Hold On To Me

11 months ago

Anubhuti

@tellyme

It was raining heavily and the traffic was slow as a snail. Why did it feel even slower than it actually was? The more she needed to reach her destination the more she was being delayed.

“Hold on Geet” she tapped her fingers on her steering wheel as she took her head out of the window from her driver’s seat of her hatchback second hand car. She had already delayed herself by half an hour and the traffic was adding to her misery. 

“Hold on to me, hold on to me” She closed her eyes and felt his hand on her shoulder

“I am there Geet, I am always there with you” She snapped open her eyes and looked back but he was not there. In fact no one was there. Yes, she has to accept her fate. Accept that she has to manage it all alone. She has been doing it all for the last six years, why can’t her heart still accept that she will be doing it all alone. Why did her heart always cried to him “Hold on to me”

The super slow speed of traffic and one severe accident, delayed her by 2 hours. She rushed to the daycare

“Mummaa” ran 5 years old Advay to her and clung himself on to her. Ohh she was seeing him after a whole twelve hours today. Geet frantically kissed him all over

“Mumma is sorry, so sorry”

“Miss Geet, this time we somehow managed but we cannot do overtime for one kid. This is professional daycare and we have fixed timings”

“I know, it won’t ever happen again. Today was exceptional due to rain and slow traffic.”

“We understand Geet, you are a single mother. We thus try to co-operate but we have our limitations”

Geet did not like to be called a single mother. She was not a single mother. Okay he was somewhere unreachable to her, so what, her Advay had his father. Only there was little distance. She laughed to herself, very well knowing the distance was vast in all ways.

“This won’t happen again” she told the caretaker, picked Advay on her shoulder and headed to her car.

Advay had been crying for Geet since all the kids had been picked up by their parents. He was way too tired and slept on their way back home.

Geet was fully exhausted when she opened the door. But she has a long list of duties to perform.

She made Advay lay on his bed and sat down to take some breath and absorb her loneliness which was accompanied by line of responsibilities

“I don’t want to give up. Hold on to me” she cried

“Dinner is ready ma’am” she heard his ever encouraging and loving voice. But again she opened her eyes to find no one.

She dragged herself to enter the kitchen and make something for the two. 

Days were usual for Geet, full of responsibilities on her own shoulder. No one to share. Only the face of her son in front of her, was her hope. He had the capability to wipe all her stress with his cute kisses and hugs to her.

It was Sunday afternoon and Geet was in the grocery store with her grocery list, picking stuff and checking off the list. 

She was looking for favorite chocolate milk for Advay when she felt restless. She felt he was behind her. She ignored it to be her illusion as always and got busy checking the product in the aisle. She was lost looking when she felt a tap on her shoulder

“Excuse me, your purse is open” Geet’s eyes wide opened. It was him, his deep and heavy voice.

“Hay buddy, come on, let’s go.” someone called him. When she turned, she saw two men going out of the shop gate.

But one man caught her attention. Same broad and tall structure.

“Maan” slipped off her lips. “Mumma, buy this please” she was brought back to the real world by Advay. She smiled at Advay, chiding herself mentally for becoming crazier each day. Why would he come to this local store?

She took the toy from Advay and checked the price “Next time kid”. Advay had learnt not to brag. Her heart felt churned for Advay, son of one of the richest of the country, had learned to live with minimal. 

“Maan where are you lost again? Best Businessman of the year, does this suit your image?” scolded Ruchi, his elder sister.

“Di, I felt she was there.”

“Stop it, Maan. The girl ditched you. It’s high time you move on. It was my fault to make you go inside this local supermarket. Such places will only make you imagine that low grade girl of middle class. After tomorrow’s fashion show we are leaving for Delhi and you are meeting Sameera Singhania and saying yes to the alliance”

“I can’t do it Di, I can’t. She is waiting for me somewhere, asking me to hold on to her. I can’t.”

Maan went to his hotel room and locked himself.

Ruchi entered her room with her husband Aaksah, all angry.

“What has that local cheap girl done with my brother? I had thought, after she was gone, he would move on in a year or so, but no. He is hell bent on failing all my efforts.”

“This is what you get by playing tricks on two young hearts filled with love. It’s never too late, Ruchi. If you really love your brother, you can still accept your faults and find Geet for your brother. Accept it, she is his happiness.”

“I love my brother and I am very proud of him. And that is the reason I cannot let him get bound with that middle class Girl. The girl who gave herself to him before marriage and was claiming God knows whose child, as Maan's.”

“She was carrying Maan’s child, you know very well. Do you realize what will Maan go through if one day he knows you compelled pregnant Geet, carrying his child, to disappear”

“He will never know, never ever. I have made her sworn on Maan. She will never break her oath taken on Maan’s name. She will take all the struggles of life but never come in front of Maan. Telling him about pregnancy is near impossible.”

