Undoubtedly their coffee date didn't end on a
normal note. Both felt the depth of what Maan said rendering them speechless
and lost in their own thoughts. Geet tried hard to block out the ringing "and
me" in her head but with great difficulty. She didn't know what to say and
wished she was anywhere else but there. Geet didn't want to be pitied or appear
weak towards him or anyone else for that matter. After all these years on her
own Geet believed that the weak were not respected in this world so despite the
possibility that Maan may be able to see past the front she put up there was no
way she was going to willingly fall in his eyes. Geet contemplated how to break
the awkward silence when the opportunity came up itself with her cell phone
ringing. Meera requested Geet to come home since she had to make an urgent trip
back to New York that same day. Needless to say Geet was thankful for her
timing. She told Maan she had to get going and walked out.
Once Geet reached home
she saw Meera already had a small bag packed and was ready to go. She quickly
explained the urgent trip back to New York had come up because various curtain samples
requested by the client had arrived and she needed to review them before
placing the order. Meera was initially worried about leaving Geet alone but
remembered that Dadi and Piyu were here to support her. So she didn't even want
to entertain Geet of whether she wanted to come along or not. The city would no
doubt cause her to stress more so Meera quickly bade Geet goodbye and left
saying she would be back the following day.?
After Meera left Geet
quickly made her way back to Dadi's house hoping she would be able to get her
mind off what just happened at the coffee shop. The entire conversation with
Maan had left her feeling even more awkward around him then before.
"You are back already
Geet?" She didn't even realize she had made it all the way to the house
until hearing Dadi's voice.
"Yes Dadi. Meera
needed her car because she had to go back to New York for work reasons."
"Oh alright, so how
was coffee?" Dadi knew that something had gone wrong. Maan had already
called stating he'll be home late and from the tone she could tell he was
angry. And the troubled look on Geet's face while she walked here was also
evidence to the same. Dadi wanted to see if Geet may be able to shed light on
what happened since Maan definitely wasn't going to tell her.
"It was good." Geet
replied dryly. Not wanting to get deeper into it she questioned the whereabouts
of Piyu.
Dadi realized she was
just like Maan and wasn't going to get much, " Piyu is getting dressed in her
swimsuit. I am going to take her to the beach for a little while since she's
wanted to go for some time now."
"Dadi don't trouble
yourself I'll take her myself." Geet said.
"It's no trouble at
all Geet. I would also like to take a walk and get some fresh air so how about
all three of us go?"
Geet simply nodded
then proceeded upstairs to get Piyu. "Are you ready sweetheart?" Geet asked
while knocking on the door.
"Geet! You're back
finally!" Piyu came running across the room and gave her a big hug. "Will you
also come with us to the beach?"
"I wouldn't miss it
for anything! Now let's go Dadi's waiting for us." Geet said and together they
made their way down.
They were the lucky
few to have the luxury of having the beach as their backyard. So their trip was
only a short five minute walk. The day was perfect not to hot with a light
salty breeze. Dadi settled herself down in a beach chair while Geet and Piyu
started playing in the sand.
"So what would you
like to make Piyu?" Geet asked while piling sand into a mound.
"Umm'I don't know
maybe a sandcastle."
"Alright let's get
started then." Geet helped with getting water while letting Piyu enjoy the
building part of it. She liked being the silent observer of Piyu. Since her
time here she had watched both Dadi and Maan but hadn't gotten a chance to do
the same with Piyu. She was the cutest little girl in Geet's eyes with the
plump cheeks and short curly brown hair with eyes to match. In the short time
she had gotten to know Piyu, Geet had undoubtedly begun to love her. Geet had
often met children her age who threw temper tantrums and outrageous demands
left and right. But Piyu wasn't like that and her well behavior could be
attributed mostly likely due to Maan's strictness she concluded.
Thinking of Maan, it finally hit Geet that nowhere was Piyu's mother in the
picture. Her heart broke with that thought. Geet knew how important a mother's
love was and the fact that from what she could see Piyu not having one around killed
her inside. Her eyes began to sting now with the pool of water filling in them,
at that same instant Piyu announced she was done with the castle. Geet just
smiled brightly at her, "It's absolutely beautiful Piyu."
"Thanks Geet but I wish Dad was here to see it
too." She further indicated her disappointment by placing her left hand on
her cheek and pouting.
"I know sweetie but he's busy with work
today. But next time we'll bring him along too, okay?"
"You promise Geet?"
"I pinky promise now let's go home and
get cleaned up."
Piyu finally smiled with her promise but she
wasn't ready to go home just yet."No I want to play in the water." She said
while pulling Geet's arm towards the direction of the incoming waves.
"No Piyu we've been out in the sun much too
long."
