[FF] The Handmaiden's Tale [Part 16, Pg 44] [3/8] - Page 29

Originally posted by: sourpuss

Hi I'm sorry that I'm stuck and I can't figure out what to write. So please, once I figure out how to write it, I'll put it up, but until then, please stop asking me to continue because believe me, I am trying.

Thank you.

Originally posted by: Anhdara13

Shuddup you. *frowns* You meanie. Just for that I will not give you a long comment like I had planned. And just tell you that it was nice. Both parts. And am waiting for the next.
And yet we're still BFFs...*shakes head* But thanks! 😃
Love, Love you too!
Radz

Originally posted by: noneeM

I just realised that I've missed three parts of this one! 😲 *Angry with self* I just saw this B and could have kicked myself for missing such wonderful updates....
Aww don't kick yourself! 😆
Part 12:
I really loved the PH interaction. My fav bit was when Prem crosses the distance between them in three strides (so masterful...awww*day dream modish*), puts his hand over Heer's and whispers "Don't be mad at the flowers" while meeting her eyes in the mirror" totally awesome B! I loved it!
And I also missed Meet!
Whoo thanks!
Part 13:
Skimpy parasol!!!!! I liked the way you phrased that! I love the way he addresses her as My Lady! Swoonable stuff😆 Although it was a short update, it was written so well that the length just didn't matter. And I loved the last sentence where she smiles, swearing softly! Awesome!
Still missing Meet!
Again, thanks! And yeah...this isn't supposed to be Meet-centric, so I was trying to cut down on Meet scenes because SOMEONE *glares at Maddy* pointed out that there was more Meet than PH...
Part 14:
Meet awesomeness!!!!!! Holy Preet! (credit:Shabz) Brilliant part! And so Preetish! And totally adorable! And the conversation between the two is so so so so cute. I don't have to tell you I was imagining myself next to Preet, do I????? Awesome update! Big hug Bhav!
*rolls eyes* As usual my dear! *hugs back*
Read it about ten times and then some more times with my PTG! 😆 Preet and meher are just so cute in this one! You just write Preet so well B, every time I read something you have penned, I just keel over a bit more (and now I'm at the precipice (holding on with the sheer power of the PTGs) of the bottomless Preet chasm, doesn't that say something about my precarious hold on life!) Who wants to live if the alternative is an after life in the bottomless chasm of Preetness! Okay, so, that didn't make any sense at all! It's all your fault*sulks* You write Preet so wonderfully, is it my fault I've rolled off the edge (of normal human behaviour!!!!) 😆😆
Aww gee thanks! 😳
Sorry, I missed three parts! *Curses self* But loved reading three parts at one go! One big treat for me!
Whoo yay!
🤗 Big hugs 🤗
Love:-Nonee (Hope I'm forgiven! *making puppy dog eyes a la Preet*)

Nonee. Stop thinking that I'm mad at you, or else I really will be mad at you!! 😆

Originally posted by: *lucky_karen*

hey bhav! that was oh soo romantic..😳 i love meet they are just meant to be together😳😳 sighh...dreamy wala 😆😉 i wanna go on a boat ride with preet *pouts*...ooo ice creamm yumm😆 sorry the heat here is gettin to my head and ice cream is my weakness😆 back on track wow what a part so adorable..i loved tanuja's reaction...so like my mom..😆 but i want more meet!!! soo huryy pls..😲 what?!!! ur not updating as often😭 nooo😭 so not fair bhav😭 promise youll make the parts worth the wait?😃 (ie LOTS OF MEET😆) pretty pls with ice cream on top?😆😃 thankss..-karen😛

Karen! *hugs* Ahhh Meet totally are meant to be! 😳 And yeah, there should be a club for people who wanna go on a boat ride with Preet...😳😆 Ice cream is awesome. *nods* And I really hope the parts are worth the wait! 😳

Hi guys! *waves* I am so sorry it's taken me more than a month to update this, but really, for so long I was stuck on just HOW to do the orphanage part. I tried a couple of different ways, but none of them really seemed right. Then finally a couple of days ago it hit me like a netball to my face. And I wrote. And once again, I am so sorry for taking such a long time. *hopes that the update will placate* 😆

This part is dedicated to RAVZ, 'cause she wanted me to update. 😛 Special thankyous to Radz and Meera for helping me look through the part! I'm still a little uncertain about the ending though...But anyway, enjoy!

