aware of their surroundings, but the moon outside witnessed their sweet union. They belonged to each other in every sense of the word now.

Maan saw Geet sleeping in his arms. Looking sweet and innocent like a child. And yet desirable like a fairy. He almost gave in to the temptation of waking her up, to make love to her once again. But he stopped himself. The baby was out of danger, but she stil needed her rest and sleep. Their life together had just begun. There was a lifetime of happiness waiting for him. What was the hurry?!

Note on the OS

Immediately after their wedding Maan was unwilling to consummate their marriage, because it could have been dangerous for the baby according to the doctor. But he did not want to tell her that. In trying to keep her away from him, he ended up saying hurtful things to her and went off to Chandigarh for a day without telling her. Geet, meanwhile, came to know why Maan was keeping away from her and felt guilty about doubting his love. In the show they never showed Maan repenting his hurtful words. But he should have. This incident is supposed to happen after he comes back from Chandigarh.

—

He stopped at the their bedroom door when he saw her sitting on the bed with her hands around her folded knees. She was sitting in exactly the same posture in which she had waited for him on their Suhag Raat. The only difference was that instead of the excitement, nervousness and love, her face showed pain and tears.

Did his staying away end up giving her more pain? He had crossed the boundaries while shouting at her. Because he would rather have her be angry at him that be guilty about herself. And he had hoped that the pain of the anger will be less than the fear of losing the baby – the baby that meant the world to her, even before he came in to their world. If there was a chance that things would look all right after the tests, if there was a chance to protect her from that guilt and fear, he wanted to take it. But did he do it right? Looking at her face right now, he thought he went utterly wrong. He went to the extent of hurting her self-respect. That was so unnecessary.

What was he to do now? He did not know how to face her. Probably he should stay away for couple of hours, until he had the time to consult the doctor. Once he knew the situation, he would make it up to her. If all was well, he would have succeeded in keeping her away from the guilt at least. And he would make sure that the pain he gave her in the process goes away. If things were still complicated, he would have to break the news to her. But he would also make sure that she did not feel guilty about it. He would find a way to ensure that.

Yes – he would stay away. But before he could turn back, she had sensed him. There was that connection between them! They always knew when the other person was around.

She saw him, got down from the bed, ran to him and hugged him. He hugged her back as a natural reaction, even though he had no clue why she was behaving this way. But when they were in each other’s arms, for those moments, the questions became immaterial. He hugged her as tight as she was hugging him and the desires raised their faces again in both their bodies. The caresses on their backs became rougher and more urgent, their breathings became shallow and they clutched each other so tight as if they just wanted to become one in the body – quite literally pushing themselves into one another.

Maan was the one who came to his senses first. He had to go away. He will end up doing a blunder if he stayed close to her.

He stepped away, tried to put on his Maan-Singh-Khurana expression and said as non-chalantly as he could manage, “Geet mujhe ek important meeting ke liye bahar jaana hai.” He turned away pretending to look for something.

She looked at him with tear-filled eyes. He was still putting up an act. But now she knew just how much he was hurting inside.

“Maan. Aapko meeting ke liye jaane ki zaroorat nahin hai. Maine woh meeting pahle hi attend kar li hai,” she said. She picked up a file from the bed and extended her hand towards him to give him the file.

Maan looked back in surprise, “Kaun si meeting ki baat kar rahi ho Geet?”

She just indicated towards the file in her hands.

Still perplexed, he took the file from her and realized by looking at the cover that those were her medical reports. He panicked and instead of reading the reports he started questioning her nervously, “Geet. Ye tumhare paas kaise aayi? Doctor ne tumhein… Tum theek to ho na Geet. Tum tension mat lena…”

“Bas Maan. Ab na to aapko mujhse gussa hone ka natak karne ki zaroorat hai, na hi apne aap ko itni taqleef dene ki zaroorat hai. I am sorry Maan. Please mujhe maaf kar dijiye. Aap meri hifaazat ke liye mujhse door ja rahe the aur maine bina soche, bina kuchh jane aapko kya-kya kah diya.”

Knowing that the wall of misunderstanding has broken, he could no longer hide his concern. He dropped the file on the bed and hugged her tight, “Geet! Tum theek to ho na. I am sorry Geet. Maine tumhein ek stress se bachana ke liye doosra itna bada stress de diya. Tumse door rahne ki koshish mein tumhein kuchh bhi bol diya Geet. Tum mujhe maaf kar dogi na? Kal raat ko bola hua mera ek bhi lafz sach nahin tha. Main aisa nahin sochta tumhare baare mein, soch hi nahin sakta.”

Neither of them tried to break the embrace as they talked. Geet replied, “Maan! Aapko maafi maangne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Main to jaanti hoon na ki aap mujhse kitna pyaar karte hain. Aapke pyaar ke oopar shak karna meri galti thi. Bas babaji se yahi maangti hoon ki mujhse aisi galti dubara na ho.”

“Geet. Aisa mat sochna. Ismein tumhari koi galti nahin thi. Jaise halaat maine bana diye the, usmein gussa aana to normal tha.”

He broke the hug and cupped her teary face in his hands. He wiped her tears with his thumbs, “Geet. Ab tumhein sab pata hai. Waada karo Geet ki kissi bhi baat ke liye na to tum khud ko doshi thahraogi, na hi tum koi chinta karogi. Waada karo Geet. Tumari aur hamare baby ki sehat ke liye ye bahut zaroori hai.”

“Aap kis mitti ke bane hain Maan? Aapko apni khwahishon ki koi parwah nahin hai. Kuchh bhi bardasht kar sakte hain aap apne oopar. Koi shikayat nahin hai ki shaadi ke baad bhi…” She did not complete her sentence, but the look of embarrassment and guilt on her face clearly told Maan what she was thinking.

