Mish' Fiction

“Maaaaaan….”

Did he really hear her scream or was he imagining it? He started running towards the main house, instead of waiting to resolve his confusion. Soon Beeji screaming Geet’s name and asking for help confirmed his suspicion that something was indeed wrong with Geet and she had screamed his name. Teji and Lucky were not at home, Jugnu’s presence or absence did not make a difference and even if others were around, he could not have left Geet at someone else’s mercy.

He saw Geet lying on the floor, while Beeji was shouting at Pammi and Lachchhi to quickly call someone up and get help. Maan hurried towards them.

“Kya hua?”

“Seedhiyon se gir gayi kudi. Meri kuchh samajh mein nahin aa raha hai.”

“Aap chinta mat kijiye.”

Maan lifted Geet in his arms and started walking towards the car taking long steps. Beeji could not keep pace with him and he had reached the car a little before her. Maan could lip-read Geet taking his name even in her unconscious state. He put her in the back seat, touched her cheeks and managed to assure her before Beeji came, “Geet. Tum bilkul chinta mat karo. Main hoon yahan. Tumhein kuchh nahin hoga Geet.”

When they reached the hospital, Maan again did not wait for the stretcher to come and instead carried Geet out in his arms. He did not bother taking Beeji’s permission either. Beeji was uncomfortable with the driver taking these liberties with her niece, but she kept quiet seeing Geet’s condition. If something happened to Geet while she was staying with them, it would be a bigger shame for their family than the driver helping them. Nobody was around to witness the driver’s liberties. So, she tagged along, happy to have someone take charge of the situation in the absence of Teji.

The hospital staff with the stretcher met them in the hospital corridor and carried Geet to the emergency room. A doctor came out after initial examination and informed them.

“Initial check-up se koi major injury to nahin lag rahi hai. Lekin head injury ke case mein saawdhaani baratne ki zaroorat hoti hai, khaas kar ke isliye kyonki ye behosh ho gayi hain. Isliye hum kuchh aur tests karenge, internal injuries ki possibility rule out karne ke liye. Lekin hamari advice ye hai ki aap inhein Delhi le jaiye aur wahan saare tests karwa kar ensure kar lijiye ki brain, eyes ya neck mein koi complicated injury na hui ho is fall ki wajah se.”

Beeji was frightened. She went to the counter to call Pammi up and ask her to send Teji to the hospital as soon as possible. Maan took this chance to speak to the doctor without inviting Beeji’s attention and took as many medical details as possible. Then he called Adi to make arrangements. Adi was to fly the doctors down to Amritsar at the earliest and also get them to bring whatever portable equipments they could, so that more tests could be carried out at Amritsar itself until Geet was fit to be taken to Delhi.

While the doctors were doing further tests and were trying to revive Geet with medicines and any immediate treatments possible, Beeji was getting frantic with fear. Maan pitied her and at the same time was feeling annoyed because with her constant complaints, he wasn’t able to think straight and do anything. He tried to think of a way to send her back without inviting more complications. Right now, he did not really care if his identity was revealed. But he could never be sure of their priorities. ‘Agar abhi inhein pata chal gaya ki main kaun hoon, to shayad Geet ki halat ke baare mein sab kuchh bhool jayen aur apni izzat ke chakkar mein pahle mujhse nibatna zaroori na ho jaye inke liye,’ he thought.

Then he went to Beeji and started speaking with extra politeness, “Beeji – agar aap bura na maanein to ek baat kahun?”

“Bol.”

“Beeji. Aapki bhi tabiyat kharaab ho rahi hai. Is samay aapka sambhal ke rahna bahut zaroori hai warna Geet ji ke hosh mein aane ke baad unki dekh-bhaal kaun karega. Mere khayal mein aapko abhi thode samay ke liye ghar wapas chale jaana chahiye. Jab Teji Praji aa jayen to aap unhein yahan bhej dijiyega.”

“Lekin Balwant, yahan bhi to kissi ka rahna zaroori hai.”

“Main aapko chhod kar wapas yahan aa jaunga. Agar koi bhi zaroorat hui to main aapko phone kar doonga.”

Beeji thought for a second and decided that Balwant was trust-worthy. Teji was also fond of this guy, which was not so usual.

“Theek hai. Lekin mujhe bas ek taxi karwa de. Tu yahin ruk – main nahin chahti ki Geet ko koi zaroorat ho aur yahan koi bhi na ho.”

It couldn’t have worked better for Maan. He immediately agreed and got Beeji a taxi.

As soon as Beeji left, Maan got to work. He rid himself of his sardar avatar and met the doctor. The doctor thankfully did not seem to remember the driver who had spoken to him couple of hours back. Or at least did not compare Maan with him when he saw him without his pagdi. That saved Maan some complicated explanations. He introduced himself with his real identity and told him that he was Geet’s husband. He also informed them about the doctors coming from Delhi and asked them about the situation. The doctor complimented him for doing the best in the situation and assured him that the chances of any complications were less, but her long unconsciousness was a little worrying. So, getting everything checked up was a good idea. He also allowed him into Geet’s room and told him that Geet was repeatedly calling him in her unconsciousness. So, him being around will definitely be helpful.

—

Maan finally found himself alone with Geet. He had done whatever he could in this situation and now he suddenly felt empty. The emptiness made him aware of the gravity of the situation. Geet was still not conscious. There could be something serious. All the possibilities that the doctor had mentioned. It could even mean… He did not want to even think about the worst possibilities. He sat next to Geet’s bed and put his hand on top of hers. He whispered to her, “Geet. Mujhe pata hai tum meri baat sun sakti ho. Please wapas aa jao Geet. Tumhara dil to itna bada hai. Thodi si maafi usmein mere liye bhi hogi na. Itni badi sazaa mat do Geet. Wapas aa jao.” A tear drop came out of his eye and he quickly wiped it. He continued to look at her innocent and lovely face silently.

He wasn’t sure of how much time had passed. He came out of his trance only when he heard the door of the room opening and someone coming in. It was Teji. Teji’s face hardened as he saw Maan sitting there near Geet. He shouted, “Tu yahan kya kar raha hai. Nikal yahan se.”

“Aap please dheere boliye. Geet ko taqlif hogi.”

“Woh teri problem nahin hai. Nikal yahan se.”

Maan got up and it looked like he had resigned to Taji’s order. But when he reached near Teji, he surprised him by holding one of his arms and dragging him out of the room aggressively. Once they were outside the room, Maan pre-empted any violent action from Teji by pinning both his hands against the wall strongly.

“Main Maan Singh Khurana hoon. Geet ka pati,” Teji’s eyes widened in surprise and grew murderous. He struggled hard to be freed, but Maan’s grip was too hard even for him. Maan continued, “Aapko mujhse jo bhi baat karni hai woh hum baad mein karenge. Abhi Geet ko meri zaroorat hai aur sabke liye behtar yahi hoga ki aap mere raaste mein na aayein.”

