Humsafar- Prerish SS (Updated Ch-14 on Pg-21) - Page 3

TWO

"That was epic!" Was the first thing that Kriti said as soon as she caught up with her best friend Prerna, who was one notch away from running.

After what happend in the corridor, everyone was talking about it and pointing at Prerna.

She didn't like it one bit. She never liked being the center of gossip of these immature, vile girls who had their claws out for anyone who threatened their clique. And somehow, Prerna involuntarily became the talk of her college because of that incident in the corridor.

She caught her arm and forced her to stop.

"Kriti, please, not now," Prerna began, trying to walk away.

Kriti was nonplussed as to why Prerna was behaving this way.

"Pri, what's wrong? Why are you upset over something so insignificant?" She asked. "Okay, you tripped and the hottest man saved you like a knight in shing armour in front of anyone. What's the big deal?" Her sincere tone didn't hide her mischievousness.

Prerna glared at her and dragged her into an empty classroom as everyone was in the hall listening to Rishabh Bajaj's speech.

She was informed later that he specifically called the dean to ask for his permission to let him deliver a speech at their college.

The dean was on cloud seven or something.

"Anurag saw us and now he won't talk to me. It's my fault. I'm such a klutz." Prerna began but was shut up by Kriti.

"Are you serious? Why in the name of God would he be mad at you? It's not your fault that some swine tripped you," Kriti retorted. "It's too much."

"I should apologize to Anurag," Prerna's voice became melancholic.

Kriti loved Prerna. She loved her like a sister but at that moment she wanted to slap the living daylights out of her.

"Hello. Apologize to Anurag? You should apologize to Mr. Bajaj for the appalling way you behaved after he saved you. You literally ran without saying so much of a thank you," Kriti ranted. "God, Pri! When did you become such a wimpy 80's hindi movie character?"

"Perhaps you are right. I will apologize to Anurag after I've apologized to Mr. Bajaj," saying this, Prerna left Kriti alone.

Since Prerna and Anurag confessed their love for each other, Anurag had become some what of the lord of her body and soul. Kriti thought.

Kriti knew that love changes people but is this what love does? Put a leash on people?

Prerna had changed a lot over time. Anurag was changing her and Kriti didn't like it.

The punctual, articulate Prerna was a mess.

She always put family first but now Anurag was the center of her universe.

She did nothing without thinking about him.

Kriti was tormented by such thoughts the entire day.

Wondering how to bring the old, mature, strong Prerna back.

Interesting update👏

Kirti is a good friend of Prerna😊
Anurag is changing Prerna, Kiriti's worry was right

Waiting for next

THREE

"Ms. Sharma, I really enjoyed our little squabble but I didn't know that you were enjoying it too," said Mr. Bajaj, teasingly.

He was watching her, waiting for her to reply. He wanted her to say the wrong thing and embarrass herself.

That infuriating asshole.

"Oh really. Whatever gave you that thought?" Asked Prerna, with mock sincerity.

"The fact that you let me drop you off instead of asking your lover boy. You chose to sit in a car with a complete stranger. A rich, handsome, August stranger but a stranger for you none the less," he said, feigning astonishment. "I thought your parents must have taught you better. I think lover boy was genuinely hurt."

"Don't talk about my parents," Prerna said, thought gritted teeth. "Or Anurag."

But Mr. Bajaj only felt encouraged with her response and went on,"He had the same expression as if he was child who had to share his favorite toy with older brother. A mama's boy, isn't he?"

He sipped his expensive champagne though for what celebratory reasons she wouldn't know.

Didn't filthy rich people drink champagne on special occasions? Did this man consider this a special occasion? Taking a jab at Anurag?

"I think you're mellowing with age. You should buy yourself hearing aids," said Prerna hoping to offend him. "I told you not to talk about Anurag."

But her words had a different effect on him, because he only fake laughed.

"Oh trust me, Ms. Sharma, I neither have the time nor interest in discussing a two goodie shoes who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," Mr. Bajaj shook his head and placed his empty glass on the glass table.

And all of a sudden she realized, she was in a stranger's bedroom, exchanging words that were meant to hurt but to an extent.

She would never admit it to herself but she was enjoying herself. She never got to exchange wits with Anurag. He was very passive and now she realized that Mr. Bajaj was right. She sat in a stranger's car. She was in a stranger's bedroom.

What the heck was she doing?

