Hi, thanks much for the lovely responses. Glad to see some new readers. Sorry. I'm late but hope to make up with this chapter :)
13: Doubts and Assurances
"The wedding is just four weeks away and Ramu kaka decides that this is the perfect time to take a trip to his village and your father wouldn't say a word to stop him. How am I expected to handle everything on my own?" Kiran grumbed aloud as she scurried up and down the kitchen creating quite a racket.
"Like you always do ma, in your quiet efficient way. Remember? The situation was the same during Sheela di's wedding too. Besides kaka gets to visit home only once every year. And this is the only time his entire family gets together. You can't rob him of his happiness for something small like my wedding."
Kiran, who had ducked into the pantry to try to piece together a list of supplies for the grocer, stepped out and threw a sharp glance at her daughter. But she didn't catch her cheeky smile. Instead she saw her standing next to the kitchen sink with her head bent, seemingly engrossed in the mundane task of peeling potatoes. And her demeanor appeared subdued---not distracted in a hyper-excitable sort of way that Kiran had come to expect from her lately and for obvious reasons.
Kiran became concerned; "Geet, are you ill? You are looking pale."
"Huh? No ma" the response was supplemented with a wan smile, "a bit tired, that's all."
Kiran's worries intensified. "Did something happen at the party last night? I didn't mean to ask but now looking at you I'm curious."
"Nothing happened ma. I'm fine. Let it be." Geet said but she avoided her gaze.
"No I won't let it be. I want you to tell me exactly what took place..." Kiran persisted but was interrupted by the loud clamor of the telephone ringing in the hallway. She wavered briefly before scuttling to pick it up. She had been expecting an important call.
"Hello Mehtaji? ...Oh Maan! Is it you? I'm so sorry beta. I thought it was our family jeweler Mehtaji returning my call. I have been wanting to set up an appointment with him to go over the latest designs and place orders. He's such a busy man and so hard to get a hold of but you see Geet's father won't trust anyone else;" she laughed. "I know you young people won't be bothered with these things. But Jai and I have to answer to the world, don't we? Anyhow leave all that alone. Tell me how are you doing? I missed seeing you last night. Did you have a good time?" she said glancing at Geet who had followed quietly behind her.
Her daughter's appearance had undergone a radical change; her eyes had brightened considerably and her cheeks taken on a healthy rosy hue. Kiran felt reassured; the cause of Geet's malaise wasn't what she had feared.
"Maan? Do you want to talk to Geet? She's right here," Kiran spoke on the phone while directing a knowing smile at her daughter who was failing hopelessly in putting on a front of nonchalance.
"What? ...You want me to pass on the message that you can't come over today... you have to take your mother to the city for some shopping?... Oh all right then. Good. I can engage Geet to do a few things that need to be done. I've barely seen her face since the marriage was fixed, not that I'm complaining..."
Kiran frowned as she ended the call. Her future son-in-law didn't sound in good humor either.
She looked up and was surprised to see her daughter heading out into the yard.
"Geet! Where are you off to? Didn't you hear what I just said to Maan?"
But her daughter continued without paying any heed to her words. Kiran smiled somewhat sadly. She was not her little girl anymore.
***
It was another glorious day in the blue hills. The air--- so fresh and crisp and vigorous that just a few breaths could make one go delirious with joy.
But partaking in life's simple pleasures was farthest from Geet's mind as she let her feet wander down familiar paths on the estate. Several workers hailed out to her. She acknowledged them simply with a brief smile and a nod, not stopping to make small talk as she otherwise would have.
She was preoccupied. A strange disquiet was bothering her. Why hadn't Maan spared a minute to talk to her? Was it a consequence of her actions last night? Had he misconstrued them?
Yes she had fled. But not from him. She had fled from herself. From the fierce yearning his touch had aroused in her. From the fear of succumbing to it.
Maybe it is for the best, Geet brooded, as she sat among the gnarled roots of an ancient cypress and doodled on the packed earth with a twig. We need to take a break from each other. I for one am desperate for it.
"Akka!"
Geet looked up startled. A young girl of about twelve or thirteen, dressed in a long patterned bright orange skirt and a matching blouse, her thick greasy black hair in painfully tight pigtails, was standing in front of her wearing a brilliant toothy smile on her nut-brown face. She was Latha, the precocious daughter of the head gardener.
"What's up Latha? Aren't you supposed to be in school?"
"Well akka you see, I have a fever." The young girl explained with downcast eyes though to Geet she didn't look even a slight bit under the weather.
Geet laughed, "Get a better excuse next time. I'm surprised your mother lets you get away with it."
But her young friend wasn't listening. Rather she was surveying the ground with avid interest.
"Stop akka. Let me read!" She yelled blocking Geet's shielding hand.
"M.A.A.N... Maan! Isn't that your husband's ...I mean your would-be husband's name?"
"No...I mean yes," Geet replied rushing to erase her handiwork, aghast that Maan had taken over both her conscious and subconscious thought.