“Geet. Kash main itna majboot hota jitne ka tum mujhe credit de rahi ho, to phir maine tumhein itni chot nahin pahunchayi hoti. Sach to ye hai Geet ki main halaat ko sambhaal hi nahin paya, apni kamzori ki wajah se. Tumse itni obviously door rahna nahin chahiye tha mujhe, na hi mera aisa koi iraada tha. Lekin jab tum kareeb hoti ho to main bahut kamzor pad jaata hoon. Khud ko rokna namumkin ho jaata hai mere liye. Aur isliye… Aur in sab ke beech main tumhein itni kadwi baatein kah gaya ki tumahre swabhimaan ko chot pahuncha di. Phir bhi tum mujhpar gussa nahin ho. Mujhe to ye batao Geet ki tum kis mitti ki bani ho? Tum apni chhoti si galti – chahe woh meri nazar mein galti ho bhi na – uske liye maafi maangne pahle chali aati ho. Meri galti chahe kitni bhi badi ho, mujhe maafi maangne ka bhi mauka nahin deti ho. Koi shikayat, koi gussa nahin rakhti man mein.”

“Maan. Jab tak aap mere saath hain, mujhe aapse to kya, kissi se bhi koi shikayat nahin hai. Us zindagi se bhi nahin, jisne mujhe bahut dhokhe diye. Kyonki usi ne aapko bhi to mere paas bheja.”

“Thank you Geet. Chahe main kitna bhi bada dusht-danav ban jaun, tum mujhe kabhi mere baare mein bura mahsoos nahin hone deti ho.”

“Kya karoon Maan, ye dusht-danav hi to mujhe pariyon ki duniya ki rajkumari bana kar, paristaan mein le aaya hai na. Usse kaise naraaz rahoon?”

They both smiled.

But Maan realized immediately that he did not yet know what her reports said. He became concerned again and picked up the file, “Geet. Tumhari reports mein kya hai?” He started leafing through the file to see for himself, as Geet answered, “Ab koi khatra nahin hai Maan.”

His eyes lit up and his facial muscles relaxed as he heard this and also confirmed it with the reports. But he wanted to be absolutely sure. He wouldn’t trust his own interpretation of the reports.

“Geet. Main doctor se mil kar aata hoon. Poori tasalli ho jayegi.”

“Par…” she started saying that she had already met the doctor, but realized that he would not be satisfied until he has checked it with the doctor himself. So, instead of stopping him from visiting the doctor, she asked to accompany him.

“Main bhi chalti hoon.”

“Nahin Geet. Tum aaraam karogi. Waise bhi Annie ke accident ki wajah se tumhein kaafi bhaag daud karni padi hai. Abhi aur nahin.”

Geet gave up. If this is what will give him peace, let it be. She could manage to be away from him for couple of hours. After all, now she knew that he wasn’t going away from her.

Maan wanted to meet the doctor alone. Somehow he did not trust Geet this one time. What if she had pressured the doctor to tone down the reports for the sake of his happiness. He did not realize that he was suspecting Geet of scheming to a level that this simple, straight forward girl was inherently incapable of. But he was so paranoid about her situation that he trusted no one, not even Geet herself. He couldn’t help it.

—

“Maan, kahan hain aap?” It had been over four hours since Maan left to see the doctor and she was getting restless.

“Office mein, aur kahan rahunga is samay? Aur tum office kyon nahin aayi? Kitna saara kaam hai yahan par. Shaadi ho gai to kya pati ke paison par hi aish karne ka irada hai,” Maan pulled her legs.

Her mouth literally opened in surprise. What had come upon him? A few hours back, he wouldn’t even have her go to the doctor. And now he is taunting her for not coming to the office.

‘Abhi batati hoon,’ she thought to herself.

She entered his cabin full of her cute irritation. But Maan was talking to several employees about a project proposal. She could not help notice that he was being very patient with people asking questions and did not even shout at Tasha for some silly remark of hers. Although he acted the boss with his usual authority, Geet could not help notice the brightness in his eyes and relaxation in his manners. He was clearly happy. Must be the effect of doctor’s reassurance, she thought. Seeing him happy she forgot all her irritation.

Maan assigned quite a bit of work to her too. She left his cabin with others and started working on her tasks. It was already late afternoon when she had come to the office. Soon everyone had left for the day. Geet didn’t realize it until she saw Maan in her cabin staring at her.

She startled on noticing him, “Aap? Yahan kya kar rahe hain?”

“Kyon? Main apni biwi ko dekh nahin sakta?” He said teasingly and moved towards her.

“Mr. Khurana. Ye aapka ghar nahin office hai. Main aapki biwi nahin, secretary hoon,” Geet also played along.

“Koi baat nahin. Main apni secretary ke saath hi thoda romance kar leta hoon,” he had come very close to her and they were staring into each other’s eyes. She was so lost in him that she did not notice him keeping a rather large packet on the table.

“Aapki biwi naraaz ho jayegi.”

“Woh kuchh nahin kahegi,” he grabbed her at her waist and pulled her closer. She gasped. Their lips were very close.

Geet became nervous, “Maan – hum office mein hain.”

“Yahan koi nahin hai. Aur aaj hum ghar ja bhi nahin rahe hain.”

“Matlab?”

He turned his attention to the packet on the table. That’s when she noticed the packet. He opened the packet and took out a beautiful one piece, ankle length, white dress. It flared slightly around the waist. It was enhanced with white laces, without using too much of them, giving it a classy, sober look.

Geet smiled when she looked at the dress, “Mere liye hai?”

“Nahin. Meri biwi ke liye.”

Her smile got bigger and she tried to take the dress from him, “To aapki biwi abhi change kar ke aati hai.”

But he did not let her take the dress and pulled her towards him.

“Aaj apni biwi ko main apne haathon se taiyaar karoonga.”

She became nervous again, “Maan!”

“Chup, bilkul chup Geet,” he placed his hands on her lips.

He slipped the dress over her head so that the flares covered her upper body. Keeping his hands under the dress, he untied the dori of her kurti and unzipped it. Then he slipped it off her shoulders and pulled it down until it came to her waist. At that point he untied the dori of her salwar too and pulled both the pieces of her dress down temporarily exposing her legs. He then adjusted her hands in the dress and pulled it down in place. She hadn’t realized that the zip had the back of her dress was open until he embraced her to take his hands at her back and zipped the dress up.

She had her eyes closed during the entire process. She let the reaction of her body to the most sensual dress up ever take over her mind. Finally she opened her eyes when she felt his hands off her body. She noticed that the dress had very thin straps leaving her shoulders practically bare. She panicked a bit. It was fine in front of him, but he did not expect her to go out like this, did he?