He was dressed in a night suit which looked as if it was something from Hermes or whatever brands are the rage. She wouldn't know.

She was herself dressed in his hoodie. She knew if was his hoodie because it smelt like him.

An expensive perfume, smoke and cinnamon. It was delicious. And she wanted to curl herself in it. If someone saw them in like this, then they would most definitely get the wrong idea.

And he looked good. Damn good for a forty something guy. The two upper buttons were undone and she could get a peek at his well built chest.

But she tried not to watch.

Emphasise on tried.

She mentally slapped herself.

"Weren't you too? Born with a silver spoon in your mouth?" Prerna jabbed. "You belong to the same social circle as him.i bet that you've never had a hard day in your life. All your whims and desires fulfilled. Having all the luxuries on your fingertips. But the difference between you and Anurag is that while you are arrogant and disliked, Anurag is loved by all. He is kind and good and you can never be half the man he is."

The change in Mr. Bajaj's demeanor was monumental. Gone was the glint from his eyes and his eyes darkened.

His jaw twitched and mouth set in a frown.

He looked enraged. And Prerna knew that she had said the wrong thing.

She had crossed her limits.

Mr. Bajaj turned around and took a deep breath.

"I think it's time. Your clothes must be dry by now. Ram will drop you home. Don't worry, he's a trusted employee. I think you can show yourself to the guest room," he said,finally.

Was he dismissing her? That royal jackass. She wanted to come back with a witty reply but she realized that he wasn't in the mood to chat any longer.

And she realized she was shivering in his hoodie.

That jackass made her wear his hoodie.

He started to leave but stopped at the threshold and without looking at her, he said, "You mustn't judge a man by his earthly possessions. His principles are what matters. And please Ms. Sharma do refrain yourself from commenting on matters you have to knowledge of whatsoever."

He left. And for the tenth time, she wondered who he was. Who he truly was.

She knew there was more to him than he let others see. She wondered what he was made of.

Just flesh or bones or something more dark and sinister?

An hour later, she was standing in front of her home, dressed in her clothes, he bag slung on her shoulder.

And somehow, she still smelt like Mr. Bajaj.

Like even his scent followed her.

___________________________________________________

Please don't confused. I know you're probably wondering what led to this but I will write the flashback in the next chapter and all will be explained.

The next chapter will be about Mr. Bajaj.

I hope you like this chapter. Please do like and comment.

Love,

Harshita

Interesting update 👏

How Prerna landed at Mr Bajaj's house

Loved PreRish's conversation

Waiting for next

Hey amazing start! Please change the title with SS and metion the chapter update, I think your story is not being visible due to this reason. As I also missed thr recent update❤️

FOUR

"Stop right there."

These were the first words that came out of her mother's mouth the moment she saw her.

Prerna stood awkwardly at the threshold, wondering what will she say to her family about what happened in the afternoon.

Her mother was sure to kill her.

Veena Sharma loved her children. But if her children were threatened, she was also a force to be reckoned with. She was sweet but her furious side was damn scary.

Even her father couldn't do anything when her mother was in a temper.

She glanced everywhere except her mother who was walking towards her with a rolling pin in her left hand.

"What were you thinking, young lady?" her mother raged. "Is this how I've taught you? Getting in a car with a stranger?"

Prerna was dumbfounded.

How would her mother know about that unless, unless Anurag told her. He had betrayed her trust. Complained to her mother without knowing the reason as to why she did what she did.

She wasn't a baby for God's sake.

"And you weren't receiving our calls. We were so worried. What if something happened to you? This is a dangerous world. And coming home so late. Its six thirty," her mother went on.

"What's this ruckus about?" Her father came out of his room.

He had a look of utter confusion. Looks like her mother didn't tell him anything.

He searched Prerna's face and she silently begged him to get her out of this mess and calm her mother.

He simply chuckled and put his hands on his wife's shoulders from behind.

"Calm down, Veenu. So much anger is not good for your nerves," he said in a soothing voice.

By now her siblings came out of their respective rooms to see the commotion in their house.

Prerna was always a zealous daughter and she seldom got scolded by her mother. Never by father. He was her partner in crime.

He went on, "Let the poor girl breathe. Come on in Priyu. We'll discuss it like civilized people or the neighbors might call the zoo."

He said jokingly.

Prerna had inherited her sarcastic humor from her father.

Her mother sat down on the sofa with a thump with her father beside her.