“Hamein tujhse koi baat nahin karni hai oye. Geet ko ghar se nikaal ke tune hamari bhi beizzati ki hai aur uska badla baaton se nahin nikalta. Aur Geet hamari kudi hai. Hum use sambhaal lenge. Use teri koi zaroorat nahin hai.”

Maan also grew angry and told him in no uncertain terms, “Tum logon ke liye Geet tumhari izzat ke shatranj mein ek pyada hai. Mere liye Geet meri zindagi hai. Tumhein dekh kar lagta hai ki tum insaan ki pahchaan kar sakte ho. Isliye dhyaan se suno aur samajh lo ki main ye kah ke koi kori dhamki nahin de raha hoon. Ki apni zindagi ke liye, apni Geet ke liye main tumhare jaise hazaron khaandaanon ki izzat ke cheethde uda doonga. Mere raaste mein mat aao.”

Teji could indeed see the madness in Maan’s eyes and despite his boiling blood, he decided not to react immediately. Maan shot him an angry glance and got back into the room. As soon as he resumed his seat beside Geet’s bed, Geet’s body showed some movement. She slowly opened her eyes and saw him.

“Maan,” her voice was weak and barely audible. But Maan could have heard her even if she was silent.

“Geet. Tumhein hosh aa gaya. Main abhi doctor ko bulata hoon.”

But Geet touched his hand with hers. She did not have the strength to hold him. Still he understood that she wanted him to stay. He stopped and looked back at her.

“Mujhe pata tha aap zaroor aayenge.”

“Main kaise nahin aata Geet. Apni zindagi se door kaise rahta? Lekin abhi ek shabd nahin. Mujhe doctor ko bulane do please.”

—

When Maan came out of the room, he saw that Pammi and Beeji had also joined Teji. But they were sitting slightly away from the door and the doctor’s room was on the opposite side. So, he avoided them and went straight to meet the doctor. The doctors from Delhi had also arrived by then and they were studying the reports. When Maan informed them that Geet had gained consciousness, they decided to see her immediately.

Beeji, Teji and Pammi also noticed when the group of doctors entered the room with Maan and they followed them to the room. Geet was conscious, but had one of her hands on her forehead and appeared to be in pain.

Maan panicked, “Kya hua Geet? Tumhein dard ho raha hai kya? Kahan? Doctor!”

“Mr. Khurana, please calm down,” interfered one of the doctors, “Head injury ke baad dard ho sakta hai. Hum uski wajah investigate karenge. Aap please aise panic kar ke patient ko nervous mat kijiye.”

Maan was embarrassed at his outburst; he nodded to the doctor and stood beside Geet silently, while one of the doctors asked her questions about how she was feeling and where was pain was.

Then he said, “Mr. Khurana aap please hamare saath bahar aaiye. Aur aap log bhi,” he looked at Beeji and her family. “Aap mein se koi ek chahe to patient ke saath ruk sakta hai.” Pammi came forward without waiting for the permission from Beeji or Teji, but no one objected. Maan looked at Geet and gave her an assuring nod, before coming out.

“Kaisi hai Geet?” Pammi asked once everyone had left the room.

“Theek hoon Bhabhi.”

“Maan ji ke aane se tujhe achchha lag raha hai na?”

Geet couldn’t have nodded as she was unable to move her head or neck under the bandages. She just blinked with her smiling eyes to convey that Pammi was right. Pammi smiled and pressed her hand.

“Phir bhool ja sab kuchh aur apne ghar chali ja. Tu bahut khushkismat hai Geet jo tujhe Maan ji jaise pati mile hain.”

Geet’s face again showed that she was in agreement with Pammi.

—

“Mr. Khurana. Neck injury ke chances lag rahe hai. Most likely kuchh zyada complicated nahin hai, lekin unhein kuchh hafton ke liye complete bed-rest ki zaroorat hogi. Aur unhein Delhi shift karna hoga, taki expert doctors uhein monitor kar sakein. Head injury ke case mein kabhi bhi complications ho sakte hain.”

“Jee bilkul. Aap jab kahein hum chal denge.”

“Lekin road se le jaana sahi nahin hoga. Unki injury travel se badh sakti hai. Kya hum unhein airlift karwa sakte hain. Ye costly option hai lekin…”

“Doctors – aap log uski chinta na karein. Hum aap logon ko yahan laye hain. Geet ko bhi le jayenge. Main abhi intezaam karwata hoon, jaldi se jaldi nikalne ka.”

“Mr. Khurana. Hum early morning niklenge. Let’s say 5 ‘o clock. Agle 7-8 ghante hum inhein yahin monitor karenge, hamare saath laaye hue portable equipments se. Aur koshish karenge ki medicines se inka pain thoda kam ho jaye, taki jaane mein pareshaani na ho.”

“Theek hai,” Maan said and made a call to Adi immediately explaining him the requirements. They would also need a helicopter to carry Geet to the chartered plane.

Beeji and Teji were awed by how the things were proceeding and they did not say a word during the entire conversation. When Maan went back to Geet’s room, they also followed him. Maan went straight to Geet and Pammi withdrew to make space for him.

“Maan. Mujhe ghar le chaliye.”

Maan’s joy knew no bounds when he heard those words from her. His voice almost choked as he said, “Haan Geet. Bas kuchh ghanton mein hum Delhi chalenge. Lekin abhi tum zyada bolo mat. Tumhein aaraam karne ki zaroorat hai.”

“Geet. Ye kya kah rahi hai puttar,” it was Beeji’s voice, “Tu kya bhool gayi ki is insaan ki wajah se tujhe ghar chhodna pada tha. Apni beizzati bhool gayi? Tujhe jis cheez ki bhi zaroorat hai, hum woh poora kar sakte hain. Hum le jayenge tujhe Delhi ya jahan bhi le jaana hoga. Iske liye tujhe iske saamne jhukne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Maasi ji,” Geet addressed Beeji, but continued looking at Maan with immense love in her eyes, “Main maut ke bahut kareeb pahunch chuki thi. Aur mere saamne sirf ek chehra ghoom raha tha – Maan ka. Mere man mein sirf ek naam tha – Maan ka. Aur mujhe sirf ek aawaaz sunai de rahi thi – Maan ki. Woh mujhe wapas bula rahe the. Kahte hain na ki maut ke darwaze par insaan ki saari zindagi uski aankhon ke saamne ghoomti hai. Mere saamne sirf Maan the. To iska matlab to yahi hua na ki meri poori zindagi Maan hain. Koi bhi gussa, koi bhi galti zindagi se badi to nahin ho sakti hai. Jab Babaji ne mujhe maut ke darwaaze se  wapas bheja hai, to main apni zindagi se door ho kar kaise rah sakti hoon?”

This time Maan could not stop his tears, and to his own surprise, he was not embarrassed of it. If Geet wasn’t wounded this badly, he would have drawn her into one tight hug and never let her go.

“Besharam Ladki. Begairat ho gayi hai. Chal Pammi.”

But Geet and Maan were too lost in each other to hear the accusations. Even if they had heard it, it wouldn’t have mattered to them. When had the rest of the world mattered to them when they were together?

—

Pammi and Teji followed Beeji out of the room.

