MM - Ch 21

Papa, he was there, I didn’t think much of him but he was also part of the bidding. What I was surprised the most about is that Rai was all over him, he was by his side the whole time!’

Waleed Ullah listened to Haider giving an account of his recent business trip to London and replied to his son with‘Behroz had mentioned that Mohinder also has a business in textiles and fabric. I didn’t think that he was a big shot.’

Well, I was taken back with the way people knew him in the conference, many delegates came and spoke to him.’ Haider continued. ‘I asked Raichand about him but he held a tight lip. I wanted to know who this Mohinder uncle represents, if you ask Raichand he will open up to you.’

Waleed Ullah hmmed in response and dailed Raichand’s number, the call was answered.

‘Haan Raichand, kya haal hai? Haider said that he saw you in the London conference. Yaar, we didn’t expect you to not tell us that you will be also providing samples to others besides us for the bid.’

‘Your son is from the new generation, he never asked about my plans and was only focused on getting his samples. I only say what is asked from me’ Raichand responded.

‘Haan you know how dedicated he is! Waleed Ullah said ‘But anyway, he said he saw Mohinder Handa with you. He and his family were our guest for the past week here, Mohinder is my Samdi’s family friend.’

‘Yes I know, Mohinder Bhai told me when I asked him how he knows your son, Haider.’

‘Does he have a business line that big to be at the conference? Waleed Ullah smirked the question

Raichand said ‘Mohinder is one of the suppliers we use, he doesn’t have his own fashion line.’

‘Acha! That’s why I was wondering how I would have not known him if he was in the same business as us.’

‘Mohinder is a very private man, Waleed Sahab. He has his own business rules.

‘Yes, but its good to know everyone’s place in the market and society, Raichand’. Waleed Ullah replied.

‘His society is different and so is his business, if it was to cross your path, you would know then who he is, khair I wish your son good luck on this project, I saw that he worked hard’.

Raichand disconnected the call, and Waleed Ullah stood thinking that a man like Raichand who has been the peddle pusher of the textile market in Delhi for almost 25 years and on good terms with his company didn’t think twice before choosing his words for Mohinder and knew him more intimately than he imagined. He thought that Mohinder is probably another peddle pusher wanting to break into the international market like Raichand sp Waleed Ullah turned to more investement topics with his son and didn’t want to think twice over Mohinder or his business ventures.

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‘We loved spending time with you all, I wish you guys could stay for longer.’ Asma said.

Jassi Ji hugged and thanked Asma for hosting her family with so much love and happiness. She knew that Meer is in good hands for her pregnancy.

‘Well Geet is here in Delhi from the next month for her college, so you will see more of her’.

Meer looked at Geet with a smile, Geet hugged her tight and said ‘I will be in the dorms but on weekends we can hang out together’. Meer nodded happily.

Daijaan then hugged Meer and said ‘I will come back closer to the time Beti, your mamma will come next time’.

Meer waved her family as they left for the station.

As they drove away from the gates, their car braked suddenly with an oncoming car coming towards them at full speed. Geet and Roop looked out from the window  as they haunched forward as the car braked. 
Dadima stepping out of the backdoor of the car infront. They also stepped out of their car on seeing her. Dadima saw them coming and said ‘I couldn’t let you girls leave before hugging you one more time, When I told Maan bete this morning that you are all leaving today, he told me at once to that he can bring me here to say goodbye. Geet looked over and saw Maan leaning against the car in a black shirt wearing sunglasses looking in her direction..

He took them off and stood staring squarely at her . She immediately looked away but he started walking towards her. She looked up noticing him coming in her direction and and a look of nervourness and panic came across her face. Maan slightly smirked and walked past Geet over to Jassi ji who was getting out of the car. Maan said to Jassi ji ‘Dadima told me that with your help she was able to pull off the party for Haider and Meer Bhabhi. Thank you for being there for her, I know mom has a busy schedule'.

Jassi smiled at his sincerity and gently caressed her hand on the side of his face and rested it on his shoulder saying ‘Bete, your dadima is like my mother for me, my girls love her more and more every time they meet, the work that day was an excuse to spend more time with her'. 