“Life plays its own game, Ruchi. You will not even know, it will turn the game in the blink of your eyes and in front of your eyes.”

Maan was in his complete professional mode as he settled in the VVIP front seat of the fashion show. Khurana Enterprise, after their success in several sectors, was all set to land into clothings.They were hoping to get their Brand Fashion Designer from this show.

Behind the stage, in the Green room “Naina, please make sure Advay have his food on time”

“Geet, this is not the time for your son. This is a very critical time for us. We have renowned business men and women here to select the designers. Focus on getting the models ready”

“Sure Chetan, be assured”

“Chetan Sir, Chetan Sir” young helper boy came running

“Don’t shout and make me panic” “Chetan Sir. Merul ma’am has very bad stomach upset and she cannot go on stage”

“What… Ohh what am I going to do.” Chetan panicked. 

“This was a lifetime opportunity for us. What do I do now? From where do I get a model in last moment”

“Chetan, calm down. Let’s think something” Geet tried to calm him down

“Think? Do you think we have time to think, Geet. I need a solution now.” he then looked at Geet, from top to bottom

“Actually you know what…”

“No, no, no, Chetan. Don’t even think. Modeling and me no, never”

“Geet, why do I feel life is giving you a new opportunity? I think all this is happening for you”

“Nothing new is happening in my life. So stop this playing with words”

“You train models, look after their make-up. You can easily do it.”

“Coach doesn’t go in the field in absence of player”

“You will not be a showstopper, so don’t worry. Just play Merul’s part. You are going and it’s final. Our show starts in fifteen minutes, go get ready now” he declared and left.

As the show stopper of one of the famous designers stood with all pride. Everyone clapped. Maan clapped too.

But why was he suddenly feeling so restless? Since he has come here in Pune, this restlessness has encapsulated him. 

Next section was for mid-level designers. Some were not interested but few were looking forward to it. Mid-level can bring some fresh ideas as they do not come with baggage of signature style.

Maan tried to focus on stage as the models in various kinds of Sarees, adorned in unique ways, started to walk the ramp and took their position on stage and then turned in style to go behind the stage and simultaneously walked forward the next set of models. Then, entered in fourth number, a model, in red saree, thin strapped backless blouse and straightened hair. All of Maan's attention centered on her and he involuntarily got up from his seat.

As Geet turned, her eyes met with his. The moment as if stopped for them, nothing else was visible or heard as their eyes got fixated on each other’s faces. 

Other models ignored Geet’s act of stillness and continued with their part as the act had to go on. 

Her heart made a silent inner cry as always

“

Hold on to me Maan

As I leave you alone once again

Hold on to me Maan

As I try to run farther and farther

Hold on to me Maan

Hold on to me as I sulk myself in darkness of life

Hold on to me

”

People seated beside Maan wondered what was the matter with Mr. Maan. Others were confused as a Model was standing like a statue.

“Geet come on” At last Chetan had to come on stage when his showstopper took her position. Geet’s trance broke and then she realized Maan was actually standing in front of her. What the hell is she doing here, standing in front of him.

Geet immediately ran inside. Maan’s trance broke as Geet ran away.

“Geet” slipped from his lips. Geet stopped for a moment as she felt her name from his lips

“Geet, this was too much. How could you?” cribbed Chetan. But Geet knows what she has to do now - Disappear before Maan finds out.

Maan cared less of what people are thinking or if he is missing on the show, he ran to backstage

“Geet-Geet” He saw distressed Chetan

“Where is Geet?” he demanded. Chetan stood seeing a VVIP in front of him

“Where is Geet?” Maan shouted. Chetan was confused. Maybe he was upset with her behavior. But how does he know her name?

“You know Geet?” “Where is Geet, Damn it” He screamed 

“She has gone crazy, she left”

“Her house address, NOW!!” Chetan could not understand the matter but he could not deny VVIP.

Geet was driving fast. Ohh she has to reach home fast and make Advay sleep inside the bedroom. She cannot afford Maan to see Advay.

Geet stopped her car, quickly got off and took the stairs to her apartment on the fourth floor as it had no elevator. 

She kept skipping the stairs, not giving any attention to the breathlessness caused due to her speed upwards.

But as she stopped in front of her apartment door, she found the one, she was running away from.

Their eyes again got locked as they were lost in the last togetherness of their beautiful past

It was raining heavily outside Geet’s small house, which was dimly lit.

“Geet” he said caging her with his arms around her waist “How will I survive three months without you”

Geet held his collar and pulled him to her “Hmm.. only think of yourself. You are my only world. I am feeling so restless”

“Just a matter of two and half months. This project is very important, Jaan '' He then took his hand on her face, traced his fingers sensually there, curled her hair strands in his finger and gently slid it behind her ears. Geet had her eyes closed to feel his touch.

