Chapter 23 - The Unthinkable...
On the other hand, life had taken a different route for
Geet. From the uber scary and demanding Geet , she had become a more relaxed
person, enjoying her life. Naanima and Mohinder had seen the change in her. She
came home earlier, she didn't drink as much and walked in to her own bed,
instead of being carried to it. She danced more and more and very often came
home fatigued because of her rehearsals.
Sid and Raina had
left for college. She missed her buddies but that void was filled in by Nik. It
was rare that they didn't spend time in each other's company! Only when he went
out for his adventure sports or to meet his uncle did Nik stay away from Geet –
or he often crashed at her home, spending time with Mohinder and Naani. They
too welcomed him with open arms. They knew he was a positive, stabilizing
effect on Geet. Life had taken such a drastic turn for her, post his advent.
She had become more
responsible, often going to Mohinder's office., getting tips for Vicky and
helping him. This had become a frequent routine as Nik had become an adventure
junkie off late, to the extent of competing in dirt bike races and joining sky
diving clubs. She helped with the accounts and had become quite friendly with
the staff.
Mohinder was proud of her!!
Nik's influence on
her had a steadying effect. But despite it all, she never took her eyes off her
goal. When it came to dance, she dreamed with her eyes open. Mohinder often
attended her performances when she performed in Vicky's troupe. She and Nik were the star performers, equal to
Vicky in their quality of performances. When Geet and Nik danced, it felt like they
were made to pair with each other. They felt at ease in each other's arms. She laughed over the fact that they had
actually been at logger heads earlier...who knew love would find its way? So
she cherished his presence in her life more, each day. He had given her more
than she could imagine. She tried her level
best to be naughty with him, but Nik never went beyond a limit; he respected
Mohinder a lot.
Nik, on his part
made sure, they diversified and learnt
as much as they taught. He constantly researched and interacted with dancers
across the country to re-invent the dance styles. Business was not doing too
well, but they managed to keep afloat. They needed a stroke of genius to get
matters under control.
Life had been good
to one and all. Geet laughed and pranced about touching lives, making friends.
She kept in touch with Mayank, Sid and Raina and tried as far as possible to be
there for them whenever she could.
Nik and her relationship reached another level, when
Mohinder declared to her that he was happy to have Nik in the family and had
accepted him in the form of Geet's life partner. Life was settling down, as each of them, chose
different paths of life, but being held together by their passion at the same
time.
They never
looked beyond each other, always looking out for the other. It was like they
operated at the same wavelength. If Geet
was the spitfire, then Nik was the calm one. If she was the spice, he was the
sugar. If Geet liked a thing, Nik knew exactly why she liked it and what
attracted her to it. He could think like he was in her shoes – he knew her
inside out!! If Nik took a passion for
something, Geet went out of her way to share it with him or encourage him in
it. She would make sure, he de-stressed in whatever way pleased him,
accompanying him only if it matched her tastes.
So when Nik took
part in the dirt bike competition, Geet hoped and prayed and encouraged him for
it. He was exceedingly good at it. All the odds were with him, he was bound to
come out the best of them all. Vicky and
Geet put their heads together to put their minds together to throw him a
surprise party on the day of the championship race!
Nik's championship
was highly advertised amongst the dance circle, and since he had made a lot of
friends, everyone was rooting for him. There was a huge turnout at his party.
Sid and Raina ( unknown to him) flew down to be with them. Sid was going to watch the race, but meet Nik
only after the race. Mayank was going to
attend, but he hadn't been able to book flight for that day, and would arrive
only a day later.
Geet prepared the
studio and decked up in her girly best for him. The studio was fast filling up with people as
Nik's race began. She was scared for him, as she knew the stunts were not
very easy, but he had done them loads of
times, showing Geet how easy they were for him. He was under the assumption
that Vicky n Geet had some important meetings to take for the studio, and so
were missing the race. But he didn't mind even for a minute. The studio came first even for him. With
great difficulty only did they manage to convince him to not pull out of the
race.
The room was
decorated with twinkling lights and flowing curtains. Vicky had specially asked
the chefs in his house to make the food. The disco ball was taken out of the
storeroom and connected for the grand entry of the victor. Raina and Vicky had
joined hands in helping Geet to make the night a special one.
