SS: Near to you: Teaser 22/6 pg 120 - Page 61

You colour me

Can miles truly separate you from friends... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there? - Richard Bach

It was holi and the whole house was bustling. The khurana Mansion gave a huge holi party every year without fail as it was Dadi's favourite festival.

But as always Maan was a bit aloof, not wanting any color on him but anyone except the elders and didn't participate in the fun.

"I swear you are an old man" Annie whined, "How can you not join in the fun!"

Vicky rolled his eyes, "Leave him, he is boring personified"

But just then Geet entered the foyer with a big smile on her face, saying loudly, "Happy holi!"

Vicky had a smirk on his face and immediately went forward but Geet put out a hand, "Hold on a second"

A mystified Vicky was too confused to object to her words, especially as she went up to Maan and then with a sweet smile said, "Happy holi buddy" and put pink gulaal on his face.

Annie's eyes widened as she expected Maan to get angry but instead Maan smirked and replied, "Happy Holi Geet", then took a handful of colour from Geet and smeared to all over her face and hair.

Before anyone could blink the two friends were shrieking and running around fighting with colour.

It was at least half an hour before the two friends had stopped their little battle and were panting out of breath.

"Oh god" Geet laughed, "I haven't had this much fun for years!"

Maan just smiled softly at her, enjoying her presence. "Same here"

"Well, well" Vicky strolled in, "It seems that the two friends have finally stopped"

Geet and Maan quickly exchanged a glance before they pounced on Vicky, attacking him with color.

"Get off me you crazy kids!" Vicky yelled while trying to run away but Geet was hanging onto his back and Maan had him in a headlock.

Geet shrieked with laughter, "You can't get away that easily Vicky!"

"Boring personified?" Maan smirked, "Isn't that what you said? Well lets see who has more fun"

Needless to say the fight went on and on.

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Annie was very particular about her wedding; every detail had to be perfect and there was no compromise.

So it was no surprise that she had planned for a holi, luckily coinciding with her pre-wedding functions, as a part of the celebrations.

It would not be a lie to say that the whole place was brimming with laughter and joy. But it would be a lie to say that everyone there was taking part of the amusement.

Geet stood a bit apart from the crowd, soaking in the joy but not partaking. Her white salwar remained white as she made sure to stay out of the foray.

She couldn't help but let out a bitter smile as she recalled the previous holi celebrations where she would be at the centre, making sure to color everyone around her.

But today she didn't want to participate for the person who would be beside her at these parties wasn't here to make her enjoy. She could almost hear his laughter ringing in her ears; so infectious and heartfelt.

Oh Vicky, what I wouldn't do to wind back the clock and have you here. Geet thought with a sigh. His absence was like an ache within her that couldn't be soothed neither could it be ignored.

"Geet bhabi!" Annie ran upto her, "Please join us!"

Geet gave a soft smile, "Please Annie, you enjoy. I would rather watch all of you guys have fun"

"Bhabi-" Annie started to protest but then saw the determined look on Geet's face and knew that there was no point in fighting. "Fine, whatever you say"

"Thanks Annie" Geet smiled gratefully. But her peace and quite were not to last.

Before Geet could do anything she felt hands on her face and neck, "Happy Holi Buddy" someone whispered in her ear.

Whipping around, Geet saw a smirking Maan in front of her, and the telltale color in her hands.

She frowned at him, "Maan I am not in the mood for this"

"Well I am not asking you to color anyone" Maan laughed and reached across putting more color on her forhead. "Indeed this is more fun"

Geet looked at him in frustration, "Get away Maan"

"Nope" He edged even closer to her and put out a hand to color her again, which she swatted away getting color on him. "Uh oh. Looks like I need to get more color on you" With that he tipped the whole plate of gulaal on her.

Before Geet knew what she was doing she was running after him and throwing color at him.

And she started laughing.

"You are evil Maan Singh Khurana!"She yelled, not paying attention to the others at the part as she ran after him.

"Well catch me if you can Geet Khurana" Maan taunted even as he laughed.

But before long they were both out of breath and panting.

Even as she caught her breath, Geet looked up at Maan with tenderness, "Thanks Maan"

"What ever for?" Maan asked bewildered (or pretending to look bewildered).

"For being there for me, even when I can be cold as ice" Geet replied sincerely. And with that she reached forward and hugged him. "You are honestly my rock"

Maan closed his eyes just for a second and savored having her in his arms for the moment. There weren't many moments like this, where he could hold her and be at peace but when they came it made the moments in between meaningless.

"You are my rock too Geet" He soothed her even as he started to step away but Geet held on.

"Just hold me for a second Maan" She spoke softly, "I want you to know that there is someone in the world who would do anything to make you happy. That if for any second you need someone to listen or to hear your heart, then I am here"

With that she stood back and smiled at him, "And always remember that this friend of yours appreciates you more than you can imagine."

"How sweet!" A voice drawled. Both startled turned around and saw Annie standing there with a smile on her face, "Seriously you guys should do a coke commercial"

While Maan frowned at Annie, knowing the underlying meaning to her words, Geet just laughed. "I guess we are the corniest friends"

"No doubt" Annie continued on, "Also, if I didn't know better this would seem like a romantic interlude"

Geet gave a startled laugh, "Seriously?"

"Shut up Annie" Maan rolled his eyes, "stop being a pest"

"Well it is true"Annie raised her eyebrows at her brother, despite knowing that she was risking his ire. "In another life you would have made a cute couple. After all you guys basically finish each others sentences and hang out more than anyone else. Not to mention that some of you even had crushes on the other"

Maan was about to blast Annie, when Geet chuckled, "Annie you are a devil. You are going to blackmail me with that for ages, aren't you? Well do your worst!"

"What do you mean blackmail you?" Maan demanded.

Geet rolled her eyes, "Just the fact that I had a big crush on you during high school"

"What!" Maan felt his heart thud, "When did that happen?"

"Come on Maan" Geet rolled her eyes, "As if you didn't know. The whole school had a crush on you. You were the "stud" of the place." Seeing the look on his face, Geet realized that he really had no idea, "Honestly you really don't have a clue do you?"

Annie smirked, "Oh you know how it is, love is blind" Geet looked at Annie in confusion but Annie quickly corrected, "I mean, after all you guys are such good friends I guess you...you are blind to seeing each other any other way" She finished lamely.

But Geet being Geet took what she said at face value and laughed, "Yeah that is true. After all, being friends with the guy all women want to date gets a bit lame" She pinched Maan's cheek as she said that before pulling Annie away with her.

But Maan was too bewildered to respond to the teasing.

She had a crush on me, was the thought going on in his mind.

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AUTHOR's NOTE:

Thanks for the patience my lovely readers 😳

So as you can see, there is a change brewing 😉

PLEASE DO COMMENT and press the LIKE button!!

Nothing motivates me as much as reading your comments!😃

-SanjanA