‘Babaji!’ she prayed silently.

As if Babaji heard her prayer she saw him take out a small full sleeve jacket matching her dress from the packet. He went behind her and made her wear the jacket. She felt relieved. Maan noticed this and smiled slightly, which she could not see.

Still standing behind her, he reached out to take something out from the packet. She could not see what it was, until he kept it on the table. He proceeded to take off her ear-rings and replaced them with the diamond ones he had brought. They matched her dress perfectly. There was also a matching necklace that he put on her, in the process intentionally rubbing her ears, neck and nape. She was finding it hard to keep steady by now. He was driving her crazy. As if he realized this, he made her sit on her chair and placed her hands on the chair’s arms. Then he slowly took off her bangles and replaced them with a set from the packet, once again they matched her dress.

He kneeled and started taking off her sandles which embarrassed Geet a bit, “Ye aap kya kar rahe hain?”

“Ek shabd nahin Geet. Aaj sab kuchh mere tareeke se hoga,” he said without even looking up at her. He was concentrating on her feet. Once he took off her sandles, he massaged her feet lightly. She again decided to give in to the sensations generated in her body by his touches. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the chair. He made her wear a new pair of sandles studded with white stones.

He then made her stand up and opened her ponytail to let her hair loose.

He held her at the shoulders and asked, “Kaisi lagi dress Geet?”

“Ye to aap bataiye ki main kaisi lag rahi hoon ismein.”

“Bilkul meri pari jaisi,” Maan smiled indulgently.

Geet blushed deeply. He took her hands in his and they moved towards the door.

Geet asked once they were in the car, “Hum kahan ja rahe hain Maan?”

Maan smiled at her, but did not reply. She realized that he wanted to surprise her and decided to wait for it.

“Geet. Mujhe aise dekhti rahogi to main traffic par dhyaan nahin de paunga. Gadbad ho jayegi,” Maan’s voice brought her out of her reverie. She realized that she had been staring at Maan for last fifteen minutes or so for which they were driving. She blushed and leaned back on her seat. She closed her eyes as she felt herself soaking happiness from all around her. Happiness in being with her man, her Maan.

She looked forward to the night with excitement and nervousness.

—

The car stopped and they got out. Geet was engrossed in her thoughts and did not notice the surroundings. She went to Maan.

“Maan! Mujhe aapse kuchh kahna hai. Nahin… kuchh maangna hai.”

“Geet! Tumhein mujhse kuchh maangne ki kya zaroorat hai? Agar woh cheez mere paas hai to le lo. Agar nahin hai to bata do – aa jayegi,” Maan smiled lovingly.

“Agar koi cheez hoti to aisa hi karti, lekin mujhe koi cheez nahin, aapki zindagi ka ek hissa chahiye.”

“Meri to zindagi hi tum ho Geet. Lekin phir bhi… bolo tumehin kya chahiye.”

“Aapki jeevan-saathi hone ka haq.”

Maan was surprised and worried, “Ye kya bol rahi ho Geet? Ye haq tumhein maangne ki kya zaroorat hai? Ye to tumhara hai hi. Humne shaadi ki hai Geet. Kya tum abhi bhi meri kal ki baaton se…”

“Nahin Maan. Aisa nahin hai. Aur mujhe hamare shaadi aur pyaar ke rishte par bhi poora bharosa hai. Lekin mujhe kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki kahin maine aapki zindagi mein bas ek khoobsoorat si gudiya na ban ke rah jaun. Jise dekh-dekh kar aap khush to ho sakte hain, lekin jiske saath aap apni zindagi baant nahin sakte, sukh-dukh nahin baant sakte.”

Maan’s face showed immense pain as he asked, “Aisa kyon kah rahi ho Geet?”

“Maan. Mujhe pata hai ki aap mujhse bahut pyaar karte hain. Aap hamesha meri hifaazat karna chahte hain, mujhe khush rakhna chahte hain. Aur isliye aap apni pareshaaniyan mujhe kabhi nahin batate. Akele ladte rahte hain, tadapte rahte hain. Jaisa ki aap shaadi ke baad se kar rahe the. Ye to sahi nahin hai na? Mujhe haq hai aapki pareshaaniyon ke baare mein jaanne ka, unse aapke saath ladne ka. Khud ko pareshaan rakh kar aap mujhe khush nahin rakh sakte Maan. Jaise mere sukh-dukh se aapko farq padta hai, waise hi aapki khushiyon aur pareshaaniyon se bhi mujhe bahut farq padta hai. Aur main itni kamzor nahin hoon Maan. Aap hi ne mujhe majboot banna sikhaya hai aur main aapke saath saari mushkilon se lad sakti hoon.”

Maan was looking at her with an expression which was a mix of love, adoration, regret and pain, “I am sorry Geet. Jaane-anjaane mein maine tumhein khush rakhne ki jagah dukh pahunchaye hain. Shayad mujhe akele jeene ki itni aadat ho gai thi ki… Lekin ab nahin Geet. Sirf is baar ke liye mujhe maaf kar do. Aage se aisa nahin hoga.”

“Maafi mat maangiye Maan, please. Mujhe pata hai aap jo bhi karte hain meri khushi ke liye hi karte hain. Bas ye batana chah rahi thi ki meri khushi aapke saath rahne mein hai. Chahe sukh ho ya dukh.”

They both smiled. She leaned on to him and he held  her in his arms.

They separated after a few seconds and Maan asked, “Chalein?”

She nodded and for the first time looked around. What she saw surprised her. A jungle! After all the dress up, she wasn’t expecting to land in a jungle for their night together.

‘Babaji! Inko thodi akal dijiye. Inhein junglon mein janwaron aur machchharon ke beech rahna achchha lagta hoga. Ye mujhe yahan kyon le aaye hain – woh bhi aaj ki raat?’ she thought to herself and complained to her Babaji.

She wasn’t speaking aloud, but her face showed some funny expressions without her realizing this.

“Kya hua Geet?”

“Nahin, kuchh nahin.” Geet forced a smile.

Maan, though, had been able to guess what she was thinking and he suppressed a chuckle.

After walking for a few meters, they came near a tent. The fire was burning and there was a small pond nearby. But he did not stop outside. Instead he put his arms around her shoulder and led her inside the tent.