Teji finally broke his silence, “Geet chahe kuchh bhi kahe Biji, hum apni aise beizzati nahin karwa sakte. Hum use Geet ko le kar nahin jaane denge.”

“Aisa mat kijiye,” Pammi surprised both of them by speaking up.

“Tujhse kisne poochha?” Teji scolded her.

“Bura mat maaniye, lekin sach to ye hai ki Geet ki abhi ki halat mein uska Maan ke saath hi rahna behtar hai. Hum use yahan rakh kar, ya Delhi le ja kar bhi itna achchha ilaaj nahin karwa sakte. Unhone ek phone kar ke Delhi se doctor bulwa liye. Wahan bhi unki achchi jaan pahchaan hogi doctors ke saath. Aur kuchh nahin to Geet ki sehat ke liye hamein use nahin rokna chahiye.”

“Koi zaroorat nahin hai…”

“Pammi theek kah rahi hai Teji,” Beeji interrupted, “Agar apne yahan rakh kar kudi ka sahi ilaaj na karwa paye, ya use umra bhar ke liye koi pareshaani ho gayi to hamesha ke liye baat rah jayegi ki is ghar mein Geet ka khayal nahin rakha gaya. Ye badnaami na hi jhelni pade to behtar hai. Apne pati ke ghar mein jo hoga, uske liye koi munh nahin kholega.”

Pammi heaved a sigh of relief and felt good for Geet. Teji could not refute Beeji’s logic.

– The End –

“Please come Mrs. Khurana. Main Suneeta. Maine hi aapse phone par baat ki thi.”

“Achchha. Interview kab hoga?”

“Ma’m. Actually boss ko kahin jaana tha to woh interview nahin le payenge. Lekin unhone aapka profile dekh kar kaha ki uski zaroorat nahin hai. Woh aapke liye offer letter sign kar ke gaye hain.”

“Kya? Bina mile hi job de di.”

“Jee! Unhone jab dekha ki aapne Delhi mein Khurana Constructions ke saath kaam kiya hai, to unhone kaha ki interview ki zaroorat nahin hai. Ab Amritsar mein aise sahi experience waale log milne to mushkil hain na. Aap please apna offer letter dekh lijiye. Company ki taraf se aapko ek ghar bhi milega, agar aap wahan rahna chahe to.”

The offer looked Godsent to Geet. It’d give her independence back. She did not want to continue living at her Maasi’s place anyway.

“Theek hai. Kab se kaam shuru karna hai?”

“Jee. Aap aaj hi ghar mein shift kar sakti hain. Woh office ke paas hi hai aur kal se kaam shuru kar dijiye.”

“Theek hai.”

“Aapko samaan shift karne ke liye madad chahiye hogi. Main vehicle ka intezaam karwa doon?”

“Nahin uski zaroorat nahin hai. Mere paas zyada samaan nahin hai. Main taxi le kar aa jaungi.”

“Theek hai. To main aapko wahin milti hoon. Ye address hai. Wahin par handover kar doongi aur agar aapko koi help chahiye hogi to uska bhi intezaam kar doongi.”

—

It was strange working for an invisible boss. He never came to the office. Geet had to send all the designs and other files to his home through the office-boy. But the arrangement was not uncomfortable, so she did not mind. Except when he used to send back some files with comments. Everything about his comments reminded her of Maan. The kind of things he would point out, his handwriting, his language… And he signed off as DD.

‘Ye tera waham hai Geet. Woh Amritsar ki is chhoti si company mein kya kar rahe honge,’ she would tell herself very often. She wasn’t aware that since Sasha was on long leave, Maan was delegating a lot of design work to this company. They had some good designers in the company, but earlier the management was lousy and clients were dissatisfied. Geet had filled in for those deficiencies and it was good for business.

—

“Adi Sir, aap?” Geet was surprised to see Adi at the door on the Sunday morning, “Andar aayiye. Aap yahan kaise?”

“Woh kuchh kaam se aaya tha to socha tumse bhi milta chaloon.”

“Bahut achchha kiya. Lekin aapko mera pata kaise mila?”

“Woh! Main tumahari maasi ke ghar gaya tha. Unhone hi bataya.”

“Kya? Aap phir wahan gaye the. Unhone kuchh kaha to nahin aapko? Pichhli baar jo hua, uske liye I am really sorry.”

“Bhool jao Geet. Main bilkul theek hoon.”

They chatted over breakfast and tea. Geet could not help noticing that Adi was talking about everyone, but not Maan. Finally when he was about to leave, Geet had to ask him, “Adi Sir… Woh… Maan kaise hain?”

Adi looked at her seriously and said, “Kyon poochh rahi ho Geet? Kya sunna chahti ho?”

Her struggle to fight back her tears did not succeed, “Please bataiye na. Woh theek to hain na?”

“Geet, bura na maano to dost hone ke naate ek baat kahoon?”

Geet nodded.

“Kya kar rahi ho tum Geet? Maan Sir aise insaan hain jinke man ki baat kissi ko pata nahin chalti. Lekin phir bhi woh tumhare liye kya mahsoos karte hain, ye kissi se nahin chhupa rah saka. Mujhe nahin pata ki tum unse kyon naraaz ho. Jab tum Dev aur uski ghinoni kartooton ko maaf kar sakti ho, jab tum tumhari jaan lene ki koshish karne waale apne ghar waalon ko maaf kar sakti ho, to tumse itna pyaar karne waala insaan aisa kya bura kar sakta hai jo tum unhein kabhi maaf na kar sako. Jaanna chahti ho ki Maan Sir kaise hain? To suno! Woh ghut-ghut kar mar rahe hain. Aur tumhari halat bhi to mujhe kuchh alag nahin dikh rahi. Shakal dekhi hai apni aaine mein? Koi bhi bata sakta hai ki raat bhar roti rahi ho. Kya kar rahi ho Geet? Aakhir kar kya rahi ho?”

Adi left immediately and Geet could not say anything. She slumped on the floor and cried out loud like a kid. She could not have explained why she was crying. Was it her anger at Maan, was it her complains to her fate, or was it for her own actions? She did not know, but she cried and cried for next hour or so.

—

She had to find peace; somehow! She absent mindedly started walking in the direction of the Dargah. But there was no peace for her. She saw him there. Maan was sitting there, lost in prayer. She just kept staring at him. Was she hallucinating? Or was he actually there? He was in Amritsar? Even now? Why didn’t Adi Sir tell her? She saw him opening his eyes and hid behind a pillar.

A fakir came to him and asked with concern, “Tu ek saaf-dil banda lagta hai. Aakhir aisi kaun si galti ho gai hai tujhse jiski maafi abhi tak nahin mili tujhe? Kabhi jalte koyle par chal kar khud ko sazaa deta hai, to kabhi ghanto ibaadat mein dooba rahta hai…”

Geet was too stunned to hear this and could not concentrate on their conversation any further. Fakir’s words keep echoing in her mind, “Kabhi jalte koyle par chal kar khud ko sazaa deta hai…”

Geet walked back even more absent mindedly. It was getting dark when she reached home. She roamed around the house like a zombie for a while and then slumped into the bed. Her mind had gone blank and she was oblivious to her surroundings. Until the electricity went off suddenly.