Maan nodded and smiled before stepping away. He said ‘ Let's go home Dadi, now that we have met the most important person here indicating Jassi’. Roop huffed and said ‘No, Dadima came to see me as well!’.

Whilst everyone thought that Roop was being teased, Dadima was surprised at her grandson for being this playful. she watched him from the corner of her eyes as others laughed at Roop who hugged Dadima one more time before returning to her car. 

Geet who had said her to goodbye to Dadima, walked back to her car and stood near the door with her hands folded, glancing at Maan who stood on the other side near her mother. He then slowly looked at her sideways and raised his eyebrows questioning her.
She instead raised her eyebrows wanting more than a look as a goodbye, so Maan waved a quick hand at her whilst pretending to close Jassi ji's car door.

She chuckled but smiled at him one last time with a twinkle in her eye and got in the car.

 Dadima noticed this secret interaction and a small smile formed on Dadima's face. She saw that Maan was still looking at the car as they drove away and he raised his hand at the small hand from the back window of the car waving back at him. 

So she said 'Chale bete? ya abhi aur kisi ko goodbye kehna tha?' (Shall we go or are you waiting to say goodbye to someone else?)  He immediately straightened up and said to his grandma ' No, I was just waiting for you to get in the car!'. 

She softly laughed and sat in the car with her mind filled with thoughts she hadn’t paid attention to in many years. 

MM -Ch 20

In the dim lit room, Geet hummed an old tale lullaby to Haadi sleeping on the lounge sofa whilst she sat beside him on the floor, patting him into a deep slumber.

‘Neend ku aaya taana neend karte bahaane

rollo llo haaye maa 

Soja mera Chanda…. 

Neend ku aya taanaa….

Neend ke karte bahaney

Maan stood leaning on his door watching over her. Geet had undone the braid in her hair, and her hair rested on her back in loose curls. She wore the dupatta around her shoulders like a shawl.

He cleared his throat and got her attention. Geet scrambled herself up picking her lehenga to stand up. 

She stood looking everywhere else but him and mumbled ‘Woh woh…he fell asleep playing here so so I am just watching over him…’

‘Hmm… I don’t remember you being this darpok (Scardy cat) before’. Maan said straigteneing up and stepping inside the room towards her.

Geet looked up surprised and said defiantly ‘darpok toh nahi hoon main.’(I am not a scardy cat).

‘Acha?’ toh phir yahaan kyun chup kar baithi ho.’ (Really? So then why are you hiding here?) He took another step.

‘Chup kar nahi, Haadi ke saath hoon bas.’(I am not hiding, just staying here with Haadi) She took a step back from him unconsciously.

Maan hid his smile and replied ‘Woh toh so gaya, toh nichey jao, main dekh lunga ussey.’(He has fallen asleep right, so go downstairs, I will keep an eye on him).

Geet vehemently nodded her head and said ‘Nahi, aap jayiye apne room main. Main hoon na yahaan.’ (No! you go to your own room, I will stay here with him)

Maan put his hands on his hips and said ‘Yeh mera hi room hain.’ (This is my room)

Geet opened her mouth to say a no again but as his words registered she covered her mouth with her hands in panic.

Geet mulled over her thoughts whilst turning the dupatta in between her fingers. Maan almost laughed at the memory of her doing the same when he first met her.

‘What are you thinking over so much?’ Maan said in his quiet deep voice.

Geet looked at him and nodded no and turned around to leave as she felt she has no other choice but go downstairs and face others. The thought of everyone teasing her for fallings in Maan’s arms, made her cheeks and ears turn red.

She mumbled ‘Rabb ji, Daijaan ki teasing se bacha le.’

Maan overheard her bickering to herself and whispered in her ear from behind ‘When you were acting me out you didn’t look so shy then!’

Geet’s eyes rounded and she exasperated ‘Oh my gosh! You saw all of that too’ and turned around to see him but she turned so fast that she bumped into him and in trying to hold his balance Maan caught hold off her and stumbled back landing on his bed.