Geet literally took a step back in surprise as she entered the tent. Then she moved around to examine the interiors while Maan looked at her with an amused and loving expression, his arms folded across his chest.

The inside of the tent was furnished in a way that was nothing less than a room in a five star hotel. Apart from being well decorated and well-lit, it had a king size comfortable bed and a small coffee table with two chairs, food was waiting for them on the table.

She turned back to see a smiling Maan.

“Maan! Aap intni taiyaariyon ke saath camping karte hain aur uske liye itni deengein haankte hain?” she was genuine in her question.

“Kya?” Maan’s smile vanished and he looked stupid for a moment. The he recovered, “Geet tum pagal to nahin ho gai ho. Of course, main aise camping nahin karta hoon. Ye sab maine tumhare liye arrange karwaya hai.”

“Oh!” It was Geet’s turn to look stupid and they just stood at their places for a few second without knowing how to proceed.

Finally Maan broke into a slight laughter and came towards her.

Geet spoke first, “I am sorry. Main chaunk gayi thi. Aapne itna achchha arrangement kiya aur main aapka mazaak uda rahi thi.”

“Geet. Bahut bholi ho tum. Aur isi bholepan ne to mujhe pagal bana diya hai.”

Geet blushed as he cupped her face and planted a kiss on her forehead, “Apni maasoomiyat mat khona Geet, chahe zindagi mein kaisi bhi pareshaaniyan kyon na aaye.”

Geet did not say anything, just hugged him.

“Khana kha lein Geet.”

“Haan mujhe to bahut bhookh lagi hai.”

As they sat down to eat, Maan could not concentrate on eating at all. He looked at Geet and if he hadn’t controlled himself hard, reminding himself that she must eat in time, he would have pounced on her immediately. For how long had he desired her! Since the night at the dhaba? When looking at her drenched in the rain, happy in a moment and sad the next, he had been unable to resist hugging her tight and had willed the time to stop right then. Or probably since much before that. since the first time he had seen her? When she had tried to heal his wound in their first meeting, on the pretext of which he had left her stranded! What if something bad happened to her then. No – he shuddered to think of those possibilities now. He had desired her when he had seen her in the white dress, looking so serene and innocently beautiful, to accompany him to Amritsar, when he had saved her from the speeding vehicle in Amritsar – she was distraught. He had pretended to not care, but she affected him. Affected him so much that he had tried to find peace in the Golden Temple. Even though he was not a believer. He even found an alibi to go to her house to inquire after her and his heart had skipped a beat on being told that she had not come back. He was not at peace until he had seen for himself that she was in her house – safe. He had been desiring her all the time, without consciously knowing it. His thoughts kept going back to her – practically a stranger then – but probably bound to him by a bond much stronger than that of an acquaintance or any social relations. He had desired her when he had saved her from being killed by Brij and his goons, when she had clung to him fearing for her life, when she had walked away from him instead of going to the police station as he had suggested. He had pretended to be disgusted with her weakness, but that, too, was only a way to avoid acknowledging his desires. And all those days she was in his office as strictly his secretary, goofing things up and then innocently asking for forgiveness, daring to give it back to him – the Maan Singh Khurana – if he made a mistake, taking his sorry to be a part of the dictation, tripping and falling, fumbling with her dupatta, falling asleep on her chair, muttering angry-nothings at him under her breath, driving him crazy with her innocent charm, with her simplicity, with her extra-ordinary ordinariness, with her ability to laugh even in trouble, with her liveliness, with herself. When he had seen her in a saree for the first time, when he had saved her from the mishap in the party, when he had seen her in her red lehnga getting ready for a party she had so painstakingly organized and which he had trashed and in his confused state of mind – not knowing whether to go close to her or to go away from her – had fired her and she had indeed left! Left him. When he had felt like his soul was being taken away from him. When, if he had not let his ego take an upper hand, he would have gone after her receding figure, held her hand, pulled her close to him and would have told her that she couldn’t go away from him!

What was he thinking? Geet was saying something, urging him to eat. She was praising the food. Maan was hardly able to register anything. He was seeing her lips – full and inviting! Let her eat, he told himself. He smiled and nodded at whatever she was saying without registering much. In trying to control himself in present, his mind again took solace in past. What had caused this uncotrllable urge he was feeling today. It was the wait of months! Control he had exercised all those days and the last few days – since their wedding! What had happened after the party? The party which had been so successful despite his misgivings, thanks to her. He had seen her blood in her cabin, he had rushed to her home but she had not trusted his intentions. She had thought he wanted to hurt her. It had torn his heart. But why was he remembering all this now? She trusted him blindly now. Geet had finished eating. She had washed her hands. She was happy about something. She was talking endlessly. How different it was from all those days when she wanted to run away from him, when she would not admit her feelings to him, when he had to force her to be his fake-fiancee just to keep her near him and had felt the brunt everytime she reminded him of the fakeness of their relationship. Through all of that – he had desired her and finally the day was here, when he would make her his own – in one final sense of the word – physically.

The force of his passion made him worry for a moment. Would he end up hurting her? But he let go. Now, nothing could go wrong between them. They were over all the obstacles, all the misgivings. It was their time to do what they wanted to.

Geet was still blabbering on and on about something. He loved that, but right now there was no space for words between them. He went up to her, stood behind her and put his hands on her lips, startling her and shutting her up. He hands slipped down from her lips and caressed her chin and neck.