Geet had decided
her special gift for Nik – one that involved her taking him to the back room,
found long ago by Sid, and involving him in activities that he wouldn't be able
to resist. She blushed now, thinking
about her naughty plan.
The day finally
arrived, the preparations done. Nik,
encouraged and prepped up for it. Sid had constantly teased and joked with Geet
about Nik and their couple status.
''SO what how exactly are u going to make him feel better
just in case he loses, Geet? Koi back-up plan soch rakha hain kya?? Ya phir tu
uncleji ki baat maanti hain – and no smooching and shagging allowed.'' Sid
guffawed at a embarrassed Geet. She whacked his arm and made a quick getaway.
She was nervous and excited for him. Nik felt better knowing the entire troupe was
backing him. It was not a big race, but the fact they were there for him, touched him.
Around 5 in the
evening Geet made sure the food was ready and the music was to be played. Sid
was going to call her from the race and tell her who won so that she could
prepare the party accordingly. If he lost, they'd just have a normal party and
if he did, they'd put up their additional banners for it...congratulating him.
Geet paced
excitedly, sure that the winner would be Nik...all the others were waiting in
the room, for Sid to call so that they could leap into action.
It was quiet all around, no one even moved. The air was cut
by the piercing ringtone of Geet's phone. She looked at everyone with shining
eyes, a smile brightening her face.
''It's Sid'', she said.
She listened to what he was saying, but her smiled faded to
be replaced by an irritated frown.
''It's not funny anymore, ok Sid,'' she yelled into the
phone, throwing it on a nearby chair in anger. Her frazzled nerves had made her
reach the end of her patience.
''What happened babe??'', Vicky asked anxiously.
''Yeh Sid bhi naa...when will he stop being such a kid. He
knows we're all waiting so eagerly for the news naa...'' she complained.
Vicky, shook his hands in urgency ,'But what did he say to
you??''
''Some lame joke about Nik meeting with an accident, man.
Someone tell him it's not fu—''
''Geet!!!'' Vicky yelled incredulously, cutting her
sentence short. He ran to the chair and picked up her phone and redialled Sid.
He listened for two minutes, his face going darker minute
by minute.
''Ok we'll be there. Call uncle also.''
Vicky grabbed Geet by her hand and dragged her out of the
studio, running all the way to the car. Raina
followed them , scared by Vicky's expressions.
Vicky pushed her in the car, and frantically started the car.
Geet stared at him, shaken by his behaviour.
''Vicky, what's with all the drama? What's going on?'', she
asked, still irritated.
He turned to her and spoke as calmly as he could.
''Babe, Nik's bike overturned during the last leg of the
race. He's at the hospital with Sid.''
Her mind went blank, as she stopped feeling.
Raina, placed an
arm on her shoulder, in lieu of support. ''Geet, it's ok, I'm sure it's not that bad.''
Geet kept quiet. She turned unconsciously to look at Raina.
It scared Raina to see that expression – ''Geet, don't look
like that. Don't Look Like That!!'' Her
face had gone white and her eyes seemed to be looking nowhere in particular. Slowly the colour returned as her mind went
into denial. It was impossible that he was hurt. No that couldn't be. She would
remain calm, she told herself. It can't be that bad!
They reached the
hospital to find Mohinder and Sid pacing the floor. Vicky and Raina ran to
them, Geet following slowly. It was all too unreal, and she was unable to take
the news in. Her mind was in denial, that anything could happen to Nik. She
stood a little away, pieces of their conversation reaching her. ''operation'',
''bike overturned'', ''blood loss'', kept reaching her. She
was still not able to accept it and so she went on her own to search for Nik.
She'd ask him herself. Why the unnecessary worry, she said to herself.
She walked to the
rooms closest to them. It was empty. The next one had an old man in it. She
walked to the third. She saw a boy with
a bloodied bandage on his face, a life support machine behind him, pipes
attached to a bandaged chest and a blood drip attached to his wrist. She wondered pitifully, what had caused such
extensive injuries. The boy sensed her peeping in through the window on the
door. He turned his head to look at her and smiled weakly. She looked at him
perplexed, because it was a smile she knew all too well – a smile that was just
a weak shadow of the original. As realization hit her, herr heart stopped and she
felt herself being engulfed by darkness, unable to take it...losing all sense
of being. She had fainted!
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