Geet’s embarrassment grew even bigger and she started getting up but her lehenga got pulled under him on the bed, she said ‘Im so sorry! I didn’t mean to bump into you again.’

Haye Rabba! What is going on today!!’ She looked up talking to herself and Maan looked up with her wondering who she is talking to.

‘Ugghh my lehenga!’ And she started to pull herself up and Maan watched her squirm whilst still lying under her on the bed.

He noticed she was panicking in her nervousness and raising her voice in her efforts to pull her skirt from under him.

He tried lifting himself off to let the cloth be pulled out but Geet in her clumsiness fell on his chest again.

This time she grew even more loud. ‘Rabb ji! I'm so sorry!’

But seeing her up this close, with her soft hazel eyes shining in the dim light and her lips quivering in panic. Maan edged his face closer and inhaled her scent, it was a mixture of her shampoo and musk perfume.

In a daze he lifted his hands and moved her hair back then caressed her face down to her chin and held her by the chin. Geet felt his touch and froze as she saw his eyes follow down her face onto her lips.

In a blink that Geet forgot to take, Maan flipped her over and a squeal escaped her lips. Maan covered her mouth and whispered a sshhh.

He looked at his own fingers on her lips and was tempted to feel its softness. As he was about to act upon his desire, his eyes glazed overs and saw a sheen of water in them.

He blinked and looked away, taking his fingers off her lips and gently got off her to stand. He then said ‘Woh Haadi… I will check on him.’ indicating why he shushed her.

Geet nodded and got up freeing herself from the extra yard of cloth that had entangled her with Maan.

She took rushed steps to the door, wanting to get away from his big deep eyes.

‘Geet.’ He called from behind.

She turned to her side and he quietly stepped closer to her back...a breath away from her.

He then gently laid her dupatta that she had forgotten on the bed over her shoulders, holding its edge still in his hand so she doesn't run away without listening to him and she spread the other end over her necks, clutching it tight.

‘Koi kuch nahi kahega tumhe, niche sab ko pata hai tumne kuch galat nahi kiya. Yeh sab tumhari dost ki khushi ke liye than aa, toh ussi ki khushi main tum uske saath raho. (No one will say anything, everyone knows that it wasn’t your fault. All of this was done for your friend’s happiness so you be with her, as part of it).’

Geet turned to look at him, her eyes telling a new story of understanding and respect and questions for Maan that she herself was scared to ask or know. 

Maan blinked at her ushering her to go, she smiled gently and left for downstairs to join Meer and others.

MM- Ch 19

Devansh Khurana looked a new person with his sons around. The quiet broody man turned all smiles and spoke at length about Maan’s achievements in college around his friends and family.

 Devansh said to Behroz who stood with Waleed Ullah and Mohinder and said ‘Although I wanted Maan to go abroad like US or UK to study his masters and Sahebzyada ko scholarship bhil mil rahi thi. Lekin inhe toh yahin DU main padna hai’ (and He was getting a scholarship for it too but he refused because he wanted to study right here at DU).

Haider piped ino the conversation and said ‘koi prized JJ honorary award hai jo kai saal pehle sirf ek MBA student ko mila hai lekin phir kisi aur ko woh award nahi mila. Aur Maan ko wohi chahiye kyunki waise score kisi aur ke bas main hi nahi hai’. (there is this prized JJ honours award that was given to an MBA student many years ago but no one has ever been given the same award again. But Maan wants just that since he is the only one who can get a score like that!).

Waleed Ullah then added to Behroz ‘As soon as he is done with his studies, Devansh wants to hand over his business to Maan just like I have done with Haider’.Devansh smiled at his son .

Maan stood quiet next to his father with a small smile on his lips and hands folded as he was eyed by all. He wore a blue shirt with dark denims. A small stubble shaped his jaws and made him look the young man he is now at 22 years.

Behroz looked happily at his son in law who is managing so much and is due to deal with the likes of Khuranas who the whole of Delhi knows of. 

But Mohinder said ‘so much responsibility in such inexperienced hands causes a lot of pressure to build in their young lives’.