His caresses were rough and intense. It was new to Geet, who was used to his soft, caring touches. She was still getting used to it, when he turned her around – once again with a force that she had not felt before. She looked into his eyes and what she saw there scared her for the moment. It was not her loving, caring husband. Those eyes were oozing wild passion and desire – almost animalistic. They threatened to engulf her. But she wasn’t scared for long. She understood his desire and felt happy about it. To be desired so furiously by the man she almost worshipped was the best complement the woman in her could get. He wanted to possess her, devour her and she felt happy, content and proud. She gave in to his passion. She turned into his wax doll, whom he could mould as he wanted. She felt him grabbing her hair and pulling her head backwards. He was still rough, but he was not hurting her. He never could. Protecting her was his basic instinct. It didn’t matter how engrossed he was in his desires, he would not hurt her. She complied to his push and felt his urgent kissed on her neck. He tried to access her shoulder and her jacket came in between. He pushed it off her shoulders but did not bother to take it off completely. Her hands were stuck in the jacket and she could not move them forward. As he kissed and nibbled at her shoulders, she went weak in her knees – literally – and was about to lose her balance. Due to the jacket she could not even hold him, but he immediately supported her at the waist without interrupting himself. He was driving her crazy and she really wanted to touch and hold him. But her hands were helpless. Did he do it on purpose? She wondered. Someday she would get back at him and drive him as crazy. But today he wanted his way. And she will give in to his ways. She felt him lifting her up. He made her sit on the bed and relieved her of her jacket. His movements were still jerky and urgent and they would remain so until he had had her for himself. She could not resist her temptation to hug him. He let her do that and hugged her back. Even his hug was different today. It was not a caring lover’s hug that he would usually give her. It was the hug of her wild lover. She still melted in his hug. She loved him in all his avatars. The khadoos boss, the caring guardian, the impatient teacher, the loving husband and now the wild lover. She loved this too. She let herself drown in the currents he was bringing. He pushed her down on the bed and pinned her as he slipped beside her and pulled the cover over them. She felt like she was floating in a sea of pleasure and contentment as he claimed each inch of her body. Even in that state should could not help but notice that he was taking care to not press her stomach to save the baby from any harm, irrepective of how wild he was being otherwise. Basic instinct, she thought to herself again and the tears of happiness flowed from her eyes.

—

After they were both spent, he felt like he was coming out of trance; as if he was in some other world – just him and his Geet and everything else around them had disappeared. Now he noticed everything and saw Geet lying beside him in his arms, looking at him, smiling through her tears. He pulled her close to him and wiped her tears.

“Geet,” he said in the softest possible, loving voice, “Ye aansoo?”

“Khushi ke hain,” Geet replied quickly to reassure him.

Maan smiled and pulled her even closer. But now he was slowly realizing how wild he had been. The concern he had pushed under the carpet came back in full force. He wanted to ask her if she was fine, but he hesitated. Would it sound odd?

Geet noticed the change in his expression. He looked worried.

“Kya hua Maan?”

“Nahin, kuchh nahin Geet. Woh bas…” He paused.

“Maan – aapne thodi der pahle mujhse waada kiya tha ki sab kuchh share karenge mere saath. Aur ab phir?” Geet reminded him gently.

“Haan Geet. Ye poochhna tha… ki… tum theek ho na… Main… Kuchh zyada to nahin ho gaya? Tumhein koi problem to nahin hui?” he managed to ask, looking very uncomfortable.

“Maan! Main bilkul theek hoon. Aapko pata na ho to main bata doon ki aap galti se bhi mujhe chot nahin pahuncha sakte.”

He was visibly relieved.

Happy and content, they chatted away for a while. Rather Geet talked and Maan fondly listened to her, until they had drifted away to sleep in each other’s arms, in the middle of a jungle, away from the noises of the world.

Note on the OS

Before the wedding, when Geet refused to shift to the main mansion from the outhouse, Maan arranged for CCTV cameras in her room so that he could keep an eye on her all the time. It was for her safety, but it could lead to other interesting things as well. One of those have been explored in this OS.

—

Geet threw her dupatta on the bed and started taking off her kurti. And then she suddenly remembered the cameras, looked at the one which must be capturing her at the moment. She was shocked and embarrassed. She hurried towards the bathroom with her night dress.

Was he there? Did he …? Her embarrassment knew no bounds. What would he think? But he won’t be monitoring the camera. He himself might have just returned to his room after the tiring day filled with rituals. He definitely wasn’t there. She was convincing herself of this as she came out of the bathroom; only to find him in her room. He hadn’t yet changed his clothes.

“Aap?” She stopped in her tracks.

“Haan, main. Kyon nahin aa sakta?” He sounded perfectly normal and started moving towards her.

If she had not been so nervous about her situation, she would have retorted that he wasn’t allowed in her maayka at night. But she wasn’t in her senses. Did he? Did he not?

He had come close to her by then. His eyes were penetrating her entire being. He ran his index finger across her temple. She closed her eyes and involuntarily whispered his name, “Maan!”

Maan came behind her and dug his hands into her hair. He started playing with her hair, which was untied. He was also occasionally caressing her neck, nape and shoulders.

“Kya baat hai Geet? Kuchh kahna chahti ho?” His voice was still steady and normal, as if he wasn’t driving her crazy with his seductive moves, but was disucssing when to leave for the office!

Geet moved away from him. She wasn’t going to be able to think clearly, if he kept doing THAT to her.

“Aap is waqt yahan kyon aaye hain?”

He came close to her again, moved her hair to one side and made her gasp by opening the back zip of her night dress a bit. He slid it a little from her shoulder, almost as much as she had slid her kurti when she had forgotten about the camera.

“Ye dekhne ke liye ki agar main tumhare saamne rahunga, phir bhi tum bhaag jaogi kya?”

She closed her eyes and bit her lower lips, when he said that. He had seen it. She was highly embarrassed and yet felt a sweet tingling. She was losing it. She had to come back to her senses.

Pushed by this thought, she gathered herself together and moved away from him once more, adjusting her top and adjusting her hair on the back so that her back revealed by the partly unzipped dress got covered. She was facing away from him.

Maan smiled indulgently as he saw her doing all this. He decided that he had tortured her enough for one day. Anyway, the wedding was not far away! He could wait.

Geet took a deep breath to get back in control and turned towards Maan with fake anger. She flustered for a bit when she saw him smiling, but soon regained her composure and pretended to scold him.

“Aapko raat mein mere maayke mein aana mana hai, pata hai na aapko? Aur abhi koi light bhi nahin gayi hai ki mere dar ke bahane aap yahan aa gaye hain.”

Maan was taken aback to see the change in her, but why should he be surprised. This was his sherni. What else could be expected of her? She would attack back, of course.

“Geet. Jitne ulte-seedhe kayde banane hain, shaadi tak bana lo. Ab to shaadi bhi door nahin hai. Phir uske baad tumhara koi bahana nahin chalega.”

