SS: Call Me By My Name - Completed PR Story (New story post pg. 44) - Page 4

Originally posted by: Marybarton

Readership is low

Wouldn’t worry about that I think it picks up as you go along also the ones that are reading think your doing amazing.

Chapter 3:

In the morning, Prerna finished her morning prayer while still internally debating whether she should even go to her mother's. What if she only brought her mom back to only have her hear more of what's wrong her daughter? Did she really need her mom to be more upset?

She was making some coffee and rethinking this when...

Mr. Bajaj came up, panting: Hi! Good morning.

Prerna gave him a squinty-eyed look.

Would he complain? Oh, look, he's wearing a headband gym thing. Doesn't he look nice... He really has nice hair. What if he told mom that I scratched him?

Rishab returned the quizzical expression: Prerna? Did you hear what I said?

Prerna: Wait, what?

Rishab: I was saying that it will take me just 20 minutes to get ready for the office, if you want me to drop you off at your mother's on my way, please get ready.

Prerna: But...I am not sure I am going.

Mr. Bajaj: Why not? Are you afraid of her reaction? I think we have given her enough space these two months, don't you think?

Prerna: What do you want to talk to her about?

Rishab smiled: I will not complain about you, if that is what you are worried about.

Prerna sighed: You won't tell her about yesterday, will you?

Rishab smiled: What about yesterday?

Prerna glared at him: But I didn't even scratch you! Not really.

Rishab: That wasn't a fault, Mrs.Bajaj. If anything, it showed you can hold you own with me. Precious few can claim that.

Prerna thoughtfully: Then what?

Rishab: I just need her advice, but that is only if she agrees to talk to me. You think you can convince her to come?

Prerna: I will try. But what do you want advice about?

Rishab didn't answer: Well, get ready then, I just need to take a shower and I will be ready.

Mr. Bajaj dropped her off at her mother's door step: Good luck then, Prerna. It will be okay, I promise.

Prerna forced a smile bravely as he drove away.

She rang the bell and her mother opened after the second bell.

Mom: Did Mr. Bajaj just drop you off?

Prerna: Y-yes. How are you, Ma?

Mom: Why didn't you invite him in? This was his first time here!

Prerna looked down: He was not sure about his welcome.

Mom shook her head: We do not turn away guests in our home, no matter what. I can't believe I have to tell you that. Whether we like it or not, he's the only damad of this house. He needed to be received. It doesn't look good that he didn't get to stop over.

Prerna: I am here.

Mom: So I see, why are you here?

Prerna bit her lip: I thought I can come see you, but I see I already messed this up.

Mom: You can call him back and make it right. This is not a good omen.

Mr. Bajaj stopped the stop light and turned the car phone on speaker. Prerna was calling already, this was not good. Poor thing, did she get turned away at the door?

Rishab soothingly: You need me to pick you up?

Prerna hesitatingly: Hey, so I have my mom right here in front of me. She wants you to come back, if you can...I said you had meetings and stuff, but she says you can't be turned aw- (he heard a small commotion, her mom seemed to chastise her about something and then Prerna came back on the line). Ah, can you come?

Rishab: I will be right there.

Mr. Bajaj called his office and told his manager to cancel all his meetings for the half-day and turned back.

Prerna's mom was probably going to give him an earful and just tell him to take his wife away. Poor Prerna was probably facing it it alone. When he arrived just a few minutes later, he saw Prerna still standing outside while her mom walked away. He approached cautiously.

Rishab: Is everything okay? You want to go back?

Prerna: Nehi, she said to wait at the door step.

Rishab thought it was a painfully long 10 minutes of looking at each other in the eyes, worried about what was to come...

Prerna's mom came back with an arti thali in her hands, but her face was grim: I cannot let her in without her husband on her first visit back.

Rishab stood there obediently but asked: But you will let her in though?

His caution for his wife nearly made Prerna's mom smile: It's custom.

Rishab accepted the tikka and stood back as Prerna tried to step in. Her mom stopped her.

Rishab's heart sank for Prerna.

Mom: You have to come in together.

Rishab sighed in relief and went in with Prerna.

Mom: No one is home. It's just me. Come in.

Rishab stood back again. He wasn't sure if he had served his purpose already or if he was expected to stay.

Prerna and her mom looked back.

Mom: Come in and have some tea.

They had breakfast together, in relative, uneasy silence. Prerna's mom did the required custom of arranging all the food she could and tried to tell Rishab to have all of them in turn. Prerna managed to awkwardly try to make conversation. Her mom did not snap, but she wasn't all that friendly either. She was just going through the motions by the looks of it.

Rishab: Mrs. Sharma, I would like to speak to you in private, if you will allow me.

She seemed taken aback and looked at Prerna.

Rishab: Just a few minutes.

Prerna: Can I come too?

Rishab looked at the chidingly: I promise I will tell you after I hear your mom's opinion.

Prerna annoyed: About what!?

Mom: Priyu, don't you understand the meaning of private? He's saying he will tell you, na? Now go.

Prerna huffed off.

Rishab sighed as she left: Thank you for agreeing to listen. I don't want you to misunderstand your daughter, I want to tell you the whole truth and more. It is not your daughter who is at fault. It is all my fault, I am a selfish parent and I want to make it right. I need your help, Mrs. Sharma.

What do you think is about to happen?

Chapter 4

I think RB wants her blessing for their relationship.. can take many turns can this so not sure.

Looking forward to seeing what happens. Love seeing Mr Bs concern for Prerna. I feel Veena has very strong hold on customs and traditions and duty and that’s where Prerna gets her values from.

Despite her unhappiness in how things are she’s abiding by customs and Prerna has done that so far too it seems.

I still think he’s going to bring up the little nuances he’s finding challenging about prerna. The cigar ban and the age /name thing but writer knows best so sure whatever you write next will be great.

a lovely update, your scenes flow really well. defos cant wait to read more.

That is cute at least Veena understand that No matter what they were married and had her call him back.Poor Mr Bajaj worried about his wife loved the update darling.

Lovely!!! Aww Bajaj!! I love him

Beautiful update👏
Rishabh is so concerned about Prerna😊

The conversation was so cute, loved Veena

Waiting for next

Very nice....at least Veena is ready to do her duty ...and then she agreed to listen to RB...that's a good sign....he is trying to give Prerna her mother's love back....loved the whole conversation.....keep writing....❤️

That was a brilliant update..Very nice..

She made sure he stops smoking from now. OMG, her predictions are so bad, she expected him to be nearing his 50s. But the masterstroke which she played, in the end, to stop him smoke is epic.

Both a kind of embarrassed now. And she is hiding inside the closet. I liked the ending, how he is willing to talk to her mother and take initiative to bridge the gap between the mother-daughter duo.

I don't hate Prerna's mother here. She is angry which is correct from her POV. But she didn't insult them and didn't ask them to leave the house. So looks like Bajaj would reveal the truth about the marriage.