Part Twelve
With my daughter, went away all the happiness existed in this world. The empty house haunted me dragging me into depression. I was a lonely soul.I was becoming insane and filled with fury. I broke my second phone shouting at my colleague. My performance dropped at the office and I felt it was better to resign. That day, I clutched my wife’s picture and burst out crying. Gradually I found solace in alcohol.
I had no reason to live, deep down, I knew I had my sister but I didn’t want to drown her in my darkness. I was not in a position to make everything right, as she would say most of the time. She would be terribly sad to see me in this position.
The only light in the dark tunnel was the arrival of my daughter a year later. She was worried but couldn’t get leave as it was a new job. But when I didn’t answer her calls for a month, she finally resigned and came to see me. She was extremely angry for finding me in that state but she was torn when I slept off in her lap.
For a few days, she shifted back to my place and made me join a rehab centre. I didn’t want to go but she was adamant. She used to come whenever it was permitted and slowly I found my sanity back after 6months. It was worth it after seeing my daughter’s happy face.
She requested me to get a mobile but I was comfortable with a landline phone. She told me that she had to take my leave. I promised her that I would not revert back to my alcoholic days and go without having any fear. She told her that her husband got a research opportunity in Europe and she was hesitant to leave me behind in the US. I assured her that I would join her whenever she wanted.
My life was getting back to normal. I kept myself busy, took various volunteering opportunities and concentrated more on my health. I intentionally kept myself so occupied that there was no room even for my thoughts. I didn’t want to be a worry to my daughter.
I met my office colleague when I was grocery shopping. He was the one who took my position when I resigned. We exchanged pleasantries and went on our way but a few minutes later he came rushing back to me and said that I got a few personal emails even after my resignation.
My heart stopped for a second. I remembered that she must have had only my office email id after I broke my phone.
I pleaded my colleague if I could have those emails. I didn’t know her whereabouts for past 2years. I was ashamed.
He took me to his home and managed to give her emails in a pen drive. I thanked all the million Gods then. I expressed my immense gratitude and told that he was a big savior.
I was anxious to get back home. I remembered all the moments we spent in a quick flashback and how I failed her. She has been my strength whenever I needed her. She has been my everything, a big hope, and my only well-wisher when I lost everyone.
I hurried with the locks and switched my laptop on. I connected the pen drive and finally found the mails folder. The last one has dated six months ago.She shared pictures of her family. [her children grew so big]…She asked about my health and scolded me for answering calls and emails. [I felt sorry and wanted to apologize intensely]……She requested me to pick up my phone, telling me that it's not the same talking to my daughter. She wanted to listen to my voice. [I realized that tears were running down my eyes]…Few emails included birthday wishes, wedding anniversary wishes, festival wishes etc. [I was still in her thoughts]…She sent a mail on my daughter’s first wedding anniversary. [I remembered that I didn’t even wish her then]…Her last email said about this terrible nightmare she had and the terrible condition I was in. She tried to call me but failed, she scolded me to her heart content and gave me the warning to call as soon as possible. [I clutched my head and burst into tears. I knew how sensitive she was about these things.]
For a few moments, I couldn’t do anything but cry. But then I had to see her immediately. I wasted no time and took the next flight available to India.
I called my daughter on the way to the airport and asked about her conversation with my sister. She started telling me from the beginning but I specifically asked her about her last call. She couldn’t remember. I informed her my plans and she told me to be careful, wishing me a very happy journey. I could sense in her voice that she was extremely happy that I am about to take this step.
It was raining heavily and sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight, all I could think was her. My Cry Baby. Things are going completely wrong now and she was the only one I have always hung on ever since I can remember. I really hope she would forgive me soon and fix me up.
After a long and tedious journey, I finally reached my sister’s place. My nephew opened the door and was shocked to see me. I immediately enquired about di. He took a deep breath and held my hand taking me inside the home. My heart was pounding in my ears the whole time and it stopped when he took me in front of the puja mandir. I looked at him with a terror-stricken face as he pointed out a picture on the adjacent wall.
Di and Jiju were no more.
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Authors note:
So, like it so far!! please do tell me in your reviews.
And I would like to thank all my readers for taking their time and leaving a comment/reaction.
I apologize for my grammatical mistakes in advance.
Thank you for stopping by :)
I hope you have a great day ahead :)
-----
Next part:
Previous part:
Part 11
Part 21
At the same time after that flashback
At some disco in HyderabadMaan and his friends are seen enjoying dancing
Yash came up to them with a glass in his hand.
Yash: 98850
Romeo: 200 100
Yash: Tumhe kaise pata??