“Ye aap mujhe baar-baar shaadi ke baad ki dhamki kyon dete rahte hain? Shaadi ke baad kya kha jayenge aap mujhe?”

As usual she had spoken in front of him without thinking. His indulgent smile became naughty.

He came to her and said, “Kuchh aisa hi samajh lo.”

Geet was again too embarrassed to think of a retort. She did not meet his eyes and kept looking here and there in nervousness.

He suddenly lifted her in his arms. As she looked into his eyes, which seemed to devour her in their own loving way, she gave up all the resistance. If he wanted her, he would have her today. Who was she to resist anyway? She was his wax doll. He could mould her in any way he wanted. And she loved it that way. The only thing that mattered to her was that he was there. Her lover, her saviour, her God. She did not have to think of right and wrong, when he made a decision.

He settled her on the bed and sat beside her.

“Tumhein mujh par bharosa hai na Geet?”

“Bhagwan se bhi zyada.”

“Bas itna hi chahiye Geet. Main tumhare bharose ka imtihaan nahin loonga. Main tumhara intezaar karoonga Geet. Aur agar tumehin pareshaani hai to… hum camera hatwa denge. Tumhari security ka main koi aur intezaam…”

She put her hand on his lips, “Jo cheez mujhe aapke kareeb rakhti ho, usse mujhe pareshaani kaise ho sakti hai?”

She always managed to surprise and overwhelm him with her trust in him. Sometimes he truly felt like a God, because she treated him like one.

He smiled and moved close to her. His lips were coming close to hers. She had closed her eyes. He surprised her by kissing on her cheek instead. She opened her eyes and blushed.

“Mujhe apne kareeb mahsoon karna chahti ho Geet?”

She did not say anything in reply. She did not even nod. She just looked at him with with her innocent, trusting eyes, which had a ‘yes’ in them.

He pulled her close, put one of his hands on her back and dug through her hair to caress her bare back. She was startled, as she wasn’t expecting this from him now.

“To aaj raat apne dress ki zip band mat karna. Mujhe mahsoos karti rahogi.”

He suddenly left her, gave her a naughty smile and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. By the time she understood what he had said, he was already gone. She blushed heavily and tried to unsuccessfully touch her back, where he had touched her. Then she lied down smiling.

Maan came back to look at the camera footage after changing for the night. She was asleep. Suddenly she turned in her sleep and was now lying on her stomach. He could see her open zip through her hair. He had thought of teasing her, but looked like he was going to be the one unable to sleep that night. He wasn’t sure what was driving him crazier. That she was so beautiful and desirable or the innocence and infinite trust with which she was ready to do everything he asked of her?

He tried everything to dissuade her. Tried to distract her with jokes, with romance and even pretended to shout at her for being unnecessarily stubborn.

But nothing worked. As if he didn’t know that she could see through his heart and mind. He had to tell her. How should he do it?

“Geet. Main bahut swarthi ho gaya tha – pata nahin tum mujhe maaf kar paogi ya nahin?”

“Aapka swarth main nahin jaanti kya? Geet, Geet aur sirf Geet ki khusiyan. Phir aap aisa kyon kah rahe hain?”

“Geet – mere saamne bahut mushkil sawaal tha. Mujhe tummein aur tumhari khushiyon mein se ek ko chunna tha. Aur maine tumhein chuna. Tumhari khushiyon se oopar apni zindagi ko chuna.”

“Aap paheliyan kyon bujha rahe hain Maan. Iska kya matlab hai? Aur agar kuchh aisa hua bhi hai to mujhe vishwas hai ki aapke faisle ki koi wajah hogi. Mujhe saaf-saaf bataiye ki aap kis cheez ke baare mein baat kar rahe hain. Please Maan – main aapko aise ghutte hue nahin dekh sakti.”

“Geet. Agar sab jaanne ke baad tum mujhe maaf nahin kar payin to main tumhein dosh nahin doonga. Lekain ho sake to maaf karne ki koshish karna…”

“Maan!” Geet was herself on the verge of breaking down seeing him suffer like this. But she controlled herself. He needed her right now. She held his hands tight in hers.

“Geet – jab tum hospital mein thi, to tumhari halat bahut kharaab ho chuki thi. Aur doctor ne kaha ki ye bhi naubat aa sakti hai ki mujhe tummhare…. aur…. hamare bachche… ke… beech mein kissi ek ko chunna padega…” He was choking on his words.

Geet looked terrified. She had been feeling too safe in his arms all this while. She hadn’t known what was the true extent of the danger she… and their child was in.

“Geet! Bhagwan ko mujhpar zaroor daya aa gai hogi ki chamatkar ki tarah tum dono hi bach gaye. Lekin jab mujhse chunne ko kaha gaya tha to maine…” He paused and closed his eyes before saying the final words, “tumhein chuna tha.”

Geet’s face showed a mixture of emotions – shock, fear, concern… Maan opened his eyes and looked at her. After waiting for few seconds, he assumed that she was too angry with him to talk to him. He started moving away. But she suddenly tightened her grip on his hands.

“Maan. Ye sach hai ki mujhe bahut gussa aa raha hai. Pata nahin aap par ya apni kismat par jisne aapke saamne aisa sawaal khada kar diya tha. Agar aap meri marzi poochhte to aap bhi jaante hain ki main kissi bhi keemat par hamare bachche ko bachati…”

“Main jaanta hoon Geet… Maine tumhara bharosa toda hai aur tum mujhe maaf nahin kar paogi…” He was not looking into her eyes.

“Meri baat abhi poori nahin hui hai. Main gussa hoon, lekin iska matlab ye nahin ki main aap par vishwas karna band kar doongi.”

This surprised Maan and he looked her. He was still guilty and also confused.

“Haan Maan. Iska matlab ye nahin ki main hamare bachche ke liye aapke pyaar ko chhota samajh rahi hoon. Agar main iski maa hoon to aap iske pita hai. Aur mujhe pata hai ki aap bhi isse utna hi pyaar karte hain jitna main karti hoon. Itna to main aapko jaanti hoon na Maan?”

Once again she had overwhelmed him with her devotion to him, her faith in him. All the tears he had contrlled in the hospital, found their way out. He saw no reasons to stop them. It did not matter. He was with her. No one can take advantage of his moment of weakness.