The smile from Haider’s face dwindled as he heard Mohinder’s comment. However, it was Devansh Khurana who looked more offended.

‘Khuranas ke khoon main hai, business ki bhaag dhodh toh hum sab ne aisi hi kachi umar main sambhali hai, yeh naye businessmen ki sonch hai jo aaj kal nahi karna chahte’. (Its in Khurana’s blood to handle business like this. We have all taken over our business at the same tender age. It’s the likes of new businessmen who think otherwise’.)

Intrigued with Mohinder’s thought process, Maan spoke for the first time in the conversation and asked ‘Where did you study Mohinder Chacha?’.

Mohinder said ‘I went to LSE beta ji. Maan looked at him impressed but Mohinder added with a small sigh saying ‘My father wanted one of his sons to study abroad so it was I who was sent away’.

He then placed a hand on Maan’s shoulder and said ‘you have made a good choice beta ji, hope you can get the JJ award. It’s a tough cookie to beat!’. He winked a small smile at him.

‘Pal hi main chacha banadiya tumne Mohinder bhai ko Maan’(in just a few moments, you turned Mohinder into your uncle) Devansh said looking at Mohinder.

Maan replied to his father whilst smiling at Mohinder ‘They hosted us like family in Haider’s wedding in Hoshiarpur, Papa’.

‘Haan haan, Maan toh Hoshiarpur ke kissey bohot suna raha tha humain jab woh Ma ke saath wapis aya tha’. (Oh yes, yes Maan was talking on and on about Hoshiarpur when he had returned with his grandma’).Devansh replied and turned away with the intention of ending the conversation.

But Maan wanting to have the last word, stood with his hands now in his pockets, looking squarely at his father’s back and said in quiet but confident tone ‘ek apna pan mila tha Dadima ko aap sab se aur mujhe pehli baar ek family kaise khushiyan manati hai nazar aya tha’. (Dadima felt a closeness with them and I for the first time saw how a family really comes together to celebrate their happiness).

Others around looked quizzically between the father and son, who looked equally hurt with each other.

To break off the tension, Haider took Maan on the pretense of introducing him to Meer’s grandma

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‘Oh masha’Allah, kya qoob qad nikla hai aur bhi jawan aur khoobsurat hogaya hai aap ka pota Savitri ji’.(Oh with the grace of God, how tall and even more handsome your grandson has become Savitri ji.) Said Daijaan as Maan came to greet her with Haider.

Maan smiled at her warmly and hugged his Dadi sideways.

Dadima smiled at Daijaan as she was praising her grandson’s look. She added ‘bilkul apne Dada ki tarha hai, wohi shakal aur surat hai’. (He is gone totally on his Grandfather, the same face and looks).

Sasha interjected from behind ‘Aur uska gussa bhi bilkul unhi par gaya hai’(And his anger is also just like his too). 

Maan looked at his mother and plainly said ‘Hi Mom.’

‘You finally got some time to see your mother! You came back after so many days from God knows where! But you have the time to meet and greet others except for your mum.’

Maan and Dadima rolled their eyes at Sasha. Then Dadima motioned at Maan to go to his mum. He hugged his mum and said ‘Sorry ma! Wahan phone reception nahi tha, warna phone karta zaroor!’ (Sorry Ma, there was no reception/signal over there, otherwise I would have called you for sure!).

‘Wrong! Mom he deliberately CHOSE a place where there is literally no reception and no one around. I went with him to gim him company!’ said Vikrant who overheard his brother’s explanation to his mum.

‘More like tagged along with me, thinking that it’s like college camping with lots of other guys and girls around!’ Maan retorted.

‘Exactly! Said Vikrant ‘Lekin Bhai itne boring kab hogaye mom! Main wahaan itna bore hua na! meri zabardasti se aaj mere saath wapis aye hai..warna pata nahin aur kitne lakdi tod tey aur jungle ghoom they!’(Exactly! But Mom when did brother turn so boring! I was getting so bored over there. I forced and insisted him to come back with me today otherwise he would have stayed chopping more branches and enjoying the walks in the woods!)