Maan: Everyone knows the numbers of ambulance, police station and fire engine numbers you idiot
Yash: Don't fall on me and creep yaar...ek ladki ko pata ke dikha..phir maanunga[If you have guts, go get a girl and then we will see]
Maan: Are you challenging me?Misha was supporting Maan while Romeo was with Yash.
Romeo: tu chinta na kar Yash...tu agar haar bhi gaya na toh tere paise mein de dunga[Dont worry Yash, if you lose, then I will pay the bet amount]
Yash was overwhelmed, he went ahead with the bet, don't overreact maan...abhi yaha ek ladki pata ke dikha..phir mein tujhe pakka car dunga[If you get a girl, then I will surely give you a car]
Yash saw Romeo for confirmation, Romeo nodded his head and told him to go ahead with thumbs up
Maan: Really??
Yash: Ya
Maan: Ok then...show me the girl yourself and I will do it
Yash: You really bet
Maan: No backing out dude
Yash: Chal phir...yaar romeo chal ek acchi hot si ladki dekh...[Hey Romeo, let us see some hot girl]They look around for some good looking girls.Look at her..pointing to a girl
Romeo - Nahi yaar..[No yaar]
Just then a hot girl comes and everyone is mesmerized seeing her
Sometime later...
Maan walks along with that same girl to his friends. Yash and Romeo had hanging mouths while Misha was having a hearty laugh seeing them.
Yash was in dream land as they came near..Maan had to snap his fingers twice to wake him up from his dreamland.
Romeo immediately took her hand and shook it, Hii...I am Romeo..I have a fish farm and 100 acres of land under my name
Misha scolded him, Kya baak raha hai yaar??[What nonsense are you saying]
That girl politely took her hand off his grip and Maan introduced his friends to her
Maan: She is misha...my best friend..
Girl - HII Misha glad to meet you
Maan - He is Yash...your biggest fan now, I suppose
They shook hands and Yash kissed her hand
Girl: You wanted my number right Maan?? saying so, she took pen from Maan's shirt pocket but didn't have any paper, guys...paper
Both Yash and Romeo hurriedly searched their pockets but only Yash could manage to find it. She wrote her number keeping the paper on Maan's back.
Keeping that slip in the same pocket, she kissed his cheek, see u later MaanTurning to see his friends, bye guys...bye Misha...
Maan: Bye dear
As soon as she went away, Yash and Romeo again went off to their dreamland...
Misha: Maann...she is awesome...!!!!!
And they both hi-fi-ed eachother
Maan: Yaar Romeo..stand back a littleGive me the keys yaar
Yash: Give me the keys romeo
Romeo: What keys??
Yash: You didn't bring your car?
Romeo: No
Yash gives him killer looks while Misha laughs seeing his helpless state
Maan: Tu uski car kyon maag raha hai? Teri apni gaadi tu laya hai...maine dekha hai..chal jaldi chaabi nikaal..[Why are you asking his car? you brought your car, right? I saw it, now give me the keys ]
Romeo: Woh toh mere dad ki hai[It's my dad's]
Maan: Bahane math bana...chal jaldi nikal[Dont bluff now, give me the keys]He starts to search Romeo's jeans pockets.
Romeo: Kya baat kar raha hai maan...mein aisa nahi kar sakta...and he felt shy[What are you saying, I cant do that]
Maan: Abbe ae...mein kapde nahi...chabbi ki baat kar raha hoon...chabbi nahi toh paise de...[You idiot!! I am not talking about clothes, give me the keys or money]
Romeo: I dont have yar
Misha: He has so much cash in his pocket yar
Maan takes hold of his two hands while Romeo takes out the money...
Maan: Don't u dare again bet with me...flashing the money in front of him...
Just then the same hot girl comes and takes away all the money from Maan's hand
Girl: This is mine..this is mine
Maan: Cant you wait for 10 more min Sam??
Sam?? All together
Maan: Dating from past 3 weeks...hot and happening...samyukta...sam...I love you
Sam: I love you too...
Yash had a shocking face while other two were suppressing their laugh seeing him...
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At the same time at Geet's home
Mohinder: Cant u sleep without fighting with me?
Hearing her parents fight again, she was feeling sad and frustrated on her own self..she made room for all that her parents were facing at that moment...
Rano: Asking about my daughter's marriage isn't fight...its our responsibility...you are nowadays anyway behaving irresponsible...
Mohinder: Cant u keep quiet and let me sleep...
Rano: Shut the mouth of this society, not mine, and it is my bad time going on since I married you
Geet couldn't think of sleeping at that time, she needed fresh air. She came out of home and sat on entrance steps of her home
After a few minutes, her father too joined her unable to bare the words of his wife.