—

Maan had just reached home, located next to Geet’s, when the power-cut happened. “Geet!” was the only thought that came to his mind. She was afraid of darkness. He rushed to her house and found it locked from inside. He used his pair of keys to open the door and ran towards the bedroom.

Geet was scared out of her wits and was walking backwards towards the door, looking around suspiciously. She screamed when she hit him and his heart skipped a beat on realizing that she was screaming his name. He silenced her by putting his hands on her mouth and comforted her, “Geet. Main hoon. Darne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.” She knew the touch and the voice too well to need any further assurance. She hugged him tight and he reciprocated gladly. There was no way to express the joy he felt on taking her in his arms after all these days. But once Geet was calm, he had to let go. He could not afford to upset her further. She stared at him and Maan could not figure out how she was feeling. He felt a need to explain, but didn’t know what to say and uttered some mono-syllables while trying to find words, “Geet… Main… Woh…”

“Aap andar kaise aaye? Darwaza to band tha.”

Maan was startled. He wasn’t prepared to answer that. He was scared of the outcome, but decided against lying, “Mere paas doosri chabhi thi.”

“Doosri chabhi? Par ye ghar to…” Just then the power came back and things started becoming clear to Geet. The unexpected call from the company, the invisible boss, his comments and handwriting, DD, company arranging for everything she needed including the house…. Who else could it be?

Maan had left as soon as the power had come back.

“Babaji! Kya chahte hain aap? Kya karoon main? Kyon nahin shaanti milti unhein?”

She picked up her mobile phone from her drawer and switched it on after days. She remembered the time when Maan had gone to the extent of gifting cell phones to the entire staff just so that she’d accept it and he could hear her voice whenever he wanted. She dialed that one number from the phone which she knew so well that there was no need to store it.

—

Maan quickly picked up the phone, all worried, “Hello! Geet sab theek to hain na?”

No answer came from the other side. But Maan understood the silence and his own voice also choked. He just managed to say, “Main abhi aa raha hoon.”

—

“Aap samajhte kya hain apne aap ko?” The elated Maan got a setback as soon as he reached her house. Had he been hasty is assuming that his penance had paid off? She was still cross.

“Kya hua Geet?”

“Jalte koyle par chale the aap nange pair?”

“Tumhein kaise pata chala?”

“To ye sach hai. Aap koi superman hain?”

“Geet! Jo taqleef maine tumhein di thi, uske saamne ye kuchh bhi nahin tha.”

Geet grabbed his collar and shook him, “Aur aapko kya lagta hai ki aap khud ko aise taqleef dete rahenge aur mujhe bahut achchha lagega?”

“Geet!” Maan grew desperate, “Phir se katghare mein mat khada karo mujhe Geet. Tum saath nahin hoti ho to mujhse kuchh bhi sahi nahin hota hai.”

“Aur main jab bhi aapse door jaungi, aap ek nayi company khareed lenge?”

Maan could not say anything.

“Aur kya-kya ulte seedhe kaam kar rakhe hain aapne?”

“Wapas chalo Geet. Tumhein apna ghar aur business dono sambhalne hain. Aur mujhe bhi. Please Geet. Tumhein mujhe sazaa deni hai de do, lekin mujhse door mat raho.”

“To phir aise bheekh kyon maang rahe hain? Le chaliye utha kar mujhe. Jaise pahle kiya karte the. Aap kab se kissi ki baat sunne lage?”

Maan’s desperate and sad face showed surprise which slowly converted to joy. He pulled her in a very tight hug.

“Geet! Hum abhi Delhi wapas chalenge. Main Adi ko bhi phone karta hoon.”

“Abhi? Lekin bahut raat ho chuki hai.”

“To kya hua? Ab kal ki subah hum apne ghar mein hi bitayenge. Main ek minute bhi ab yahan nahin rukunga. Tum apni packing kar lo. Main car nikalta hoon.”

Geet smiled. That was the Maan she knew better.

—

“He, he… Sir. Waise Ambassador chalane ke baad to Mercedes chalane mein aur bhi mazaa aata hoga, nahin?” Adi said sitting on the back seat.

“Adi!” Maan scolded him in his usual fashion. But Geet’s curiosity was piqued up.

“Ambassador? Ambassador kab chalayi aapne?”

“Kuchh nahin Geet. Adi mazaak kar raha tha. Hai na Adi?” Maan replied with a nervous smile.

“Haan… Haan Geet,” Adi tried to appear confident.

“Mazaak? Adi Sir? Aapse? Aapko lagta hai ki main bewkoof hoon? Ab bataiye mujhe warna main abhi car se utar jaungi.”

Maan glared at Adi and he got even more nervous.

“Ab aap apni in badi badi aankhon se Adi Sir ko darana band kijiye. Khair aap chhodiye. Adi Sir, aap bataiye,” Geet turned her head to look at Adi.

“Nahin Geet… Woh kuchh nahin…”

“Adi Sir!”

“Woh… Geet! Tumne apni maasi ke ghar ke naye driver ko nahin dekha tha? Balwant Singh… Ji?” Adi stuttered.

“Kya?”

Maan gave her an embarrassed look and started looking ahead towards the road. Geet fell silent.

Adi realized that they need to talk.

“Sir, hamein agle dhaabe par ruk kar chai-coffee pee leni chahiye, warna neend aa jayegi.”

“Haan Adi.”

—

Adi got down from the car as soon as they stopped without waiting for Maan and Geet. They stayed inside, silent for a while.

Geet broke the silence, “Maan, aapko… ye sab… karne ki… mera matlab hai… I am sorry…”

“Shhh Geet! Ek shabd nahin,” he put his index finger across her lips, “Bhool jao. Ab sab theek ho gaya hai.”

“Nahin Maan. Main aapko pareshaan kar sakti hoon, aapse gussa ho sakti hoon, lekin aapko aise kissi ke saamne jhukte hue nahin dekh sakti. Aap…”

“Geet. Main to sirf tumhare saamne jhuka hoon. Aur usmein mujhe koi afsos nahin hai. Balki main bahut khush hoon. Tumhari wajah se hi to maine jaana ki zindagi mein jhukna aur haarna achchha bhi lag sakta hai.”

Geet looked at him with eyes full of tears, love and awe. He smiled, leaned towards her and drew her in an awkward but intimate hug.

“Ab chalein, kuchh kha-pee lete hain,” Maan said breaking the hug. Geet nodded.

They joined Adi in the Dhaba. Maan went to the counter to order for himself and Geet, when Adi whispered to Geet as if sharing a big secret, “Geet! Tum na Maan Sir se thoda bahut naraaz hoti raha karo beech-beech mein.”

“Kyon? Aapko apni pitai karwane ka shauk hai?” Geet also replied jokingly.

“Arre nahin Geet. Shubh-shubh bolo. Lekin jab tum gussai rahti ho Maan Sir baaki logon par thoda kam gussa karte hain. Tumhein pata hai aaj kitne dinon ke baad unhone mujhe daant kar chup karwaya hai?”