-||-

The Handmaiden's Tale, or Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye

Part Fifteen

Preet sighed. He had been through the entire house and he had spied everyone save who he was looking for. He leaned against a pillar, casting his gaze around him and wondering where on earth she could possibly be.

And then he spotted her, her arms once again laden with pressed and folded sheets, on her way to the linen closet, a smile playing at her lips.

His own curled into a smile as he pushed himself off the pillar and followed her, determined to continue what they had left off…

-|flashback|-

As he paced the tiny closet, Preet had come to the conclusion that he hated children. He had no idea how they had tricked him into getting into the closet. (But of course, he knew all too well that they had invited him to a game of hide and seek, and he had to count down in the closet. And then he had heard the lock click. For ten unsuccessful minutes he had pounded on the door, demanding that they open it up and let him out, but of course, they had raced out of earshot.)

So he paced the tiny closet, hoping that someone would wonder why the closet was locked, and then finally let him out.

The voices that he heard outside made him pause and frown slightly.

"Arre, tum log mujhe kahaan le jaa rahey ho?" a very familiar voice asked.

Preet's frown deepened. Was that Meher?

"Didi, aap bas chup-chaap aayiye!"

Preet scowled. There was no mistaking three-year-old Tannu's voice. That little devil was the reason he was in the closet.

The voices drew nearer. The children's voices were all but indistinct, but he could pick out Meher's voice easily. After all, she was the only one who sounded confused.

Then he heard the lock open. He squinted his eyes, blinded by the sudden light, as Meher was pushed in, and the closet door slammed shut on both of them.

Both of them took a moment for their eyes to readjust, as Meher spun around and began pounding on the door.

"Tannu, darwaaza kholo!" she demanded. "TANNU!"

"It's no use, Meher," Preet said, unable to help the smirk that crept on his face. "I've been in here longer than you have."

Meher turned to him, and even in the semi-darkness Preet could make out the desolation on her face. "Toh phir hum kya karein?" she asked, panic slowly rising. "I'm claustrophobic!"

Preet's smirk grew as he drew nearer to her, cornering her against the door. He placed a hand on the door, leaning into her.

"P-P-Preet," she stuttered, her eyes wide. "Tum…tum…kya…?"

He put a finger to her lips, amused at the little gasp she unwittingly let out. "There's no time like the present, Meher," he whispered.

Meher swallowed nervously. Preet's face was inches away from her, and she closed her eyes, desperately trying to still her frantically beating heart. She felt his warm breath graze her cheek, just moments before his lips settled on them.

Then all of a sudden she stumbled backwards. Even behind her closed eyelids she could see the bright light that meant that they were outside. She gasped, her eyes flying open as she reached out for Preet, who pulled her upright, his expression a mix of shock and disappointment and annoyance.

Both of them looked around, and Meher let out a little squeak.

Staring at them, her eyes wide and a hand over her mouth, was Tanuja.

Meher heard Tannu's distinct giggle coming from somewhere to the side, and she groaned silently.

-|end flashback|-

Well, that wasn't about to happen this time, Preet decided as he slipped into the linen closet behind Meher and closed the door.

He saw her stiffen, and she turned around slowly.

Her eyes widened again. "P-P-Preet?" she stuttered, backing away.

That was oddly endearing, he thought with a smile. He closed the two steps between them easily. He reached out and brushed strands of her hair back, feeling her shiver under his touch.

"I just thought that we should finish up what we started in the orphanage," he whispered. He leaned closer, watching as she closed her eyes and bit her lip. His lips brushed her cheek, and then…

"Preet, there you are."

Preet let out a low growl as he whirled around, annoyed. He blinked a little, his eyes adjusting to the light that Prem had let in.

"What?" he groaned, glaring at Prem.

