Together...Forever
One-shot
by: Rinkz
Heer walked inside the quiet house, not noticing the absence of the kids' laughter; neither did she notice the solemn air that surrounded the house. The sun was up and showering the city with its bright light, yet for some reason even the light of the sun could not lighten up the house today. She walked calmly with her usual smile on her lips; in her hand was a thaal with the prasad, a diya and some flowers. Suddenly the wind came and the diya began to flicker, instantly her hand came up and shielded the diya against the rough wind. She glanced up and saw members of the family dressed in white, looking at something hidden from her view, the ladies were all weeping desperately. She looked around confused, her heart beating nervously as she felt a wave of fright pass through her. She didn't understand the reason behind her sudden anxiety. Her feet began walking on thier own towards the family and she realized that Preet was absent from the circle of the Juneja family. Wondering where her sweet devar was, she passed Kulraj, Veera being held by Kiran and Rishab respectively. The guys looked at her back and shared a look that hinted at whatever Heer was to see...would not be a good thing. She felt weak as she saw Gayetri on the floor, crying into Harman's shoulder while Lallu stood by and looked at the wall with his arms crossed. Her gaze lifted from Gayetri and went to the picture resting on the wall next to her parents...it was a beatiful picture of her Prem smiling sweetly...it was the perfect picture but her smile that had barely started to stretch on her lips died away as her eyes connected with the mala that played a dark shadow over his picture. "P--Pre---PREM!!" everyone tuned their tearful eyes on Heer as she yelled out, the diya flickered one last time and died out...leaving behind an upset Heer with a weeping family. "Bauji...yeh--yeh kaisa ghatiya mazak hai?" She turned her angry eyes on Lallu, who continued to look at the wall, he opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Heer. "Aap sab ko sharam nahin aayi aisa ganda mazak karte hue, aur woh bhi...woh bhi jab meri aur prem ki shaadi ko bas kuch din bache hain!" she dropped the thaal and walked quickly to the picture, her hand reaching to pull the mala off. She was interruped at the last moment by Lallu; he held her wrist tightly in his hand and began to rant. "Tumhe kya lagta hai Heer ki mujhe maza aa raha hai prem ki photo pe iss mala ko lagake? Maine apne beta khoya hai aaj, tum apne kamre me jao Heer, tumhe aaram ki zaroorat hai iss waqt" he continued to babble on, while Heer struggled to get out of his grip. Finally she managed to get her arm out of his reach and spoke up, "aaram? Aap log yahan mere Prem ka matam mana rahe ho aur mujhe--mere saath aisa mazak karte hue aap ko sharam nahin aati Mr. Juneja!!" "Heer beta, samajne ki koshish karo, Prem ab iss duniya mein nahin hai, woh hume chod ke chala gaya, mujhe...Apne baap ko chod ke chala gaya! Yeh sab...Yeh sab uss nalayak Preet ki galti hai, kaash mere Prem ki jaga woh nikama Preet hota uss Delhi bomb blast mein". He started pacing while rubbing his bald head, looking like a complete phsycho that he was. Heer stared at him, for once the respect was gone from her gaze as she turned her face away. Gayetri stood up and walked towards him, her gaze making her look like an angry lioness. The rest of the family watched, still not being able to digest Lalit blaming Preet for Prem's death...and that horrible beating. "BAS!!! Bahut hogaya! Aapne bahut kuch kehliya mera bete ke bare mein, jis insaan ne kudh hi apne bade bete ka shraadh kiya tha woh kya...aap jaisa ghatiya insaan maine aaj tak nahin dekha Lalit ji! Upar apne kamre mein, Preet ro ro kar ek zinda laash ban gaya hai, uspe itne gande ilzaam lageye hain aapne, usse Prem ka katil bana diya aapne...Prem ko khona kam tha jo aapne Preet ko bhi mujhse door karna churo kardiya." Gayetri yelled, her voice cracking with emotion and pain that touched everyone's heart, even the cold-hearted Rishab couldn't stop himself from pitying her. Lallu looked at his wife angirly, "maine bhi prem ko khoya hai gayetri, sirf tumne nahin! aur woh..woh shraadh meri ek galti thi...bas ek galti ki hai maine aur tum--". Gayetri cutted in with a snort, "EK galti, aap bahut lucky hain Juenja saab ki aap ko prem jaisa beta mila hai, usne aap ki har baat ko muskurate hue suna, jab ki usse aap se ladayi karni thi usne tab bhi chup chap aapki baat suni, arre apne toh usse kitna kosa tha, aur woh apki har waqt chupke madat karta raha...is ek galti ki waja se mere prem ne kitni raaten rote hue kati, aapke bare mein sochta raha woh! Arre baghwan ne aap jaisa baap kyun banaya? Aap ek ache businessman honge, lekin ek ache pati aur baap aap kabhi bhi nahin ban sakte". She took Heer by the arm and began to lead her toward the stairs, but Heer stood still as a statue, her eyes blank of all emotions and her face was pale white...she stared at the picture with a lost look. Her hand moved forward and pulled the mala off, she threw it at the floor near Lallu's feet, she took Prem's pic and began to walk out the door, leaving the house and with it, a shocked family.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Preet sat on his room staring at the picture on the wall ahead of him, Prem smiled back at him with the usual love reflecting on his face. 