Geet wanted to clear her heart out...she wanted to speak...to clarify herself...so much was bundled inside her to be released...
Geet: Papa..if Anand marries Simran..is it my mistake?
Mohinder turns his head to face his daughter
Geet: If dev thinks I am having an affair with someone else...I just couldn't bare it...is it too...my mistake??
Geet was having a hard time expressing her feelings...her father understood...he kept his hands on hers for comforting...
Mohinder: Whats your problem baby?
Geet: Papa...yours n moms was a love marriage na...but still... you are always fighting...misunderstanding...if u both take divorce...both would be happy forever na...
Mohinder was shocked and surprised at the same moment, but then he had a hearty laugh hearing so...
Geet was curious to know why was he laughing, she was waiting for her dad to explain things...
Mohinder: You said it so so easily...hmmmBut that's not ur mistake...your entire generation is the same...If u face even a small problem...you either escape from it or find an alternative...
Geet now made an eye to eye contact with her father.
Mohinder: In simple terms...if ur mobile isn't working, you think of buying a new one...same goes with laptop or all other materialistic things...but very few people think of repairing those thingsAnd you people these days...apply the same rules to human relations and get confused
Mohinder holds both her hands into his...
Mohinder: Once u choose n decide to hold someone's hand...nothing in life...should make u go against it.And you wont even feel like letting it go...u will know it too well...when the time comes...u will understand this..When that time comes...u will remember ur papa...wait till then beta...
He pats her head to give her hope...
All of a sudden Rano comes and sits between the two...
Rano: You didn't even eat properly..atleast have this milk...
Geet smiles seeing her
Mohinder had a tired facial expression and said looking at the sky, again she came to nag me...my goodness
Rano: Don't talk to yourself when I am talking to you...now have this milk...
Mohinder: See this is what I meant..."don't feel like letting it go"
Rano was clueless to what they were talking while other two had a hearty laughWhat are u both laughing at??
This made them laugh even more
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Next morning
Maan took Yash along with Chocolate to a veterinary hospital
Yash: Why have we come to a veterinary hospital?
Maan: See there
Yash: What?
Maan: See there..pointing a finger towards the direction
They both saw Sam, she was in a doctor's apron and was examining a buffalo by lifting its tail...
Yash made a disgusting face
He imagined the day he kissed her hand in the disco...
While Sam continued to give instructions to the concerned person...Maan and Yash sat outside the hospital but Yash was irritated to the core...
Yash: So...your sam is...a veterinary doctor...But...how you and her??
Maan: When I came for chocolate...I found the angel...
Yash: Idiot...
Maan: Looser...
Yash: Wait till our gang knows...and he started laughing...You just wait n watch...to see Pinky's reaction...and he continued laughing
Maan got irritated and was about to say something when Sam came and greeted them
Sam: Hiii guys
Maan: Hey
Yash didn't greet her
Sam took chocolate from Maan
Sam - Oo chocolate...How are u?? turning to Yash ...Hey forgot to tell u Yash..I took a new phone...from your money
They all laughed thinking about that incident
Yash: Enjoy baby, sarcastically
Sam: Hey chocolate...infection reduced??Patting its head she said, continue it for one more week and you will be fit and fine...Handing over it to Maan, Maan you are coming this Friday na...to meet mom and dad...
Maan: Ya
Sam: Don't forget please..
Maan: Ya baby
Sam: Sure?
Maan - Sure
Attender came to inform Sam about a phone call
Sam: You want something to eat?? [she asked in Tamil (samyukta is from tamilnadu)] She turned to call the attender...Raaju...but she was cut off
Maan: No sam..we will leave now
After she went off
Yash again started laughing seeing maan
Yash: Tamil?? And he continued laughingBut he was stunned to see sam standing at his back when he turned to go. Without lifting his head off ground, he left...
After sharing an eye-lock with Sam, Maan too left from there
TO BE CONTINUED
-----
Authors note:
So, like it so far!! Please do tell me in your reviews. And I would like to thank all my readers for taking their time and leaving a comment/reaction.
I apologize for my grammatical mistakes in advance.
Thank you for stopping by :)
I hope you all have a great day ahead :)
------
Next part :
Previous part:THAT'S HOW IT STARTED - Part 20
Part 20
Scene changes
Kidnapper: Yahi same story chal raha hai...from many generations...Abe...jab car kharidhte ho, mileage n motor check karte ho na...but when you start dating a girl...why don't you check whether she has a lover or not?? Idiots!!! Now u won't be able to control anything...[This same story is going on...from many generations...you fool...when you buy a car, you check mileage and motor...but, when you start dating a girl, why, don't you check whether she has a lover or not?? Idiots!!! Now u won't be able to control anything...]