They broke into laughter and then quickly shut up not wanting Maan to hear this. But they were unaware that Maan had heard it all. He smiled and continued walking towards the counter, pretending not to have heard anything. Today anything could only bring him joy and smile, not anger or pain. Especially something that made her smile.

– The End –

“Maan ne mujhe ghar se nahin nikala tha,” Geet had to shout to make her point heard.

Biji and Teji looked at her startled.

“Kya?”

“Jee haan! Mujhe Maan ne ghar se nahin nikala tha. Aaap log please unke baare mein ulta-seedha bolna band karenge? Aur agar unhein kissi ne haath bhi lagaya to mujhse bura koi nahin hoga.”

Even the overbearing Teji was taken aback to see this avatar of Geet. Women, especially younger ones, in his household and society were always timid. And Geet had appeared to be no exception since she had come to his house. He did not immediately know how to react.

Biji was the one who found her voice back first, “Geet puttar. Achanak aisa kyon kah rahi hai? Teji ne to Delhi ja kat pata lagaya tha. Aur agar tujhe lagta hai ki tere yahan rahne se hamein koi dikkat hai…”

“Maasi! Main phir se kah rahi hoon – Maan ne mujhe ghar se nahin nikala tha. Ghar chhodne ka faisla mera tha. Aur woh faisla mera ab bhi wahin hai. Lekin iska ye matlab nahin ki aap log Maan ke saath, ya unse jude kissi bhi insaan ke saath badtamizi karein,” Geet was furious about what had happened to Adi.

“Geet. Agar Maan ne kuchh nahin kiya to tu bewajah apne pati ka ghar kyon chhod kar chali aayi?” This time it was Teji, who questioned her.

Geet looked sharply at him, then at Pammi and then back at him, “Ye aap nahin samjhenge.”

“Par Geet. Is masle ka koi hal to nikalna hoga na?”

“Kaun sa masla? Koi masla nahin hai. Main apni dekh bhaal khud kar sakti hoon. Meri zindagi ke faisle koi aur nahin lega. Aap log bhi nahin. Mujhe pata hai ki aap logon ko ye pasand nahin aayega. Isliye main ja rahi hoon yahan se,” Geet got up from the dining table to leave immediately.

This got Biji worried. She had to stop the girl from leaving at night like this.

“Ruk ja puttar. Koi tujh par zabardasti nahin karega. Tujhe kahin jaane ki zaroorat nahin hai. Itna lihaaj to hai na tere andar ki apni maasi ki ye ek baat maan le.” Biji was obviously cross with Geet for her outburst, but was too concerned about the family prestige to let a girl leave the house alone at night.

Geet felt slightly embarrassed at her outburst. In their own way, they were trying to do the best for her. So, she gave in to this request from Biji and said, “Main apne kamre mein ja rahi hoon.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

Geet didn’t know that the new driver of the family was standing just ouside the dining hall window, hearing all this with tears in his eyes, smile on his lips and pride for his sherni in his heart!

—

“Geet. So rahi hai kya?” Pammi sneeked in.

“Nahin Bhabhi. Aaiye na.”

“Tu theek hai na?”

“Main theek hoon Bhabhi. I am sorry. Main kuchh zyada hi bhadak gayi thi dining table par.”

“So to hai Geet,” replied Pammi innocently, “Yahan to sab theek hai, pat tu sasural mein bhi aise hi karti hai?”

Geet couldn’t help but smile at her innocence, “Aisa kyon poochh rahi hain?”

“Nahin – matlab maayke mein to sab chal jaata hai. Par wahan Maan ji bura nahin maante?”

“Bhabhi!” Geet pressed Pammi’s hands with a sad smile on her face, “Maan ne hi to mujhe izzat se sar utha kar jeena sikhaya hai. Mujhe bataya hai ki aurat hona koi gunah nahin hai. Humein bhi khush rahne ka, apne tareeke se jeena ka aur apni baat kahne ka haq hai.”

“Maan ji ne tujhse ye sab kaha?”

“Haan.”

“Phir to woh tujhse bahut pyaar karte honge?”

“Bahut,” Geet’s voice became dreamy and she was lost, “Log to bas baat karte hain pyaar mein jaan dene ki. Unhone to mere liye na jaane kitni baar apni jaan ki baazi laga di hai. Woh mere liye poori duniya ke khilaaf chale gaye, apne parivaar ke khilaaf chale gaye. Jab mere apne ghar waale mujhe…”

Suddenly Geet came back to her senses. She was talking too much. So, she just concluded, “Unke jaisa pyaar is duniye mein koi nahin kar sakta.”

“Geet. Tu to bahut khush-kismat hai. Bura mat manna, par aise pati ko kaun chhod kar aata hai? Kyon apna basa basaya ghar chhod kar aa gayi tu Geet?”

Geet tried to blink her tears back, “Bhabhi – kabhi kabhi pyaar kaafi nahin hota hai. Aur kabhi-kabhi kismat ko hamari khushiyan manzoor nahin hoti hain. Bas aur kuchh mat poochhiye.”

“Tum shahar waalon ki ye vaddi-vaddi baatein meri samajh se bahar hain. Ab main kya kahoon?”

“Kuchh nahin Bhabhi. Lekin mujhe aapse ek baat kahni hai.”

“Kya?”

“Wahi jo Maan ne mujhe sikhyi hai. Aurat hona koi gunaah nahin hai.”

“Haan! To kisne kaha ki aurat hona koi gunaah hai?”

Pammi was too innocent and Geet pitied her. But she did not pursuade her further, “Kuchh nahin Bhabhi. Aap bhi thak gayi hongi din bhar kaam kar ke. Ab aap so jaiye.”

“Haan. Theek hai. Main jaati hoon.”

Geet still didn’t know that the new driver of the family was standing near the window of her room listening to all this with even more tears in his eyes, smile on his lips and pride and pain in his heart.

—

The next day Geet decided to go to the market alone. She had to collect the repaired photo frame with Maan’s photo in it. She informed Beeji and Beeji asked her to take Pammi along. But Geet refused and Beeji did not insist further on that. But she still wanted her to go in the car with the driver to which Geet agreed. Before she left, Beeji instructed the driver to drive her to the market and be with her all the time as she was new to the city.

Geet asked the driver to stop at a shop on the way and she bought a newspaper. Maan wondered what it was for. She wasn’t so interested in reading a newspaper first thing in the morning. But he was avoiding saying anything to her. She would definitely have recognized his voice, it didn’t matter how much he tried to changed it. She was too lost in herself and had not seen his face clearly. Maan was also taking extra care to not come face-to-face with her.

When they reached the market, Geet asked him to wait for her there as she went to the shop. Maan was keeping an eye on her and at the same time quickly grabbed the newspaper that she had left in the car. She had marked some classifieds and it was clear to Maan that she was looking for a job. Maan looked back in the shop’s direction to ensure that Geet was there, then kept the newspaper back. He thought for a while and got an idea. He smiled assuredly and made a call to Adi.

