BEZUBA, PART 20

~BEZUBA~

~PART 20~

 

It was the senior’s plot to rag their juniors when the teachers least expected it. Since the college was strict about it they let the first month go by so there was no trouble.

All juniors of the batch were divided into several groups in the auditorium. Junior girls were being ragged by girls and boys by boys. Geet was in one of those groups, extremely nervous. Seniors were brutal, throwing insults and making everyone do embarrassing things. Her mouth fell open when a guy was asked to do a pole dance n strip.

 

She gulped not knowing whether to be happy for Pinky that she hadn’t come or curse her luck for being left alone on such a terrifying day. She went at the back and hid herself behind the other girls, all the while chanting Babaji’s name.

 

Simi babes, how is it going here? It was the Fresher? Guy. Shit! He was a senior, just what she needed.

 

These are all chickens. No guts.

 

Fresher? Guy’s eyes scanned the faces. Geet ducked her head chewing at her lip tensely.

 

Is that….. His lips twisted into a smirk and eyes glowed with recognition.

 

*Nai babaji aap mere saath aisa nai kar sakte.* Unfortunately, he was looking at her. Her heart beat stopped when he walked through the girls who parted to give him way and stood right before her.

 

Fresher? Guy- You’re so wrong Simi. I think there is a very gutsy person between us.

 

Simi- Ammy, go play with your boys and leave the girls to me.

 

Armaan- Uh huh… this one is special. She is my kill. So what’s your name? Geet just stared at him bug eyed. He knocked over her head.Knock-knock… name?

 

Geet almost raised her hands to sign but he wouldn’t understand a word she would tell. And she would hate to him that she was mute. There was no need of him and the others to see her any lesser than they already did. They would do nothing but make more fun of her.

 

Armaan- Hello, madam, English nai aati ya sunayi kam deta hai? Theek hai mai hindi me bolta hu… aapka shubh naam kya hai?

 

Now everyone was staring at them. Geet wasn’t fond of being centre of attraction. There were a number of bad memories associated with being under everyone’s stare, because, after a fateful day it never was for a good reason. Her throat dried up as Fresher? Guy-Armaan-stared down at her.

 

Simi- Gutsy? She is worst of all, can’t even tell her name.Everyone laughed and tears blurred her vision. She had gotten a chance to make friends but she didn’t-couldn’t-n now she was all alone in this nightmare. She cursed herself. Last whole week came back to her in a stupid recollection of events that made no sense right now. She felt positively light headed.

 

Armaan- Shh… You’ll make her cry. His voice was sarcastic and Geet just wished time to stop there for her to run home. She is very brave you know on her first day only she hit me.

 

Gasps were heard and Geet shook her head. What a liar, she hadn’t hit him exactly. He had earned that slap on hand anyways.

 

Simi was furious- You…

 

Armaan cut her off. Chill Simu darling. Everyone knows how big my heart is so I am going to forgive her. But, only if she would sing…. a lovely… song… for me. He said earning claps from his pals. Whistles and hoots filled the audi. So let’s start…

 

Geet had turned red and her hands were trembling. She didn’t know what to do; her body had gone numb refusing to move. The sounds entered her ear in a confusing buzz while she didn’t dare look up at all the faces.

 

Armaan- I think she is nervous and needs some encouragement. Everyone please clap for her.

 

Every clap was no less than a slap on her cheek. They were all laughing, Geet regretted ever dreaming about studying and coming to college, her courage crumbled that moment. This place wasn’t for her. She would have no friends and would always remain a laughing stock. Now nobody would ever forget this day. Never ever. Like in Hoshiyaarpur everyone would consider her an outcast. Where would she hide her face, what would she say to Maan?

 

Hiccups rocked her body as she cried silently, feeling the sickness roll in her stomach.

 

I think it has gone too far. A girl said.

 

Kush man, don’t go all softy.

 

Kushika rolled her eyes. Shut up yaar. Can’t you see she is crying?

 

Armaan realized his friend was right but the guilt was short lived. Everyone had to go through this, no big deal.

 

Geet didn’t know anymore what was happening. Her hearing n vision both had blurred because she had cried really hard. Someone held her hand n dragged her paralyzed body out of the herd of people. Hairs fell around her face like a curtain and she very tentatively peeked up. Her gaze halted over Armaan whose smile faded as he looked into her glassy eyes.

 

 

 

 

*Dadimaa sab mujhpe has rahe the aur mai kuch nai keh pai.* Geet sobbed signing vaguely. Dadimaa hugged, patted her back, used every word to pacify her but there was no stop to her cries.

 

Dadimaa- Beta aap toh itni bahadur hai phir aap himmat kyu haar rai hai.

 

*Nai dadimaa (tears poured down her eyes) aap sahi keh rai thi mujhe mere jaise logo ke college me jana chahiye tha. Wo log mera mazak bana rahe the aur- mai ek dum akeli thi Dadimaa, ek dum akeli.*

 

Next two days Geet didn’t go to college. When Pinky texted, she made a lame excuse about having some important work. Her being unusually sad was something nobody could remain ignorant to specially Maan. But he didn’t spoke of it to her. He was hesitant, honestly, wasn’t sure where to draw the line. He wanted to ask but the sane part of his brain held back.

 

Just like Maan, even Geet didn’t know where her boundaries lay. ‘How much he wanted her in his life’ was a question that bothered her often but she had promised to wait.

 

Maan opened the door for Geet to come inside when she knocked. He thought she was finally going to tell him what was bothering her and his frustration would end but instead she informed him about the karwachauth on the following day.

 

*Kal aapko jaldi aana hai. Matlab mai order nai de rai, aapko kaam ho toh koi baat nai.*

 

Hmm.

 

His epic ‘hmm’ would have irritated her to no ends if there weren’t other things on her mind. Like for how long she would stay holed up at home? Also her course was lagging behind since she was bunking classes… pinky was worried too… and for now Maan hadn’t noticed that she wasn’t going to college but soon he would… what would she tell him? The list went on and on. So when she just nodded absently Maan couldn’t stop himself.

 

Maine notice kia ke tum thodi pareshan ho, koi baat hai?

 

Baatein toh bahut thi par wo ek bhi bayaa na kar payi. Nahi. She didn’t want him to think she was weak; in short, she was desperately trying to woo him through every possible way. After all what a husband wanted in his wife…? How would she know, this was her first n last marriage and her husband didn’t spoke much. Hence, she was trying everything, some knowingly and some unconsciously.

 

Moreover Maan was always busy, he worked like a robot, god knew when he slept. Only Geet saw the profound exhaustion on his face and the last thing she wished was to add another worry line on his forehead.

 

 

PRECAP- 

Karwachauth… for how long Maaneet will hold on.

I am held up with exams, hardly get time to type so updating after a break. I hadn’t planned to update but u guys had completed the target so I updated. I know this update is small and I am so sorry because next I will update after 7^th only when my exams will end. But I promise I will bank parts and update fast as then my vacations will start up.

Just a comment to make me happy

Waiting eagerly