Geet left his hand and initiated a hug.

They were still in each others’ arms when she spoke.

Sadness was clear in her voice, “Mujhe bahut bura lag raha hai Maan ki aapko akele aisi mushkil ghadi ka saamna karna pada. Main aapke saath aapki madad karne ke liye nahin thi. Lekin aapko pata hai na ki agar phir kabhi aisi baat hui, to aapko kya faisla…”

Maan broke the hug and silenced her by putting his hands on her lips. Determination and aggression were oozing out of him when he replied, “Nahin Geet. Ab nahin. Dubara aisa kuchh nahin hoga. Maine bhagwaan ko maanna shuru kar diya hai Geet. Lekin sach kah raha hoon, iske baad main tum dono ke liye bhagwan tak se lad jaunga. Dubara aisa kuchh nahin hoga.”

His aggression was scary. Geet touched and caressed his cheeks and that had a calming effect on him. Then she hugged him again.

Note on the OS

This is supposed to happen immediately after Maan and Geet’s consummation.

—

Maan was happy and peaceful. Geet was lying in his arms. She belonged to him in every sense of the word now. Emotionally and physically. For the world, for herself, for him. They were both staring at the ceiling, but they could feel the love, desire and peace each of them was radiating. There was no place for words or conversation in their world right now.

Maan turned towards her, wanting to kiss her once again. He could not have enough of her. How much had he desired her all these days! How much had he waited for this day to come! But he stopped when he noticed the look on her face. She wasn’t sad, but she was lost. She was not here, not with him.

“Geet,” he called her name softly.

She came out of her thoughts, smiled at him, bold and shy at the same time. She snuggled up closer to him. He reciprocated by tightening his grip around her.

“Kya soch rahi thi Geet?”

“Kuchh nahin.”

“Kuchh to tha.”

“Arre. App kyon bekaar mein zidd kar rahe hain? Sach mein kuchh nahin. Aur agar kuchh soch bhi rahi thi to aapke munh se apna naam sun kar bhool gayi.”

He thought of giving up. It couldn’t be anything significant. But suddenly a stubbornness took over him. Not any longer, she could not keep anything from him any longer. He had to know everything about her, even every single thought that crossed her mind. She was his. Was he obsessing over her? Like hell he was. But it didn’t matter. He was with Geet, his Geet and if he felt like obsessing over her, so it will be.

He turned a bit towards Geet, while still keeping his arms around her. He had a stern look in his eye, “Geet. Tum ise meri zidd bhi samajh sakti ho aur mera pagalpan bhi. In fact main hoon pagal tumhare liye. Hamare beech kissi bhi parde, kissi bhi diwar ko to main pahle bhi nahin maanta tha. Lekin ab to tum bhi hamare beech koi parda nahin rakh sakti. Main rakhne nahin doonga Geet. Samjhi tum? Ab tum kissi bhi bahane se mujhe khud se door nahin rakh sakti. Roshni mein main tumhara saya ban kar, aur andhere mein tumhare liye diya ban kar tumhare saath har pal rahunga. Tumhari har baat mujhe maaloon honi chahiye Geet. Jo bhi tum karti ho, jo bhi tum sochti ho…”

Maan’s eyes had an intensity that would have scared anyone else. But she was his Geet. She could not only tolerate his extreme passion and possessiveness, but also enjoy it. What would have threatened to destroy somebody else’s individuality, helped her define hers.

“Maan. Aap aisi baatein kyon kar rahe hain? Aapko aisa kyon lagta hai ki main hamare beech koi parda rakhna chahti hoon?”

“To phir tum mujhe bata kyon nahin rahi Geet ki tum abhi kya soch rahi thi?”

She looked worried for a second before she started smiling again. But that one second could not escape Maan’s notice.

“Koi khaas baat thi hi nahin Maan. Main bas shaadi ki sab baatein yaad kar rahi thi. Rasm-riwaz, sab log, parties…”

“Tumhein ab bhi lagta hai ki tum mujhse jhooth bol sakti ho Geet?”

Of course, she did not think so. She knew better. Why did she even try?

“Maan!” She was perplexed.

“Batao Geet. Jo bhi baat thi mujhe bata do. Jhijhakne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Aap mujh par gussa to nahin karenge.”

“Agar gussa karne waali baat hogi to shayad gussa to aa hi jayega. Lekin tum mere gusse se kab se darne lagi?”

“Aap se door hone se dar lagta hai.”

“To phir darne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Tumse door hona mere wash ki baat nahin hai, chahe kuchh bhi ho jaye.”

“Maan, agar aap pahle bhi, mera matlab hai shaadi ke pahle bhi, mere kareeb aana chahte to main aapko nahin rokti.”

“Mujhe pata hai.”

“Haan, lekin aapne kabhi aisa kiya nahin. Mujhe kabhi kabhi dar lagta tha.”

“Dar?” Maan was genuinely surprised.

From here on, she uttered each and every word with lots of hesitation. Someone other than Maan might not even have been able to make out what she was saying. “Woh… Mujhe… Mujhe pata hai ye meri bewkoofi thi, lekin mujhe dar lagta tha… ki kahin… aap… mere kareeb nahin aana chahte mere… ateet ki wajah se.”

She spoke the last four words in one breath, sat up on the bed and started looking down as she was finding it hard to meet his eyes.

“Kya?” Maan was hurt and it showed on his face. But Geet was no longer looking at him. He, too, sat up.

Then he collected himself. Getting hurt would not be the correct response. He knew very well that she never distrusted him. In fact she trusted him more than one trusts even the laws of nature.

“Geet, Meri taraf dekho,” he lifted her chin.

“Maan, mujhe pata hai meri bewkoofi thi. Aapne zidd ki, is liye maine ye baat aapko bata di. Ab to in sabka koi matlab bhi nahin hai. Please aap bura mat maaniyega. Mujhse naraaz mat…”

“Chup. Bilkul chup,” he put his hands on her lips. He was pained to see tears in her eyes. Before talking anything further, he went ahead and hugged her. The hug had its desired effect on her, and she calmed down.

He broke the hug and cupped her face with his hands.

He teased her with a smile, “Geet. To tum itni bechain thi mere paas aane ki liye?”

