MG SS: Near to you
Chapter five
Forgiveness
"When its gone, you'll know what a gift love was. you'll suffer like this. So go back and fight to keep it."
Ian McEwan,
Enduring Love
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Annie held Geet's hand, using the other to wipe away Geet's tears. "Geet I can only imagine the pain you must be going through. To lose the one you love....but remember that there are those who love you" Indeed those who will die for you.
Geet steadied herself, giving a watery smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know but some things can never be replaced"
"But we can get something different, that can fill the hollow within us" Annie had a faraway look in her face and then looked back at Geet, "But enough of this Bhabi, we need to go home. I am having a ladies night and I can't have it without you"
The last thing that Geet wanted to do was leave her house and pretend to be happy in front of others, but she wouldn't let Annie down.
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As always Maan and Geet sat together for their lunch. In all honesty there was no need for anyone else, for there was a comfort in their silent friendship.
But sometimes we strive to know more about others, the ones we care about.
"Maan, I've never heard you talk about your parents" Geet asked tentatively, not wanting to intrude but feeling the necessity of understanding his family.
For a moment there was just silence from Maan, letting Geet believe that he wouldn't answer her. She was just about to apologise, when he finally let out some words, "My mother passed away a few years ago. She died in a car crash"
"Oh! Maan I am so sorry" Geet felt chagrined and hesitantly reached out for Maan's hand, "So sorry"
Maan gave a small smile at her words, "Its okay. It's been a few years. My father on the other hand is still alive. Busy running around the world, trying to bring Khurana enterprise to even greater heights"
"Well, that's good" She smiled hesitatingly.
"Yeah its great" He chuckled without humour, "Anyways I have to head off for football practise."
"Bye" She knew that he was avoiding the topic but she held her tongue.
However within a few moments Vicky sat down next to her and for the first time he looked serious. Turning to her, he said gently, "Don't get upset but Maan never wants to talk about his father. I would tell you the reason but it isn't my secret"
Geet was a bit startled by this serious side to Vicky but it made her respect him. It would have been very easy for him to let out Maan's story but he valued the trust more than the moments peace telling the story would have given. "That's okay, I understand, we should respect Maan's privacy"
"Enough of this depressing topic, come with me" Vicky grabbed her hand and lifted her up.
"Where are we going?" Geet asked in surprise.
"Bunking class" He smirked. "After all its about time I took you out for a date"
Geet rolled her eyes but followed him nonetheless.
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As always Geet felt bitter sweet emotions as she entered Khurana Mansion; it had never been her home but it had always been attached to Vicky.
She smiled as Dadima reached forward to embrace her but then her mouth opened in surprise as she saw the other person in the room.
"Uncle!" She smiled with genuine pleasure as she went to touch Maan's father's feet. She had always liked Arjun Uncle, who despite the deep melancholy within himself had always been exceptionally nice to her, "Aap kab aiyee? It's great to see you"
"Same here beti" Arjun put his hand on Geet's head. "Of course I had to come for Annie's wedding"
Annie laughed out aloud, "I kept your visit a secret from Geet, thought that it would be a pleasant surprise"
"Tum kaise ho?" His eyes were deep with worry but also with understanding. After all, like Geet he had lost his love and life partner. No one knew or understood her pain better than he.
Mariya Khurana had been the light in Arjun's life and her death had nearly destroyed him. For years he hadn't been able to face anyone, so bitter was his pain.
Geet dredged up another smile, "I am breathing and living Uncle. That's more than I would have thought possible."
Before Geet could say anything else, another voice interrupted their conversation.
"When did you come?" Maan asked in a cold voice, devoid of any warmth for his father.
"Maan" Arjun's eyes lit up with affection as he saw his son. Yet his warmth was met with disdain. "Come here beta"
Maan gave a disgusted look and walked out with a nonchalant, "Sorry, I am busy".
The room was left with an awkward silence. Arjun looked down at the ground with sadness and lingering guilt. It is nothing more than what I deserve.
"I'll be back in a moment" Geet murmured quietly before walking out of the room quietly.
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Geet was on the verge of falling asleep when her phone buzzed. Muttering grumpily, she picked it up and answered with an abrupt, "Hello?"
There was a moment of silence and Geet was disgruntled enough that she was ready to cut the call when at last a familiar voice spoke up, "Hi Geet"
"Maan" Geet frowned and checked the time, "what happened? Is everything alright?"
"I am outside your window"
Within a few minutes Geet was standing outside on her lawn, looking at Maan in concern. "Maan are you okay? Why are you here so late?"
"I am sorry Geet" He looked away for a moment, "I shouldn't have brushed you off in the afternoon. It's just that I really don't like talking about my father. But I can tell you-"
Geet raised a hand, stopping him. "No Maan, don't. You shouldn't feel guilty nor should you feel obliged to tell me anything. That isn't what friendship is about." She reached and touched his shoulder, "So calm down."
Maan smiled at her in relief, grateful that she was so understanding but the next moment his eyes shot up.
Geet smirked, "Since we happen to be already out, lets go out somewhere"
Maan grinned in return, "Where?"
"You'll see"
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"Maan?" A soft voice spoke from behind him, breaking the silence that he had been immersing himself in.
He didn't acknowledge the greeting, only kept his head down as he sat on his table. There were very few things that could discomfit Maan but his father was at the top of the list.
"Kab tak Maan?" Geet asked as she stepped behind him. Maan stood up abruptly, stepping away from her.
"I don't know" He still didn't glance at her. He didn't want Geet to see the weakness in his character; the inability to forgive his father when everyone else had.
But Geet was insistent. "Maan there is no benefit in holding onto such grudge." She followed him, "Yes he made mistakes but that is because he is human. It is so easy to hold those we love to high standards and to forget that they are just as fallible as anyone else."
Maan closed his eyes as he felt the familiar anger and pain go through him, "But it doesn't give anyone the right to disregard others. I don't think I have it in me to forgive him. After all he basically deserted Annie and me after mum's death, leaving me to look after her. He loved mum but didn't love us enough. Annie might be able to forgive but I was the one holding the pieces."
Then he stiffened as he felt her small hand at the back of his neck, her fingers brushing softly. As always he felt her touch deep into the marrow of his bones, the small connection inciting a reaction that made him yearn for her even deeper.
But as always he fought against the madness of his love. So he asked instead, "How did you forgive me..and the others? For all the times we told you not to marry Vicky?"
And he felt her hand stiffen before falling away. "How did I forgive you and everyone else? I forgave you all by trying to understand your reasoning. Logically I knew that everyone was looking out for me. After all no one would want a young girl to marry a terminally ill man. So I held back on the bitterness and instead just focused on Vicky." She glanced away, her heart clenching, "I was so angry then, thinking that you would take away my only chance at happiness but then I realised only I could do that"
"Have you ever regretted marrying him?" Maan felt the words burst out of him. He knew that his words had a hidden meaning that she could never understand but it was still cruel of him to ask.
She stepped back, "Never...and always. Would I trade a single moment spent with him? Never. But then I think of the life I might have had...and a part of me knows that those moment's cost more than anything I had expected. Vicky is..was..my soul mate but he was never my life partner. Woh mera humsafar nahi ban saka. But spending a lifetime with anyone else wouldn't have been an option."
"I am sorry..I shouldn't have brought that up"
Geet shook her head, "Maan no one understands your father better than I do. We both lost the love of our lives and it nearly broke us. So if you can understand my pain, you should understand his"
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AUTHOR's NOTE:
Hope you all enjoyed the update ...and as always sorry for the delay..😳
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-SanjanA
Edited by maan-ki-sanjana - 11 years ago
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