'Meri'meri galti thi na bhaiya, dad theek kehte hain'I am the reason behind your death'mu'mujhe maaf kardo PB'main'' he confessed to Prem's picture, tears trailing down his cheeks desperately. The door opened and Ashlesha appeared in a white churidaar, obvious worry and pain on her now dull face. Preet didn't notice his guest and kept on whispering with wide tearful eyes. "Preet..." her voice cracked with love as she knelt down beside him, resting her hand on his arm gently. He remained oblivious to her as his eyes started overflowing with tears. Ek insaan apne pure parivaar ke liye kya hota hai? Ek bada bhai, ek bada beta, ek premi, ek jiju, ek dost...aur uss pure parivaar ki jaan...Prem toh amar hota hai na? Toh phir Juneja parivaar ka Prem kaise mit sakta hai? Woh aayega...usse aana hoga, kyunki Heer ka ranjha Prem hai, Preet ka PB sirf Prem hai...Gayetri ka ladla Prem hai...Prem hai iss ghar ki parchai, iss ghar ka sakoon hai...iss ghar ka Prem hai Prem...sirf Prem. Ashlesha stood up, unable to see her Preet in such a state only to be held back by his hand on her wrist. She turned to look at him, his eyes pleaded her to stay and she nodded her head in understanding. She moved to sit beside him once again but he pulled her into his lap and hugged her tightly, hiding his face in the curve of her neck. Knowing that he seeked reassurance at this moment, Ash hugged him and ran her hand through his hair lovingly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heer walked towards the meadow some ten minutes away from the house, glancing around she saw the old memories come to surface. This was her and Prem's secret spot, no one else knew about it as it was hidden from view behind the tall trees. "Sab log pagal hogaye hain...unhe lagta hai ki Prem mujhe--apni Heer ko chod ki chala gaya! Hah! Jaise ki yeh kabhi ho sakta hai...mera prem zinda hai..aur woh zaroor aayega, arre humari shaadi hai kuch din mein...dekhna, woh aayega aur...aur mujhe...*sob* kyun aisa kar rahe hai sab? Kahan ho tum prem? wapas aajao jaldi se...ab nahin raha jata tumse door hoke!" She confessed her fear before falling on the ground, trembling with emotions. The picture in her hand glinted as the light fell on the frame. Lambi judai..char dina pyar oh rabba, badi lambi judai...Heer pulled the picture closer to her and hugged it tightly, unwilling to let go, almost as if she did..the picture would disappear leaving her alone. She curled up, rocking back and forth, the picture now resting against her heart...whose heartbeat was loud and clear, calling out to its partner...Prem's heartbeat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
He limped lightly to the house, dried blood seen clearly on his face and arms, his clothes completely tattered. He reached his destination and pushed the door slowly, the creaking of it making the occupants look at him. A single scream left Gayetri's mouth as she ran quickly to her injured son, to her Prem. The rest of the family followed except for Lallu who stood in his spot, frozen and tears trailing down his cheeks, appearing slightly constipated. After he became reunited with his family, Prem asked about Heer and Preet's disappearance. Gayetri explained everything to him, Lallu blaming Preet and the beating, Preet staying in his room alone, Heer finding out about his "death" and running away. By the end of her speech, Prem was left standing with his hands clenched tightly in fists, he trembled with utter rage as he walked to his father. "Bauji...nahin you dont deserve to be called bauji, aap...aapne mere Preet pe haath uthaya? How dare you? Isme uski kya galti thi ki main uss jaga pe tha jahan bomb blast hua? Isme uski kya galti ki woh yahan ruk kar mere aur Heer ke liye ek surprise dinner date arrange kar raha tha? Yes, thats right. Preet ne mere aur Heer ki liye ek full dinner date plan ki thi, as his present to Heer for her birthday...issi liye woh Delhi nahin jaana chahta tha...or else woh kabhi bhi chala jata aur mujhe nahin jane deta..especially jab shaadi ke liye itne kam din bache hain". Prem spoke quietly yet his voice echoed through the hall, vibrating on the walls powerfully. Lallu opened his mouth to speak but was quietened by Prem with just a raise of his hand. Prem shook his head and walked upstairs, to find his brother and to console him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashlesha closed the door behind her and turned to walk towards her own room to wash her face when she saw Prem walking towards her with confident strides. She rubbed her eyes and looked again, but Prem was still there, this time there was a slight hint of a smirk on his lips. "Huh, lagta hai mujhe neend ki bahut zaroorat hai...ab toh main bhoot bhi dekhne lagi...oh god, ash kitni thak gayi hai" she said while rolling her eyes tiredly at the floor, she looked up and couldn't hold back the scream as she can face-to-face with Prem. "Hello Ashlesha, kaisi ho?" Prem asked with a mischievious smile. "P-P-Pree-Prem tu-tum, main toh bil-bilkul thee-theek hoon...um tum yahan bhoot banke kyun mandra rahe ho?" she asked with a nervous giggle, moving back slighty. "Ashlesha...main abhi bhi zinda hoon" Prem spoke with a sweet smile. "unh..uh huh Prem tum--tum toh bilkul zinda ho...absolutely alive you are huh? Now mujhe jane do...woh i don't have time to deal with ghosts, finally managed to put Preet to rest and i need advil...this house is a complete jungle prem...you are seriously a freaking super-human to deal with this wacko family of yours all these years" ash continued to speak, thinking what will a ghost do. Prem reached forward and poked her nose, making her become mute and look at him with wide eyes, as she finally realized that Prem was actually alive, not a ghost. Thankfully Kiren was walking by at that time when Ash decided to faint, Prem plopped her in his jiju's arms and entered Preet's room leaving behind a confused Kiren with a unconsious Ash.
