Chapter 2

A Second Chance

 

             It had been a long time since Preet had plotted something this like with his wife Meher. He didn't realize how much he missed it till he heard her half-tearful and excited voice as they formed a plan to unite Prem and Heer.

 

            "Preet...I love you" said Meher, wiping her tears of joy.

 

"I love you too shona…and tell Gungun Papa's not talking to her. I miss her so much, and she won't even talk to me on the phone. Tell her I'll just make Chahat my daughter then."

 

Meher laughed. "She's sleeping Preet! You take care of yourself. And don't let this plan backfire."

 

"It's foolproof Meher, don't worry, and of course I'll take care of myself"

 

"Yeah well, don't take too much care of yourself. If you ogle at the girls there, I will chop you into pieces."

 

"Well that was a nice goodbye. I'll see you later" Ending the call, Preet ran his hands though his hair, a goofy grin on his face.

 

***

Prem was strolling through the second floor of the hotel, his eyes only on Heer, who was dancing in the center of the sangeet hall below.

 

It was if he'd never seen her so relaxed, so happy. She looked like she belonged here, among these people, and nowhere else.

 

But she belongs with me, was all he wanted to think, and all he was thinking. He'd never been as selfish as he was at that moment, wanting nothing more but Heer in his arms, away from Yuvraaj. And he wanted forgiveness.

 

Was it too much to ask? Weren't all these years of repentance enough? Couldn't anyone see the guilt, the pain that stabbed at him every living moment? Preet, his brother, his closest friend, didn't even make eye contact with him, as if loathing his presence. Harman, the more sensible one, avoided him at all costs. And lastly, his father….to imagine the man who taught him how to walk, eat, live, the one who supported him in every decision…the one who brought him close to Heer…that same man didn't even turn to his son when he had a heart attack, when he almost faced death.

 

Prem brushed the tears away. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even God gives a second chance, then why not his family? Why not Heer?

 

He purposefully strode away, determined to confront Heer.

 

Halfway down the stairs, though, he paused mid-step. The memory returned. It was still crystal clear in his mind.

 

Heer walking away from him, climbing the train, tears rushing down her face. "You aren't mine anymore" she'd whispered. He'd gotten down on his knees, begging forgiveness. But she hadn't paused. Instead, she'd turned to him. He still couldn't forget the hurt in her eyes. She was broken.    

 

He had proceeded forward, hands outstretched, wanting to stop her. But she'd shaken her head. "If you respect me, Prem. You won't follow me. You won't try to find out where I'm going. You'll leave me alone."

 

Prem got back to the present, his hands gripping a pillar. I have immense respect for you Heer, but, what kind of punishment is this?

 

            What kind of test is this? He slowly fell to his knees, his frame shaking as he sobbed incessantly.

 

            And that's how Preet found him. On his knees, a total wreck. This was the moment that Preet finally saw his brother's pain. All those years…he wasn't indifferent. He hadn't put behind anything. He'd been suffering. He'd been penitent.

 

            Preet's resolve broke down. I'm sorry Bhai. What you did was wrong.

 

He leaned against a wall for support. But you've paid for it. Now you'll receive the reward. He smiled through his tears, grabbing his niece Chahat's hand. "Beta, mere liye aik kaam karogi?"

 

"Jee?" asked the little one in a conspiring tone.

 

"Woh uncle hai na? Blue shirt or black coat main?" He waited for the positive nod, before he continued, "Wohh mere dost hain. Wohh bohot udaas hain. Unkay saath baath karogi? Wohh akele hain."

 

"Par unka naam kya hai?"

 

Papa, thought Preet. "Unka naam…Unka naam Uncle hai!"

 

His innocent niece accepted the reply without any questions, agreeing to the request as she skipped over to Prem.

           

            Preet grinned. Kidnapping Chahat wasn't that hard…all it took was some flirting with the babysitter…and a distraction for Heer, with the help of Yuvraaj, who'd recognized him from the plane ride….and had given some very valuable information as well.

--

 

Prem felt a gentle tug at his sleeves. He didn't want to talk to anyone right now. Especially in the state he was in. He dug his face deeper into his palms.

 

Yet the he tug came again. But this time, Prem was a bit in his senses, and a weird feeling arose within him. It felt like Heer.

 

            He slowly peeked through his fingers.

 

His tears stopped.

 

Staring at him, were the most beautiful pair of brown eyes he'd ever seen. He quickly wiped his tears and removed his hands from his face.

 

 The little girl in front of him was simply gorgeous. She reminded him of Heer…and that grin…it seemed to be his.

