Hey everyone,
I hope enjoyed reading the first part of A Second Chance. I have a written a little bit more, and I hope you enjoy it. Once again, I would appreciate any comments (positive and negative.)
PART 8
The wedding date for Kasak and Vishal's wedding was fixed. Mukti took full responsibility for the contract, so Vishal can spend more time with Kasak. Prem was always more than happy to take her from one meeting to the next, and Mukti was becoming habituated to him. One day, after returning from a meeting, Mukti started feeling dizzy. Luckily, Prem caught her before she collapsed. He carried her to her room and called the doctor.
Prem waited patiently as the doctor examined Mukti who was gaining conscious.
Prem: Is she okay?
Doctor: Yes, she's weak from a lack of eating and overwork. She needs rest.
Prem: I'll make sure she gets it…thank you very much.
After the doctor left the room, Prem sat besides Mukti.
Prem: You should look after yourself…do you have any idea how worried I was?
Mukti: Sorry.
Mukti could see that he was worried, and her apology was sincere. Prem couldn't stay angry with her any longer.
Prem: Get some rest, I'll stop by later.
Mukti: Ok.
Prem returned home, but he didn't tall anyone about Mukti passing out. Perna and Mr. Bajaj had gone shopping and planned eating dinner out while the others were on their way to the movies. Prem kindly refused their offer and went to his room to freshen up. Afterwards, he asked Biju to pack the dinner, which he took to Mukti's house. When he entered her room, he saw Mukti working at her desk.
Prem: What are you doing?
Mukti: I have to finish this tonight.
Prem: You should be resting.
Mukti: I'm fine…I need to finish this.
Prem knew that he wasn't going to win against her, so he offered a compromise.
Prem: Fine…I'll make a deal…you let me help you and I won't force you to go to bed.
Mukti: That's fine with me, but don't you have to go to your night club for your daily dancing?
Prem: No, it's no longer my thing.
Mukti: Really?
Prem: Really…before we start, you have to eat.
Mukti: Actually, I am famished.
Prem was glad that she did not argue with him about eating. He took out the food from the container while a surprised Mukti observed him. Prem handed her the plate and she started to munch on the food. Prem thought she looked like a cute child. After taking several bites, Mukti glanced up at him.
Mukti: Did you eat?
Prem: I'll eat later.
Mukti: Here (offering her plate)… eat a little…how do you expect to help me if you don't have any energy?
The two ate together and started working on the contract. When Perna returned, she made some tea for them, and Mr. Bajaj scanned through their work and offered some advice. Both were glad to see Prem and Mukti getting along.
The Mehras were happy with the work. They complimented Mukti's input. Outside the building Prem was waiting, by his car, for Mukti to come out. As soon as she stepped out of the building, she ran to Prem and gave him a hug.
Mukti: They loved the work…thank you so much for helping me.
For a few seconds, the two held each other until Mukti realized what she was doing. She let go of him and blushed a little. Prem behaved normally so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable, but deep inside he was jumping with joy. He never thought that a mere, innocent hug would drive him this crazy.
PART 9
Mukti took some time off from work, so she can help with the wedding. She joined the ladies of house in shopping for the bride. In an attempt to help her son, Perna gave Prem and Mukti the full responsibility of preparing for the reception. Fortunately, the two made a great time this time around. Prem took some interest and listened to Mukti's opinions. In fact, he would sometimes give some wise opinions himself.
The countdown to the wedding was almost coming to an end. A few days before the wedding day, the two decided to make sure everything was okay. Since they were running out of time, they decided to split the tasks. Prem agreed to go to the decorators while Mukti went to finalize the menu. After thoroughly checking everything with the decorators, Prem decided to call Mukti who was in the car.
Prem: Hello Mukti? Where are you?
Mukti: I am----I am---
There was too much static between them. Mukti stepped out of the car to get a better signal.
Mukti: Sorry Prem, I wasn't getting any signal. Anyways, I am by the shopping center….BOOM!