Dadima smilingly said ‘atleast your one son likes the lights and glamour of the city, Sasha’.

Sasha laughed too and said ‘haan yeh toh sahi kaha aap ne Ma ji, yeh Vikrant  hi toh raunaq hai iss ghar ki (Yes, you are right about this Ma ji, he is the light of this house). Vikrant smiled at his mom and hugged her tight from around her shoulders he asked Haider who stood with Maan and Dadima.

‘Hey Bro, where is the one who was stealing the limelight off of me tonight?’

‘Who?’ Inquired Haider

‘Wohi, Didi tera devar deewana wali, pehle toh bhai ki nakal ki phir bechari unhi ki bahoun main aakar giri? (That one who was dancing, first she acted out Maan bhai then poor her! fell right into his arms.)

Everyone giggled at Vikrant’s description of Geet. But he continued to tease his brother infront of all.

‘Waise bhai kya entry thi woh aapki! Just like a movie! You stood all tall and handsome at the door and she spun across the hall and fell like a delicate princess in your strong macho arms! Now I know why you wake up so early in the morning and do your Tai-chi! I gotta take lessons from you on catching a girl like that! Never know when I would need a skill like that!’

Maan ogled his eyes at Vikrant and quietly said ‘Chup’. At which the giggles turned into full blown laughter from the women around including Sasha, Daaijaan and Dadima!

Haider laughingly said ‘Oh Geet! She is Sameera’s best friend from Hoshiarpur, She is just with Meer, helping her with Haadi in one of the rooms upstairs.’

‘That’s exactly what you had said to her! ‘Chup’! Bechari must have gotten scared of you already! It took you two seconds Bhai, to turn from her Knight in shining armor into the Devil dusht we know you!

‘Vikrant!’ Maan glowered.

Daijaan said 'Geet toh bohot masoom hai usse toh yahi tension hogi ke hum usko kitna tease karenge, we call her our chalti phirta toofan at home... always been clumsy. (Geet is very innocent and she is probably worried about being teased by us more than anything. We call her 'disaster on the feet'). Dadima and others smiled at Daijaan's affection for Geet.

The younger Khurana grabbed Haider by arm in an effort to evade his mighty older brother and said ‘bro lets go, introduce me to your cousins! Man’.

Haider laughed and went along with Vikrant leaving Maan in between the women.

Maan then said ‘Mom, I am going to head to my room, Its was nice meeting you after so long Daijaan’.

Sasha smiled and Daijaan nodded as Maan took to the stairs.

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Meer came out of the bathroom and closed the door loud and Geet shushed at her saying. ‘Di, he just fell asleep with this toy car in his hand!’

‘Thanks Geet, That’s Maan’s. Aah my back is so sore! I want this baby out of me’! Meer achingly said.

Geet quietly giggled then said ‘You go downstairs and have your dinner, until then I will sit with Haadi here. When you are done, we can go home’.

‘You eat with me too na Geet.’

‘Nahi Di, I am too tired from the dancing to eat a full stomach now.’

Was it the dancing or the falling that’s made you queasy huh? Meer whispered to tease Geet.

‘Di! Hayye Rabba! It was so embarrassing sab ke saamne! Pata nahin sab kitna Mazaak uda rahe honge mera! (It was so embarrassing… infront of everyone! I wonder how much fun everyone is making of me downstairs!) Geet looked genuinely worried.

Meer came over and held her hand to say ‘No one is making fun of my sister, we all saw that it was Vikrant who pulled at you so hard! I am glad Maan came there just in time otherwise you would have been badly hurt.’

‘Acha you stay here with Haadi, rest until we are ready to go home. We will drop you to the hotel on our way okay? Meer said and Geet nodded a yes.

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MM - Ch 18

The afternoon lunch was hosted really well. All guests were impressed with finally meeting Meer’s side of the family. Mohinder and Behroz met Savitri Devi’s only son and Waleed Ullah’s business partner Devansh Khurana. He was a quiet man who spoke little with Behroz and even less with Mohinder. The men spoke mostly about new developments in small towns like Hoshiarpur and Gurgoun. Devansh Khurana also mentioned about his family roots from Amritsar and his link to few notable families from there.