Her bhaiya bhabhi stood a few feet away from her. Shivani was leaning against the door of the kitchen clearly enjoying the scene while Mahesh was busy in his cell phone.

She stared at her feet, feeling like a five year old getting scolding for breaking the rules.

"Priyu, why would you do that? Take a lift from a stranger when Anurag was there?" Her father asked, gently.

Prerna took a deep breath, "Anurag was busy with something else. Besides he is not my chaperone," she said, carefully choosing her words. "It was raining heavily. I had no choice."

"No choice!" Her mother exclaimed. "You could've called your brother. It's dangerous to get into the car with a stranger. It's too dangerous, period. With all the creeps out there."

"Mr. Bajaj is not a creep," she said defensively.

"Oh, really. So that's his name. Thank God you had it in you to ask his name," remarked her Suman bhabhi.

Prerna's father was gazing at her with his scrutinizing eyes.

"Bajaj, you say. Well I know him," he said.

Everyone turned to look at him. Prerna gawked at him.

"You...you do?"

"Yes but I've only met him once. A brilliant businessman, I must say," he remarked. "Strong built, chiseled face, right?"

She nodded.

Jet black hair with streaks of grey. Dark, dreamy eyes.

She added silently.

"But he is a formidable adversary to the Basu's. Moloy believes that Bajaj wants to organize a strategic takeover of Basu Publications. But I believe it's pure hocus pocus," he continued.

Mr. Bajaj knew the Basu's. He also knew Anurag. Then why would he lie?

Why pretend not to know about the Basu's.

"So he's as rich as the Basu's?" Asked Shekhar bhaiya.

"No my son," her father shook his head. "Way more. Richer, more influential, mysterious and dangerous. Priyu, you must never repeat what you did today."

Prerna solemnly promised to never repeat her mistake.

___________________________________________________

That night Prerna lay tossing and turning in her bed. Her mind kept going back to the intriguing mystery called Mr. Bajaj.

Nobody knew who he truly was.

His dark, dark eyes kept penetrating her thoughts over and over again.

She wrapped her arms around herself. She could still smell his fragrance on herself. Her head felt dizzy.

She'd known the man for just one day and already, she couldn't stop thinking about him.

He had a certain effect on her. She wasn't attracted to him or anything.

She loved Anurag. She kept chanting Anurag's name in her mind to get her mind rid of Mr. Bajaj's thoughts.

Anurag was her love. Her life. Her everything.

But then why did she need to remind herself?

That night she had a fitfull sleep.

Interesting update👏

Prerna's family moment was dramatic, loved her father

So Mr Bajaj knows Basus, he is mysterious

Prerna is getting attracted to Mr Bajaj

Waiting for next

Prerna ran without thanking Bajaj just because Anurag saw them and he is angry about it. Like seriously, he saved her, it was an unintentional incident. Like Kriti thinks I feel Prerna lost her purpose with Anurag.

I loved Bajaj-Prerna conversation. Her jibe about his past made him mad. She did cross her limits here. So Anurag complained about her to her mother. Her father somewhat saved her. And looks like Bajaj is here to take his revenge from Basus. And Prerna is affected by him, she is still thinking about him, and she had to remind that she loves Anurag again and again.

I am loving this. Nice updates. Please continue soon.

FIVE

Lost. Like a mouse in a trap. That's how she felt. Prerna could feel the ache in her heart. Raw and ugly.

The knife stabbed in her heart was twisting deeper and deeper.

Everything that has happened in the past few weeks had changed her life forever.

She'd already lost too much. And yet she lived.

She was molested by Naveen Babu, she stood firm. Everyone accused her of being characterless, she stood firm. Her education was stopped, she stood firm.

She couldn't step a foot out of her house.

Men hurled atrocious phrases at her.

She deserved this, they had said.

Wherever she went, people whispered behind her back, she stood firm.

All her friends, except Kriti abandoned her, she stood firm.

Her relatives ousted her, she stood firm.

Naveen Babu took her innocence from her and yet again she stood firm.

But what happened today was the final nail in the coffin.

She had finally showed the courage to go to college again. To face her peers, her teachers, the world.

It had taken her parents 3 weeks to coax her out of her shell. She had finally uttered a word.

Yes, she had said. Yes, she was ready. Ready to answer back to people who questioned her character and upbringing.

For the past 3 weeks, she waited for Anurag.