Prem heard a huge blast on the phone, and he began to panic.
Prem: Hello, Mukti? Mukti, can you hear me?
Unknown: Hello.
Prem: Hello, who is this?
Unknown: Sir I am with the young girl, a few seconds ago her car exploded. She is injured and we are taking her to the City Hospital.
Prem: Okay…take care of her and tell her that Prem is on his way.
Prem raced to the hospital, and asked the receptionist about Mukti's whereabouts. He sprinted to her room not realizing that he had passed Anurag on the way. At the same time the doctor came out.
Prem: Doctor, how is she?
Doctor: It was a good thing that she wasn't in the car, she's got a minor head injury. You can take her home.
Prem walked into the room and saw Mukti, with a bandage around her forehead, looking through a magazine. He quietly sat a few inches away from her, and looked down. Mukti noticed that he was upset.
Mukti: What happened to you…you're behaving as if you are the one injured.
Prem: I'm sorry.
Mukti: For what?
Prem: It's all my fault…I should have never left you alone.
Mukti gently placed her hand on top of his hand.
Mukti: Prem look at me (Prem looks at her)…do you remember the time when some men beat you up, and I blamed myself for what happened.
Prem nodded gently.
Mukti: However, you told me that it wasn't my fault…what happened today was not your fault either…as a matter of fact you have been protecting for the past few weeks, so stop being hard on yourself
Anurag had heard the whole conversation. For the first time, he was convinced that his son was changing and the credit goes to Mukti. He entered the room.
Anurag: Prem.
Prem and Mukti looked up at Anurag, and they were shocked to see him there.
Prem: What are you doing here?
Anurag: I was here to get my mother's reports and I saw you coming into the hospital…what's going on.
Prem reiterated the whole incident, including the one when some men attacked Mukti.
Anurag: All this happened you didn't tell anyone!
Mukti: It's not his fault…I didn't want to worry anyone.
Anurag: Perna has the right to know Mukti…anyways, what happened, happened. Mukti, you are coming to my house so you can get some rest. I'll tell Perna that you are staying with me to help Sam with the preparations. And you Prem, don't tell anyone what happened. After the wedding is over, we will figure out what to do next.
Prem: Okay.
Outside the hospital, Mukti, Anurag, and Prem walked up to their cars. As Mukti was about to sit in Anurag's car, she turned around to look at Prem, who was still upset. Prem did not want to let her out of his sight, but he knew that this was for her own good.
The rest of the day Prem did not feel like doing anything. Every moment with out Mukti seemed forever. He would constantly pace around his room thinking about what was happening. Around midnight, Prem couldn't help it: he had to talk to Mukti, and he called her.
Mukti was sound asleep when the phone rang.
Mukti: Hello.
Prem: Mukti.
Mukti: Prem? Is everything okay?
Prem: Yeah…I just called to see if you were okay.
Mukti: I'm fine, Prem…don't worry, it's getting late, go to sleep.
Prem: If something had happened to you?
Mukti: But it didn't…nothing is going to happen, just relax. If everyone is going to see you tense like this, then they are going to figure it out.
Prem: You're right, sorry for calling so late, goodnight.
Mukti: Goodnight.
Hearing Mukti's voice was some comfort for Prem, who managed to get a few hours of sleep.
The next day, Prem woke up before anyone else and headed straight for Basu house. He noticed that the house was quiet and figured that everyone must be sleeping. He called Mukti on her cell.
Mukti: Hello
Prem: Mukti.
Mukti: Prem, I'm fine…go back to sleep.
Prem: Mukti I'm outside by the gate.
Mukti: What? Ok, I'll be there in a moment.
Mukti came outside and saw Prem waiting by his car.
Mukti: What are you doing here so early?
Prem: I came here to see you.
Mukti: You look tired…seems like you haven't slept much…why don't we go inside and have some coffee?
Prem: Good idea.