“Nahin… Woh… Mera matlab…” Geet grew embarrassed and stuttered her meaningless response, “Main abhi aati hoon.”

She started getting down from the bed. Maan pulled her back and she fell on top of him as he fell back on the bed. He immediately trapped her in his arms and did not let her move away. She buried her head in his chest, as she was still too embarrassed to look at him and this was the bes she could do in his tight grip.

“Geet. Ab to ye explain karna zaroori hai ki main tumhare kareeb kyon nahin aaya pahle,” Maan said.

“Nahin. Aapko kuchh bhi explain karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Ye meri bewkoofi thi. Mujhe aap par poora bharosa hai,” Geet replied, still lying on his chest.

“Aur mujhe tumhare bharose par poora bharosa hai Geet. Lekin mujhe lagta hai tumhein pata hona chahiye.”

He loosened his grip and they sat up on the bed once again. He held her hands, “Tumhein lagta hai ki main tumahre paas aane ke liye, tumhein apna banane ki liye bechain nahin tha? Geet. Agar maine sirf apne dil ki suni hoti to pata nahin kab ka tumhein apne saath apne ghar le aaya hota. Jo thodi si bhi dooriyan hamare beech thi, unhein sahna mere liye bahut mushkil tha Geet. Aur mujhe pata tha ki tum mujh par atoot bharosa karti ho. Lekin main ye bhi jaanta tha Geet ki tumne zindagi mein bahut dhokhe khaye hain. Isliye main tumhare bharose ka imtihaan nahin lena chahta tha. Bas itni si baat thi Geet.”

Geet was overwhelmed once again by her man, “Mujhe to ab ashcharya bhi nahin hota aapke munh se aisi baatein sun kar. Mujhe to pahle hi pata hona chahiye tha ki aap jo bhi karte hain, mere liye karte hain; jab bhi sochte hain, mere baare mein sochte hain; jo bhi chahte hain, bas mere liye chahte hain.”

“Haan Geet. Kyonki jo bhi tumhara hota hai, woh mera bhi to ho jaata hai na. Khushi, gham, hansi, aansoo, sab kuchh.”

They hugged once again.

“Lekin ab jab mujhe ye pata chal gaya hai ki tum kitna ulta-seedha soch rahi thi to mera tum par se bharosa uth gaya hai,” Maan was playful, but Geet got worried.

She broke the hug, “Bharosa uth gaya?”

“Haan. Mujhe pahle lagta tha ki tumhara shareer hi gidta-padta rahta hai. To mujhe tumhein sambhalne ke liye har samay tumhare paas rahna chahiye. Lekin ab pata chal gaya hai ki tum apne dimaag ko bhi sambhaal ke nahin rakh sakti. Woh bhi idhar udhar gidta-padta rahta hai. Isliye tumhare liye kuchh strict rules banane padenge.”

“Maan!” Geet faked anger and made a cute face.

“Haan Geet. Main serious hoon. Aaj ke baad tumhare dimaag mein kuchh bhi aaye, kuchh bhi, chahe woh kitna hi ajeeb kyon na lage tumhein, tum turat mujhe bataogi. Samjhi tum.”

Geet nodded.

“Ye baat kabhi bhoolna mat. Aur yaad rakhna ki main har waqt tumahre saath hoon ab, aur koi bhi parda ya diwaar hamare beech rahne nahin doonga.”

“Ji.” Geet made the face of a kid who had been reprimanded.

“Waise Geet. Tumne ek kaam aduhra chhoda hua hai, woh bhi tumhein aaj hi khatam karna hai.”

“Kaam? Aaj?” Geet couldn’t believe that he had suddenly changed the topic to work. Only Maan could do that. She looked up hoping to get some clarification from Babaji about her unpredictable husband and boss.

“Haan.” He took out a sheet from the drawer of the side table and handed it to her.

Geet became even more confused as she saw the sheet. She had prepared a sheet with instructions on the day she had decorated his bathroom with candles and rose petals. It was an effort to break a promise he had made in his anger that he would not touch her till their wedding. She had even worn a short, red dress to seduce him into touching her. But her plan had backfired badly. It was the same sheet he handed over to her.

She looked at him in confusion and embarrassment.

“Ek show poora dekhna hai Geet.”

“Lekin ye to… woh aapki kasam… ”

“Meri kasam todne ke liye kiya tha tumne. To?”

“Lekin aapko to ye sab achcha nahin laga tha.”

“Aisa kyon laga tumhein?”

“Aap to mera mazaak bana rahe the. Aur aapne apni kasam bhi nahin todi thi.”

Oh! His lovely, innocent wife. He could not help laughing slightly at her simplicity. Geet did not know how to react to it. Seeing him laugh was a rare sight even when he was in her company. She mostly had to be content with his smile. Others did not get even that.

Then he went back to smiling again as he asked her, “To tumhein lagta hai ki maine tumhein us din isliye nahin chhua kyonki main apni kasam nahin todna chahta tha aur tum achchhi nahin lag rahi thi?”

She didn’t say anything, just nodded innocently.

He pulled her closer to him and spoke in his heavy, seductive voice, “Geet. Phir to tumhari ek aur galatfahmi door karni hai. Us din tum itni achchhi lag rahi thi ki main pagal ho gaya tha. Agar maine tab tumhein chhua hota to main saari seemayen paar kar jaata. Par ab… Chalo, bathroom mein jao. Tumhein saari taiyaari dubara jo karni hai.”

Geet was blushing heavily as she heard him. Then got down from the bed to go to the bathroom. She had to awkwardly put a sheet around her as she realized that she was mostly naked.

The bathroom was already prepared the way she had done the last time. She only had to light the candles. Her red dress was hanging there for her to change in to. She went through the instructions on the sheet. She sprinkled some water on her face and hair and blushed again.

She was sitting on the edge of the bath-tub when Maan entered. He had changed in to the same set of clothes he was wearing then. Geet’s heartbeat increased with excitement as well as apprehension at what was to come next.

Maan slowly walked up to her, made her stand up and said, “Tum mere bathroom mein kya kar rahi ho?”

Geet looked at him not knowing what to say.

“Aaj main tumse ye nahin poochhoonga.” Maan added.

Geet shivered looking at the naughty smile on his lips.