—

It had been couple of days since Geet had sent out her resume to some companies. Maan was keeping an eye on her and he called up Adi as soon as he saw Geet sitting near the phone. He wanted to ensure that she herself should pick up the call. As far as he knew she had not told her family about her decision to take up a job; he wasn’t even sure how they would react to this decision and hence it was best to reach her directly.

Phone rang and Geet picked it up.

“Hello! Kya Main Mrs. Geet Khurana se baat kar sakti hoon?”

“Jee – main Geet bol rahi hoon.”

“Good afternoon Ma’m. Main Planet Design se bol rahi hoon. Hamari company constructions firms ko design services provide karti hai. Mujhe aapka resume mila aur hamare yahan Office Manager ki post ke liye ye bahut suitable hai.”

“Lekin, maine to aapki company mein apply nahin kiya tha.”

“Dar-asal meri ek friend ne aapka resume mujhe bheja. Aapne uski company mein apply kiya tha lekin use pata tha ki main apni company ki opening ke liye logon ko dhoodh rahi hoon, aur use laga ki aapka profile yahan suit karega.”

“Achchha!”

“Ma’m, kya aap aaj hi interview ke liye aa sakti hain? Teen baje?”

“Teen baje. Ek ghante mein?”

“Dar-asal hamare boss kaafi jaldbaazi mein hain, aur agar main jald-se-jald kissi ko is post ke liye hire nahin kar payi to meri naukri khatre mein pad sakti hai. Please ma’m.”

“Theek hai. Main aa jaungi, aap address de dijiye.”

—

To be continued

“Maan! Hamein ek baar client se baat to karni chahiye.”

“Kya baat karni hai Geet. Humne unhein kuchh promise kiya tha aur woh hum deliver nahin kar paye. Ab unhein poora haq hai ki woh apna project kahin aur le jayen.”

“Lekin Maan. Project mein genuine problems aa gayin thi, jo hamare wash mein nahin thi. Aisa to hai nahin ki kuchh ho sakta tha aur humne nahin kiya. Aapne khud saare options try kiye hain.”

“Ye samajhna client ki zimmedaari nahin hai Geet. Main kissi se bahane sunta nahin hoon. Aur main kissi ke saamne bahane bana bhi nahin sakta.”

“Lekin Maan ye koi bahana nahin hai. Achchha ye bataiye ki agar woh apna project kahin aur le jayen, to kya woh log is problem ko kissi jaadu ki chhadi se solve kar denge?”

“Nahin. Problems to unke liye bhi wahi hongi.”

“To phir aisa to hai nahin ki hamse project wapas le lene se clients ki problem solve ho jayegi. Balki koi nayi company is par kaam shuru karegi to shayad project mein aur delay ho jaye. Ek baar to client se baat kijiye.”

“Geet. Main ye nahin kar sakta. Khurana Constructions kissi se bheekh nahin maangta projects ke liye. Main client se baat nahin kar sakta.”

“To mujhe karne dijiye.”

“Geet!”

“Maan. Mujh par bharosa kijiye. Main jaanti hoon ki ye company aur iski izzat aapke liye kitni maayne rakhti hai. Main waada karti hoon ki kuchh bhi aisa nahin kahoongi jisse Khurana Constructions ke rutbe ya izzat par koi bhi aanch aaye. Hum kissi se bheekh nahin maang rahe hain.”

“Theek hai. Lekin mujhe tumhare saath to rahna padega na?”

“Aur aapke liye us meeting mein rahna mushkil hoga?”

“Geet. Main…”

“Koi baat nahin Maan. Mere paas iska bhi solution hai.”

“Tumhein koi jaadu ki chhadi mil gayi hai Geet?”

“Nahin. Maine bas aapse bahut kuchh seekha hai.”

—

“Good morning Mr. Sharma. Main Geet Khurana. Maan dar-asal traffic mein phans gaye hain aur woh nahin chahte the ki aapko intezaar karna pade. Isliye mujhe ye meeting attend karne ko bola unhone.”

“Lekin aapse hum pahle to kabhi is silsile mein mile nahin hain. Phir itne important matter ke liye bina Mr. Khurana ke…”

“Mr. Sharma. Main aapse nahin mili hoon pahle, lekin main Maan ke saath har project par kaam karti hoon. Mujhe is project ke baare mein bhi sab pata hai. Aap chinta mat kijiye – Khurana Constructions gair-zimmedaar harquatein kabhi nahin karta hai. Maan jaise hi yahan pahunchenge, woh bhi meeting mein aa jayenge.”

“Jo hamare project ke saath ho raha hai, use dekh kar to aap logon ke zimmedaar hone ka zyada bharosa nahin hota. Naam to humne bhi market mein bahut suna tha Khurana Constructions ka. Khair – abhi aapko kya baat karni thi?”

Geet heaved a sigh of relief that Maan was not there in this room. Else he would definitely have lost his cool at such remarks and any further discussion would have been impossible. And she was not wrong at all. Maan was infuriated sitting in the other conferencce room. The video-conferencing equipment in both the rooms was on. But the screen was switched off in the room where Geet was meeting the clients. So, Maan was able to see the meeting, but they could not see Maan.

Both Geet and Maan had struggled in accepting this arrangement, as it looked like cheating the client. But finally they decided to go ahead, as this was harmless. And it was the best way of handling things so that Maan could see what was going on without having to be there.

Maan had a strong urge to just barge into the meeting room, grab the client by his collars and throw him out of his office. But Geet had started replying to him by then.

“Mr. Sharma. Aapka gussa jayaz hai. Lekin aap please thandhe dimaag se ek baar meri baat sun lijiye. Uske baad aapka jo bhi faisla hoga, hum bina kuchh kahe maan lenge.”

“Boliye.”

“Thank you. Aapko ye to pata hi hai ki project labour problems ki wajah se delay hua hai. Us ilaake ke saare labourers hadtal par chale gaye hain. Hum unke leaders se baat kar rahe the kaafi dinon se, lekin woh hamara koi bhi offer nahin le rahe the. Humne Delhi se labourers ko wahan le ja kar bhi kaam shuru karwane ki koshish ki lekin un logon ne unhein bhi itni dhamkiyan di ki woh wahan rahne ko taiyaar nahin hue. Pichchhle ek-do dinon mein hamein pata chala hai ki in sabka hamare project ya Khurana Constructions se koi matlab hi nahin hai. Unhein hamse koi shikayat nahin hai. Ye wahan ki do local political parties ka jhagda hai, aur unmein se ek poore ilaake ki activities disturb kar rahi hai. Labourers ki hadtaal bhi usi ki wajah se hai.”

The client was listening intently to her, “To ab aapka kya proposal hai?”