 

            Prem shook his head. It wasn't possible for the child to look like both of them. Though how he wished…He pushed the thought aside and looked at the little girl, who was now getting comfortable on his lap.

 

            "Tussi udaas ho? Tussi na udaas ho" she asked, remembering her Shifali massi's favorite phrase.

 

             Prem couldn't help but grin amidst his red eyes and tear-streaked face. Little kids were adorable. "Tumhe movie dekhnay ka shauk hai?"

 

            "Nahin, meri mama ko hai. Par hum movie kay baarey main kyun baat karahein hai?" Inquisitive eyes, innocent face, and that close bond he already felt. This was crazy. She was like a little angel.

 

            "Aisay hi. Aap yahan kya kar rahi ho? Aapki mama ya papa aapko dhoond rahe hongay?" Prem politely asked. He was unaware of that fact that he now had his arm around her, holding her close.

 

            "Aap akele thay…toh mai aagayi! Mama mere maamoo ki shaadi main help karahi hain…aur mere papa nahin hai"

 

            "Aaapke mamoo ka naam Yuvraaj hai?" Prem asked, the pain slowly returning.

 

            Chahat nodded. "Aap wahan ganaa nahin gaoge?"

 

            Prem shook his head. "Mujhe gaana nahin aata." He paused. "Aapko aata hai?"

 

            "Thora Thora" she replied, with a cute hand gesture.

 

            "Accha, toh aap gah ki sunao?" Prem was back to grinning at her.  

 

            "Nahin" Suddenly shy, Chahat put her hands on her face.

 

            "Okay. Tumhari Marzi" Prem looked away, pretending to be sad.

 

            "Aap mujhe help karoge? Main akele nahi gaasakhti" She pouted irresistibly.

 

            "Okay. Tum start karo!" Prem was becoming too close to this girl, and he knew he shouldn't be. He was a stranger to her, and this would look awkward to her parents if they came running for her.

 

            "Hum Hai Is Pal…" She was off-key, and had forgotten the lyrics. But Prem's heart skipped a beat.

 

            "Tumnay yeh ganaa kahan sunaa?"

 

            "Meri Maama" came the reply. "Aap help karo na!"

 

            Prem gave in to pressure. "Hum Hain Iss Pal Yahan. Jaane Hon Kal Kahan….Hum rahein na rahein…hum milein na milein…rahegi sada yahan…pyaar ki yeh dastaan…" he choked. The tears flowed again.

 

            This time though, the tiny hands of the girl in his lap were wiping them. "Aap phirse rorahe ho!"

 

            Prem shook his head, looking away. He didn't want to scare the innocent girl, so he tried persuading her to go to her mom, though he himself was reluctant of letting go. "Aapki mama pass chalte hain…"

 

            The little girl liked making this stranger smile, and she didn't want to leave so quick "Nahin. Please"  

 

            That darn pout. Just like Heer.

 

            Sighing, Prem took her in his lap as he settled on a couch in the lobby. "Aapka naam kya hai?"

 

            "Chahat"

 

 "Chahat" he repeated, more to himself than her. It was a beautiful name.

 

"Aur aap?"

 

"Prem"

 

"Oh, toh main aapko Prem Uncle kahoon?"

 

"Sure" That was probably his fourth smile in 2 hours…in years.

 

Chahat began talking to her newfound Uncle, jumping from topic to topic, excitedly jumping around in his lap. Prem, on the other hand, was just staring at the little wonder in his arms.

 

"Aaap mere friend banoge?" she asked.

 

"Haan…laykin aapko phir apni mama paas jaana hoga"

 

A bit tired, Chahat readily agreed as they shook hands on the deal. She jumped off his lap and gave him a peck on his cheek, startling him.

 

He hugged her before she walked away, waving to him before she headed off in search of her Preet Uncle.

 

---

 

Touched by the girl's sweet gesture, and concerned for her, Prem slowly walked behind her, making sure she reached her mother safely. He didn't realize that Preet had been following him all along.

 

As Preet had predicted, Prem was heading towards the Sangeet Hall, where Heer was dancing with Soni & Yuvraaj.

 

But unfortunately, one of Heer's friends took Chahat in her arms, making Prem think she was with her mother.

 

 Preet sighed in exasperation. Plan B now.

 

---

 

Two days had passed…and it was Yuvraaj & Soni's wedding day, with the wedding being held in the new hall of Prem's hotel.

 

Heer was carrying a tray of sweets towards the food table when she bumped into Preet. "Sorry" she muttered.

 

She was about to walk away when she noticed the expression on his face. "What happened Preet?"

 

"Bhabi. Bauji" he ran his hand through his hair, unable to speak.

 

"What happened to Bauji Preet?" Heer asked, worried.