Piyu just rolled her eyes, "You sound just like Dad, come on just a little
while! Please!"
Geet couldn't resist seeing her sad again and
gave in. "Okay Piyu but just for a little while." Geet took her hand and
together they walked into the crashing waves. Piyu flicked water on Geet and
started giggling. Geet also joined her in the fun. Soon enough both were
soaking wet and Geet noticed Piyu getting tired but she refused to get out of
the water. After a safe distance was passed with the water getting deeper and
waves higher Geet picked Piyu into her arms. She in turn wrapped her arms
around Geet's neck and snuggled into her closer. Geet didn't know why but she
felt warmth filling inside her with that simple act. She bent her head to look
down at Piyu who had buried her face in the crook of her neck and noticed her
droopy eyes. Realizing she was exhausted from the day's adventure and in need
of a nap Geet made her way back to Dadi.
Dadi had watched the two play and laugh
with a blissful smile on her face all along. It had been a long time since Piyu
had had so much fun. And Geet also had a sparkle in her eyes now that wasn't
there before. Right then Dadi knew she had made the right decision by having
Geet work for them not only for their sake but also hers.
Once they reached home Geet quickly took Piyu
to the bathroom and gave her a quick bath before putting her down for a nap.
Geet sat down next to her and softly moved the hair away from her forehead. She
would have continued to stare at her had it not been for remembering Dadi was
alone in the kitchen getting dinner ready. So she made her way out of the room
quietly and downstairs.
"She's asleep Dadi, what can I help you with?"
"Thank you Geet for taking care of Piyu."
"Oh Dadi what's there to thank me about, I love taking care of Piyu. Plus it
should be me thanking you for giving me this job. There are very few generous
people like you who welcome a person they barely know into their home and give them
such a wonderful job."
Dadi moved towards her and patted her cheek lovingly, "Geet I have done
nothing special. From our first meeting I noticed something was not right and I
wanted to help. So I figured what better way than to keep you constant company
so things stay off your mind."
Geet felt her heart swell with love and
admiration towards Dadi. She never had an elderly figure in her life to look up
to until now. Then her mind inadvertently started to think about how it could
have been if she was still in contact with her own family. But there is no
point in dwelling in the past Geet told herself. Shifting her attention back
towards Dadi who was cutting vegetables Geet was just thankful for what she had
right then and there. In her life nothing lasted for long so she had learned
now to savor the sweet moments when they came.
After they finished making dinner Geet asked Dadi if she should wake Piyu up to
feed her. Dadi told her not to bother and she would do it. But Geet proceeded
to take Piyu's plate upstairs while asking Dadi to relax. She woke Piyu by gently
patting her cheek then made her sit upright against the headboard to feed her.
"Here Piyu just eat some food and then you can go back to bed." Piyu who was
half asleep ate without complaint. Seeing her in such a state Geet realized
that their beach time should be cut short next time. After settling her back
into bed Geet started to make her way out. But not before running into someone
as soon as the door opened from the other side.
Geet looked up and saw Maan standing there with heavy red eyes. She heard him
heavily sigh before a faintly saying "I'm sorry Geet."
Geet just replied it's okay and tried to walk past him but she paused when he
spoke again. "I mean I'm sorry about earlier..." After she left Maan remembered
the whole thing was suppose to be a way for them to make up however it ended up
being something else completely. He held himself responsible for pushing Geet
to say her thoughts and causing the end result.
She simply shook her head, "Seriously Maan you are something else. I think it
should be me apologizing'it was not my place to say those things."
Maan smiled softly, "Well I guess no one
better than a perfect stranger to tell you your most unlikable
attributes."
"You'd call me a stranger huh? I'd like to think of us more as on our way to
being friends."
Maan laughed for the first time all day, "Really Geet you want to be friends
with me? If I recall correctly you called me unsocial earlier today."
"Well I will give you the benefit of the doubt, maybe you never have meet
someone as interesting and beautiful as me to be friends with." Geet said while
trying to keep a straight face and flicking her hair pretentiously.
Maan laughed again with Geet also joining him
this time. "Very possible Geet, very possible. So Piyu's asleep rather earlier
today."
Geet turned back and looked at Piyu who was in a deep slumber already, "Yes, we
had an eventful day at the beach today it wore her out."
"I see." Maan continued to stare at her lovingly.
Geet now remembered the softness she saw in
Maan the prior night. It was now more evident than before while he watched Piyu
sleep. She had never seen him so serene but she couldn't ignore the fact that in
his eyes there was remorse also at the same time. Maybe it has to do something
with Piyu's mother she reflected. Geet was about to question Maan on it but
then remembered it wasn't her place to do such a thing.
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