BEZUBA, PART 24

~BEZUBA~

~PART 24~

 

One day, while rummaging in the store room of outhouse which she often did because she loved going through old things in her free time, she found few old albums. There were Dadimaa’s marriage pics in black and white and then Maan’s parent’s marriage pics. There were albums full of family snaps and just looking at them made her wish for her own family to be there with her.

Geet showed the photo albums to Dadimaa was really happy seeing them after so long. Together they went through the albums starting from Dadimaa’s wedding snaps. She told Geet the story behind every picture. They came to Maan’s childhood pics, he looked really adorable and naughty too. There was a small baby in many snaps. *Dadimaa yeh Annie hai kya?*

 

Haan wahi hai.

 

Geet could guess all faces apart from one. There were pictures of a girl who was of Maan’s age. They were doing all things jointly, appearing really happy n content with each other’s company. As Geet turned the sides she noticed there wasn’t a pic where Maan or the girl was alone. Even if there was no one else in the frame Maan and that girl were together. As the girl grew up, she became more and more beautiful. Maan never left her side. Dadimaa had fallen silent and Geet found her eyes glued to the photos with a grave expression on her face.

 

*Dadimaa yeh kaun hai?*

 

Dadimaa snapped out of her thoughts. Maan ki behen, his twin. Shock was an understatement to define Geet’s astonishment.

 

*Maan ki twin sister hai, mujhe toh pata bhi nai tha Dadimaa. Mai kabhi mili kyu nai, abhi kaha hai yeh?*

 

Wo ab nai hai. Sheen of tears in Dadimaa’s eyes said it all and Geet understood where she was now.

 

A question that had come in Geet’s mind earlier too rose up again.*Dadimaa Maan ki abhi kya age hai?*

 

27. She spoke before Geet could say anything else. Aap yeh albums jaha se laayi hai wahi rakh dijiye. Geet nodded confused. When someone died you tried to live in their memories not keep them hidden. Aur Geet… iske bare me kisi se kuch mat puchiyega, Maan se toh bilkul bhi nahi.

 

Geet blinked and then stood up to keep the albums back in store room.

 

 

 

Days and months rolled by, Geet got immersed in her studies and new life while Maan went busier in the rapidly growing KC. A year passed and then another pulling them further apart from each other. Rarely Maan showed his face in KM and since past 6 months he stayed in Europe as the branch there was established-KC first international stem-and he wanted to handle and supervise the initial working there by himself.

 

In Delhi, Geet was somehow satisfied with his once in a while calls, his room, his things. She had learned to live in the little she had. Honestly, without her knowledge she had grown independent, she didn’t need him anymore. He held the same importance in her life as a movie star or a sports star held in their fan’s life. She adored him, dreamed of him but he didn’t really have any role in her life or affected it in anyway. Even her college fee was funded by the scholarship she had won for two consecutive years for best performance in academics. Also she had started internship so she earned a little too.

 

Maan had walked so far that if she saw his face she felt lucky but when he left it didn’t make her sad but she took it as mere routine.

 

Sunrays filtered through the curtains hitting her face. She moaned silently rolling on the bed, a smile spreading on her face, his room and bed smelt more of her than him but his faint aroma still lingered and she felt close to him. Since Maan didn’t use his room and from last 6 months had been abroad, Geet had taken-over his room. She slept in it at nights and when she felt low. There was strange peace she felt in here. Sitting and stretching her body, she picked the frame with his photograph from the nightstand.

 

*Good morning, Maan.* Mouthing, she kissed his pic right on the lips wondering how it would feel if she did it for real. Blushing furiously, she was all shy-shy thinking about her husband. In the few time they had come close-in the bathroom or terrace-they had never shared a kiss. Geet wished they had. Picking her I-phone she checked the time and messages, if any, then got up and looked for the newspaper, searching for news of KC or some latest picture of her Maan. There was none today. She made a face and went to get ready. She had completely morphed into the colors of Delhi without forgetting who she was. Coming out of the bathroom in a knee-length floral skirt and a pretty orangish top Geet brought Dadimaa to the outhouse for breakfast. Whole KM was renovated, it was grander now but the best part was that a hallway connected outhouse with the KM internally.

