Geet stared out the window of the train,
waiting anxiously for the train to reach the platform and as it did, she was
one of the first to bounce off the train, with her bag slacked on her side.
Two cars were awaiting the Khan’s and
the Handa’s outside the station. Geet and Roop were all eyes trying to spot
Meer in the crowd but later were disappointed with the news that Meer is at
home waiting for their arrival.
As they all drove to the Haider’s house,
Geet realized that this city which she saw occasionally in summer holidays stop
overs to other destinations her parents took her to over the years will now be
her home for the next four years. The thought was scary and exciting at the
same time. Scared of the unknown new and excited to embrace the future that she
chose this path to.
Meer stood with a small toddler at her
feet and holding a bouquet of flowers in hand.
As everyone filed out of the cars, Meer
couldn’t help but run towards her Daijaan whom she hadn’t seen in three long
years. Jassi ji and Mohinder all hugged her in turn with happy tears glistening
in their eyes.
Meer expected Geet and Roop to rush into
her arms and squeeze her tight with giddiness. Instead the girls stood in the
back behind the elders. As Meer’s eyes set on Roop she couldn’t help but
chuckle at the sight of the taller yet stubby Roop has become, glasses set on
her nose and anxious on her feet she edged forward and hugged her tight saying ‘Meer Di, we missed you so much’ and Meer laughed and said ‘not as much
as you’.
Geet watched the two hug each other and Meer
then looked up at Geet. The two stared at each other.
Meer looked at Geet’s
face so thoroughly trying to recognize the childish features surrounded by the
unruly curls that she knew Her Geet to be but she found instead her face to be accentuated
with long and thick neatly pleated braid resting on her shoulder, a sharp thin nose, lighter than before
almond eyes and a shy dimple peeking in one cheek with her small smile.
As Meer straightened up she found Geet
to be now taller than her, she smiled widely and held Geet by her arms and said
‘Hayye Geet, itni khoobsurat! meri hi nazar lagegi tumhe( Oh Geet, sooo beautiful! you will get evil eye with just me staring at you this way)you have changed so
much’
Geet searched her face too and replied ‘not as much as you Di’.
Meer looked away not wanting to say anything to Geet in return and noticed her son pulling her dupatta looking scared amidst new faces.
She
diverted the conversation by picking up her little boy and said ‘Look who is here, say Salaam to
your Khala, Haadi’.
Geet smiled at the little boy, Haadi who
looked at her shyly from his mother’s arms and repeated after his mum ‘Lala’!
Geet laughed at his adorable lisp and her new title! She offered him her arms. He hesitantly looked at his mother’s face unsure and
then spread his arms for Geet to take him from Meer.
Meer’s mother
in law then called out from the door saying ‘please come inside, why are you
all standing outside still. Welcome we are so happy to see you all here’.
Everyone followed suit and met Meer’s in
laws. As they all settled in and the house helps turned up with tea. Geet and
Roop were busy playing with little Haadi who grew warm to Roop as well and
showing them all the toys he has.
Behroz then proceeded to ask ‘Haider
kahan hai Sameera?(Where is Haider?) We haven’t seen him since we came’.
Meer’s Mother in law jumped in to answer
the impending question she knew they would face and she quickly said ‘ woh
office main hai bhai sahib, his dad came home early today so he stayed behind
instead. He should be home in time for dinner’.
To avoid further questions, she said why
don’t you all freshen up and rest before dinner. I am sure you all have a lot
to catch up with Sameera’.
Mohinder then let them know, that he
will be leaving shortly after dinner as he is due to fly out for a business trip
tomorrow morning and will be staying at a hotel close by to the airport, so
Jassi ji and the girls will stay with him as well.
Sameera lead her family to the guest rooms so they could rest. Daijaan didn't let go off her hand even for one moment since they entered the house,so she knew she had a lot to talk and catch up with her.
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Thank you for reading this chapter.. lots of new turns and fun and sad sides coming up.