Prem saw his little brother sleeping peacefully, with Prem's picture in his hands. Preet was completely curled up tightly as if trying to shield himself from something. Prem's heart broke at the tear marks that were clearly seen on his baby brother's face. He knelt down beside the bed and started speaking while running his hand through Preet's hair like a mother would to her child when he has a nightmare. "Preet, kya halat bana li hai tumne? Don't listen to the rubbish bauji was saying...its not true..im completely fine and back in one piece...apne aap ko kosne ki koshish bhi mat karna...nothing was in our hands...it was just something that was written in our fate". Preet pushed his head further into Prem's hands and sighed quietly, still in deep asleep he whispered, "Love you bhai". Prem smiled and stood up to leave after replying quietly, "I love you too little bro". He reached downstairs and walked out of the house, off to find his sweet baliye, Heer.
He found her in their meadow, fast asleep holding his picture under her face with her hand slightly caressing his face in the photo. He smiled and picked her up, he was about to begin his journey back to the house when she shifted in his grip and raised her head to look at him through half-closed eyes. "Tum aagaye Prem...kab se intezaar kar rahi thi tumhara...bhudhu phone tak nahin kar sakte the kya?" She spoke up, her voice laced with heavy sleep and soon she fell asleep again, resting her head on his shoulder. Prem had to smile at her innocence and sweetness. When he reached her room, he managed to open the door by himself and entered quietly, the others seemed to have gone off to do their own things. It was getting dark outside and the weather was cool to the skin, a pleasant feeling. Mil gaye bechde hue dil...mit gayi saari dooriyan, ab bas pyar bacha hai inke beech...ek baap ka pashtana baki hai...lekin jo galti ki hai, woh hamesha maaf nahin hoti. Prem pulled open the window to let the wind come in and play around the room with the curtains.
He sighed and knelt next to the bed, his hand holding Heer's in a loving and gentle grip as they both dreamt about their future life together.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Days passed by slowly, everyone was happy to have Prem back and the preparations for the wedding were back in full force, once again the couple was unable to meet due to the traditions. Preet was getting better, beginning to laugh and smile again under the constant watch of his sweet fiance Ashlesha. Gayetri was running around the house making sure everything was set in the correct manner and place. Lalit though, was left alone to think about his wrong doings. It seemed today was the day he would actually do something about them. "Mujhe maaf kardo Prem, Preet, Gayeti, aap sab log mujhe maaf kardo. Maine bahut bure kaam kiye hain, apne beton ke saath kitna ghatiya bartaw kiya hai...lekin main aaj ke baad aisa kuch nahin karoonga, tum sab ne mujhe maaf kardiya na?" He commanded rather than asking, like always. No one moved forward to accept his hug as he opened his arms for one, not even his ladli Veera. He seemed to understand their decision and without another word left the house and the family...forever. No one moved to stop him, they all didn't care because for once they were thinking about themselves...not what he wanted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Prem looked around anxiously as he waited for Preet to bring Heer. He glanced at the preparations and smiled as they were perfect, the meadow looked its best at being decorated with rose petals around the tiny table. Today was a special day, it was the birthday of his angel, his Heer. He looked up at the sound of payals and was left spellbounded by the beauty that is Heer Maan, soon to be Mrs. Prem Juneja. She was dressed in a simple red sari with golden sequences and designs, the necklace that Prem placed on her neck during their sangeet, and some simple golden earrings. Her payals harmonized into a beautiful melody with her bangles. She was matching perfectly with him in his black suit and red tie. Heer walked unsure, being led by Preet with a blindfold on her eyes. All the unsurity fled the minute Prem's cologne entered her senses. Preet left her in Prem's hands and left the place with a wink at Prem. Prem walked forward and gently began to lead her into a seat, shivers ran down her back as goosebumps appeared where his hands touched. "Prem yeh sab--" she began to speak but was stalled by his fingers on her lips, halting her from speaking. "Kuch mat kehna, this night is for you, Happy Birthday jaan," he finished speaking while taking the blindfold off, letting her see the table decorated with rose petals, a small cake and dinner. She turned and hugged him, appericiating everything, happy to spend her b-day with him for the first time in years. They continued to celebrate by feeding each other, the night came to an end as they danced to "Bol Na Halke Halke". The stars twinkled down at the couple as the moon gave her blessing to her children.
Indian Idol 15
