You are my Habit
(Aadat hai Tu meri)
CHAPTER 2
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Next day Geet woke up earlier and joined Neelam at morning tea. She was amazed to see her Mother-in-law already in her professional attire as a plain saree with simple make-up moreover She was scared in her presence, but went near her to touch her feet like an obedient daughter-in-law. Neelam startled for a moment, then smiled to see her innocent Daughter-in-law... who is traditional yet bold in her approach. "Good morning Saasu Mumma!"Geet said after joining her palm to greet her. Neelam patted the chair next to her and signaled her to sit near her... Geet hesitated, but follow her orders. "Good morning Geet!!! don't call me mothers in law my dear, now I am your mother too... ok" Neelam soft, gentle voice made Geet eye teary and she hugged instantly like a lost kid got His other after a dreadful night.
"Hai.. don't cry Sona.. ok tell me what would you like to eat at breakfast.. and where is Maan.. did he woke u or Prince is still sleeping like a log," Neelam asked whilst make a cup of tea for her too... Geet carefully watched her preparing tea in a different English style from tray.. and memorized the steps for future. Their small sweet morning session is disturbed by Maan... when he comes there with his packed luggage and dressed up in casuals. He realized his wife is sitting with his mom, but he didn't give a glance to her and directly greeted 'good morning' to his mom and give her a side hug. "What is all this Maan??" Neelam asked, surprised to see him with the luggage. "Mom!!! I have to go to Ahmedabad and can't spoil my studies further, so it's final that I am not in any other ritual.. anymore" Maan said with finality. Geet was watching them like an alien because they are talking in English and she couldn't even understand a single word of it, but she could make out that Maan is going somewhere and momma isn't happy with him about anything. "So you are just informing me about it, Maan? fine leave now... why are you still standing here?" Neelam was agitated with his son's stubborn behavior. "Yes... I am going and you just shower love on a witch-wife... bye and yes.. love you too" he said angrily and left with aggression. Neelam dry lips curled into a small smile, but same time eye turned wet as her soul started to question her.. is she did right or just played with two lives at the name of promises and wish". "Maa.. are you alright?" Geet softly touched her shoulder from the back and made her sit on the chair. "I am alright sweety actually Maan studied in Ahembdabd and lived there too.." Neelam cuddles her cheek in her palm and kissed her newly wedded daughter-in-law temple. *********** Maan was in Ahmedabad from the last six months and Neelam was so agitated with his son behavior or say negligence toward his wife. She could see the sadness in her hooded eye.. she usually covered him very well, but forget the fact ... mothers knew their children from inside and out.. so was Neelam. She was still unaware of her husband's warmth or the love and care of a marriage relation but a sadness creeps her naturally.. perhaps relatives or friends' questions or maybe nature is teaching her about her loss of married life. Maan didn't bother to ask about Geet even once from Neelam and she knew there were no personal phone calls happened between Maan and Geet. "Geet !!! Beta..Pack your bags because we are going to see Maan" Neelam dropped the bomb on her head without any warning. " Where another side.. Geet is very well acquainted with his hatred for her.. that's why she never objected to his ignorant behavior.. she wasn't the one, who try to snatch even their rights too. ******* Geet and Neelam landed in Ahmedabad through the aircraft journey is quite tiring for Neelam especially with Geet's fear and anxiety.. but they had fun.. with Geet's non-stop chatter- patter. "So finally we reached Ahmedabad" Neelam smiled. Geet scanned the building in front of her.. it is six stories building with two flats on every floor. "Maa.. we should have at least informed him." Geet was still unsure about his reaction to see her here. Neelam smiled .."Why?? Let me see his way of living behind my back, it's good to spy on your son sometimes.. My dear!" Neelam opened his apartment door with her keys.. and received shocked for life.. she fumed to see the mess in front of her when her son is sleeping nonchalantly on the bed. "Maan "Maan!!" Neelam called him sternly twice.. thrice.. at last, she smacked him and he woke up abruptly. "Mom!! Geet!!" he blinked his lashes to get the clear view of his Imagination. "Yes beta and what the hell.. you have done to your room, oh I think we are in a zoo." Neelam kept her hands on the curvaceous waist.. and Maan looked around embarrassed.. his friend group had quality time In the evening and all these empty containers.. food boxes.. cold drinks bottle.. every garage is a result of their gathering which Maan didn't bother to clean before sleeping. He gave a murderous glare to Maan.. whose mocking expression and cruel lips stretched in a small mocking smile.. to see his so called educated people's way of living.
"Leave it maa.. all genius stay like this only around the garbage" Geet moved before Maan countered back.. and started to clean the place for Neelam.
"Maan.. !!! You are big enough now.. in fact, you had a responsibility to your wife too... how are you going to cope with this when you can't even live like a human on your own... seriously.. very disappointed from you" and Neelam left to get freshen up.
"You should keep shut your this big mouth" Maan hissed.
Geet stopped for a moment then throw the bag of garbage on the floor.. "Huh.. then do it yourself.. and you don't like it when someone interferes in your works..."" Geet said and left to take her dress from the suitcase.
Maan was starting her in disbelief and started to clean the place before his mom takes him on another remand.
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Next morning was too much eventful for Maan and Geet as Neelam dropped the problem of new information on them.
"Yes, Maan!!! You are going to take care of your wife and she would do the same... I want both of you bear each other burden like other couples and for that Geet have to be near you" Neelam said in the adamant tone.
"Mom.. for god sake!!! What will she do here... I had studies mom.. how I suppose to will look after her" Maan yelled in frustration.
"Maan!!! I had enough of you now and I can't take care of yours responsibility too with Business so, get that straight.. she is going to live here with you" Neelam again added.. "she had few clothes and here is my card for shopping.. take her for shopping too".
Maan pushed his hairs back in frustration.. his mom is like him.. stubborn and dominating.. and knew how to blackmail others.. no.. not others but him.
"Then please tell me... what will she do here all alone when I would be in college" Maan scowled.
"She isn't a toddler Maan.. and did everything in her father's home.. you should have to understand.. she isn't incapable.." Neelam gave him murderous look.
Geet was mute Spector of their morning session of argument and unaware of the happening.. as Neelam didn't inform her before handed but want to do it later after talking with Maan.
"(Geet.. you will stay here from now with Maan)" Neelam patted her cheek with a small smile and Geet had goosebumps in shock.
"Mom.. no.. I mean to say.. how could I.. vo he has worked....vo" Geet tried to form some stances but didn't able to.
"Stop Geet.. don't be like him.. I am tired after having argument with Maan.. this is my decision that you will stay here with Maan only.. got it" Neelam gave a knowing look to Maan.
"Huh... I will see.. how will she spy on me" he winched.
Finally, at evening Neelam left both Maan and Geet in Ahmedabad and return back to Delhi with a hope to see a happy family of her son in future as somewhere she is holding herself reason of both Geet and Maan messed life.
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words - 1570
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