Haider was quieter than when he had first met his father in law and Mohinder. Although he was surrounded with friends and family congratulating him for his second child but he seemed preoccupied with other thoughts on his mind.

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Meer was glowing with happiness. She went around introducing her best friend Geet to all the new family and friends she had made here.

The women were intrigued with the young curly haired beauty and young girls were half jealous and half envious of her good looks and infectious happiness. Geet was wearing a beautiful black and gold lehenga, her hair half braided with the rest falling on the side down to her waist. She wore simple jewelry that her mother forced her to wear and even the kohl in her eyes Jassi ji helped put on.

The young girls in the crowd wanted to know from which designer Geet got her dress made. She told them that she makes her own clothes with her father and also helps him design them too.

The girls laughed at her as they realized that her father is a small clothes shop owner in her town and Geet innocently nodded along not caring whether big or small really matters.

Once the reception lunch was done, just close family and friends from Asma’s side had stayed for the bridal shower ceremony.

Geet and Roop had planned a surprise for Meer with Dadima so they could make this night memorable for her. They went to get ready for their surprise in one of the guest rooms.

As the guests sat around in the main hall in a semi circle, a wooden swing was in the centre of it for Meer to be used as a stage which Geet had helped decorate with glowing lights and fresh flowers.

Jassi ji wore a pink chiffoun saree. Her demenour was filled with more grace than most of the elites of women sat with her in the hall today.

Many wondered if she is infact Meer’s mother, to which she smiled sweetly and affirmed with ‘yes, just like her mother’.

Sasha was also seen amongst the women with some friends from her so called ‘kitty crew’.

With Meer sitting on the swing, Daijaan called for Haider to join her. Haider sat next to her with the little Haadi in his lap.

She then began with the tradition of gifting trays of sweets, clothes and jewellery to Asma and her family.

Asma also wanted to return the favour and had gifts for Daijaan and Jassi ji. Asma asked ‘Jassi ji, where are your daughters? I have brought something for them too’.

Jassi ji said ‘woh bas yahin thi, Geet aur Roop, Meer ke liye kuch karna chahte hai toh ussi ki tayyari kar rahi hai dono’. (They were just here, Geet and Roop want to do something special for Meer so just getting ready for it).

Meer got excited and laughingly said ‘kya naya drama karna hai dono ko’. (What new drama have they thought of now!).

Haider shrugged his shoulder with a small smile.

‘Just then from behind the swing, standing on top of the stairs, Roop shouted ‘Sachi main drama hi hai Di’.(It really is a drama Di’).

As everyone turned to see Roop dressed exactly like a young boy and Geet with a wig and a white jacket around her, they laughed at the way they (well he for now) walked down the stairs, trying to look all macho.

As Roop walked down pretending to be Haider and Geet was to be Maan.

Meer and Daijaan bursts out laughing ‘Nautanki shuru hogayi dono ki’.

Roop pretended to be Haider and walked towards Meer all nervous enacting the scene from their Engagement.

Miming all the things that had happened on the day, the girls danced on and others sitting around began to clap and join along.

Chup chup khade ho jarur koi baat hai

Pahli mulakat hai ye pahli mulakat hai
Pahli mulakat hai ye pahli mulakat hai
Chup chup khade ho jarur koi baat hai
Pahli mulakat hai ye pahli mulakat hai
Pahli mulakat hai ye pahli mulakat hai

Then Roop pretending to be Haider holds her stomach rushing to one end of the hall.

The guests burst out laughing as they caught on to each scene that the girls were acting.

Haider looked embarrassed but laughed at the girls. Meer saw that he was enjoying their drama.

Geet ran upto Dadima and pretended to touch her feet whilst putting up her collar and winked at Meer and Haider. Dadima pulled her ears for enacting Maan.

The song played on and Geet echoed the words to Dadima. Haider laughed at the thought that his friend would do just that with his grandma to make her happy!