“Ise suljhane ke liye hamein politicians ki hi madad leni padegi. Maan aaj wahan ke MP se baat karne waale hain. Hum aur bhi logon ko contact karne ki koshish kar rahe hain, jo hamari madad kar sakte hain. Agar inmein se koi bhi successful ho gaya to agle do hafton mein kaam dubara chalu ho jayega. Mr. Sharma, antim faisla aapka hai. Agar aap project wapas lene ka faisla karte hain, to hum koi legal loophole dhoondh kar, ya kissi bhi tarah se aapko pareshaan kar ke aapko nahin rokenge. Khurana Constructinos aise tareekon mein vishwaas nahin karta hai. Lekin ye problem bahut local hai. Agar aap kissi aur ke bhi paas jayenge to unhein yahi problem hogi. Aur hum ab us problem ko suljhane ke bahut kareeb aa gaye hain.”

“Mrs. Khurana, mujhe apni team se baat karni hogi is baare mein koi bhi faisla lene se pahle. Hum apni taraf se bhi investigate karenge. Agar aapki baat sahi hai to hamare us ilaake mein kaafi contacts hain. Shayad hum bhi ye problem suljhane mein aapki madad kar payen.”

“Bilkul. Aap apni team se baat kar lijiye aur apni taraf se poori tasalli kar lijiye. Hum kaam dubara jaldi se jaldi shuru karwane ki koshish kar rahe hain. Hamein aapke phone ka intezaar rahega.”

Just then they all noticed Maan standing near the door of the conference room.

Geet was surprised, “Maan aap kab aaye? Main abhi, abhi Mr. Sharma ko…”

“Maine unki baat sun li hai. Mr. Sharma, is delay ki wajah se aapka jo bhi direct monetary loss hota hai, uska fifty percent Khurana Constructions bear karega. Ye aapko assure karne ke liye hai ki project hamare liye bhi utna hi important hai jitna aapke liye.”

“Thank you Mr. Khurana. Hum aapko phone kar ke bata denge.”

With that the clients took leave and Geet looked at Maan unsurely.

Maan asked, “Kya hua Geet?”

“Woh… Aap achanak yahan kyon aa gaye? Mujhse kuchh galti ho gayi kya?”

Maan suppressed a chuckle and turned serious, “Aur kya Geet? Tum kya bolti ja rahi thi? Mujhe tumhein chup karwane ke liye aana hi pada.”

“Lekin… I am sorry… Maine kya galati kar di? Phir aapko pahle aana chahiye tha na?”

Maan moved towards her, “Kya galti kar di? Tumhein pata bhi nahin chala tumne kitni badi galti kar di? Jo kaam Maan Singh Khurana kabhi nahin kar sakta tha, woh kar diya tumne.”

Maan had reached very close to her and in her nervousness she was rooted to her place, “Aap please bataiye na aisa kya kar diya maine… Maine to unhein kuchh bhi aisa nahin kaha…”

Maan silenced her by putting his hand on her mouth, “Chup Geet. Abhi bhi bolti ja rahi ho.”

Maan finally could not suppress his smile. Few minutes ago, this woman was bravely fielding cynical questions from the clients. And now, with just one little trick of his, she is scared like a kid waiting for her punishment for not doing the homework. He was not wrong in his assumption that life with her will always be interesting and unpredictable.

“Aap muskura kyon rahe hain ab?” She still hadn’t realized that he was pretending to be disappointed with her. But she realized this as soon as she had asked the question.

“To aap mujhe phir se bekaar mein pareshaan kar rahe the?” She pouted and started to leave in a huff. But Maan caught her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. He continued to smile and look at her lovingly.

“Kya hai?” Geet had not melted.

“Thank you Geet.”

“Thank you kisliye? Abhi pata bhi nahin hai ki client project wapas le raha hai ya nahin.” Geet continued to be irritated.

“Thoda mere experience par bharosa karo. Ab woh log kahin nahin ja rahe.”

“Achchha hai. To ab mujhe jaane dijiye.”

“Lekin Geet. Tumne itna achchha kaam kiya hai. Iske liye tumhein eenaam to milna chahiye,” Maan said naughtily and moved his lips towards hers. But she pushed him back by putting her hand on his protruding lips and said, “Mr. Khurana. Aap shayad bhool rahe hain ki ye office hai aur hum ek conference room mein khade hain.”

“Mrs. Khurana. Aap shayad bhool rahi hain ki mere paas ab shaadi ka certificate hai.”

“Aapko MP ko call karna hai. Aap chaar minute late ho chuke hain.”

Geet managed to distract Maan with this information and broke free of his grip giving him a triumphant look. Maan gave her a “I will show you later” stare and left for his cabin to call the MP up.

—

“Geet. Mr. Sharma ka call aaya tha. Un logon ne kuchh contacts nikale hain project waale area mein. Unki details aur introduction mere e-mail par aane waala hai. Jaise hi woh bhejein, Adi se kahna ki unke saath follow-up kar le. Us party ko kuchh donation dena pade to bhi theek hai.”

“To Project hamare paas hi rahega?” Geet was delighted.

“Haan,” Maan did not reciprocate her delight and continued in a matter of fact tone, “Mujhe Noida waali project ki site par urgently jaana hai. Tum ghar chali jana doosri car mein.”

“Noida mein kya ho gaya achanak?”

“Ghabrane ki koi baat nahin hai. Main wapas aa kar batata hoon.” With this Maan immediately left her cabin leaving her to wonder about several things.

“Aa kar bataunga? Pata nahin kya ho gaya hai. Babaji – koi badi problem na ho. Main wahan chali jaun kya? Nahin, nahin. Agar kuchh gadbad hui to unka gussa bhadak jayega. Kabhi kuchh dhang se batate nahin hain mujhe. Aur baad mein jab kaam badh jayega to mujhe kahenge ki main kuchh yaad nahin rakhti hoon. Babaji! Kya karoon main inka? Aur haan. Subah to mujhe itna pareshaan kar rahe the. Usmein bada mazaa aa raha tha. Ab jab project mil gaya hai, to aise baat kar rahe the jaise ki koi badi baat hi na ho. Zara si taareef nahin kar sakte the? Khair. Chaddo. Unka to roz ka yahi kissa hai. Ab pata nahin kahan chal diye hain – aa kar batata hoon – ghar bhi akele jaana padega. Raaste bhar koi baat karne ke liye bhi nahin hai. Babaji!”

—

When Geet entered the bedroom, it was was very dimly lit. She looked around to see the special lighting arrangement that was done in the room to give it a very cozy feel. She smiled. So, this was his important work on Noida project.

As her eyes adjusted to the light, she noticed the wall near the headboard of their bed. It said “Thank you” written with the glow-in-the-dark stars. Geet moved towards the bed and spotted a packet lying there. With it was a note that said, “Meri Mishti ke liye” written with the glow-in-the-dark stars again. She opened the the packet to find a hand mirror with beautiful and intricately carved silver frame lying there. There was another note beside the mirror. She read it, “Is aaine mein jo chehra dikh raha hai, woh duniya ki sabse khoobsoorat ladki ka hi chehra nahin hai, woh meri zindagi ka bhi chehra hai.”

