"If the pizzeria was going to be your only idea for a dinner date, we might as well have stayed home, Geet grumbled upon hearing Maan propose they walk to the restaurant, which happened to be around the corner just two blocks away.
She had come out from her room after a quick shower wearing a knee-length dress in pale apricot with a modest-collared neckline and a wide leather belt, that defined her tiny waist. Her hair was caught up in an elegant chignon at the nape of her neck.
"It's not just a pizzeria but an authentic Italian restaurant run by a true-blooded Italian, one that I used to frequent quite often. What am I to do if it happens to be in the neighborhood? he retorted, unable to unglue his gaze off his wife. She painted a beautiful and elegant picture in the simple dress. She was a revelation to him. Every day he was seeing a side to her that elevated her further in his mind. Was it some sort of spell, or had the blinkers finally fallen off?
Her dainty head cocked sideways; she observed him from where she stood at the bottom of the stairs as he locked the door, sporting the slightest of enigmatic smiles, which he realized was how she regarded him, like a cryptic game of chess. "If we had stayed, I could have at least watched Two and a She stopped abruptly realizing what had happened the last time they had watched the show. "Uhmm...a documentary.
Her brain compensates fast, Maan thought.
"There was something interesting coming up on The History channel on Ancient Rome about how a particular empress had a hand in the demise of most of her relatives especially the macho male types. I'm surprised women in those times could wield so much power and control over the so-called stronger' sex. Quite unbelievable! she said, her smile growing wider.
They were to some extent like you, my dear. The only difference being you seem to be quite unaware of your powers...or are you really?
"Hmmm... Maan paused as though giving it careful consideration. "That must be Livia, wife of Augustus the first Emperor of Rome. He took hold of Geet's reluctant elbow and veered her onto the path aiming toward Tony's. "You know, Rome is not only known for Julius Caesar and his mighty military escapades but also for its scheming and powerful women who were the force behind their husbands' victories, and at the same time, they were notorious for not stopping at anything to protect their personal turfs. They resorted to guile, deceit, promiscuity, anything, even murder. There was not an ounce of loyalty in those vixens. His grim statement was tempered with a charming smile.
"You mean they were like me? she asked, quick on the uptake.
Oh no, not again! He could see she was chomping at the bit, ready to pounce on him and run him down.
"Did I say that in so many words? I was just talking history. He tried to sound casual. "I didn't know you've indulged in homicide. I better watch my back! The temptation was too hard to resist.
She sprung away from him. "How can you? How can you even think of comparing me with those evil women? Do I appear cold, calculating, or intentionally deceitful? But then, why should I defend myself in front of you? Who are you to pass judgment on me anyway? Someone who doesn't even know how to treat a woman! She broke away in a huff, standing still and rebellious on the narrow sidewalk, that was slick with the overshooting spray from the many timed sprinklers making their lazy nighttime revolutions.
Pulling her out of the way of one such errant water head, he spun her around, maintaining a tight grip on her arm. "Now what do you expect of me? Tell me, I'd like to know. I'm tired of this guessing game!
She smiled coyly. "It's not that tough. I'm not too hard to please, unlike many others. For instance, we could've had dinner at that Mediterranean place you took me to the other day. Uhmm...the Olive, yes! With all the ambience and coziness. She winked.
It escaped his notice. He was busy getting riled up at her suggestion.
"Oh, that place? I hated the service! I don't understand how they could let it deteriorate to such an extent...and the food. It left much to be desired. I was so disappointed. Such a waste! His complexion had turned ruddy and his hands into fists. I should have knocked that smart-ass Pratik on the jaw. It'd have given him something to think about!
Poor darling, he's jealous. Nothing else, I hope, Geet surmised and melted.
"Aww, come on. I was just making conversation, she said, hooking her arm through his. "I agree. Our visit was not entirely pleasing to the palate, was it? Might as well give your Tony's a try.
"Conversation? That's all?! He gawked at her in sheer surprise, certain now that the entire exercise was being conducted for her sole pleasure. "You are unbelievable!
"What do you mean?
"I think we should stop talking for a little while and enjoy some quiet time for a change. Ahh... Here we are. He stopped in front of an unimpressive facade of red brick and faded paintwork. "It doesn't appear like much from the outside but is an entirely different state of affairs when you go in! C'mon, I'm hungry!
He steered her ahead into a poorly lit, narrow corridor, at the end of which stood a heavily curtained glass door bearing letters in gold. It said Tony's Italian Kitchen with hours of operation below.