Mere dil mein aaj kya hai

Geet brought Dadima to the dance floor and sang to her

Na chahu sona chandi
Na chahu heera moti
Ye mere kis kam ke
Na mangu bangla gadi
Na mangu ghoda gadi
Ye to hai bas naam ke
Deti hai dil de
Badle mein dil ke
Deti hai dil de
Badle mein dil ke

Dadima then turns to Geet and sings happily: 
Ghe ghe ghe ghe ghere sahiba
Pyar mein sauda nahi
Ghe ghe ghe ghe ghere sahiba
Pyar mein sauda nahi

Then as she led Dadima to one side, she took off her wig and her jacket and took Meer’s Dupatta to wear around her head.

Geet then pretended to sit dull with the dupatta over her head and Roop ran upto her in the over sized trouser now slipping down and she held it tight to bend on her knee and asked Geet ‘will you marry me?’

Meer and Haider laughed at the memory as others around looked surprised at the cute love story unwinding infront of their eyes. Meer hugged Haider sideways at the sweet moments they had together.

Geet and Roop then came to Meer, and took her to the dance floor. The iconic soft instrumental of Kuch kuch hota hai played on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxnUHB64NcU

Claps and laughter echoed the hall at the comical situation of Roop tip toeing to twirl the overweight pregnant Meer on the romantic song. Although the plan was that Geet will play Haider but dear Roop wanted to be the main lead and be the man for her Di!

In the mean time, Geet ran behind the stairs, took a cushion from Nakul standing nearby and stuffed the cushion in her kameez.

She then walked backwards and bumped into the two, pretending to be shy and showed off her big bump to everyone. Roop and Geet took Meer by the hand back to the swing next to Haider, so they could dance on the next sequence of songs.

But as Geet turned a small piece hit her on the back.

She turned in surprise to find a young boy standing at the entrance wearing a bandanna on his forehead, spinning a string in his hand, smirking at them all.

He walked over to them, pressed play on his phone and the song burst the mermering silence he had caused.

Bhabhi teri behna ko maana

Rabba mere mujhko bachaana

Ho rabba mere mujhko bachaana

Haye Ram, kudiyon ka hai zamaana (Heyy..)

Haye Ram, kudiyon ka hai zamaana (Heyy heyy..)

Dadima looked so happy and exclaimed in surprise ‘Vikrant! Badmash!’.

 He looked at Meer and said but ‘Kya karrey Dadima, I got jealous of all the love, you and Bhabhi were pouring out! I gotta be the drama queen from this side of bhabhi’s family for sure’.

Meer laughed at him and came over to hug him, she said ‘I didn’t know that this brother of mine has grown so big that he can tease girls now too!’.

Geet and Roop shied away behind Dadima and Meer.

‘Bhabhi, your sisters seem to have shied away at the sight of your beloved favourite me!’ Vikrant added.

He looked a spitting image of his older brother whom Geet had encountered three years ago in Meer’s wedding. Geet stared at him in surprise as she recognized the same arrogance in his words that his brother had boasted around her then.  Geet suddenly felt shy thinking what if it was really him watching her act like him all this time.

‘We are also just as much desi at heart! Nakul play some of our Punjabi favourites. Lets get the place rocking’ Vikrant said and held his hand out to his Dadima and the other to Asma.

Dadima laughed at her grandson’s antics and said ‘these old bones can’t dance anymore to your new tunes beta. Take the younger ones with you to join along.

Asma pushed Haider and Meer to the dance floor. Other young girls who seem to know Vikrant came to his side as though they were waiting to see him and wanted to dance with him.

Nakul changed the songs to Vikrant’s play list.

Munda thoda.. offbeat hai

Par kudiya de naal.. bohat sweet hai

Vikrant pointed at Haider and went to grab him to so he could dance with him.

Dhongi sa ye bada dheeth hai

Viral hogya ye Tweet

Par phool wool karne mein cool

Tu badi tezz katari hai

Shagan teri ki, lagan teri ki

Humne kardi taiyari hai

Nachde ne saare ral-mil ke

Aaj hil-dul ke

Le saare ke saare nazare

Roop joined along with other girls but Geet stepped back on these small steps where others also stood watching Vikrant, Meer and Haider dancing.