Geet smiled again and put the note down. She brought the mirror in front of her face. Though the room was only dimly lit, she could very well see her smiling, blushing face in it. Suddenly two strong arms hugged her from behind. She knew the touch too well to be scared by their sudden appearance. Maan whispered in her ears, as if continuing the note she had just read, “Ye us ladki ka chehra hai, jisne mera akelapan hi door nahin kiya; mere adhoorepan ko bhi mita diya hai. Is ladki ne meri saari kamzoriyon ko, khamiyon ko bematlab kar diya hai. Jab se ye ladki meri zindagi mein aayi hai, meri partner bani hai, tab se mere liye kuchh bhi karna possible ho gaya hai. Jo taqat mere paas pahle kabhi nahin thi, ye ladki meri woh taqat ban kar aayi hai. Ab main duniya jeet sakta hoon. Lekin agar poori duniya ko gawa bhi doon, to bhi jab tak ye mere saath hai, mujhe koi gham nahin hoga.”

Geet turned in his embrace to face him and buried her face in his chest, “To ye tha aapka zaroori kaam?”

“Isse zyada zaroori aur kya ho sakta hai? Maine kaha tha na ki itna achchhe kaam ka inaam to milna hi chahiye tumhein.”

“To main jab bhi kuchh achchha karoongi to aap mujhe aise hi inaam denge?”

“Agar tum chaho to tumhre bina kuchh kiye bhi de sakta hoon.”

She looked up at his face and both of them smiled.

“Chalo,” Maan put his arms around her shoulders and led her to the other side of the bed. There was a pedicure vessel there with massaging rollers and heating feature. The water was already warm to a confortable temperature. There was a huge, comfortable leather chair in front of it. Maan made her sit on the chair and kneeled in front of her. He took off her sandles one by one and placed her feet in the pedicure vessel. Then he started the massaging rollers. After the initial tinkling in her feet subsided, Geet found herself getting relaxed. She leaned on the back of the chair. Maan came behind her and undid the dori of her kurti followed by opening the hooks at the back. This made Geet gasp. For a moment his hand caressed her bare back, but then he turned his attention to her shoulders. He slipped the kurti slightly off her shoulders leaving them bare. Then he picked up aromatic oil from the table nearby and started giving her a relaxing and sensual shoulder massage. During the massage he took the opportunity to let his hands roam around to her neck, nape and front. Next he took the rubber band off from her hair letting them lose. He ran his fingers through her hair and then gave her a very soothing head massage.

She felt him moving away and opened her eyes to look at him. He was wearing his usual night dress – the black vest and the black pajama. And as usual, he looked incredibly attractive to her in that. He had moved away only to switch off the rollers in the pedicure vessel. Then he came back and lifted her out of the chair in his arms. She put her arms around his neck, happy to let him decide the course of the evening. He took her to their huge bathroom. The bath-tub was already filled with warm water and rose petals. He lowered her into the bath tub, stood up and looked at her intently with his passionate and lust-filled eyes. This made her feel conscious. And she asked nervously, “Aise… Kya… dekh…rahe hain?”

“Apne inaam ko dekh raha hoon. Aur woh tumhare inaam se bahut zyada achchha hai.” He said suggestively and joined her in the bath-tub for a long sensuous session of love-making.

—

“Maan!” Geet called his name when they were lying in the bed later that night.

“Bolo Geet,” he turned towards her with a smile on his face and pulled her even tighter into his arms.

Geet tried to say something but hesitated and finally stopped.

“Kya baat hai Geet?”

“Kuchh nahin. Bas Thanks bolna tha.”

“Thanks? Kis liye?”

“Ye sab karne ke liye.”

“Oh! Woh to main dubara bhi kar sakta hoon,” saying this he tried to get on top of her, but Geet pushed him away laughing.

“Badmashi mat kijiye Maan.”

“Ab agar tum in cheezon ke liye thanks bologi to mera hausla to badhega hi na,” then Maan changed his tone from naughty to serious, “Lekin Geet. Tum kuchh aur kahna chah rahi thi. Hai na? Batao mujhe.”

“Maan! Mujhe ab bhi kai baar bharosa nahin hota ki meri zindagi mein itni khushiyan hain. Ki aap jaisa insaan mujhse itna pyaar kar sakta hai. Aisa to kuchh bhi nahin hai mujhme. Main ek chhote shahar ki ek bahut hi saadhaaran ladki hoon. Kyon itna pyaar karte hain aap mujhse?”

“Saadhaaran ladki? Kitni saadhaaran ladkiyan apne vishwas ke liye poori duniya se lad jaati hain Geet? Lekin main tumhein sirf bravery award dene ke liye tumse pyaar nahin karta.” Maan laughed slightly and this sentence made even Geet smile.

“Sabse badi baat ye hai Geet ki tum har mayne mein mere liye sachchi ham-safar ho. Tum mujhe poora karti ho Geet. Mujhe Business chalana aata tha, logon ko control mein rakhna aata tha, lekin mujhe zindagi jeena nahin aata tha, purani baaton ko bhool kar aage badhna nahin aata tha, mujhe muskurana nahin aata tha, pyaar karna nahin aata tha, woh sab tumne mujhe sikhaya. Aur meri adhoori zindagi ko poora kiya. Aur aaj jo office mein hua usse to mera wishwas aur bhi badh gaya hai ki tum is duniya mein mere liye hi aayi ho. Jin logon ko mujhe control karna nahin aata, un par tum apna jadoo chala dogi, hai na? Sach ye hai ki jaise tumne client ko handle kiya, woh bilkul sahi tha. Lekin main jaisa insaan hoon, main woh kabhi nahin kar paata. Pahle hi gussa kar ke sab kuchh khatam kar deta. To main apni is sachchi partner se kyon ne itna, aur isse bhi zyada pyaar karoon?”

Geet smiled and snuggled up closer to him to hide her face in his shoulders. He stroked her hair and said, “Waise Geet. Agar yahi sawaal main tumse poochhoon to? Tum kyon mere jaise khadoos aur gussail insaan se itna pyaar karti ho?”

“Maan. Mujhe pata hai ki main aise bahut bolti hoon. Lekin itni badi badi baatein main nahin bol paungi is sawaal ke jawaab mein. Bas itna pata hai ki mere liye poori duniya aap hai. Shuruat mein main aapki ahsaanmand thi, kyonki aapne har kadam par meri madad ki thi. Aur ye ehsaas kab badal kar pyaar ban gaya mujhe pata hi nahin chala. Shayad aapne mujhe bahut sar par chadha liya tha, tabhi main ye himmat kar baithi.”

“Himmat? Himmat ki to tum baat mat karo Geet. Mujhe abhi bhi yaad hai ki kitne papad belne pade the mujhe tumse tumhare man ki baat kahalwane ke liye.”

“Achchha! Aur aapne kaun si apne man ki saari baatein kah di thi? Hamesha mujhse uljhaye rakhte the.”

“Geet tum mujhe gussa dila rahi ho.”

“Woh kaun si nayi baat hai. Waise aap mere saath kya kar rahe hain? Mujhe bhi gussa aa raha hai.”

The moon on their window must be smiling at this perfect closure of their evening. They fought like kids, using pillows and bed cover as their weapons, till they were tired; then made up with a smile and went to sleep.

– The End –