Latha burst into merry giggles. "You are thinking of him!" she squealed loudly clapping her hands as if it was the most wonderful thing in the world. "Who wouldn't? He is so handsome, just like a fairytale prince!" Her laughter grew louder, "See? I'm right! I can tell by the color on your cheeks. They are red like apples!"
"Stop it Latha or I'll tell your mother!"
But the girl was not to be deterred. Leaning forward she spoke in a loud conspiratorial whisper, "Akka... have you, I mean has he... like in the movies...?"
"Has he what?"
"Umm...kissed you?"
"No he hasn't! Anyway it's none of your business! You are too young to talk about such things!" Geet scolded professing to look scandalized while her heart raged up a storm inside.
"No akka I'm not! I know everything there is to know. Latha spoke like someone twice her age. "And don't you worry, on your wedding day you'll look like a doll in your red sari, more beautiful than any movie heroine and your husband won't be able to help himself. He'll kiss you and hug you and and..." she almost choked with excitement.
"Latha! If you don't stop right now, I will...!" Geet scooted up to her feet and brandished the fragile twig.
"Nooo!"
The miscreant flew down the hill with Geet close on her heels, both screaming and laughing like children without a care in the world.
"Akka see! The train!"
Latha had come to a breathless halt, arrested by the vision of a tiny blue mountain train that was making its unhurried way down to the valley just like it did every day at this time.
And even though Geet had seen it several times before, something about the sight made her leap up and down and wave vigorously at it along with her young friend.
But then abruptly her arm dropped to her side as a thought popped into her head
What if Maan is on that train along with his mother? What would he think if he sees me like this? That I'm nothing but a country bumpkin who gets excited about silly things... not exactly the kind of person he was hoping to marry.
The notion for some reason made her collapse into a delirious giggling fit causing Latha to turn around and gawk at her.
Geet dropped to the ground and prayed for salvation.
***
Two days had gone by and she hadn't heard from him. Not a word.
Not that she had made any attempt to get in touch with him either. All she had done was worry herself sick. Had he changed his mind? Did he think her not just silly but also a prude for the harsh way she had thwarted his advances? Would he rather prefer a girl who was more modern and in-tune-with-the-times such as say Priya? Perhaps he would. He was after all very worldly and broad minded; his job called for it. She, with her old stick in the mud ways and traditional beliefs probably didn't fit anywhere in his life.
"Yes that must be it! And he is having trouble breaking it to me, Mr. Diplomat!" She cried erupting into a wretched sob of dismay.
A gust of cool breeze ruffled her untamed hair, she had forgone grooming it that day, letting it remain open and wild.
A door shut somewhere with a loud bang. She raised her head anxiously from the pillow.
"Geet?"
"Maan!"
Without a second's deliberation, she sprung out of the bed and ran straight into the arms that reached over the window sill and was promptly hoisted over to the other side. Within moments she was hugging for dear life the very man who had made it miserable.
"Darling I missed you so much!"
The passion in his voice was enough to erase all her doubts and misgivings. She was the only one for him.
Looking up at his face, she pouted; "why didn't you come to see me? Have you forgotten that I figure somewhere in your life?"
"Of course not." He traced her jaw gently with his thumb, "you would never let me forget you."
"Then?"
"I had to take mom to the city and we had to stay overnight. She had a lot of things to buy for her future daughter-in-law you see." He grinned.
Geet wasn't mollified, "But you could have at least called. Do you know how frantic I was?"
"Really? You were?" He bent his head closer.
She shivered and tried to push him away but he was too strong for her. "Don't try to avoid the question. Why are you here now? To apologize for the other night?"
He seemed taken aback but only for a moment. His eyes flashed with a teasing glint. "No I'm not. And even if I was all my concerns were cleared away when you welcomed me the way you did."
"No you are mistaken. It was just a reflex." She said finally breaking free.
"I am willing to accept whatever you say Geet. But please hug me now. I need it. I need it bad!"
His words invoked her curiosity. She probed his face and for the first time became aware of an incredibly morose demeanor. A sudden anxiety seized her.
"What's wrong? You are hiding something from me."
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, "I have to go away for a short while. A diplomatic mission."
"Why? Where?"
"I don't know. I will tomorrow. Its top secret, must be quite important."
"Say you won't go.
"I can't. I wish I could."
"You could be in danger!"
"No I'll be fine. We are always provided with the best of security."
"I want to go with you."
"I wish you could too. God, I can't say how much! But I'm afraid it's too late for that. I'll have to go alone."
"But our wedding..."
"Don't worry my darling. I'll be back well in time. It's an appointment I wouldn't miss for anything in the world! I'll be thinking about you constantly and won't rest till I make you my bride."
She could barely muster a smile.
"Say you'll miss me just a little," he hauled her back into his arms.
"Aww shuddup now!" She cried and pushed him away. Then turned away and dabbed hastily at her eyes with her shawl. "I'm not speaking to you anymore!"
"Geet please understand!"
She flung her arms around him once again. "Promise you will be back!"
"I promise."
tbc
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