Vikrant saw standing on one side, clapping to the songs. He wanted to pull her into the dance as the song changed to

Balle Balle Je Soniya Dey Rang Dekhlo

Bina Dor Dee Udadee Patang Dekh Lo

Balle Balle Je Soniya Dey Rang Dekhlo

Bina Dor Dee Udadee Patang Dekh Lo

Aaj Munde Huye Enhan

Dey Malang Dekh Lo

Bina Dor Dee Udadee Patang Dekh Lo

Ay Kudiya Kudiya

Ay Tikhiya Churiya

Kudiya Jawan

Hath Naa Aawan

Ena Pundiya Dey Mare Huye Tang Dekh Lo

Balle Balle Je Soniya Dey Rang Dekhlo

Bina Dor Dee Udadee Patang Dekh Lo

Geet laughed at Vikrant’s choice of song and as Vikrant tried to pull at her hand, she stepped back and moved her hand away from his. He relented again and tried holding her hand again. Geet still managed to dodge his hand and laughingly walked backwards with the main doors now behind her. Meer and Roop looked on and hooted at Geet for challenging to not dance with Vikrant.

Just as Geet looked at Meer laughingly giving her a thumbs up, Vikrant held her hand and spun her around, but as Geet wasn’t aware and he spun her so quick that she lost balance and twirled out away fromVikrant towards the door . She tried to lurch forward to avoid the fall but her hair fell on her face and she closed her eyes to brace the fall.

Just then a pair of arms caught hold of her before she hit the floor.  Her eyes still shut, she yelped ‘Hayye Rabba’. The grip around her waist tightened at her words. She blinked her long lashes and looked up at the face so close to her’s. 

With one arm still holding around her waist and with the other, he grazed his fingers through her hair and pushed them away from her face.

He slowly straightened her against his body, not breaking the eye contact he held. As he stood to his full height, Geet craned her necks upwards, her big brown eyes rounded in recognition and she pulled her hands from around his shoulders to step away.

His lips turned into a slight smirk and he moved his hands to her hips. 

Geet exhaled and whispered ‘Maan’ in surprise looking at him as he still held her in a tight grip.

The dancing came to a stop as Vikrant and others looked on at Geet almost falling and now being held in Maan’s arms. The song played on, the lyrics marking the moment in perfect sync.

Bage Wich Aaya Karo Jado Chand Chup Jave

Tusee Mukhda Dikhaya Karo

Jado Chand Chup Jave

Tusee Mukhda Dikhaya Karo

His hard stare softened at her whisper and he looked at her face carefully, noticing the changes in the features he once remembered.

Geet broke the stare and looked around to see all staring at them. Just as she was going to say something to Maan.

Vikrant came forward saying ‘Oh my gosh! Bhai thanks for catching her just in time!'

'Are you okay!? I didn’t mean to spin you so hard. I was just trying to pull you into the dance with us. He said to Geet.

 Geet looked between Maan and Vikrant, and motioned at Maan with her eyes to let go off her. But Maan was still staring at her face.

She replied to Vikrant ‘No, I am okay. Don’t worry about it, I know you didn’t mean to’.

Vikrant again said ‘I am sorry! Pata nahin how I just pulled at you so hard! I am so sorry’.

Geet looked at Vikrant and said again ‘No, I am fine, please stop saying sor-r'

But she got cut off as Maan said ‘Chup’!

Geet looked back at Maan surprised. He then looked at Vikrant and slowly let go of Geet letting her stand.

He said ‘Chup’ again this time to Vikrant. Then he added ‘first see if she is actually okay, before continuing to apologize’.

Dadima and Jassi also came up to them and Jassi went to Geet to see if she is okay. 

Dadima said to Maan ‘Bete, you came just in time to save Geet. You remember her right, we met them at Haider’s wedding’.

Maan nodded with a small smile and said ‘Namaste' to Jassi ji before walking away to his father and the men standing on the other side.