Geet went to her room; she was still feeling a bit dizzy. Mama was pacing in her room. She was ready for the party.

Roshini,' Geet, where were you? I was so worried. Your papa and Darji wanted to talk to you. I said you were getting ready.'

Roshini noticed geet wet clothes. Geet! You were out in the rain again. Now, you will get cold.

Geet, 'I think that i have temperature.'

Roshini checked her temperature, geet had high fever. She was really worried. Guest are already arriving and a few even know about the engagement.

Simran came in with a dress in her hand. 'Thank god, geet you are here, I have started to get really worried. Here, go and change into this sari, hurry, there is a big surprise for you. I will tell you after you change.'

Simran saw geet's wet clothes but decided not to comment. Geet went to change in wash room.

Simran,'what happened?'

Roshini,'she was out in the rain again and now, she has got temperature. I think, we should postpone the engagement ceremony.'

Simran,'Relax, roshini, she will take medicine and she will be fine. Maan has finally agreed and everyone is so happy. Everything will be perfect.'

Roshini sat on the bed edge. 'But simran, she is so young, look how she behaves, I don't think she is mature enough to enter into a relationship and you know Maan, he has got no control over his temper. I am sure, dadima will be pressing them to get married next.'

Simran,' we are all here to help her, don't worry and do you think we will let Maan treat her harshly.'

Roshini,'he is not a young boy anymore whom we can chide. Did you see how he stood up to Raj today? I don't think, he will let us meddle into his private life.'

Simran,' he listens to you Roshini and today, you were the one who convinced him.'

Rosini,' I know him simran, he needs to grow up a lot and his past complicates things further. I have agreed to this because Geet love him but now, i am afraid that he will not be able to reciprocate her feelings.'

Simran remained quiet. Then said, 'let them both decide Roshini, it's their life and geet is yash's daughter, and I think you know better than anyone that Haunda's can be really stubborn until they get what they want.'

Roshini laughed, 'well, I guess there is that.'

Geet came out wearing white sari. Roshini gave her medicine, then, helped her set her sari while Simran did her make up. After geet was ready, they made her sit on the bed and told her about the engagement. They did not mention the card or rose. Simran said that,'I know you will be ok with the engagement but if there is any problem, you can tell us now.'

Geet thought about Maan, the way he had said, 'I am sorry and then, he had said, I care. She shyly said 'I have no problem.

Roshini hugged her and said, 'if there is any problem, don't hesitate and tell me.' She sounded emotional. Geet suddenly felt her eyes getting teary.

Simran,'oh come on Roshini. Geet is just getting engaged and you should be happy, now your daughter will not go away, she will be always in front of your eyes and geet don't you dare cry your eyeliner will be damaged. You need to buy a waterproof one.'

.....

Maan stayed on the bed for what felt like eons. It was geet, she was the girl with whom he made out that day. Oh god. He got up and started pacing the room. He remembered that she was ill next day. Had he hurt her or bruised her?

How could he touch her like that, she was so young, but it was not his fault, she could have told me, he reasoned with himself. But what about today, he had responded to her again, knowing that it was geet.

He started getting ready for party while thinking what to do next. First, he needed to apologize to her and second, to stay as far from her as possible. He saw his face in the mirror, his face was stark white. He moved toward the door but noticed a white flower on the carpet. He picked it up and stared. Geet had given him this rose. He looked around for the card and gift and put all three in the locker.

Did she really love him? No, it was just infatuation mixed with physical attraction. He had seen enough of this world to know that Love only existed in books. But geet, he thought about the white rose, was an innocent. She does not know about the harsh realities of the world. He was sure, he will be able to protect her from the world but an inner voice said, what about Maan Singh Khaurana himself? Who will protect her from him? He had no answer to that question. So, he went out to the party.

......

Geet was sitting on the bed and waiting. Mama had her to rest and when ceremony will be about to start, she will send someone to call her. She heard her room door open, she looked up, it was fari.

She looked very beautiful in white dress looked worried. She was clutching a magazine in her hands. Geet, what happened?

Fari, are you fine geet? I was so worried when you won't pick up the phone. Roshini aunty won't tell about your whereabouts.

Geet, oh sorry I forgot to call you, I was not feeling okay, so,i put my mobile on silence.

Fari, oh god geet i am so sorry, i had no idea that they are still together.

Geet, what are you talking about?

Fari showed her magazine where on the front page was a picture of Maan and Sameera.

She stared shocked but he said he cares about me. It's our engagement today!

Fari, WHAT?

Geet did not know what to do? She had cried so much earlier today but now she could not even shed a single tear. She just kept staring at the magazine.

There was a knock on the door, they looked toward the door, it was papa. Geet quickly got up from the bed. He entered the room and smiled at Geet, are you beta?

Geet, 'umm, yes, I am ready.' she looked at Fari who was stared helplessly toward her.

Yash, 'okay, then come, everyone is waiting.'

Geet went down with them.

.....

Maan was standing with dadi ma in a corner.

Maan,'thanks dadi ma for inviting Sameera.'

Dadi ma,'you are most welcome. I just wanted to show you that I understand you and i believe you, if you say that she is your friend.'

Maan was about to reply, when the whole hall was submerged in darkness, a single spotlight was shown on stairs where geet was coming down. She stopped after taking a few steps down. She looked very beautiful in white. Another spotlight focussed on Maan, dadi ma gently nudged him a bit forward.

He went towards her. She stood still like a statue. He offered her his hand. She kept looking at his hand and then, at his face but still did not hold his extended hand. Maan's calm gave away to anger. He could not believe she was doing this to him. He smiled knowing they were under spotlight and lowered hand instead he picked her up and took her downstairs, people started clapping and flashlight were exploding at them. When they reached the floor, he let her go.

......................................................

Geet could feel her hands shaking, Darji had announced their engagement and now, they were about to exchange rings. Maan had not even looked toward her again. He was smiling at Dev's ribbing but she could feel the edge in his smile.

Dev finally gave ring to Maan who looked at her and this time just grabbed her left hand and put the ring on. Dev gave geet her ring. She tried to keep her hands stop shaking. Maan didn't extend his hand; she looked up into his cold eyes.

Dev: stop teasing her bro. Dev grabbed his hand and extended it. Geet put the ring on. Everyone clapped. Then, they cut the cake together.

.........................................................

After the party was finished, geet was about to go up, when dev cornered her.

Dev: geet, you are an original dumbo. Why did not you accepted bro's hand. I had set such a perfect stage but you spoiled everything.

Geet,' I got nervous.'

Dev,'Okay, but don't get nervous this time.'

Geet,' meaning?'

Dev,'Bro's friends are throwing a party for you guys. So, you have to go now.'

Geet,'what? Are you mad? Its two in the morning and I'm very tired.

Dev,'Bro is waiting outside and i have already taken permission from elders. Now, come on.'

He dragged her outside where Maan's Ferrari was standing. He pulled the door open and helped her in the car and then, shut the door.

Maan started the car and took the car outside the gate and pulled into the main road. He did not say anything. She sat quietly in the car.

.......