 

"Doosra…heart at--tack"

 

Heer almost lost balance as she heard what Preet said. Heart Attack? Second heart attack?

 

The first thought that came to her head was Prem. She placed the tray she was holding on the table and dragged Preet away, firing questions at him as she ran.

 

---

 

On the other hand, a similar situation occurred with Prem. He'd just received a call from Meher who'd been crying over Bauji's health.

 

Prem almost dropped to the floor when he heard the words Heart Attack. And the next words were even more disturbing. "And Prem jiju, he's calling for Heer Didi…He's not even cooperating with doctors…he says he won't talk to anyone but her. What do we do? How can we find her? Please come back soon."

 

Dropping the phone, Prem grabbed his bag and ran out of his room, running into the elevator.

 

He met a frantic Heer as he stepped out on the first floor. "Prem. Bauji" she cried. Everything was forgotten as Prem engulfed her in a hug.

 

Heer wept in his arms as he silently prayed for his father.

 

 The security, the comfort, the warmth…she'd been craving it for ages. Both knew that they wouldn't have been able to feel the relaxation they felt, any other way.

 

Being in each other's arms gave hope…they supported each other without any exchange of words.

 

After a few minutes, Heer suddenly became aware of their proximity. She quickly pulled herself away. "You have to go."

 

"I'm not going without you"

 

"I can't go" Heer looked away, wiping her tears.

 

"You have to go Heer…Bauji wants you there…" And I want you there too.

 

Heer didn't get a chance to reply for Preet ran up to them at that moment. "The earliest flight is tonight…I've already booked it for five. Harman's on his way." He paused for effect. "I've got to go fulfill Bauji's request for me."

 

Prem started to reply but Preet started walking away, talking to him "I know what you're gonna say. But Bauji's biggest wish is in front of your eyes." He didn't have to explain further for Heer locked her eyes with Prem's.

 

"Bauji hasn't spoken to me in 6 years. Preet wouldn't look at me in the eye. I…Heer"

 

"HEER…Soni ko tayyar karna hai…baarat aarahi hai"

 

Heer looked at Prem…then at the wedding mandap. "I've got to go. The…I have to get Soni ready…"

 

Running off, she quickly wiped her tears. She had to wait until the wedding was over. Then she'd have to talk to Preet….she couldn't go with them.

 

--

 

The wedding had finally ended. After leading Soni to Yuvraaj's car, Heer ran up to her room, calling Preet as Chahat lingered.

 

"Hello?"

 

"Preet. I can't go Preet. Cancel my tickets."

 

"Bhabi. You will go. Aapko Meher ki kasam" Preet was enjoying himself now, repeating Heer's words from earlier. The one way tickets had been reserved two days ago…

 

            Heer was silent. Preet spoke, "I'll pick you up at 6"

 

Without waiting for a reply, he hung up, grinning in delight.

 

***

 

Prem paced the boarding area, ignoring Harman's questioning look. Preet still hadn't shown up, and he had no contact with Heer.

 

 He called Preet one last time, when 20 minutes were left to board. This time, Preet picked up. "I'm approaching you."

 

What Prem saw next blew him away. Not only was Preet standing in front of him…following him was Heer, with Chahat in her arms.

 

"No" he whispered, shocked.

 

It seemed like walking up to them took years. His eyes were only on Chahat, clutching onto Heer. "No" he repeated, staring at Chahat, then Heer.

 

Those eyes…that innocence…it was mirrored on Chahat's face. "Prem Uncle! Mama! Prem Uncle"

Those words were proof enough. Prem snatched his daughter from Heer, hugging her and kissing her. "My daughter. My...she's my daughter"

 

Heer looked away, unable to face him. This is what she didn't want. Those questioning eyes…she had the answers. But she knew he'd become weak when he saw Chahat...and Heer couldn't take that. She couldn't have her daughter taken away….and she didn't want to go back to Prem.

 

"PREET. She's my daughter Preet. My daughter"  Prem cried in joy, holding her even closer.

 

Preet smiled encouragingly. "She likes me more though…right Chahat?" he winked.

 

Chahat giggled, and Prem felt like his heart would explode with happiness…his daughter.

 

Soon, it was time to board the flight. Prem grabbed Heer's bags, his eyes showing the turmoil inside him. He was angry as expected. Heer simply followed him, avoiding his glare.

 

Preet took Chahat in his arms, whispering, "Lets go home sweetheart."  

 

***

I HOPE YOU ALL are freaking happy, ladies.

You better be. I just ended my writing career with that. Like seriously, I quit. That was so Ekta-ish. So soooooooo ekta-ish.