Prem raised an eyebrow, glancing from Preet to Meher, then shook his head, deciding it was better to not ask. "I need you to tell Lady Heer to meet me on the terrace in twenty minutes. Please. Thanks." And he hurried away, leaving the door open.

Preet sighed. He turned to Meher, who, with trembling hands, was putting the sheets back on the right shelves. Her eyes darted to him again and again, and her cheeks were still coloured red.

Sighing again, he left the linen closet quietly.

Meher looked after him, releasing a disappointed breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She bit her lip, blushing harder at the memory of what had just happened. Or rather, hadn't happened. She allowed her mind to wander, letting herself imagine what could have happened. And she blushed harder, sighing and wishing Prem hadn't interrupted them.

-||-

Heer sat at her dresser, her pale blue satin robe pulled loosely around her. She ran a brush through her long dark hair absently, not realizing that her hair had been fully untangled five minutes ago.

Her eyes were fixed on her reflection in her mirror, but she didn't see herself. Instead, her mind was still at the orphanage four hours ago.

-|flashback|-

Heer watched in sadistic delight as Rubina and Kiran ran around Prem, winding their skipping rope around him as Ravjot watched, clapping and laughing and egging them on.

Prem looked despairingly around him, his arms pinned to his sides, feeling as if he were about to topple over. He continued to plead with the girls to stop, but they were too caught up in their own little game.

"Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies, hush-a, hush-a, we all fall down!" they sang, bursting into giggles.

They ran out of skipping rope, and Rinki and Kimmi stopped and looked at each other.

"Now what?" Rinki asked.

"Idea!" Kimmi shrieked, and she ran off with an evil smile on her face.

"Woh kahaan jaa rahi hai?" Ravjot asked.

Rinki shrugged. "Wherever she's going, it's going to be fun!"

Prem cleared his throat, struggling to stay upright. "Could you untie me, please?" he begged.

Ravjot and Rinki looked at each other. "No," they said simultaneously, just as Kimmi came running back, a set of face paints in her hand.

Rinki's and Ravjot's eyes brightened. "Face paint!" Rinki shrieked.

Prem's eyes widened. He hopped backwards, but, as anybody wrapped in skipping rope would know, it was not easy, and he fell. The girls approached him, face paint in their hands and enthusiastic glints in their eyes.

He swallowed nervously.

-|flashback|-

Heer smiled at the memory of the disaster that had been Prem after the girls had finished with him. But her smile faded as she remembered Prem's reaction…

-|flashback|-

Rinki ran back to Prem, holding up a mirror to him. "Prem Uncle bohut pretty lag rahey hain, na?" she asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes at him.

Prem swallowed nervously as he opened his eyes. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Staring back at him wasn't Prem. Instead, it was a man with blue face paint eye shadow, red face paint rouge circles, purple face paint lipstick, and various other colours in polka dots on his face.

He broke out into a grin, trying hard to contain his laughter. "Wow," he told them. "Main sach mein bohut sundar lag raha hoon!"

The girls cheered. "Aap humare saath Fairy Princess khelenge?" Ravjot asked.

-|flashback|-

Heer had been stunned when Prem had agreed to play Fairy Princess with them, and after that, the girls had become so attached to him that they had gone from calling him Prem Uncle to Prem Bhaiya.

She had no idea what had caused the 180 change in Prem. She was never going to understand him, she realized with a sigh. She set her brush down and looked at her reflection.

Was it time to consider the possibility of one day becoming the Duchess of Illyria?

She couldn't further that thought, though, as a knock on the door came at that very moment.

Sighing again, she stood up and headed for the door, pulling her robe modestly around herself. She opened the door, expecting to find Meher or one of her other servants there.

She was surprised to find a rather surly Preet standing at her door instead.

"My Lady," he bowed. "Lord Prem would like to meet you on the terrace in twenty minutes."

Heer's heart fluttered, though Preet didn't notice her cheeks colour. "Tell him I'll be there," she said.

Preet nodded and left, surly as ever.

Heer closed the door. She looked around the room, her heart racing. Why did Prem want to meet her?

Prem wanted to meet her.

She looked down at herself.

She had to change.

-|end of part fifteen|-