"Are you sure? she asked doubtfully, to which he replied by pulling open the door...and they were immediately assaulted by a loud booming voice.
"Welcome to Tony's!
Geet blinked, her eyes gradually adjusting to the dim light. She saw a man as large and robust as his voice step forward from behind a podium and start pumping Maan's hand with a huge grin on his plump face.
"Hi, Tony! Something special tonight? Don't usually see you greeting your guests this way.
"Oh, is that you, Maan my boy? Welcome, welcome! Please, pardon these old eyes. They have seen better days. Yes, it is a special night for Tony's! It's our anniversary, and that means all the customers get to deal with me first! He roared with laughter, not letting go of Maan's hand, which had started to ache.
Geet stepped back into the shadows trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, but her dress was a dead giveaway.
"Now, now! Who do we have here?
Despite his lamentations about his failing vision, Tony's eyes never missed seeking out beautiful women apparently. Spotting Geet, he took her hand gently in his and gazed solemnly at her for several seconds, causing her to shoot nervous glances in Maan's direction, who shrugged his shoulders in a helpless gesture.
"Bellissimo! Tony said, lifting her hand gallantly to his lips. "Where have you been so far, mia cara? Or where has this boy been hiding you? He cast a stern glance at Maan. "Now I know the reason why he orders take-out all the time!
"Tony, I don't!
"Ah! Forget him, signorina. Come with me! You are our guest of honor tonight. Tony tucked her slender arm under his and pushed open another door leading into the main restaurant. Geet was at once assailed by the sounds and aromas typical of any busy eatery.
Sweeping his large paw-like hand around, Tony asked her to choose a table; and she, in order to get out of his clutches quickly, pointed to the nearest one in the center.
"Of course, our best table for the beautiful signorina and her guest! Please take your seats, and I will send Giordano, our best server, to attend to you while I go welcome my other guests. They must be feeling left out. Tony sniggered. "And remember, tonight drinks are on the house!
Geet heaved a sigh of relief when Tony finally let go of her hand after settling her down. She spent some time looking around the place, which was much larger and well appointed than its exteriors had implied. There was a huge wood-fired oven in the large open kitchen where chefs, all in white with the fire lending a shine to their faces, busily took and prepared the orders while customers sitting around the bar watched and sipped from their glasses. The walls were decorated with framed oil paintings depicting various scenes of Italy particularly the countryside, and the entire decor was given a surreal feel with strategically placed hidden lighting.
"Very nice! Thank you, Maan. Geet turned to her companion with a smile then let out a sharp gasp when she saw him glowering at her.
"Now what did I do that you have to look at me that way!
"Tell me what you didn't do. Why were you leading Tony on?
"No I wasn't!
"Yes...you...were!
"Buona Sera, folks! A little wine and iced tea to cool the tempers? Giordano, whose real name he revealed was Jorje pronounced Horhe, arrived with a bottle of their best Italian vino and a pitcher full of delicious peach ice tea.
"You may order anything you like, sir, madam. Your meal is on the house! he announced as Maan and Geet looked over the menu.
"I shall go ahead and bring you our menu sampler, Giordano said before disappearing among the tables as quickly as he had appeared.
"No, that's not what I want, Maan shouted after him, but his voice was drowned in the general din. "Let's leave before Tony decides to take you home with him!
"Oh, Grey. Oops! I'm sorry...Maan. Stop taking things seriously and enjoy the moment. What is there to lose? I bet he's harmless, Geet said, smiling apologetically at her daring slip.
"My dear, don't think this place scares me, her spouse said quietly, his eyes intent on her flushed cheeks.
But as it usually occurs, food does act to calm the restless soul and soon both were digging in to the generous sampler, which spoke volumes of the quality being served at the restaurant.
"This is for you, my doe-eyed angel, Tony declared, suddenly materializing beside their table before breaking out into a lovely Italian song, which Geet couldn't understand a word of, but guessed as much it was about love. There was no doubt the big man could sing as he held everyone spellbound, even Maan, with the mellifluous purity of his voice.
"Bravo! Geet applauded and was joined in by the other patrons.
"Grazie, bella donna! Will you accompany me home tonight? Tony asked, making an elaborate show of going down on one knee next to Geet and staring plaintively into her eyes.
Several OMGs, sighs, and gasps could be heard as everyone's attention focused on Geet who had managed to go crimson in the meantime.