 

With Geet’s stubbornness and constant hard work, Dadimaa had finally started to come out of her room. She sometimes had meals with Geet in outhouse and took a stroll in garden at least once every day. It was a big change.

 

Maan akhir kab wapas aa rahe hai?

 

*Pata nai Dadimaa, unhone three weeks pehle mujhe call kia tha and tab bola tha ke next week aa rahe hai. But you know him na, he must have gotten involved in wrapping up. He had been there for months now and leaving all his responsibilities on others must be difficult and time taking.*She told pushing food in her mouth and sighing at the same time completely missing the sad tint in Dadimaa’s eyes.

 

Aap unhe miss nai karti?

 

*Aap karti hai?*

 

Surprised at the question, Dadimaa turned her head away. *Mai bhi nai karti. Miss usse kia jata ho dur ho. Wo paas hokar dur rehte hai, islie dur hoke zayada paas hai.*

 

After finishing breakfast and taking Dadimaa back to her room, Geet left for college.

 

 

 

Maan stepped out of the airport with shades over eyes and a jacket almost hiding him. He quickly shoved into the car awaiting him. With KC reaching heights, the press had become like hawks following him and his absence in India just fueled their craziness as Dia had informed and often teased him about it. Maan merely grimaced settling into the car as the driver stared at him. KC. He said because he first had some work there.

 

And after that? He debated about where to go? He didn’t want to go home and… face her. He hadn’t seen her since like ages and his insides were on fire. Gosh he yearned for a glance and to fill her in his arms in such a way that they would never be separated. But that wasn’t the reason he had left. Yes, he wanted to supervise KC’s new branch but the main reason he had left for whole six months was for the hope he had which said that he might get over her and develop some resistance. Lately it had become impossible to ignore her. She clouded him absolutely; he was so wrapped in her and often had thoughts about her that were sinful for a man in his position.

 

He wanted her in every way known to a man.

 

No he needed to clear his mind before he went home. He should stay at a hotel for tonight.

 

 

 

Geet sighed as they sat in canteen; she had three assignments and one model to complete. *Why don’t they kill us in one go?* She angrily asked Pinky who was more interested in the burger in her hand. Geet pouted and Armaan sat beside her. Babes, don’t be so angry. It does something to me.

 

Geet hit his arm and stuck her tongue out as he faked a wince.

 

Simi- Did you guys check out the business times? She held up the magazine and showcased the cover page. All girls on the table gasped and Geet eyes went wide. Maan stood in a business suit, all coat buttons open and no shirt. His hairs sexily gelled and eyes pinning your heart rendering it unable to beat. When did he do this photo shoot?

 

“Sex appeal has no limit. Most eligible bachelor, Maan Singh Khurana doesn’t just rule broad rooms but every girl’s heart.” Stated the cover in bold red letters.

 

Give it to me. Kirti, one of their friends said but Simi took back the magazine hugging it to her chest. This man is mine.

 

Seriouslyhesohot. Pinky said through fully stocked mouth.

 

Yeah, did you see those abs? He has maintained himself so well.

 

Armaan nodded. He is fab, I must say. In relatively small span of time he has reached such heights. He is an idol actually in business world.

 

Simi- Fuck business. Look at that chest. And the girls drooled endlessly.

Geet was royally pissed. Her whole body was burning, green with jealousy. Initially she had liked girls praising her husband but soon enough it started to irk her. She hated them all who put buri nazar on her husband. What got her more worked up was that she couldn’t shoo them and tell that the man they were doing dirty talks about was hers n only her. Neither could she tell her friends that she was married to The Maan Singh Khurana. It frustrated her as much as it suffocated her.

 

Simi- You know there is seminar next week outside Delhi and dinner after that. If my Dad is right MSK is expected to be there. So I am going. All girls gasped and Geet wanted to strangle Simi. Who knows I might get lucky. She gave a suggestive wink and Geet’s mouth dropped down. She lost all control. Standing up, she snatched the magazine from Simi’s hand and tore the cover into many pieces, turned on her heels and ran from there.

 

Simi- What the hell?

 

Armaan- Shit, isse kya hua?

 

Everyone shrugged shocked by Geet’s unusual behavior.

 

Kushika- You stay, Ammy. I’ll go see what’s wrong.

 

 

 

PRECAP- Maan seeing Geet dancing… at pool party… wid Armaan

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