It Ends Tonight
Dazzling. She looked dazzling as she stepped out of the cab, dazzling as she paid the driver, dazzling as she turned around and gracefully descended upon the party.
He'd been awaiting her arrival, subconsciously wondering what she would wear, how she would look, who she would arrive with, and how he would react.
He knew he'd be astonished. She had the tendency to catch him off guard, and she was the only one who could pull it off with such splendor and elegance.
Grasping his drink, he retreated from the balcony, with the aim to catch her off guard this time.
***
She was seated with a group of friends, staring longingly at the dance floor. She didn't mean to seem desperate, but she yearned to be whisked away at this very moment. Only half-aware of the existence of the present male population that seemed to be ogling at her, it seemed as if her mind kept straying off…. to another place, another time, another person.
Those eyes…gorgeous brown orbs with an intensity that shook her…that smile…the upward curve of the lips that lead to a slight dimple on his cheek…and the messy hair…teasing her to run a hand through it…
Sighing, she clasped her handbag and excused herself from the table, strolling away from the party hall, a feeble attempt to eradicate the memory of his touch, his face, and maybe the sudden sense of his presence.
***
"I'd rather we not talk about business while we're here, for this party, as I've heard, is meant for pure relaxation and celebration, and I've begun to revere the idea for keeping it like that"
The man standing opposite him politely apologized and drifted off in search of someone else who'd actually appreciate the business talk.
The business talk's rejecter, on the other hand, simply grinned as he walked away, relaxed and poised.
Finally, his father's company had been saved from drowning with the economy…everyone had given up, preparing for liquidation, firing the thousands of workers, throwing it all away…but the heir to the empire wouldn't give up.
Stubborn as always, Prem Juneja knew how to get his way, and being the purposeful man he is, insisted on putting his four years of studying at Oxford to use. If not now, then when? He'd asked his father.
It was the perfect time to step in, and he'd taken advantage of it right away, leading not only to the success of the business, but also to a sense of recognition for his abilities rather than stature, and he couldn't help but take pride in it.
Hence, this party - a celebration of success and an opening for positiveness in the atmosphere of the Juneja house.
***
She stared at the glowing moon, the glittering stars, taking in the beauty of the night. Aim for the moon, if you miss, you'll land in the stars.
Was that where she was? In the stars? Or did she completely miss the sky altogether?
"I see a star on the earth, staring up at the twinkling ones in the sky, glowing like an angel, yet there's darkness in her eyes" he whispered, watching intently.
She responded with a sharp intake of breath, followed by a slight movement of her head.
In seconds, she was staring into his eyes, drowning into them as the resistance faltered.
"You" she whispered.
"Me" he whispered back, a smile tugging at his lips.
"What are you doing here?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she realized it was an absurd query. Why couldn't he be here?
He just grinned as she stole her eyes away, pulling herself together. "How are you?"
"Why would you ask?" She examined his face, taking in the familiar features, her eyes relating the unspoken.
He returned the gaze, ponderingover the numerous things that set her apart from the rest, unable to hide his astonishment at her beauty, basking under the radiance of the moon. Bathed in your radiance, I melt he recalled the familiar line from an old song.
"I have a confession to make" he admitted, his confidence slowly dissolving.
"Does it answer the unspoken?" she asked, unaware of the effect she held on him, the flash of anger in her eyes, the determined line of her lips.
All he could muster was a gentle nod, followed by a swallow. "I'm Prem Juneja. The Prem Juneja."
And that was it. Instantly, the anger disappeared, and disbelief flitted through her face. And then there was the visible hurt.
The hurt was what pained him. Even the emptiness, the darkness from earlier, even that was better than what had replaced it…this is what he was dreading..
He slightly shuddered at the accusatory glare.
"And I'm out of here" she whispered, clutching her purse and turning away, blinking away the tears.
"And I love you" he replied, tugging at her arm, surprised at her weak resistance.
Taking advantage of her silence, he pulled her towards himself, until her back leaned into him. She tried pulling away, but he wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin on her shoulder.
"I'm Prem Juneja, and I know you loathe me" he paused, watching her fight the tears again. "But Gaurav Sharma loves you and YOU brought out Gaurav from within Prem."
"Let me go" she resisted against hisgrip, unable to hold the tears back anymore.
It all flashed before her, memories of her favorite summer. The first meeting at the caf, the run-in at the hotel, the date at the beach, the long-night walks. And then the sudden disappearance…Prem Juneja…it was all Prem Juneja.
"I didn't…I…Heer. I didn't want to lie to you" he murmured. "But it was the only way to get close to you. I needed a companion, and I saw the loneliness in your eyes too. And then, when you told me about your story, I realized you hated me. And that irked me like anything. You know why? Because by the time you entrusted me enough to tell me about your life, I was already head over heels in love with you"
She silently wept, leaning into him more. He gently turned her around, wiping away the tears, gently touching his forehead against hers. "I don't care about the rest. I don't care about my parents, my family. All I want is you, your love. "
"But I don't love you" Stubborn, she gathered herself and faced away yet again.
"Look into my eyes, and repeat the same"
She knew she couldn't. She would drown again, and lose control, under that intoxicating gaze that had captured her the first time…and still held her.
"I can't love you" she whispered, looking up at him. "I can't"
"Why? Is it because you're my employee? Or because of that one mistake you wouldn't forgive?"
"Mistake? Do you realize that your one proposal lead to my father's demise? Do you realize that that one mistake of yours shattered my family, my life, my dreams?"
"Maa made me propose to her Heer, it was her wish. I didn't even know who you were, where you were, and if you were even alive. I'd only heard about you in childhood stories, I…"
"HEER! Where are you?"
Prem paused, trying to place the masculine voice. "Who is that?" he whispered, glancing around.
Heer suddenly yanked his arm off and sprinted away, colliding into a tall muscular figure. She looked up, her chocolate brown eyes meeting his warm hazel ones. "Rahul" she whispered, holding him close.
"Hey sweetheart, sorry I'm late. You having fun?" he grinned, running a hand through her hair.
"Let's go away from here, please?"
Without any questions, Rahul gently nodded and lead her away, leaving Prem standing alone, watching from a distance, his eyes just now spotting the glittering diamond on his lady love's finger.
And as he watched her lean into that someone else, seeking comfort in his arms, he felt as if she had yanked his heart out and taken it away, for only emptiness subsided within him.
When darkness turns to light,
It ends tonight, it ends tonight.
Just a little insight, won't make this right,
It's too late to fight, it ends tonight.
**
The song, if you're wondering, is It Ends Tonight by the All-American Rejects (LOVE them!)
Special thanks to Meera, Bhavs, and GG for all their encouragement and confidence (and proofing!)! 🤗🤗🤗
Comments/Criticism/Chappals please?
-Madiha
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