"Damnit, Tony. Spare her for once. She's my wife for God's sake!
"Oh no, that cannot be true! But it is...I see the ring. God in heaven have mercy! I thought I had found my soul mate! Tony appeared to have taken the news to heart, by the way his bright face suddenly transformed into a picture of utter dejection.
"But it is all right. Maan's a good man, and I believe a girl like you needs a man like him to protect and cherish her, he declared with a broad smile as though nothing had transpired and patted her spouse heartily on the back before squishing him in a bear hug.
"Take care, son, and be true for you get married only once in your life like I did to my bella! he said while submitting to a hearty kiss by a pleasantly plump red-cheeked woman who had appeared out of nowhere on his side.
"She is his wife, and they happen to be inseparable, Maan explained later as they walked back home. "But I can't for the world understand how she tolerates him and his all-out flirting. Beats me!
"Are all Italians this romantic? Geet sighed with a faraway, dreamy look in her eyes.
"All Italians are crazy! he erupted fiercely. "They are passionate, impulsive, unpredictable, and dangerous! They act before they think, or they don't think at all! They will overwhelm you with gifts and very the next moment plot to murder you. Haven't you heard of the Mafia? For the longest time I've wondered if Tony isn't running an underground crime cartel!
She stopped walking, suddenly wanting to be mean, the mysterious Des constantly hovering in the back of her mind. "I was talking about romance, not Godfather! I've heard men who have affairs are usually of a very romantic disposition.
"Are you referring to me? he asked.
"Of course yes. Didn't you too have an affair? She turned to him, her eyes bright, accusing. "So you should be awfully romantic, yet I haven't seen that side much. Have you changed, or is it just me? She had finally come clean with her feelings. What was it about Des that had prevented their union and still managed to stand in between them like a shadow? Or was it something to do with her, with Geet?
"Oh that? That wasn't an affair, Maan responded shortly, the topic being one he dearly wished to avoid. "It was a mistake I'm still paying the price for. I don't want to discuss it. It's done with, a thing of the past, something I'd like to forget! Anyways, I've never considered myself romantic, unlike Tony or even Sujoy for that matter. But I'm willing to try if that's what you want, he spoke in earnest, wishing to leave no stone unturned.
She laughed softly. "Maan, I'm not the same girl you married, someone who'd wait patiently to hear a few words of praise and love from her husband. I'm not your typical girl next door. I'm the real Geet. I'm my own person, a girl who can stand on her own two feet and who doesn't balk from expressing her feelings, her anger, and her insecurities. I will fight for my rights and go all out for the one I love. A girl like me doesn't need a boatload of romance or sweet nothings, all she needs is some empathy and understanding.
Then she turned and walked briskly away, her footsteps ringing sharp on the wet stone. She hugged her bare arms, shivering from the cold and the eerie silence night so often brought along with it.
"Aren't you coming? She threw back an apprehensive glance, hoping he hadn't been overwhelmed by her disclosures. But she was telling the truth, and wasn't honesty the best foundation for any relationship?
"Meri jaan!
Suddenly she felt his strong arms wrap around her waist as he hugged her from behind, making her shiver even harder despite the soothing warmth that spread quickly through her. He kissed the base of her neck, then whispered gruffly in her ear, "I'm proud of my Geet, proud to have you for my wife. I'm determined now more than ever to live up to your expectations, whatever they may be. But...don't you ever crave to touch or be touched, to not speak but say a million things by just giving in for a moment and forgetting everything else except that you are my wife and I your husband?
Geet sighed, closing her eyes reveling in this newfound closeness. "Yes, I want to, there's nothing else I've wanted more ever since we've been together. The closeness we share is driving me mad. I don't know how much longer I can hold out. I really don't!
She pivoted around, knowing he was shaken perhaps pleasantly at her intimate revelation. She was too, yet doing so had left her feeling much lighter inside. "But there is one thing I want you to know, dear husband, she said, flinging her arms around his neck and locking her gaze with his while he waited with bated breath. "If your wife gives herself up to you, it'll be forever. Therefore, she wants to be absolutely sure before she does, 'cause then there's no turning back.
"Really? he asked, desperately wanting to believe in her.
"Yes. I hope I can hold on to myself till then. Say you'll wait for me!
"I will without a doubt.
She stood on her tiptoes and brushed his cheek with her lips. Then taking his hand in hers, she said, "Let's go home, mio caro.
Cricket
Khatron Ke Khiladi 15
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