Waited for him to caress her cheek and touch her hair and embrace her and tell her that he believed her.

Yet he didn't. He didn't visit her once. Didn't call her once.

But she forgave him. She knew it was hard for him. Just as it was hard for her.

Yet today, she went to her college. She ignored the people who commented on her. Who stared at her.

She dealt with it. She held herself together. She put on a smile and pretended to be brave.

Anurag was ignoring her like a plague.

He's just busy. She kept on telling herself.

When she finally caught up with him.

He said something that broke her.

"Prerna, we should stop seeing each other," he said. His hands were in the pocket of his pants.

He always did it whenever he was nervous.

"What?" Her voice cracked.

She couldn't believe it. Her Anurag didn't want to see her.

"Listen Prerna. Whatever happened betwee you and naveen Babu has created quite a scandal. My mother is strictly against our relationship," he said, his face sympathetic.

Whatever happend between her and Naveen Babu. He made it sound as if there was something going on between them.

"Anurag, he tried to force himself on me. I screamed for help and Anupam Ji saved me. Ask him, nothing happened. Please," she gripped his shoulders.

She looked at him, desperate for him to believe her.

He shrugged out of her hold and said, "Then you shouldn't have complained against him."

Her heart broke into several pieces.

She had slapped him, hard and ran.

She ran on the middle of the road. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She ran till she couldn't breathe. Till her heart stopped aching, yet it didn't.

She ran without the thought of her safety.

Car drivers honked at her but she ran. Her dupatta flew with the wind. But she didn't care.

She was a fallen woman. A characterless person. She deserved it. She deserved to be molested, to be punished, to be abandoned.

She ran.

She ran to the cliff on the other side of Durga Temple. The temple where she and Anurag had promised to love each other, faithfully.

She stopped at the edge of the cliff. Her breathe was ragged. She was gasping for oxygen. Her chest burned. Her hair flew all over the place. The sun was setting in the horizon.

She glanced down. The cliff was steep. Her body would never be found. No one would know.

"You shouldn't do it," came a voice from behind her.

She instantly recognized that voice. That voice. That man.

Mr. Bajaj.

She turned around to face him.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her eyes hollow. Her face devoid of colour.

"Why are you here?" She raged. "Why did you come? To mock me, for my eagerness?"

"Ms. Sharma, I would never mock a woman in your position. I would never taunt a woman, period," he retorted. His long face impassive.

He was dressed in a navy blue suit. His face set in his usual style.

"Why? Because you're afraid that we'll break?" She asked, her voice cracking.

"No. Because women are a force to be reckoned with," he replied.

Prerna let out a hollow, fake laugh.

"Of course we are," she muttered.

"Yes you are. You're stronger than this. I've known you for one day and I know that Prerna Sharma is one of the strongest woman I've ever known. You challenged me, questioned my actions. You barely knew me and yet you dared to stand up against me," he kept going on. "Men cower in their boots because of me yet you didn't."

"Well, that Prerna Sharma is gone."

"No. She is still there. No one can take who we are from us. Search for her Prerna," his voice was soothing. Calm. Soft.

He was comforting her.

Her breathing slowed.

"What happened wrong. How everyone treated you afterwards was even more atrocious. A travesty on the part of society. But killing yourself will prove that you're weak. Guilty. Stay, Prerna, fight it," he held out a hand towards her.

"Anurag left me," fresh tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Then he's a fool beyond equal. Don't end your life because of a boy. Think of your mother, the person who loves you more than anyone ever could. Your father. I've met him. What you do will shatter your family forever. It will scar them," he gazed into her eyes. The wind blew her hair. "Don't do this. Please."

The faces of her family flashed in front if her eyes. The happy moments.

He was right. Life doesn't end just because Anurag betrayed her.

She must live. A d prove that she's strong. Stronger than anybody thinks.

She walks towards him and stumbles. Her hands grip her shoulders. She gazed into his dark eyes. His chest radiating warmth.

Elsewhere, the bells rung violently in the temple.

Hi everyone.

I hope you're enjoying the story.i know it's full of mistakes but I'm just an amateur so I hope you'll bear with me.

Please comment because they motivate me.

I've decided to change the name of this SS to Humsafar because that's what Rishabh and Prerna are to each other.

The OST for this SS is a Pakistani drama OST- woh humsafar tha.

Please check it out because the lyrics are completely apt to describe Prerish.

Lots of love,

Harshita