Maan: Everything IS under my control
The kidnapper was maintaining the same expression, suddenly Maan takes out the gun and points at kidnappers' forehead...
Maan: Give me the keys of the vehicle...
Instead of taking the keys...the kidnapper takes the bullets of the vehicle...in the palm of his hand...
Kidnapper: That gun is empty dear...with a sarcastic smile on his face, he throws away the bullets in the fire and says, Without proposal...girl won't fall for u...Without bullet...gun too, will not fire...You have failed in both.
Maan was frustrated to the core, don't give me your stupid explanations...
Continuing a sarcastic smile on his face, the kidnapper forcefully takes off the gun from Maan while he was trying to free himself from the rope tied to his hands...
Kidnapper: Chod na...kyon bekaar mein try karta hai...chal continue kar...[leave it now, you do you try in vain, continue the story]
Scene changes
Maan is seen isolated from the family.Annie and Arjun try to cheer him up, but he seems to be withdrawn.Geet calls him innumerable times but he didn't feel like picking them up.
Days pass by, but nothing changes.Annie and Arjun too, take a leave of them as the holidays couldn't be extended.Savitri tried to cheer him up, she had seen Maan picking up geet's calls at the first two rings but now she just saw him ignoring Geet's calls, she thought breakup might be the reason.
She goes to Maan's room.Maan was hugging his pillow sitting on the bed and was in a deep thought...
Savitri: Maan...
He didn't hear her
Savitri: Maan...!!! Get up I say...
Maan - Jao na maa[please leave mom]
Savitri - I said get up, Didn't i?
When he continued to ignore her, she pulled out a stick from her hand and hit him on his right hand, Maan was surprised to the core...
Savitri: Won't u get up when I say?
Maan: But..why are you beating me?Saying so he got up..
Savitri started hitting his leg, in order to escape her, he ran throughout the house but savitri kept on hitting him hurting him more.
Maan: Maa...what are you doing? What...he got a beating on his leg...oouch...what's this?
Savitri: You are acting too much? Huh? You wont even talk to me now?
Maan: Arey maa!!! he yelled in pain this time...
Savitri: What maa..huh..she keeps hitting him with the stick somehow, taking out her frustration.
Maan: SAVITRI
This time Savitri was stunned...
Savitri - Maa ko naam se bulata hai...besharam..[You call your mother by name, you shameless]
She tries to hit him but this he was too fast, she was tired and was breathing heavily, she took the support of balcony's railing and stood there.
After sometime Maan was back with a bottle of water
Maan - Is umar mein ye sab karna zaruri tha?[Did you really want to do this, at your age?]
She drank the water and Maan took it to re-cap the bottle...
She side-hugged him with a tiny smile and said, its been 10yrs since your dad passed away...agar mein ussi pal mein jee rahi hoti toh aaj kya hum aise hote?[If I had stayed at that moment in time, then where would we be now??]
Maan saw his mother with a blank expression
Savitri - Karibi logon ke jaane se bahut dukh hota hai...I know its difficult to bare the loss of near and dear ones...kuch log unki kammi ke wajah se saari umar dukhi hi reh jaate hai...but...some..only a few actually...spend the life happily with departed soul's sweet memories...You are my son...I think I don't have to tell you what you have to do...[When loved ones pass away, it is really difficult to cope up, I know its difficult to bear the loss of near and dear ones...some people stay sad their whole lives because of it...but...some..only a few actually...spend the life happily with departed soul's sweet memories...You are my son...I think I don't have to tell you what you have to do...]
Maan again drifted into thoughts, this time positive ones, he wanted to live life happily, for his mom. She doesn't deserve any more sad moments in life, not because of him..it was the least he could do...
Maa...movie dekhne chale...[Mom, let's go to a movie]
And they enjoyed their day
Maan tried to move on in his life concentrating on his career. His friends to tried to cheer him up, they spend most of their free time with Maan cracking jokes and partying so that Geet didn't invade his thoughts....
Time passed by.........
After 6 months
Scene changes [Geet's home]
It was Geet's birthday
Few of her relatives and friends came to wish her and she received few gifts from them.While she and her mother were mingling with their friends and relatives, one of her mom's friends came up to her..
Friend 1: Toh rano...iski shaadi kab kar rahe ho?[When are you getting Geet married?]
