Fitoor

Chapter 49

Kankarbagh, Patna

Bihar.

Mishti Bose

"Mishtiiiii!" Geet spun me thrice and then gave a long tight hug. I was still in the daze of a good nap so all of the sweetness made me feel dizzy.
"Uska khoon mat kar yaar, Geet. Uska hi hai zimmedari dadaji ko manaane ka. Agar ye tapak gayi to hum zindagi bhar aise single hi marenge." I rolled my eyes at Maanav's snark remark.
"Humare excitement par nazar lagana hogaya to bahar jayiye. We have to gossip so much!" Geet responded.
"Abhi se meri biwi ko cheen rahi hai Mishti tu. Dekhle. Mera shraap lagega tujhe." I showed my tongue to Maanav as he left.

"Bhabhiji, aapka darshan hogaya finally." Geet giggled at the comment and we settled on the bed like cousins reuniting after a long time. I felt happy actually, having someone as a partner.
"Are, jab dadaji maanlenge na, tab bulana humko bhabhi, jitna chahiye utni baar." She sighed.
"Abhi unka problem kya hai?" I questioned. Honestly, Maanav and her both were doctors. They earned well enough to support a family. They were emotionally mature. And they loved each other. What was the need to build a hindrance in their relationship!

"Dekho, hum Bihar se hai. Wo Pune se. Religion ek hi hai par caste-"
"Geet! Are you kidding me?" I immediately interjected.
"Haa Mishti. Even today, kuch log maante hai aise stupid notions ko. Dadaji is very orthodox. Papa aur mummy ko manaane me hi humari aatma nikal gayi. Abhi ek aur wicket baaki hai." I shook my head.
"Par mera kya role hai isme? Agar mai kuch ulta seedha bol dungi to-"
"Tum aisa kuch bhi nahi karogi. Hum tumpar bharosa karte hai." She sounded like Amir Khan from lagan, giving a motivational speech.

"Geet, ab tum mujhe sach me dara rahi ho yaar. I mean ye serious maamla hai and I don't have experience." I stuttered.
"Kyu nahi hai! Are tumne hi to Kuhu aur Kunal ki shaa-" She stopped in the mid, covering her mouth. I smiled to ease her tense nerves.
"I'm sorry. Yahi hai humari problem. Bina sochke kuch bhi bad bad karte hai." I smacked her head.
"Geet, you're allowed to speak whatever you want. Mere liye apni baaton ko filter mat karna." I assured her.

"To agar hum kuch bole to tum bura nahi manogi?" I eyed her suspiciously.
"Pata hai I need a haircut and a nice makeover. Uske alava kuch hai to batadena." She laughed.
"Tum therapy kyu try nahi karte?" I knew this was coming. But not so soon. My playfulness diminished as I took a deep breath.
"Try kiya maine. It's of no use. Damage itna gehra hai." I joked and it was her turn to hit my hand.

"Actually, humare friends hai yaha, jo nature therapy me experts hai. Tum try karna chahogi to hum unko-"
"Geet, please. Mai sirf tum dono ki shaadi ke wajah se idhar ruki hu. I have a job, patients and a whole life in London. I can't focus on everything at once and ruin your occasion." I declared.
"And don't worry. Zyada se zyada kya ho sakta hai mujhe? Marjaungi. That is the end game for everyone, Geet. Tension mat lo aur chalo, Kankarbagh ghumao mujhe." I shook her shoulders as she kept staring at me. Then she gave another hug that showed that she genuinely cared for me.

"Kuch aasu vidayi ke liye bhi bachake rakhna." I teased and she chuckled.
"But seriously, whenever you're ready, bas bata dena humko. Hum sab sambhal lenge." I nodded. Geet left me alone to settle down and freshen up.

I sat down with a soft thud. What they told was absolutely correct, regarding my mental health. I needed therapy. I needed help. But I wasn't going to ask for it. I didn't wanted to disappoint Maanav and Geet, by accepting the idea and then not working towards it. Therapy is difficult. It requires both mine and the doctor's time and efforts. And I wasn't ready to exhaust myself at getting better. If I just settled with my work, I'd forget all of this shit.

Groaning, I massaged my forehead. But what if they're right? What if I could get over what happened? What if I could become what I was, before everything happened?