The rain outside, restless hearts and high desire, led them into bed together for the first time that night.

When they woke up early in the morning, there were only smiles on their faces. How could they not cherish their first beautiful union? Maan had anyways decided they would marry once he was back from his trip.

“So you have been hiding here.” he broke her trance.Geet turned away from him and took a step away when she felt she was stopped by him. He had the loose end of her Saree in his hold. 

“Hold on to me Maan” her heart cried as she tried moving farther but was pulled back by Maan. Geet’s eyes were filled with tears. How she had imagined each day, of him coming from somewhere and holding on to her.

“Open the door, I am tired” Geet’s heart skipped a beat with his words to her. Ohh… how he was claiming his authority on her. Geet did not move on his demand. How could she ruin everything for him?

Maan kept wrapping her Saree in his palm and strengthless Geet kept on being pulled back towards him. Maan wrapped his other hand around her waist.

“It has been a long six years journey. I am tired. Open the door Geet, I need some rest.” Tears dripped down Geet’s eyes all through her cheeks. 

Maan held her shoulder and turned her to him. He kept looking at her face with a stream of tears. He wiped her tears one by one. 

“There is no more running away Geet. I am holding onto you.”

Geet fetched the keys from her bag and opened the door. Knowing very well, however hard she tried, there was no running away possible. He was holding onto her.

As Maan entered her apartment with the minimal facilities, he moved towards the sofa to see a little boy sleeping there. Smile formed on his face

“He is not yours” came Geet’s voice from behind. Maan ignored and picked the boy in his arms and looked at him closely. Tears dropped from his eyes as he kissed his forehead.

Geet turned back, her tears not stopping. “Kya naam rakha hai”

“Advay” 

“He must have turned five last month, right? How did you celebrate his birthday”

Unable to take further, Geet slid on the ground 

“Just go away. I ditched you, don't you get that” she cried sitting on the ground, her tears falling down as well, wetting the ground.

Advay moved in his deep sleep. He could feel the hold was not his mothers “Mumma”, Geet ran to take him but Maan moved him away in his arms. He turned to see where the bedroom was. In such a small house it was too easy to locate it. He went to the bedroom and made Advay sleep on the bed and patted him. Geet stood at the door and kept admiring Maan with his son.

Maan turned to find Geet on the door, her tears were just not stopping. It filled Maan’s heart with unbearable pain and anger took over him. In a sudden, he grabbed Geet and pinned her to the wall. He kept looking at her with hurt and anger. Anger of their separation, anger of her facing all pain and struggle alone, anger of depriving him of their son and their son being deprived of so many things. Only relief was, their son was with a mother like Geet. Geet, who did not need a penny to bring happiness to her loved ones. But he was angry at her struggles. Her struggle was clear from the condition in which she lived. Maan kept looking at Geet and then unable to hold, slammed his lips hard on hers. Geet parted and he pushed his tongue inside to pour all their pain of separation. Their hands, desperately feeling each other.

Later he settled on the sofa, lost in thought 

“Pack each and every memory of Advay. We will be living tomorrow morning”

“But Maan…”

Maan ignored and and dialed the number “Di, I want a big welcome setup in Khurana Mansion main garden tomorrow”

Ruchi was confused as what have happened to gloomy Maan suddenly

“Welcome?”

“Yes. And invite all the main guests. Maan Singh Khurana will introduce his wife and son to the world”

Ruchi’s steps stumbled “per bachcha to usne abort ker diya tha…” she murmured

“Doctor had confirmed it was done. Phir kaise. I had scared Geet as well, of us disowning you, still she..” Maan laughed a little. Ruchi realized that she blurted all in her tension

“Thanks for giving all the background story Di. Please get all the arrangements perfect. I don’t want even a bit compromise in welcome of Mrs Khurana and junior Khurana”

“Maan…” 

“And whoever disrespect my wife and son, I, Maan Singh Khurana will disown them”

Maan kept the phone.

“Make me a coffee” he said, throwing his head back on the rugged sofa. Geet quietly went to make coffee for him. As she stood in the kitchen, she was still absorbing the events. Maan, in real life, was with her. He was back in their life. It looked so much like her daily dream. She closed her eyes and spoke a bit aloud.

“Hold on to me, hold on to me, Maan”

She felt Maan’s hand encircled around her waist “I will be holding on to you Geet, forever. Never letting you slip from my hold” Geet threw her head back on his chest. 

[NOCOPY]

Author's Note: Thanks all for showering your love to this story. 

Please like and comment here as well 

-Anu