Rano[Geet's mom]: That's not yet decided... with lot of hesitation and awkwardness
Friend 1: Arey Rano...we have to decide quickly... girls of this generation change their minds very quickly...gap nahi dena chahiye aaj kal ke baccho ko...[They shouldn't be given any gap of time]
With a small mean smile on her face that lady walked away leaving mother and daughter.
On the way to upstairs, Rano heard her husband mohinder talk on mobile phone
Mohinder[Geet's father]: If you get devil as your wife then the husband is bound to become a philosopher like me...samajhthe nahi ho yaar tum..pata hai ye kisne kaha hai..the great Socrates...[If you get devil as your wife then the husband is bound to become a philosopher like me...You don't understand, it was said by the great Socrates]
And then he turns to see his wife, he gulped his saliva seeing her angry glare, I will call you in a moment..
Rano: Come upstairs....to our room, now
He nodded his head and followed her
Mohinder: What happened?
Rano: I feel humiliated...try to answer those peoples' questions...you will know the pain...there is no use in criticizing your wife on phone...
Her voice was so loud that Geet could hear it from outside...
Rano: Where is Dev?When is the engagement?
Geet was saddened and she left the place and went to her room
Rano: I can't, I can't answer those questions
Mohinder: Did I ask her not to marry Dev?Did I ask to break the relationship with Dev?
Even in her room with door closed, she could hear her parents voice, her eyes filled with tears..
Mohinder: She did as she liked... what is my fault in that??
Tears flowed from her eyes
Rano: Its not your faultIts all my fault
Geet hides her face in her lap and starts crying
*flashback starts*Scene:
Dev and geet alone at her place..in the kitchen
They both enter the kitchen and Geet opens the fridge and starts finding something
Dev: If left to dad, then he will telecast our wedding live on television yaar
Geet laughes and takes milk from the fridge
Geet: Maybe, but Maan will do a better job..
Dev was amused
Geet: Haan Dev...really, he is news director in tv-5, even anchors sometimes.
She was so enthusiastic while telling all this..she kept the vessel on the stove and switched on the stove and turned back immediately ans says, and do you know what?
Dev made a questioning face
Geet: He does it soo well
Dev had a small smile
Checking the milk on stove and taking all the ingredients she started scolding Maan, I wonder what that idiot fellow is doing now..!! She turned to him and asked, ek baar apna mobile dena dev[Give me your mobile, Dev]
She took it from him and dialed Maan's number...it was switched off at that time, she made a disgusting face
Dev: Maan ko kiya tha?[You called Maan?]
Geet - Hmmm...switched off hai, I don't understand Dev...ek phone ka bhi reply nahi de raha na hi e-mail ka...you know its so irritating[Yes, it is switched off, I don't understand Dev...he didn't reply to my calls and e-mails, you know its so irritating]
She started pouring milk in the 2 mugs to make coffee and headed off outside kitchen to the dining area with the mugs, Dev followed her
Dev: Why do you...in first place ...call him and then get irritated...
Geet: He is my friend Dev
Dev had a big smile when she said that
Geet was confused with that smile
Geet: What? What does that smile mean?
Dev: Nothing dear...take it easy
Geet: No..tell me
Dev: Geet..there is no rule that if you are engaged then you shouldn't like another man
Geet was stunned when he said that and looked at him with shocked expression
Geet: What?What are you saying?
Dev: Ever since you returned from Hyderabad..you have made 30 calls and 20 messages from my mobile alone...
Geet: So what?
Dev: No..no I am not doubting you
Geet: Then u kept the count of 30 calls and 20 messages??
Dev: Geet..all I am trying to say is..some relationships turn into friendship and some friendships turn into love...it all happens without our knowledge...without ourselves actually realizing it
Geet was blank nowGeet: So you think I am in love with Maan?
Dev: I am just telling you to check yourself
Geet was like okay and nodded her head saying, so you think after being engaged to you..you suspect that I am in love with another man? Right?
Dev had nothing to say..he just ran his hand through his hair...he tried to explain her, Geet!! all it could be is...
Geet: Wait wait waitYou want me to check before marriage?What if you feel like checking it after our marriage?
Dev: Its not so yaar..
Geet was tensed for a second but composing herself she said, you know what Dev, if you don't trust me...this won't work...
She walks away saying, this is over...
*flashback ends*
TO BE CONTINUED
-----
Authors note:
So, like it so far!! Please do tell me in your reviews. And I would like to thank all my readers for taking their time and leaving a comment/reaction.
I apologize for my grammatical mistakes in advance.
Thank you for stopping by :)
I hope you all have a great day ahead :)
------
Previous part:
THAT'S HOW IT STARTED - Part 19
