She turned to him, facing now. Her eyes were big with some unknown tears, which, was not visible yet but could drop anytime soon. She found him looking her lovingly with a sweet smile which was saying, matter of his heart.
“But Maan, it’s not my birthday. In fact I don’t even know when my birthday is” she said becoming upset, her stored tears slipped down, proving her feeling heartfelt.
He held her shoulder from one hand, wiped tears from other, made her look him, in his eyes. “I know it’s not your birthday, but its our birthday Geet”
“Mai samjhi nahi”
“It’s my birthday, and now, yours too. We both will celebrate this day, together, always” he said, smiled slightly but with whole heart. She was looking him yet, confused. She did understand what he meant but it was really, more than enough what she could wish for, in her little life. She was feeling beyond any emotion and flow of her affection for him, wanted to shower her entire self, on him.
“Maan..” only this she could utter in her vulnerable state. But seemed, it was enough for him, to understand, what she genuinely wanted to say. He kept his finger on her lips, made her silent. He made her turn back, facing to the well, beautifully decorated room which was made of white thick curtains , a tent like structure, specially for them, to celebrate their most special day. All over beautiful colour flowers and aroma of candles, were enhancing the ambiance of their surrounding, making it perfumed.
Maan held her both hands, from back, hugging her, made them cut their birthday cake. Before, they blew off wish candles. Maan said her to wish something on which she denied. “I have everything” she replied, kissed his cheek to prove her statement. She was falling for him again and again, if, it was possible.
They fed each other. They celebrated their most beautiful celebration together, first time. It was special for them. Geet wanted to give him something memorable. He always completed her each and every wish, dream without ask, without uttering from mouth and she, could not do anything for him. This made her sad, tearful.
“What happened Geet?” Maan became worried. A little before, she was enjoying her time and suddenly, became upset! Why!! ”Bolo na kya hua Mishty” he cupped her face, tried passionately to made her speak.
“Maan, you did everything for me, always made me feel special when i know, i’m not worth it , still you loved me much more, what I deserve. But I, couldnt do anything for you. I have nothing to make you happy, nothing to complete your wish. Maan but today I want you, to ask for something, something from me which I could for you. Please ”
He watched her, read her face, her expression, her heart , her heartbeats. He could not see her low, upset, teary. “Geet, you really want to do for me, give me gift?”
She nodded, eagerly waited.
“Give me a world, a small world, my dream world. Geet, can you give, do this for me?”
“ Mai samjhi nahi !”
He smiled, held her both hands, in his. Took her in his room. He opened his wardrobe and took out, a small wooden box. “Open this” he gave to her and said, to open, see what is hidden inside. Geet opened, found a Musical Glass Snow Globe with a dancing pair, inside. It was beautiful. She loved it. “Maan its beautiful” she said, looking it fondly.
“Hm, I know and that’s why, its with me. Geet I want to live this moment. I want, a life like this. A small world, filled with happiness and love, surrounded with visible ambiance, clean, pure and transparent. I want to spend my life, like this only Geet where you, will be with me, always, near me. This, will me my world, our world. Tell me Mishty will you do this. will you give this gift to me. My own beautiful world, my dreamland”
She was astonished. Words were less to show her feel. It was nothing but a heave inside her, could not remember any word to express her heart. “I will” she managed saying, stood there unmoved. Maan hugged her, fondly, kept her inside his heart. He found his dream world in her, and she… beyond.
##
“Geett!! wake up. Hurry up Mishty!!!!” It was early, before morning when Maan, was knocking her door, yelling. “Geet hurry up otherwise I’ll break this door!!!!”
Geet came out, yawning, clearing her blurred, sleeping eyes. “What happened Maan, why you shouting?”
“Shouting?? Geet you said shouting !!! do you even know what time is it haan!!!”
She looked watch. “It’s still four Maan, why are you yelling?”
“Wakeup Mishty wakeup. You have exam today. We have to go Gurudwaare. Now Lets go” He patted her face, tried to keep her closed, heavy eyes open. He pushed her inside room and closed from out before, she could utter a word. “But…”
“Geet Go!!!”
“Jaati hu” she runs to washroom.
##
“Did you keep everything properly?
“Ji Maan rakh liya”
Your Admit-card?
“Ji”
Pens?
“Ji”
pensils ?
“Ji”
Water-bottle”
Haan Maan”
“Okay” .. “Geet your hanky!! and you didnt drink your milk. And did you study everything? And Geet.. ”
“Chup.. bilkul chup. Ek aur shabd nahi. Chup chap car chalaaiye” She showed him, her big -big eyes. Maan gulped his saliva. Nodded and concentrated on road.
After a while,
“Geet” he caught glimpse of her. “Hm” she replied
“Are you feeling nervous? ” he asked meekly, worriedly, gave her his hanky.
Geet turned to him. Took out hanky from his hand. “Maan I’m not but you are more nervous I guess” she giggled, wiped his face, forehead which has, little sweat drops. “ Maan you don’t worry. Everything will be alright, hmm” and she kissed his head.