Prem went into the kitchen with Mukti. He figured he might help her. Since they weren't used to the kitchen, it took them longer to find everything. However, they eventually managed to prepare the coffee. They sat in the kitchen talking about several things and sipping their coffee. After an hour or so, Sam walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see them there.
Sam: What are you two doing here so early? And Prem when did you come?
Prem: It's been a while; I came here to check on Mukti.
Sam: Don't worry about her; she is in good hands.
Prem: I know. Anyways, I better get going.
Sam and Mukti: Bye.
After seeing Mukti, Prem returned home and helped his mother with the wedding preparations. Though his mind was on the work, his heart kept on thinking about Mukti.
PART 10
Finally, it was the day of the wedding. Prem, along with all the other men of Bajaj house, was dressed in a nice Indian outfit. He took off all earrings, rings, and chains. And he neatly combed his hair. In addition, he stood at the entrance greeting all the guests.
All of the bride's guests had arrived. They were waiting for the groom. After an hour, the sounds of drums and trumpets were clear. The whole family, except for Kasak, went outside to greet the groom. Mr. Bajaj and Anurag embraced each other, while Vishal touched Perna's feet. Sneha greeted her grandmother. Prem, on the other hand, was searching for Mukti. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Sam behind him.
Sam: I know who you are looking for…she's over there.
Sam was pointing to a car from which Mukti stepped out. Like always, she looked beautiful this day. She was wearing a gorgeous dress.
(I had a picture, but it doesn't seem to show up)
Prem walked up to her.
Prem: You look really nice today.
Mukti: Thanks.
Prem: How are you feeling.
Mukti: I'm better; everyone took good care of me.
Sneha brought Kasak downstairs and the two exchanged the garlands. The whole ceremony went well. Mukti and Sneha teamed up and managed to steal Vishal's shoes, for which he gave them a lot of money. Lastly, it was time for the last ritual—to escort the bride with her new life. Everyone's eyes were filled with tears when Kasak was leaving. She went to every member and embraced them, brining tears out of their eyes. When she hugged Prem, even he got a little teary. He may have not known her for a long time, but he definitely felt a bond with her and Mukti is mostly responsible for that. She was the one who taught him how to feel. Both Tushar and Prem pushed the car, and it drove off out of sight.
Mr. Bajaj and Perna were in their room recalling all the moments they shared with Kasak. Prem was in his room when he heard some noise from the main room. He walked out and saw Mukti and Sneha sitting on the couch.
Sneha: Kasak is really lucky…she found a nice husband.
Mukti: Yes, Vishal will make a nice husband.
Sneha: Unlike some people.
Mukti: You're thinking about Sharad, aren't you?
Sneha: Yes, today all those memories I shared with him came back. Each memory was a stab in the back.
Mukti: Sneha, you must learn to forget the past…forget Sharad and move on with your life.
Sneha: Have you forgotten what Prem did to you…will you ever be able to move on?
Mukti was speechless for some time.
Mukti: No I haven't forgotten what he has done, and I may never be able to love another man the same way. However, I have accepted the fact that he does not love me and that we can never be together.
Prem had the urge to go down there and tell Mukti how much he loves her and that he wants them to be together.
Sneha: Can ask you a question?
Mukti: Sure.
Sneha: Do you still love him?
Mukti: [pause] Yes…I still love him, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to let go of it. Lately, I've been spending time with and sometimes I feel that we might have a chance, but I know that this is my wild imagination.
Sneha: I know what you mean; both of us are in similar situations. The only difference is that Sharad broke off all his commitments and Prem refused to make any.
Prem could not bear to hear any more. He quietly walked to his room. He was glad to hear that Mukti still had feelings for but disappointed that she had lost hope for them.
Prem (to himself): We will have a future together, Mukti. I will give you all the happiness in the world and I will make all your dreams come true. Just give me a second chance.
Preview: Prem will express his feelings. What will Mukti's reaction be?
To be continued...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Indian Mythology
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
Shiv Shakti
Anupamaa
